I read today AD sales hit £40.9 million in the 1st 6 months of this year. That's 10% more than the same period last year. The way they're buying up outlets like Eric's etc and forcing other firms out of business its hardly surprising. They appear to have a great business model...until things go pear shaped and refunds etc are requested then their true colours emerge. Making inroads into Europe too.

Such a shame really as places like Eric's and Hull angling which I've used in the past were always top on customer services and gave prices far cheaper than the cheap prices advertised on their sites. I'll only buy from AD if its much cheaper than elsewhere or nowhere have the stock item I need. Same reason I prefer to use anywhere than amazon where possible

Are they really forcing other shops out of business? Or simply buying up what others don't want to buy and giving a retirement option for owners that doesn't exist elsewhere.

AD paid £1.1m for Eric's, what independent person is going to pay that sort of money? If "Dave" from down the road has a spare £1m in his pocket, he is unlikely to buy a tackle shop.

That's the thing when you want to sell a successful business, your buyer list is very small. Realistically it's only those on the procurement trail that will buy you.

I imagine all who have sold to AD are quite happy.

In reply to Post #2
I Bloody miss erics, what a shop.

In reply to Post #3
Yes AD provide a great service to those that want to sell up.
Not so good for those who've lost those shops.

In reply to Post #5
Trouble is, I use my local shops when I need little bits and I'm passing through but they don't have things in stock I want ever, and they can't get anywhere near online prices, I know they have overheads and that but they could help you out a bit!

In reply to Post #3
How dare you come on here with facts and a rational argument

In reply to Post #1
FFS lmao forcing people out of business ???

Sam owner of Eric's WANTED to sell up

In reply to Post #8
Yes Gerry, trouble is people spout a lot of assumed rubbish without knowing the true facts

In reply to Post #2
The customer service from Hull Angling was terrible. If anything went wrong with an order they just ignored you in the hope you went away. Thank god for PayPal.

I'd take my chances with AD over them any day of the week.

In reply to Post #10
Had an issue with Hull angling on a faulty product luckily the manufacturer dealt with it, Hull will never get another penny out of me.

In reply to Post #11
Pretty sure there was whole thread on here about how useless they were.

I had a new Nash chair, the welding snapped the second time I used it. Angling direct arranged a return. A couple of days later a brand new one came from Nash direct. I could not fault the customer service for my problem

Angling Direct gets a lot of bashing but if i go there i know i can pretty much get everything i need apposed to my small local shop which doesn't stock Thinking Anglers or ESP.

Too be fair if i need something 99% of the time i buy online (normally through Amazon or Ebay because you get free delivery) I'm a sucker for walking into a tackle shop and walking out with £50 worth of ***** i don't need.

Personally never had a problem with Hull although it's been a while. They even let me swap a bivvy after it's first use because I didn't like it