Marketing has always been an interesting activity to me. There are so many ways to promote a business, but only a few that really make it worth your time. Especially in this business, because there is a very limited customer base to begin with. Not to mention the fact that you have to compete with the big box stores in order to attract the few customers that are out there. I know exactly how the "mom and pop" stores must have felt when the first Wal-Mart stores began to appear in their areas.
I don't mind the competition, in fact I think it is good for the industry. It gives people alot of choices on where to spend their money in order to practice their sport. The thing that I don't understand is why someone would order off the internet from a big box store website and pay the same price for an item that they could have bought from their local fly shop. Then they have to pay shipping, which can get expensive.
I understand the convenience of internet shopping, but I hate to pay for shipping. Most fly shops that I know of, us included, don't charge anything for shipping. That's because we have the items drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer's address. We would have to pay the shipping anyway to have it shipped to the shop, so why not just ship it directly to the customer? We make a sale and never have to touch the merchandise. It's a win-win for everyone involved. Plus you would be supporting your local fly shop, which is a good thing.
I know alot of people don't think much about supporting a local business. Especially a fly shop. Most people probably don't give us a second thought, until they are on their way to the river and need a leader or a quick fishing report. Cabela's can't help you much then.
Didn't mean to rant here, just thinking out loud, trying to make sense of it. Posting a pic below of what we woke up to yesterday morning.
You just can't beat the customer service and value you receive from Dean and Steve at Hiwassee Angler. I ordered my ORVIS Large Arbor Battenkill reel with my river name etched on the side of it from them and did not have to pay shipping. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A "NO BRAINER". Their prices are very competitive as well.
ReplyDeleteIn this economy everyone is looking to save some money, your going to be at the river anyhow, why not stop in to look at their great selection and purchase from them and if they don't have it they can order it and you can save the shipping. Bottom line you can save some money plus have an expert there to set it up for you and show you how to tie that knot.
Plus you feel at home with them and how relaxed can you get just talking to the fellows and having all the important games on all the TV's they have. What a great place to hang out as well. I equate my fishing trips to the HIwassee to deer hunting. Half the fun around deer hunting is talking about it before the season just like half the fun of the actual fishing trip to our favorite river is stopping in and seeing Dean and crew at the Hiwassee Angler.
Come on fellows/gals... we need to support them 110% because what would we do without a fly shop on the Hiwassee, especially a ORVIS fly shop.
Bill C.
Hey Bill,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. We really do try to help our customers out anyway we can. And yes, I think it is a no-brainer also to be able to order something for the same price and not have to pay shipping.
We appreciate the support. Like you, I can't imagine not having a fly shop on the river. We can't stock everything, of course, but we can order most anything from our manufacturers and drop ship it to your home address. I don't think that many people realize this. That's why I wrote about it here. And like you said, support is needed to keep any businesses doors open. Especially a fly shop. That's why you see so many of them close up. Not to say that we are in danger of closing, but obviously the more support that we get, the more inventory that we can put in the shop. And this would only add to the convenience of having the shop located on the river.
Thanks again for your comment. It is always good to know that you are appreciated by your customers. We certainly appreciate them!