BigBendFishing.Net

Welby wrote:You mean there is somewhere to buy fishing and hunting equipment other than Cairo ????????? I would not reccomend it !!!

grim reeler wrote:I used to dislike kevins a lot, but no longer have that opinion.

When I first came to Tallahassee in 1990 I went into Kevin's with one of my children. As we went past the cash wrap which was in the center of the store, a manager was on the phone cussing out one of the employees. He saw my child but didn't stop. I turned around and left and didn't go back in the store until last year.

Since then I have bought two Quantum reels, a Falcon Low Rider rod, and a St. Croix Premier rod. All of these were at prices much better than Bass Pro Shops. Kevin's will match Tackle Warehouse prices. I know Kevin's is mighty proud if a lot of their merchandise, but sometimes they have some really good deals.

I don't think there is any chance of Kevin's going anywhere. His catalog business and Thomasville store are geared to very affluent quail/pheasant/sporting clays and other rich-people shooting sports. These deep-pocketed persons don't bat an eye at dropping $60-75K for a shotgun if they think that it will gain them some popularity points with their buddies. I have heard that he sells at least 2-3 of these high-end shotguns a month. You do the math. Then, of course, they must have the $950 gun-case, $700 shooting glasses, butt-wiper, etc.,etc. that a true bird-hunter, would have to have to appear to be a REAL success.

I love the Tallahassee store and will continue to shop there because I am usually in a hurry and know that they will have the stuff in the right colors that I am looking for. I don't think that he makes a lot on the Tallahasse store, BUT, That location is a high dollar lot and he would be foolish to sell it in this market.

As for the employee turnover, I would think that he would experience a tremendous amount of inventory shrinkage via the five-finger discount and unsavory employee theft.

captkeyser wrote:This "little guy's" mark up is through the roof nearly 250%... They charge $7.99 for a Super Spook. Blind Eye Outfitters charges $4.67. Both small outfits. I hope Sportsmans Wharehouse will at least cool Kevins prices down to where they should be. It is rediculous that he has been able to get away with this for as long as he has.

Check out Blind Eye off of NW Capital Circle, they have a very good selection of lures, and they don't base there quality of customer service on the type of vehicle you drive.

Super Spooks are 5.99 there and is this the same Kevins that replaces your Curados when you break them and your Gloomis Rods when you break them, because Gloomis charges $50 for rod replacement but I don't think Lynn chares for it all the time. I know I have broke many a Calcutta Rod and only one Terramar, and I walk in with my broken Rod and Lynn hands me another one every time. Lynn is also open to suggestions, and will get you stuff if you ask for it, and has been quick to take care of me and the fellars at FCKA. I know he's got Slayer jig heads coming in on St Pattys day, and that Gulps are $3.99 a bag this week. I think healthy competion spawns great customer service and defeats complancy when building up your business. Another thing is they have lots of stuff in stock. Especially what you need.

I will continue to drive past Walmart to shop at both Kevin's and South Georgia Outdoors. Both of these businesses help support the NFGFC and give far better service than you will find elsewhere.

Steve Stinson

jsuber wrote:Super Spooks are 5.99 there and is this the same Kevins that replaces your Curados when you break them and your Gloomis Rods when you break them, because Gloomis charges $50 for rod replacement. I know I have broke many a Calcutta Rod and only one Terramar, and I walk in with my broken Rod and Lynn hands me another one every time. Lynn is also open to suggestions, and will get you stuff if you ask for it, and has been quick to take care of me and the fellars at FCKA.

I can't say that I blame Loomis for a replacement charge, even if they have decided to no longer service their high end market (custom builders). All they are going to do is send the pieces back to the factory, unroll the graphite, form a new one and sell it again and $250.00+. That's making money on both ends of the deal.
While you're on the topic of Loomis, why not buy American made rods? There are still quite a few out there and they produce as good if not better rod blank. Loomis, while still a great name, stopped pursueing advancements several years ago while, Lamiglas, St. Croix, Seeker, American Tackle and a handful of others stepped up their game. But that is just the rod building industry's opinion and what do they know.

I mentioned Loomis because thats what Keyser took back. I buy those Shimano Terramars because I am so rough on them in the kayak, and have only had one break. They work for fine for the fishing I do, but I wish they made a 7'6" medium bait caster with the short handle. I hate it when they make a 7'6" rod and its got a longer handle essentially giving you a 7' rod with a long handle.

jsuber wrote: I wish they made a 7'6" medium bait caster with the short handle. I hate it when they make a 7'6" rod and its got a longer handle essentially giving you a 7' rod with a long handle.

I know a guy that handle that for you, you just have to ask.

But if you're that rough on them (as I would love to get my hands on a Shimano blank ) you might want to look at why you abuse the tool. If the tool breaks, chances are it was not being used as intended. That short handle creates a short pivot point and while it is at the butt of the rod, the blank is not designed or intended to bend that far back.

CairoTrout wrote:Ammo is not keeping him afloat. There is no money in ammo. I still say you should shop local and keep your money out of these big box stores.Remember we are talking about people's lively hoods here.

Is it okay that I bought a package of beef jerky and some batteries when I went to Sportsman's Warehouse a couple of weeks ago?

I was a little turned off when I inquired at Kevins the lack of a NRA sticker on the front door next to the DU ect. I was told that the NRA sticker might send the wrong message. My business usually goes elsewhere.

Must be hard to find a grocery store with an NRA sticker.

jsuber wrote:Must be hard to find a grocery store with an NRA sticker.

Don't be bashing Jeffro.

jsuber wrote:Must be hard to find a grocery store with an NRA sticker.

Grocery stores don't make a living selling guns. The NRA fights very hard for Kevin's right to do just that.

Here we go again.