To wait for a shipment from a supplier... ? I tried to save a few bucks, but now it has been over 3 weeks for some guides, cork, and a few reel seets?

-Steve

Tampa, FL

How did you order ? on line ? did you call to confirm that the order has been received ? Did you check to see if they had everything you ordered in stock ? Maybe most items are on backorder and they are waiting on a restocking shipment to fill the complete order. Maybe it's being dropped shipped from the manufacturer. That's several questions that only your supplier can answer. If everything was in stock I'd say a week to ten days at the most to get your order.
A simple phone call to the supplier should answer all of your questions.

Sounds like its something they don't stock. I have a little bit of a bone to pick with companies that offer products that they don't stock. If they don't routinely keep it in stock they should list it on their website as a non stocking item and mention that it could take a few weeks to get it. If they didn't mention that then I think you have already waited too long. Cancel the order and find another sponsor that has it in stock.

I put in order over the phone. Was told SPECIFICALLY on that first call that everything should be in stock, and even it was not that they got most shipments in a few days. Was actually told that "we don't put up with suppliers like that..." Supposedly they have everything, except for a reel seat... One reel seat = 3 weeks+....? So I asked to have everything else shipped last week, then I called to check as I had not received it... Evidently there was a misunderstanding he says, thought I wanted to wait... whatever I say...
I have used Mudhole in the past and if something is back ordered they ship everything else... no extra charges. The place I went to though is a few percent cheaper AND I used them because they are evidently a well liked sponsor. Anyway, I am pretty unhappy. Just checked the calendar - it has been 25 days.

-Steve

Tampa, FL

I once waited a couple of months on a single guide that wasn't available anywhere else. Backordered. It is annohying, but stuff happens sometimes. While you were ordering your stuff on the phone with a guy maybe writing stuff down on a pad for sake of timeliness, how many other people may have sent in a mail and/or internet order at the same time for the same stuff you wanted, that was processed by another person? Suddenly what was in stock 20 minutes ago is now out of stock. With popular items, this can happen more often than not. With it being spring, and a bit of a boom time for rodbuilding, it is even worse. Everyone has had a horror story with a supplier or two.

It is a running joke in my home that on any order I make, the one thing that I positively must have, is the one thing that always goes on backorder. Unless you stock a huge amount of parts, it is going to happen more often than it will not, in my experience. It doesn't lessen the pain or frustration, but that's just how it goes.

Steve -

IF you are in a pinch, I can probably loan you what you need until yours comes in. Send me an e-mail with the items that are killing you, IF you are interested. I am in Tampa Bay, too.

Jim -

Jim brings up the one of the reasons that we have the Rod Builders Directory here on this site - get to know the other rod builders in your local area. One of them may be able to save your skin one day, or you theirs.

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

Steve if Jim doesn't have what you need drop me a line I am on the other side of the bay,even if I don't have it I may be able to get it tonight as we have our local club meeting at a local distributor
John

Watch using USPS too. They are really failing in my book.

Here's why:
Sent a letter first class... SC to Idaho... took 2 weeks early February. I knew weather was terrible up there then, so I blew it off.
Ordered decals from Decal Connection, TN to SC, letter was post marked Feb 29th and I got it 3/31. (they resent me the order after a week and a half went by and I didn't receive... THANK YOU)
Priority Mail package from Miami to SC - 6 days for delivery (mysteriously showed up next day after I called the postmaster and raised cane after they said "We're not sure where it is... oh wait... it's been sitting in Atlanta for 3 days. Not much we can do").

If you use USPS, get insurance, delivery confirmation and package tracking if it's a vaulable item.

Steve,

I sent you an email.

Like you, I hate waiting on things and most of the time I make sure everything is stocked and good to go. I've waited on 3 wrongly sent guides for 6 months before. Actually I didn't wait, I just bought elsewhere after waiting 2 weeks and had totally forgotten about the "right" ones from that distributer. Getting parts is one of the big PIA things about rod building. When you find a good place to deal with, stay with them, I have and it works.

DR

Update - The supplier saw this thread and is having PB send the items directly to me and everything else is going to go out today. Hopefully it works out.

Alex - I send out a lot of things Priority USPS - I was recently told by one of the Postmen at the counter that Priority is sent EXACTLY the same as first class... no faster... just costs more and has the convenience of flat rate packages / envelopes.

Duane - Thanks for the note, I will keep it in mind.

Jim and John - I really appreciate the offers, and may take you up on it in the future. I will see how this plays out for now though. I am over inthe Palm Harbor area (N. Pinellas) Where are you guys?

-Steve

Tampa, FL

Steve check your e-mail
John

We are fortunate to have some extremely honest and reliable suppliers supporting this website. I am pleased to single out Angler's Workshop as one of the best in customer service and prompt delivery. The point is there is no reason to suffer with continued poor service from any particular supplier. The benefit of a slightly lower price is no comfort when your order does not arrive in a timely manner.

David

I'm with David, Angler's is great. When they were out of some Pac Bay guides I needed they gave me what they had and I guess had the others dropshipped to me because I had them the next day. That said I have similar stories from FishStick4U and others here.