UA National Prefered Supplier List (Recommend a fishing gear supplier)

[REEFMAN]

I made online enquiries at Basil about a week ago though and there's this girl there, Verushka, who is so on the ball that its scary. Really refreshing service all round, tackle shop or not. Takealot and the likes can take a few notes from this girl.

  100% Verushka is an absolute winner! E-mail her an order and it arrives in Joburg the next day, door to door! Awesome service! 

[Serra Moz]

I use to rant and rave about Ganis, back in the day, recently (6 weeks ago) I mailed them (more than once) - they did not even bother to reply, in the past, it use to be "same day, done deal" = Shipped.. I have spent perhaps 150K at Ganis (no jokes) - Anyway won't see me again......... I like the "The Complete Angler" near Kloof KZN, small shop - +/- same prices as KF and BM in Durbs, and they will order the stuff for you no probs, for example a fellow in Moz wanted a Shim TLD 25, so I checked around in Durban got quotes from 1900 - 2300 !!! At the complete angler I paid 1800, that was 5 weeks ago....

[CRANKMAN]

I was also a great fan of Ganis, but their poor, and more often non existent, communication lately has turned me away. One shouldn't have to fight to support a business, if they don't want your money move on - service is as valuable as price.

[Plugger]

We've always had good friendly service at The Complete Angler in Kloof (now owned by Kingfisher), though I am related to the "other" major tackle supplier and tend to support them.

[Serra Moz]

We've always had good friendly service at The Complete Angler in Kloof (now owned by Kingfisher), though I am related to the "other" major tackle supplier and tend to support them.

- OK, by KF...cool yes I have always had nice service there and chats etc.

[FishStyx]

I recently bought from bass.co.za... Collected from them near to Cresta in Northcliff. Good pricing and excellent service, will definitely be buying from them again.


Physical shop is:



World of Fishing
011 782 6969
189 Beyers Naude Drv.

[dodger]

I have had great service from Sarel at BA tackle  http://www.batackle.co.za/  delivered using Postnet overnight

[Serra Moz]

I have had great service from Sarel at BA tackle  http://www.batackle.co.za/  delivered using Postnet overnight

I just visited the page, no price - only products listed, so it will be NO NO for me.

[dodger]

I have had great service from Sarel at BA tackle  http://www.batackle.co.za/  delivered using Postnet overnight

I just visited the page, no price - only products listed, so it will be NO NO for me.

a bit silly that, look at what you want and Sarel will give you a quote including shipping, lures can be rigged or unrigged I have had great service

[Serra Moz]

I have had great service from Sarel at BA tackle  http://www.batackle.co.za/  delivered using Postnet overnight

I just visited the page, no price - only products listed, so it will be NO NO for me.

a bit silly that, look at what you want and Sarel will give you a quote including shipping, lures can be rigged or unrigged I have had great service

Huh? What's a bit silly? Because I differ? LOL... Would it not be correct for an online shop to display prices?....Silly not displaying it

[Rory mundy]

Each to his own but you missing out on a dealer who really knows his stuff and won't sell anything that he does not fish with himself.

[Serra Moz]

Each to his own but you missing out on a dealer who really knows his stuff and won't sell anything that he does not fish with himself.

Fair enough, each to his own - never heard of him anyway.

[LeerieLegend]

I have had great service from Sarel at BA tackle  http://www.batackle.co.za/  delivered using Postnet overnight

I just visited the page, no price - only products listed, so it will be NO NO for me.

a bit silly that, look at what you want and Sarel will give you a quote including shipping, lures can be rigged or unrigged I have had great service

Huh? What's a bit silly? Because I differ? LOL... Would it not be correct for an online shop to display prices?....Silly not displaying it

I think he is referring to the shop not displaying prices online being silly, not you... 

[Serra Moz]

I have had great service from Sarel at BA tackle  http://www.batackle.co.za/  delivered using Postnet overnight

I just visited the page, no price - only products listed, so it will be NO NO for me.

a bit silly that, look at what you want and Sarel will give you a quote including shipping, lures can be rigged or unrigged I have had great service

Huh? What's a bit silly? Because I differ? LOL... Would it not be correct for an online shop to display prices?....Silly not displaying it

I think he is referring to the shop not displaying prices online being silly, not you... 

No issue anway, I don't think so...LOL

[Kes]

I did not mention Mias for service for a reason, there is nothing to mention unfortunately. I have had many bad experiences with them.
I think depends what gear you get where, I always get decent discount at Sollys and Urban, as Urban and Fly Fishers Unlimited is specialised shops they are hard to compare, and the products they stock you do not get at Ganis but you do not expect to.
For me its about the support and overall experience Ganis is like your Fruit and Veg (Only F&V is tidy) and some of the others are like Woolies, for me personally when it comes to service. I have recently bought quite a large amount of bass gear, and Sollys was the cheapest with exactly what I wanted, even beating Ganis as it was a reasonable order and I do get some discount as all regulars get in the shops the frequent.
And I did not have to drive to Witbank for it. OR for support should I need it. At times the local shop in the area is the best, as they will be supporting the gear and cost of driving up and down inclusive of time is not really worth it at times.


I do not dish any shop as each one have a place, and as you said each person have a different experience.....

I see nothing has changed in just under three years. I have been to the Woodmead store twice in two weeks and the service is shocking. Went the first time because my wife went to the doctor just above Mia's and I didn't want to stand around for an hour and the second time because i needed something and Mia's Woodmead is the closest tackle shop to me. Their staff make you feel like they don't want you to be there and can't wait for you to leave. Other than that they give you the look like the suspect you might be a shoplifter. Anyway, will probably only ever go back there if I am in a pinch cos apart from their service, their prices are insane.


I can honestly say I have never felt like this in a tackle shop before and being from Durban previously and having dealt with Basil Manning and Kings before, this is a profound new experience for me. Speaking of which, does anyone know if Basil and Kings have kept their service level up, in shop?


I made online enquiries at Basil about a week ago though and there's this girl there, Verushka, who is so on the ball that its scary. Really refreshing service all round, tackle shop or not. Takealot and the likes can take a few notes from this girl.

Two years later and what can I say. Mia's service has improved. I have been there a lot in this time and they have stepped up their game. Also been to two 50% off sales in this time. There is one remaining gripe I have with them is their line winding service. Mia's will not help you if you don't buy the line from them. I even offered cash i.e.: Give me a price per spool and I will gladly pay. They refused citing that they offer it as a free service to customers but the line must be purchased in store. Very short sighted approach but it is what it is. Suffice to say, I don't wind my line there any longer. I get it done at All Out Angling in Centurion. But more on that later.


Basil Manning has kept up their service levels online but their in store service has progressively waned overall. You always get the feeling like you are an outcast when you walk into their Springfield/Umgeni branch. Its not everyone in the store and not every store. The guys at Cornubia are very friendly and very helpful. Some of the guys try really heard in Umgeni but I cant help but shake that feeling. I know you cant please everyone all of the time so I accept that. Overall though its not a place that I wont visit again, it most certainly is still up there with the best and I can see myself going there whenever I get a chance. As alluded to above, I still by online and their service is awesome.


In this time I have visited the Kingfisher a number of times and the service is excellent. Its very refreshing experience every single time. The guys and girls there treat you like you are a friend they haven't seen in a while. All the Mikes are awesome, all that I have met that is. And yes guys, they have many Mikes that work there..lol. Mike Pereira is awesome. Walks around and helps people. Always comes overs, greets by shaking your hand and spends a few minutes shooting the breeze. The first time I met him, I didn't know who he was so after he walked away my friend leans over and asks, do you know who that guy is? I say no. And then he says, that's Mike Pereira. I was pleasantly surprised. In all my years of going to Basil Manning, I still haven't seen Barry in the store. I know he probably doesn't spend much time in the store but I'm just saying. The only one criticism of the Kingfisher is the lack of an online store. This is most definitely a business decision and them probably wanting to maintain a closer touch with their customers but the world has moved on. E-commerce rules. I can buy toilet paper online these days. Time will tell though.


All out Angling in Centurion is a place that I will happily drive to if I need something. Tinus and the other guys are very helpful. I have never left that shop feeling unwanted or upset about anything. recently I walked in 5 minutes before they close on a Saturday to spool a reel. Tinus didn't even flinch, he did it with a smile and didn't even charge me for it. Great place, I hope they keep it up.

[Hennie2809]

Area: Menlyn Retail Park in Pretoria.
Shop: Sollys anglers corner. ( 012 3480207 )
Staff: Staff are keen fisherman as well, their advice is normally based on vast experience and a wealth of knowledge gained by hours                  on or at the water. Sollys started in 1973 as a general dealer in Booysens Pretoria. Today they only sell tackle.
[/size]Range: 5/5.
[/size]Price:  4/5.
[/size]Overall: 5/5.