How much influence on content, if any, do sponsors to this site have?

[Fun4Me]

Do sponsors have any say in the content that is mentioned about them, whether it's good or bad?

[Glenn]

No, they do not. Why do you ask?

 

[Fun4Me]

No particular reason specifically. I was following a thread that had to do with two sponsors, and some possible comparisons between them with a little bit of possible negativity towards one sponsors particular product. I woke up today and the thread has been removed. I'm sure the reasons for deleting the thread are valid, but it made me curious as to whether a sponsor had any influence on how their products are discussed here, especially when it's possibly negative. 

[Glenn]

I honestly don't think a sponsor even saw that thread.

 

I removed it because the original OP had already professed his affinity towards a different brand, and was starting that one mainly just to be negative towards another.  And then the rumors and speculations that followed were simply gossip. That was the final straw.

 

If you've been here awhile, you've undoubtedly noticed we prefer to keep a positive vibe around here. So that thread didn't belong.

 

[Choporoz]

I'm sorry I missed that one....In a perverse sort of way, I kinda miss some of the old feuds between them....but I AM a fan of the positive vibes here.....even if I serve to accidentally sabotage them now and again   

[Fun4Me]

I don't mind that the thread was deleted. I just thought that the subject matter, minus the possible agenda/speculation was a worthy subject, especially with the YouTube presence and influence of those YouTubers on many of the young anglers.

 

Is there a way for us to talk about the products of that particular sponsor in a the hopes of finding some truth about the product? It potentially wouldn't be at the top of the list when it comes to the *positive vibe* you speak of.

[J Francho]

What is it you're fishing for?  If you're going to simply slam ANY (sponsor or not) company, that's going to be removed.  If you have an issue with a service or product, take that up with them.  We aren't the venue for airing grievances about a company.  If you have questions about something, how to use it, other users' experience, post away.

 

All of this is in the Forum Rules and FAQs.

[Fun4Me]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

What is it you're fishing for?  If you're going to simply slam ANY (sponsor or not) company, that's going to be removed.  If you have an issue with a service or product, take that up with them.  We aren't the venue for airing grievances about a company.  If you have questions about something, how to use it, other users' experience, post away.

 

All of this is in the Forum Rules and FAQs.

 

I'm not fishing for anything, I think you're misunderstanding my posts. I have no desire to slam anyone. I've tried to tip toe around naming the sponsor for obvious reasons. If you would like me to be specific, I will, but I'm trying to not be specific because my original question wasn't specific to this particular sponsor, I only used it as an example because I thought it could be a good discussion on a product that doesn't have a lot of information out on it. 

[Choporoz]

Regrettably, BR search doesn't do three letter 'words'.  If you try google and put "bassresource.com: xtb vs ytb", I'm guessing you'll get closer to where you want to go

[Fun4Me]

5 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Regrettably, BR search doesn't do three letter 'words'.  If you try google and put "bassresource.com: xtb vs ytb", I'm guessing you'll get closer to where you want to go

 

I don't think the information about the particular subject I'm referring to is out there on BR, although I could be wrong.

[Choporoz]

oops...butting out....I misunderstood and wrongly assumed the nature of the deleted thread.    sorry

[Glenn]

Happy to answer questions about Kastking.  I had dinner with them just last week, and pointedly asked, "So tell me the story of your company".  I don't profess to be a gear guru, so I won't get into the details of their components because I'm certain to mess that up. But I do understand business.

 

They are a direct-to-consumer businesses with little overhead. For example, they only sell on Amazon and Ebay (bypassing distributors and chain-store markups), and buy direct components as well, which greatly reduces costs.  They also have just 70 employees, rather than hundreds like the "big brands", which reduces overhead. They do indeed enlist the help of YouTubers to market their products - a trend many companies are following now due to low expense.

 

The total cost savings of these efforts are significant, and are passed on to consumers.  However the quality of the gear is not compromised.

 

Yes, they've discussed raising their prices to match similar quality competition that's listed at 300%-400% higher prices. But they want to focus on enabling people to get into the sport without the barrier of expensive gear.

 

btw, it isn't just KastKing that's heading in this direction.  Even the big boys, like Academy, are finding creative ways to cut costs while maintaining quality. The goal is to make fishing more affordable for everyone.

 

Hope that helps!

 

[Fun4Me]

PM inbound shortly Glenn.

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Glenn said:

Happy to answer questions about Kastking.  I had dinner with them just last week, and pointedly asked, "So tell me the story of your company".  I don't profess to be a gear guru, so I won't get into the details of their components because I'm certain to mess that up. But I do understand business.

 

They are a direct-to-consumer businesses with little overhead. For example, they only sell on Amazon and Ebay (bypassing distributors and chain-store markups), and buy direct components as well, which greatly reduces costs.  They also have just 70 employees, rather than hundreds like the "big brands", which reduces overhead. They do indeed enlist the help of YouTubers to market their products - a trend many companies are following now due to low expense.

 

The total cost savings of these efforts are significant, and are passed on to consumers.  However the quality of the gear is not compromised.

 

Yes, they've discussed raising their prices to match similar quality competition that's listed at 300%-400% higher prices. But they want to focus on enabling people to get into the sport without the barrier of expensive gear.

 

btw, it isn't just KastKing that's heading in this direction.  Even the big boys, like Academy, are finding creative ways to cut costs while maintaining quality. The goal is to make fishing more affordable for everyone.

 

Hope that helps!

 

I'm envious of you Glenn! You get to have dinner with great people ( Jacob Wheeler) hang out with Ztrain, interview this person that person. Discuss things with reps. and manufacturers. What a life! I imagine there's a lot of work that's goes into it and you work your tail off, but man to be Glenn for a week or two. 

[.ghoti.]

Be Glenn for a week or two? No thanks. It would flat wear me out.

[12poundbass]

22 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

Be Glenn for a week or two? No thanks. It would flat wear me out.

I imagine. Lol that's why I said a week or 2. The fine print was I could quit at any minute lol

[Glenn]

Livin' the dream my man! Living the dream!

 

 

[RoLo]

25 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Livin' the dream my man! Living the dream!

 

 

You fooled me Glenn, I was expecting something like: "All that glitters is not gold"    

 

[Glenn]

Hey when somehow you find yourself in a small meeting at Academy Sports HQ and the CEO stops in to talk to you; when Big-O treats you like family and wants to take you fishing; when KVD sees you, smiles and addresses you by name like an old friend; when Rick Clunn walks by you at a bar, says "hi" and offers a handshake to you and your wife; when Hank Parker sees you from across the aisle at the Classic show floor, smiles and walks over to you with an extended hand while saying, "Hey Buddy!", and his wife Martha carries on a long conversation with your wife like old friends; when Mark Zona is clearly darting from one location to another, but stops to say hi, hug your wife, and try to catch up in the few short minutes he has; or when Bill Dance stops when he sees you just to ask how you've been....

 

ya...living the dream buddy! I can't complain about the long hours and hard work!

 

[Sam]

Interesting topic.

 

I have never had any problems with any of our sponsors, past or present.

 

I am thankful they sponsor this Forum and hope that more industry entities will follow in their footsteps.

 

As penned previously, if you have a beef with any of the sponsors send them an email. You will be surprised that they will actually answer you.

 

As for sponsors, I am sorry to see Bobby U has not retained his support. And I met Big O from Rage Tail and he is a great guy. Made me feel like we have been friends for life.

 

Enjoy the site and visit our sponsors web pages to see what products and services they offer.

[12poundbass]

7 hours ago, Glenn said:

Hey when somehow you find yourself in a small meeting at Academy Sports HQ and the CEO stops in to talk to you; when Big-O treats you like family and wants to take you fishing; when KVD sees you, smiles and addresses you by name like an old friend; when Rick Clunn walks by you at a bar, says "hi" and offers a handshake to you and your wife; when Hank Parker sees you from across the aisle at the Classic show floor, smiles and walks over to you with an extended hand while saying, "Hey Buddy!", and his wife Martha carries on a long conversation with your wife like old friends; when Mark Zona is clearly darting from one location to another, but stops to say hi, hug your wife, and try to catch up in the few short minutes he has; or when Bill Dance stops when he sees you just to ask how you've been....

 

ya...living the dream buddy! I can't complain about the long hours and hard work!

 

Weird...the fine print just disappeared from my wish to be you for a week or two! ?

[Choporoz]

I understand and appreciate the humility, Glenn.  But, while we here are a bit biased, I truly think that this is one of the most informative, if not THE most informative bass fishing information repositories on the internet.  No surprise that those influential to the bass fishing universe would acknowledge and appreciate you and your efforts. 

[Fun4Me]

I see that my thread was locked. Does this effectively end the ability for any of us to gain information straight from the horses mouth (favorite), or can I start a new thread asking people to not thread drift in hopes of actually getting some information?

[12poundbass]

My crystal ball is predicting this ones heading down the same road the other one went down. 

[Glenn]

Guys - we contacted Favorite and asked them to respond.  Please understand, the Classic JUST happened and they're not even back yet.  They don't have a huge staff that can respond every forum and social media post on the Internet.

 

The last thread was nothing more than rumors and speculation. I don't think that's helpful for anyone.  But if you do, then let's start a thread about you, make up stuff based upon uneducated observation, and then not give you a chance to respond.  Would that be fair?

 

Didn't think so.

 

We're done.