B A S S

[bob]

Are they still looking for pro to sign up for the B A S S in Oct at Clear lake.

[gt5bass]

Yes, B A S S, would be more than happy to take your money.

[TroyF]

You ever thought of getting married you two? Just kidding...really, I think you both have really good points. Let me toss out a few if you don't mind.

Now, I come from a COMPLETELY different business even though I wish it was fishing. I think the delemia that we all have is that if some company puts out a sub-standard product do we just take it?

What rights do we have and how do we protest our dis-satisfaction? Let's take B.A.S.S. for example. They have many followers, however some not by choice but by required association. Okay fine, well there is a assumed partnership in this agreement...right? How can we allow an association to almost discriminate based on where we live?

And furthermore, what do we do about it? Okay maybe we beat the doors down trying to get into the tournament, "turn people away" as you put it CJ. But alos there is a train of thought that says: screw B.A.S.S. they walked out on us and now I'm walking out on them! Almost a (STRIKE)

What is the answer? hell I'm not sure....but I know this. If I buy a product in a store that is defective, I look for customer support. If I don't get it? Never...EVER...will I buy a product from them.

Is B.A.S.S. a product or service? As a customer what should I do to show my disapproval? What would you do CJ?

Not an attack... I'm really curious and I value your opinions...Thank You.

[Finneous Fogg]

Which is why we should all BOYCOTT BASS

End your subscription to Bassmaster.
Tear up your membership card.
Tear up your Federation card.
And convince your, Fed affiliated, club officers that BASS isn't worth our hard earned money. I make a paltry $10.50 an hour and can barely afford to eat, let alone fish. I DON'T want my money going to an organization that doesn't give a rotton carp corpse about us.

Who me? Bitter?

[TroyF]

In my experience if everyone (West coast) is willing to cut ties with B.A.S.S. it's like a roll of the dice. A more mature and productive way may be to slam them with dis-approval and demands for change in current policy. If that fails, then you cut your losses and you organize and walk away from B.A.S.S on a grand scale. We need to act in a way that we can get that kind of over the top support. IMHO

[gt5bass]

HAR Here ya go CJ... ya got the key in the ignition?

As for me, if I receive a bad product or bad service and the company does not live up to their commitment, I no longer need their product or services. I had a run in with IHOP in 1979 and still have not been to one since. The same goes for Carl's Jr., I won't eat there either if it is the only place in town. I also don't fish WON due to poor service. I did fish a WON team event this year, but only because my pre-fish partner paid for it. I work hard for the money I make and I expect to get my monies worth.

Do I spend $750 to win $60000 and get treated like royalty or spend $1200 to win $45,000 (includes a boat I wouldn't want to own that would sell for just over half what it is reported to the IRS) and get treated like a red-headed step child ? No Brainer to me

[TroyF]

For me it's TOTAL principle - but, I want to do what is effective and positive to get the point across. I think that's the big DEBATE - what's the best plan of action. Even you CJ know that B.A.S.S. is at least giving the impression that the WEST is a low priority...right?

If not.... let me know who to contact so I can ask him/her. Thanks!

[gt5bass]

CJ,

I don't do Carl's Jr. due to bad food and service at several locations.

No IHOP as I worked there for 8 hours...aaaccccckkkk!! is all I have to say about that!

As for B A S S, they don't offer anything I consider of value for the money they want me to pay them. And, no, if you offered to pay, I still wouldn't fish it. I don't care for their "Elitist" attitude. Every time I tried to talk to their "customer" service department they made me feel like I was "bothering" them when all I was asking was for them to deliver what I paid for!

[gt5bass]

You sure about that? You fished Won only cause someone else paid for it?

Absolutely sure...OK, I guess my reason for fishing the WON team event was a little to simplistic... I also fished it because I was there, and going to be fishin' anyways, and my buddy didn't have a boat, and he is new to the sport, and he can't get enough of fishing tournaments, and he begged, and yes of course, I was on the Big 'uns. But if I had to have used my own money and my other roommate would have fished it with him, I wouldn't have fished. And the other part of the story is that my real problem with WON is with how they ran their Pro/Am's, therefore I don't go out of my way to fish their team events since they I would still be sending money to WON.

[TroyF]

Funny CJ, as first I wanted to jump on your post like... why does that matter who paid....but I did read all the threads again...and I figure that's a fair question. I like ya Gary, but it's a good question if it's principle....like me, but fishing is FUN! and if one of my good buddies paid for us to be in a circuit that I hated...it would in a way be hard to disappoint and refuse to fish it.

I now, LET IT BE KNOWN...to my fishing partners the circuits I refuse to fish - but only because now they aske me and not the other way around...that's experience and luck that get you respect after awhile I think.

[gt5bass]

Troy,

My real problem with WON as I stated above involved their Pro/Am series not their team circuits. I know the guys that ran the Vineyard Region and they ran an honest tournament so I didn't really have a problem supporting the TD's and so little of the entry ended up at WON offices it didn't really bother me enough to not fish.

If he offered to pay for me to fish their Pro/Am the answer would have been a resounding, Absolutely Not!.

This is also my stance with B A S S. My sponsors know this and therefore do not oblige me to fish either circuit.

As for details, this is not the place for that discussion. If we ever fish together, you can ask me, and if I am in the mood, I will share the details.

[TroyF]

I appreciate your comments... Thanks Gary... and CJ, I figure we are all in the same boat, just maybe a different heading. "ICEBURG!!" Kidding...... I don't have the problem of multiple sponsers, so I can't relate on that level... I just know the difference between good business and "not so good business". I f I had to pay Union dues for example "like B.A.S.S. Dues" but was nor represented Locally...oh...all hell would break loose. That's the ending point I will make. Period.

[gt5bass]

on the extra BASS "union" dues...

[MN]

In my not worth much opinion BASS is just what everyone associate's with large tournament bass fishing.Look at who took them over,ESPN what a joke they are now.Godbless those young cheerleader's but this is there idea of sport's.BASS wil lose there top dog image just like ESPN,just a matter of time.

[Finneous Fogg]

"Mature"??? You must be kidding me. There's nothing immature about a boycott. It's an effective method of economic protest that WORKS. Hit 'em in the wallet and they WILL PAY ATTENTION.

Now if I said, "Let's all go to Clear Lake, each with a box of eggs to pelt the emcee with." Then you may have been right. But I didn't.

[sTony]

CJ,

This is going on and on and I gotta finally just stop beating around the bush and tell ya buddy, you're full of something. I ain't quite sure what, but you are definitely full of it. hahaha.

Be sure to introduce yourself around to the crowd while you're at Clear Lake cause there's a few of them, re: just about all of them, that don't know who the heck you even are. I get letters and phone calls every day asking me who this Bassbones guy is. Aside from being a guy thats stirrring the forum pot real good, I'm not sure what else to tell 'em.

sTony

[sTony]

Like I said before, best of luck to you at Clear Lake.

sTony

[Bill K]

Time, like everthing else, will tell how BASS does. I would bet they
are around for a lot more than most believe. Also I will be watching the final results to see how some did at Clear lake, again
time will tell and most of the time talk is cheap.. Bill K
With that said, remember everyone is at least intitled to thier opinion, as long as it is civil.

[Nozmo King]

Yes, they may stick around in one form or another out West for many years. Or, ESPN may wake up to the fact that bass fishing isn't & never will be a great spectator sport without some sort of radical change in format, sell the whole deal to Walmart, & we'll be a big, happy family once more under the FLW banner.

[Finneous Fogg]

Walmart as well as K-Mart, SportMart, Big 5 and Bass Pro Shops mainly sell imported products. Products made by people who make $2.00 per week if they're lucky! Buying these imported goods is increasing our out of control national trade deficit.

I prefer to give my business to "mom & pop" businesses and if at all possible only buy American made goods. I almost never shop at "big box" retailers. (not the funny part)

Because FLW is essentially Walmart, I am in essence boycotting FLW as well.

What can I say, my parents were hippies. I was raised to be a rebel and question the status quo. The only way I could rebel against my parents as a youngster was to vote republican and become a paratrooper. HOOAH!

LOL

[Ron Hunnewell]

Hey FF
Where do you get your parts for your custom rods?


Ron

[Ray Vanacore]

Im personally sick of seeing this thread on here , it seems that no one will let if go. So until it does im outa here.
Ray

[Finneous Fogg]

Anywhere but Mudhole. --> Bad customer service.

Usually Anglers Workshop. They've been good so far.

[Bill K]

I believe the point was, guides, etc and if you check out leading furniture stores and some of the very name brand items, when you
check the box they are shipped in, you will find they are made and sent in from China. Very few items are fully USA made anymore, thanks to many things that the politics cause. But you buy and pay for what you want and it is so nice to be able to shop where you
desire. Mainly support our sponsor/s, first. Bill K