Scott Martin vs. Roland Martin

[bass wrangler569]

Why do some of you people begrudge others who want to earn some money ?

I don't begrudge anyone for trying to make some money. What I am questioning is the ethics behind how that money is earned. If I was famous on any level (which obviously, I'm not), I would only promote or represent products I believe in and use. I can't imagine Roland really believes in or uses the helicopter lure or the Rocket Fishing Pole. For example, I'm not a big fan of the Ugly Stick Rod and I don't really recommend it to people who ask my advice on it, but wouldn't you think I would be a hypocrite if all of a sudden you gave me let's say $20,000 to go around the country proclaiming how great the Ugly Stick is. That's the only point I am trying to make.

I agree with you completely. Promoting terrible products that you have no faith in just for the sake of money is unethical.

And yes Bass-Brat, I am begrudging him for trying to make money unethically. Crack dealers are just "trying to earn some money." Is that ethical? What about a used car dealer who tells a client that the car runs great when they know full well that the car barely runs at all? Is that ethical? There are a lot of things people could do while "trying to earn some money" but it doesn't make those things morally right. I would never begrudge somebody who makes money selling something they believe in, but to market something you know is junk just to earn a quick buck is wrong.

So you are comparing what he sells to what a crack dealer sells. You are totally out of line. What he hawks will not ruin a life.

Out of line? :-? :

Do you honestly think I'm saying that Roland Martin is on the same level as crack dealer, I'm sure you're intelligent enough to know that that's not the point I'm trying to make. I was using that as an example to show that needing to make money isn't an excuse for unethical actions. You said "Why do some of you people begrudge others who want to earn some money?" My point is that there are a lot of people who are just trying to earn money but are going about it in unethical ways. So yeah, Roland Martin using his name to sell junky products isn't nearly as heinous as selling an addictive substance, but that doesn't make what he's doing right. So is your standard of ethics, "well, as long as it doesn't ruin a life it's okay?" I doubt it. There are lot of things that are legal and don't ruin anybody's life that aren't ethical and this is one of them. You don't tell people a product is the greatest thing to grace the earth when you know its complete crap and you wouldn't use it yourself. I'm not saying that everyone who sells a subpar product is unethical, but when you are somebody like Roland Martin, whose incredible fishing career has gained people's trust, you don't abuse that trust by selling products that you know are gimmicks designed to take people's money. There are some things that are more important than just making money, and self-respect is one of them. A nice car, a nice house, and a nice boat wouldn't mean very much to me if I knew I was paying for those things by ripping other people off.

[mase088]

It isn't unethical to market a product. Fishing equipment quality is opinion based anyway. You may like Daiwa over Shimano, but that does that mean its unethical to market Shimano reels?

I'm sure no matter what he is selling, someone out there thinks its a great product, including the rocket launcher rod thing. There is probably a kid catching bluegill on it right now.

[mase088]

So yeah, Roland Martin using his name to sell junky products isn't nearly as heinous as selling an addictive substance, but that doesn't make what he's doing right.

Can you list a few of these "junky" products other than the previously stated rocket launcher rod? I'm sure there is a member on this forum that has used and liked to a certain extent the product. There may be some better, but that doesn't make the product he is selling "junky."

[bass wrangler569]

It isn't unethical to market a product. Fishing equipment quality is opinion based anyway. You may like Daiwa over Shimano, but that does that mean its unethical to market Shimano reels?

I'm sure no matter what he is selling, someone out there thinks its a great product, including the rocket launcher rod thing. There is probably a kid catching bluegill on it right now.

If he believed in his product, as I'm sure the owners of Daiwa or Shimano do, then no, it wouldn't be unethical, but I find it impossible to believe that a fisherman of Roland Martin's caliber actually believes in the "helicopter lure." It's a gimmick and he knows it. Anytime that you have to outright lie to people to sell something than that's immoral IMO.

As far as the rocket launcher rod goes, you're right, I'm sure there are kids who love that thing, and if it brings youth to the sport than that's great! However, some of Roland's other products are just a ploy to sell have-baked lures to the people who trust his name.

[djs fishing]

I actually fished with Scott for two days.

He is a super nice guy and was a great guide. I enjoyed talking with him and he was very humble. He helped make the trip awesome.

Lazy? You do not get that far being lazy. He got up early for us to get us out there. He put aside items at the store for us. Not lazy at all.

I would have to say Roland Martin has had a way better career. Not sure there is even a comparison.

If you watch Scotts show he plugs a lot of items so he is marketing things as much as anyone.

The ethical lines are to blurry on this type of thing. If you really believe commercials that much that there can be an ethical question. You might want to know they all lie.

Comparing it to crack?

[tyrius.]

First I think Tyrius has Aaron Martens mixed up with Scott Martin.

Easy mistake.

Definately had the first name wrong.  Woops.  

I have seen Scott's show though and I was talking about Scott Martin, just calling him the wrong name.  I like his show a LOT more than his dad's, but Roland's name is much more well known.

[S I G M A]

Tiger Woods on the other hand may not enjoy what he is doing but he is driven and obsessed to be the very best ever. He doesn't the money either.

I find it hard to believe that Tiger doesn't like playing golf... or anyone not liking playing golf

[dave]

Quote by Scott in ad, "Never give 100% when you can get by with 50".

Just in case it was missed in the paragraph, this was said during an advertisement for the trolling motor he was using. It takes half the effort raise and lower.

[CODbasser]

if i could use my name to make money...your darn right i would...as long as i wasnt actually lying about it...im sure when he was promoting the rocket rod thing he wasnt trying to push it as a tournament quality rod or something tournament fisherman would use...and the helicopter lures are not the greatest bait ever, but my gma bought me some when i was little for my bday and i caught alot of fish on them out of the ponds i fished when i was younger...it was sort of like a soft plastic buzz bait....if someone offered you say... i dunno  50,000 to plug a product you didnt like are you telling me you wouldnt take it??haha cant blame the man for making an easy living...im sure he is well aware that tournament fisherman like us probably wont buy something we dont think will work anyway..

[grimlin]

I've seen first hand what those rocket fishing poles do.They've let down a lot of kids by having so much problems with them.

I think what some of the guys are saying is,why push a crappy product like that using your name.

I understand it's all about business,but at least endorse something that is decent and works right.(This is where i kind of disagree with roland's marketing methods)

I realize it's a kid's toy....but even a snoopy pole will work better.