Buying Habits

[matt c]

Out of interest amongst the member which way do you buy most of your materials - online, mail order, or in store ??

Also on average much would you say you spend a year on tying material ?

Cheers

Matt

[GuyFromLaw]

I support a local tackle shop with what he buys in. He was good to me when I was learning to tie, and he still reaches into his own collection to bail me out when I need something he hasn't got in sale stock.

Apart from that, it's online for me.

[wobbly face]

Depends on what I'm after or in need off. Have done them all including going to BFFI and other country of fishing events.

[christy27]

I would prefer to buy in store. Unbelievably there is not one fly shop in Gloucestershire . Well there is a gun shop who has a bit of stuff but he tried to rip me on a gun deal, no way would I go there again.

So online it is I'm afraid. There is a coarse fishing shop in Chipping Norton 16 miles away that is as olde worlde as they come, a great place to while away 1/2 an hour, even got seats to sit on for a chat . I buy any maggots worms or anything for coarse from him to support as much as poss.

Seems to be the way of things these days. Shame I used to like the real shops with their characters .

Chris.

[fredaevans]

I'd have to say 90% (easily) 'On Line.' But there's two different (for me kinds of 'on-line'): Here and there (there being the UK).

Much of the 'stuff' I'd like I could (if the one real fly store carried same .. but close to 20 some miles away (40'ish mile round trip ... actually had 'the stuff.' Call ahead if you will.

Odd stuff I want I find on line (and actually call to confirm they have same in stock) OR out of the UK. Amazing (repetitive here) what I can purchase 'there' not seen on these "fair shores." Your shops (Ian and Elite Flies) have been 100% dead on vis a vis deliveries. Not a miss over God knows how many dozen packages over the past few years.

fae

[GuyFromLaw]

The price of fuel over here is now prohibitive to going for a wee wander round one of the bigger stores Fred. It costs me about £15 to take a run into Glasgow Angling Centre, and if I'm looking for odds and ends then it's simply not worth the petrol costs, not to mention increasing the fuel demand and further hiking up the prices.

I need a smaller car.

[shuck raider]

Wouldn't dream of parting with considerable sums of hard-earned unless I'd personally handled and selected fur or feather materials. There's a lot of rubbish out there - once bitten, etc, etc.

Obviously doesn't apply for threads, flosses, tinsels and tools and so on as these are standardised

[clydestyle]

I run a small shop and didnt have internet for the 1st 2 yrs and rely heavy on good word of mouth and good regular custom.

Having the internet shop now it has opened up to the world at large so with fuel prices at all time highs and heavy marketing from the big guns its still brings traffic to the shop but is not as high as last year but the internet is a breath of fresh air.

No one can dictate who where what when,if the customer is arm chair shopping then you click and pay its on its way,long may it continue,another angle to the topic.

[paddy5]

Shuckraider makes a very good point when buying capes in particular a hands on purchase is very important , I shall be looking for some winging hairs shortly and find the quality of the dye jobs on offer vary greatly and hope to make an initial purchase in person and do repeat orders online thereafter . I am hoping to have a good look through the domestic suppliers at the Galway expo. By the way shuck raider can you recomend anybody? PJ

[shuck raider]

Originally Posted by paddy5

Shuckraider makes a very good point when buying capes in particular a hands on purchase is very important , I shall be looking for some winging hairs shortly and find the quality of the dye jobs on offer vary greatly and hope to make an initial purchase in person and do repeat orders online thereafter . I am hoping to have a good look through the domestic suppliers at the Galway expo. By the way shuck raider can you recomend anybody? PJ

Paddy, if you're going to be at the Galway Fair again (19/20 November) you'll not go wrong by visiting Pat Nolan's stand, he had some beautiful stuff at Birr Castle a few weeks ago, I spent a fortune . Don't know where you are based, but if you can't wait for Galway, give Pat a ring - Pat Nolan, Premier Angling Supplies, Nenagh, Co Tipperary Tel: 00353 (0) 6733997. Also Lawrence Finney has some lovely dyed materials.

Amongst other well-known suppliers at Galway will be Steve Cooper from Cookshill and Christina Tooley from Chevron Hackles, both of whom are top-class for fur and feather