Rod Bags/cases

[jackjock]

The two most prolific match anglers at our club are both in there 70s but year arfter yr they fight for the top spot between themselves the rest of us just go for 3 rd not big casters keep things simple but just yrs and yrs of knowledge they’ve fished every beach round hear from Plymouth to Portland they got a mark for every place in any conditions imagine able and they won’t give a snippet of that away I asked one of them once where there favourite place to fish was and he looked me straight the eye and replied the sea ??? never get a thing from them while there still fishing but there Knowledge wins them top spot every time they orso have wot every good angler has and that’s luck ? legends ?

Ive a lot of knowledge and experience and can catch a few fish but the old body doesn't work as good as it did. When i walk down the street i rattle with all the pills i take lol. If you get into your seventy,s in good health then your doing well.

 

[Trampster]

Oh Dear.

Midwater luggage have not been earning many house points lately.

Ordered another new Rod sleeve for the Freebie Blackwater Rod I acquired last Autumn. I was very careful to send them the Rod dimensions as advised, as soon as I had the order number.
The one that arrived was 30cm too long, at 172cms. Emailed Paul, the Boss. He was very apologetic, and said my order had got mixed up with another.
"Remind me of this mistake and I will discount your next offer heartily" he said.

Emailed him before Christmas, and no reply. Meanwhile, many emails arrived offering Christmas discounts and many aopogies for delays with orders due to moving premises. Delays not a problem, it was never urgent.
Took advantage of the discounts and re-ordered just after Christmas being sure to send in the correct length again with the order number.
It arrived just after lunch today. 172cms again, so 30cms to long again.
Tried ring them thinking I might get a faster/better response - answering machine. Have sent an email again so will see what happens.

Disappointed - they have been so good in the past.

 

[Topwater]

This is very disappointing to hear Trampster They've been my go-to for all kinds of cases/covers/bags/holsters/luggage for fishing and shooting. Hopefully they ride the storm and bounce back to previous and you get sorted properly

 

[Trampster]

This is very disappointing to hear Trampster They've been my go-to for all kinds of cases/covers/bags/holsters/luggage for fishing and shooting. Hopefully they ride the storm and bounce back to previous and you get sorted properly

Agree. They have been good for me in the past. I've bought most things via their eBay store and not had any problems. Paul said he's not listing rod bags on eBay any more as the hassle & eBay fees make it not worthwhile.
What annoys me the most is they obviously don't pay much heed to emails. and annoying for a business to have an answering service on during the middle of the day. I'll put another update up when I know more.

I usually put my Rods in their own sleeves in a Shakespeare Agility Quiver when off out fishing. Last thing I want is a rod with a cover flapping aorund that is about 1ft too long.

 

[Trampster]

This is very disappointing to hear Trampster They've been my go-to for all kinds of cases/covers/bags/holsters/luggage for fishing and shooting. Hopefully they ride the storm and bounce back to previous and you get sorted properly

Well, Paul from Midwater did reply to my email, not long ago.
He's gone into a lot of explanations about moving premises, water ingress in the new factory, machinery problems, but basically said he didn't get my email dictating the size. I've got proof I sent it the same day as the order, and have forwarded him a copy.
He seems to be implying if I didn't get his confirmation of size, it's not his fault?
Not sure how I can be responsible for him not replying to emails. I fear this may not end well.
I've now paid for two Rods sleeves that are the wrong size.

 

[chesilpete]

Well, Paul from Midwater did reply to my email, not long ago.
He's gone into a lot of explanations about moving premises, water ingress in the new factory, machinery problems, but basically said he didn't get my email dictating the size. I've got proof I sent it the same day as the order, and have forwarded him a copy.
He seems to be implying if I didn't get his confirmation of size, it's not his fault?
Not sure how I can be responsible for him not replying to emails. I fear this may not end well.
I've now paid for two Rods sleeves that are the wrong size.

Did you get what you ordered?

 

[Trampster]

Did you get what you ordered?

Two orders, they fecked up the first one and admitted it, now the second one is the wrong size, so technically speaking, no I didn't get what I ordered.
Right item, but it's like buying a pair of shoes online. If you order a size 10 and they deliver a size 12 (twice) it's not right.
Thankfully, there isn't a vast amount of money involved.

 

[Mr Fish]

Well, Paul from Midwater did reply to my email, not long ago.
He's gone into a lot of explanations about moving premises, water ingress in the new factory, machinery problems, but basically said he didn't get my email dictating the size. I've got proof I sent it the same day as the order, and have forwarded him a copy.
He seems to be implying if I didn't get his confirmation of size, it's not his fault?
Not sure how I can be responsible for him not replying to emails. I fear this may not end well.
I've now paid for two Rods sleeves that are the wrong size.

Businesses really need to be more responsive to emails, it’s a common failing I find.

I used to get easily 100 a day, yep a lot irrelevant but also quite a few that needed an answer. I found it generally worked out quicker to sort them every hour or two rather than let them build into the hundreds then moan about it like many colleagues did.

An email should be treated as seriously as a phone call and a response given. It doesn’t need to be instant but it’s good practice to reply to customers within 24 hours, 48 at a pinch.
It’s actually more manageable for the business rather than the phone ringing constantly with minor enquiries.

It doesn’t matter what the business is, if they can’t physically reply during the day then they should set an hour aside in the evening to respond to emails or messages.
If they don’t it suggests to me a lack of care in what they do, then you begin to wonder what else they’re careless about and whether their product or service is worth having.

 

[chesilpete]

Two orders, they fecked up the first one and admitted it, now the second one is the wrong size, so technically speaking, no I didn't get what I ordered.
Right item, but it's like buying a pair of shoes online. If you order a size 10 and they deliver a size 12 (twice) it's not right.
Thankfully, there isn't a vast amount of money involved.

I have had quite a few custom sleeves and bags made and I did the same as you, did not take into account the butt ring on my fs rods. I considered it to be my fault.
I really like these guys, I have had custom 3 compartment reel bags etc too.
I honestly feel that the problem is only communication....

 

[Trampster]

Businesses really need to be more responsive to emails, it’s a common failing I find.

I used to get easily 100 a day, yep a lot irrelevant but also quite a few that needed an answer. I found it generally worked out quicker to sort them every hour or two rather than let them build into the hundreds then moan about it like many colleagues did.

An email should be treated as seriously as a phone call and a response given. It doesn’t need to be instant but it’s good practice to reply to customers within 24 hours, 48 at a pinch.
It’s actually more manageable for the business rather than the phone ringing constantly with minor enquiries.

It doesn’t matter what the business is, if they can’t physically reply during the day then they should set an hour aside in the evening to respond to emails or messages.
If they don’t it suggests to me a lack of care in what they do, then you begin to wonder what else they’re careless about and whether their product or service is worth having.

Agree. In general, having dealt with Midwater quite a few times, the product and the service has been excellent. Either Paul has had more than his fair share of bad luck in recent months, or he's making excuses. Whatever, as you say, that's no reason for not keeping up with communication.

In fairness, he did email me again from home before I had to dash out tonight, he mentioned, again about recent problems, and how he is now having to resort to work from home every evening to ensure reliable Internet and electrcal connection, but he has said he will put the matter right, and send out another Rod bag. He did say I would have to take my place at the back of the queue of orders again, so might not get it for a while.

 

[Trampster]

I have had quite a few custom sleeves and bags made and I did the same as you, did not take into account the butt ring on my fs rods. I considered it to be my fault.
I really like these guys, I have had custom 3 compartment reel bags etc too.
I honestly feel that the problem is only communication....

Yep, I've made similar errors in the past. As you & @Mr Fish rightly said, errors do get made but keep up with the communications and less problems arise. In all honesty, it has made me less likely to order again unless I see some improvement.
Coincidentally, the problems having only arose since they stopped selling many items via eBay.

 

[Mr Fish]

Agree. In general, having dealt with Midwater quite a few times, the product and the service has been excellent. Either Paul has had more than his fair share of bad luck in recent months, or he's making excuses. Whatever, as you say, that's no reason for not keeping up with communication.

In fairness, he did email me again from home before I had to dash out tonight, he mentioned, again about recent problems, and how he is now having to resort to work from home every evening to ensure reliable Internet and electrcal connection, but he has said he will put the matter right, and send out another Rod bag. He did say I would have to take my place at the back of the queue of orders again, so might not get it for a while.

It’s likely true but his problems aren’t the customer’s problems.

If he’s self employed then yes, work from home if needs be to get up to date - it’s not one where you can log on at 9 and off at 5, then ignore everything until the next morning.
I exchange emails and messages with clients at all sorts of odd hours, when I’m out fishing, anywhere and whatever it takes to push the work through.

It sounds like he needs to reset things a bit and perhaps get someone else to take care of the admin.

It’s not even a major problem really, it’s just keeping on top of communication as you say and that’s an essential aspect I find many businesses and traders let themselves down on.

 

[Trampster]

It’s likely true but his problems aren’t the customer’s problems.

If he’s self employed then yes, work from home if needs be to get up to date - it’s not one where you can log on at 9 and off at 5, then ignore everything until the next morning.
I exchange emails and messages with clients at all sorts of odd hours, when I’m out fishing, anywhere and whatever it takes to push the work through.

It sounds like he needs to reset things a bit and perhaps get someone else to take care of the admin.

It’s not even a major problem really, it’s just keeping on top of communication as you say and that’s an essential aspect I find many businesses and traders let themselves down on.

Agree. As said, never was a problem when buying items via eBay. They have moved to a different location, have had problems with water ingress in the new building and therefore problems with electronics and communications equipment. He said his admin staff can't even speak to customers on the phones as the lines are near unuseable, hence he's running production with a struggle from the new location and having to deal with emails & calls from home. All very well, but as you said, they shouldn't be the customer's problems.

He'll be the maker of his own destiny. If he's becoming unreliable towards his customers, it will be a shame, but will be his downfall.
He did say in one of his emails, if he could have foreseen the problems ahead before he moved, he would have stayed put in the old premises.

 

[Mr Fish]

Agree. As said, never was a problem when buying items via eBay. They have moved to a different location, have had problems with water ingress in the new building and therefore problems with electronics and communications equipment. He said his admin staff can't even speak to customers on the phones as the lines are near unuseable, hence he's running production with a struggle from the new location and having to deal with emails & calls from home. All very well, but as you said, they shouldn't be the customer's problems.

He'll be the maker of his own destiny. If he's becoming unreliable towards his customers, it will be a shame, but will be his downfall.
He did say in one of his emails, if he could have foreseen the problems ahead before he moved, he would have stayed put in the old premises.

He’d probably be better off renting local work hub desk spaces for a few weeks for his admin staff while they fix the other problems.
Ah well…

 

[Beach]

Well, Paul from Midwater did reply to my email, not long ago.
He's gone into a lot of explanations about moving premises, water ingress in the new factory, machinery problems, but basically said he didn't get my email dictating the size. I've got proof I sent it the same day as the order, and have forwarded him a copy.
He seems to be implying if I didn't get his confirmation of size, it's not his fault?
Not sure how I can be responsible for him not replying to emails. I fear this may not end well.
I've now paid for two Rods sleeves that are the wrong size.

Why not just cut the excess off and get the misses to sew the bottom with the sewing machine.