Just to let you guys know some of the problems Ive had with this store. First i ordered Clemens thread art book ,recieved email saying b/o for 2 weeks, next Doc Ski's dvd, imagine b/o 2 weeks.
Maybe after the first order I place with them took over 2 weeks to get all items ( that were ordered all at once) and pay separate shipping on them as they showed I should have known better. Im sorry but after this I find it highly unlikely I would buy from them or recomend them to anyone.

"Although my questions may seem simple to some, not asking them would make me simple."

The last time I used them, an item was not in stock -- I got a phone call and got an item that was. Nice service. Guess it don't work for every one?

I've had nothing but good service and quality items from Mud Hole. I highly recommend them. Great people. Scott will help you with any problem. Just call him and expect quick results.

Myself I have had nothing but great service with them. I have had items b/o, but have received them promptly after they had them on hand.

I have a disability, I'm deaf, and so can't call the sponsors, as some have suggested as a way to avoid the BO problem. So I depend on email to verify what's in stock. Mudhole has recently been very good in this regard. Custom Tackle, FishSticks4U and Richard have also been super in being responsive to emails.

(Aside: Some major retailers allow you to check a "No BO" box when placing an online order. A few also have an automatic "in-stock" indicator, though that's probably beyond the capabilities of small suppliers.)

I think we can safely say that most people are satisfied with the service from Mud Hole - if they weren't, Mud Hole would not be in business nor be the force they are in the rod building craft.

The same can be said of all the dealers listed to the left. They all make mistakes, none are perfect. But they all do pretty well by their customers, most of the time.

..........................

I have had GREAT service from Mudhole (as well as all of the vendors that I have dealt with) Call Scott atMudhole, he will take care of you.

Mike

I've never had a problem with Mudhole. Have always had excellent service and dont hesitate to recommend them.

Stan

I try to support as many vendors as I can and have dealt with Mudhole quite a bit-great company, great people and great service. I can't imagine running a business and dealing with the volume they (and other vendors) deal with and not making a few mistakes now and then. I have tremendous respect for all the vendors and have never had a problem with any of them.

Im glad you all have had good luck with them I'm just posting my results. Don't shoot the messenger. Maybe its just me, whats the old saying "If it wasn't for bad luck I'd haveno luck at all."

"Although my questions may seem simple to some, not asking them would make me simple."

jim-
don't say too much about mudholes bad service and reputation or your post will be deleted. be careful !!

It would only be deleted if he made personal attacks, was insulting or somehow obscene. I allow dissenting opinions and experiences when done in a civil manner. There is a right way and wrong way to do these things.

.................

I for one feel he should be allowed to share his experiences....good or bad. I am another fan of Mud Hole's service. In the past I have also received back ordered items with separate shipping charges. BUT I also notice that the shipping is very relative to the item you are receiving. On small items I routinely get charged less than $1 for shipping. I recently received a single spool of thread (backorder) and the shipping was approx. 1/5 the cost of the spool. In compairison I have ordered single spools from other companites (Sulky) and shipping was more than the cost of the spool.

I suppose it's all in the way you perceive a situation. I for one have no problems with Mud Hole....well except....I do wish they'd read the 'comments' section of their online orders a little better. All in all, great people to deal with!!!

Jay

I have a problem everytime I order from Mudhole. It's always something. I ordered some components to build a rod as a christmas present and waited and waited and waited for it to come in. So I called and they tell me the blank is back ordered. I cancled the order and ordered from another supplier. They also don't answer their emails. After I ordered some eva block I got an invoice for it with the shipping charges. The next day I got another invoice with shipping charges almost 3 times as much. I replied asking why my shipping charges had changed and I got no explanation. I'm not really trying to bash them but I've had a problem with them everytime. I know there's always gonna be some bad experiences and some folks have better luck with certain suppliers. My best experiences have come from Head or Tails, which is no longer in business, and Custom Tackle Supply.

Now if only I could get Bob to carry eva block. :D

I too have had great service from Mud Hole. I've had some items back ordered also, but was notified quickly when that was the case. They delivered my last order to me at the recent rod show and helped me avoid shipping charges. On that one, afterwards I realized I had ordered the wrong butt cap and forgot a piece of grip! Since that one does have a couple items on backorder (a Fuji soft touch grip they special ordered for me), Mud Hole pleasantly added them and they'll be send along with backordered items.

And they've always been very helpful answering emails from me about blanks and components.

Plus, Mud Hole seems to have the best selection of components that I've seen.

Hello Jim,

Thank you for posting your feedback. If it was not for thoughtful customers like yourself, we would not be able to meet our customer service expectations. I first want to apologize for any inconvenience we have caused you. We strive for 110% customer satisfaction; unfortunately it seems we did not satisfy that level of service to your satisfaction.

As posted here, we have thousands of very satisfied customers whom we deal with. We will do what ever is needed to satisfy your concerns and correct these problems. In looking into the issues behind your backorders, your problems stems from delivery from our vendors and the Charlotte show.

You ordered the Thread Art book on 3/1/05 and we sent you the following message:
3/1/2005 3:01 pm
(Message) Title: Mud Hole Order SO11983 Next Day
Name: EMP115 Lynne Roach
Memo

Left a phone message, but thought I'd try this in case you check email during the day. We have received your order SO11983 for 'Next Day' shipment, but the Custom Thread Art RBK4 Book is Back Ordered.

We should receive stock in approx 10 days and then ship, unless I hear otherwise from you. Should we still ship 'Next' Day service?

Look to hear from you,
Lynne Roach
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
407-447-7637

You ordered Doc Ski’s new DVD on 2/27/05 and on 2/28/05 we sent you this message:
2/28/2005 4:32 pm
(Message) Title: Mud Hole Order SO11851
Name: EMP115 Lynne Roach
Memo

James,

We received your order SO11851, but the DVD-3 Doc Ski Advanced Weaving Tech DVD is temporarily out of stock and on order. Don't have an ETA, but looking at 2 weeks. Apologize for the delay. We will fill this as soon as it is available.

Best to you,
Lynne Roach
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
407-447-7637

I think we acted appropriately in both cases by informing you immediately of the stock situation. Please allow me to elaborate as to why these 2 back orders occurred.


1) We sold all the copies of the Thread Art Book we had at the recent show in Charlotte, as Lynne said we have more on order and will ship one to you when they arrive.
2) Regarding the Doc Ski DVD – As I posted here and Doc Ski confirmed, Doc Ski’s producer recently changed formats from video to DVD without telling his distributors, so when Mud Hole placed and order for video’s, two weeks later we were informed that the videos were not longer available but the format is now DVD and did we want the DVD’s instead. We said yes and immediately changed the item online, but the producer (a one man company) is in Hawaii shooting a new fishing video for the last 2 weeks and has not shipped any orders out.

I hope this clarifies the current back order situation for you and the problems they we as distributors face in this industry when we deal with many small manufacturing companies. If you did not want to wait for these back ordered items you can still welcome to cancel the order with us.

Regarding you original order which you claim took 2 weeks to ship, our records indicate that your order was placed on 1/20/05, shipped the same day on 1/20/05 with a one spool of x521ma-9000 thread back ordered. That spool of thread was shipped on 1/25/05 – 5 days later not 2 weeks and yes you were charged $0.62 for shipping on the backordered thread. Our back order shipping policy’s are listed on our web site.

Again, we apologize again for the inconvenience but I feel we acted appropriately in handling your orders and informing you of your order status. I hope this message serves to provide you (and the readers of this forum) additional information as to why these back order occurred. We value your patronage and hope that if you decided to order from us in the future, your future orders with us will be positive experiences.

If the staff of Mud Hole Custom Tackle or myself may provide you with any additional service, please call contact us toll free at 800-673-3474.

Best regards,
Tom McNamara
President/CEO
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
[www.mudhole.com]
Phone: (407) 447-RODS

I have ordered several times from Muhole, and have never had a problem. For that matter I have not had a problem with any supplier for long long time. Primarily because of the way I order - For items I need now, must haves, I never fax in, mail order, or order in any way via a method that does not require a "face to face" transaction. I always call and run a stock check, then I order if all the parts are avail. If not avail then I go elsewhere.

For items that are NOT "must have now", parts that I keep a stock of, i.e. guides, thread, grips, etc. I will allow back orders.

Lou

This is possibly a good thread to get some things clarified. Tom McNamara said, "Our back order shipping policy's are listed on our web site." I clicked on both "Customer Service" and "Terms of Sale", read everything carefully, and could find nothing about back orders or back order charges. Since that has been a concern of mine, would appreciate knowing where to find the relevant information.

Tom,
Im impressed that you took the time and effort to reply, but if thread shipped 5 days later and took 5 to get that was 10 days total (not 2 weeks = 14 days) water under the bridge now. I guess maybe I should phone orders in from now on that way I wont be disappointed on back orders. Once again Tom thank you for your reply, looks like you just earned another chance at my bussiness by showing you do care about service and hopefully thing go better in the future.
thanks Jim

In my infinite ignorance, I ordered several items from MudHole that I ended up returning. No problem whatsoever. Credit was issued and the replacement items arrived on a very timely basis. My conversations with them were courteous and informatative...no hassle on the return, etc.
My experience couldn't have been more pleasant.

Rusty Hodnett