Yet another Van Staal Question

[RIROCKHOUND]

OK, the car I chose was an example; use a Cadillac SUV as an example... Escilades are ~65K so 3x a Tacoma. So use the VS and Quantum Cabo as the examples...

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

OK, the car I chose was an example;

I think thats a good point. Its the idea that you pay that much for a car, and you still need servicing & they still break.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

I think thats a good point. Its the idea that you pay that much for a car, and you still need servicing & they still break.

...and look at the pathetic state of the Big 3 automakers right now.

Ford and GM and all their OEM's are headed towards or are in financial distress, partly due to lousy quality (vs. Japanese competition) and not listening to the consumer.

[GeoffT]

BTW, it didn't cost me $700 but $499 cash for my new 250. A bigger bang for the buck, eh? By far the best investment ever on a surf reel because of the way I fish.

I had too many problems with the 705 in the short time I had it, particularly after any dunking in water or sand. I was glad to get rid of it. The 250 just feels far more substantial, indestructible and smoother. So far, it's been behaving superbly with the 50# Sufix Performance braid.

I don't know too many people who even have their VS serviced on an annual basis anyway. More like every other year or two, unless you fish it hard 300 days of the year.

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by Bassturbed

...and look at the pathetic state of the Big 3 automakers right now.

Ford and GM and all their OEM's are headed towards or are in financial distress, partly due to lousy quality (vs. Japanese competition) and not listening to the consumer.

Not sure I understand the analogy. Van Staal = American Car manufacturer GM?. GM is in financial distress, partly due to "lousy quality". Van Staal isnt in financial distress as far as I know, and they make quality products. If they were having financial problems, would it be because of competition with Japanese manufacturers of reels? Don't think they have any stiff competition from Japan... & Ford(aka Van Staal) doesnt listen to their consumers? They seem to listen to me....

Maybe im missing something?

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

Van Staal isnt in financial distress as far as I know, and they make quality products

Do some research. Van Staal was in financial distress at the outset. I believe the original entity filed for bankrupcty several years back. It was sold to Reel Ventures LLC and then to Zebco.

The parent company of Zebco isn't going anywhere (run a D&B report on http://www.wcbradley.com/ ). But that doesn't mean that Zebco isn't going to try to keep this line profitable.

Look what aluminum is doing.

They aren't making money on service.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefLinesider

Van Staal doesnt listen to their consumers?

Maybe im missing something?

You definitely are.

[RIJIMMY]

Just another perspective on the cost....
About 20-25 yrs ago (man I feel old) my Dad and I were seriosly into freshwater bass fishing, we went top of the line at tje time on reels and we used Shimano Bantum MAg plus reels, expensive at the time and my Dad was on a limited budget. I think teh reels were around $75. Just last week I browsed a Bass Pro Catalog, one of the 2000 I get each year. My jaw dropped when I saw the prices for baitcasting reels, some were over $500, for a freshwater reel!!!
I just bought a VS this year adn comparing the performance I need to fsih the water I do, its worth it. Things are expensive now. I used Penns for years, but take too many waves and they crap out. I rinse and lube but still have problems. The VS is an uncomplicated reel that sio far has worked for me. It is very expensive, but I beleive the cost benefit over time will eb worth the investment

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

About 20-25 yrs ago ...reels were around $75. Just last week I browsed a Bass Pro Catalog, one of the 2000 I get each year. My jaw dropped when I saw the prices for baitcasting reels, some were over $500, for a freshwater reel!!!

1) No question VS helped define the high-end segment of the reel market.

2) I'm sure the bass tournament fishing phenomenon helped dupe people into parting them from their hard-earned cash.

3) Evidence of people willing to pay $500 for a ***freshwater reel*** tells me there's an awful lot of liquidity sloshing out there. Bad sign for you inflation watchers.

[nightfighter]

If it weren't for the used/classifieds market, I would not have; the VS 200 from last year, two more rods and one 300 series reel this winter, and possibly a boat coming this spring... Been boat shopping for four years. Last 'new' car purchase was in 1982. Can't tell you how many tools have come the used/rebuilt discount route, and are often better than new due to rebuild. If you have patience, identify the need/target, and do your homework, you can get the products far below list price. We all choose to make an investment in our passions, and still have to make the monthly nut to keep a roof over our heads and the kids in clothes/activities etc.

Even Flap would have paid what I did for the VS. And no issues to date with the reel.

But I do buy my Breakaway clips new!

[reelecstasy]

The Arra rods are second generation graphite, and are a better rod...than the standard lami blank which is first generation graphite

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by reelecstasy

The Arra rods are second generation graphite, and are a better rod...than the standard lami blank which is first generation graphite

yep... i love my 1205, but I can imagine someone arguing its not worth the money over a gsb1201m or allstar 1208 which is (well...was) way cheaper Beauty is in the eye of the reel/rod/beer holder