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[Jonny 5]

I can honestly say that I have never made a purchase of fishing gear outside of Canada until two weeks ago when I ordered some spoon blanks that aren't available in Canada (I'm trying to changing that though). But for me the incentive to buy from the States just isn't there because I get a discount at the stores I work at.

Not everyone works in a tackle shop... but I know that the markup is pretty good on some items and don't like paying 150$ for a 50$ rod... and that leaves me with a nice broken rod that I can't get warrentied, even though it is a high end rod with a "lifetime warrenty"... but I got it at a pretty good deal, so I can live with that. 

Getting back to the original question... I buy where the prices are good... let the market drive the service and prices. 

[Swanny]

As a new salmon angler, I had to re-stock all of my equipment, from rods, reels, storage, and hooks. I am all for the " buy local, support the local" business model. I had never been to the Vedder before, so I took the advice of many on this forum even, and visited the local tackle shop down the street from the river( I don't think I need to mention the name). Because I do not live near there( Kelowna), I asked the standard questions.... Where can I go?, What should I use?, Are they biting?, Any tips?. Every answer I received was a one word, non detailed answer that anyone on the street could have given. It seems that the attitude of " don't give away any secrets" is the code of conduct. I have seen that in a lot of "local" Canadian establishments. Yet when I cross the border, I can get a 17 year old or a 70 year old to spend an hour and actually show interest that I want to learn. Guess who got and will continue to get my money. Bottom line is that Customer Service, regardless of where the store is, will get my money every time. I have spent hundreds of dollars just to come and fish in your area, all summer, and early fall, and I have Never had a good experience with "local" fishing establishments. Because of my experiences, I will wait until I cross the border, feel welcome, be given knowledge, and spend my money with someone who gives a crap. Just my two cents. 

[adriaticum]

Army & Navy rules!

 

[Stratocaster]

Swanny, its unfortunate that you got crappy service.  There is no excuse for that whatsoever considering the competitive market they face.  In the past I only frequented the shops that had good people working there.  Guys like Scott Baker Mcgarva from Berrys and Calvin from Nikka taught me alot about fishing the rivers.  You can't get enough people like that working for you.  IMHO its guys like that who determine whether your tackle shop is successful or not.  I repayed the favour by buying lots of high end gear and tons of hooks, line and lead.  I must have bought a couple hundred dollars in bait alone before I learned how to cure my own.  I don't expect the local shops to match US prices.  They just can't.  They are limited to the amount of stock they are allocated and in some cases they are explicitly told how much they have to sell the item for with very little room to discount.  RFT has treated me very well when I needed some gear in a pinch (like the time I left my vest at home and didn't have any terminal tackle or tools!) and they are located close to the river.

[Swanny]

It is true that one or two bad experiences will deter a customer from returning. It may be that because I was not local, I was not given the preference and maybe labelled as a "one-timer". My face was not familiar to the staff and I could have been thought of as a customer just passing through. Regardless, we all want good experiences. We all want to enjoy our minimal free time that we get to fish. When I look for gear, I don't mind paying a little extra for local knowledge, but I will travel a little out of my way to have a better experience.

[fish4fun]

 I hope the tackle shop owners get a chance to read this thread. There are a few shops around whose door I will never darken again due to that superior, secretive attitude they get if they don't know you. These guys forget that they are in a service industry and people, especially fisherman, won't put up with that kind of behaviour. My momma used to tell me, You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. In there case, maybe they would sell more flies with a little honey. Tight lines<><

[Terry D]

Like Swanny I thought the service from 'Vedder Road' was pitiful, similarly when a friend of mine went in.  Now we both shop on "Young Road".  So much nicer and more talkative on any question or topic asked.

[YESFISH]

I live in WA but also own a home in CN.  I'm your neighbor more than once.
Stores:  There is also the LFS in Bellingham, near the harbor, that is a good store with certain items.  Its a commercial type store.  Joes used to be expensive except for sales but have another owner that might have made it better. Yeagers is another Bellingham store that might be an option but look for sales.

The best std store with good people is Sportco in Fife (N. of Tacoma, ask for Brian and John), then outdoor emporium (Seattle). Both stores have same owners now but check real price vs marked in the Seattle Store.  Sportsman Warehouse dropped their prices and is too global but now has good prices.
Cabelas Bargan Cave.  Save money and look for Sportsman Shows.
I buy from both CN and US.    I also have plenty to sale to you myself.           I might put my list on the sell forum but logistics is a problem.  Duty is a concern and payment would have to be paypal or cash for CN I guess.  I have a feedback % on ebay.