Was in angling direct the other day and noticed they had no ESP products. Staff told me they are no longer stocking it both in store or online.

Anyone know why this is? Seems a bit of an odd decision.

In reply to Post #1
No reason given, how odd

In reply to Post #1
Another good reason not to go to AD

In reply to Post #1
Hi,
They were just removing the ESP display in my local Ad as well in Leicester a couple of weeks ago.
When asked they said they didn't sell enough ESP terminal tackle so the space was being used for another brand
Neil.

In reply to Post #4
Looks to have been replaced with ridgemonkey at my local store

Are they fighting against the monopoly that is AD?

If the industry rates the likes of ridgemonkey above ESP then ESP should sell direct to the public ... and possibly thru a select few regional independant tackle shops.

In reply to Post #7
Probably bigger margins on re branded stuff.

Always been a bit of a Niech brand more directed to the more so called serious anglers amongst us. Where the likes of Korda, Nash and lately the likes of Ridgemonkey and now even Cygnet are more all encompassing. Only so much space on most tackle shops floors especially with all these POS displays these shops have these days. These brands also seem to be more big in the game when it comes to marketing constantly filling the social media feeds with there products. Where as with ESP you hardly see anything. Can see why other brands are pushing them out for floor space.

In reply to Post #9
I'd guess 90% of esp customers wouldn't entertain going in a angling direct anyway. I have a few friends that work in AD but what a awful soulless place they've turned into.
From what I heard a while back Esp weren't being held over a barrel by AD, and good on them.

I was in outlaw tackle in billericay and they didn't stock fox or korda. Plenty of ESP and much better service.

In reply to Post #11
Used outlaw online a few times now, fantastic service. Every order I've had so far has been delivered within 24hours

A lot of speculation and I do not know the real answer but if theories are true I highlighted this quite a while ago now, as Angling Direct becomes a superpower in the industry it will manipulate suppliers just as the supermarkets do, maximum profit and minimal layout. They will tell us what we can buy and who can supply

Turns the industry on its head doesn't it, machine

The ever changing face of carpfishing

more fool ad then..they love nashy,even though his ripped off esp draw cord unhooking mat.and god knows what else.

In reply to Post #11
Outlaw Pro is a cool shop; especially the big fish tank!

In reply to Post #15
Shame about the bell end in the vlogs. Back on topic angling direct won't see a penny of my cash ever, my local will always match them and often beat them on price. Unless they are local to you I can't see why anyone would want to use them, even then do they stock locally rolled bait, fresh maggot and caster?

In reply to Post #1
I'd rather die than use angling direct for anything. Dog **** shops, Loads of floor space with loads of empty shelving. Incompetent staff, and if what some people are suggesting is true, then good luck to esp / drennan for standing up to them, if replacing them with ridge monkey is there answer then it's even more reason for me not having to go anywhere near an ad again. I'll stick to Johnson Ross and my other old locals (Oakwood angling) and I'll still use my esp leadcore and tungsten loaded hook links as long as they do it.

In reply to Post #16
That's the problem though. They are buying up all the locals. It's the old Trev's in handforth and is like a 5 min drive so kind of forced to use it. Though will need to find another nearby for esp bits now

In reply to Post #10
Thought it was just me I would go to ad couple of times a week now haven't now been for months I was talking to a mate he has done the same been trying to find the right word to use you said it soulless is spot on horrible atmosphere last few times been in miserable staff always moaning about the poor wages
I don't think ad planes are going to pan out in the future total tackle are right up there I am a big fan of Johnson Ross brilliant shop and customer service
As for esp good company with nice people doing there vids and good well priced gear them and Gardner are good companies but unfortunately not trendy enough

Everyone wants the overpriced Chinese tat

In reply to Post #18
Stuff I can't get from my local half hour away like free spirit rods I will drive two and a half hours to johnson Ross, nearest ad are half hour but won't use them or total, annoys me when I Google a product and these two regularly come up first even though they are ofyen more expensive. Wish I could block them from all my social media.

I find that strange, 80% of my terminal tackle is esp, maybe it's just me lol. I don't own a single item of Korda Nash or fox terminal. Agree on AD being soulless 100%

Playing devil's advocate here it's not just the likes of AD and other big suppliers that create the issues in terms of stock.

My local has been there for years has a Shakespeare branded sign above his window that he originally put there because he got a deal on their stuff in return.

Tried to sell me a stunning sportex rod last year that he'd been given by a rep as a sweetener for stocking stuff from his range...

Brands are in a competitive business and they'll do their best to try and get exclusive deals with shops big AND small

At the end of the day, nobody forces you to buy anything. I'll keep using the old guy at my local shop because he always gives me decent stuff at a good price (apart from maggot which he takes the piss with but I'll give him that one ).

Some people don't have the same option or the luxury of a 2 hour drive so they'll use big online suppliers.

It's business isn't it?

In reply to Post #21
Me too....if it's good enough for Tel!!

In reply to Post #22
Fresh maggot and caster is expensive everywhere isnt it?

In reply to Post #19
Johnson Ross for me too, whenever I need stuff that our US web retailer does not have. Wonderful, fast service and great stock.

In reply to Post #26
Us Johnson ross when I can

Fascinating that people put those that use esp products on some kind of pedestal. Ive always thought the opposite of anyone who only buys esp bits, that they are a terry hearn wannabe, probably own tournies, rods with full duplin handles, nevilles and a green jumper with arm patches

In reply to Post #28
Tel copied maddocks then

In reply to Post #28
i think its a bit more than that and for some of us predates Terry Hearn. I dont solely buy products from anyone but I do like ESP stuff (rods in particular). My first premium rod I owned was a Drennan match rod (1980s) and I have tended to stick with Drennan/ESP rods as much as possible since (although i do own other makes). The brand has never let me down and therefore I have confidence in them. I also like the way they conduct & represent themselves in the marketplace. Their marketing is of a more mature nature to a lot of others and they have a credibility in my eyes that other brands can only dream of .... I would also put Gardner in the same bracket .... Both brands slightly smaller than other brands and I view that as a positive.

In reply to Post #28
What you picking on me for?

In reply to Post #28
Think you are deluded in your views, know plenty of people that use esp end tackle as I do but none use anything else except me as I have hearn rods among others and also use nash, fox, gardner, aqua, trakker, solar, korda, free spirit, shimano, and a lot more other brands.

In reply to Post #32
Kev Hewitt is in an interesting position. Sponsored by ESP and he's a manager at AD

Always hated them always will. Little locals are part of the spirit of fishing frankly carried the industry for a long time with bloody hard work. Mass consolidation of the market only serves a few. Although I'm not big enough I'd never entertain having anything to do with them.

Thing is they but everyone up, hinders for example where Kev worked.

Used to be alright with total fishing tackle but not anymore, Johnson Ross all the way and back again.

In reply to Post #30
Similar to me. Drennen = ESP = reliable kit for me

In reply to Post #34
nobody will kill JR

In reply to Post #35
Yep, I've always associated Drennan/ESP with no frills and reliable tackle.

In regards to online shops, I will never use anyone but Johnson Ross, Tacklebox, and Yateley Angling Centre. Fantastic costumer service from them all.

Basically AD tried to dictate to Drennan how much they would pay for their ESP items, if this was not met they would pull ESP from their stores & online due to not making enough profit on their items... Peter told them to do one ( good for him )

If you go into an AD store now they have very limited, if any stock of top end items when it comes to all angling disciplines, this has all happened since AD floated on the London stock exchange and gained business partners.
All the new business partners care about is the profit margins, they are Purley business orientated and have no care about angling so if the numbers don't add up they drop items / companies.
( Can't blame them as that's what they're in the business for )

One of the original Directors since the start of AD mutually agreed to leave due to this ( pushed )

95% of their customer service staff aren't anglers and have no clue about angling products. ( They advertise saying no experience with fishing or products needed )
This is only due to not having to pay extra wages for experienced people in that field.

100% back your local tackle shops.

In reply to Post #38
Basically AD tried to dictate to Drennan how much they would pay for their ESP items

Nuff said, as I suspected would happen. The sooner that shower of ***** goes out of business the better for me, it's becoming a monopoly

Machine £££££££££££££££

100% back your local tackle shops

What local tackle shops, most have gone sadly. I warned about this a few years ago, I could see it coming a mile away. My advice, don't use them, minimal input for maximum gains, a sad day for angling as I see it, profit and profit only, purely and simply business if they are the facts

In reply to Post #30
It was interesting when threads like “what's your all time favourite rod” or “what rod do you regret selling” etc etc that ESP rods are always well represented, especially the Vertex

In reply to Post #9
ESP are over twenty years old and still sell buckets of tackle each week because it is no nonsense stuff that just works. It doesn't need a massive social media presence, nor does it need a constant stream of new products to keep their name relevant in the market. Many of their items are made in japan, and their readymades are also made in proper factories with fairly paid workers.

Never ever had an issue with any of their products. Can't say the same for any of the rest.

I just can't take most companies seriously. They claim XYZ, yet you know full well they took a load of samples from alibaba and said "yes mush, i'll have two thousand of those", those with a few quid actually visit the factories, which we know produce products for multiple companies.

AD low rider brollies being an example. It's a carbon copy of the Fox Supa, The Sonik SK Tek, The JRC Rova....take your pick. Same **** different badge, just don't pretend it's something it isn't. You're worse than a herbalife rep.

In reply to Post #38
You don't go to Asda and expect advice on your food shopping, don't go to AD and expect advice on your tackle...

While I use very little ESP or Drennan gear, that which I have used has always been good, with the exception of the ESP catapult, the Drennan Boiliepult is far better.

I try to avoid Angling Direct, and would much rather use local tackle shops, Johnson Ross when I'm near, Birds, Breakaway or Markhams around Ipswich.

This is a personal ethic for me, I don't like national or international companies, to work for, or purchase from unless I have to, and would much rather support local.

In reply to Post #42
No and I don't go to asda for quality either, I go to my local farm shop for fresh local produce of superior quality and if I need advice they will give it freely and with an indepth knowledge of what they sell.
Fishing tackle wise I use my local for most products and they will often price match but if they can't supply the product I'm after the only other shops I use are johnson Ross and the tackle box.

In reply to Post #42
I like the analogy

That's why I think it's a sad state of affairs, all the intimate knowledge, learning, friendships and excitement has gone with the little shops for me. I wonder if kids or people get the same buzz, going to the supermarket to shell out for the latest must have high end £500 tent or piece of tackle instead of discussing places to fish, the spots, the tactics, the fish and the bloke who had a result

In reply to Post #42
Most people in Asda aren't "customer service", Maybe one day you will get to see the emails or listen in on a customer service call that AD receive,...

Customer:
Would you recommend a 40mm or getting the 50mm butt ring?
ADCS:
let me just put you on hold.... 5 mins on hold as they're trying to ask a member of staff that may know the difference in what a butt ring actually is let alone understanding what it's for & to give you the correct informative information you require.

I've just bought this item, should it do this or sound like that, it's not doing this or that, the list goes on & on.

In reply to Post #46
I am pretty sure there are some elements of truth in that, seen it myself. To be fair though there are some very good anglers working for them too, I know a few, it's a job and people need jobs, suppose some of the genuine friendships and intimacy has been lost? I bet the staff turnover is high too?

I agree, it is a lot like walking in a supermarket and you can't blame the people working there for this, it's the whole package they are pushing, they are well stocked and well organised but this is the first stage of the machine, the next is like they have done with ESP, and they will continue to do with others. The next step then will be to be the sole supplier (boat from China) and showroom, mark my words

I won't use AD,I have never used AD..

It's a bit like Ginsters ,which are a very poor representation of a famous crimped snack ..

In reply to Post #48
I never liked a Calzone either

Wonder where we will be in the next 10, 15 or 20 years

In reply to Post #49
Me neither...lol


Excuse my complete ignorance, but how big are these AD shops,old skool woolworth shop sizes ?,I'm interested, nothing like it in my area...not that I want one...!


Rage against the machine people ,yeah ..fuc the freeworld,that's what Eminem says

In reply to Post #50
I would describe them as the same, same, same

Sounds like soon it will be pretty much all the same, and that will be what they dictate?

Wonder if any of the other big players will eventually have to fall on their swords, give it a year or two?

While ever the pastime is saturated with sheep who are more conditioned than the carp and “need” the next big thing they will get stronger and stronger, there's a market for it, it's that simple. There is some serious money to be made £££££££££. It's NOT about anglers any more

It' all sounds like a standard business ploy when you think about it and you don't have to be a genius to work it out. I bet 90% of all tackle is now imported from China, would you buy from the middle man, introduce your own brand and go direct, bring the prices down and still have the same profit margin, angler is happy again

In reply to Post #51
I can see Korda doing the same and branching out everywhere to try and re-establish the dominance they had in the mid 2000's.

I've said it before, but if anyone thinks they are doing Embryo, dipping into bait companies, clothing etc etc out of the kindness of their hearts then you're "going dizzy bruv" or whatever the yoot say these days.

In reply to Post #51
These AD,places sound absolutely soulless.. not for me.
I remember a tackle shop at what was a lovely little town called Wadebridge, it was called Appleton and Cragg..

We'd wait weeks for our Richworths to turn up,excitement..!so we could fish Rettalick or Uncle Daves..

Now the shop long gone
Rettalick is a very grim holiday park
Wadebridge, is ruined ,too many new people, too many new houses..

They call it progress,somehow ,I think not..!

In reply to Post #47
It's 100% not the general staffs fault at all, the staff in the shops are generally anglers and have a good knowledge of angling, it's the customer service staff they employ that aren't anglers or know about angling, once again it's not their fault at all, they are just doing a job to provide for themselves / families so full credit to them.

The aim for AD IS to take over any competitor they can to have full dominance to control the market, from a business point of view they're spot on but unfortunately for anglers that care and want certain things it's not so good.

The staff turnover is ridiculous, they aren't valued at all and won't hesitate to just get rid of anyone , especially if they aren't a "yes" person.
This is simply because they can just get anyone with no knowledge to do these jobs & with thousands of people needing jobs the company is laughing.

I know this is repeating myself but from a business point of view they are on to a winner and can't blame them as long as they don't push it too far.

As for your "next step" you're spot on, that's already been in motion for a long time. Advanta clearly isn't a brand where they design their own products, it used to be every so often a 40 ft container would turn up from China with all the Advanta products.

In reply to Post #54
Quote "The aim for AD IS to take over any competitor they can to have full dominance to control the market"
Sounds like a monopoly which is no good for the customer at all, let's hope people vote with their hard earned and shop elsewhere.

It's a wonder that AD are not out of business already, given absolutely every contributor to this thread apparently never uses them.

In reply to Post #56
about 15 or 20 people change the world

Total fishing tackle, Ebay for all end tackle or tackle trader for me, very rare i buy new gear other than tents, 2 man armo from TF

In reply to Post #57
The only products not bought from my local recently were a pioneer ultralite as they don't do aqua products so it came from poingdesters who were much cheaper than AD also bought free spirit Hi's ive's and again my local doesn't have a free spirit account so these came from Johnson Ross.
From what I'm told AD stock a lot of end tackle but all at rrp.

In reply to Post #57
Always try to use my local if I can, Parkfield angling, or if not, England Angling, Total fishing tackle or the tackle box / johnson ross, in that order.

I remember a few years ago we moaned about AD and most of what was said has come to pass. I understand that now at AD you have to pay to be a member to get the same level of order despatch service that you used to get for free. The points system has also gone.

In reply to Post #59
So much for moaning on eh, what a surprise

I dont really care where I get my tackle from, so long as the price can't be beaten and I can get it the same/next day. And AD has ticked that box a few times for me. I don't need new friends or an extended social circle. If I did I wouldn't be looking to tackle shops to fill the void...

In reply to Post #61
where do you go to get your void filled then?

In reply to Post #59
Only time I ever bought from AD (as they were the only one with stock )
I got a little bag of sweets lol

In reply to Post #45
Your dead right I went to a tackle shop for 17 years around three times a week get there at ten leave at 2 o'clock 4 cups of tea and it was buzzing regulars coming and going having long chats i leant a lot and had a great time I bought all my bait tackle from there would not consider buying elsewhere so gutted when it closed ad is a supermarket not a proper tackle shop it's good the small shops price match but they haven't got the buying power ad have got they can't really afford to do it

In reply to Post #50
love ginster Cornish pasties, whats this other one you thinks the dogs,

In reply to Post #64
When I was a kid there were 3 top tackle shops near me and as you say full of top anglers and top advise readily available and for free, couldn't do enough to help you, Dick Clegg ran one, Russ Fowler and Peels. There was another called field sports that stocked shooting and fishing gear, first carp stockists near me and first nutrabatis stockists I had ever seen, pineapple and banana and Dacron hooklinks, around 92, never caught much on that lol.. I then started going further a field, carp cabin which then went to Climax and Eric's, these were top shops full of gear, then a fishing republic opened nearby, not to mention mail order, all the latter 3 are now AD stores

People can buy what ever they like, it's their choice, but don't ever come on here complaining in a few years about companies who have monopolised the market place, lack of choice and you are having to pay an absolute premium for gear

Wonder how the two major reel manufacturers will go on because I once got told by one of the shops the profit margins were virtually zero!

I can laugh about it because it does not really effect me but this could totally change the face of fishing as we know it, destroy and finish all the major know brands if they don't comply, who will have to open their own outlets or be solely web based. Watch out tent people plenty of Chinese junk available that could have a cool badge slapped on the front

In reply to Post #66
Your dead right I said when ad started to buy up shops it's not good as the competition is going so in time they can put the prices up and the angler will have no choice but to pay it

In reply to Post #67
Spoke to a manager in AD today and asked about ESP. She said they had recalled those items, they needed to make room for Cygnet tackle which has gone in its place.

In reply to Post #66
Carp Cabin....is that the Sheffield area one?

I spent 4 years in the area when I was in the army. I remember getting a discount on a Solar Sod Pod as I was a Carp Society Member. I think the owner was a Society R.O.??

Those were the days

Bennett's of Sheffield was the big shop at one time .

I used to love working in Luton every Friday .

Double sausage and egg sarnies from a little sandwich place in the town and about 150 yards down from there was Leslie's of Luton .

It was a cracking shop and great staff .

Also spent a fair few quid in J&K tackle Bicester

In reply to Post #69
Yes mate, before moving to the night club. Went a couple of times with my mate who was proper hardcore at the time. Got my first bivvy off my mate, 2nd hand, dome with un-taped seams

You have been about a bit Neil

In reply to Post #70
Got a JRC recliner from there, top bit of kit, got well over 15years out of it. Nice shop at the time but pricey, looking at things through Perspex screens was not good either

In reply to Post #72
Simpson, gone dons gone, bait 78 gone, I could go on , one size fits all , if thay tolerate this

Thay took our beautiful game away, west ham won the world Cup
Just say no

In reply to Post #73
Annnnnnd you can't quite handle the shandy

In reply to Post #59
TFT are absolute dog sh1te and thats exactly how they treat their customers.

Just had something else turn up today from them ordered months ago, promised refund, never given, product arrives. literally you'd get more use out of a choclate tea cup in a burning f-ing building. preferably the TFT warehouse.

In reply to Post #74
Yes I mean no

In reply to Post #65
Cornish maids
Aunt Avice..both very nice handmade jobbies..


Snapper mate,lol..Ginsters are made in Callington,but are not real Cornish pasties,with a crimp you don't eat..

In reply to Post #77
I respect your opinion

In reply to Post #77
The reason or tradition of not eating the crimp is because cornish pasties were a staple of Cornish tin miners as a meal at break time.
Their hands would be covered in tin ore residue and it was considered even back then unhealthy to consume it.Thus they held them by the crimp.
Since 99.99999999 % reoccuring of folk have never been anywhere near tin ore it is foolish not to consume it completely.

At the same time coal miners and lead miners further north took ordinary sandwiches down the colliery or mine, wrapped in brown or news paper and the whole lot was consumed, dirty hands or not. It was considered not only "parky" (picky) not to eat everything as well as wasteful but mostly as discarding uneaten food encouraged rats which were already plentiful due to the pit ponies being in residence and was very much discouraged and mocked.

With Ginsters pasties however...I have often eaten the crust and crimp and fed the foul contents to either a dog or the crows...semi raw, slimy slices of potato and turnip are exceedingly foul and I have a strong belief that the "meat" is nearer to equine than bovine !

In reply to Post #77
Cornish pastry shop in town centre is as close as I get to a cornish pasty unless visiting Cornwall, must say though they are very good and not being a tin miner I eat the crimp which is very nice dipped in gravy. Never eat ginsters although I know people that do but they also like gregg's and McDonald's.

In reply to Post #80
Kelly's cornish clotted cream ice cream, that's nice 😋

In reply to Post #81
Cornish pastry shop I assume is a chain of shops? It does various pasties and cornish cakes, scones, ice cream ect.

In reply to Post #79
Correct,Wilberforce..you also have to factor in some miners didn't just work in tin mines,some worked in arsenic mines as well,so there is no way you'd consider eating the crimp back in the day..

Bal maidens,earnt thier money money at the top of the mines,sometimes pushing the ore trucks,unloading even..they would bring a pasty to their loved ones..

When younger,if you got called a bal maiden it was an insult,there are lots of things best unsaid about how money was earned..!

Modern crimp..this is an emotive subject,lol...now I do not eat a big crimp as all your getting is pastry straight down in your guts,it'll give you gip,I know about these things..

My mother,mother in law and wife ,make pasty pie with parsley that is proper lush,no crimp..just tasty..

Ginsters....no...

If any of you want to eat a pasty ,in the most spectacular farm shop and view to boot ,pm me,...

Remember,it's jam first ,....

I find the corporate bashing hypocritical .... because we all use corporates everywhere else, they are a necessary evil! whether Supermarkets,, petrol garages, pet shops, furniture stores, clothes stores, outfdoor shops, coffee shops etc etc .... All tend to be souless, all tend to lack the attention a small independant might offer, ..... but the truth is we all tend to use them ... whether its convenience, stock availability or just plain old price .... I dont really understand why Angling Direct are the ones to be singled out .

The small imdependant fishing shop was pretty much dead well before Angling Direct rocked up ..... It was the internet that killed the smaller shop, too many stayed in the dark ages for far too long and it cost them .... Its easy to look thru rose tinted glasses. advice isnt needed these days as its all on the internet and a group of scruffy, camouflaged laden anglers all sitting round driinking tea, in a fog of cigarette smoke and swapping stories never payed the bills and is an archaic business model that should never return

In reply to Post #84

I would get a celebrity foot baller to bicycle kick the pasties down the mine and charge people to see it. Then I've added an entertainments package to my work place.

Silly cornisherrerers

In reply to Post #83
I bet there's nowhere in kernow you can get a proper Jamaican pattie. Especially as it would be hypocritical naming them as such without them being imported from said island.
Shame really because they taste so much better 🫣

In reply to Post #87
Well Noj,I'm up for trying one for sure,sounds nice tbh,and Mozzi ,what de fuc are Cornishererrrrs..lol

In reply to Post #88
The island delight patties from supermarkets are not a fair representation, but they're better than a ginsters that's for bloody sure! It's basically just a Cornish pasty with some heat and less (better seasoned) pastry

In reply to Post #89
I see,well I might have to purchase one of these from somewhere and see what dems like..!

In reply to Post #90
But sadly this is not helping ESP ,with the world dominance of AD..unless,we send a ranky,Ginsters to mainman of AD,this will give him bad botty,botty ..

In reply to Post #90
Better to find a good Caribbean take away. Though I doubt you have many in that neck of the woods to be fair.
Back on topic. My lad likes angling direct, it smells better than tackle box and everyone is happier.. priorities are different at 5 I suppose He also prefers Tesco to the grocers and smyths toy superstore to the local toy shop.

In reply to Post #92
..

However,this topic has been of great interest ,and in the light of previous posts ,I have today and last week bought wholly from my local shop,albeit a 40 mile round trip. Only small bits and bait I needed,it was good to physically look and feel some of the latest products..

No AD,no Internet...involved.

I didn't buy anything other than essentials, so it's nearly 5 months I've kept my promise to myself to not buy unnecessary kit...7 months to go,can I do it ,we will see..!

The savings can be passed on in part to a Piscario,...lol

In reply to Post #91
ESP / Drennan is massively established and 100% don't need their custom.

By all accounts from a trusted source its Peter standing firm against their demands and good on him. they'll always take drennan its the staple brand for every tackle shop pretty much. ESP sells very very well in independent tackle shops.

more brands need to take note on this stance, angling direct should pay the same price for goods as every other retailer.

In reply to Post #94
Very true,one of the most established and famous long term brands about...all started from Peter winning a float making competition..when he was young..

(The saying is no business is an island)..and no rock can't be chipped..

Bit of Eric ,there..lol

In reply to Post #94
Even more reason to buy ESP then

In reply to Post #94
The thing that amuses me is that I'm sure Drennan also own the Kamasan hook brand, at the very least it is the same factory.

Will AD stop stocking Kamasan hooks?
Loads of match and fly anglers use them!

In reply to Post #97
Ad took over Fosters and one of the first things they did was make "Bob The Rod" redundant, one of the best, if not THE best, he worked at Fosters for many many years, great guy and only to helpful

In reply to Post #98
Fosters another gooden gone

In reply to Post #99
They then went around slating the way fosters was run and it's staff were toxic .

Now it's empty of stock , unfriendly and soulless place .

I've not set foot in there in a good while but it's my mates local shop and he hates it .

In reply to Post #97
They will if drennan stop supplying them.

Is this confirmed as truth or just hear say?

In reply to Post #102
Spoke to my pal who works at one of the local AD's and he said that if I wanted any ESP stuff they have to order it from the central warehouse. He said they had loads of Drennan in store though and the ESP displays are being replaced with Cygnet.

In reply to Post #103
Don`t know if any of you have noticed but when I Google any other big tackle shops AD come up top of the list, are they paying Google for this privilege ??

In reply to Post #104
I'd say they spend a few quid on SEO.

In reply to Post #105
Probably a huge investment in SEO by AD.

In reply to Post #104
Looking at this thread and an AD advert is at the bottom of the page! they are advertising everywhere!!

In reply to Post #107
Those ads are personal to your browsing history, that's how the forum generates income. Wipe your history and spend a few afternoons looking at conservatories and double glazing and that's what you'll get for adverts.

In reply to Post #108
Or download an ad blocker for your browser and get zero adverts, ever

In reply to Post #108
That's why I keep seeing adverts for dating beautiful Russian Girls..

In reply to Post #98
Fosters/AD -Bob is still in there making rods last time I was in?

AD - Awful shops - dull and robotic. Everything in boxes. Self service is OK.

In reply to Post #103
I was told today it's only the esp terminal gear that ad are not selling still selling there other gear it's being replaced with cygnet

Slough has to be the worst AD I have been in.

In reply to Post #113
Don't find Slough too bad, it's better than the Reading one

In reply to Post #112
Have a look on their website, they have taken all the main ESP items down.
It's all because Peter Drennan wouldn't lower his prices for AD so they threw their toys out of the pram.

In reply to Post #115
That's what I was told by a ad manager maybe he's got it wrong I thought it was odd tbh all or nothing

In reply to Post #114
Is there anything decent in reading though?

In reply to Post #117
The view of it in your rear-view mirror.

In reply to Post #116
Yeah it's definitely a weird one isn't it.
No disrespect towards said manager but now the only way people get to management in the company now is by being yes men, they're just puppets that have to say certain things to convey AD in a certain light.
Same with most companies I can imagine.

In reply to Post #119
Did you work for AD Scott?

Seems to be plenty of ESP on the AD website atm

In reply to Post #120
I did Cam.
Yeah they have the terminal items still but none of their bigger items, rods, luggage etc.
It's a good thing for smaller tackle shops as they won't be priced out of the market when it comes to ESP. only a small victory I know but still. Lol

In reply to Post #121
A good friend of mine owns a tackle shop and told me esp/drennan and delkim are the two companies that charge the same to all retailers regardless of how big and quantity they buy. Also said korda and Gardner may possibly be the same but he has never discussed it with them.

In reply to Post #122
Yeah that doesn't surprise me.
When I used to work there I would get a "staff price" on items I wanted and if my local dealer could get close to the price I'd happily go to them but for an example when the Castizm reels came out I could get them cheaper on staff than the local shop bought them from Shimano.

AD obviously tried to dictate to Drennan what they would pay if not they would stop their items and Drennan stuck their foot down. Well done Mr Drennan. ( If that is the case )

In reply to Post #123
Daiwa some years ago were supposed to be the worst, at trade shows cash rich dealers with an account that could afford to buy bulk could get high end rods and reels well below trade price and get free ones as a bonus making it difficult for the smaller family business to compete on high end stuff. Believe shimano did similar with there top end reels.

In reply to Post #124
I understand it's to make money as they are a business but it's so bad for the economy & people in the long run.
The stress some small family run shops must have just wondering how they're going to carry on making a profit etc, must be horrible.

The amount of times companies would send "free items" wether it be rods, reels, power packs etc to what ever member of staff delt with the company directly was mad. Obviously it was out of the kindness of their heart that said recipient needed a new set of reels each year... Must have been a coincidence they then purchased much more stock from the manufacturer. Lol

I have purchases quite a few ESP/Drennan rods and products over the years ,,,,, Very few were bought with much of a discount

Didn't see a single esp rod in tackle box. Are they held in that high esteem that they can't keep hold of any stock, or are they just selectively stocked with FS, darent valley and Nash rods?

In reply to Post #127
Noticed that when I was in there a few weeks ago, had a lot of nash bed chairs and bivvies as well.

In reply to Post #128
I was very underwhelmed.

In reply to Post #129
You went in the wrong A.D,you were in Anal Dippers

In reply to Post #124
Daiwa and Shimano had a system that saw one tackle shop as the 'warehouse' for the area.

This tackle shop got preferential discount, and would supply the other local tackle shops.
It is why some of the bigger shops were able to give massive discounts to customers, and why smaller shops often stopped selling these brands.

In reply to Post #129
It's Dartford, what do you expect?!

What rods and reels were you buying?

Edit... You've deleted most of your post?!

In reply to Post #131
That's interesting because a few years ago one of the biggest retailers told me they only make a few quid on Daiwa and Shimano reels when they are competing with other price matches etc. Not worth selling

End of the day, another rip off and where the real big bucks are, £500, 600, £700 plus for a reel. Amazing how they can both knock out a powerhouse of a reel in their spod ranges for just over a £100 because that's all anglers will pay for a spod reel, woops, said it now

While every their are people splashing out for the next “must have” items the prices will be going up, up and up. You need a “scope” yeah a “scope” maybe a sawn off (pmsl) and don't forget your a black ops “carp angler” cause it Kool

Its no wonder companies like this are monopolising the market place and its big business, mugs game

My advise, if it's not broke, don't fix it.

In reply to Post #133
Well said I have often thought why a spod reel is so much cheaper as I have said many times we control the price if we pay these rip off prices don't buy and the price will drop these black ops where aimed at the teenagers with the call of duty black ops game cleaver marketing business psychology it was already a household name amongst younger people so they felt an association with the name
The biggest problem is peoples ego to show others what you have it doesn't really matter how good the product is it's the name you have to have
It's like Range Rover I think there lovely looking car I wouldn't mind one I have been shocked how many people have told me owners and others there not well built lots of problems but people pay 60 70 grand for them it's the name there buying it's the same with carp gear

In reply to Post #132
Yeah sorry, I didn't think it was fair to post it.
Was going to spend a few quid.
I drove to an angling direct yesterday too and if I'm honest I took one look and carried on driving
I think if something isn't custom made I'll just order online from now on, I'd actually prefer a big outdoor type shop with a specialised fishing department. Pokey little tackle shops are not particularly inviting and often limited on space to see products properly.

In reply to Post #135
Times change mate. I've always stuck by the pokey places wherever my angling has taken me, anywhere in the world. I've put more fish on the bank with advice/info gleaned from places like that than any tackle superstore discount has.
Saying that old Stinky Stan Lewis in the Severn valley wouldn't cut it in the modern world. Stans usual mantra " if you aren't spending there's f**k all I'm talking to you about" Put me into my first eiver100lb bag of barbel and my first 3lb river roach Bill Levesly/Stan in the shop. Social media probably makes catching the target easier than it used to be, hastening the rise and demise of different tackle shops.

In reply to Post #136
I agree mate. That's why I'd want a specialised department with staff who have local and product knowledge. It would provide more stable employment locally than a little independent too.
I'm not knocking tackle shops in general, just the ones with a bad atmosphere or no floor space so they basically make a profit for doing nothing rather than having to invest in any significant stock but soon claim that bigger firms investing in stock and advertising are acting immorally.

In reply to Post #137
I looked other day ad website to see if they had a zig float said out of stock so paid a bit more ordered from elsewhere had to go to ad few hours later to get some bait there they are a whole rack of the float I wanted
The times this has happened there stock control is absolutely appalling

In reply to Post #138
Why not just call your local AD and see if they have it in stock? You also have he option to search for stock by store. The stock on the website is from a central warehouse.

In reply to Post #139
My local AD store is sound sutton in ashfield nothing to much trouble for the lads.

In reply to Post #139
If you ring them they probably would not have a clue of what you're after anyway.I had a member of staff trying to convince to be a reel once,only issue with it was is the reel does not even exist