Support you local tackle shops!

[the directa]

Originally Posted by dfish28

best is its always 85 and sunny at his shop!!

well said

[NJ Dave]

Customer service comes with a price. 50 cents more here and there is really no big deal for the price of there extra service.
One of my local shops in north jersey after 100+ years is closing there doors soon as well.
The funny thing is if you are a regular at these local places they generally give you a discount so in reality they are actually probably cheaper anyway.
Im going to miss this place shopping there for 30 years.
Sucks but big box stores take over day after day.

[UglyStick]

Originally Posted by NJ Dave

One of my local shops in north jersey after 100+ years is closing there doors soon as well.

Which Northern NJ shop is closing?

[SSS]

Favors Pete did for us "out of town" anglers were mind bothering sometimes. I didn't buy much from him but I brought over a few Johnny Walki@.

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by NJ Dave

Customer service comes with a price. 50 cents more here and there is really no big deal for the price of there extra service.
One of my local shops in north jersey after 100+ years is closing there doors soon as well.
Im going to miss this place shopping there for 30 years.
Sucks but big box stores take over day after day.

100+ years? Newark Sinker/Fairfield Sporting Goods has been around for a long, long time. That was the only store I know that might have come close but not 100+ years. The guys who were there when it moved from Newark were incredible. Frank, Adrian, and Clarence really knew their stuff. That was another place that would do rod and reel repairs. I know they would take a damaged reel in from a customer and if it was an emergency, they would take a reel out of a box and replace the damaged part with a part from a new reel without having the customer go through the warranty hassle. They did the same with rods too.

[Capt Sal]

Pete always does us right. Always open early and has what you need. Not all tackle shops are like that. I refuse to get ripped off and will drive extra miles for that reason. Notice that the one on 35 is not open early?

[jenny lee sportfishing]

i can't tell you how many times in the past 20 years i had to call dave at the reel seat from offshore with an issue, spooled reels, broken reels, bitten off spreader bars, etc. in every instance he would drop whatever and fix my stuff so that i could leave the next morning. in most cases i didn't get in until 4pm.

many times he would leave the stuff outside in a secret hiding spot, which now with the new store, hmmmm.


the point, can you save a few bucks elsewhere, i suppose so.. due to the fact that for 40 years i was in a service business, i spend my money at small family owned shops, and always will.

[rubberheels]

I would like to have all the money I spent at Fishermans Supply in P.P. Also at Reel Life!

[Two Captains]

Pete at Atlantic Bait goes above and beyond. I've witnessed his generosity many times. I've seen him sell a cooler and fill it with ice, sell a reel and fill it with line, to name a few. It's all about the personal service and being there for your needs when you need. On the other hand I've also watched as he bought / brought in expensive flats of worms and numerous bags of clams by request and in reserve before weekends for professional and recreational boats. And many times having to choke on them after a charter didn't show up or trips were canceled which were out of his control and not his problem. Take care of the little guy so he can and will take care of you. Don't and the little guy goes away. That goes for more than just Pete! Alan Jackson wrote a song about it. Last thought, If your buying elsewhere regularly (and that's fine) and show up to get bailed out you can't expect to get rock bottom prices or treated like a regular. It's not rocket science. My Two Cents!