Closeouts

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

I got a great deal on a Sage FLi last week. I love the rod and the price fit into my teachers salary. I read somewhere that Sage is closing out the FLi line (which may explain the great price). It is such a nice rod…why would a company want to close it out? For those of you who understand the industry, what motivates a close out? I know profits have to be a big part of the answer but I do not see the big picture on this one. Also, is it a bad idea to by close outs? I wouldn’t trade my FLi even though I knew it was a close out when I bought it.

caribe
PS Ladyfisher… I love your response to greg’s letter. I was a “greg” 8 years ago and I have no regrets.

2

Caribe;
Did it come with a warrenty? Many times close outs are on rods they no longer make. I feel that the “Life Time” no questions asked is the real cause of the price of a “Production” rod.

3

Jack,
The original fly shop did not send a warranty card in the packaging. I called the fly shop and they told me to download the warranty card from Sage’s web site. I couldn’t find the download so I called Sage and Sage sent me a warranty card. So, to make the long story short…it came with a life time warranty.
caribe

4

The biggest reason for a closeout, is they developed a rod that is better, for the price point.

5

The honest answer with nearly all companies is planned obsolescence. In other words, keep a SKU for about six (or?) years then drop it and replace it.

6

Recently, I recommended a rod to someone that was listed at 56% off retail.
The reason for the discount ?.. ‘last years graphics’

7

I’m not saying this is the case with this rod, but sometimes the change means “cheaper to manufacture” at the same selling price which translates into more money in their pocket. Not every new rod is an improvement. Sometimes new technologies do come about and they are introduced. But I have to agree with JC that it is more of a marketing ploy to sell more rods than anything else. New rod introductions do seem to get some fanfair and that is always good for the company.

8

As, usual, JC nailed it.
If ALL and I’m speaking of ALL, manufacturers of fly fishing equipment, (from socks to reels), wasn’t on the band wagon for “planned obsolescence”, we would have our magazines, as well as fly shops, 1/3 the size they are today.
“New and Improved”,“The Absolote LATEST”, “Space Age” and “You’'ll quad triple fish on you next outing with…”, are standard hallmarks of the industry.
Companies KNOW, how fly fishermen, (perhaps all fishermen?), are “hooked” on owning the “newest, latest, dadburn-downright-gooderest”, piece of equipment we can get our hands on!
They use this ploy and most fly fishermen fall for it, every time!

Just because it’s “last year’s”, “an older model”, etc. does not always mean that there’s “something out, now, newer and better”. The reel companies, like Tioga, Ross, and others have perfected their reels to such an extent, now, that about the only “new and improved” they can do, for their “latest models” is to change the color, and/or, the finish of the reels themselves. No, difference in the frame, spool, or drag, just “prettier”!?!

And, when you “get that deal of a lifetime”, don’t always go after the warranty card and the lifetime guarantee. Sometimes, it’s there, but most often, it’s not. If it WERE, then that item would probably still be in the company’s current line.

9

that may be one reason as to why fly rods are so expensive, but R & D would equate to alot of the cost also.

most manufacturers are charging for that “unlimited warranty” now.

10

Any info on what will be replacing the FLi line? Maybe Sage will resurrect the XP line using less costly components.

11

JC, your response makes alot of sense. The newer, bigger and better will always replace the “older and obsolete”. I figure I am in a win / win situation. As long as I like the quality and the price of the older and obsolete, I will eventually be able to get quality equipment even though it may be a few years later.
caribe

12

Thanks. I believe that no matter what wonderful thing that gets invented, none will diminish the utility or abilities of any thing I buy. All of the gear is as good now as it was when I got it, except for some wear. If it was quality once, it still is.

13

JC, I just started a reply saying I disagreed but then I reread…you are not wrong…they can be as good as when you bought them…

BUT…things seem to always get better…

14

The Fli was a big seller for Sage, so i’m guessing they reached the point where the sales had started to drop and are now going to come out with something similar (same price range) so they can tap into that market all over again.

15

I think fishing gear is a lot like computers. Last year’s model is just fine for most folks and it can be had for a lot less money than the newest gizmos on the market.

I picked up a Sage SLT for a song on close out when they discontinued that one and it’s a sweet rod. I got my Scott G2 for way less than half price from a guy on Ebay. It still had the plastic shrink wrap on the grips. The only rod I ever paid full price for was a Winston BII-t. I got it out in West Yellowstone this summer. It was as much a way to remember a fantastic trip with my son as anything else. It has become my favorite rod.

The way I look at it, if it’s a piece of equipment you’ve always lusted for and it’s now on closeout, go for it. Like JC said, it’s the same rod that you’ve always lusted for and now it’s less expensive :smiley:

Jeff