Sometimes I just despair....

[The VFC]

OK - this is going to be a bit of a whinge, but bear with it and you will get an insight into the infuriating world of the tackle dealer - we get a bad press sometimes (deservedly so often I'm ashamed to say) so this may show the other side of the coin! This week:
1) usual inundation of spam emails, including those from China claiming that someone is trying to register the vintagefishingtackle as a domain name there and would I like to pay them not to?
2) 2 rods gone AWOL in the post, Post Office being typically difficult about compensation: they'll only pay what I paid for the rod (not its resale value) and I have to prove to their satisfaction what I paid for it. Since I paid in cash to an old angler selling on his gear not easy.... Upshot is that I won't even get the measly £45 minimum compensation for a rod worth £120 at least.
3) Packing up next rod, bought in good faith as part of a large lot, only to find that its broken in the handle (we always check over items one final time prior to despatch) - I hate that tell-tale creak! Thankfully a good chap (and member of this forum) may be able to help out with a replacement butt section that I donated to him after another postal incident (maybe Royal Mail have something against Super Wizards?) but the customer has to be both refunded and disappointed in the short term at least.
4) (and the reason I post in this section of the forum!) About a month ago I bought at a well known specialist auction a Silex No.2 - only to find that the internals had been messed about with horribly (no mention in the catalogue - but I should have checked more closely, too busy chatting as per). The ratchet had been totally removed and some sort of silent brake put in place using replacement parts and a plastic bit to replace the ratchet wheel. Value of said reel plummets! Not to fear I sourced some spare parts (a dead donor reel) via the great Bay - not cheap at £50 + P&P but at least, I thought, I'll be able to restore the reel and make most of my outlay back. Donor reel arrives - and its the wrong blinking size! Again - trying to do too many things at once I misread the info on the listing. :brickwall:

Anyone want a Silex 2 converted to no check with some very well made parts? :beg: .... thought not.....

Final Score: Rest of the World 4 VFC 0

Moan over ... as you were!
Jim

[Dave Burr]

I wouldn't bother buying a lottery ticket this week. :chuckle:

Its all swings and roundabouts though, next week you may make a killing .

[LuckyLuca]

I feel your pain VFC!
As Lechmere said, ride out the storm!

[Paul Cook]

A well known courier decided to unpack a customers very sentimental Super Wizard , satisfied that it was "harmless "parcel , it was rammed back down into the tube and in doing so took out all the rings in the mid section and butt section . Customer was on holiday but was happy for me to allow his neighbour to take it in for him until his return . 1 week later a very upset customer is staring at his once restored pride and joy now ruined . To make matters worse , despite paying for insurance we had unknowingly gone over the so called "claim " period of 7 days ! No compo and a rod returned for to re work again . Something about these wizards that couriers dont like either!

[GarryProcter]

Look on the positive side, things can only get better jim!

[AshbyCut]

And I thought I was having problems !!!

Your moan is understandable.

[Plot36]

Jim, if it helps any (and it probably doesn't) I'm really happy with the Chapman 500 Deluxe I bought from you a few weeks back.

[Beresford]

Sounds like you've had a trying time recently. Buying vintage tackle is a hobby I both love and fear. Sometimes you just get perfect items and other times such perfection is really a dog in disguise.

I'm sure it'll get better.

I'm not sure if this might help but Steve Middleton sent me a rod in a cardboard tube, the sort carpets are wrapped around. It was about 4 or 5 inches internal size and Steve has packed the rod in each end with newspaper so there was no movement. This card tube is much more crush and damage resistant than those plastic tubes.

[The VFC]

Jim, if it helps any (and it probably doesn't) I'm really happy with the Chapman 500 Deluxe I bought from you a few weeks back.

Definitely does help - thanks! Great looking set up you have there.

Thanks all for messages of encouragement and support - I have girt my loins once more and shall stride purposefully back into action!

Jim

[Haydn Clarke]

That's a choker, Jim. Just a thought, though: what you paid for the rod should surely be cost buying in price plus restoration costs.

I think there are a few lessons to be learnt for all of us here. Namely always take a picture of the condition prior to posting and to make sure you keep all forms of receipt to and from sellers, suppliers and restorers. If I ever sell any of my rods on then I'm going belts and braces style. Forty five quid for a rod worth one twenty is just wrong.

One other thing Jim, and not wishing to state the obvious, but I'd reject their initial offer of value as they'll undoubtedly do what inurance companies tend to do and make you an initial P-take offer in the hope you'll take it.