Not heard the term "bum lickers" since primary school...

I buy my new gear from 3 sources. 2 are good local tackle shops who know me and I know them. If they have gear in stock that's where I buy it. For bigger and or more expensive specialist gear that the small shops cannot afford to stock I use the Tackle Box at Dartford(not always the cheapest but definitely the best as far as I am concerned)
If I have a problem with a purchase, which we all do from time to time, I go to the outlet I bought it from. They deal with it first time, everytime. The big companies are not set up to deal with individual customer complaints and I agree are not very good at it.
A good retailer who cares about your business is the charm.

In reply to Post #43
Only met Nash once, that was enough c%%% just my view

In reply to Post #43
Well, that's sorted then

In reply to Post #43
What makes you say "it's prone to breaking"? I've got both sizes of the Hide and know a few other owners that fish regularly and none of use have suffered a broken pole.
Obviously not saying it doesn't happen, but "prone"?