OS or OZZY????

[Bobby Bass]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to know your opinnions on the OS vs OZZY purchases?

Here is my cry for today

I was talking to a mate about how the Americans have a great quality in the fact that they love their country and would do anything for it. Its a shame that we dont have the same quality here. It seems to be turning into a very selfish country.

The new generation of fishos doesnt seem to give half a tail-less lobby about supporting locally and putting the money into our economy and boosting the industry not to mention keeping the shoppies in bussines and keeping the guys in a job, Rather than cutting them out and going straight to OS shops.

As most of you know the strength of our dollar makes buying OS tempting but when I think about the big picture its not helping anyone but the purchaser. There seems to be a general attitude of "they wont cut their prices to beat OS so stuff them, Im the only one that matters anyway". Its not that simple unfortunately. The way I see it is I will cop the extra price to look after the future of the fishing industry in our country.

Im proud to say I have never bought my gear from OS and wont be doing it ever. Well I might if this all keeps up and kills the industry. There doesnt seem to be anyone trying to push the Ozzy industry along. I know Im not alone in my thoughts. There must be others that are dissapointed with their peers actions.

Sorry to get so "political" but its a big problem in the Ozzy tackle industry.

Let us know your thoughts, for or against.

Cheers
Chris

[skeet]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to know your opinnions on the OS vs OZZY purchases?

Here is my cry for today

I was talking to a mate about how the Americans have a great quality in the fact that they love their country and would do anything for it. Its a shame that we dont have the same quality here. It seems to be turning into a very selfish country.

The new generation of fishos doesnt seem to give half a tail-less lobby about supporting locally and putting the money into our economy and boosting the industry not to mention keeping the shoppies in bussines and keeping the guys in a job, Rather than cutting them out and going straight to OS shops.

As most of you know the strength of our dollar makes buying OS tempting but when I think about the big picture its not helping anyone but the purchaser. There seems to be a general attitude of "they wont cut their prices to beat OS so stuff them, Im the only one that matters anyway". Its not that simple unfortunately. The way I see it is I will cop the extra price to look after the future of the fishing industry in our country.

Im proud to say I have never bought my gear from OS and wont be doing it ever. Well I might if this all keeps up and kills the industry. There doesnt seem to be anyone trying to push the Ozzy industry along. I know Im not alone in my thoughts. There must be others that are dissapointed with their peers actions.

Sorry to get so "political" but its a big problem in the Ozzy tackle industry.

Let us know your thoughts, for or against.

Cheers
Chris

sorry to sound like a smart arse again but is that a stratos its a bit contradictory telling people to buy australian when money from that boat went to the america economy

[Bobby Bass]

You tried but did no good mate. I chose to pay the extra $10,000.00 and order through a Ozzy company, just like nearly every lure, reel and rod in the country. Unfortunately we dont make very good bass boats here, IMO. Id say that would be more than you put into the ozzy fishing industry in 5 years. I put atleast $10,000.00 into our fishing industry a year. Last year would have been more like $45,000.00 but that included a boat. My support is all for the fishing industry in Australia where I can do so without compromising on my needs.

This comment was made by Benno in a thread today. Pretty much says the Ozzy tackle industry must go down so he can buy cheap gear!!! I cant believe this crap.

"Not to start a debate, but you do beat this drum a lot. TW have Black Friday sales, 20% off a lot of stuff, including some sale items. They are a pleasure to deal with (I've found a lot of tackle shops here a pain and they aren't that keen on 'service'). I'm sure that money he saves will be spent in your precious economy.

We all spend considerable amounts of money on fishing, you can't afford to spend all your money in Australia on overpriced gear. Think long term, the middle men will be cut out and the sooner the better. The world has changed, time to move on with it."

Thats the attitude of anglers these days??


Cheers
Chris

[skeet]

im just saying dont judge people when your main gripe is keeping our country going cause no importer makes $10,000 on importing boats a bout a quarter of that stays in australia ,i ve said it for years if why should we keep people with a job who for years have being ripping us off

[tchoklat]

im just saying dont judge people when your main gripe is keeping our country going cause no importer makes $10,000 on importing boats a bout a quarter of that stays in australia ,i ve said it for years if why should we keep people with a job who for years have being ripping us off

I have commented on this matter previously. There are to many middlemen in Australia which is why goods bought here are generally dearer. If I can buy a rod retail from the US, ship it here and still get it half the local price someone is making money.

[TheChief]

I've never bought anything from OS. Have thought about it a few times. Prefer to get stuff from my local and from site sponsors on here. Most tackle shops will give regular customers good deals. Often better than you will find anywhere.

I can see why a lot of people import boats from the US. If done right you can save a lot of $$$. But it can all end in tears if you're not careful.

[Bobby Bass]

Skeet:
They get a re-sellers discount buying the boat mate, they would make plenty from the extra 10g's (15 in reallity, 21g US, i paid 36g aus) on list price. Most gear is made somewhere else, atleast some of our guys are getting something out of it. Even if it did cost me heaps more.

I know it looks like they are ripping you off but its actually our expenses that make the prices so high. Wages, property costs, taxes, shipping and probably much more. You get paid higher wages than the US and the property is cheaper over there too. In their country the fishing tackle is priced in a similar ratio to their income. You can afford to buy alot more fishing tackle over there than someone in the same job over there because you get paid twice as much, probably more. Essentially what Im saying is, for your pay you should be spending half the amount on takle to match your needs vs income if buying in US. Or just move there and earn there money and see how much you can buy. It would be less than you can get here on your ozzy wage. My friends go over there once a year and get pain 450 a week as a combined wage (2 people), yes 225.00 a week. That includes accom, so say $300.00 a week each and they are nearly 30 years old! Even someone that works at maccas full time wouls get more than doubble that. Maccas in the hawaii pays like $4.00ph for adults.

What Im saying is compaired to your wage the tackle shops are not expensive. Your just greedy and want more, trying to buy gear that is intended as upmarket but a dole bludger in AUS could buy after a weeks pay. Your not ment to be able to easily afford the upmarket gear every one has now.

Yes Cheif, I understand why people buy the boats over there too, I could of had a seccond had one a year old for like $20,000.00 AUS if I did it myself. The tackle shops give awesome discounts if you buy stuff all the time. I get 15% at a few, and I have had more on bulk purchases. When they know you support them they will look after you.

With our support and growth of the sport anything is possible. We could have huge backing for the sport in ten years or nearly nothing. The US dont care what we are doing, we are a spec on their shoe.

Cheers
Chris

[skeet]

anyway i am off to flick a japanese lure in my American boat towed by my Japanese car on my American bought stella attached to my Japanese bought Loomis with my braid bought from China (I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS UNAUSTRALIAN TO RIPPING PEOPLE OFF RATHER THAN WANTING TO BE RIPPED OFF....HOO ROO)

[stella fella]

I'm both for, and against on this one mate. I buy half my gear from japan, simply because it only costs half as much, and most of the gear I want isn't available here. That said however, you couldn't possibly say I don't support my local tackle store, as I buy a shipload of gear from my local, so much in fact that it's come to the point where the owner of my local asks how much I'd like to pay for whatever it is I'm buying at the time. Not to mention the fact that he now knows my entire family really well, and is always keen to hear what's going on in our lives at the moment. In fact I walked in there the other day and the first thing he asked me was how my sister was doing in India. Given the relationship that has developed between us, it's quite obvious to me that the fact that I import some of my gear has no negative affect on his market whatsoever. And one more thing how can you say that we're turning into a "selfish country" when the very point you're trying to make is that we should keep our money in our country, It's a bit contradictory don't you think? . What does it matter which patch of dirt the man lives on, who ends up with cash in hand? Or do the Americans and Japanese not deserve to get paid?

[Rayman]

Im proud to say I have never bought my gear from OS and wont be doing it ever. Well I might if this all keeps up and kills the industry. There doesnt seem to be anyone trying to push the Ozzy industry along. I know Im not alone in my thoughts. There must be others that are dissapointed with their peers actions.s
Chris, good for you mate. You fight for your own principle.

But remember, it's a free market out that...
You're criticisiing the consumers in the same way the consumers are criticisng the retailers.

I resent the price difference of tackle (and most consumer products you can buy) in Australia compared to the States.

The price of a Loomis rod in AU is now more comparable to getting one from the States. But a year or two back, you can get 2 Loomis rods from the States for the price of one here. Go figure.

You can say the difference is, In Australia we have to earn good service from Aussie retailers by spending a heap of money on overpriced goods, whilst in the States, they earn our goodwill by providing good service and prices from the start.

I contribute to the country's economy in my own way paying taxes (and don't get me started on that...)

And for leisure reading... http://www.breammaster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22549

[tchoklat]

Well put Rayman.

[Bennno]

Buy where you like, it's your choice! The market will decide what's best and the more we think ahead the smarter.

I buy from everywhere based on my needs.

I buy Australian made lures from the makers. I buy overseas products where they are cheapest, combined with service and speed of delivery. I like value and service. I don't however buy Australian products overseas.

The Australian fishing tackle industry is antiquated with too many bites at the cherry, this will change as more shop overseas. The onus is on business to be smarter, not the customer to subsidise them. In other areas of retailing business it's certainly a very different more advanced landscape.

At the end of the day, ripping people off isn't a good long term business prospect and the customer is always right.

Also there is no need to ram what you think and why you do it down other people's throats. We are all human and all deserve to make money. Doesn't matter where you are or what you do. Some will feel different about this and they are more than welcome to, but don't tell me how to think or shop.

[Bobby Bass]

Thanks I know there was a thread but wanted to see what the response is now.

The thing that no body is understanding , you get twice as much money as these coutries that your buying from, you are all just wanting to buy cheaper compaired to your wage than everyone in the world, therefore making us the greediest fishos in the world.

Rayman: You resent the prices as the Americans probably resent your income. Think about it, its a very valid point.

You are all just looking at the bottom line, the cheapest. I will sitt there giggling when all this bites us in the ass.

This is absolutely redidculous when you think of the self destruction to our country. The future of bream luring will go out the window with absolutely no backing from any company soon. They wont see Australia as a place to invest money into and just do what you all are doing and go OS. Even the site sponsors maybe one day, then you will have no forum either, get it? There will be no shows, no magazines, pretty much anything that could give anyone a job in what they love GONE! are you not understanding?

I think Jerry Harvey is crying this same point, Australian retails is out the window because of the poor attitudes, Australians dont seem to care and its self detructive.

Cheers
Chris

[chanlo]

Some items are the same price here and in US, however i feel that we (consumers) shouldnt be made to pay highers prices when import companies dont pass on the savings of our high AU dollar.

When and If the prices are almost the same I always shop locally.

In saying that I pretty much only buy reels overseas (and save $100 + most times) and some high end lures like jackalls (save about $10).

I buy ALL my rods in Aus.

I'm all for shopping locally but i'm not about to throw away my hard earned money.

[stella fella]

This is absolutely redidculous when you think of the self destruction to our country. The future of bream luring will go out the window with absolutely no backing from any company soon. They wont see Australia as a place to invest money into and just do what you all are doing and go OS. Even the site sponsors maybe one day, then you will have no forum either, get it? There will be no shows, no magazines, pretty much anything that could give anyone a job in what they love GONE! are you not understanding?

Cheers
Chris

That is an outrageously disproportionate claim. People who buy their gear overseas are a minority, and don't have that much of an effect on the market here.

[Bennno]

Mate a poor attitude is one that cannot see the other side in a debate. I see yours and agree, but only up to a certain point. We are talking about 2-5% of the entire Industry buying overseas, but rest assured it will continue to grow.

I make my living online so I'll never agree that an antiquated business model that relies on patriotism being a better solution. Adapt or die, this is business not a charity. Some retailers are well ahead of the curve, but they always have been and take a different angle to the same market.

If your mate Jerry Norman the poor, poor man that doesn't control the entire market putting the little guys out of business cannot adapt and build his own online store to compete, than something else is at play. He sells products from overseas and the only Aussie thing about him is his blind patriotism. Jerry Norman ignores the Internet and always has because he controlled the traditional marketing avenues and continues to. He's already got his riches, time to let another Aussie make some online.

I actually don't sit here and laugh at you, or stir a debate - I just feel sorry for you. Sorry you think you have the right to laugh at people that don't agree with you and sorry that you actually enjoy doing it.

That's all I'll say as I don't want a debate. I not only understand you POV, but agree to a point and I'm happy to agree to disagree :D

[Rayman]

I actually don't sit here and laugh at you, or stir a debate - I just feel sorry for you. Sorry you think you have the right to laugh at people that don't agree with you and sorry that you actually enjoy doing it.

It's like you read my mind.

[Bobby Bass]

Trust me I fish with alot of guys in a year. The majority buys some of their products overseas. But hey we can say they dont. I only have one fishing partner out of about 10 regulars that backs here and doesnt go overseas. This is why I brought this up, every guy that jumps on my boat is buying their reels overseas and even lures line and all sorts of stuff. I am starting to think nearly everyone does. I dont know where you guys get your info from, I think the ozzy buyers are the minority.


I totally understand why you guys do buy overseas. I just find it to be the easy way out. I do see it but dont agree with it at all.

Oh well thats the way the cookie crumbles, good to see theres plenty of support for the ozzy industry

By the way, no need to feel sorry for me.

Cheers
Chris

[Rocksy]

the cost of fishing gear in this country is ridiculous.

My money is hard earned and i'll spend it where and on what i like.

I bought my last two reels locally because the price was comparable, but thats the only reason. my loomis was bought here, i got a good deal from a local shop. My megabass was bought overseas, because i didnt fancy waiting 4 weeks and spending an extra $240 for it.

I don't blame the local tackle shops for charging what they charge, they have overheads.

What tackle shops get at cost and what they charge is up to them, but its up to the consumer to decide if they are willing to pay it.

I have no problem spending my money overseas on tackle, but i do spend a fair bit of money on gear locally. I've found a good source for hardbodies overseas now, in my favourite brands. its easier than driving all over melbourne to see whos got what. Saying that, i'll still buy from fishin.com.au, and mylureshop.com.au

[Bobby Bass]

The cost of most things in the country is rediculous. Thats where the problem lies.

I know I would be hard pressed convincing people to buy here for more. Its a choice thats tuff to make. Buy here and pay more or buy OS and loose the support of sponsors and money in our sport. Thats the harsh reality, its happening in some comps already, AFC cant even get boat sponsors with wraps, their 2 boats that had to be borrowed from people this year.


Here is another question
How can the prices drop to allow you to buy here? Take into consideration that taxes and wages are pretty much fixed.

[skeet]

The cost of most things in the country is rediculous. Thats where the problem lies.

I know I would be hard pressed convincing people to buy here for more. Its a choice thats tuff to make. Buy here and pay more or buy OS and loose the support of sponsors and money in our sport. Thats the harsh reality, its happening in some comps already, AFC cant even get boat sponsors with wraps, their 2 boats that had to be borrowed from people this year.


Here is another question
How can the prices drop to allow you to buy here? Take into consideration that taxes and wages are pretty much fixed.

good points put up but as the old saying goes money in my pocket is always better than their's,if i can save money one way it gets spend somewere else in australia eg petrol food clothes ,fishing is a luxury when it comes down to it. so if i can save anything it means more for my family im sorry to say im not against buying local i find it easy to buy online were it is cheaper ,it's even cheaper to buy from the big w than some tackle shops what put me off year before last i spent close to 3000 on lures in a tackle shop at port stephens to were your the best then the next day like your not there,i look at it as if im one on one and the customer service is DohDohDohDoh than ill take more or money any day thats why i buy online and overseas when needed the great thing about being aussie is that i have the choice too

[skeet]

just to ad it was 5500 more for me to buy and ship a stratos 285 myself landed rego all the gear,than it was to buy from sfba and terrace boating so they dont make that much it is just easy money placing an order and following up

[Madeye]

How about supporting the only 100% made and owned and designed soft plastic company in Aus :p

[Bobby Bass]

just to ad it was 5500 more for me to buy and ship a stratos 285 myself landed rego all the gear,than it was to buy from sfba and terrace boating so they dont make that much it is just easy money placing an order and following up

Im not sure how much they would make. I got a price on shipping one over here that was $16,000.00 US. It was only going to cost like $4,500 + a spray for bugs to get it here. I think that would be the same price for a brand newy, well less the spray for bugs if it hasnt been used. Its not cheap if you dont import alot of stuff like we do, a good freight forwarder can help alot. You need to get a sling because they dont fit in a container apparently. I dont think its a good idea to do it yourself but if you can afford the repairs to the outboard then its alot of money to be spending if you cant afford it. The savings will probably service your boat for 10 years anyway.

Cheers
Chris

[skeet]

Im not sure how much they would make. I got a price on shipping one over here that was $16,000.00 US. It was only going to cost like $4,500 + a spray for bugs to get it here. I think that would be the same price for a brand newy, well less the spray for bugs if it hasnt been used. Its not cheap if you dont import alot of stuff like we do, a good freight forwarder can help alot. You need to get a sling because they dont fit in a container apparently. I dont think its a good idea to do it yourself but if you can afford the repairs to the outboard then its alot of money to be spending if you cant afford it. The savings will probably service your boat for 10 years anyway.

Cheers
Chris

my exbrother inlaw works at terrace boating so i know it not that they dont make alot on importing boats the make some money if they put it on an aussie trailer aussie motor easy money i paid full money at signing of , stratos needed about 15000 so there was 35000 making a little intrest for someone payed early feb recieved late july easy money for waiting import quote for me was 11000 aust picked up from stratos to dock wrapped shipped fumigated in container australian customs and quarintene,insurance.at the end of the day aussie dealer was just easier bit of peace of mind they could deal with any problems after saying all of that next time ill buy a different brand due to problems with the dealer

[hiltonlad]

Im on the fence with this one as I do both.But I think in the current economic climate you need to save what you can or go without.Pretty sick of hearing politicians crapping on about how we avoided the GFC. W.A is a very 2speed ecomomy with the miners having good money and most others scraping to survive or not surviving.In albany where I live which is a major rural hub times are tough and businesses are closing every week and when times are tough any saving is well warranted. JM2CW

[Hi Tech]

In the last 2 years we have had 2 tackle shops in the Wollongong area close down only to be replaced with 2 supermarket style tackle stores.The prices are now a lot dearer(big guy gobbles up the little guy).Both tackle shops were complaining about a HUGE shop on the North Coast that does mail order about under cutting prices and hurting their business.In 1999 i bought my first Loomis locally when our dollar was around 50c US,so i expected to pay double the US rrp(fair enough),but then our dollar jumped to 70 -80c US they still wanted the same price(please explain).Now that our dollar is comparable,the advantage is with the consumer.

[Breamobsession]

OZZY OZZYOZZYOI OI OI, OZZY OI OZZY OI OZZY OZZY OZZY OI OI OI.

Lets not become like America;) Really depends on how you define selfish Bobby Bass. I'm another fence sitter on this one.

[Rog78]

Love my local tackle store and steer clear of the large chain stores. But with just over one income 2 kids and a mortgage I can't help but buy my lures where they are the cheapest saving me $10 or so a lure,it just makes sense?

[tweedz]

I can't help but buy my lures where they are the cheapest saving me $10 or so a lure,it just makes sense?

+1
Unless you are actually in the tackle industry and it pays your bills.. Who cares. just go fishing.

[marty_87]

I'm also on the fence??

I buy locally when I can and if the price is comparable. In the end like many I will get it from where ever is cheapest and easiest.

Right now I'm looking at getting a new reel. The same reel in the states is half the price that it is here! So most likely I will get it from the states, but then the rod I will most likely buy locally due to postage charges not making it worth while.

I dont have a lot to spend on fishing gear so when I buy I want to get the best I can afford either oz or os.

Tough topic to discuss.......

[chrislocke]

lures are so expensive! like 2 hours of hard earned cash for 1 lure that can be lost on the first cast :mad:

[warren63]

I mostly shop around when i buy lures so i look at the cheapest price either locally or o'seas. Most o'seas purchases are dictated by availability and price here. Just bought a heap from fishin.com.au but what he doesnt carry i look at the ebay shops etc.
First scenario - could purchase locally about $35 a lure but went o'seas and saved $75 on 5 lures i purchased over the weekend from Vietnam and that includes fedex and will have them here about Wednesday.
2nd scenario - Couldnt get locally so went o'seas and five lures and fedex and landed here about $20 a pop within 3 days of purchase
3rd scenario - go online to fishin and buy way too many and have them next working day, always happy with Adam's service & prices.

For me its horses for courses. The internet has opened it up quite a lot so either national or international you need to be competitve. Im probably not the only one to walk into a store and check prices on my phone whilst looking at floor stock. My parents even without the internet still got a 2k fridge down to $1500 just by walking between shops. It just makes sense to shop around.

[basscada]

i'll make this short. i agree we should try to buy from our locals, but with the amount of gear i buy,and most of it you cant get here anyway i have no choice but to get it from o/s. I can get twice as much stuff for the same cash.(sometimes)
And my megabass addiction would send me bankrupt if i shopped here.
I buy all my terminal tackle, and plastics here but i want the best price on high end stuff and unfortunatly the best price is o/s. Having a mortgage, kid and living is sydney is tough, so if i can save some $$ buying o/s then thats what i gotta do.

[Online store]

I am all for buying Australian first, my fishing gear is nearly all bought in Australia, there are occasionally things that I like to use and they are not available here so I get them in from overseas.

Most products in the pantry and fridge are Australian grown, packed or owned, at least where possible.

Supporting local shops just helps to keep them going, we all want to touch and feel the rod or reel before we buy it and if we have to order everything off the net then we will be in trouble. If all the tackle stores go, who will service and repair rods and reels. B.C. F certainly would and will not be doing it!

Everyone wants to point the finger and say the retailer is making too much money and is ripping me off, or the wholesaler is making too much money and is ripping me off. REALLY, what is too much money and is there such a thing, they are in business and lets face it if they were making so much would most of them still be working? I know I wouldn't.

The world has changed drammatically in the last ten years and manufacturers of the world in my opinion have not moved into this new era. They are stuck in their old ways of saying " if you buy ten units you can have it for $20-00, if you buy a million units you can have it for $5-00."

Obviously big countries with lots of anglers win with the best deals. Australia is quite unique in the fact we have so many different species of fish, meaning the tackle we use varies greatly depending on what we are fishing for and how we are going to chase it so volumes of particular items are quite low where as overall sales of tackle are quite high, but not on single units.

Manufacturers need to work to a global economy, decide what price they are going to charge for smething and what the retail price is that they think they should be aiming at for the end consumer. From here prices need to be adjusted accordingly for the differing exchange rates around the world, so the end result will be that products will generally be roughly the same wherever they are bought from. Some countries they will have to discount the price to, and some they will have to inflate the price, so in the end it should all work out to their benefit (sales)and the retailers will find it easy and want to stock those products.

There are actually a few companies who already do this, we can only hope that more do it soon so that we do not lose the local tackle shop. Here in WA we have lost more than 15 shops in the last few years, and sure to be more to follow.

[dannyboy91]

+1
Unless you are actually in the tackle industry and it pays your bills.. Who cares. just go fishing.

+1.. Im as patriotic as the next guy! that said, im also a uni student working part time.. Very limited expendable income, matched with a sick obsession for fishing :p.. so what does one do? I do my best to support the locals, and i find good locals are willing to meet you 1/2 way... IN SAYING THAT, i completely get why people look overseas for high end gear..

[Rayman]

Not all businesses and business models are meant to survive. Some will no doubt fail. Discussions like this are what help to challenge current business models.

Besides, how far does one take this argument? Australian operated? And designed? And produced? And from Australian raw materials? And using Australian labour?

Sure if there is a 100% Aussie product that's also competitive, sure I'll get behind it.

Anyway, comments like the original need to consider people's economic standing as well. Not everyone can fight for an expensive cause.

[COS]

This is a touchy topic but saying that what a fantastic country we live in to be able to talk about it! I LOVE MY LOCAL and will go there to touch ,feel , play and get great customer service, I cant get that from my computer screen! Secondly We have what 20 million as opposed to 200 million per say population wise :rolleyes: that plays a huge factor in purchasing power, You buy a Stella here your local makes $70 yes thats right $70 profit, its disscusting so please I think we shouldn't bag our local retailers because they pay a huge price aswell, but i will admit to buying from US simply because the colour lure I want Aussie dist dont bring it in. There are pro's and cons for each side that apply to me so this is very close to everyones heart, I have a friend in fishing retail and they have had there hours slashed because of this very thing, financially hurting their hip pocket its very sad to see but unfortunately "Goliath is winning over David" in this battle but I will try to not let this happen because it will all affect us in the future:)

[leelee]

My local is probably the best tackle store for lure fishing in QLD and probably pretty much one of hte best in the Country (Tackle Warehouse in QLD).

Great prices and they normally have everything you need in almost every color you can get.

Some things I can get from OS and somethings I won't. have only ever bought 1 reel from OS. Lures on the other hand, well thats different, but not all lures, just the newer ones and the ones you can't still get here.

Example of price. New Topwater (minnows that are bent:D) cost about $35-$40 each. I can get them OS for $20-$22. Now when you buy 5 there is a real saving when you are saving 50% from OS.

I will support the local industry as best I can but on the other other hand I am not willing to spend 50% more than what I have to.

Cheers

Lee

[mcq]

i remember buying my first loomis here a few years ago,and it cost me $510.6 months later whilst looking on the internet i saw it for $245 in the us.bugger that,i bought 4 for $1000 landed.prices have come down a bit now, but that to me was a rip off.i can buy rapala x-raps for $3.80 in a sale or be charged $20 plus over here.no contest.35 spinnerbaits,2 complete fly combos,and 8 x-raps for $130.i bought my boat,electronics and electric here and still spend $100 a week here in various tackle shops,but i still always check online first.if savings were passed onto us with the strong dollar etc,i would gladly buy in australia.

[tweedz]

Heres my little story........
A couple of weeks ago I bought 2 new jack lures from my local. Got a spool of leader whilst I was there. From memory, I didn't even get enough change out of a $80 to buy a coke. I took them out that night for a session of trolling. Lost 1 of them to a snag and another to a fish in the first 20 minutes.
That was $50 worth of lures gone just like that.

OK, I supported my local and made the shop owner happy and all that but it left a foul taste in my mouth. I know thats the way fishing goes and all that but $50 is a lot of money to me to just lose like that and if I can source cheap lures from wherever I can, I will.

[one kay gee]

It seems to be that the US market is more pro-active in regards to the different styles and brands,in relation to budget and quality.

I have found,personally,when looking on US websites that the prices are cheaper,there's more brands and also,which i find more important,brands or models not available here.

Its most certainly only a very small portion of anglers importing,so it really isnt as devastating to the Local Tackle guys as some may think.

But in saying this,i feel that eventually the $$$ will go down,to some degree.

With our strong AUSD,we really arent seeing the benefits,which is quite unfair to most of the blokes purchasing out here,so with this in mind,its all about the service and relationships formed with your Local Supplier.

I really am not a huge big-dollar tackle fan,sure,i could go out and spend a few k,but i just scab a few high-enders of mates,or better still,just use my own.

I am actually looking at a 5 foot something 1kg outfit again,for throwing sp/hb out of the boat of bush bashing for Bass up @ Mt Crosby,and a 500 series reel to go with it.

OS is really my best avenue at this stage...

Go figure,with Fishing being the Top Sport in Oz,you would think we would have the cheapest and largest range of tackle !

Tight lines !