Who are the best wholesaler distributors for rod building supplies it should included price, value, selection and customer service?

Paul,

Un-hide your email, I suspect, everyone would rather take that conversation into a private area.

DR

Why not just call the sponsors on the left and make that decision yourself.....most if not all offer wholesale pricing. I personally would not simply take someone elses word for it on something like this.

The sponsors are here for a reason and every single one of them that I have dealt with have had nothing but beyond impressive service. I do not believe that Tom would allow a sponsor who consistently had complaints to remain here long, but that is my opinion.

I'd suggest contacting wholesale distributors and find the ones that carry the best selection of supplies for the type of rods you build. Not all suppliers are going to have everything. Also, you may have to open an account with them first before discussing retail pricing.

For larger places like MudHole and Merrick, you can see online catalogs.

For smaller places like Bingham, you may want to call and talk to get a good idea of what they stock and what they can order.

I find I use a mix of wholesalers to help optimize my shipping costs. Example, I have to use Bingham for Fuji winding checks but Merrick for Matagi checks, and then Mudhole for other items the others might not stock or even carry. When I need checks, I'll probably throw some reel seats, etc in the order to help with overall costs.

Also figure in the added convenience/cost of time of online, fax, or email ordering - sometimes it's quicker to pick up the phone, other times it's a real saver for a feature like MudHole has to order online because I can keep a shopping cart going even when I log out so I don't forget something on my next order.

Lots of things to consider.

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AD

Pick out about 4 to 6 companies. Make some moderate size purchases and see who performs. That's what I am in the process of doing. Takes a while but in time you will develope some relationships with probably more than one company. I'm just a hobby builder, and a new one at that so I'm a retail paying fool. No wholesale yet.

I would guess that most use more than one supplier and would never post a reply to this. Everyone has their favorites but all are good

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

As Mike has posted - I use several distributors - depending on what I want and comparison shopping. One thing for certain you will NOT go 'wrong" with any of the sponsors listed here.

I recommend you go to the 2010 Expo & meet them yourself eyeball to eyeball. I don't think you will find anything but winners there.

I deal with about a half a dozen of the sponsors for wholesale pricing and I have no complaints at all about service, pricing and customer service. All are top notch and you cannot go wrong with sending your business to any of them.