Responsibility & Sponsorship

[Bob W.]

There seems like a lot of guys arguing over which brand is better than that brand, etc. on WC lately. I wonder how much of it is because of an anglers enthusiasm for a product, and how much is sponsored fishermen trying to appease their sponsors.

For example, I know a fisherman who is sponsored by certain company who shall remain nameless. Now this fisherman had nothing but trouble with this companies products last season, yet everytime there is a post about this companies products, this guy writes about the virtues of the products. I am absolutely amazed at how he expounds on the virtues of this companies product. He does it because he is sponsored by them.

Does anybody else out there see this kind of thing happening? I hope with all my heart it's not the norm. What do you guys think?

Bobby

[Lance Valentine]

Bob:

Let's face it we have all had problems with fishing products of all kinds at one time or another. I too have had some small problems with products from some of my sponsors and continue to recommend them to the public when and only when the company acknowledges the problem and works on fixing it. But I honestly feel you get a better feel for a company's commitment to excellence and to building the best product when you see how they handle problems and/or bad products. Maybe your friend had a problem and the company handled it quickly and professionally, the mark of a great company that I would love to be associated with.

Tight Lines

Lance Valentine
fishrman@gateway.net

[walleyechaser]

Hey Bob are you from suring,Wi?

[Brian/MN]

Believe it or not, if I had not had problems with a certain companys products back 4 years ago, they wouldn't have become one of my best sponsors! The product was bleeding edge technology at the time, and it had problems, but the fact that the company stood behind them and made it right for me convinced me that I was dealing with folks who would be there for the long haul.
I was patient with them, worked with them to resolve the issues, and began helping other people deal with the same issues. One thing led to another and pretty soon I had a great relationship with the company that led to sponsorship. The company now has all the bugs out, builds products that are absolutely the best in the industry, and continues to give world-class support.

Brian/MN
#312

[Tommy Mac]

Hi Bob,
I am one of the people who are sponsored by a few manufacturers within the fishing industry. I simply run a part time guiding business and my relationship with my sponsors is one of mutual respect. I would think that this friend of yours has a similar type of relationship with his sponsor.

Part of the sponsor relationship is to work with the manufacturers to improve products. One example of this was with the MinnKota Vantage trolling motors. When they were first introduced they had a few problems. The earliest motors introduced were to those fisherman sponsored in some way. It was through their usage that a lot of the bugs were worked out. I, in fact, did respond to a post here at this website to confirm that these motors were at the time having problems. I am with the impression that they have since been worked out.

A lot of the sponsored people on this board are responsible for nothing more than making fishing products better. Yet when we make a comment about a product, weather it is one of our sponsors or not, we subject ourselves to unobjective criticism. If it seems that helpfull input is merely brushed off by some, as being that of someone pushing a sponsor, then I am affraid that this board will loose a lot of good input.

A better solution to this problem may be some sort of required registration to log on. Then those who choose to hide behind the computor screen and bash and criticize might be a little more objective themselves. I think that the result of this would be a much better dialog regarding these threads. I know a lot of people that are reading this post know who I am. I do not try and keep my identity a secret. Who knows maybe you know me. Maybe I am your friend in the post. If I am I welcome more specific questions regarding the product that I represent. I have nothing to hide. I am more than willing to answer any question regarding any product that I may represent.

The thing that makes fishing so neat for all of us is the fact that we can never know it all. It doesn't matter who you are or how much experience you have. We all continue to learn more about our sport. This is a great place to aquire that knowledge. It is unfortunate that some of us may turn prospective good input away. Later. TM. NPAA #529

[Doc_wi]

It is my feeling that the guys who do it just to blow sunshine do more harm then good. I would also believe that representing your sponsors products in a credable manner is paramount. There could be a deeper situation then you are totally aware of that makes this "pro" continue to glorify this product or company. Personally I don't evaluate ANY relationship on one circumstance. In a like situation a few years ago I continued to discuss the virtues of the system and the value of the great customer service when I had trouble with my first Pinpoint motor because I believed the trouble was temporary. Once the problem was solved (a small part was replaced with one made out of a stronger material) I was able to lend that experience and pass my knowledge on to others with that same problem. I actually wish I had been one of the un-lucky people to go through a problem with any one of my Ficht motors. I figure that someone else would have gotten what I got (perfectly running motors) and told others and I (as a formerly OMC sponsored guide) would have gotten a better understanding of what the guys with trouble were going through. That probably would have made my responses to the Ficht bashing more credable in the minds of some. Still. even when others were having trouble I continued to expound on the virtues of the Ficht technology because I BELIEVED it and to this day say that the 3.3 liter 225 Ficht is the finest running outboard that I have ever run. My posts to this board have always been based on personal opinion and experience with a product. If the person you are talking about is just bold face lying, it will show up somewhere down the line in his credability. Ask this person to look you in the eye and tell you what he likes about the product.

IMHO

Doc

[Bob W.]

Hi walleyechaser!

[Dave B]

Hey Lance,

Wanna talk about how well that sponsor's boat you had held up on the Michigan Walleye Tour year before last? (sponsor name withheld to protect, uh, I'm not sure what) Seeing the problems you had convinced me I would never buy that brand. How did all of that work out? Did they correct the problems with that particular boat? Did they correct design problems that may have existed?

[Lance Valentine]

Dave:

The relationship you are tallking about was terminated when the manufacturer would not handle the problem the way myself and alot of fishermen I talked to expected. I see it as their loss-I know I worked hard for them and in trying to come to a fair solution for both of us stuck with them a year longer than I probably should have. The results I felt were fair didn't happen so the relationship ended. Will I run around bad mouthing the company? Probably not-that's not the way I prefer to handle things and my situation may be an isolsted case. I know a few people who have boats from this manufacturer and they are happy. Will I honestly answer someone's question if they ask me about the product/support/service? Absolutely!

Tight Lines

Lance