St. Croix Rods

[ecnook]

Subject: St.Croix Rods
I just came from Starks Sports Shop in Prairie du Chien Wi. wanting to order a St. Croix rod that they didn't have on hand......
and Randy told me that St. Croix wouldn't sell them any more rods.......well I asked ...........WHY !!!
They are selling rods for $10 - $40 cheaper than the catalog prices of their competitors ......and its making the competition mad ?

Randy also told me that St.Croix has no minimum retail price guide lines so they were getting treated...........well like do-do

It looks to me like a case of.... who writes them the biggest check's bark is the loudest and lets let Starks Sport Shop(my local sport shop,the place where i go on rainy days to talk with fishing friends, the place where i buy my jigs, the place where i but my favorite beverage, the place where i bought my boat, the place where,,,,,,,,,,,well you get the idea) take it in the shorts by BIG BUSINESS !!!!!

I own 3 of these rods ...two I've bought from Starks and one I bought right from St. Croix while I was visiting their manufacturing operation . I relize that this probably doesn't matter to, or will have alot of affect on alot of you ...........

but............

it seamed to me that I should post such an event. I've even asked for the letter from St. Croix to Starks to post as an attachment...it may follow.

word of mouth is the BIGGEST advertiser.And you've herd it from my mouth/keys


ec[cool]

[Eyez]

If I understand it correctly, St.Croix rods are price controlled. All retailers are supposed to sell them at the same price. This is to protect the lower volume retailer, and to guarantee that a consumer can buy the same st. croix rod at the same price, no matter where they buy it. Same with Minn Kota trolling motors. If someone's undercutting the other retailers in a mfr's retail chain, they have every right to refuse to sell them any more rods. Not saying that I know the whole story, but this is my initial reaction.

I'd be interested to know St. Croix's reaction if/when you get a response from them.

Thanks,
Eyez

[Illegal]

Technically, it is illegal to set prices, by the manufacturer, or by a group of independently operated stores. That's why they have suggested retail. St. Croix won't admit forcing the retailers to sell the same rods at the same price, or the Federal Trade Commission would slap them with a price-fixing lawsuit.
Obviously, there are ways around that. One is inventory replacement, slow order shipping, etc.

[WAeyes]

I think G-Loomis is pretty much the same story. MSRP no matter where you buy from.

[youngeye]

Eyez is correct that the St.Croix rods are price controlled. If a retailer is in violation St. Croix may not continue to sell to these individual dealers. This may be the reason that your local shop cannot order anymore rods, because of discounting them.

Youngeye@netins.net

[cmb]

I think you may need to read up on the law!

I as the manufacture of a produce CAN (and do) set the MSRP (this is what the MS stands for)

AND

I as the manufacture can establish whatever guidelines for my distribution network. If a distributor of my product chooses not to comply~~I simply no longer do business with him!

now, becuase my produce is sold through a network of "specialty" shops, and it is in my best intrest to protect these small shops why would I allow my produce to be discounted? why would I cut my own throat?

[MEZMORIZED BY MARBLE EYEZ]

I tell you guys what......it's nice to be able to go to any store in any spot in Wisconsin and know how much you're going to pay for a St.Croix. I wish every manufacterer would set a MSRP....##### I wish all car builders would do it....it seems to work for Saturn

[OFG]

....and it's nice to be able to go online and buy two St. Croix Legends for less than the MSRP of one. Love the rod, but can't afford the markup.

[Lund_Dude]

FWIW: I have found St Croix rods in Canada to be a bargain (exchange compensated, of course). I have visited a few sport shops that carry StCroix and found the prices to be fairly variable, but you really can find a bargain if you look.