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In reply to Post #28
We could probably debate it all day. And it is often very very easy to blame and not take responsibility for one's own actions. I'll approach it from working in the industry for over 25 years, including for one of the world's biggest investment banks. Previous to that, I worked in research science after graduating... I saw more lies and corrupt practice there than I've ever seen in banking. There are a minority in financial services that are total c**ts, in it for themselves, but they are a minority. And there are a hell of a lot of people now, working bloomin long hours, to try and make sure everything doesn't grind to a halt, because if the money supply stops... Well, I think you know what happens then!
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In reply to Post #27
I use AD for ease as its free delivery on orders over £9 i can find better deals elsewhere but by the time you pay postage or hunted for it, its not really a good deal. I use local tackle shops aswell but i also use AD if im busy and cant make a trip to the shop. There prices are standard in my eyes probally get cheaper elsewhere but atleast i know its a genuine product delivered to my door for free. If you dont like them dont use them simple really isnt it. I dont see why people get so angry about it seriously. Theres bigger things in life to worry about at the moment other than AD prices and stock levels.
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In reply to Post #29
Bet you’re the life & soul of the party 😂
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In reply to Post #1
Don't be too concerned about AD ruining bargains.
We'll be lucky if any of us will have the spare time or any spare money when this current calamity is over.
Imagine the glee of the first post covid emergency budget....Diesel £160 a litre VAT 30 percent etc etc etc.
A lot of people out there will be lucky just to keep the tackle they've got.
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In reply to Post #26
My distrust of financial services isn’t based on what I’ve seen on the telly. It’s based on my experiences of dealing with them and friends and families dealing with them over many many years.
Friends who lost businesses in the crash cos the banks called in loans they were servicing perfectly. Friends and family members left with nothing but statutory redundancy after years of service.
Small businesses being taken down cos the administrators say there’s nothing left for you once the big boys have been paid.
People left with massive short falls on their properties cos they were mis sold interest only mortgages with unsuitable products. PPI mis selling. Or the latest beauty, the coronavirus loans for businesses, money borrowed by the banks from the government at 0.1% yet they are charging 15-20% interest on those loans, even though they are covered by 80% government backing. Those same bankers who were happy to have our money to bail them out now asking people to put up properties as guarantees until the government stopped them.
If I’m on a soap box. It’s a box made of real life experiences.
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In reply to Post #26
Well said after all we’re all capitalists at heart
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In reply to Post #19
Mr Rex. I agree with what you say about AD, but tarnishing anyone that works in the financial services that you mention like you have, is naive and ignorant. Perhaps I could counter by saying anyone who fits boilers for a living is a rip off merchant conning old ladies for repairs they don't need. It's true you know, I've seen it on the telly. Just like how you've seen programs about corrupt bankers.
Behave and get off your soapbox.
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In reply to Post #24
Only problem with that is JR will charge you £8 for delivery for orders under £150
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In reply to Post #21
My counter to that argument is buy it mail order from Johnson Ross, the tackle box, browns of Leighton buzzard, harefield tackle, England angling etc etc. Then it’s the best of both worlds, you’re still getting your twenty quids worth of tackle delivered on your door without the wasted petrol, but you are also supporting long established independent local businesses in the process so it’s a win for you and a win for them.
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In reply to Post #21
I’ve just put together a small beginners set up.
My view on it is AD are the ones missing out.
90% of the kit I’ve put together has been from amazon or total fishing tackle.
Saved me at least £150+ than getting it at AD.
Loads of deals out there from the independents, AD couldn’t get close to the prices on rods reels alarms mats ect compared to others.
I’ve found that at best they match a price I’ve seen elsewhere
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In reply to Post #21
Both of mine are 15 and 20 minutes away, it's not just about the purchase, it's the interaction. I know we're on lock down, but that aside, you can't beat wandering round "your" tackle shop, chewing the cud on all fishing stuff and putting the world to rights 
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In reply to Post #20
The thing is for some people my local decent stockist and tackle shop is a 30 minute drive away and if i only want a few bits i will order online from companies such as Angling Direct. Im not driving an hour out of my way and spending petrol for £20 worth of tackle when i can get it delivered to my door for free. If you dont want to use them then dont its simple really isnt it but they have a place in the market. I dont believe they are killing tackle shops and bargains cause there are plenty of independent small tackle shops doing well from local/loyal customers. I use my local tackle shop if im out that way or want to see something before i buy it. But i also use Angling direct if i know what i want and i cant justify driving an hour for it
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In reply to Post #19
Yep good words, I buy as much as I can from my two local shops, A R Tackle and Kent Tackle, A R being a small, literally a one man band, been there years, not enough room to have the amount of stock like the bigger guys but can do the same prices as them, and better most of the time, Kent Tackle have a lot more stock, still keen on price too. Both of these have no quibble about returns 
**just like to add, A R Tackle have NO website or internet sales, all regular customers and word of mouth **
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In reply to Post #18
You are looking at this the wrong way round. Business is about spreading risk. I’d much rather have fifty shops owe me money than one. If one of the fifty goes pop then I’ve just lost 1/50th of my invoice payments. If just one shop owes the same as all the fifty and that goes then I’ve just lost 100% of my invoices.
People need to stop viewing AD like they do their local tackle shop or their local tackle shop owner. The owners of AD don’t give a fcuk about you or your hobby or any of their employees or their suppliers. They are in it for the money and when it’s not not to their liking they will be gone, and if that takes down a load of shops or manufacturers they won’t loose one wink of sleep over it.
The people in these equity firms and hedge funds are the same people who work in banks and insurance and pensions etc. They are in it for themselves. They might not hold you up with a knife like a local druggy hoodie would, be their attitude to others is no different. Take whatever they can, when they can and don’t give a flying fcuk about your victims.
Stop thinking these are traditional tackle shops. You are buying tackle from some city spiv who will be gone in five years and onto the next get quick rich scheme. Whilst all the staff and suppliers cling on to the hope they might get 20p in the pound of what they are owed from the administrators.
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In reply to Post #14
Personally, ive not found it so, and would assume that AD have a very high churn of product and are therefore out of stock when the supplier is out of stock, whereas smaller retailers may sit on stock for longer.
I dont think their dominance is a good thing, but then i look at some of the investment they have made in social media, videos, tutorials, own brand stuff, modern store presentation.... they are promoting 'fishing' to a wider audience than the cross section represented by this forum.
I really dont think that the large manufacturers would rather be doing business with 50 independent retailers, shipping to them individually, managing and chasing their payments separately, hedging the risk that one of them goes pop owing them money, as opposed to dealing with a single company backed by private equity cash. Of course the dominant player will use their weight to obtain better prices, better payment terms etc but alls fair in business, and thats just what it is to the people running AD.
I really have to dog in the fight here - i live 4 miles from the main AD shop in Norwich, but i also have two great smaller shops even closer (Wensum Valley Angling & Taverham Mills) - though i spend very little in any of them! i think smaller shops can survive - albeit most independents will be in it for the love of fishing and not as a pension plan.
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