Van Staal RIP OFF

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

what do you think the solution is for people that fish in places that will result in the reels spending a considerable amount of time under water?

Read the last line of Redlite's post...

Its called the marching soldier swim. Its a cross between a one handed dog paddle and a one handed breast stroke

My Saltiga does go under many times and I just rinse it off at the end of the night.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Read the last line of Redlite's post...

Its called the marching soldier swim. Its a cross between a one handed dog paddle and a one handed breast stroke

My Saltiga does go under many times and I just rinse it off at the end of the night.

Makes sense. I sink like a stone in the water, so the concept of swimming with one arm out of the water would never cross my mind.

Last year I used a Stradic that was dunked quite often. It's a great reel, but I know it's just a matter of time before a trip gets cut short due to it seizing.

[Thumper]

for you guys doing the self service kit, remember that it doesn't come with anything to service the main seal.

i have no problem coughing up the $50 to $80 bucks every couple years. to me that justifies the time i spent last seasons taking apart and rebuilding the 706z, and cleaning the shimano drags that don't even like rain. i think the funniest part about every single vs & zeebaas bashing thread is that 90% of the people that bash either party have never even held one or fished one for that matter. Why does no one bash the guy who just spent $35k on a boat to just go fishing on a sunday afternoon?

Like Islander said to each his own...

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by Thumper

for you guys doing the self service kit, remember that it doesn't come with anything to service the main seal.

i have no problem coughing up the $50 to $80 bucks every couple years. to me that justifies the time i spent last seasons taking apart and rebuilding the 706z, and cleaning the shimano drags that don't even like rain. i think the funniest part about every single vs & zeebaas bashing thread is that 90% of the people that bash either party have never even held one or fished one for that matter. Why does no one bash the guy who just spent $35k on a boat to just go fishing on a sunday afternoon?

Like Islander said to each his own...

You and I have been over this many a time ... I fish what I fish cause well its a convench who cares .. But when you have a person who has limited time to fish like yourself, or I will this year thats when it not effing up matters or NOT having to tear it apart... I think it really is a " to each their own" thing cause in the end if you can justify the cost then you will be happy. And the fact is a sucker is born every minute.. So its not like spending 8-13 hundred on a reel is gonna MAKE you catch 40+ lb fish all the time.. In the end its personal choice/ happiness in what you fish... And Thumper just cause people have money does NOT make them smart we have been over that also...

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Islander77

So its not like spending 8-13 hundred on a reel is gonna MAKE you catch 40+ lb fish all the time.. In the end its personal choice/ happiness in what you fish

dam im returning mine then

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by Thumper

dam im returning mine then

Dont tell her then .. You still at the wives or you able to get back to the house and have power now??

[Mike P]

Saltiga---5 seasons, zero internal maintenence (line roller oiled a few times), no problems. Heavily used the last 4 seasons (I got it midway through the year the first season). The line roller bearing gets noisy when I crank against the Canal current. Probably shot.

VS 250--12 seasons (albeit no real use the last 4), zero internal maintenence, line roller oiled, no problems.

I have a newer 200 with a shot line roller bearing, but all it does is sound like a 706, so I can live with it.

I beat the piss out of the Van Staals when I lived on LI. Never seen the factory, and I wouldn't dare send them back now. If they ever stop turning, I'll open them with a pair of channell locks again and see what's what inside. I took a quick peek once, put grease on the gears to supplement the oil, and cranked them tight again.

I do suspect the factory of unnecessary replacement of some parts, though. I believe you authorize them to perform up to $200 of "necessary" maintenence when you send the reel in--at least that used to be the deal.

[Sea Dangles]

If they open it up for service they have to make them current.Too much trouble if they don't.I don't deny being a VS man,I'll even admit to being let down one time when I was left holding the crank with a 25# in the middle of the ditch.OUCH!!The last two I won which really makes me happy.I even caught a 180# tuna on a VS last year,performed flawlessly.Keep your fag daiwa piece of shiznit and ask yourself why you wasted all that money rather than sticking with $100 40# catching Penns.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

.Keep your fag daiwa piece of shiznit and ask yourself why you wasted all that money rather than sticking with $100 40# catching Penns.

I'm actually in agreement with you. I purchased my saltigas back when they were $450-$500. This was about the same price a VS went for at the time.

I'm not so sure I'd puke up $700-$800 for any reel at this point, regardless of its performance. Been looking to purchase a third spinning reel and can't bring myself to spend the asking price for any or these high performance reels.

With either case, VS will not be on my short list when I get my next reel.....unless I win one or two of them like you did, oh great one...

[piemma]

I think one of the main things it comes down to is "how you fish". If you are on the rocks all the time be it the Ditch, Narragansett, the Block, etc and don't "wetsuit" then you don't NEED an $800 reel. If you are one of the "young guns" who wetsuit and have your reel constantly submerged then you NEED a tank for a reel. Note the operative word here is "NEED".

God know, that in the 70s and 80s there were those of us who experimented with Cracks and Luxors. We almost to a man, either went back to Penn 704s or 706s or Sqidders. Those 3 reels probably have accounted for more Stripers than all the VS reels ever will.

I am not bashing the VS. They are great reels and I fished one for 2 years but I do not wetsuit so my reel stays dry enough so a rinse and drag washer cleaning every so often is all I need to do. if you are afflent enough to be able to afford a VS or Saltiga and just want that luxery, then go for it. It's like owning a Mercedes. You don't NEED one to go grocery shopping but it's a nice car to own.

[stripermaineiac]

Shame the old Mitchells don't all work with braid. Load them with vasaline and fish them submerged all you want with few problems. You can do the same with the penns today. Landed loads of big fish with them and still use some when I can find the parts for them.Between them and the old Penns the new stuff is poor at best in comparison and doesn't hold up long when used hard. Ron

[ivanputski]

If I shared price info on how I scored a VS 200 at cabelas using a combination of THEIR offers........... you would vomit.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

If I shared price info on how I scored a VS 200 at cabelas using a combination of THEIR offers........... you would vomit.

true story, i almost craped my waders

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by Thumper

true story, i almost craped my waders

We ran into him down the hill that night it was crappy... But yes good deal on that...

[luds]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

If I shared price info on how I scored a VS 200 at cabelas using a combination of THEIR offers........... you would vomit.

I would actually appreciate knowing in case I wanted to try pulling the same scam in the future. I'm sure others would be interested also.

[ivanputski]

Thumper... i think I ran into you the day after I got it! Funny thing is, for the first month, I actually didnt like the reel very much, and considered ebaying it... There is an adjustment period... but now I wouldnt be without it

[ivanputski]

reel was on an un-advertised sale for 501.00, combine that with a free 150$ store gift card for spending 500$ or more... brings the reel to 351.00
Not sure why it was on sale, but I didnt ask... Cabelas often mails card holders coupons that offer 150$ gift cards for spending 500$ or more... so a 750$ reel would be 600 bucks... I have also convinced cashiers to combine multiple coupons...

[luds]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

reel was on an un-advertised sale for 501.00, combine that with a free 150$ store gift card for spending 500$ or more... brings the reel to 351.00
Not sure why it was on sale, but I didnt ask... Cabelas often mails card holders coupons that offer 150$ gift cards for spending 500$ or more... so a 750$ reel would be 600 bucks... I have also convinced cashiers to combine multiple coupons...

They are generous with the coupons.

[Ken_J]

80 bucks, you got off easy for what they did

[milo]

so what does "LIFETIME WARRANTY " REALLY MEAN?.......Does it mean that they will service your reel for $ 200-300...WTF KIND of waranty is that? I think I need to send mine in cause I put some grease in there last year and it seems to be emulsifying...but I am going to send them a letter with it saying if YOU think it needs all these new parts just send the F#$$$@$ THING BACK AND DONT TOUCH IT...I am pissed cause I aint forkin over 2-300 bucks for that %$%$%$%$

[RIROCKHOUND]

Wow, what did I start!

1. I love my VS. It is an older model and I bought it on ebay in ~2001? for under 400.00. It has been back once outside of service for an issue, but otherwise it is a workhorse of a reel and I beat the snot out of it.

2. My main issue, after the sticker shock wore off, was not a rip off in what they did, but rather what I view as a lack of communication on their part. While they stipulate they will not notify unless over 150.00, with shipping came to 149.00... WTF.. I would have a appreciated an email saying we have updated some parts and to do all of the replacement work will be X dollars over the 50.00 service charge. I was expecting 50.00 for a cleaning and such, and be back fishing. Could have avoided a case of sticker shock, b/c I still would have moved forward with the work!

regardless I got my M-1 reel back, now just waiting 6 more weeks till she gets wet...

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Wow, what did I start!

I hope we answered your inquiry.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I hope we answered your inquiry.

Whatever plug poser.

[chuckg]

I have an older 3 digit 200, have had little trouble but maintenance costs really irk me. Went to a Saltist 5000H, at $200, for the Canal, can't wait to try that and don't expect any real problems that will cost mucho $$...

[Team rock]

You can always sell it! , they do hold there value [resale].
Something people I guess need to know of VS is maintence is costly.