Wal-Mart Reels

Is there any reason to believe that a Penn reel sold at Wal-Mart would be of any less quality than one sold anywhere else?

A reel I've been eyeing is $70 less at Wal-Mart than it is pretty much anywhere else other than E-Bay.

Some Penn reels are made in U.S. and some are made in China.  Most likely the ones sold at Walmart are made in China.

I would imagine it is either:

1. No problem at all, inventory/pricing issue in system
2. Incorrect description and its a different reel than described.

I would doubt the reel itself is inferior to one you would buy somewhere else as long as its the same model and comes in same box, etc.  nice thing is if you buy from wally you could actually return it relatively easily, although you might have to step inside a store so that could be problematic 

I've seen this come up a couple times though at both Walmart/Jet and Amazon, where their pricing is much lower than others.  I haven't had any problems yet if i choose to buy.

Also I'd make sure it is being sold directly by walmart and not some third party marketplace type seller.

http://www.fishingtalks.com/usa-made-vs-china-made-13686.html

I know walmart (and other mass retailers) have lower-grade Abu Garcias for sale. Perhaps the same with Penn.

I know walmart (and other mass retailers) have lower-grade Abu Garcias for sale. Perhaps the same with Penn.

Yeah, they definitely do that...but those would be two different model numbers.

I'm looking at the Penn Clash 6000.

I know walmart (and other mass retailers) have lower-grade Abu Garcias for sale. Perhaps the same with Penn.

Yeah, they definitely do that...but those would be two different model numbers.

I'm looking at the Penn Clash 6000.

Are you able to get it for around $110?  I can only see it at around $168, which is same price as amazon.

This small florida dealer I've bought from in the past is also around $166 shipped, so I feel that's a more accurate representation of the price.

Many mfgr's have lower grade products made for the mass retailers, some are special models, some are just cheaper versions. Look for the subtle differences. In the case of the ABU 6500c3, the one sold at specialty stores carries a fancy emblem where the one in the "Mart" store's has a printed emblem.
Buyer beware, you do get what you pay for.

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I know walmart (and other mass retailers) have lower-grade Abu Garcias for sale. Perhaps the same with Penn.

Yeah, they definitely do that...but those would be two different model numbers.

I'm looking at the Penn Clash 6000.

Are you able to get it for around $110?  I can only see it at around $168, which is same price as amazon.

This small florida dealer I've bought from in the past is also around $166 shipped, so I feel that's a more accurate representation of the price.

Nope. $168. Most other places have it closer to $240.

Didn't even check Amazon yet.

I'm doing mad research for an upcoming long range trip.

My reel for RF matched with my Trevala mh was an Abu 6600 made specific for Walmart sale (gold)  Used it for 7 years until I drowned them in TC.  No problem with it other than upgrading the drags. 

You're looking at the wrong spinning reel Dustin! Get the shimano stella 

http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/products/fishing-reels/saltwater-spinning/stella-sw.html

Alan Hawk was fairly critical of the Penn Clash.

http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/clsh8.html

He did seem to like the Shimano Spheros though which would be in a similar price range to the Clash.

http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/spsw.html

List of his recommended reels - not gospel, but good info anyways.
http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/lists.html

I was doing the same shopping as you were last year - ended up buying a Fin Nor Lethal but returned it as I decided I wasn't going to do the trip.

You're looking at the wrong spinning reel Dustin! Get the shimano stella 

http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/products/fishing-reels/saltwater-spinning/stella-sw.html

Haha! I wish I was that girped up!

Alan Hawk was fairly critical of the Penn Clash.

http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/clsh8.html

He did seem to like the Shimano Spheros though which would be in a similar price range to the Clash.

http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/spsw.html

List of his recommended reels - not gospel, but good info anyways.
http://www.alanhawk.com/reviews/lists.html

I was doing the same shopping as you were last year - ended up buying a Fin Nor Lethal but returned it as I decided I wasn't going to do the trip.

Thanks, Ben. The Spheros and Saragosa are also on my short list.

Haha! I wish I was that girped up!

Maybe skip one of your trips, and buy some gear?