Rod, Reel and some venting

Thanks for all the info everyone.
 I went over to Fishermans Warehouse and picked up an Abu Garcia 6500C3 $90 plus $20 for the power handle. Then on to Mel Cottons with my 20% off coupon and picked up a  6"6' Shimano Trevalla Jigging/Casing rod $119 less the 20%. Already caught a couple of rose bushes on a red and white bucktail. Can't wait to really use it.
 I am sorry if this offends anyone.
Watch out who helps you at Fisherman's Warehouse. First guy knew little to nothing about fishing equipment. Very sad. I mean sad for a specialty store and for the customers. He tried to help but knew nohing of the equipment or FW's inventory.  I was about to leave after purchasing some terminal tackle when another employee ( I believe his name was Glenn) aproached and asked exactly what reel I had been looking for. Wanted to compare the 6500 and the 7000C3i I said.  If purchasing the 6500 I wanted to put on the power handle, which acording to the other employee they did NOT have. Now Glenn, he is very knowledgable. From bottom fishing to surfcasting to tuna off the coast of Mexico. This guy really gets out there. He says of course we have the power handle immediatlely pulls it out and puts it on the reel.  Shows me the Trevalla jigging rods and I am in love. Unfortunately they only have the more expensive version of the Trevalla rod $219 vs $119.  Went to Mel Cottons and had a great experience there. Great customer service. All I am saying is if you go to FW make sure Glenn is going to be there. Otherwise It may be a crap shoot. The wierd thing is that I was at FW's  in the middle of the afternoon during the week. The store was empty.  I feel like they have a bit of attitude there. I have felt this way everytime I have been there. I understand that they have a great selection and for that I am appreciative, that's why I make the drive from Santa Cruz. I can do without the attitude. I guess I am spoiled growing up in a fishing town back east where they bend over backwards for you. Fixing reels on the spot etc.. Customer service should be #1 in the day of the internet deals and Ebay. I will always support my local and not so local shops as long as I can afford it.  The wierd thing is I was in a suit. Now after working in the reatail business for 15 years I will be the first one to tell you not to judge a book by it's cover, but when your in a suit it at lesat means you have a job.  Anyway all is good in the end. Just make sure you know exactly what you need or talk to Glenn. Just had to get that off my chest.
Lee

  It's unfortunate you had a poor experience with the one guy.  Maybe he was new? Or just there for a job, not really a fisherman?  Anyrate, it seems to have worked out for you.

all is well that ends well         still a vey good shop

Thanks for the info Weatherguy,

I must apologize for the lack of knowledge from this employee
I will pass this info on to Glenn and make sure he brings his crew up to speed.
 
F.Y.I. Fisherman's Warehouse will be having a NO TAX sale on Fri. and Sat. the 24 + 25 of April.

Eric Kaai
Mgr. Fisherman's Warehouse (Fresno)

Eric

Thanks for the info and for stepping up. I really did not want to embarass that employee while in the store. I'm not a difficult customer.  No one can certainly know everything. All he had to say was "let me get Glenn he is a real expert when it comes to these reels" . A simple as that.
Thanks again. Definitely a sign of a good organization.
Lee

The wierd thing is I was in a suit.

Lee, you nailed the problem right there.  Everyone was probably wondering if you were going to serve a subpoena.   .  J/K.

On balance, consider yourself lucky that day.  I tried to pick up that same 6"6' Shimano Trevalla Jigging/Casting rod $119 using the 1/5 coupon at Mel's.  Apparently, the coupon has a Shimano exclusion, so Mel's wouldn't apply it to the Trevalla for me.   

Hi Yaker:

   My feeling we hurt .XMAS when I purchased a Calstar $220.0 Rod and,
I had a hard time paying with a Check. It took a little flaming and tearing
down my NCKA Santa Cruz Butt. post before, the Nube said O.K.
   I do business with all types and, try not to let the Help ruin your
new gear rush!

Breathe deep the gathering gloom!
                                                                Sea-ya
                                                                Ernie

Yeah, I've had similar experiences at Outdoor World. I overheard an employee talking to a recently-relocated student of the Naval Postgrad school....and he wanted to know where to catch trout locally. The employee told him that San Luis Reservoir is the best place for trout. I waited until the employee walked away, then approached the guy and set him straight....there are NO trout in San Luis hahaha! I then proceeded to overload the guy w/fishing info and helped him pick out an appropriate rod+reel.
Sounds like the guy you met at FW might have been in a similar situation....just a job moreso than a true fisherman.
Glenn is a great guy. I haven't seen him for years but he's my college roomie's uncle and we fished the beach for perch a few times.

BTW excellent choice of rod+reel!!!! My normal rockfish setup is a 6'6" Med Trevala and Abu 7000. And my backup is a 7' Light Trevala w/Abu 6500 (or Quantum Cabo low-pro if launch is mellow).

 

Fisherman's Warehouse has always been my "go to" shop. Glenn knows his stuff but I have not been there in a while and I don't know if his crew has changed. But I've always had a positive experience with them. AND more importantly, I want to add that FW has been an avid supporter of NCKA - Thanks to Eric (yakhopper). We (NCKA) have been invited to the San Jose store for Kayak Fishing seminars (Bill,Chucke and myself) in the past and have been well received. I like to spend my money on those stores that support NCKA.

I can only guess that whoever was helping you was a newbie and has yet to learn the ropes.

The wierd thing is I was in a suit.

Lee, you nailed the problem right there.  Everyone was probably wondering if you were going to serve a subpoena.   .  J/K.

On balance, consider yourself lucky that day.  I tried to pick up that same 6"6' Shimano Trevalla Jigging/Casting rod $119 using the 1/5 coupon at Mel's.  Apparently, the coupon has a Shimano exclusion, so Mel's wouldn't apply it to the Trevalla for me.   

Martin, you wuz robbed. Mel Cotton's did honor the coupon for Shimano products. I picked up a Trevala spinning rod. You should complain to them...maybe they'll give you the 20 percent and no-tax after all. I hear the confusion among employees every year and always confirm with someone in the fishing department.

I don't know the names of any of the staff there, (except Amy).... yet I know exactly whish one is Glenn is because he's the guy I look for when I have questions...

He knows his stuff... 

Great store!  Even when I go in for just ONE thing I always end up spending $75 or so it seems.

Yikes... Well, just got some bad news.  Glenn is no longer working for FW as of last Thursday.  Not gonna go into any details probably shouldn't have overheard, but I really wish him well.  He helped me out a lot with all my questions over the last two years and it's a shame that he wont be there anymore.   

I can't believe no one has said given up props for Amy at FW.  She knows fish and fishing as well as any of the guys there (well, she certainly knows fishing better than me, and I'm stacked twice as tall as her).

That's good to know. I will be looking for Amy from here on out. I have absolutley no qualms taking fishing advice from women. My Mom has been outfishing me since she gave birth.
Lee

That sucks about Glenn...If it was a lay off situation seems odd that they let go one of the most knowledgeable workers there. But maybe there was a reason.