Online Discounts

[anonymous]

Zach,

If you look right now, Fethercraft has Redington Predator rods at regular price, but throwing in a free fly line. It’s a RIO Clouser line too boot.

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=category_view&target=078

They always have lots of online specials.

[Rich Kovars]

Hey Zach,

Here is what I have:

Spring 1935 L.L. Bean Catalog

Double L Rod – 13.50
Double L Reel – 2.65
Double L Line – 2.50

Complete Outfit 17.00

(all prices were postage paid)

Orvis 1970 Catalog

Wes Jordan Rods 235 -282 depending on the rod
Battenkill Rods – about 110 – 201 depending on configuration
Madison Rods 89 – 127 again depending on configuration
Superfine (Bamboo) – 150 – 197
Rocky Mountain Outfit – 211
Full Flex Glass – 47.50 – 54.50

Battenkill Reel (Ultra-light) – 33.50-36.50
Battenkill Multiplier 37.50
Madison – 15.75-19.75
Bogdan – 135-150

Orvis Lines – 16.50 – 25

Let me know if you need any specific models or scans of any pages for reference.

–Rich

[Zach Matthews]

Again based on the value of unskilled wages, that 1935 Double L would cost about $530 today.  This was presumably LL Bean’s sort of ordinary, middle-of-the road rod?  

The cheapest Orvis rod would cost $269 by the same measure today.   The most expensive Orvis rod would be $1600.  That was getting into the final years of bamboo, though, when a handcrafted bamboo rod had begun to be marketed by its builder’s name and when fiberglass was available as a cheaper alternative.  So, I think by 1970, a bamboo rod was already becoming a niche, specialty product and the price had begun to inflate to reflect that.  (I’m sure the quality was also starting to climb well above production levels, too.)

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

I’d say these prices are confirming my thesis that fly rods have always been in roughly the same window.

[Rich Kovars]

Again based on the value of unskilled wages, that 1935 Double L would cost about $530 today.  This was presumably LL Bean’s sort of ordinary, middle-of-the road rod?  

Zach

It was the only offering for fly rods in that particular mailing.

[anonymous]

Thought I would toss this in the mix. Not sure if  you would count it within the sphere of the type of online discounts that have been so far mentioned but … what about the whole phenomenon of online auctions and the  movement of discounted new product which is rarely seen offered in brick and morter outlets.

not sure what I think about this article  but an interesting read nonetheless

http://singlebarbed.com/2008/05/19/get-enough-virtual-bricks-and-mortar-and-youve-created-both-a-big-box-retail-outlet-and-the-worlds-largest-fly-shop/

Will

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Will –

I’m with you on not being sure what to think of that blog post.  Maybe it’s my inherent skepticism, my legal training, or the writer’s complete lack of citation or sourcing, but I’m fairly dubious.  And I’ve talked to the same people.  If Orvis is selling product out the back door via eBay (and I’m talking Orvis corporate, not someone with an Orvis logo over their door), I’ll eat a dog bed.  The internet can be a great place to uncover legitimate scams, sneaky dealings, and nefarious activity, but it’s also full of paranoid, unfounded speculation, and man, sometimes it’s hard to tell which is which.

Zach

[anonymous]

That blog read like an “access hollywood” article, but there are some definite truths in it.

[Simon Chu]

Zach
Have you compared the rod prices of the day with the average wage of the period also?
I would guess rods in general have decreased in price to the average wage?

[mick mccorcle]

Zach:

I think I may have purchased a Winston rod from the same guy you did, several years ago.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Simon –

I am using the “unskilled labor” wage as a benchmark, which I think would equate to slightly above the average minimum wage (I would guess the current average unskilled wage in the US is around $8-10US.)

[Author]

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