Is this a good deal?

[Terran Elam]

Open thread. Hitchhikers welcome. Please keep it within the TOU. No spamming. Keep the mods happy. You all know.

 Welcome to deletion if inappropriate. 

 

Looking at various products. Many overpriced while others are alarmingly cheap. I’m always looking for the catch and wondering if it’s a good deal, a really good deal, or a rip off. While I can do the research, I don’t have the years of expertise that many of you have. So I’m asking you. “Is this a good deal?”

 

  I’ll start.

 

 Rate this deal.

Shimano 19 Antares HG (Right handle) From Japan  $406.88 free shipping.

 

Thank you.

 

 

[TBAG]

Considering it's a $600 reel then yes, I'd say it's a good deal.

 

Just go to TW and compare prices. JDM reels from Japan are always going to be cheaper, just be aware that warranty is null if that matters to you.....

[Terran Elam]

Good reminder on the warranty. I don’t expect it to break and for the price difference, repairs might still be cheaper than paying full price for the warranty.

 

Comparing prices is a start, but without knowing the intricacies of each reel, it gets complicated. So many small details to overlook.  I think comparing a 2020 Exsence to a 2017 Exsence would be a prime example.

 

 Still a bit out of my price range, but it may well be the last reel I ever buy...I’m sure many here have thought that before buying their next one. Next to the last.

 

 

[newapti5]

It depends.  For Shimano products, I'd consider >40% off a great deal. I have to draw a line somewhere to curb my enthusiasm. So to me, this is a good deal, not great yet. Do they charge tax? How about shipping? If no for both, then it's almost a great deal. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Here is some advice from someone who has bought WAY too many reels in the last year or so. Always, and I mean always check the auction site before you buy. I see it all the time in the classifieds here and on other sites where guys are selling a new reel for less than retail but more than you can get them on the bay.

 

Example: Guy is selling a NIB JDM Met for $350. Most guys think, wow that's a good deal. But, you can get that same reel on the bay for $306.

 

I see it ALL the time and sometimes they even sell them for their asking price. It blows my mind.

 

As long as you are buying from a reputable seller and using Paypal, you are covered.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

As long as you are buying from a reputable seller and using Paypal, you are covered.

I don't even bother with the auction site when I can get from a retailer for much less.

 

Early this fall, Legacy had a used Patriarch 7.9:1 for sale for $70 - that's a $200 reel. I snagged it, and couldn't find anything wrong with it at all. No warranty, but at that price...who cares.

[jbsoonerfan]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I don't even bother with the auction site when I can get from a retailer for much less.

 

Early this fall, Legacy had a used Patriarch 7.9:1 for sale for $70 - that's a $200 reel. I snagged it, and couldn't find anything wrong with it at all. No warranty, but at that price...who cares.

 

We are talking about high end reels that you are not going to find from a retailer for less. 

 

You will not find a retailer selling that Antares for less than $406

[jimmyjoe]

  I guess I'm old-fashioned. If it's something I don't use, then I don't care if it's free; I don't want it. On the other hand, if it's something I need RIGHT NOW, then a price break is nice if the timing is right, too. But I'll pay full price if I have to.

   In between is the iffy stuff. I think that's what you're asking about; stuff I maybe could use, stuff that's better than what I have now, stuff that I could experiment with if the price was right ...... but not stuff that I actually need.

   In that case, what both @jbsoonerfan and @MN Fisher said applies to me, too. I wait, I compare, and I only jump when I'm sure the price is right ...... and it's something that's useful to me.

 

   And let's not get stuck on the Antares. It's just one example to start the thread.        jj

  

[jbsoonerfan]

If only I could get my wants and needs all straightened out.  

[roadwarrior]

1 minute ago, jbsoonerfan said:

If only I could get my wants and needs all straightened out.  

 

If you want it, you need it.

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, roadwarrior said:

If you want it, you need it.

IF you have the money...

[Terran Elam]

 I don’t need any of it. I’ve probably caught more fish throwing a jig line off a pier than any other method. This is pure desire. That’s why I need the best deal.

 

 I’ve came to the conclusion that the best tackle by the major players as long as it fits my perimeters is whatever I can get the best deal on.

 

[jbsoonerfan]

2 hours ago, Terran Elam said:

 I don’t need any of it. I’ve probably caught more fish throwing a jig line off a pier than any other method. This is pure desire. That’s why I need the best deal.

 

 I’ve came to the conclusion that the best tackle by the major players as long as it fits my perimeters is whatever I can get the best deal on.

 

 

I've certainly desired me some fishing related items in the past so I completely understand your plight.

 

Sometimes I think being addicted to drugs would be cheaper than being addicted to fishing.

[jimmyjoe]

5 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Sometimes I think being addicted to drugs would be cheaper than being addicted to fishing.

 

   Cheaper, yes. But not near as healthy.         jj

[scbassin]

I have that same reel except in the left handed version I bought mine from Asian Portal Fishing in Japan.  There was no shipping charges or tax & it was in my hands in 4 days.. I have received reels from them in 3 days. They are excellent to do business with. To answer your Question, YES!!!

[LCG]

I also recently bought a reel from Asian fishing portal and saved about 30%. I did get charged tax, but I am Canadian, used to it still saved a good bit and the reel is 100% legit. Granted the schematics are in Japanese, but a quick Google search and you can find a pdf of the reel schematics. Tempted to buy another. 

[redmeansdistortion]

I've bought 6 JDM reels this year, never got charged tax on any of them.  Keep in mind that the warranty is void as soon as it leaves Japan, so it helps to know how to service your own reels.  If you ever need replacement parts, PLAT is the place to get them for JDM reels.  

[FishTank]

Yes.  I picked up the 6.x:1 earlier this year for the same price from Asian Fishing Portal.   I had a few questions about it before I ordered and they were great through the whole thing.  

 

I fished it hard every weekend.  It is a fantastic reel, if not the best I have ever fished.  I used 12lb Invizx and later 12lb Tatsu on it.  I paired it with a G. Loomis 853C NRX.  Match made in heaven.