I was looking over Feather Craft’s web site last night and found that they had number of items I haven’t been able to locate from other sources. I was particularly impressed with their large selection of Daiichi hooks (including the “Big Eye”) and just about every type of dubbing ever made. I’m thinking of placing a fairly large Christmas (oops, my bad!) a non-denominational, winter-festival order.
What sort of experiences have you had with Feather Craft? Quick service? Materials in stock? Any input would be appreciated. 8T
Not too sure if your large xmas order will arrive in the amount of time left until then but I guess if you pay the extra postage (UPS 2 Day) you could get it.
Come on! Just say it! Christmas! Hanakkah! That wasn’t too bad was it?
FeatherCraft is an excellent company to deal with. It’s always a hoot to get Bob or Ed on the phone when you have a question. They have insite, and experience you just will find hard to get any where else. The servise is fast, and dependable.
Two thumbs and eight fingers up from me, then clap them together!
I’ve bought a number of things from them over the years and had reasonably good experience overall.
The only problem I had with them was when I bought an Abel reel a couple years ago. The drag was tightened down when it arrived (the drag is supposed to be loosened when not being used so the cork doesn’t get a set in it)and the reel’s handle was not smoothly lathed and finished. When I called them to request a new handle and mentioned the drag being tighten, the guy I spoke with said that tightening the drag wasn’t a problem (which showed he didn’t know what he was talking about) and although he promised to send a replacement handle, he never did and I ended up getting one directly from Abel.
Thanks to everyone for relating your experiences with Feather Craft. It looks like we have a real winner here as far as service goes. I will be sending off my order either tonight or early tomorrow morning. Seven or eight positive responses and one small incident, make me feel pretty secure. “Big Eye” Daiichi hooks will soon be mine, all mine!
Normand: thanks for the warning about the time factor. I realize that these will arrive after that big day of celebration. My Eight Lords a Leaping will be delayed as well .
Betty: I tried to say Chrstms but as soon as I typed the word, the Ghost of Political Correctness Present rose from the keyboard and whacked my fingers with a ruler until I understood that some little guy in Afghanistan who was busy making an IED would be offended by the mention of that holiday. Funny, I don’t begrudge him his holidays.
Thanks again for everyone’s help. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 8T
I’m sorry if I upset you. I was trying to make the point that we have become so politically correct and so afraid about not being inclusive that we prevent many Americans from celebrating their heritage. Winter holiday is not Christmas. Santa person (nonsexist) is not who left presents in my stocking. A decorated evergreen is not a Christmas tree. The land which prided itself on freedom is slowly losing its freedom of speech and in the process much of its heritage.
BTW, happy to hear that you had good luck with Feather Craft. No insult intended to you or anyone else. Please, no hard feelings. 8T
Quick service, everything in stock (for the most part - I did have a DVD on backorder but it arrived a week later). And the best part, IMO, is that they ship USPS Priority mail.
I got my start in fly-fishing ten years ago while living in St. Louis, so I had the privilege and good luck to get to know the crew at Feather-Craft personally. Ed, Bob, Jane, Ted, Steve, and the whole bunch are some of the nicest, most helpful people in the industry. Their advice and counsel as I got started was invaluable.
Over the years since then, I’ve made three moves, but have always relied on Feather-Craft as my primary source of fly-fishing and especially fly-tying materials. When I get back to St. Louis on business, I always stop by, and it’s like being welcomed back by my family when I do.
And the best part of all is that now my wife has gotten to know the Feather-Craft folks, gets all their promotional e-mails and catalogs, so it’s where she shops for my special occasion presents. And I think I even saw a Feather-Craft box delivered here for Christmas. I can’t wait to see what she decided I just had to have.
I use FC all the time as well. My only complaint would be that they don’t alert me immediately (or there’s nothing on their website to alert me) when they might be out of an item.
Waiting a week for the mail, then finding that an item I really want isn’t in there, bums me out.
I use FC all the time as well. My only complaint would be that they don’t alert me immediately (or there’s nothing on their website to alert me) when they might be out of an item.
Waiting a week for the mail, then finding that an item I really want isn’t in there, bums me out.
In the past, I have used FC ALMOST exclusively.
I do shop at my local ( well stocked ) fly shop as well.
Problem 1
One year ago, FC offered a 20% discount if orders over $100 ( I think it was that amount ) were placed by such and such a date over the web using the code that was sent to me in an e-mail. I placed an order well within the timeframe, and well over the minimum amount, and used their discount code. When the order arrived, They had charged me full price ( and did not apply their advertised discount ). I called FC directly, spoke to someone, who informed me that they would indeed credit my account. They never did, despite a second phone call.
Problem 2
I too have a problem with the frequency that I find items “back ordered” AND their policy on ( not ) filling back orders. It is up to the purchaser to constantly call them about the status of an item that you may want - and if you “forget” they just never fill the item and don’t inform you.
I still may place an order with them in the future BUT there are equally good alternatives out there.
My best experience in a fly shop was stopping by their store on a Saturday morning. My family and I had been on a 5,000 mile cross country loop fly fishing and family visiting. On the way home, I strategically planned an overnight stop close to their store. We stopped in. It was like stepping into a family run business and they had known me since I was a pup. Treated me kindly and with respect. Gave my boys some candy and small fly fishing treats. Since that experience, I have placed 99% of my orders (despite complaints above) with them and never had an issue.
Just to be honest, I stopped in 7 fly shops (some BIG name fly shops) - best treatment was Feather-craft - the rest didn’t even look twice at me once they figured out I wasn’t buying a high end rod or waders or booking a guide.
A great store. They did everything they could to put a nice Renzetti in my hands. That said, as you get more picky you will have to broaden your search horizons.
