Steer clear of Hi's Tackle Box online site fellow NCKAers

Stuff like that happens even from reputable dealers. Had same experience with Charkbait. They a a deal on seekers, called the store to make sure it was in stock, ordered after they said yes.  Charged then waited and waited only to find out it was back-ordered .  Didn't get stressed too much since I was not gonna use the pole soon.  Got it finally n it was all good.

I've shopped there several times when I'm retuning from Monterey. I have to say it's not what I would call a warm and fuzzy place. Not the friendliest atmosphere. Don't know if I'm coming off like a criminal, but I always feel like I'm being watched heavily there.  Maybe they've had a lot of problems in the past, but it's just not a good vibe there. Just a feeling I get there...

My Rant:
I have been going to Hi's for about 20 years in SF and to their new store.  Sometimes they are not that outgoing and overtly friendly, but they are very knowledgeable and can give you really good info when you ask.  They also mostly have whatever you need and my only regret with them is that they no longer do the reel repairs which they did very well.
Hey the world is not perfect and sometimes you have to push to get what you want, but good outdoors and fishing stores are going extinct rapidly. In my area Western Sports in San Rafael got forced out by a greedy landlord.  Grant King from Santa Rosa died and his great fly fishing store did not last much longer.  Even Orvis in San Francisco which used to have really great gear and fishing equipment (I still have 2 vests I bought from them in 1975 and they are still fine ) is just a shadow of it's former self. You could really learn something from the high caliber experts they employed. Unlike Cabelas, they knew the local area and current conditions really well. It is the same throughout Northwestern Cal.  Much of what is left is in Rite Aid isles, Wall mart  garbage dumps, and corporate Outdoor pro shops with only a few employees who can hold a candle to the great outdoor merchants we have lost. 
So Hi's, however imperfect (not very ) is a treasure and resource we should encourage, not snipe at.  I am sure your problem is as stated, and I would be really pissed if it happened to me.  I guess the only thing I could recommend is to speak politely with the owner directly, explain how bad your treatment was, and try to get them to correct their problems.  If not, all we will have is a phone answering center in India, with someone speaking bad English to arrange shipment of cheap stuff from China by someone who has never caught a fish in their life.

That was gospel. Bravo Alcim!

That was gospel. Bravo Alcim!

now, can we plus this subject to rest and go fishing?

Maybe they made a mistake online...but I've been using Hi's brick and mortar for 20+ years and always got great service and advice.  I've never used them on-line because I live nearby.  Really happy they moved out of the City, makes parking way easier.

It would be nice to know the end result of this problem. Being in management. Never having any feed back good or bad is not a good thing. We can't catch those problems that need fixing. And they can go on for a long time. When you know something isn't right. Complain in a nice way. After all your asking them to fix a problem for you. And they want it fixed as much as you do I'm sure. I did when in that position. 

The end result to this problem is a good one. I appreciate any company that knows when they've done something wrong and have gone out of their way to fix it. I had already gotten the rod elsewhere, but Hi's offering to find a way to make the situation right is plenty good enough to put my mind at ease with the matter.

I placed an online order with Hi's today. I'll report back here with the results.

I placed an online order with Hi's today. I'll report back here with the results.

I ordered on Monday. I also made an order from Austin Kayak on Monday. ACK order arrived Thursday no sign of Hi's. Hopefully tomorrow.

No sign of my shipment. Card not charged. Order placed 2/24 for a few dozen hooks of various sizes. I sent an inquiry off this morning.

My order is for salmon season and I'm in no rush. The lack of communication is troubling.

I made an order from scuba international out of Florida last week. Tracking indicates it is here and will be delivered fedex on Monday.

OP's story checks out 

I was looking for a rod and reel from them. Didn't want one without the other. Plenty of communication but no commitment on when one of the items would be available. Did not submit a purchase order.

I called again yesterday after more silence. Apparently I got a hold of the right person, I got an email late last night that my package has shipped! 

Received!  It's all there, everything is correct.  It only took almost a month.