Turmoil at GAMMA?

[bassnleo]

Taken off of Dave Lefebre's website:

Dock Post 12/9/08

December 9, 2008

I just wanted to let you all in on the latest industry news before it hits the web waves. First of all, I'm very proud to represent the companies that are my sponsors. I'm blessed that I can honestly and passionately talk to anyone about any of the products that I use day in and day out.

Having said that, I guess I'm fortunate that I went hard after the sponsors I now have, I started at the bottom in most cases and worked my way up, and in each case I used and believed in the products even when I had to pay full price for them. I pride myself in being loyal and never went where the easy and quick money was. I actually made quite a few frightening (at the time) sacrifices over the years and they're now finally beginning to pay off. I value the relationships I've built with the people who support me, I never take advantage of my sponsor relationships and I'm happy and feel blessed to say that all but one of my sponsors will remain intact for next season.

Gamma has stunned the industry this past week by beginning to deal out pay cuts to its entire elite bass fishing pro-staff, including Greg Hackney, Alvin Shaw, Terry Scroggins, Jeff Kreit, Brent Chapman, Matt Herren, Anthony Gagliardi, myself and others. I personally don't know if I ever worked so hard to see a new company establish itself in the tackle industry as I did for Gamma over the past 5 years. I was there from the beginning and so were most of these guys, so to see it all go away overnight is pretty alarming as you can probably imagine.

It's not about the small amount of money we were making, it goes way beyond that. Many of the team members, including myself had opportunities to make more money with other line companies, but again, it was a sacrifice that we thought would pay off in the long run. We all had a personal satisfaction that, although we still had a long way to go, we somehow managed to pull off the immaculate reception (Go STEELERS!sorry) by making an exceptionally over priced fishing line come alive in an already saturated market. All of our hard work has certainly paid off for Gamma but unfortunately not for all of us. Our intention was to grow with the company as they grew, I don't think anyone saw this one coming.

I understand that things happen, the economy is tough right now, various companies are forced to make some cut-backs, but this case appears to be totally unrelated to the economy and has been brewing since Tom Ference, Gamma's former marketing Director, was let go several months ago. The people at Gamma did not attempt to contact the staff they intended to cut; instead they hid behind their desks waiting for us to come to them. It was really sad how this whole thing was handled as far as I'm concerned. Where they simply using Tom, others before him, and now us, who undeniably put Gamma on the map against extreme odds? It seems that way to me. It's a very good product, but I personally cannot work in that environment. It's just not worth it to me, so for the first time in my career, I quit.

I worked my tail off for Gamma, and I think the pro's and other fishermen and women we had on board were all top notch, worked way over their pay checks and deserve better. It just blows my mind to think about what just happenedfoolish, again, just my opinion.

I figure the news will break at some point, so before the rumors start flying, I wanted to at least voice my reasoning for leaving a company in which I was so visible and outspoken.

Talk to you later,

Dave

Interesting.........wonder how this will affect GAMMA sales / usage of their products? If more of the affected professional anglers voice their opinions, who knows? Certainly can't be good....

[SimonSays]

making an exceptionally over priced fishing line come alive in an already saturated market.

I find that statement humorous.

[Pigsticker]

Gamma line is really expensive and I think he was saying that it should not be doing as well as it is. And he cites a great pro staff for making it a big success.

I used to fish Gamma line a lot but here is just another reason to not buy it. So many other lines are similar quality if not better for less money.

[Grey Wolf]

It sucks to be them.

[tyrius.]

making an exceptionally over priced fishing line come alive in an already saturated market.

I find that statement humorous.

Especially coupled with this:

I'm blessed that I can honestly and passionately talk to anyone about any of the products that I use day in and day out.

[Marty]

making an exceptionally over priced fishing line come alive in an already saturated market.

I find that statement humorous.

Mr. L. is quite the hypocrite, pitching exceptionally overpriced products to people much less able to afford it than him.

[The_Natural]

Gamma Fluorocarbon was already 'called out' when Tackle Tour did its fluorocarbon shootout; lines costing a fraction of Gamma performed better.  

[Pantera61]

Why does the term "sour grapes" come to mind?  You make your choices and take the consequences.

[scbassin]

I am not surprised to see this happening. I am sure that Gamma will not be the only one cutting back. Wait for round 2 of the mortgage melt down, it will really put a fly in the ointment. It's the ECONOMY & it will get worse as the fall out continues. I am just surprised he quit. As far as there line goes I find it to be pretty good. I like it & find to be priced close to comparable lines.

[The_Natural]

I do think a line manufacturer cutting back when times are hard isn't 'throwing someone under the bus'.  He probably should have taken the high road, and compromised his integrity a little when he admitted a product he has been promoting the last 5 years was 'exceptionally overpriced'.  

[cart7t]

Ferrari's are exceptionally overpriced automobiles.

Gamma is NOT the Ferrari of fishing lines though.  

[fishfordollars]

Going to be lots of unhappy elite pros when all the 09 contracts are laid on the table. In fact most should have been done several months ago. If they are just coming out now I bet many changes have been edited in and I bet there are a lot of sleepless nights around the circuit. We will hear more as we near the classic. Will be interesting to say the least.

[whittler]

I am truly sorry for the fishermen who purchased "exceptionally overpriced' poor quality line on his word.

"Goes around comes around"

[detroit1]

Turmoil?  

[Micro]

Whatever Gamma's situation, I think the open-letter was absurd.   So much for a graceful exit.  

[Muddy]

It's great being a recreational, non sponsored and never wanna be fisherman. It's a business otherwise and in business these are the things that happen. When I hit the water I leave all this crap on shore.

 The thing I don't get is , if he could have gone with established line companies and he knew his name would sell overpriced line, why is he bellyaching a choice he made. They don't need him now and I hope the people who buy everything these Pros wear on their shirts and boats get a little eye opening to exactly what the bottom line is to all of this .

[Pantera61]

There is an update at another site.

 

[Olebiker]

I think Lefebre is going to have a tough time convincing any new sponsors to sign him up.  How do they know he won't go around badmouthing them after his contract is up?