I must have been in a trance…hypnotized by the sound of money jingling in my pocket…lulled into a dream state by the “Siren’s Song”. What was I thinking? What am I talking about? Here is the scene; this holiday season I went to the world’s biggest BIG BOX (starts with a “W”) in search of a gift and bought my wife a new-fangled DVD player (it even plays the ancient technology known as VHS on the same unit). I asked the department manager for help and got Mr. Snot Nosed Technology Genius That Thinks Everyone Else is a Moron (especially me). After putting up with his psychological abuse, I found the unit that I thought we needed. I asked him if it would work with our set-up at home. He responded, “it should if the coaxilator connects to the discombobulator and runs through the hemointoxinator – but make sure you have the sidewinded domathingahicky fed to the back of the unit.” I said, “No problem” and went home utterly depressed. Christmas comes…she opens the gift…loves it…questions whether it will work or not so she can tape and watch her shows…and I say, “No problem” (for the second time). I got to hook it up and nothing works. Perfect. What I do next finds me guilty of the crime and I stand convicted. I run up the nearest Radio Shack (small box) and tell the manager there of my dilemma. I explain what is wrong and he proceeds to tell me I need the Turbo Charged Cable Regulator Instigator (or something like that), goes and gets it and scores the sale. As I was paying, I see a stack of DVD players off to the side and I sheepishly ask, “Oh, you guys have those here?” and he says, proudly, “Yes!” I should have bought it there in the first place. What I received was a good attitude, simple answers and solutions, and service with a smile. When I get home, I hook it up and, viola, it works. What is that worth? Plenty!
Look…I like a deal as much as the next guy. But I also know that you can be haunted by the “get what you pay for” program. We live in a culture that has become addicted to those big boxes and there is a price to pay. It has happened in a number of industries (think hardware stores, sporting goods stores, department stores, and much more) and it dramatically changes the landscape of our communities. Look around you…look hard. It is not a pretty sight. Now look to your local fly shop. The same thing has happened in the fly fishing industry (and hunting, and other outdoor pursuits).
When Trout Unlimited and The Federation of Fly Fishers were spreading across the country and adding clubs and chapters decades ago, the local fly shop owners were usually one of the first to step in and commit their resources (time, money, donations…blood, sweat, and tears) to the cause. Many local clubs grew and thrived thanks to the selfless efforts of these unsung heroes. Ask around and you will find this to be true. How time forgets. I know this was true in our area and others as well. These entrepreneurs have worked very hard for many years building their businesses, only to have their business cannibalized by big competitors. And now, the Big Box Guys (C and B) show up at TU and FFF Headquarters looking for "partnerships", flex their muscles and get all kinds of love. It is tough out there and the least we can do is support our local fly shop. It is the right thing to do. They most certainly have an obligation to run a good shop, offer great products and service, and take care of the customer. But, assuming those things are true, we should be spending our money there.
The moral of the story – you get to pick the size of box that you want to shop (and live) in. It is most certainly a free country and the choice is yours. But, we all have to live with those choices and every decision that we make has a consequence – good or otherwise. All I am asking you to do is to think about the effects of those choices that you make. Please. Thank you. You think about that. TL
Look…I like a deal as much as the next guy. But I also know that you can be haunted by the “get what you pay for” program. We live in a culture that has become addicted to those big boxes and there is a price to pay. It has happened in a number of industries (think hardware stores, sporting goods stores, department stores, and much more) and it dramatically changes the landscape of our communities. Look around you…look hard. It is not a pretty sight. Now look to your local fly shop. The same thing has happened in the fly fishing industry (and hunting, and other outdoor pursuits).
When Trout Unlimited and The Federation of Fly Fishers were spreading across the country and adding clubs and chapters decades ago, the local fly shop owners were usually one of the first to step in and commit their resources (time, money, donations…blood, sweat, and tears) to the cause. Many local clubs grew and thrived thanks to the selfless efforts of these unsung heroes. Ask around and you will find this to be true. How time forgets. I know this was true in our area and others as well. These entrepreneurs have worked very hard for many years building their businesses, only to have their business cannibalized by big competitors. And now, the Big Box Guys (C and B) show up at TU and FFF Headquarters looking for "partnerships", flex their muscles and get all kinds of love. It is tough out there and the least we can do is support our local fly shop. It is the right thing to do. They most certainly have an obligation to run a good shop, offer great products and service, and take care of the customer. But, assuming those things are true, we should be spending our money there.
The moral of the story – you get to pick the size of box that you want to shop (and live) in. It is most certainly a free country and the choice is yours. But, we all have to live with those choices and every decision that we make has a consequence – good or otherwise. All I am asking you to do is to think about the effects of those choices that you make. Please. Thank you. You think about that. TL
