Do you buy tackle online?

[Hussy]

Hi all, just a simple question here out of intrest, how many of you buy your tackle online?

Do you buy always online?
Do you not buy online and stick with your local?
Do you buy online beacuse it cheaper?

Reason I ask is that alot of peeps that I know around my area buy online.. for example 100 hooks at a time..seems alot better to buy like that. My local is quite expensive. When I buy online even with postage its still cheaper than them... Its a bad thing for local shops i supose but when they charge almost twice the price where do you go!

If any of you do buy online what things do you get if any and whats a good place to shop!

[Greenheart]

Theres some good buys to be had on Ebay, but watch out for fake & low quality hooks, swivels & rig components etc. The good thing with Ebay is that you can check other peoples feedback. I've also always had good service from online shops like Veals, Bennetts of Sheffield & the North West Angling centre.

[cuckoo]

Hi hussy ,
i win both ways , as my mate runs a online tackle business , and dont live far from me ,so if i see somethin i like its just around the corner to have a look , he also tells me of whats coming in , and new products on the market !!!!!!
great stuff !

lee.

[monkey nuts]

i buy end tackle in bulk off the internet, as i chuck loads of gear away in bulk when wrecking

but i always go to the local tackle shop for new rods , reels , repears and bait plus quick fix end tackle.

we have got to help the tackle shops or the will be no bait shops, but its tough to beat internet prices and e-bay for them

my way to help is to keep using them all year round for repears if posable and bait, plus if my m8s need any think picking up for them b4 a trip i get it from the shop

[Gilbo]

Tend to do a bit of online stuff and also from the local dealers.

They support me all year round with bait and it would be unfair not to let them have some of my tackle business.

Depends what your after because sometimes you have to go online to get what your after. I buy some stuff from the states as it is just not available here.

One huge consideration is that your local tackle shop is hands on and you see exactly what your getting. I bought two rods online and was not happy with them. It was a right hassle posting them back and waiting for a refund. I went local and was very happy with two rods i bought.

[Greenheart]

It's still hard to beat having a good browse around a well stocked tackle shop, especially if the missus ain't around & you have your flexable friend in your back pocket. Only down side is when she picks up the monthly credit card bill off the doormat before you get there.... Then it's time to seriously grovel....

[Omahayank]

I buy alot of the "difficult to find" stuff. A local dealer has some stuff in a line, the paper catalogs ususlly list ALL items in a line. I'll order it.
Cabela's http://www.cabelas.com/home has openned a store in my area. Occasionaly if they have it in the catalog, I'll "order" it there, They'll ship it to the store and I'll save the postage. It's VERY dangerous tho....I can't get out of the store w/o buying more kit I don't need!!
I'm a tackle tart...Spank me!

[maghouse]

Local Shop - Allan's marine of Portsmouth (CLICK www.allansmarine.co.uk) - shameless plug !

I only ever buy on line if the shop does not have what I need and am desperate or does not stock it (quite rare).

I accept that discounts can be had but you can buy some crap 'on-line which are nearly always copies of the 'real thing.

The tackle shops will also have some great deals - I bought a Mustad rod - HALF PRICE in the shop - everywhere else especially on-line - the best deal was about about a third off so check out your shops !!!

The most important part of buying locally - well 3 parts really :

1. After sales returns - try sending something back for repair or nip into your local shop for a 5 minute repair job - know what I'd rather do ...

2. Local advice - who on-line will give you all the advice you could want for free ?

3. Most important part - no tackle shop - NO BAIT ! Shops make very little from bait so rely on tackle sales for profit (yes they are a business and need to make a profit) so if they shut down ... don't think ebay sells fresh rag !

STAY LOCAL !

[Gremlin]

Here's an example ....

Amnesia 25lb spool .....
local shop £4-50
mail order £2-70

Now, what you gonna do?
OK, you pay three pounds postage, but if you place a reasonable order, you probably save 20% at least.

It'd be nice to support a good friendly tackle shop offering good advice, but how many of those do you know?
I've met 'gruff', unhelpful, not knowledgeable, rude, pre-occupied with 'mates' and rip-off merchants.

Yes, there are some good 'uns out there; but please could they move nearer to me, thanks!
(I agree with Maghouse's 'plug'. Allan and Nicky are tops)

Use an email co. with a good reputation (no advertising, now!) and as long as you know what you want (that's the key) establish a repartee with them.

Rods, reels, bulk line, hooks, 'bits', in fact everything can be better quality and definitely cheaper.



.... oh, I dig my own bait.

[maghouse]

I don't disagree with you Gremlin but money is not always the reason - there are undoubtedly 'dodgy tackle shops, indeed I went to one on my hols who promised me I would catch Starry eyed (sic) Smoothounds with mackerel off the local 'storm beach !

Perhaps I am lucky with Allan's shop .... (incidentally Amnesia is not £4-50 there and buy 10 spools and you'll get a discount !)

I dig my own bait too but when you have no time - so much easier to nip in on the way home to buy a lb of rag dozen peeler !

Not a dig at you Gremlin but to say there is more to your 'local than money .... and thats from someone who is tighter than a ducks ar*e