Winston Teams with Cabelas – Seriously?!?!
- This topic has 60 replies, 24 voices, and was last updated Oct 19, 2010 at 2:06 am by
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Tim has a good point. I’ve been shopping in fly shops before and felt sorry for a new guy walking in the door. You shouldn’t have to go through some initiation ceremony to get some help. Especially since some of those new guys, especially older ones, are probably prepared to drop plenty of coin to get kitted out.
But maybe I’m just sensitive to it because, when I got started, a fly shop I frequented (out of necessity) in Colorado treated me– and others who didn’t know the secret grip– like lepers.
I agree with John, but I think it should be noted that not everyone pays the same price from the manufacturer.
Can you elaborate?
Whether your staff is rude or not, one thing is for certain and that is the number of customers is not growing. Fly shop business today is a zero sum game and you need to do everything you can to get your share. A fly shop without a REAL Internet presence is most likely headed out of business. The staff better be knowledgeable and friendly. The owner best know what a sale is all about and best be ready to add a $50 fly line for free with each rod purchase.
Bike shops around here are THE WORST. They size you up the second you walk through the door and throw piles of misinformation at you. One shop in particular, the hacks that work there will hit on your wife right in front of you.
Oh my gosh….truer words have never been spoken.
Being very honest with you Dave some people get treated just the way they deserve. I have been on both sides of the counter and I have seen jerks from both places.
Rich,
What I was referring to was tier pricing schedules many manufactures give discounts to the higher volume dealers and to the dealers that will agree to buying volumes for the next season.I thought that is what you were referring to Mark.
I can already buy Winston and most other high end rods from online shops. Most will ship them free, and with no sales tax. Most local shops know this and are willing to work with you if you just ask 😎
All you fly shop guys don’t blow me out of the water, I buy about 80% of my terminal tackle, accessories, and tying stuff from 2 local shops.
Guys, I agree with most of what you are saying regarding the typical asshole at any given specialty shop. I have not experienced this in a fly shop yet, but have in ski shops, ect.
Our shop in Dallas I believe is an exception to a lot of what I’ve read on these replies. First I want to say that I am not trying to “toot my own horn” here but simply giving feedback to what has been posted.
Being in Dallas, we have all types of anglers. First timers, intermediates, and advanced. Whether they have money or not, we DO offer equipment (particularly rods/reels) in all price ranges and don’t go above the MSRP. We offer rods from TFO to Sage, Ross Fly Start to Tibor. For those of you on this board that have been in the shop, I sure hope that we have not earned the typical reputation that some of you speak of. Not once have I personally tried to screw someone into a $700 rod unless they specifically ask for one. Being down the street from the TFO warehouse, we sell more TFO rods than I can count.
My reaction to Winston going to Cabelas may have been abrubt, but for a fly shop trying to reach all of Texas as well as the nation, we do take a hit when this happens, no matter what company it is. Thats just the nature of business.
Either way, I didn’t mean to start such a shit storm here.
Matt
www.mattjonesphotography.com
I understand exactly what you are saying. It’s not just fly shops that have been kicked in the head in this economy. Any small business is more than likely struggling to keep it’s head above water. Any serious fly fisherman will tell you though that a good local shop is a valuable resource that deserves your business, and must have it to stay in business.
If you buy a Winston from Cabelas it will cost you $19.95 for shipping. That will eat up any $15 or $20 coupons.
I’ve got to respectfully play devil’s advocate here:
My Local Flyshop:
Winston LT5 4 weight = $695
7% sales tax = $48.65
Total = $743.65Cabelas:
Winston LT5 4 weight = $695
S&H = $19.95
Total = $714.95Savings through Cabelas = $28.70*
Of course the intangibles must be factored in such as being able to lawn cast a prototype at the shop….face-to-face advice, etc. Also add in the cost of time and gas to drive downtown to said flyshop. Now don’t get me wrong…I try to patronize the local establishment as much as anybody but that is a somewhat significant savings.
Just sayin’.
Alaska doesn’t have a state sales tax so I didn’t even think about that. However, my son lives in Kentucky and when I order a gift and have it shipped to him from an online retailer I do have to pay the Kentucky sales tax on that purchase. So in Kentucky I would guess that you would possibly have to pay the sales tax whether you buy the rod in state or order it from out of state.
I live in KY. Only if the retailer has a physical presence in the state (and that could be a shipping warehouse and not necessarily a retail outlet) would they charge sales tax.
Also, there is NO local fly shop anywhere close to me. Locally, the closest thing is a Bass Pro and I do find Cabelas has a better selection. I buy a lot from Little River Outfitters in Tennessee, but I wouldn’t call 300 miles away a local shop.
As for Winston selling through any outlet, I just don’t see the problem with it. If it were my business, I’d sell to anyone with money.
It would be like saying Martin or Gibson shouldn’t sell their guitars at Guitar Center.
The way I see it, Winston (or any other business) is there to make a profit and keep their lights on. You just have to do what it takes as long as it’s not illegal or unethical.
Just my .02 worth.
Don’t even get me started on a-holes in fly shops.
Go into a shop with your teen age son who is 1) a better fisherman than 90% of the people in the shop,and 2) one of the most honest kids I know.
I have worked with manufactutrers and retailers in other industries where the big brand names decided to sell to the big box chain stores, such as Lowes and Home Depot. The retailers at first thought they could not compete, but as time went on they found out they had no problem competing. The retailers learned that selling their own strengths and brand name to their local targeted customers was far more effective than trying to sell any supplier’s brand.
Also, from the manufacturers point of view, in tough times, when they sell a large chain the initial order is pretty impressive (x amount of rods times XX number of stores) and that really helps them turn their inventory.
When I shop my local Cabelas store I know I am not getting the lowest price, except maybe in their Bargain Cave. If I want really low prices today I go online and shop.
the computer that we are all reading this thread on has changed the retail business forever. I mean come on, who has not bought something online. I try to keep it local if possible, but it costs money to have a brick and mortar retail outlet, and prices reflect that sometimes. I also have a hard time staying local when so many places don’t stock a lot of the new inventory and when you ask about it they say I can order that for you. WOW, thanks but I can order it myself for a much cheaper price. I am mostly hands on, if you have it where I can look at it in person, I will buy it, even at a higher price but if you have to order it, forget it. I think if they could figure a way to tax all internet sales (it’s coming in time) it would help local business some because that is 10% right there and throw in free shipping and you have a pretty good deal.
Matt, As much as i hate to say it, Winston needs to do something if they want to continue to maintain a strong presence in the rod industry. I don’t know if the entire industry is shadowed by Sage’s enormous presence, or if they may be in the financial point that they are forced to make the move. My assumption is the latter.
I’m sure that you still sell plenty of Sage, Rio & Simms gear despite the fact that they are offered at cabelas and bass pro.
I think that there are big box shoppers and there are small shop shoppers, and most big box shoppers buy whatever brand is in the big box probably more on impulse.
I personally have a cabelas visa but make 95% of my tackle purchases from local shops. I have told my local shop numerous times that if they offered a visa, i would be the first to sign up. I am as much a consumer as the next guy but i would not cast a rod at a local shop and then go bargain shop it elsewhere. Its just not ethical to me.
Cabela’s pricing won’t be any lower, but I just can’t fault Winston for doing everything it can to stay in business.
Seriously, times are tough.
Zach
Unfortunately, I agree, but this shakes out horribly for the fly fishing community.
So, it’s time to sue for anti-competitive practices? You mean rod makers are anti-competitive? As Gomer Pyle would say, “Surprise. Surprise. Surprise!” Unless multiple plaintiffs join in this one, that courageous first plaintiff will be hung out to dry. Zach, you’re the attorney. I would love to see you make the case against these guys (right here) for we the less lawyerly.
Matt, I stopped in the Cabela’s last week and saw the spanking new display on their floor – tweeted it on my site, and from what I saw, they aren’t carrying the entire Winston line, but a couple of lower end rods made overseas – not in the good old USA.
This all misses the point though – I come to Tailwaters for friendly service and KNOWLEDGE. All retailers are not created equal when it comes to knowledge, the latest gear and an “edge” when it comes to latest techniques. Otherwise, in this economy, we’re all misers when it comes to gear.Heck, if Tailwaters really is upset with Winston, write them an open letter, and let’s see what they say! I say it’s much ado about nothing.
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