I am one to give credit where credit is due and presently, Decal Connection, Anglers Workshop and The Rod Room are on top of my list!
The decal ordered from DC was professionally produced, just as envisioned, very closely and neatly trimmed so I did not have to, affordable, customer support was friendly yet professional, and the order was received is less than 4 days from the other side of the country.
As with my first order from Anglers Workshop, this order was completed without back orders, reasonably priced, very friendly and professional as well, and the order was received within 4 days.
The girls at The Rod Room are very friendly and efficient, they had guides on hand that I was having difficulty locating elsewhere, good prices, and the order was received in 3 days.
While we all expect and deserve the business attributes listed above, such is not always the case with all vendors. When I started building rods 4 years ago, I decided to purchase my components from the largest rod building supply business in the U.S. located in Florida simply because they had the largest inventory and to minimize having to shop around to locate certain items. While their stock-on-hand is impressive, their shipping is quite the opposite if not down-right pathetic and unacceptable. Of the 25+ orders placed, only 2 were received in 4 days while the remaining orders required 6-14 days! My last order (note the word “last”) with them required being received within 4 days to insure the build being completed for a customer’s brother’s Christmas present. Even though the order qualified for free shipping, I opted to pay an additional $27.50 for expedited (3-4 days) shipping but the order took 6 days to receive. When confronted as to why, they refused to refund my additional shipping charges, passed-the-buck onto the carrier, all without even a “sorry”. According to tracking, the carrier had the order for 3 days but if sat in the vendor’s warehouse for the initial 3 days. Meadow muffins!!! They’re out!!!
Sorry to vent a bit, but when purchasing rod building supplies, or anything for that matter, we all deserve to be treated fairly, honestly, respectfully and appreciatively! If your vendors are not treating you as such, seriously consider the happy experience you will receive from the three exceptional businesses mentioned above. WE AND THEY DESERVE IT!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.