Corpusfishing.com

IslandMike · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject: Is Academy what you think it is?

I am just gonna kick this out there because a buddy and I were talking about this the other day. I always thought of Academy as a place to buy decent merchandise at a lower price than smaller shops. Another big perk of buying stuff there is that if something goes wrong (or not), you can return it given an extermely lenient return policy. HOWEVER, I have noticed that the quality of much of the merchandise is so low, that I believe they are selling products that probably don't make final inspection where they are made. Then the company sells it to Academy, who makes a nice profit off sub-standard merchandise. I would ask an Academy employee, but that would be too akward and I'm sure they wouldn't know. I have a buddy who has two of the EXACT same rods - one bought at academy and one bought at Roy's and the ARE NOT THE SAME in terms of action and quality. Anyone else got thoughts on this?

Rooster · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

I buy most of my lures and cheap rods from academy becuase of the lower prices on lures and the return policy for rods. If i'm lookin for anything else I go to Port A Outfitters or Roy's. The people at both of these smaller shops know alot about fishing and have always treated me right.

JerryB · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject:

I know with some manufactures especially rod maker they make a different rod for the BOX stores.

oldsaltyone · Horse Mullet Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 171

Does the old saying, "you get what you pay for" apply here? Smile

topdog15 · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 6:35 am Post subject:

I limit my academy fishing supplies to lures, wading boots, and reels. I hardly ever buy a rod from there unless its a good one on sale.
_________________
"Ya'll must eat a lot of fish"

Big Ed · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:54 am Post subject:

I just can't really believe that Academy would stock manufacturers rejects without disclosing the practice. I would imagine that practice would quickly put a business out of business from a combination of government fines and or law suits. The deceptive trade laws would have a ball with what you suggest. I also don't think that the manufacturers would allow it. This is not a practice that would be benificial to, for instance Penn or Shimano's, reputation.
_________________
Big Ed
San Antonio

"A word to the wise ain't necessary. It's the stupid ones who need advice.", Bill Cosby

topdog15 · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:59 am Post subject:

I think what Jerry B said is much more likely than Academy selling reject rods.
_________________
"Ya'll must eat a lot of fish"

Uncle D · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:30 am Post subject:

Seems like I saw a discussion about this before, and its like Jerry said, a different run of product for the big boys. I think it has to do with the bulk buying for quanity and price. Uncle D.

Mad Dog · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:37 am Post subject:

The word I got was Academy pushes manufacturers for special production runs which can be sold at a lower price. It's the big-box model of an otherwise high quality product. With that said, I have several rods I purchased from Academy in the mid-range price which I have had for years. They work well for me because I am limited to fishing 4 or 5 trips per year. If I fished as often as I wanted I would buy higher end equipment too.

"you get what you pay for" and "buyer beware" are true enough. I shop Academy for value, selection, service (return policy) and convenience. I am also some what loyal. In S.A. for the longest time they were the only place I could count on finding and assortment of tackle at a good price. My alternatives were either limited selection or snooty high priced treatment. For get Wally World, not worth the effort.

FrayedKnot · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:43 am Post subject: Academy

I found out something interesting back in 2005. I purchased a Castaway rod that was at a great price. I was trying to find out some specifications from the website and found no info. I e-mailed the company and this is the response the Vice-President sent me.

"
Questions_Comments__: I cannot find the fishing rod that I purchased
from
Academy listed in your website. The model # is CWY70PMS. When I do a
product search nothing comes up. Did I buy a second rate fishing rod?
I
was under the impression that I was buying a high quality rod. I don't
know
the specs for the rod, like power or action. Please contact me as soon
as
possible."

" The rod that you are talking about is a rod that is exclusive to
Academy.
We do not make this rod but have just let Academy use our name for this
model only. It is an entry level rod. Please let me know if you need
anything else."

Travis E. Petty
Vice President
CastAway Fishing Products, Inc.
Office 936-582-1677
Cell 936-494-8404

This is from the American Rodsmith Representative.

"The Genesis Series is an exclusive series of rods built for Academy. They are not listed on our website because we only sell them to Academy Sports & Outdoors. This series is built on a very durable, high modulus blank with premium components. The Genesis series represents one of the best values on the market today - I'm sure you will pleased with performance, especially considering the low retail price at Academy.

I hope this helps in your decision. Please feel free to reply with any further questions.
Regards,
Tim

Tim Locker
American Rodsmiths Inc.
tlocker@mindspring.com

Since then I have made better informed decisions.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

Same thing with those big outlet malls selling Polo shirts etc that aren't the same as the ones you get at Dillards. Kind of disturbing to me though in Academy's products it seems to be limited to certain fishing rods and reels. Wally World does it too as I have seen several Abu's I only see in those box stores as they call them.
_________________
Like Corpusfishing.com on Facebook!

docjr17 · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

Is this Academy's fault, or are the companies giving themselves a bad name by producing products at a sub-standard level for Academy. I dont think it is a bad thing on Academy's part, but on the manufactures.
_________________
JR Vera
www.cbats.us

FB PHIL · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 455

I personally think it's the fisherman behind the rod and reel that makes the difference whether you catch fish. As long as the user can feel what's going on at the end of his line and can cast properly, it doesn't matter if the rod costs $20 to $200. I used to use more expensive equipment, but over the yrs I found that the med priced stuff lasts just as long in this saltwater and I fish some nearly every day.

topdog15 · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:29 pm Post subject:

you can't feel on a twenty dollar rod what you can on a 200 dollar rod. i don't spend a lot on my gear, but when I've had a chance to fish with high dollar rods, the sensitivity is incredible.
_________________
"Ya'll must eat a lot of fish"

Bigun23 · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

I have to agree with Topdog. If you fish with an expensive rod you sure feel the difference. Like a Loomis and a Classic edition are nowhere even close to being comparable. The Loomis is in a league of its own.
_________________