Sage is apparently bringing back the XP……
- This topic has 16 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated Jan 2, 2009 at 10:52 am by
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….but exclusively through Cabela’s. Which means everyone’s local Sage dealer will not have access to it for their customers. Aside from companies doing what they need to do in tough economic times do you guys think this is kind of a slap in the face to the fly shops that Sage built their business through? At any rate, i know a lot of people will be happy it’s back.
IMO Sage has made some of if not the finest graphite fly rods in the world. That aside this isn’t something I consider the proper way to conduct business. I hope they reconsider and offer those rods to their dealers too.
I’m sure any fly shop who would place an order large enough to warrant the set-up costs could have Sage (or any other fly rod copmany) make a special run of rods to their specs.
Martin and Gibson make special series of guitars for Guitar Center that the mom and pop music stores cannot order simply because of the volume.
Tough economic times or not, money talks.
Winston, Scott, Sage, Martin, Gibson, General Motors, all in business to make a profit. It’s better to keep the workers employed and the factory running than it is to shut down production and lay people off.
Since I seriously doubt Congress will bail out a fishing equipment manufacturer, I think Sage probably did the smart thing to preserve their business.
I don’t currently own any Sage rods and don’t consider myself a big fan nor am I associated with Sage in any way. I just don’t see this as a slap in anybody’s face. It’s just business.
By the way, I looked on Cabela’s website and could not find any hint of this in the New for 2009 or in their regular fly rod section.
Like said below, are we sure it’s not just a rumor?
Maybe they bought some new old stock from a shop that was going out of business and were selling them at one of the Cabela’s stores???
according to the blurb in the new catalog they are all brand spanking new ones they are making fresh. they made a point to state that they weren’t leftovers or overstock, etc.
I rather wish they would have brought back the SLT, in an 8 or 8’6″ 4wt 4piece, but they didn’t ask me.
All kinds of theories brewing on this one.
Cabelas saw an opportunity for an exclusive on an out of production model that they perceive as still being in demand and are prepared to take the risk. I just hope all those guys who have been complaining so long and so loud about the loss of the XP put their money up and support Cabelas on this.
If it means securing work for your valued and trained workforce and gives the company a better balance sheet in what could be a very difficult year ahead you’d be failing in your duty to your owners to not just do it.
On another side if it means staying afloat through the year ahead it means warranties are secure as well. Think of the warranty issues if ANY of the premium rod manufacturers goes belly up. I bet any of the other premium rod companies would give their collective left knackers for the opportunity. 😀
By the way, I wouldn’t swap a single ZAxis for a handful of XP’s…………
Morsie
By the way, I wouldn’t swap a single ZAxis for a handful of XP’s…………
Morsie
I am with you on this one, BIG TIME….
:exclamation :exclamation :exclamation :exclamation :exclamationI was actually thinking something quite similar.
Understand that the XP was “the” rod at the local shop when I started fishing – they were selling a bunch of the 9′ 5wts.
Given the complexities of supplier contracts and that the Z is supposed to be using a different compound somewhere along the line, I find it hard to believe that Sage would be making a new batch of the old rod.
I’m not a gambler (I always loose) but I’d almost be willing to bet Sage had a stash of XP blanks sitting in a back room somewhere gathering dust.
Strengthening two brands at once. It is good for both companies. They could have done an exclusive “Cabelas” Rod that did not have the Sage name on it. It would have sold a quarter of what it will with the Sage Name.
It is all about branding and business decisions. Sage is kind of getting into the “North Face” category where they are a little more about the business, brand and the money and a little less about quality. They make great blanks but the full rods in my opinion are not anything special. The wraps are shotty and the hardware is well…
(like North Face – who use to have the best of everything they do but now it is the Gucci of the outdoors)
There was no old stash of blanks and the material to re-make the XP is still available, thats no problem. Most warranty repairs are made to order. Perhaps during the current time they will build up an inventory of blanks and rods.
Morsie
I must suck or something, but I have cast alot of rods and can never get the refined opinions on them that you guys get.
Dave, I think if someone reeaaaally wants an XP they’ll generally buy it from where ever they can get it from.
Morsie
If Sage needs to sell XPs at Cabalas, I guess thats cool for them. Whats not cool is the guy who is a long time loyal customer to a local shop that reeeeallly wants an XP, but has to buy it at the big box store.
Like any manufacturer Sage needs to sell product. All the more in tough economic times. Like any retailer Cabalas need to sell product. neither are a charity, both are very good at what they do.
The Loyal customer had six years to buy an XP, if he’s missed out now it hasn’t been by a narrow margin.
a TXL was never designed to make anyone throw one foot further.
Some will notice a difference in a premium rod, some won’t. Some will drink a bottle of “Park bench” red wine, others will want an Esk Valley “The Terraces” Merlot… to each their own and neither should condemn the other.
In a retail market if there is a demand then service it. As Peter says the materials are there, the mandrels are there… no big deal to do a run for one major chain prepared to back the product. Very easy to take that product for the small number who still want it and service it in one outlet than ship one or two items to a number of shops around the country. The current range will still be there to be purchased by all.
You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.
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