So, Shimano Owns Lews, Eh?

[PAGreg]

Went to bps yesterday for the spring classic and had a conversation with the Daiwa rep at the reel counter. He told me "Lews used to be good, but their reels really went downhill after Shimano bought them."

[Grantman83]

Shimano was the original producer of Lews reels waaaay back before they went off on their own.

It's funny because BPS won't carry Lew's products and now a Daiwa Rep at BPS is spreading incorrect info about them as well.

Their products have gone downhill so far that they building a bigger home base to accommodate the growing demand of their reels lol

[FishTank]

Sounds like the Daiwa rep was giving you a reason to buy a Daiwa. 

 

As far as the Shimano/Lews connection....  It's old news...way old.  Things have changed over the years and they are separate entities. The Lews speed spool name and design was used on a few different reels over the years.

 

[ColdSVT]

The best part was when he said the tatula type hd didnt exist

I loved his face when said i would divorce you if you brought a diawa onto my boat lol

[ColdSVT]

Shimano was the original producer of Lews reels waaaay back before they went off on their own.

It's funny because BPS won't carry Lew's products and now a Daiwa Rep at BPS is spreading incorrect info about them as well.

Their products have gone downhill so far that they building a bigger home base to accommodate the growing demand of their reels lol

Yup....back in the 70s shimano was Lews Oem...then shimano came out with bantam and the rest is history

[F14A-B]

Sounds like the Daiwa Rep, fell asleep during training courses.. That's pretty redicilous..

[bass1980]

I don't known if the rep was just a idiot or he was brand bashing considering BPS and Lews has their own issues and Shimano is Daiwas number one competitor. I'm glad there is forums and Internet in general. In the past 3 years I think I have surpassed 90% of retail workers knowledge in gears.

One time I was at a big box store and while looking at a Shimano one employee suggested I look into Lews because it's built in America and then the conversation moved to why he doesn't buy Honda because they're built in Japan. I just shook my head and walked away.

[PAGreg]

He also said Randy Howell won the classic because of the t-wing system. Without it, apparently Randy doesn't get his Livingston Rapala crankbait the "extra" 20 feet to the fish.

[roadwarrior]

Off topic posts have been removed.

 

-Kent

[fisherrw]

Sounds like the Daiwa rep was giving you a reason to buy a Daiwa.

As far as the Shimano/Lews connection.... It's old news...way old. Things have changed over the years and they are separate entities. The Lews speed spool name and design was used on a few different reels over the years.

wow that's kind of cool!

[Sonik]

I try to do as little business with BPS as possible. I have few things I get just because they're so cheap. One of the reasons I don't do more business is all of the junk you hear out of the sales people and the reps floating around. It's like they are trained to flat out lie and say ridiculous things as opposed to being knowledgeable about their own products. One guy at the Clarksville, IN store told me that KVD uses Pro Qualifiers and Johnny Morris rods in tournaments and only uses Quantum when he's doing promotional stuff.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I really don't think it's BPS so much as it is the clerks being delusional thinking they were hired for their fishing expertise and not that they'll work for retail wages and hours. I call it Pro-Staffitis.

[*Hootie]

Why, I've never been so insulted in my life!!!....lol.

We are not all the same guys. Having been on the other side of the counter, I have had some customers that I wish would have stayed home. Like the "BOZO" standing in front of you spitting tobacco juice into a pop bottle while I try to keep from throwing up. GO HOME!!!

Hootie

[ColdSVT]

I really don't think it's BPS so much as it is the clerks being delusional thinking they were hired for their fishing expertise and not that they'll work for retail wages and hours. I call it Pro-Staffitis.

This.

The staff hs no product training at all really. They are however expected to sell that product.

The public on the same turn is kinda crazy too, to think that one person that works part time for 8bucks an hour will know everything about every product is sorta silly

He rep in question however should know his product line lol

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Why, I've never been so insulted in my life!!!....lol.

We are not all the same guys. Having been on the other side of the counter, I have had some customers that I wish would have stayed home. Like the "BOZO" standing in front of you spitting tobacco juice into a pop bottle while I try to keep from throwing up. GO HOME!!!

Sorry Hootie. No insult intended but you must have seen what I'm talking about. I would much rather have someone say "I'm not sure but I'll get Hootie" than to try to baffle me with their bs.

It's got to be frustrating when the shoe is on the other foot too. Being asked for assistance and challenged at every turn just to try and one up someone

Hootie

[*Hootie]

Not offended at all Mike. Just kidding. I surely do know what you guys are talking about. We have had our share of bull crappers on the floor at the Cincinnati store. Problem is that it makes the rest of us have to share his reputation. On a high note, I did have many customers who would come in and ask for me. Now that's a great feeling.

Hootie

[ColdSVT]

Not offended at all Mike. Just kidding. I surely do know what you guys are talking about. We have had our share of bull crappers on the floor at the Cincinnati store. Problem is that it makes the rest of us have to share his reputation. On a high note, I did have many customers who would come in and ask for me. Now that's a great feeling.

Hootie

So true...there is usually one or two guys that have forgotten more than their fellow associates have learned

[bootytrain]

Its the same with car salesman, most don't know anything substantial about whatever car they are selling. Luckily with the internet buyers can research and be a lot more savy.

[Mr Swim Jig]

I remember when this all came up a few years back when Lews first started making their comeback. I thought this story had been put to rest...lol

[*Hootie]

Its the same with car salesman, most don't know anything substantial about whatever car they are selling. Luckily with the internet buyers can research and be a lot more savy.

Sure nuff, cause they can't put it on the internet if it isn't true.

Hootie

[Sam]

I know the bass fishermen who work the fishing department at the Ashland, Virginia Bass Pro Shop and we talk about places to fish, baits, techniques, boats, motors, tournaments, what other guys we know have done or wrecked and shopping is fun with these guys.

 

And then there are the "others" at the same BPS who don't know their fanny from a hole in the ground about fishing. I try to stay away from these people.

 

As for Lews vs. Shimano, my good friend and rod and reel repair artist, Wayne Knabe of Powhatan, Virginia, tells me the two best reels in the marketplace today are Lews and Shimano.

 

If Wayne says Lews and Shimano, then these are the two best reels based in their innards.

 

Just my two cents.

[0119]

Then the Revo/Phfeluger/Browning etc etc must be the best too since they are the very same reel as your Lew's...

[Texas bassman]

I work at bass pro and sorry for the info they gave you but not all of us are like that. but I don't lie to a customer. I push every brand. Had a customer come in and buy a speed freak, tatula, revo winch, curado i, stradic fj, and 2 pqs. All great reels but now he has a taste of everything and can make the choice for himself what he likes best. Some guys will only push 1 brand and call others junk. Smh.

[faygo1979]

Retail pay is very little now a days and you get what you pay for.  I don’t expect experts  when I walk into any retail store anymore, The wages don’t justify the skill most of the time.

But I am surprised on the quality of BPS retail people.  I have had a number of conversations with some of the  guys in the Auburn hills Michigan store and  they may not be an expert at everything in the store but the ones in the fishing sections have given me tips on some locations and techniques that they use that work for them.  Now they don’t know every new technique or fad but It goes back into they are not paid for that.  They are enthusiasts   You can’t really get that at an online store.

[F14A-B]

I'm lucky enough to know a couple of "retired" guys that work at my Bps, they both are sharp as a tack. I can tell you they are advised to steer people towards Bps brands, doesn't stop them from talking strongly about their personal favorites and the merits of each. Turnover is high on the younger guys... Some of them think they can talk fishing & can't. Be armed with knowledge before you go in, or know someone..