Lots off freebies, bend over backward sevice,and a shoe shine,then my wallet comes out.

You seem to run a tight ship there Doug ,good helpfull staff and a good chose of product .give me a call when you would like to come out for a fish.

Since Im up on night shift and all you guys are still sleeping Ill make a start...

1) I think its very important that store staff arent so smug in their own knowledge and importance to make people feel too stupid to ask questions or try to find out how to do certain things, no matter how simple or complex it might be. This includes taking 5 minutes to show you a certain knot or to make you a sample rig etc.

Ive been into stores where the young guy serving me was so arrogant about his own fishing greatness, i simply wouldnt go back.

2) I think that if you are prepared to be a loyal customer to a tackle shop the tackle shop should be prepared to offer you the absolute best available price on high end products, Not a half arsed attempt at their lowest price - otherwise google comes into play and its very very easy to save hundreds and hundreds of dollars by getting things from other stores, ebay, interstate or overseas.

If you do the right thing by me by offering the best possible deal on my new saltiga even if you only make $2 on the deal, Ill keep going back again and again and again to buy hooks, sinkers, swivels, braid, leader, lures etc at full retail price, no problemo, and you will make alot of money out of me that way.

If I know you are ohnestly trying to do the best possible thing by me, I will feel indebted to go back for my every day stuff.

*Also to add to this if I get a deal i am happy with I will always give great word of mouth advertising for the place that looked after me, therefore hopefully more customers will start rolling through your doors because of it.

3) If I am prepared to be a loyal customer and lets just say I have just spent 200 dollars on terminal tackle, it annoys me when staff hold back on info like whats biting where.

I dont expect their favourite fishing spots or coordinates but a rough idea if the three mile is worth a try for this or west end rotto is going off for that, especially since i work away, its been 4 weeks since ive been back in perth and my fingers off the pulse as to whats been happening around the place.

4) I like to see a good range of gear also, I dont mind waiting for specialty things to be ordered in but small things like lures etc a good range of top quality equipment is always nice.

I think thats about all I can think of, not to hard to satisfy, hehe

Golden Rule - acknowledge the customers presence ASAP. I have a 10 second rule when I walk in somewhere. I don't care if it only a "be with you soon" by a busy salesperson but just some eye contact and a hello. If the guys behind the counter are serving someone then I am happy to wait as long as I have been acknowledged. I have a rule in my shops that if I see you walk past a phone thats ringing, or a customer at the front counter without asking have they been looked after then, then it is your last ever shift with me. I tell people this on their first shift.

Range - I like top end stuff, but understand that it is expensive to have as inventory, but to not have it means better fishos will probably not go back because there is nothing to dream about. I don't think you need to carry every topend of every brand, but at least one line of one brand.

Expertise - it is what it is, and once you have been fishing for long enough there is a fair chance that you will know more than the young fella behind the counter, but if that young fella is happy to share a new technique or tackle then I will certainly go out of my way to shop there instead of somewhere else.

I think the one thing that gets me upset, is when you ask someone about buying something and they always take you to the most expensive thing first...i know your trying to make money..dont rub it in my face!

Also as Kane said..guys going on about there own fishing greatness....at the end of the day i dont give shit about the day you caught a 89cm pink snapper on 1kg line......im in your shop buying something..its all about me!

I think you guys are on the ball down there Dougie..you are always trying new ideas ect which is good....sausauge sizzles ect

LOL

steve

My biggest hate when entering a tackle shop is to be left standing, while the staff carry on a private conversation and completely ignore me.

 Attentive/Knowledgeable staff are a great assett.  

Person selling you your fishing gear has to have used it themselves.

same as buying a car, would you buy a car from a salesmen if he said 'nah not driven that car, or nah i wouldnt buy that'

Experience is one thing, but experience using the equipment your selling is another.

Yes some people go to tackle stores knowing what they want and buy it and dont need any help or advice.
But have to remember the people running the tackle stores (Not the kiddies) have more access to the latest and greatest technologies.

I pretty much buy all my gear from 1 store...yeah sometimes i might be able to save 5 bucks by going to a big retial store, but to me customer service is more important than price.

Also agree with simon, if someone doesnt come see you or say something within a minute or 2 of you being in the store, then they are already off on the wrong foot.

experience, knowledge, good customer service!!

nudie girls wouldn't hurt either, although I am yet to come across such a tackle store 

Always address a customers early I personnally give it a couple of minutes specially if I can't find what I'm looking for then I'm out of there. I normally fly in so time is important.
Always look after your return customers. I use to shop solely at the one shop for some ten years (bar a few bits and pieces) because service was good and some of the deals they hooked me up with where exceptional. Probable didn't pay face value price for the last 4-5 years. At the same time I would always call and say do you have this available if not they would get it in before I flew down as it was vertually sold.
Also warranty they always went out of there way to help. replace it and go we will sort that out.
A shame there shop has closed as the crew had different goals on life and the shop had to go.

its got to be service at the top of my list.
i tend to impulse buy a lot so an attentive salesperson will usually be run ragged whilst i look at every rod, reel , lure etc
Fortunately the stores here are very good and the staff knowledgeable and helpful so i keep going back (too often according to the missus)

For me I like the acknowledgement as you walk through the door. I don’t mind been left alone to look around however it is nice to have someone come over and ask if you are right looking around after a little while in the shop. I hate been pounce upon. It’s also good to know that the shop has done you a good deal. This is when I just keep coming back for more.

Local knowledge and generally being able to hold a fishing conversation is also great. I had a big trip planned recently 50nm out and after speaking with the local tackle shop he advised me that he has been to the same place three times now with no luck finding this place set out on an old map drawn up about 50 years ago by a local pro fisher. Local knowledge is priceless.

Was in a shop recently that advertises on this site and was big-time pissed when paying at the counter?  All the transaction was done while the salesman spoke on the phone to someone about a fishing trip that had taken place and who still held the prize of the biggest species of fish.

All I got at the end of the transaction was a wave.

Yer well my wave was slightly different with only two fingers showing. (That was my thoughts only)

Garry

I must admit that it's a tough call for tackle shops.  I want the staff to be knowledgable without coming off cocky and better-than-you.  I realize that is a difficult line to walk, but it's important.

 I think if your focus is on the customer, you'll be right.  If I come in wanting to talk Beach fishing and the sales person couldn't care less about anything LB, that doesn't matter.  He/she needs to focus on the customer.

I's also good to have sales people knowledgable about various types of fishing...like they can sort of be specialists of you like.

Also agree with what others have said about being willing to deal on big items with locals to keep them coming for other things.  With Ebay, big chains and so many other competitors, it just makes good business sense to do that.

I love your shop Doug and talk it up to other fishos as well....and btw, I'll be coming in for a couple of new rods in the next week or so, so remember that point about being willing to deal! haha 

ooops sorry you already have one of those working there..but seriously great service and good knowledge of the equiptment they are selling and most of all friendly staff that will help out the costomer when needed weather you spend $5 or $500 it shouldnt make a difference

Right price and great advice

best tackle shop in WA is the tackle shack

best service, good prices and friendly

I think kane said 100% of what i was going to say :)

Spot on man

But when i walk into a tackle shop, i walk straight to the lure wall and straight to the plastics (i have an addiction) if i see any i like, i get them =) even if its me last 10$

* Eddie Quote (I must admit that it's a tough call for tackle shops.  I want the staff to be knowledgable without coming off cocky and better-than-you.  I realize that is a difficult line to walk, but it's important )Eddie Quote

* Very well put Eddie, conundrum for sure!

"what do people expect when they go to a tackle store"..... my answer....."TOO MUCH".. LOL

With the PEW groug wanting to shut down the fishing industy , I just want tackle shops to be around in 5 years time.

Maybe they should look to helping get something going to fight the PEW group.

But what would I know.

Exactly what Kane said. He hit the nail on the head.

But to add to that, my worst pet hate is to be left standing! A lot of the time I go into a store for advice on my next purchase as I dont have a firm idea of what I want a lot of the time and it's always nice to hear a "can I help you there?" instead of having to ask.

The guys in our sponsor's tackle shops seem to possess a wealth of knowledge and are fishermen in the true sense themselves. That's a great place to start.

People who enter the shops are quite different and consider their form of fishing very important. I like someone who asks questions and listens to what you have to say. Sometimes the cheap solutions are the best. Sometimes someone looking for a cheap solution may well be better suited in the longer term being encouraged to look for a more expensive solution without feeling they have been steamrolled into it.

Best of all though guys is I like a crew who remember names. FFS I drop into Mindarie quite often through convenience and the pricks still don't remember who I am.

friendly service, knowledgale staff without the testosterone and a genuine interest in the industry. also be genuine, if you don't know something them admit this, no one is perfect. you can always research it later.

Think outside the circle. Cant stand shops that cater for one form of fishing. sure bottom bashing is fun but the new revolution of SP, jigging etc is here. I like the challenge of fishing more so than the quantity of fillets..........learn my fishing preferences by simply engaging me as a human being and not simply a dollar sign and you will unlock the key to my wallet. Likewise there are plenty of customers who fish very well, engage them in conversation and they will gladly share their knowledge. Customers have a clear ability to engage other customers while in the shop and sell product for you, so promote discussion and learning. Least you know your tackle works and most of all, catches fish. I made enquires for high end bream lures and sure the owner spent good money getting it in but I bought it and went out with mates who in turn caught fish................and so the cycle begins............ so learn your customers preferences.    

personally can't beat the personalised service at your local shop and although its important to have good stock of terminal tackle I dont mind ordering gear in and waiting. prices generally don't bother me because its the service and attitude of respect as a customer/mate that I appreciate but like everyone else if you are clearly pulling the wool then I am not interested as there are a multitude of options.

don't talk shite and promise the world and deliver nothing........if so join your local labor/liberal party and save it for the soapbox.......

we all have differing finacial means but we all agree on our passion for fishing so use the optermisation theory, best value for least expenditure......remember, our return is your investment and your kids education fee's. if you provide the service we will recognise your integrety and return the favour from our pocket. sure there are some bad apples but life will sort these people out. we want quality that will not cost the world while providing reliability. Yes we all know the common sense economy, you get what you pay for,  but people clearly have differing financial means.

95% of marketing is verbal so friendly attitude once I walk through the door will work wonders. don't expect people to purchase something everytime they come into the shop.........there is a social side to the trade.

There is one chain WA store I wont buy from due to there choice of pre-pubescent staff. starts with a B and ends in an R; they seem to employ the same mould......... 

Being in the SW region don't get to shop in Perth much but easy to see the sponsors doing a great job. 

what do people expect when they go to a tackle store.

Bait in the feezer, thats about all I go in for.

remember ur regulars something bluewater has forgotten ive spent thousands in there & if something ads up to 81.35 how about dropin the 1.35 goin to start lookin else where

I've been into the tackle shack. Nice shop, no one asked if I needed help (but given my resembelance to a bikie it's not the first time) so I got what I came for and left. I'm one of those people who should not be left alone in a tackle shop as I will usually buy more things than I need. I have a tackle supply to last me at least a year, but the disposable things (sinkers, hooks, swivels) I'll keep coming back for again and again.

But as whats already been stated, if there's no interest in the customer, why go back? I've got a decent relationship with the guys at anglers anonymous (cool name for a tackle shop... and certainly a group that I should join) they recognise me and that's why  I like them.

I'f you've got any number 6 owner mutu hooks let me know and I'll take them (50 pack would be good)

So let me ask you a question Doug... why ask the question of what people want from a tackle store? business going bad? are you losing old clients? or are there just no new ones coming in? If your more specific maybe we can help more. I'm willing to put in the effort to assist you in your business success

It was a while I posted a PM.

Normal
0

Can't say anything good about one of the large chain stores I went to unfortunately.



Went in there once due to my local being mysteriously closed on a Thursday night, only to see a bunch of teenagers standing around stocking shelves.  I was never offered any assistance and a lady walked in to ask if they stocked a particular model Okuma reel and the guy serving said "is that a fishing reel?”  Then he palmed her off to one of his mates as he obviously couldn't be bothered helping her.



Good selection of tackle, staff with product knowledge, fishing knowledge, ability to hold a conversation and show a genuine passion for fishing are what make a good tackle shop.



The customers that generally spend the most amount of money ($1000-$3000/yr) on tackle are guys over 25yrs of age, who are at that stage in life where they have money to spend, and more willing to spend it in a shop they can drop in, be a regular and have a chat.

Hell I know I like dropping into my local when I'm bored, even though I don't need anything, just for a look at new gear, have a chat to the boys and end up buying more sh!t I don't need.

i guess i would have to say somewhere i feel comfertable being new to fishing its pretty over whelming for me in a tackle store not knowing what i really need im a bit shy so dont really like asking for help so i like it if someone comes over and asks what im after and can give me some advice from there also helps uf the store is well layed out and maybe some signs at end of aisles so dont have to walk up and down looking for what im after oh and i like to see the bait fridge well stocked! but generaly just friendly staff who know what there doing

larger stores such as bluewater ... bcf... treat you like a number in society. another dollar for the business... smaller self own tackle stores value their customers and treat them with respect and makes the place feel welcoming... makes me go back and back again... even though i live in willeton i drive to the tackle shack in malaga to get my gear and bait... u guys down there are just great.

Well after my last visit to The Tackle Shack and I have spent a few hundred $$ there ill go and have a look at BCF cant be any worse,what happened to the small shops north of the river,no wonder BCF can get customers ive had enough of small shop syndrome.

BBWA4LIFE-Quote(Larger stores such as bluewater ... bcf... treat you like a number in society. another dollar for the business... smaller self own tackle stores value their customers and treat them with respect and makes the place feel welcoming... makes me go back and back again) Quote

I hear that alot in my shop BBWA4LIFE, more so the later company you mentioned. Cant please everyboby but as long as the majority are happy!

Living in the northwest for past 15 years apart from a small stint in Albany I was immuned to the local tackle syndrome.I used to buy all my stuff from 2 online stores m# and C######.Now I have moved to Karratha I have noticed that the service can be veried as different staff serve you.When dealing with one of the older guys he could not bend over enough and did the rounding down.I left with a good feeling and went back to the shop regularly,bad news he left and the younger staff that have seen me there and served me have all but treated me with contempt.Guess Im going to be moving my business again.Too bad as I spend around $5000 a year on tackle.Do you do online orders Ryan/Doug?

Solly

The Tackle Shack is online, but they haven't started taking online orders yet but its pretty close, so just call for now.  Oceanside isn't online, you probably have to call them.

No On-Line Solly for me, very logistical hense the limited amount of Shop-front Tackle company's that have done it properly. Long term im going to look at it closely but in the mean time sorry i cant help!

We do sell stuff/post around Australia however!

I just bought a new boat but it wont be delivered until September so the wife is insisting that I make do until we get it and start going out very wide.I will drop in and intro myself if I get a chance when I come down to pick it up.Need a whole lot of saily gear and planning a trip to the montys as well

Solly

I got a Livefibre from BCF today $46 cheaper than Bluewater why is that?

Who is ripping us off with over inflatted prices on fishing gear?

I can see why the online shopping is getting popular everybody wants to pay a fair price on items and you know your not getting that when you see shops discount gear by 20/50% when they want or need too.,so howmuch is it marked up 100%/300%?

$70 difference/saving at Bluewater why is that?

Face to face service, advice, knowledge, experience, rig demos', rigging advice, fishing demonstrations, knot demo's, how-to's, where to get fish etc etc....."online" cant do that so there will always be a market for independants & repuatable Tackle shops!

Just my take!

OOOOOOhhhh SNAP! spot on ryan :)

I saw the same thing Ryan when I was in Perth last week.

Helping hand and advice that is greeted with a smile always get my $

I saw the same thing Ryan when I was in Perth last week.

Helping hand and advice that is greeted with a smile always get my $

 BUT in the end they are suplying us for what we love and without them where would we be ....

Well i've purchased plenty of gear over the years from Bluewater and they've always been very good.

Morley used to be my local (Rohan Smith builds a great rod) and if I was ever after anything special that they didn't have then a call to Hal at Scarborough sooned tracked it down.

Recently got a cracking deal from them on some bulk reels and rods for the school. Big store purchasing power and product knowledge from Hal/Joff was really appreciated.

Like any business though, particularly one with mutliple stores and lots of staff you will always come across some people who are less helpful than others but IMO that's not reflective of the business as a whole.

John

I'm comin to see you soon Ryan, got any EPIRB's left?

Cheers
Dale

Just out of interest, whats the price of a single 5 ball sinker in Perth these days?

Also, whats the price for a Richter Oscar Grassy?

Just want to get a comparison.

NO ROOM FOR HUGE EGOS - This is my number one turn off. No one's better or more famous than anyone else or has the right to lecture to anyone - especially customers that have money for you. Inform yes, lecture no.

BRAND BIAS - Some places push one or two particular brands - for reasons I can only speculate on. I don't want bling for bling sake - I want something that will do the job. A store owner/rep that says 'I don't like X brand and never have is a real turn off for me.

SERVICE - Always important. I wan't someone to listen REFLECTIVELY to my needs and make helpful suggestions - all in an attentive, courteous manner. 

GOOD RANGE OF PRODUCTS - Speaks for itself.

GOOD STOCK - Stock good products and maintain stock levels - I detest stores that suffer from the 'Bunnings Empty (Display) Hook' syndrome. 

I was after Shimano gear for my b'day and got told they didn't stock it....Oh well, such is life as Ben Cousins would say... He is an idiot.