Why Does One Company Do Better Than The Other?

[BassCats]

Lews and Pinnacle came out with good quality reels at about the same time give or take a year. Yet Lews has the larger following on most forums and people I have talked to. Pinnacle has a really good product and has fantastic pro staff to back them up and prove it. Both have almost the same exact features. They are around the same price point. So why is it that Lews gets all the attention and Pinnacle doesn't? I find it funny because you can't buy lews at basspro.

[BASSclary]

People like the Lew's better.

Also I think it comes down to looks. I think Pinnacle's reels are some of the most butt ugly stuff. Lew's look pretty sporty IMO.

Also, I think people synominize (sp?) Pinnacle with lower quality stuff, because they're everywhere at Wal-Mart. Lew's didn't go from mediocre to good, the went away, and came back a blazin'.

[Jake P]

What appeals to one buyer is different than another. Maybe the Pinnacle name itself? Im not too familiar with Their reels but I dont think they have consistently put out quality products. Maybe most people already have their mind made up about Pinnacle and dont feel they are adequate reels? I really dont know, just my perspective. Maybe its a Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge type deal? Im sure you will be able to purchase lews products at BPS before long.

[Diggy]

pinnacle acts like people only use rh reels

[skeletor6]

People like the Lew's better.

Also I think it comes down to looks. I think Pinnacle's reels are some of the most butt ugly stuff. Lew's look pretty sporty IMO.

Also, I think people synominize (sp?) Pinnacle with lower quality stuff, because they're everywhere at Wal-Mart. Lew's didn't go from mediocre to good, the went away, and came back a blazin'.

X2

[rockchalk06]

Alot is marketing too. Abu makes some lower end stuff too and stocks it at Walmart but there advertising is great. Ive never seen a commercial for Pinnacle

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Also even though its basically a brand new company the Lew's name has a long history,and a lot of the older guys remember them and want to try them again.

[The Rooster]

Could be availability in different areas. Here the pinnacle isnt even kept by local tackle shops. I can get their cheaper stuff at walmart but thats it. Lews.is offered at all three places i have here. Local shops i mean.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A company's product, people and marketing all affect that company's success or lack there of. Whole books have been written about each and still there is no guarantee. In this case, I believe nostalgia over the Lew's name is palying a huge role. The design and internals of the current Lew's reels are not new and comparable reels have been on the market for some time. They are however well built and the pricing is competetive.

[baluga]

I think customer support has to do a lot aside from the quality of the product.

[Hooligan]

Baluga has a great point. Establishing contact with Pinnacle in the past has been really not much fun. They've also not been very good about backing their product. I understand that, however, times have changed in regards to both those peeves.

Someone else mentioned marketing, and that's a viable truth, as well. They've never had a large marketing campaign in the past, and have relied on what they got from... well, where ever it came from. They seem to still lag a bit there, but have been picking up the slack n that one, noticeably. You see their product more available than at just low end retailers now, for certain.

[Capt.Bob]

I think the reasons already stated are why, Lew's always stood for innovation and top quality, usually better quality for less money, and with there marketing and Pro Staff have a big advantage. As stated there are similar reels being made but Lew's has upped the quality of the components, and it shows. The one thing Lew's has always had going for them is excellent customer service, that is one thing that can ruin even the company selling the best products, if people know the won't back their product, most won't buy it! Lew's had excellent customer service in the 70's and continue to do so today.

Lynn Reeves, formerly a buyer for Bass Pro Shops, is probably why you don't see them at BPS, and probably won't. Reeves is now the owner of the Lew's name and running it after leaving BPS. Why would J.M. want his former employee's product competing with his own in his stores??

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I think my Pinnacle BC has been a great reel its going on 10yrs was my main reel for 8yrs. They were sold at DSG here back then but now no where to be seen. Even contacting them to get a place close by that sells their product got me no feedback.

I think it comes down to what brand people favor from the get go. Like Abu their veritas rod reports of breakage over & over & over and still reports yet people let that pass.

[The Rooster]

I emailed Pinnacle several months ago twice with questions about their reels. Never got a reply at all. Emailed Shimano and Abu Garcia and got responses within a day or so from each. Took that as a sign right there.

[roadwarrior]

I really like the new Pinnacle line-up.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html