I’ve been using shimano spinning reels for the last 20 years with minimal issues. Over the winter I purchased a sedona and a sahara from dicks sporting goods. I went through three different reels before I finally got a good one. The reels felt stiff, not so much out of the box but when fishing them, their was some resistance when retrieving a lure, something was not right. it just wasn’t a normal feeling I’m used to with shimano. Has anyone else had issues like this before with shimano? The reels were packed in a plastic ”clam pack“ they call it rather than the normal cardboard box. My guess is because they can hang them on the shelves and have them readily available for the customer. It seems like all big box stores have the reels in these plastic packs rather than boxes

I bought a Sahara from TW about 3 months ago,or so. It came in a factory box. The reel is very smooth, no issues at all. I wonder if the clam shell reels are at all different  in some way.?

5 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

I bought a Sahara from TW about 3 months ago,or so. It came in a factory box. The reel is very smooth, no issues at all. I wonder if the clam shell reels are at all different  in some way.?

The reels were smooth, but had resistance while cranking in any type of lure. I was thinking the same thing about the clam packs. Needless to say I will be sticking to TW

I could be wrong, but I think a lot of the clam packs are "made for" reels, like for specific stores. I don't think that they receive the same level of care that's taken into the packaged reels.

I have a new Sahara 2500fi. It seems perfect so far. Very smooth.

My experience with shimano sub 100 dollar spinning reels in this day in age is that they are just not worth buying they feel smooth but do have issues eventually and don’t last very long. I don’t bother with them this is just my personal experience with them. When dealing with shimano spinning reels you want to go Stradic or go home. 

I purchased a half dozen of the clam packed Saharas last year. All of them were fine and seem no different then the other boxed ones I also purchased.

I've never had an issue with sub $100 spinning reels and own several of them (a few Saharas, Sedonas and Nascis)

 

But, I've never bought one in a clamshell package. Don't know why that would make a difference but who knows.....

The siennas i have from clam packs been beat and abused and still rollin saltwater also some are 7 or 8 yrs old..i do use rem oil once  a week on them also

Sometimes you get what you pay for. Some folks have been lucky with cheap, low end reels. Life is short-buy higher end reels or take your chances.......

   I've had trouble with Stradics, not just cheap stuff. I had one 2500FK and one CI4+ 4000FB noisy right out of the box. The retailer exchanged them.  I also had a NASCI 1000 anti-reverse fail in a few days. Shimano replaced it.

   Not only that, but I'm having troubles with a Shimano baitcaster.

   Back in the '90s, I used Calcutta and Symetre reels. I had no problems. So yes, I'd say Shimano QC has gone downhill. I don't think they're any better than any other brand anymore.         jj

I might be wrong, but I see no difference in the clam pack reels as opposed to the box reels. My new Sahara feels and works great. I also have two size 500 Siennas, and a 9 year old Sedona, which still works well. I don't think Shimano quality has dropped off at all. A little maintenance will make them last for years

I do have a Sedona 500, current model, that does get harder to retrieve from time to time. Not sure, but I think it may have something to do with the friction ring. Sometimes it starts out harder to reel, then lightens up during the retrieve.

I don't recall having this issue with my older shimano reels. I have two Sahara 500 that were smooth from day one.

9 hours ago, basser27 said:

 My guess is because they can hang them on the shelves and have them readily available for the customer. It seems like all big box stores have the reels in these plastic packs rather than boxes

They are in clam shell packs so people can't steal them. I hate opening those things. Thanks thieves for ruining it for us.

2 hours ago, mrpao said:

I do have a Sedona 500, current model, that does get harder to retrieve from time to time. Not sure, but I think it may have something to do with the friction ring. Sometimes it starts out harder to reel, then lightens up during the retrieve.

I don't recall having this issue with my older shimano reels. I have two Sahara 500 that were smooth from day one.

Shimano had a lot of problems with the friction ring....the material just basically melted after a while and caused it to reel very tight or not at all just binding it up. 

I don't think Shimano has any more or less problems than anyone else. It's still manufacturing a fine tuned product. Things will happen...

4 hours ago, mrpao said:

I do have a Sedona 500, current model, that does get harder to retrieve from time to time. Not sure, but I think it may have something to do with the friction ring. Sometimes it starts out harder to reel, then lightens up during the retrieve.

I don't recall having this issue with my older shimano reels. I have two Sahara 500 that were smooth from day one.

My 1000 sedona current model that I Have does the same thing from time to time too. I just deal with it 

I have 5 Saharas that Ive had for aboit ten years that all still work as well as when new. There is one that binds a little in the rain, but other than that, bulletproof.

 

PS - I think it's possesed. I can dunk it in tbe river and its fine, but a decent rain makes it a little balky to reel. So. Weird.

My Sahara 2500FB is 14 years old this month and still smooth.  My grandson grew up on that reel, so it has had a workout LOL  Picked up a 3000HG last fall and it is also smooth out of the box.

 

1 hour ago, OnthePotomac said:

My Sahara 2500FB is 14 years old this month and still smooth.  My grandson grew up on that reel, so it has had a workout LOL  Picked up a 3000HG last fall and it is also smooth out of the box.

I love my older shimanos. Must’ve got a few lemons 

Lots of guys think that Shimanos heyday was with the older Japanese made spin reels. CustomX, Speedmasters etc. But I still think they make a good product. I'll stick with em, untill they prove otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

For OP, when you buy a reel made in China, that what you got. Shimano is still way better than other brands out there, but you might get lemon once in awhile. To be able to complete with other cheap brand who order from Korean/China catalog, shimano has to rely on cheap labor and even some parts from China. Daiwa even worst the cheap C? reel also come from catalog order. 
With shimano at least they should stand behind their product, call them up send in for warranty if you have to.

Never had an issue..

Been very happy with Shimano. Only issue was a a/r bearing went out after years of use. Got it all fixed and happy. Shimano has top notch products and by no means do I think they have poor QC. I think its excellent product and quality control

8 hours ago, VolFan said:

I have 5 Saharas that Ive had for aboit ten years that all still work as well as when new. There is one that binds a little in the rain, but other than that, bulletproof.

 

PS - I think it's possesed. I can dunk it in tbe river and its fine, but a decent rain makes it a little balky to reel. So. Weird.

Hit me up and I’ll give you the fix for that.