*Tariffs & Logistics: Some Product Shortages, Delays, Price Increases - Reserve Your Gear In Advance for FREE!
Please Plan Ahead for Trips! Expect Product Shortages & Manufacturer Delays
*Do you have a trip soon and need something? Call us any time to let us know and we will always do what we can to help you: 941-483-6847 (10am-10pm Every Day!)
*Delays Update: UPS just fired 20,000 workers (and they are the best delivery company in my experience so imagine the other ones). I am no cheapskate when it comes to shipping, I frequently pay for overnight delivery both from manufacturers to me, AND from my shop to customers when needed. Real Example: A good customer called me for a very specific product on Monday afternoon. I ordered it and paid for "Overnight" shipping from manufacturer on Monday evening to ship Tuesday. As of Thursday afternoon, I still don't have it. Not good. If it doesn't arrive to me by 5pm, it will not get shipped today to the customer (overnight, again, if they deliver). This is why I always tell customers: "Don't Wait Until the Week Before Your Trip!" - Random things run out at random times, guys, we do everything we can and stock all the most popular gear possible. So if you call me on Monday and need it by Friday, and I just sold out over the past weekend... You might be screwed. But not for lack of effort/spending on my part. I am now going to be paying: The original overnight cost from manufacturer, even though it didn't actually GO overnight, plus overnight shipping to customer (instead of the much less costly 2nd Day Air, if it had arrived on time which was Wednesday), for an item which the profit does not even add up to those costs of shipping. Just to make sure my customer gets what he needs for his trip. I'm losing money and time just to do this for him. So please understand when I ask people to plan ahead it's really for the benefit of us both.
Other fly shops saying they aren't this busy? Not selling out of stuff? News flash: They just ain't that popular! Ever been to a really nice restaurant that didn't need reservations or have a wait? This isn't fast food, we offer a concierge service. We are busy helping VIP customers order thousands of dollars worth of flies at a time. Average order value (AOV) is over $2,000 per customer at our shop. Imagine how long that takes to consult on, advise customers, and then pull, pack, and ship.
*Tariffs Update as of May: The tariffs were reduced (not eliminated) but this is only for 90 days. For example: Walmart plans to raise prices now. Many other companies are also going to raise their prices across various industries. There is still a 30% tariff on everything out of China (this was not eliminated, it was just reduced). What does this mean for us? It means brands across many industries are hesitant to order more product, but have likely decided to resume their existing orders which many paused when tariffs first hit. This takes time for the supply chain to catch up again, meaning some things are still tough to get. And, as I said before, price increases are coming in spite of the reduced tariff rate.
We are currently SLAMMED with an insane amount of orders due to a combination of the usual very busy saltwater season (we are the most popular saltwater fly shop, what can we say?) plus some manufacturer shortages already starting. We know you want your stuff! We want OUR stuff from manufacturers but we go need to go easy on them, they are also dealing with all of this mess. Hang in there!
We have a great plan to help customers. This is not a post like some places are doing just to scare you into buying right now. No need to do that! Please just ask us if you want to RESERVE anything for a trip in a few months, at NO COST TO YOU until you're ready! This gives us time to prepare and make sure we have what you need for your trip later without you having to buy it yet. Helpful, right?
If you shop here, you probably have talked to me (the owner), and you know customers are always my top priority. Nothing else matters more to me than making sure everyone is as happy as possible. I want to make sure we always have what everyone needs. I will be preparing and staging orders by future trip date. No need to pay until your trip is closer. This is my way of saying Thank You to all our awesome customers. This ensures you will have what you need later when the shortages get even worse. Many things have already started to run out from manufacturers (this is not a joke, even some simple things you wouldn't expect to ever run out). I am not trying to scare you into buying now, but I do want people to let me know they will be buying later this year so I can make sure I can get it in time.
Everything is my responsibility. It is not easy. I work every single day, typically 12+ hours. That's just what it takes to be the number one saltwater fly shop, loved by our customers. I hate making people wait for stuff, it stresses me out probably even more than you. My dream is to have all orders fulfilled as fast as humanly possible. We are hiring more staff. We are just way too popular! So thank you very much to everyone who shops here!
My way of saying thank you is to make sure I stockpile enough inventory to get us through this tariff situation and the resulting economic downturn we are starting to see. If there's any silver lining, I might finally get a day off. But so far, you guys just won't stop buying. Thank you again! No days off for me. Not until everyone has everything they ordered.
Some things will get more expensive. I am committed to not raising prices for my customers unless certain brands insist on it (some are strict and we have no choice). I will hang in there as long as possible.
Thank you all again very much for your support (and your patience). We wouldn't be here without you! We are working nonstop to make sure everyone gets their orders!
Please call me personally if you have a trip coming up soon and need things expedited. I will do everything I can to make it happen.
Ben
941-483-6847
10am-10pm EVERY SINGLE DAY
