The PROBLEM with premium rods

[bassboogieman]

Yeah, I finally came to realize there is a problem with owning primium tackle. Can you guess what it is? Well let me cry in my beer and tell you. Yes, be forewarned, I am going to whine, stamp my feet, and pout so if you don't want to hear it, go back to the forum and do not read further.

I purposedly am ommiting brand names to avoid offending anyone or inviting negative comments. Some of you know and that's OK, because if you do then you are a friend, and I accept all commentary from friends, be it positive or negative well, usually I do.

OK, to begin I stipulate (get it WTL?) that I am a spoiled rotten, used to getting what I want individual and it looks like I have come to a wall that I'm just not willing to bust through. Maybe if I was still working the wall would have been demolished without much thought, but since I'm on a fixed income now - yes the whine is getting to a detectable level. It will get a bit louder in the next paragraph, that is if you've made it this far.

Oh, have you figured out what the problem is yet.

OK, you're still here? It's been about 15 years since I started fishing again, bought a boat and began amassing tackle, specifically rods & reels. I started out with bargain basement stuff until I decided to get a bit serious with it. Every couple years I'd upgrade my combo's - I'm now on my 4th generation of combo's (that's the first hint).

My current locker full of rods are what I considered, at the time (3 years ago), to be the very best rod, IN MY PRICE RANGE, available on the market. I also had the experience with the brand, by again upgrading through the various models of rods this manfacturer offered (also at a somewhat considerable expense). I have to also say, I have been very happy with all the rods I've owned in this brand.

Still here? Last warning - the tears and foot stomping is about to start. Those that know me may have figured out where this is going but if not, please read on.

As I said it's been 3 years since I bought new rods. Yep, I have the bug. Actually I'm bleeding from the latest monkey attack and recovery looks long and difficult and isn't guaranteed. So to the topic of this post - the problem with premium rods (just so we are on the same page $300+ catagory) is trying to sell them. The secondary market, I'm finding, is brutal.

Now, I've put out feelers and I am arrogant enough to say, my rods are very well maintained. You'll find narry a scratch on any of them and they are 3 years old. I keep them in rod socks always, etc. etc. but the bottom line is they don't look used at all. OK, I'm stomping my feet a little. So, as they are used but in very nice shape, when asked HOW MUCH? - which is always the first question - I throw out half price, 50% off, which is about the usuall (even for non-exceptional condition rods). That puts a very nice, premium grade rod in the mid-level price point. Comparable to a mid-level BPS or Cabela's brand rod. I think that's a bargain - but not many agree with me. Sorry, that was just me kicking over a chair.

I guess with my perspective, I would very much like to stumble across an opportunity, such as the one I thought I was offering, but haven't been that lucky. I do understand that with the current state of our economy, not many may be in a position to purchase my entire offering, I know it would be a considerable expense for a lot of guys. But I would think it would be fairly easy to take a couple and be very happy with getting, again, what I consider a good deal on a really good (IMO) rod.

So after some thoughtfull reflection I don't think I'll be getting new rods anytime soon. I'll have to lick my monkey wounds and trudge onward. I've been totally insulted by this experience with the low ball offers and derogatory statments about the rods. Really, if you have negative opinions about the brand - WTF are you contacting me and asking about them? I've found myself on the edge of going to war with a couple of these people. The thing that really raises my hackles is a "prospective" buyer with the "this is my offer, take it or leave it" comment - huh? Take it or leave it? I mean get real, with an attitude like that, I definitely won't sell it to you. I can deal with some negotiation, but playing hard nose on a low ball offer? That pizzes me off as it's a total waste of my (actually both parties) time. Then it's "well you never know, it doesn't hurt to try" - really, I listed my items with a price and didn't say "or REASONABE offer" (I consider unreasonalbe offers to be understood as totally unacceptable). It must be my generational thing - the attitudes of some guys today is so freakin' unbelievable. I'll be back in a minute, I gotta take a time out.

Is it too early for a martini? Maybe a bloody, Mary that's a good "early" drink.

OK, back to my rant.......................

The other issue is shipping - have you shipped a rod lately? PVC isn't cheap either. And when you don't include shipping in your "asking price" buyers want you to ship it free? FREE? Well maybe if you buy 3 rods I'll ship free (if I have to in order to make a sale), but for one rod - no way, takes too much away from the rod price. Guys that don't want to purchase multiple rods, still want free shipping, I'm not tackle-whatever-house with a shipping agreement or high volume profit that would allow me to offer shipping free. I also offer (in fairness) shipping by the tube - usually up to 3 rods, that's a savings over a per rod shipping add on. So if you don't like paying $25 to have a rod shipped, buy 2 or 3 then the additional shipping fee gives you better value and is easier for me also. Does BPS or Cabela's ship free? Well yes, on a special promotion, but normally they recover ALL their shipping costs (and usually charge extra for rods over 6' - they know how much it costs to ship AND they ship in cardboard tubes, yuk!). I look at shipping as a cost of getting an item, above the cost of that item, in exchange for not have to drive and pick it up. Opps, there goes another chair. That got me more irritated than I intended.

So the problem is - trying to sell a premium rod and not get hosed on your investment. If you choose, or have chosen, a premium brand - I hope you really like it and, unlike me, don't plan on changing over after a few years. Reselling can be difficult, especially with a large offering (I put up 15 rods). This was a little surprising to me for a couple reasons. A large offering seems to indicate that the seller is desperate - I'm not - and I had very little issues selling my rods from generation 1 through 3, or any other item actually including reels, lures etc. I usually sell (as I often see others) at 50% - 75% of what I paid dependant upon item, condition and age. I'm guessing half priced is still "expensive" to many, when you get into this price point, without consideration of what the item actually represents.

It's been a boring morning, a little rain and I have some chores to do a little latter. My rant is about over and I'm happy (for now anyway) with the decision to keep my current stock of rods. Hey, I'm not getting any younger, so do I really need NEW rods? My "old rods" have served me well for several years and deserve my loyality and continued care.

OK, I'm done and you can all now berate me for being a spoiled cry baby. That I have it so good and am whining about nothing. That I should be content with my situation, but that's the problem with being spoiled - we can never be satisified. Go ahead, take your shots and have your fun MAKE MY DAY.

If you made it this far - I hope you found some of the above sarcasim a little bit funny. There is some truth to it, but mainly I was poking fun at my stupid situation. It did run a little longer than intended, guess I got carried away. If not

Hey, parting thought: those new Diawa reels look awesome, maybe it's tme to upgrade. Gotta kill that freakin' monkey.................