Recently I was reading an article in Tackle Trade World (European fishing tackle trade group publication) and came across a quote from an Englishman named John Ruskin. His statement, made over 100 years ago, contains wisdom that most consumers would do well to heed. I thought those of you who sell rods might find something of value in his words that can help you with your next customer.

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"When you buy on price, you can never be sure. It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little.

"When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that's all: But when you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

"The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.

"It can't be done: if you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do this then you will have enough money to buy quality on the first go around."

John Ruskin

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Very True

Food for thought!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Someone less literate, but no less wiser, translated that to read: "You get what you pay for." Probably a savvy Southerner, in my opinion. Try both versions, depending on your customer.

No, I think Mr. Ruskin went much further than that. "You get what you pay for" doesn't go nearly as deep. His comment that when you pay too little that all may be lost is something I had not considered before. "But when you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. "

That is one of the most astute business statements I think I have ever heard. Although it should be obvious I had not considered it before now. I can see using it in my main business where we often have customers who routinely buy at the lowest bid for the very reason that they think they are saving money. In the long run they may not be but now I know of a much better way to put things to them.

Excellent thought for our everyday trading.
I think that the message not only applies to builders who sell rods but to all of us that wanting/needing to stretch our money, sometimes make the incorrect selection. At least this has happened to me.

You said it. I've made the mistake of trying save money on components. Saved $15 on a $400 rod and had to strip part of it down to replace a cracked-split reel seat a year later. Cost me more money than I saved. Never again. I go with quality the first time around and I explain to my customers why paying more at the outset is often cheaper on them in the long run.

Sure buy Quality one time and have a better product -- BUT that storm hit, oil production is down , this is effecting the whole country ! And the economy. When people have to pay $3.00 and more for a gallon of gas, then feed the kids, some states are up over 5.00.

Unless you make good money that bass pro rod is all some can afford.

Tom K. - Thank you for sharing your thoughts and John's Ruskin's timeless advice. Most wise. ... Some form of the "all-or-nothing" principle operates in many realms.

Now you've given me a way to express what has been a part of my own struggle for advancement in recent years: "When you pay [invest] too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought [invested in] is incapable of doing [yielding] the thing it was bought [intended] to do [produce]."

My automobile mechanic had a great variation on this theme of limits posted near his Reception / Cashier window: "We do 3 types of jobs here: Cheap, Fast and Quality. ... You may choose any 2 of the above." ... I always told him, "Take your time, Ben." -Cliff Hall+++

John Ruskins quotes crop up in a variety of scenarios over here in UK.

He also said:- " There is scarcely anything in the world that some man connot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man`s lawful prey'

Hi Stan

Long time no speak. Yes I read that extra line on the back of the Hopkins and Holloway catalogue a year or two back now. Very thought provoking.

It is possible though to become prey to overpriced products and services due to lack of expertise in evaluating whats on sale. This is why we buy branded goods over own brands well some of us anyway. Also the reason why companies employ proffesional buyers to sort the wheat from the chaff. Although some still buy on price rather than total cost. Why will some Anglers only buy Sage or other premium branded rods. Sometimes it's because they want to play safe and heh they did which ever way you look at it.

The biggest achilies heel of us all is we can't resist that bargain. @#$%& what bargain when you get it home.

Regards

Mike O.

I have floundered with words for years trying to say what Mr. Ruskin did 100 years ago. Blowing it up, hanging on wall, pointing when applicable, and copywright too bad. This is what I call a useful tool. Thanks

If you buy Quality you only buy it one time. Try to save money and buy cheap, it breaks now you have to buy another, wasted money.

I read quote on here...can't remember who but I thought it pretty well summed it up...

Quality....Service....Price....PIck 2 of the 3 can't have them all.

Another variation on the same idea is:

GOOD.....CHEAP.....FAST.....pick any two, all three is not a possibility.

GOOD & CHEAP means I do it in my spare time, no deadlines, no complaints, warranty applies, I'll call you when it's done.

GOOD & FAST means it is not going to be cheap. The faster you demand it, the more expensive it will be; warranty applies.

CHEAP & FAST means it will not be a quality job and will not stand up to the test of time, no complaints allowed, no warranty and I don't really want to do the job.

After this discussion with clients, I tell them that......

GOOD QUALITY....FAIR PRICE....REASONABLE TURNAROUND.....means you want one of my rods built to your specifications using my normal professional methods and quality products.

Most people (including me) have been burned at one time or another buying cheap and tend to respond well to a reasonable discussion. Those who don't are probably not people you want as clients anyway; certainly I don't. Headaches and high maintenance clients come in all sizes and shapes, and from all economic walks of life. I build rods because I enjoy building rods and tend to cultivate clients who appreciate the quality of my work and like to have a close relationship with the builder/vendor. I want repeat clients who expect high quality and good service. You win them one at a time and they bring their friends along on the next visit. I retired from "work" a while back. I prefer enjoying what I do these days.



Joe Douglas