Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: JAwrey on July 15, 2011, 10:02:16 AM
-
Had a lady come into the store right at closing yesterday, asking me to respool it with 25lb line!!! It's a plastic trout reel, but I said I would take a look at it tomorrow. When I got in the shop today, I looked it over and realized there's a monster crack in the spool - if I put line on it with any semblance of tension, this thing would snap. So, I dug out her number and told her that it's broken, I can't put line on it. I also asked...what in the world would she want 25lb line for? She said that she has had this rod for years, and wanted to go fish the Vedder for red springs with it, and that she wanted to go fishing today, so she needed it spooled...
When I told her that this was probably not a good choice of equipment, she went on a rant about how every time she's in there, I give her a hard time. I have literally never seen her before yesterday in my entire life.
She came in, picked up her reel, and told me she would take it somewhere else to get it respooled. I tried not to laugh.
-
That's why I'm going to avoid the Vedder, people like her lol. Sounds like a customer you don't want anyways ;D
-
She is gonna read this :D
-
She is gonna read this :D
She may even be a member ;)
-
I see people using all kinds of weird gear on the Vedder.
Huge poolcue sized rods with big spinning reels spooled with 30lb mono.
-
Does it really matter what gear someone uses? Allot of bait fisherman complain about the fly fisherman calling them elitists. This is another form of elitism coming from people that fish with gear. Maybe she cant afford to replace the rod? Their are many reasons why people fish with gear that you may question. Maybe they dont know any better? No sense in making fun of them. That being said she sounds like she is unreasonable and a bit of a lunatic.
-
Does it really matter what gear someone uses? Allot of bait fisherman complain about the fly fisherman calling them elitists. This is another form of elitism coming from people that fish with gear. Maybe she cant afford to replace the rod? Their are many reasons why people fish with gear that you may question. Maybe they dont know any better? No sense in making fun of them. That being said she sounds like she is unreasonable and a bit of a lunatic.
The intent was not to belittle her - as a college student, I feel the pinch as well. It was more that, if she couldn't afford a new rod, don't go breaking your current one!
She may even be a member ;)
Hahahaha oohhh that would be just delightful ;)
-
Had a lady come into the store right at closing yesterday, asking me to respool it with 25lb line!!! It's a plastic trout reel, but I said I would take a look at it tomorrow. When I got in the shop today, I looked it over and realized there's a monster crack in the spool - if I put line on it with any semblance of tension, this thing would snap. So, I dug out her number and told her that it's broken, I can't put line on it. I also asked...what in the world would she want 25lb line for? She said that she has had this rod for years, and wanted to go fish the Vedder for red springs with it, and that she wanted to go fishing today, so she needed it spooled...
When I told her that this was probably not a good choice of equipment, she went on a rant about how every time she's in there, I give her a hard time. I have literally never seen her before yesterday in my entire life.
She came in, picked up her reel, and told me she would take it somewhere else to get it respooled. I tried not to laugh.
Customer is always right. You just lost one. And it is no reason to laugh
-
I was wondering why Nina was all grumpy when she came back from the store today. ;D
-
I was wondering why Nina was all grumpy when she came back from the store today. ;D
Buy her a new spool, make her day ;D
-
I was wondering why Nina was all grumpy when she came back from the store today. ;D
You need to buy her some good equipment not the "hand me downs". ;D
-
That poor lady... Who knows, maybe she could out fish us all...
-
quote
Customer is always right. You just lost one. And it is no reason to laugh
NOT TRUE, the customer is not always rite, is he supposed to just respool it and let her go thinking everything is all good, what if she runs into someone that knows about fishing and says that so and so just respooled this and something goes wrong?, then he looks like a tool and like he doesnt know what he is doing, taking someones money just for the sake of a sale while leading them on to believe that things are all good is worse than doing what he did, the customer is NOT always rite.....holmes*
-
the man gets what the man wants! customers is always right! If they don't want to listen to experience let them make their own mistakes. More $$$ for me.
-
Customer is always right. You just lost one. And it is no reason to laugh
Missed this before, just saw Holmes' reply...
I couldn't have said it better than Holmes' did. What's the point, seriously?? I could have sold her $6 worth of line, maybe another $30 over the season. Just like when I order products, I need to keep an eye on cost versus return. If I had sold her that line/some gear, let's say she would leave and I would have made $40, agreed? Just a rough number. Her spool cracks, she tells all her friends about how terrible I was, posts it all over the internet (maybe even a forum like this) and then what? She doesn't have to elude to the truth - what if she was embarrassed, just says that I fouled up her spool?? That could have a huge ripple effect, certainly costing me more than the $40 I would have made off that sale.
the man gets what the man wants! customers is always right! If they don't want to listen to experience let them make their own mistakes. More $$$ for me.
Filling her spool and sending her on her soon-to-be-disappointed way would not just be rude, it would be dishonest. I can proudly say I wouldn't lie or keep my mouth shut for the sake of a sale. Maybe that's just me.
J
-
quote
Customer is always right. You just lost one. And it is no reason to laugh
NOT TRUE, the customer is not always rite, is he supposed to just respool it and let her go thinking everything is all good, what if she runs into someone that knows about fishing and says that so and so just respooled this and something goes wrong?, then he looks like a tool and like he doesnt know what he is doing, taking someones money just for the sake of a sale while leading them on to believe that things are all good is worse than doing what he did, the customer is NOT always rite.....holmes*
I think the saying is: "The customer is always right even when they are wrong". :)
That being said I think JAwrey did the right think. That will eventually be confirmed in the clients mind when someone else tells them the same thing or the spool breaks on her...
-
if she's a member, then we'd all be laughing
-
quote
Customer is always right. You just lost one. And it is no reason to laugh
NOT TRUE, the customer is not always rite, is he supposed to just respool it and let her go thinking everything is all good, what if she runs into someone that knows about fishing and says that so and so just respooled this and something goes wrong?, then he looks like a tool and like he doesnt know what he is doing, taking someones money just for the sake of a sale while leading them on to believe that things are all good is worse than doing what he did, the customer is NOT always rite.....holmes*
Just read the last two sentences:
She came in, picked up her reel, and told me she would take it somewhere else to get it respooled. I tried not to laugh.
I'm with bbronswyk2000. "This is another form of elitism coming from people that fish with gear. Maybe she cant afford to replace the rod? Their are many reasons why people fish with gear that you may question. Maybe they don't know any better? No sense in making fun of them. "
We should respect other. Having Sage not make you better person or fishermen. Why judge person for bad choice and in the same time having post to buy casting reel for 40$.
Everyone want top quality rod and reel but ended up with what they could afford.
-
Just read the last two sentences:
She came in, picked up her reel, and told me she would take it somewhere else to get it respooled. I tried not to laugh.
I'm with bbronswyk2000. "This is another form of elitism coming from people that fish with gear. Maybe she cant afford to replace the rod? Their are many reasons why people fish with gear that you may question. Maybe they don't know any better? No sense in making fun of them. "
We should respect other. Having Sage not make you better person or fishermen. Why judge person for bad choice and in the same time having post to buy casting reel for 40$.
Everyone want top quality rod and reel but ended up with what they could afford.
Okay I am all for not teasing people about cheap gear (I have always fished "on the cheap"), but he said he noticed her reel was cracked, not just a cheap piece of equipment but actually broken. I do not think he was being elitist at all, and the fact he did not laugh showed he was respecting her decision to disagree and have it spooled anyway from someone else, otherwise he would have laughed in her face.
-
Well you could have offered to repair the spool for her but explained that if the glue/expoxy/whatever weighted the spool wrong she might have issues and asked her permission to try it.
Glue is cheap and if it worked you would have scored a lot of good will if not then it's her decision and responsibility.
And Yes I know Graphite is a PITA to repair maybe Marine Goop would work but it's not always easy to work with.
-
Well you could have offered to repair the spool for her but explained that if the glue/expoxy/whatever weighted the spool wrong she might have issues and asked her permission to try it.
Glue is cheap and if it worked you would have scored a lot of good will if not then it's her decision and responsibility.
And Yes I know Graphite is a PITA to repair maybe Marine Goop would work but it's not always easy to work with.
Was well beyond repair...I feel like I should have taken a picture, after all this controversy.
Just read the last two sentences:
She came in, picked up her reel, and told me she would take it somewhere else to get it respooled. I tried not to laugh.
I'm with bbronswyk2000. "This is another form of elitism coming from people that fish with gear. Maybe she cant afford to replace the rod? Their are many reasons why people fish with gear that you may question. Maybe they don't know any better? No sense in making fun of them. "
We should respect other. Having Sage not make you better person or fishermen. Why judge person for bad choice and in the same time having post to buy casting reel for 40$.
Everyone want top quality rod and reel but ended up with what they could afford.
Please read what I said once again.
J
-
What you shouldve done was explain that a p.o.s. trout reel is the wrong gear for springs and she should look at a proper size one. Also if she ever did manage to hook one it would spool her in ten seconds. Get use to jawrey, you are gonna be dealing with people like that your whole life
I'm not going to insult her gear. That being said, I did tell her it wasn't the wisest choice of gear.
-
You do realize that she will be talking bad about your shop to everyone she feels inclined to.... and they won't see the reel! or hear your side!!
VS
You make her aware of the situation, note it on the bill, but give her some power pro or what ever and if it breaks it will be on her as she wanted the line....
Any time a customer leaves unhappy it is bad for business... :-\ ( trust me I know.... I own one!)
I would think that if there is a crack in the reel that she has caught a few fish on that reel also....
PS, would the line have held the reel (cracked portion) together?.... I've caught many large fish with cheap reels and have heard the "that's not the right gear" from many fishermen.... I also catch far, far more fish then these people too... I now have better gear but the cheap stuff worked just fine till it broke and I go back to the same store for a better reel.... she won't!
-
You do realize that she will be talking bad about your shop to everyone she feels inclined to.... and they won't see the reel! or hear your side!!
VS
You make her aware of the situation, note it on the bill, but give her some power pro or what ever and if it breaks it will be on her as she wanted the line....
Any time a customer leaves unhappy it is bad for business... :-\ ( trust me I know.... I own one!)
I would think that if there is a crack in the reel that she has caught a few fish on that reel also....
PS, would the line have held the reel (cracked portion) together?.... I've caught many large fish with cheap reels and have heard the "that's not the right gear" from many fishermen.... I also catch far, far more fish then these people too... I now have better gear but the cheap stuff worked just fine till it broke and I go back to the same store for a better reel.... she won't!
I see what you're saying. My feeling was that I didn't want to do something that I knew would result in the destruction of her gear, as I know how hard it is to afford gear!! I examined her personality, both on the evening prior (when the reel was dropped off) and this morning. She was an aggressive personality, and no matter which way I went, I could see that my shop would get slagged...so I chose the lesser of the two evils. Fortunately, I ended up feeling quite happy because I was honest with her - I provided my carefully worded opinion, and surprise surprise it wasn't what she wanted to hear. I only hope that she doesn't slag me for not filling her reel - I did not insult her gear or tackle in any way, shape or form. That's just not my style.
Could it have something to do with the fact that I'm 18? Probably...
J
-
I think I know why you did what you did but it wasn't in the customers interest and possibly the shops, but your interest... well more accurately your "ego's" interest. You wouldn't dare do what she wanted (nor would most people), BUT, to her it is just fine and a conflict resulted.
All she wanted was to go fishing the next day and if she was informed and ok with the cracked spool then she should have gotten what she asked for. There is no real safety issue I can see and that would be the only issue I could see.
As a result she is delayed fishing (how would you feel?) and not happy with the store... All she wanted was some line... (What happened man? LOL)
You say you took the lesser of 2 evils but in the end she dislikes the store, you made no sale, and she is delayed fishing. The other was you made a sale, she goes fishing, and if the reel brakes then she will learn herself that she may need a new reel, whether it is another cheapo or better model.
Now, if she was to "slag" your service even though she asked for it I would be surprised as she asked for it and if it was made clear customers almost always own up to it, SO LONG AS IT WAS MADE CLEAR, but if she slags anyway then..... she's a crazy customer and you get some, rare, but some. But eh, she's probably slagging your shop anyways now...
But eh, your still young... I'm 28 and I'm still learning, LOL
I'll offer you the biggest piece of advice I've learned (over years of studying it).... check ones ego (which is feeling based)... it only gets in the way of things...
-
The only mistake you made Awrey was not spooling it when she first came in. It was closing time, but technically you were still open and you explained the situation to her. Making her come back the next day is what pissed her off more then anything. I had my own retail business for 20 yrs and hated when people came into the shop 2 minutes to closing then took a half hour to get what they wanted. But I always took care of them on the spot and chalked it up to part of a days work.
I would of gave her the damn line and sent her on her way while making a note on the invoice that the spool was cracked and wished her good luck as I showed her the door. If her gear malfunctioned on the water she would say to herself, the dude at the shop to me so, and would probably come and see you to buy a new reel. I rteally enjoyed working with my clients but every once in awhile you get a nut bar and have to treat them with kids gloves.
-
The only mistake you made Awrey was not spooling it when she first came in. It was closing time, but technically you were still open and you explained the situation to her. Making her come back the next day is what pissed her off more then anything. I had my own retail business for 20 yrs and hated when people came into the shop 2 minutes to closing then took a half hour to get what they wanted. But I always took care of them on the spot and chalked it up to part of a days work.
I would of gave her the damn line and sent her on her way while making a note on the invoice that the spool was cracked and wished her good luck as I showed her the door. If her gear malfunctioned on the water she would say to herself, the dude at the shop to me so, and would probably come and see you to buy a new reel. I rteally enjoyed working with my clients but every once in awhile you get a nut bar and have to treat them with kids gloves.
I suppose I could have spooled it right then and there, but our store has four/five other staff members around and closing and I don't have keys ;D Next time, I'll be the unpopular one. Also, I didn't want her running around being untruthful about the original condition of the reel, i.e. "it was bbaarreeellyyy cracked when I took it in"
-
Out of curiosity, where do you work?
-
Hey John, if you want to stay in the retail business,you have to suck it up,it take a lot of PR skill to get to the top, there are a lot of nasty people out there.Wish you luck ;)
-
Hey John, if you want to stay in the retail business,you have to suck it up,it take a lot of PR skill to get to the top, there are a lot of nasty people out there.Wish you luck ;)
Haha, thanks T! Gonna go into the family business as it were, be a teacher...and still have a couple months in the summer to go fishing ;D
J
-
The only mistake you made Awrey was not spooling it when she first came in. It was closing time, but technically you were still open and you explained the situation to her. Making her come back the next day is what pissed her off more then anything. I had my own retail business for 20 yrs and hated when people came into the shop 2 minutes to closing then took a half hour to get what they wanted. But I always took care of them on the spot and chalked it up to part of a days work.
I would of gave her the damn line and sent her on her way while making a note on the invoice that the spool was cracked and wished her good luck as I showed her the door. If her gear malfunctioned on the water she would say to herself, the dude at the shop to me so, and would probably come and see you to buy a new reel. I rteally enjoyed working with my clients but every once in awhile you get a nut bar and have to treat them with kids gloves.
-- Got to agree: It was the having to come back.. closing time always a bummer for employee vs shop owner.. I would have tried but of course with some people it will not work... "are you going out fishing tomorrow?" --I'll spool it up for you but noticed a crack in the reel.. it might not hold together. If I had demo equipment available I would have offered it for her to try out.
- For some..they would rather take advice from any customer in the store rather than the person working there. If you feel the person is not aware of your expertise or get the feeling she isn't trusting you because of your age.. just ask if its ok to have another employee or owner take a look at it. Make it sound like you're not sure and it is you that is getting the second opinion rather that getting someone else to gang up on her decision. That lets you and her off the hook by seeking second opinion.. assuming owner will give similar respectful reply... While spooling up, if she insists let her know what a replacement reel would cost.
--Are you sure it was her reel and not something her husband sent her down with... or maybe she was ticked off that she was given this reel to use instead of a better one and you just confirmed it so she took it out on you.
--In any case sometimes it just doesn't matter, you just cant win them all, kinda like fishin vs catchin.
-When I saw you were going into teaching... I couldn't believe you didn't respool that line.. or offer used line for a used reel...as it has been my experience that teachers are amongst the least likely to spend a dime and always want the most thrifty deal.
-
Geesh guys give him a break ??? What if he had spooled and she went out and the reel blew up?? Would she have come back and asked for a new reel saying he broke it while putting the line on, Its a whole bunch of what ifs. ;D
-
A guy has to be free to manage his business as he sees fit.Any given day he has to read customers and make a call.His business nobody else.Mho.
-
Fishing must be slow... ::)
-
what a great read. where do you work john?
-
Fishing must be slow... ::)
Water's high, and so are tempers ;D
-
what a great read. where do you work john?
That's really no ones business....
-
That's really no ones business....
Why not?
-
I would have put the line on, and explained that the spool on the reel was cracked and could fall apart with a large fish on. Then get her to sign a waiver absolving yourself of any responsibility of injury. A courtous we appreciate your business while biting tongue.
-
Why not?
I think JAwry has already been taken for quite a ride after having told a somewhat funny work related story. I don't know why would he want to tell everyone where he works and involve his employer in it.
I certainly wouldn't!
-
After working in tackle stores for 7 years I can said that I've had many similar experiences. I would have explained to her the problems that may ensue from using undersized equipment for the target species, but if she still was set on fishing with it I wouldn't have let her walk out without line. Ultimately you are there to provide your "expert" advise and supply the customer with what they want.
-
After working in tackle stores for 7 years I can said that I've had many similar experiences. I would have explained to her the problems that may ensue from using undersized equipment for the target species, but if she still was set on fishing with it I wouldn't have let her walk out without line. Ultimately you are there to provide your "expert" advise and supply the customer with what they want.
--good point and something I also have had difficulty with .. expert advise is just that ... advise not direction. you can give good intentioned advice but have to remember advice given is not necessarily going to be taken. .. just like all the good advice given here... up to you to accept it or not.
-
Congratulations, you all beat a whimsical story into the ground. Yay internet :(