waymont Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 What is going on with them? That's a $100 price increase in about a years time isn't it? https://kistlerrods.com/products/helium-fishing-rod?variant=29630927175728
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 27, 2021 Super User Posted February 27, 2021 Counting on that "MaDe In UsA" group.
optimator Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said: Counting on that "MaDe In UsA" group. Weird flex. But I don't think the blanks are USA made any longer. 2
waymont Posted February 27, 2021 Author Posted February 27, 2021 1 hour ago, optimator said: Weird flex. But I don't think the blanks are USA made any longer. I don't think the blanks are USA made either, but the company seems to be avoiding saying who or where the blanks are manufactured. Why? Who knows. If they are being made in China they might not want to advertise that. Even though Exprides, and Zodias rods are made in China, they are beautiful rods. Kistler seems to have a weird vibe. 3
rangerjockey Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 No More NFC blanks. The Helium and ZBone now share the same blank the Z Bone will still have Torzites I imagine. . My Heliums are 2020 models built on the NFC blank . I think they are on par with my GLX's and when they were on sale for $ 249 they were a steal. The KlX and Helium used to share the same blank the difference being guides and handle shape. They kinda switch the actions around a lot which I think was confusing but Trey has always made a great rod. Most people know to wait for Kistler to run sales . I recently picked up one of the new Graphite series rods in the 7ft. LMH. It 's a great little rod. It's not a NFC blank . Sorry, I can't agree the Zodias is a beautiful rod, and I've owned several of them.
RichF Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 Yeah they pretty much lost me after last years hike. I love all my Kistlers but I don't see myself dropping that kind of coin for something with no legit warranty. 1
rangerjockey Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 5 years is legit enough for me. The days of rod makers covering them no matter how you broke it are pretty much over. In 40 years of tournament and fun fishing I've broken 2. One was a Loomis IMX in the trolling motor bracket about 20 years ago. They had a over the counter exchange back then. 1
Super User fishwizzard Posted February 27, 2021 Super User Posted February 27, 2021 I thought the "point" of the Heliums was GLX-level performance at a much lower price point?
rangerjockey Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 42 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said: Looks like a sub $50 rod. How these companies keep getting away with it I'll never know. What models do you own ? 30 minutes ago, fishwizzard said: I thought the "point" of the Heliums was GLX-level performance at a much lower price point? At list price they are still 70 or 80 bucks cheaper than a GLX depending on the model. I wouldn't pay list price, Kistler is forever running sales.
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 27, 2021 Super User Posted February 27, 2021 9 hours ago, optimator said: Weird flex. But I don't think the blanks are USA made any longer. They won't say where the blanks are made but they make sure and put the "Built by hand in Texas" logo on the website. IMO they are obviously hoping that will help sell a few more. Being "Made in the USA" still means something to some people so companies like to use alternative phrases to try and sell their product to those people.
Dens228 Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 9 minutes ago, rangerjockey said: What models do you own ? At list price they are still 70 or 80 bucks cheaper than a GLX depending on the model. I wouldn't pay list price, Kistler is forever running sales. Rather than forever running sales maybe they should just lower their price and get more sales overall.
Michigander Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 49 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said: Looks like a sub $50 rod. How these companies keep getting away with it I'll never know. Looking at the guides, how they are wrapped, and the finish quality will give you a better idea of whether it's cheaply made or not. Assuming the cork is high quality, I don't think simplicity = bad. 1
optimator Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 1 minute ago, jbsoonerfan said: They won't say where the blanks are made but they make sure and put the "Built by hand in Texas" logo on the website. IMO they are obviously hoping that will help sell a few more. Being "Made in the USA" still means something to some people so companies like to use alternative phrases to try and sell their product to those people. And as far as anyone can tell they just started using offshore blanks. The TFO blanks they used previously were MaDe iN thE uSa.
rangerjockey Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, Dens228 said: Rather than forever running sales maybe they should just lower their price and get more sales overall. I dunno, I'm a bass fisherman . You could call Trey and ask him. TFO ?
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 27, 2021 Super User Posted February 27, 2021 Just now, optimator said: And as far as anyone can tell they just started using offshore blanks. The TFO blanks they used previously were MaDe iN thE uSa. Your point?
waymont Posted February 27, 2021 Author Posted February 27, 2021 5 minutes ago, Dens228 said: Rather than forever running sales maybe they should just lower their price and get more sales overall. Yeah, jt all seems like busy work right? "Keep looking for a my big sale." But raising the prices this much kind of makes the sales a moot point.
Michigander Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 1 minute ago, Dens228 said: Rather than forever running sales maybe they should just lower their price and get more sales overall. Well, there was a lot of market research done that showed increasing prices and running more frequent sales does actually net a better bottom line. Jcpenney was an early adopter of that. I'll need to go see if the research was expanded to encompass fully online retail and how that affects the model.
optimator Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 Just now, jbsoonerfan said: Your point? That up until now they were a made in USA rod?
Michigander Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 1 minute ago, optimator said: That up until now they were a made in USA rod? It would be fun to have rods display similar information as cars for where their components came from.
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 27, 2021 Super User Posted February 27, 2021 1 minute ago, optimator said: That up until now they were a made in USA rod? But now they are not, so I still stand by my stance that they are trying to sell them with the "Built" in Texas phrase. Not that it matters, I just think it's silly of companies to outsource from overseas and then try to use some other wording to make it seem like you are getting a Made in USA product. 2
optimator Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 Just now, jbsoonerfan said: But now they are not, so I still stand by my stance that they are trying to sell them with the "Built" in Texas phrase. Not that it matters, I just think it's silly of companies to outsource from overseas and then try to use some other wording to make it seem like you are getting a Made in USA product. I agree with this completely. Are there any USA made components though?
waymont Posted February 27, 2021 Author Posted February 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: But now they are not, so I still stand by my stance that they are trying to sell them with the "Built" in Texas phrase. Not that it matters, I just think it's silly of companies to outsource from overseas and then try to use some other wording to make it seem like you are getting a Made in USA product. It is silly, I agree
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 27, 2021 Super User Posted February 27, 2021 1 minute ago, optimator said: I agree with this completely. Are there any USA made components though? Highly unlikely. Unless the Amish make it, not much is really Made in USA anymore. LOL 2
Michigander Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 5 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: But now they are not, so I still stand by my stance that they are trying to sell them with the "Built" in Texas phrase. Not that it matters, I just think it's silly of companies to outsource from overseas and then try to use some other wording to make it seem like you are getting a Made in USA product. It was a vague label even before. Were the guides US made? The cork handles, reel seat, trim components, hook keeper, the thread? I think assembled is US (or Texas) is fine, and probably more accurate overall. 2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: Highly unlikely. Unless the Amish make it, not much is really Made in USA anymore. LOL I would totally buy an Amish rod.
rangerjockey Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 kistler is a very small business compared to Simano/Loomis , Daiwa or Dobyns ect. The last I knew they were making the rods out of his old house with a few employees. Even with the new blanks being made offshore they are being assembled at his shop. Not a completed rod pulled out of a shipping container from China.. For those that it matters to. 1
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