Why Does It Matter If The Box Is Included?

[John G]

I could never imagine passing up a good deal on a good reel because there is no original box for it!  I do keep mine.

I believe that if I am patient, another good deal will show up that has a box.

[David P]

Some fisherman are into "collecting" and not as much into the actual fishing or catching... Some guys care as much if not more about their gear than they do about fishing. I admit, at one point, I was like that as well, I cleaned all my rods and reels regularly, took excellent care, wanted boxes etc with used stuff, but did it catch me more fish? No, in fact quite the opposite. Spent more time caring about the condition of my gear, than about catching fish. 

 

 To each their own though, but the box means absolutely nothing in terms of fish-ability or quality of the reel. 

[John G]

To each their own though, but the box means absolutely nothing in terms of fish-ability or quality of the reel.

I'll disagree with you the quality of the reel part of your post in regards to Shimano'. The boxes that the Antares and the Conquest's comes with are beautiful pieces of cardboard that have intricate detail. The box that a Curado 50E comes with is nothing to write home about. Not that the 50E is nothing to write home about, but any objective person will admit that in terms of quality, it's not in the same league as an Antares or a Conquest and neither is the box that it comes in.

[David P]

I'll disagree with you the quality of the reel part of your post in regards to Shimano'. The boxes that the Antares and the Conquest's comes with are beautiful pieces of cardboard that have intricate detail. The box that a Curado 50E comes with is nothing to write home about. Not that the 50E is nothing to write home about, but any objective person will admit that in terms of quality, it's not in the same league as an Antares or a Conquest and neither is the box that it comes in.

This is exactly my point... The box, whether it is a piece of art or not, is just that, a cardboard box... It has no factor in how the reel fishes out on the water, nor does it help you catch fish... It's geared towards a collector.The quality of the reel and it's ability to cast, and catch fish, has zero to do with whether or not it came in a cardboard box, or a brown paper bag. Quality of the box may be different, quality of the reel is not. 

[thehooligan]

It makes it collectable, adds more value and a sense of completeness. This comes into play more on the high end or rare reels where the collectors are looking for the entire package. No different than say any other collectable piece...

Also some people want the schematics, warranty info, and oil and tools so they can do basic maintenance to the reel.

 

 

i think it's truly one of those things that, if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand. i'm totally OCD about my gear and i'm as much a collector as i am a fisherman. i invariably change the bearings, handles, knobs, spool, etc. and keeping all the stock parts in the original box along with the brakes, papers and OEM oil helps me keep everything organized. the boxes also give me a safe way to long-term store my reels. i've only bought one used reel without the original box (shimano conquest 51) and it still bugs me that i don't have the box for it...i think i like knowing that the guy i bought a used reel from is as OCD as me 

 

 

Haha, couldnt agree more with these guys... Ive always been a collector and im always hoping any used reel purchase comes with the original box. All my reels get modified right away and i like to keep all original parts in the box. On the other side of the coin, a used reel with no box wouldnt stop me from buying it...

 

Talk about downsizing !! 

 

[deaknh03]

I keep the boxes for shipping, receipt inside but I do scan it and save to my PC just in case of misplaced or faded out.

thats a great idea.

[cbass12]

I put the receipt in the box, and it goes into storage. I do this for anything with a warranty, that I care about.  I routinely purge the boxes in my attic.

This

[FishTank]

I keep the boxes and store the paper work, receipt, diagrams, oil and some parts if necessary.  Then at the end of the year the reels come off the rods and go back in the boxes.  If I choose to sell the reel, the box just makes it easier.  I also write in the inside of the lid the day I serviced it and if I changed the line (sort a of a mini service record). 

[MarkH024]

I keep my boxes and goodies but burn my receipts to hide the evidence. Ironically people just give me these things brand new...

[shootermcbob]

I personally keep the boxes. For me I take apart my setups in the winter, and store the reels in the boxes. It's an organization thing. It's not a deal breaker if I am buying a reel without the box, but I would pay a slightly higher price if the box and paperwork is included.

Me too.

[Dwight Hottle]

I keep my boxes and goodies but burn my receipts to hide the evidence. Ironically people just give me these things brand new...

 

 

Mark just have the new stuff shipped to me and then she will never find out. I'll give it all back when I see you.

[flipin4bass]

Boxes are everything to a collector. I found this out years ago with my lure collection. Todays bubble packs makes display a challenge, but with lures still sold in boxes, I print out a picture of the lure and then place it in the box for storage. having those boxes will help my wife recoup a lot the money spent on my fishing trips when I'm gone. Save those boxes!

[.ghoti.]

Despite my aversion to doing so, I have started saving reel boxes. Just in case. In reality, once I get a reel, I'll upgrade spool bearings and drag washers, do a full internal polish, add bearings where posible, and put on a four bearing handle with smooth knobs. Once I've done all that, they are really mine, and it's very difficult to part with them.

Besides, who am I to argue with anybody elses neuroses. I have a lot more fun argueing with my own.

[Dwight Hottle]

Despite my aversion to doing so, I have started saving reel boxes. Just in case. In reality, once I get a reel, I'll upgrade spool bearings and drag washers, do a full internal polish, add bearings where posible, and put on a four bearing handle with smooth knobs. Once I've done all that, they are really mine, and it's very difficult to part with them.

Besides, who am I to argue with anybody elses neuroses. I have a lot more fun argueing with my own.

Us older guys are either more neurotic or more organized but we do have a plan.

[TiNuts]

I also prefer the box and keep all the boxes my reels come in. I couldn't tell you why, as I have no reason, other than I like to keep the boxes. I've been known to also keep the boxes for other silly things for no reason, small electronics being a major one.

I will admit, that when I see a used reel that includes the box, I get a feeling that that reel was taken better care of than used reels without the box. I have no grounds for that feeling, I just get it. I guess if they cared enough to keep the box, maybe they cared enough to take extra care of the reel.

[TiNuts]

I have stored my reels away for the winter in their boxes. It was ALMOST like getting a batch of new reels the next spring

[primetime]

I have not read all the posts but I can say with certainty that if you are buying a reel on Ebay or from anyone you do not trust or know, be carefull of the "New without box" that is often advertised...If the seller has a reel that is not commonly paired with a combo, where would the box be if new? Also you need the box and papers alot of times for warranty purposes, and I can say with 100% certainty that many sellers will often call a reconditioned reel a display model or new from a combo.

 

I worked at a wholesale company and we sold a ton of reels without boxes, many were truly new and from combos as we made more money breaking them up and selling them seperate,  and if anyone had an issue the owner simply honored the warranty as long as it made sense...However, I know several of our customer's would purchase large quantities of reels that were reconditioned and then sell them on Ebay as NEW without a box.....I don't know if they did it intentionally as reconditioned reels usually look new, but I know that many reels on the bidding sites are refurbs and not brand new, and if they are not a reputable dealer of that product, then I would pass. I would never accuse anyone of doing this intentionally, but if I am paying regular price for a reel, I expect a box, papers, and warranty.

 

If you are not sure, simply ask if it comes with a warranty and what happened to the box or rod etc..I know one seller who has over 100 reels that are all display models or from combos, and that seems crazy as you would at least save the tag from the combo if planning on selling them. Warranties are key, companies today truly honor them and work with you since so many companies are producing high end reels and the market is much bigger than Daiwa and Shimano with Okuma, Pinnacle making reels instead of just being an oem for other companies,Lew's, Quantum, Bass Pro, Cabela's,Academy, Gander Mountain all make reels with at least 1 year and they will replace with a box...Hope that helps someone.