I have been looking at a few different reel by shimanoI and daiwa with s $350 budget. I was waiting for TW to have their sale but have come across Amazon. I have never used Amazon and the prices for some of these reel look too good. Then again its almost Black Friday. Should I trust and purchase? I'm also stuck between a Core, Metanium, Pxy Type R, and a new Zillion TWS. There are a couple JDM models on there as well but I have no clue about them. Anyone have any suggestions?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't TW exclude shimano from their discounts?

I've never bought a reel from Amazon, but have a few rods with no problems.  I would check their feedback rating before buying, tho.

I don't know. I was looking more towards the PXY that's on sale at TW and the new Zillion, and some other things I need.

I personally think the Met13 is hands down the best stock reel ever made, sub $500.

Met 13?

Met 13?

The Metanium that came out in 2013. It is also referred to as the 13 Metanium by JDM retailers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't TW exclude shimano from their discounts?

They usually exclude shimano and some others but a lot of times if you call in your order instead they will honor the discount anyway as long as its not megabass or some other jdm stuff. Another way around the exclusion is to buy gift cards at a discount and then use them to buy what you want. Last year during the 25 day christmas sale i bought gift cards at a discount, then bought 2 rods that came with gift cards with the gift cards i bought. Basically i gave 80 bucks for a 100 gift card, bought 2 skeet reese cranking rods with the gift card and got another 50 bucks in gift cards with the rods. They werent my favorite rods but were definitely worth 15 bucks apiece!

Sorry i strayed from the topic op. Out of those reels what i would buy would depend on what you want to use it for. For lighter lures the px type r or a core 50. For more all around the core 100, metanium, or zillion type r

Yeah I thought that's what you were referring to. That is really what I am leaning towards, but there are so many options within that budget.

I like the idea of throwing lighter stuff, but in all honesty I really don't throw that stuff much. I think I would be better off with something that would work for different things.

Gift cards...good idea! Wouldn't have thought about that

I like the idea of throwing lighter stuff, but in all honesty I really don't throw that stuff much. I think I would be better off with something that would work for different things.

The Metanium will throw anything and everything, the exception maybe being huge swimbaits, or musky type stuff. Aaron Martens uses the 8.1 Metanium for crankbaits, without a problem. I think they're one of the finer reels ever made. The price on amazon is about right, compared to the lower priced JDM sites. They're a great deal for under $320 shipped.

Yeah TW has it for $420. Amazon I think is like $317-325ish. I just didn't see that reel being discounted like that. Along with the others I named, so that's why I was skeptical.

I buy a lot of rods and reels from amazon and haven't had an issue.

The gift card thing doesn't work anymore. They are no longer discounted.

The Metanium that came out in 2013. It is also referred to as the 13 Metanium by JDM retailers.

John, you know everything about JDM tackle. I'm impressed.

Hootie

John, you know everything about JDM tackle. I'm impressed.

Hootie

Oh you are giving me way to much knowledge than I deserve. Maico 1 I am sure has forgotten more than I will ever know as others have too! Thanks anyway and Happy Thanksgiving!

To answer the OP question. Yes, Amazon is a reliable place to purchase reels. I have. Looking at the sellers rating will give you a very good idea if you can purchase from them. Also, sellers on Amazon are smaller on-line retailers themselves. You can find quality reels up to $50 off retail prices. For example I have picked up Lews TT pro's for $150, when they retail for $199. Just the other day Curado I's and Lews LFT 's were selling for $139. Just have to take the time and do your research. 

Has anyone ordered from Amazon Japan? They have some sweet deals on Jdm sticks.

Yeah TW has it for $420. Amazon I think is like $317-325ish. I just didn't see that reel being discounted like that. Along with the others I named, so that's why I was skeptical.

At 20% off, you can get the US Metanium for $336 from TW, with a warranty. JDM reels do not have a US warranty, and have to be sent back to Japan.

Sorry i strayed from the topic op. Out of those reels what i would buy would depend on what you want to use it for. For lighter lures the px type r or a core 50. For more all around the core 100, metanium, or zillion type r

The Pixy Type R is not just for light baits, IN FACT I use multiple Pixys that are loaded with 50lb braid for frogging, 20lb Abrazx for beavers... All In all I own about 10 pixys from 2004 all the way up to the Pixy type R, PX68s etc..  from 4lb line to 50lb braid they are solid reels..

Thanks guys. Looks like ill be making a purchase !

Trey is right the pixys can be used for many other things besides finesse and so can the core 50 size. I fish for stripers as much as i do largemouth and smallmouth and forget sometimes that everyone doesnt need a larger line capacity. Any of the reels you mentioned are awesome reels. Its hard to go wrong with any daiwa or shimano reel in that price range. Good luck travis and let us know what you pick out and how it fishes when you get it

I ended up getting a PX Type R!! It should be here tuesday and i seriously havennt been so stoked in a loooooooong time. I think ive probably crossed a line of no return! Ha Now I just need a dobyns and i will be happy.

I ended up getting a PX Type R!! It should be here tuesday and i seriously havennt been so stoked in a loooooooong time. I think ive probably crossed a line of no return! Ha Now I just need a dobyns and i will be happy.

Any particular reason you want a Dobyns?