It's amazing how this company stays in business.
In reply to Post #7
Had exactly the same thing. Wasn't until i got hold of Harrison and told them my rods had been held up because they apparently had no stock of the blank i wanted. This was a lie of course. They sent my blanks the next day and i got my rods 3 weeks later.
Had exactly the same thing. Wasn't until i got hold of Harrison and told them my rods had been held up because they apparently had no stock of the blank i wanted. This was a lie of course. They sent my blanks the next day and i got my rods 3 weeks later.
In reply to Post #17
I had the same situation with a set of Century C2s back in 2017 - after having many missed deadlines and being told that they'd been posted twice the story changed to a delay in Century making blanks. I dropped Century a line to find out an ETA only to be told that they'd had no orders from Cotswold.
I was in no rush for my rods so a honest/realistic lead time wouldn't have bothered me, however when 3 weeks turns to 6 months plus it gets a tad frustrating!
I had the same situation with a set of Century C2s back in 2017 - after having many missed deadlines and being told that they'd been posted twice the story changed to a delay in Century making blanks. I dropped Century a line to find out an ETA only to be told that they'd had no orders from Cotswold.
I was in no rush for my rods so a honest/realistic lead time wouldn't have bothered me, however when 3 weeks turns to 6 months plus it gets a tad frustrating!
In reply to Post #1
Such a shame to see this being repeated over and over again.
I have a set of the original Cotswold Rods R1's that I adore and have had a couple of problems that were addressed reasonably well by Tom however, all I see over recent years is one complaint after another and nearly all about deadlines and poor communications which, in fairness is so easy to avoid especially when you are selling good products.
I hand on heart would never risk having rods built by him again due to these complaints.
The other strange thing is that on the occasions I have met him, he is a really nice guy.
Such a shame to see this being repeated over and over again.
I have a set of the original Cotswold Rods R1's that I adore and have had a couple of problems that were addressed reasonably well by Tom however, all I see over recent years is one complaint after another and nearly all about deadlines and poor communications which, in fairness is so easy to avoid especially when you are selling good products.
I hand on heart would never risk having rods built by him again due to these complaints.
The other strange thing is that on the occasions I have met him, he is a really nice guy.
In reply to Post #19
Yeah they used to be a good company, they (Tom and his ex business partner can't remember his name ) did a forum special deal on a landing net, they were very good and a great price, it must have been 10 years ago or more but back then they got great reviews, such a shame it's gone down hill.
Yeah they used to be a good company, they (Tom and his ex business partner can't remember his name ) did a forum special deal on a landing net, they were very good and a great price, it must have been 10 years ago or more but back then they got great reviews, such a shame it's gone down hill.
it looks like they're not taking custom build orders, the page comes up 404 error on the website 'about' page.
In reply to Post #21
They did a fb post asking for rod builders to take on some of their work a while ago.
They did a fb post asking for rod builders to take on some of their work a while ago.
Based on experience, could anyone recommend an alternative rod builder?
In reply to Post #23
Calvin Hancock has done the last couple of sets I've had. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. Top end work at a fair price and communication was excellent. You can visit in person if you're close (I'm not), talk on the phone and he answers calls/emails (as should be expected from a professional)
Calvin Hancock has done the last couple of sets I've had. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. Top end work at a fair price and communication was excellent. You can visit in person if you're close (I'm not), talk on the phone and he answers calls/emails (as should be expected from a professional)
In reply to Post #23
Kevin Clayton, super ocd, will be perfect.
Kevin Clayton, super ocd, will be perfect.
In reply to Post #25
Love all my rods I've had from Kev,top bloke
Love all my rods I've had from Kev,top bloke
In reply to Post #23
I have rods made by Jeff Rawstorne, and Kev Clayton, nothing to choose between them in quality, both are superb. Communication first class also. Would highly recommend both.
I have rods made by Jeff Rawstorne, and Kev Clayton, nothing to choose between them in quality, both are superb. Communication first class also. Would highly recommend both.
In reply to Post #23
Maybe a bit far for you but Colin from Broadland rods has built all of mine, excellent work, he does free spirits and Harrison, plus others. He is listed on the Harrison website.
He's lives at Brooke, Norfolk
Feel free to PM for more details
Maybe a bit far for you but Colin from Broadland rods has built all of mine, excellent work, he does free spirits and Harrison, plus others. He is listed on the Harrison website.
He's lives at Brooke, Norfolk
Feel free to PM for more details
In reply to Post #23
Can thoroughly recommend Chris Palmer in Woking, formally pottys leads. Built rods for 100s of customers plus rebuilt 5 sets of my rods
Can thoroughly recommend Chris Palmer in Woking, formally pottys leads. Built rods for 100s of customers plus rebuilt 5 sets of my rods
In reply to Post #18
It is a shame to see this. I have had a number of dealings with Tom, from getting my rods built and going to churn pool. I have been to the shop. He is a really nice bloke. I guess just not great at dealing with the demands many expect. So much so, when I got my custom stalking rod built I went with JB custom rods. I looked at and spoke to a range of rod builders for my main set and very nearly went with Kev Clayton.
Loads out there, I've just come across a really funky German builder, but that would be a ball ache, although it does seem custom rods are getting really custom!!
It is a shame to see this. I have had a number of dealings with Tom, from getting my rods built and going to churn pool. I have been to the shop. He is a really nice bloke. I guess just not great at dealing with the demands many expect. So much so, when I got my custom stalking rod built I went with JB custom rods. I looked at and spoke to a range of rod builders for my main set and very nearly went with Kev Clayton.
Loads out there, I've just come across a really funky German builder, but that would be a ball ache, although it does seem custom rods are getting really custom!!