Product Manufacturers Do Listen To Consumers

[luvjign]

or, at least some do. There was a thread I made a couple of posts in last year on Tite Lok rod holders, where I changed the plastic headed T-screws (used to clamp the holder in place) with some big cushioned hand knobs so getting enough torque on them without breaking or having to use tools could be easily done. I recieved a PM from a lady who works in Sales & Marketing at Tite Lok, expressing appreciation for changes and ideas that could make their product better. She also replied to an email message that the company is under new ownership, and past ownership did not listen to product suggestions. She went on to say that she found Crappie.com on a google search, as she was looking for a website "where everyone talks about fishing". I do want to say that I do not expect any glory whatsoever for something I wanted to do to make these holders user-friendlier for me; as well as pass on the idea to others whom I know probably have had the same frustration. It's no big deal to me. But again, a lot of people view the forums; and some of which are manufacturers of stuff we fishermen use regularly.....and may or may not choose to at least try to make products better. But, apparently some are willing to try. Here's her message:


Hi
I work for Tite Lok in the sales and marketing department. We have listened to our fisherman and pro staff over the past year. We did make a change to the small t handles and went to the larger knobs in January. We realize it was a pain to grip onto them b/c they were so small.
Posts like yours and modifications help us in making our product better.
I want to thank you for using Tite Lok and hope that you have a great fishing season.
If you need anything, please don't hestitate to contact me.

[email protected]

Thank you!!!
Julie Bethel

[Cane Pole]

Great Job and good news too.

[22Footer]

I have talked to her at a few tournaments. She seems really nice, I hope they continue to listen to what others are doing to make the holders better. I still like my Tite-Loks better than any other holders I have been around. I've seen some of the new bolts they are putting on them, I hope they work out.

[lhumphre]

think they will send out replacement knobs to all us who own them crappy plastic knobs?

[fish-wva]

it's good to know that people in sales and who sale products to the public will listen to their customers. after all the public people buying the things are the one who has the best information to make things better. not someone sitting behind a desk all day and trying to think of how to make them better who will never use them.

[stinkies daddy]

good going, Linda Colt at Lowerance is another good egg

[badbrad]

Good to see, I like my tite-lok's once I get them adjusted but they are a real pain to loosen and re-set.

lhumphre, that would be great if they would offer free replacements for us. I ended up having some new ones made for mine that have a hexhead fashioned on the top that I can tighten down with a ratchet. But would rather not have to fool with ratchet if the new knobs work good.

[magnum500]

One company I am disapointed in is Daiwa. I was using a Daiwa rod and reel crappie fishing. I got a bite and set the hook and started pulling him to the surface.Just as I got the fish to the surface the rod snapped in two places. I got the fish in the boat and it weighed a little over one pound. This was only about the fifth time I had used this rod. After looking at the rod it appeared that the rod waas very thin at the point where it broke. I sent an E-mail to Daiwa and never got a response. It would have been nice for them to at least respond with something. I have several Daiwa rods and reels but this will probably keep me from buying anymore.

[ad1974]

That's good to hear,I replaced all of mine with 5/16-18 socket head cap bolts that I tighten with a allen wrench.

[Hoosierdaddy]

I'm with ya' magnum......no response at all is the worse part. I've been trying to order some lures from Norman since last June with no luck. I sent them a letter and didn't get any response. I would have preferred yes or no or take a hike, something, anything. No response at all just tells me they don't care about their customers and therefore they don't deserve the business.