I just read the flyer and am surprised at how little the discount is. I don't own any old reels worth less than the discount I'd get... so if I'm going to lose money, I'll just make a charitable donation (also tax deductible) to a youth organization of my choice.

So the moral of this BPS marketing scheme is to sell your used reels in the BassResource.com flea market, apply proceeds to new reel of your choice at another retailer and then volunteer for a C.A.S.T. event and you will have done much better for the kids and yourself.

8-)  or just take a kid fishing.  

Not so sure it should have been worded like that! Also this is not the first time Shimano has not been a part of the reel trade, and a few years back Daiwa was not part of the reel trade either. Now that Daiwa has a bass pro exclusive it is part of the reel trade? BPS has affiliations with all major reel companies except Shimano. Looks like to me BPS is upset about that and trying to give them a bad wrap. Just my opinion either way I doubt neither company will be effected much by that small print! I just don't think Shimano wants to make a lesser quality reel just so BPS can slap there name on it or call it a BPS exclusive.

about 15 years ago a high end reel was $200 ish bucks.

Same as today.

You guys hate on BPS but they intruduce quality products at a more than excellent price which drives down the prices of competitors. Which is good for us.

Everyone loves Shimano because they mostly make high end stuff. Everyones stuff is good at that price range....... Now to buy a Shimano in the price range of some of the BPS reels, you would have to drive to your local wal-mart.......HAHA. Enough said there.

I just don't think Shimano wants to make a lesser quality reel just so BPS can slap there name on it or call it a BPS exclusive.

More like Shimano can't even come close to even thinking about trying to produce a reel of the quality some of the BPS reels are, all the while doing it for a cheap price.

If you guys seriously want to help someone with your unwanted tackle and can't find a kid that needs it please contact the USO. We have fellow anglers in Iraq that would love to have some decent tackle. They need lures as well as rods and reels so just remember them when you're cleaning the stuff out of your tackle boxes.

I just don't think Shimano wants to make a lesser quality reel just so BPS can slap there name on it or call it a BPS exclusive.

More like Shimano can't even come close to even thinking about trying to produce a reel of the quality some of the BPS reels are, all the while doing it for a cheap price.

Or perhaps Shimano is more concerned with providing a quality product.

^^

To address Micro's orignal post, yes, I think the wording was a bit harsh and could have been worded differently.

Other than that, I don't see this as a big deal. BPS is having a sale, the reel trade-in to support a youth program is simply their marketing angle (which is a questionable campaign to some). Shimano's marketing position is to not have a sale price-perfectly ok with me and completely legit from a business standpoint.

Another way to look at it is this-if there were a 'rod trade-in', would GLoomis and St. Croix participate? Highly unlikely....

FD

Anyone can stand up for shimano BUT all in all ONLY shimano has the power to stop business to BPS if they like if not obvoisly Shimano dont care what they say as long as they sell there stuff.BTW i do think BPS sells more shimano products then any other retailer,s combined so shimano aint gonna push too much anyhow

if shimano will nto support the youth program ...

then I will no longer support shimano

Why should Shimano be forced to participate in BPS's youth program? What if they feel that they can get a better impact by supporting youth activities through their own channels?

BPS is just ticked that Shimano won't participate in the reel trade in program. I see this as a black mark against BPS and not against Shimano.

I don't believe anyone is being forced to do anything.

If Shimano chooses not to participate, that's their choice.

Likewise, if BPS chooses not to include them in their promotion, that's their choice and seems fair. I don't see any intentions meant on either side.

I'm from Illinois. If you don't pay, you don't play. ;D

This deal with BP and Shimano has been going on 3 or 4 years where Shimano did not participate in the reel trade.  THIS IS OLD NEWS!!!!!!!!

This is old news and I don't know why anyone would really care any longer. Shimano has been out of the BPS trade-in for years. It shouldn't be a big deal - you want a shimano, buy it, if not, buy xxxxxxx. I was at BPS this past week, loads of shimanos, loads of other reels. Choices are there. That said, if you want to donate, donate, the kids will be happy for your generosity.

The kids don't know the difference in the name on the rod or the reel until the parents give them their 2 cents worth. The kids that want to fish don't care what name is on the reel. You would be better off just donating your old reels and letting them keep their discount difference.

This is old news and I don't know why anyone would really care any longer. Shimano has been out of the BPS trade-in for years. It shouldn't be a big deal - you want a shimano, buy it, if not, buy xxxxxxx. I was at BPS this past week, loads of shimanos, loads of other reels. Choices are there. That said, if you want to donate, donate, the kids will be happy for your generosity.

+1000

This is old news. Shimano does this to prevent a BPS advantage over all the other Shimano retailers. I don't think Shimano is against charity or anything like that....they are just trying to keep it fair for the smaller retailers.

This is old news and I don't know why anyone would really care any longer. Shimano has been out of the BPS trade-in for years. It shouldn't be a big deal - you want a shimano, buy it, if not, buy xxxxxxx. I was at BPS this past week, loads of shimanos, loads of other reels. Choices are there. That said, if you want to donate, donate, the kids will be happy for your generosity.

+1000

This is old news. Shimano does this to prevent a BPS advantage over all the other Shimano retailers. I don't think Shimano is against charity or anything like that....they are just trying to keep it fair for the smaller retailers.

This is correct. Shimano is trying to prevent a large retailer from under pricing the smaller tackle shops.