Is there a tackle brand you won't use anything made by them?

Lord Paul of Sheffield · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2012, 14:15

I recently posted about Shakespeare mach 3xt reel and someone (can't recall who) posted that they wont buy anything by Shakespeare.

Well I've got a Shakespeare rod as well that I rate, I've also got a couple of bits of tackle from Dragon Carp and I know many folk don't rate there gear but a few on here have said how good one of their rods is

So which company if any do you avoid

bradp · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2012, 14:22

Milo - heard some bad things and some good... plus if anything goes wrong with seatbox etc then it takes a while to come back fixed! Never tried any milo gear though saying that! could be very good.

fair few of my friends wont touch preston?? bad experiences with customer service in past i think

Peter Jacobs · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2012, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Paul of Sheffield

So which company if any do you avoid

MAP

I bought a MAP 20' 'bolognese rod from MAP and broke 3" off of the top section within 10 days of purchase.

MAP could NOT provide a replacement top section even as I was prepared to pay for it.

"Newer model now Sir, different mandril"

So, never bought another MAP item, and never will!

sam vimes · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2012, 14:48

There's nothing that I make a deliberate decision to avoid. Dismal experiences as a kid with budget Shakespeare kit means I'm very unlikely to buy their stuff. That's exacerbated by the distinct lack of Shakespeare stock/stockists amongst my local tackle shops. I'm happy to concede that it's not an entirely rational thing though.

I'm not inclined to buy at the budget end of the market so the badger, dragon carp end of the market is usually avoided, but not as an absolute.
There was a time that you couldn't have given me a Shimano rod after a less than acceptable experience with one many years ago. That changed a couple of years ago simply because of a sale rack special offer that, after a waggle, seemed too good to turn down. Quite a few more have followed and I'm perfectly happy that they have.

Edit: Another brand has just come to mind. I understand that they have produced some gear that's been pretty good, however, I wouldn't buy TFGear. Everything I've seen has seemed the equal of cheaper gear and not more expensive. For that reason, I'm out.