SAGE intrests?

[Steeldrifter 0]

Question for all here. As you all know, I try my best to offer deals to FTF guys....been in business 11 yrs and offer my best no matter what. New question because of a new supplier, I may be able to offer a name brand SAGE ONE at a price that is well under retail. I want to get some feedback first though. So, SAGE ONE that is $795 retail EVERWHERE....if it were offered custom built, same blank, for $575....would you buy it/fell its a good deal?

 

Long story short, I may have a deal on Sage blanks so don't want to invest without a reason why.

 

[kennebec12 0]

If I had the spare change I would think that was a great deal. On the other hand, if I could afford $575 than I could probably save another few weeks and afford $795, but who doesn't like to save $200? I've never cast a Sage One but I'm sure it would be wonderful compared to my rods, seeing as they are comparable to some of the St. Croix and Orvis rods I've cast.

 

Business wise, if you can buy the lower price one at a time, then why not? If your only getting that price on a bulk order, then it would seem to me to be a pretty large investment with a long return period, which if you have the capital to do so could be favorable, if not I would consider it a high risk investment.

[mikechell 0]

Being as cheap as a plastic shovel ... I couldn't afford one, even at your reduced price. More than likely though, those that COULD buy one would probably jump at the price.

I am not much of a risk taker, so unless I had a few pre-orders (or the money to buy them outright) ... But then, it's not my business.

 

Good luck, Steve.

[Steeldrifter 0]

No pre - orders or anything like that, just gauging some interests before I invest in a bunch of Sage product is all.

 

 

If I had the spare change I would think that was a great deal. On the other hand, if I could afford $575 than I could probably save another few weeks and afford $795, but who doesn't like to save $200?

 

 

See that's something I would ask too, and thats the power of advertising IMO....why would you "save and spend $200" for no other reason that advertising told you to do so? The Sage One you spent $795 on has less quality wraps than what I would offer, and I would offer a better reel seat, better grip, and much better wraps, plus the exact same warranty... so why would you feel you are getting a better rod by spending $200 more for no reason??

 

Just wondering, and actually that's the exact reason I posted this to be honest.

 

Steve

[vicrider 0]

If I had an interest in having a Sage I'd jump at your offer. I don't. But to my way of thinking your rod should sell for $200 more than the factory rod. I know the quality of work you do and have a couple of your rods. Like I said, IF I had an interest I'd jump on it.

[Dave G. 0]

I own 2 Sage rods, in this family we own 5 Sage rods and generally speaking they are our favorite rods from an action standpoint. Unfortunately those blanks are no longer offered and Sage has nothing like them in production today. For those interested in "todays" offerings from Sage you would only have to show that your product made from them is superior, to win over a piece of the Sage market. Well, minus their marketing hype. Some people own Sage rods because it says Sage on the blank and all that stuff ( status). When I personally bought into my Sage rods it was because Readington, Fisher, T&T, Scott, Orvis and St Croix did not cast the same . I tried them all in 6 wt, T&T was the closest and I like my 8 wt T&T better than my 7-8 St Croix but bet I would like a Sage RPL even better ( an RPL is effortless in my hands yet smooth with good line control). Todays Sage blanks don't act the same as the RPL. To me if Sage felt the urge to beat out the Jones in manufacturing technology fine ( or even be that percieved) but they should never have gotten rid of that classic RPL ( Graphite III blanks in general). So guess I won't buy one from you either.

 

Also as the retirees weigh in here, that's my wife and I as well. Our income is more fixed than ever.

[flytire 0]

being retired i would not buy one

 

i have too many rods in the closet not being used as it is. i dont need another rod

 

i have 2 sages now and both are just fine (graphite III)

[Rocco 0]

One issue in the mix is that SAGE replaces any broken rod no questions asked but at their price point they should. As you take lower profit with lower prices can you offer the same policy? Including a tube might reduce rod breakage risk but also add some cost.

 

Also you make custom rods to order with nice touches aside from their better components, so at your prices this make for a very good -- no, excellent -- deal.

 

My wife just retired and this reduces my "play money" so I am not in that market either.

 

Good luck with the new venture whatever you decide.

 

Rocco

[Bryon Anderson 0]

I agree with Vicrider--given the quality of your work and the superior components you use, you could easily charge well above retail for one of your rods built on the Sage blank, so a Sage One from your shop for $575--that should be a no-brainer for anyone who has the money to spend.

 

I'm going to be getting a chunk of money soon that I can spend on a rod to replace one that I recently broke, but I won't get the money for a while yet--sometime next year probably. If you happen to be offering this price on the Sage One when I get my hot little hands on my cash, I might very well buy one from you. I normally wouldn't drop that much just on a rod, but that would be a very hard deal to pass up.

[FlaFly 0]

Steve... I'm kinda like Mike, but also given the amount of fishing I do and the way I fish, I couldn't justify even the reduced rate. I don't even feel I can justify buying one of your beauties that you post off and on. I'd love to have one but can't justify it, with my other responsibilities. I do agree with you that even someone who could afford it would be stupid to wait and spend more money even for the same quality. And your's is unquestionably better.

[flyfishingdom 0]

I have 2 Sage rods and they are my favorite casting rods for sure. I don't have the need for another rod right now, but a Sage One at that price would be tempting. It is important to have a tube a lifetime warranty as you said. That is a big factor in my purchasing decisions. I need to justify spending that kind of money by knowing I will have a rod for a lifetime.

 

From a business and marketing perspective, it is all about consumer education and brand recognition. Sage has put millions into marketing over the years in those two areas, specifically. Offering a custom Sage rod with the Sage logo plastered over your website is a good business move in my mind. Any fly fisher that has been in a fly shop or read a fly magazine will know "Sage One" and the konnetic technology/torsion control that Sage has boasted about over the years.

 

There is always a "Chevy vs Ford" debate when talking about fly rods, but the truth is Chevy and Ford both with. Some may not like Sage, but just as many do. I think you've got a great opportunity to piggy back off the marketing of Sage at a price point many won't refuse. Heck, I'm almost talking myself into it right now. lol

[FlaFly 0]

Go to Flyanglersonline.com and read the blog on "A real fly fishing rig". This might be applicable. It's how I feel.

[flyfishingdom 0]

Go to Flyanglersonline.com and read the blog on "A real fly fishing rig". This might be applicable. It's how I feel.

 

I totally understand the concept of not needing to spend money on high-tech/top end rods when a $40 set up will catch fish, but if we lived with that mentality across the board we'd still be plowing fields via oxen and getting our mail from a pony. Technology progresses over time and that comes with a cost.

 

That said, one of my favorite rods (mostly out of sentiment) is still the Cabela's Prestige outfit I started on for $99 including some flies and basic accessories. It casts terrible and feels like a sloppy wet noodle, but I've caught more fish on that rod than any other rod I own. But when you are looking at optimum performance and ease of use, there is a reason my prestige now stays to the back of my rack. I just can't make it do what my more expensive rods can do.

 

Is the Sage One really worth $800? Probably not. I don't think any rod is... But if Steve can offer an even better version of the One for $200 less, you've got a much better chance of moving some rods off the shelf in my opinion.

[Fletchfishes 0]

I would be interested - that sounds like a great deal. I've cast the Sage One at a show and liked the action. That being said, similar to Rocco I'd want to know what the repair policy is since Sage is one of the "no questions asked replacement" companies.

[Rocco 0]

No questions asked returns are sometimes nuts!

 

I have a buddy who loves -- rrr, loved -- to hold his rod in his mounth (honest) while holding up a fish for pictures. You guessed it, a trophy wriggled free and in his desperate grab move he inadvertently chomped his SAGE in two. It was replaced along with 100s more eaten by car doors or left on car roofs leaving the parking lot.

 

Insane but real.

 

Rocco