Kind of disappointed in Dobyns

[NJSalt]

5 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

5 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I get it. I honestly didn't realize when I bought the rod it was due to model close out. I don't think there was anything advertised about that but maybe I'm wrong. All I know is if I bought a pair of pants from Macy's and they were on sale and I never put them on in 3 months and I lost/gained weight and all I wanted to do was exchange for another size they aren't making me pay the price difference. I guess I had unrealistic expectations.

 

Would the same apply to purchasing a pair of $30 pants off of the clearance rack and then attempting to exchange them for a pair of $50 pants on the "New Spring arrivals" Rack? 

[buzzed bait]

They have one of, if not the best Customer Service teams in terms of rod companies that i've dealt with.  I think they offered you a pretty fair deal considering they did not have to do anything at all.  

I've bought a number of rods sight unseen and have sold quite a few of them (Megabass casting rod on here this morning as a matter of fact, just too heavy for my style of fishing).  It sucks to do it, but you have to accept the depreciation as part of the game if you buy them without holding them first.  

Some days you really have to take a step back, put it all in perspective, and be grateful that these first world problems are what you are dealing with!  

[Fishin' Fool]

17 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

They have one of, if not the best Customer Service teams in terms of rod companies that i've dealt with.  I think they offered you a pretty fair deal considering they did not have to do anything at all.  

I've bought a number of rods sight unseen and have sold quite a few of them (Megabass casting rod on here this morning as a matter of fact, just too heavy for my style of fishing).  It sucks to do it, but you have to accept the depreciation as part of the game if you buy them without holding them first.  

Some days you really have to take a step back, put it all in perspective, and be grateful that these first world problems are what you are dealing with!  

Right on! It's all about perspective. Worse case scenario I'll make it my light tube/spybait rod. It probably won't be a workhorse in my rod arsenal but will see spot duty. To me this is a high end rod maybe not to others that have a rod locker full of NRX'S. I really wanted it to be an everyday rod. I think that's what I'm most bummed about. I still have a Johnny Morris from 10 years ago that will probably be more of an everyday rod.

[IAY]

Is the rod you bought worth the same as the rod you want to trade for?

[Fishin' Fool]

5 minutes ago, IAY said:

Is the rod you bought worth the same as the rod you want to trade for?

Original value yes. But I bought mine on a black Friday sale through American Legacy.

[buzzed bait]

19 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

To me this is a high end rod maybe not to others that have a rod locker full of NRX'S. I really wanted it to be an everyday rod. I think that's what I'm most bummed about. I still have a Johnny Morris from 10 years ago that will probably be more of an everyday rod.

completely understand that, it cost more than any of my rods so i too would want it as an every day rod!  I'm sure it will all work out in the end!

[Logan S]

Just because the retail price is the same doesn't mean the value is the same.  Your rod is a discontinued model and while it certainly has value, it has essentially zero value to Dobyns now that they have moved on to the new model.  If there even is a way for them to re-sell the rod it will be at a far lower price than retail.  It's a near-certainty that Dobyns would be losing money on this deal they proposed to you, but they offered it anyway...That's darn good customer service IMO.  

Not trying to pile on to you personally, but it seems like a pretty nice deal they were offering...

 

[Kevin22]

For what its worth, I bought a ML st. croix eyecon for $85 (retails 110) and didn't care for the grip after a couple uses. I called st. croix and asked if I could pay to upgrade to a premier (120 retail) in the same action/length, they said no problem and there would be no charge. 

I know there is a significant price difference between our two scenarios, but the mark-up should be about the same. Its all about keeping a customer happy. Some companies will do it, others just want money. 

[tomustang]

14 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 American Legacy said they couldn't  

They're known for throwing shade. .

 

 

I don't deal with them anymore.

[Fishin' Fool]

6 minutes ago, Kevin22 said:

For what its worth, I bought a ML st. croix eyecon for $85 (retails 110) and didn't care for the grip after a couple uses. I called st. croix and asked if I could pay to upgrade to a premier (120 retail) in the same action/length, they said no problem and there would be no charge. 

I know there is a significant price difference between our two scenarios, but the mark-up should be about the same. Its all about keeping a customer happy. Some companies will do it, others just want money. 

Based on this experience I'd say I'm probably done with Dobyns.

[Fishin' Fool]

23 minutes ago, Kevin22 said:

For what its worth, I bought a ML st. croix eyecon for $85 (retails 110) and didn't care for the grip after a couple uses. I called st. croix and asked if I could pay to upgrade to a premier (120 retail) in the same action/length, they said no problem and there would be no charge. 

I know there is a significant price difference between our two scenarios, but the mark-up should be about the same. Its all about keeping a customer happy. Some companies will do it, others just want money. 

I do think they could have made more of an effort to try to win over a customer. There were no different options given. $95 more take it or leave it.

[new2BC4bass]

Dobyns not being able to sell a new "old" model rod makes me curious as to how St. Croix can sell new "old" models in their Bargain Room.  Are they taking a hosing on every rod in the Bargain Room?  I'd hope they are at least getting the cost of manufacturing them back.  I am not against a company making a profit for their efforts.  They wouldn't be in business very long otherwise.  I just don't want to pay 2 to 3 times the cost of manufacturing a product.  Some items...such as jewelry...have so much mark up it makes me want to cry.....or change my profession.

I work in manufacturing.  We get pennies for the individual parts we make.  Our customers assemble them and make a very tidy profit.  I'd be curious as to how much a company actually pays per rod versus its asking price.

[Fishin' Fool]

11 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Dobyns not being able to sell a new "old" model rod makes me curious as to how St. Croix can sell new "old" models in their Bargain Room.  Are they taking a hosing on every rod in the Bargain Room?  I'd hope they are at least getting the cost of manufacturing them back.  I am not against a company making a profit for their efforts.  They wouldn't be in business very long otherwise.  I just don't want to pay 2 to 3 times the cost of manufacturing a product.  Some items...such as jewelry...have so much mark up it makes me want to cry.....or change my profession.

I work in manufacturing.  We get pennies for the individual parts we make.  Our customers assemble them and make a very tidy profit.  I'd be curious as to how much a company actually pays per rod versus its asking price.

Dobyns has a store on their website that they sell refurbished rods. I saw a rod similar to mine except a medium instead of a ML they sold for $200 that had moderate use. Mine was new with tags. I'm thinking they could have got near $300 for it. At that price point what are they really losing?! Oh well I'm done with this thing. Hope to be fishing up here in early April. 

Edited March 23, 2016 by Fishin' Fool

[NJSalt]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

.  I just don't want to pay 2 to 3 times the cost of manufacturing a product.  

I work in manufacturing.  We get pennies for the individual parts we make.  Our customers assemble them and make a very tidy profit.  I'd be curious as to how much a company actually pays per rod versus its asking price.

Hate to break it to you, but you pay that increase or more on most of what you ever buy...

 

Side note- The thing that I think people don't take into consideration when it comes to cost of production of a product vs the retail price is just how much more goes into it than "Make this for X, sell it for Y, profit Z" 

[IAY]

It's stupid to me how they would ask for the value difference if the price originally were the same. Why should they care if you bought it on sale or not, they already sold the rod to the retailers anyways. I would be perfectly fine with them saying how they won't exchange the model, but telling you that they would, and asking you to ship it to them and THEN asking for the price difference is a joke to me.

[Molay1292]

I just want to stand up a little for the folks at Dobyn's Rods.  They are as easy and polite to work with as anyone in the industry.   They do more in terms of discounts and support for Veterans  than anyone in the business.   Maybe I am biased but they are good people that are easy to work with.

First let me say that I understand your disappointment with how they are treating this transaction.  When I thought it through it looks like this to me.   You purchased a model that was being phased out at a discounted price, this model is no longer in stock or a part of their line up.   When you asked to exchange the rod they probably were not aware it was an older model rod and were willing to exchange it straight across.  When they became aware of the fact it was an older model, they were still willing to upgrade to the new model but asked for the price difference between what you paid for  the old model and the price of the new model.   To me the fact that they are willing to upgrade at all says good things about their company.  Call them (again) calmly explain your situation and ask if they can help you. 

I hope it works out to your satisfaction, if not the worst thing is you have a nice rod that you may be able to sell easily.

 

[Fishin' Fool]

14 minutes ago, Molay1292 said:

I just want to stand up a little for the folks at Dobyn's Rods.  They are as easy and polite to work with as anyone in the industry.   They do more in terms of discounts and support for Veterans  than anyone in the business.   Maybe I am biased but they are good people that are easy to work with.

First let me say that I understand your disappointment with how they are treating this transaction.  When I thought it through it looks like this to me.   You purchased a model that was being phased out at a discounted price, this model is no longer in stock or a part of their line up.   When you asked to exchange the rod they probably were not aware it was an older model rod and were willing to exchange it straight across.  When they became aware of the fact it was an older model, they were still willing to upgrade to the new model but asked for the price difference between what you paid for  the old model and the price of the new model.   To me the fact that they are willing to upgrade at all says good things about their company.  Call them (again) calmly explain your situation and ask if they can help you. 

I hope it works out to your satisfaction, if not the worst thing is you have a nice rod that you may be able to sell easily.

 

Let me just say I have no motive in this. I would have made the same post being complimentary of their customer support had they swapped out the rod. As a consumer it's good to be informed. Once again maybe I had too high of or unrealistic expectations of Dobyns. They did offer to switch it out for a rod of my choosing. I probably also would have done it had my wife not had to quit her job for health reasons. I know tiny violins right?! But in all seriousness when you lose a good portion of your discretionary funds it makes you evaluate your purchases and adding almost another $100 for another rod I hadn't touched didn't seem like a wise move. Saying that I do think the 743s was going to work for me.

[Molay1292]

3 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Let me just say I have no motive in this. I would have made the same post being complimentary of their customer support had they swapped out the rod. As a consumer it's good to be informed. Once again maybe I had too high of or unrealistic expectations of Dobyns. They did offer to switch it out for a rod of my choosing. I probably also would have done it had my wife not had to quit her job for health reasons. I know tiny violins right?! But in all seriousness when you lose a good portion of your discretionary funds it makes you evaluate your purchases and adding almost another $100 for another rod I hadn't touched didn't seem like a wise move. Saying that I do think the 743s was going to work for me.

I can appreciate what you are saying more than you know.   I think the people at Dobyn's are good people and have common sense.  I hope or would love to think that if you presented your situation to them as you have to me that you will be treated with respect and possibly an outcome that is good for both parties.    Hope your wife feels better soon.

[Big Bait Fishing]

1 hour ago, IAY said:

It's stupid to me how they would ask for the value difference if the price originally were the same. Why should they care if you bought it on sale or not, they already sold the rod to the retailers anyways. I would be perfectly fine with them saying how they won't exchange the model, but telling you that they would, and asking you to ship it to them and THEN asking for the price difference is a joke to me.

this is the best response in this thread !! customer service is one of the utmost things i consider before making a purchase when it comes to rods ( actually rod blanks ) that's why i only purchase Phenix and St.Croix rod blanks , they build their customer base by putting the consumer first and foremost even if they take a little loss on their profits .......

[curtis9]

Dobyns rods are regularly on sale for 20%+ off at all of the holiday sales.  Obviously there is plenty of markup in their price structure.  I'm surprised they didn't exchange it and resell it on their refurbished site

[ibobpeb]

6 hours ago, IAY said:

It's stupid to me how they would ask for the value difference if the price originally were the same. Why should they care if you bought it on sale or not, they already sold the rod to the retailers anyways. I would be perfectly fine with them saying how they won't exchange the model, but telling you that they would, and asking you to ship it to them and THEN asking for the price difference is a joke to me.

I agree. This is what we call "double dipping". Already made the sale to the retailer, and now gonna profit some more from the end-user.