Shimano Popping rod...

[Sportfisherman]

Hi Mark ,

They pay too much celebrity anglers such as Ms. R. Kojima of Shimano to add the appeal to their products , hence they can't just add Cost + Profit margin like most small business but more like this ;

Cost + HUGE Promotional costs + HUGE development costs + HUGE amortisation costs + HUGE profits to be shared with their sales outlets ( themselves + regional office + distributor ) = to the price we have to pay . Take notes , these costs are in plurals too .

Chances are if a rod costing S$. 800.- then the real cost of the goods would be around S$. 100.- and Shimano Corp. in Japan sell this to Shimano regional sales office at S$. 400.- who in turn will sell to their distributor at S$. 500.- , we may get the rod at S$. 640.- , after cash discount + GST , ofcourse .

If made in Japan , the listed price would be something in the vicinity of S$.1200 by the time Shimano go thru their usual practice of marking up the price for their various " profit " centers and costing structures .

KK ,

As for Nike shoes , even worse as they have to pay Maria Sharapova , etc. , a dozen pairs of shoes may cost around US$. 100.- from
Nike's sub-contractors , including the box. . I have a relative who went bankrupt because of failing to keep the cost down in his shoe factory in China and he was supplying a few models of shoes to Nike . The same with garment industries .

Jon .

[stickbom!]

Woah, hang on there... I bought an Ugly Stik just because there was this blonde babe on the tag bending a rod from tip to butt. I would swear off any other brand of tackle if Shimano rigged a date with Reiko for me

Okay jokes aside...

Mak, a lot of "big" Japanese brands are either 100% produced or crafted using blanks that are made in China/Taiwan already I happen to know quite a few (other than the ones mentioned in this thread) and so far no one has really complained about failures/poor QC etc. This is why I get so irritated when western blokes keep slamming Asian made products. Just take PXXn for example, some blokes simply insist that Penn products that are made in the far east are lousy/crap/junk etc but its clear cut that PXXn is cutting corners and got some OEM reel maker to make low cost models to cater for budget anglers.

Oh yeah, personally, if I need a particular rod for a particular style of fishing, I would definitely settle for most value for money one that can get the job done. Just to make sure everyone gets the picture- If a $200 rod comes fitted with quality Fuji components and is strong enough for the line class that I intend to fish, then I would not choose a $600 one that might be slightly more colorful/nice brand name. However, if I can't find anything else that suits my bill, then I would sette for the $600 model, regardless of where its made in

hahaha... I should spend more time soaking bait at the beach... might catch myself that elusive 10kg catfish sooner.

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Oh yeah, personally, if I need a particular rod for a particular style of fishing, I would definitely settle for most value for money one that can get the job done. Just to make sure everyone gets the picture- If a $200 rod comes fitted with quality Fuji components and is strong enough for the line class that I intend to fish, then I would not choose a $600 one that might be slightly more colorful/nice brand name. However, if I can't find anything else that suits my bill, then I would sette for the $600 model, regardless of where its made in

Hahahahaha!!!! Maybe Jon is right ... perhaps you have changed or matured with time afterall. But it seems the sun still rises & sets on the land of the rising sun ..........

As for the western blokes thingie .... imho .. you need to chill dude. Why get your underwear all twisted up over such things? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If & when you over-react, and you have at times; very publically I might add, you are not doing yourself any favours. Take a chill pill buddy.

Cheers

[stickbom!]

hahaha... yes I pretty much agree with you. Its funny I actually get worked up over such issues. Probably I got some strong communist blood running in me... very proud of my Chinese origins... thats why I hate it when others look down upon us or reckons people in the east can't do things right.

Really need to soak bait at Changi beach more and spend less time killing my cells over these things.

Disclaimer- Not all westerners are bad... its just that tiny handful thats got too big an ego for their own good.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Eeyore, I'm not really sure whats the real reason for your question but are you aware that some of the pretty high end rods that's meant for the JDM are made in Indonesia? Its definitely not a matter of cost here... Shimano can choose to sell these asian market rods at a much higher price if they want to but they choose to offer us decent gear at RELATIVELY down to earth prices Personally I'm really glad Shimano is doing this because it actually allows anglers with a more conservative budget to fish with quality tackle.

PS, I'm not getting any ad fees/freebies for saying this

Hi stickbom! .... sorry for not putting my sentence more clearly in actual fact i am also support Shimano products very much so it is always a long hope that Shimano produce a good range of popping rod of which most of the "budgeted" anglers here can afford it.

No flaming where does the rod manafacture the reason why i have mentioned the JigWrex is because so far this rod is really value for money in term of quality & performance (my own opinion) and also learn that it is actually produced in Indonesia therefore i sincerely hope that the same business plan will be on the new Shimano popping rod too so more anglers here can own it with affordable retail price

[mark]

Hi Jon, thanks for putting in details what i've tried to point out, like i said, they ain't any charity organization hence they wouldn't bring a production line to a country in the sole hope of selling the rods cheaper as a favor to the mass, its all more to do with profit margin then anything but nevertheless it should still be good news anglers, budget or otherwise cause it least they'll have another rod that went thru proper testing to choose from. don't expect Jigwrex kinda pricing thou, cause the new blank itself should cost alot more then Jigwrex, BTW, have it hit the market yet? tot was claimed that the rods will be released early April?

Mark

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by stickbom!

Probably I got some strong communist blood running in me... very proud of my Chinese origins...

Yo ........ don't equate communism to Chinese origins dude. People's Republic of China may be a Communist state; but being of Chinese descent doesn't mean you have communist blood running in your veins ....... Westerners can be communists too you know

[DaFrogman]

WAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh man, I totally missed out on this thread 'cos I thought "Popping Rods???" ..... Naahhh.... I don't pop....

But boy, it has all the great elements for a thriller epic hollywood brainwasher- Communism, Evil Multinational Profit Makers, dodgy entirely misguided Western perceptions of the East...

Ahhh heck, this is a world where everything comes down to the $$$. Don't matter what product it is, there is a target margin and pressure to meet that margin.....

Hey speaking of Nike, look, before Tiger Woods arrived on the scene and reimaged the entire game of golf, Nike to golfers was just a maker of some decent golf shoes and really overpriced golf clothing.... After paying Tiger some US$60 million over 5 years tu wear their gear, use their balls and drivers, they are now a major competitor in all things golf.... US$60 Million!!!!!!! and apparently they have of course renewed his contract for even more..... and, Ahem!!!!!! how can they afford this business???.....

Same goes for the textile and garment industry, the cost of one of my Goretex jackets is probably in real terms... US$70 even if that, yet it will sell for US$400-500 in the US. Why?....'cos its made in _________ (fill in the blanks with PRC, ROK, Ind, Thl etc etc). So I give up on getting round globalisation, but I am happy paying for something that works the way I want it too, but I try not to overpay for that functionality.

As for "Westerners", lets not be too guilty of generalising too. Usually it is the anglers from the US who are biased in their opinions of Asian products.

You have to remember that this bias is a product of patriotic vitrol too, they are supporters of "made in USA' because they too "are made in USA". This situation is the same for outboard engines (Mercury vs Yamaha/Suzuki/Honda), automobiles (GMC/Ford/Lincoln vs Toyota/Honda/Nissan) and pretty much anything else. Hey who can blame them for being patriotic. I wish there were made in Brunei reels, heck I'd buy them, but the reality is Japan is the only Asian big player for consumer products for anglers, maybe Korea and Taiwan will come along in time to come with Tica and Okuma, but so far not there yet.

So peace to all and happiness to mankind, there is enough crap happening around the world without anglers having to risk blood pressures over some piece of fibreglass/carbon/graphite with bits of metal, rubber, cotton and glue on it.

Like Mikey said, go off to the beach with your family and friends, soak some baits, bring a cooler (and contents), a lazy chair and some tunes... Thats what life should be.... I think I'll take the kids to the beach this week and some surf gear...

Saimee

[tuna]

Originally Posted by Makaira

Hahahaha!!!! Your post brings back memories to me dude. I remember back when Hock Heng was still the official agent for Daiwa and they finally brought in the Saltiga range of rods. I for one was duely impressed with them and was about to buy the Hiramasa. Picked up the rod from the display stand, played around with it & proceeded to the cashier's counter. The lady was kind enough to say ........ "Hold on .... I go get one from the storeroom for you." Then my eyes caught the little sticker that read "Made in R.O.C." or "Product of R.O.C. or words to that effect. I stopped her in her tracks & told her, "No need liao ...... I have no intention of paying this kind of prices for a made in R.O.C. product. Sorry."

Don't get me wrong ...... I am in no way implying that products made in R.O.C. are inferior. Most people know they produce almost all the world's top brand name laptop computers & Taiwan is one of the most advanced hi-tech maufacturing nations in in the world. But to charge JDM prices for a fishing rod made there, I sort of felt short-changed if I were to buy it at those prices. Opinions differ of course.

Just an interesting question (to me at least) I would like to put out to fellow forummers. Hypothetically speaking, if Carpenter or Smith or Seven Seas or any of those exotic tackle brands are to move their manufacturing facilities to say Indonesia or Malaysia or Thailand, and proclaim that they have the most stringent QC to ensure customers get the best quality, are you still willing to fork out the current prices for their products? I for one would not -- not that I am willing to pay that kind of prices even if they were made in Japan to begin with. How about you?

Mak,

Just to share my 2 cents worth. I myself love the Hiramasa range. I have the 56HB and intend to get a 60S soon. My kakis love the saltiga range. I have no qualm buying ROC product as they are the most advance when it comes to consumer carbon fibre products. Further, I paid around S$510 for the 56HB which I think is a fair price for a high quality rod. If I am not wrong, the reason that really put you off buying the Hiramasa was the S$700+ price tag in Hock Heng.

The hiramasa and saltiga jigging range have served me and my kakis really well so far with only compliments.

How

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by tuna

Mak,

Just to share my 2 cents worth. I myself love the Hiramasa range. I have the 56HB and intend to get a 60S soon. My kakis love the saltiga range. I have no qualm buying ROC product as they are the most advance when it comes to consumer carbon fibre products. Further, I paid around S$510 for the 56HB which I think is a fair price for a high quality rod. If I am not wrong, the reason that really put you off buying the Hiramasa was the S$700+ price tag in Hock Heng.

The hiramasa and saltiga jigging range have served me and my kakis really well so far with only compliments.

How

Hi Tuna,

I am sure they are pretty good rods. Otherwise I would not have even considered buying them to begin with way back then. As mentioned in my earlier post, price per se wasn't the issue; don't think it was $700+ either, perhaps that was the list price. It was simply the production origin vis-a-vis the asking price that turned me off. Different strokes for different folks as they say.

Best regards,
Makaira

[thunnus]

Hmmmm..., this discussion is a way too far, I reckon.

Any up-date for the rod ?

cheers,
Lod.

[DaFrogman]

Gawd Lod,

Sorry about the derailing of your thread (its like a train wreck out there)......

Am sure the rods will be coming out soon and that they will be value for money.... That seems to be Shimano's marketing strategy for the rest of Asia and the US... value for money to compete with new manufacturers and to promote the lucrative heavy saltwater luring sector.

Regards,

Saimee

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Gawd Lod,

Sorry about the derailing of your thread (its like a train wreck out there)......

Railroading or not, imho, it's still a healthy discussion ... not really a train wreck lar

[DaFrogman]

Originally Posted by Makaira

Railroading or not, imho, it's still a healthy discussion ... not really a train wreck lar

Ok, Ok....

Its like a mild nose-tail multiple car bump in traffic with lots of arm waving and pointing and curious onlookers holding up traffic, but no violence

Lod is the poor bugger right at the front who had to brake suddenly for that cutey kitten crossing the road... (Did I just say "cutey kitten"?????... thats it, NOW this thread is derailed )

Saimee

[thunnus]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Ok, Ok....

Its like a mild nose-tail multiple car bump in traffic with lots of arm waving and pointing and curious onlookers holding up traffic, but no violence

Lod is the poor bugger right at the front who had to brake suddenly for that cutey kitten crossing the road... (Did I just say "cutey kitten"?????... thats it, NOW this thread is derailed )

Saimee

[MarkR]

Definitely a healthy discussion....no need to lock no threads on FO

[Makaira]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Lod is the poor bugger right at the front who had to brake suddenly for that cutey kitten crossing the road... (Did I just say "cutey kitten"?????... thats it, NOW this thread is derailed )

MEOW! MEOW!



WOOF! WOOF!



QUACK! QUACK!

[hon-su]

So are the rods out in the shops yet?? Im very keen to get hold of a couple seeing that Im about 7weeks from my Exmouth trip for more GTs... Need 2 more outfits.....for me Stella 8k and Okuma VS80SA

[cudas]

I am told that the rods have arrived and Anglers Hut have stock. They are about S$400++ Anyone has more details?

[physlo]

Originally Posted by cudas

I am told that the rods have arrived and Anglers Hut have stock. They are about S$400++ Anyone has more details?

Yes...they are in at Anglers Hut. But ran out of stock for PE 2-4 model.

Regards

[jason]

Originally Posted by physlo

Yes...they are in at Anglers Hut. But ran out of stock for PE 2-4 model.

Regards

Erdos,

My birthday coming.....I still short of a popping rod...hahahahaha!!!!!


Cheers
jason