Evan K Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I've been searching around for a deal on a Shimano Stradic FK or Stradic ci4+ for a while, for my new ML spinning rig. I found one seller on eBay selling brand new CI4+'s for $187 shipped. That seemed pretty low compared to anywhere else I've seen it. The best price I've found for a Stradic FK is $171 shipped. Is the ci4+ a super good deal I should jump on right away, or are they fairly commonly available at that price point? I ask because I really should wait till next month, technically, before making any larger purchases, but can justify it if it's a rare bargain. Quote
dwtaylor Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I picked up a 2500 ci4+ for $175 at a sport show last winter. If the same guys are there again, I have more cash... With that said, that is still a good deal because Shimano has set pricing pretty much across all of their dealers. Tough to catch a deal unless they are discontinued. Quote
I.rar Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I'd say that's a common price. I've been watching eBay for the same deals on fk's and the prices haven't changed much if any. I would wait. Or at least try to. Quote
blckshirt98 Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Brand new it's very difficult to find a CI4+ on sale/discounted. If you can find a reputable eBay dealer selling one brand new, go for it. A used reel in various fishing forums is really the only place I've been able to find a CI4+ on the cheap, and even then they find a buyer very very fast. 1 Quote
JGBassinAL Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I got one thru a Shimano rep and it was $175 so yeah I think you would be getting a good deal. What you are seeing is the cheapest I have ever seen on eBay. 1 Quote
illinifan4152 Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 If the seller is a reputable seller, then I would jump on the ci4. They are one of the best spinning reels for the money IMO. I love mine. Like others have said, it's hard to find one on sale or dicounted, new in box. 1 Quote
RB 77 Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 I just received one for X-Mas as a gift and so far I love the thing! Quote
Preytorien Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 Depending on the fluctuation in markets, sometimes it's much cheaper to buy overseas, particularly Australia. I was going to bite the bullet on the Stradic FK - about $169 the cheapest I could find, but I ended up getting a Shimano Sustain for $171 +$15S/H from Sydney Australia. I know there's not much feature differences, but I figure why not for essentially the same price give or take a few bucks. Took 10 days to get here. Quote
Evan K Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 56 minutes ago, Preytorien said: Depending on the fluctuation in markets, sometimes it's much cheaper to buy overseas, particularly Australia. I was going to bite the bullet on the Stradic FK - about $169 the cheapest I could find, but I ended up getting a Shimano Sustain for $171 +$15S/H from Sydney Australia. I know there's not much feature differences, but I figure why not for essentially the same price give or take a few bucks. Took 10 days to get here. Wow- where'd you get that?? 1 Quote
Preytorien Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 It was an eBay shop, but they also have an actual facing store....called Otto's Tackle World. If you log into eBay with your accout it'll tell you the price in US Dollars. It was easy to do and they provided great service, even packed a JDM topwater lure in with it. The only thing I don't know is how it would work if I ever had a warranty issue. I'm not sure how Shimano handles overseas purchases. I haven't ever had to use their warranty, but it'd be interesting to see how they'd approach it, so I guess as a blanket statement, buy overseas at your own risk since warranty issues might be present. 1 Quote
Evan K Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 24 minutes ago, Preytorien said: It was an eBay shop, but they also have an actual facing store....called Otto's Tackle World. If you log into eBay with your accout it'll tell you the price in US Dollars. It was easy to do and they provided great service, even packed a JDM topwater lure in with it. The only thing I don't know is how it would work if I ever had a warranty issue. I'm not sure how Shimano handles overseas purchases. I haven't ever had to use their warranty, but it'd be interesting to see how they'd approach it, so I guess as a blanket statement, buy overseas at your own risk since warranty issues might be present. Ha. I've seen lots of sales on ebay for Otto's, never any that low yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Sounds like great service. Thanks for the tip. Quote
Preytorien Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 2 hours ago, Evan K said: Ha. I've seen lots of sales on ebay for Otto's, never any that low yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Sounds like great service. Thanks for the tip. Yea, a lot of it depends on if they're running sales and how the AU dollar compares to the US dollar. The amounts will fluctuate. I must've just gotten lucky because they're up to close to $200 But maaaaaaan I love that Sustain....smooth as butter. They must've used MegaStrike as the grease. Quote
smallie.mike Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 5 minutes ago, Preytorien said: Yea, a lot of it depends on if they're running sales and how the AU dollar compares to the US dollar. The amounts will fluctuate. I must've just gotten lucky because they're up to close to $200 But maaaaaaan I love that Sustain....smooth as butter. They must've used MegaStrike as the grease. I bought a new sustain a while back for 220 on ebay. I didn't think it was worth that let alone the crazy retail price. You can actually take a stradic fj and ci4+ and build a sustain minus the fancy aluminum drag knob and handle cap. Quote
Evan K Posted January 20, 2016 Author Posted January 20, 2016 41 minutes ago, smallie.mike said: I bought a new sustain a while back for 220 on ebay. I didn't think it was worth that let alone the crazy retail price. You can actually take a stradic fj and ci4+ and build a sustain minus the fancy aluminum drag knob and handle cap. Hm, I do like the sound of an aluminum drag knob! I don't like the chrome plastic ones. Guess if I could find it for $10 more than the ci4+ that'd make it worth it to me. Quote
smallie.mike Posted January 20, 2016 Posted January 20, 2016 1 hour ago, Evan K said: Hm, I do like the sound of an aluminum drag knob! I don't like the chrome plastic ones. Guess if I could find it for $10 more than the ci4+ that'd make it worth it to me. Sure it's worth a little more than the ci4+ if you really want the aluminum drag knob. Just don't think it's going to be smoother or perform better than the ci4+ because it retails for 100+ dollars more, because it's not. 1 Quote
68camaro Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 I paid 180 on sale shipped for CI4+ 2500 in November, its a great reel, love it. 187 is very good IMHO. Quote
Evan K Posted January 21, 2016 Author Posted January 21, 2016 Well huge kudos and thanks to @smallie.mike for alerting me to the fact that the Stradic ci4+ 2500 is currently $147 on Tackle Warehouse. Incredible deal and I've already ordered one. Thanks a lot! 8 Quote
68camaro Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 8 hours ago, Evan K said: Well huge kudos and thanks to @smallie.mike for alerting me to the fact that the Stradic ci4+ 2500 is currently $147 on Tackle Warehouse. Incredible deal and I've already ordered one. Thanks a lot! Killer price. Quote
curtis9 Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 I wonder why such a low price. Are they coming out with a replacement this year? Quote
illinifan4152 Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 Not sure but I just picked one up! 147 to my door!?!? Wasn't even in the market for it but hard to pass up for the price. Quote
Preytorien Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 15 hours ago, smallie.mike said: Sure it's worth a little more than the ci4+ if you really want the aluminum drag knob. Just don't think it's going to be smoother or perform better than the ci4+ because it retails for 100+ dollars more, because it's not. No doubt. I don't think I've ever worn a drag knob hard enough to need to verify it's materials. It's got a few small but present upgrades from the Ci4+ but probably none that would be easily noticed if you never knew. However, given the fact that I could get the Sustain for the same price, it was a no-brainer. I put a lot of thought into it after reading this thread on TT Sustain vs Stradic FJ vs Stradic Ci4+ There was no deal of $147 for the Ci4+ or I probably would've ended up with that. I had an FJ prior and it was superb and I feel the Sustain is just a bit smoother. In any case, the Ci4+ for $147 is a great deal for an awesome reel. Evan K and illinifan will not be disappointed. 2 Quote
JGBassinAL Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 2 hours ago, illinifan4152 said: Not sure but I just picked one up! 147 to my door!?!? Wasn't even in the market for it but hard to pass up for the price. Same here. Didn't need it but for $147 I'll take another! 1 Quote
blckshirt98 Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 $147 is such a good deal, I paid more for mine used. Do I need another trout reel, that 1000FAML is looking perfect... Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 21, 2016 Super User Posted January 21, 2016 $147 on TW? I just went there and added one to my cart. Still shows $219? Quote
Smokinstang68 Posted January 21, 2016 Posted January 21, 2016 Not showing it for $147 here either. Show's them for $147 if you google it, but when you go to the actually site, just normal price. I guess that just keeps the bait monkey away. Quote
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