I know a lot of the guys that post on this website either have affiliations with Big Hammer (fishco) so I don't want any of you to take this personal......... I have a major problem with their website
and not being able to order items directly from them. Their current method entails making your order online then printing this out along with your valuable MC or Visa number and snail mailing this to them. I don't know but maybe they don't want to be bothered with smallish orders placed on their website, if that's the case they could make a $100 dollar minimum order, Hell I'm open for suggestions.

I personally think that this method sucks, and goes against the whole idea of being online in the first place. I know that they want people to go to their nearest dealer, but I live in San Diego and I have worked at both Islandia sportfishing and Angler's Choice in the past, so I know my way around virtually every store in my area. Angler's Choice is listed as one of their local carriers, but I'm in there every week, So I know Luc does'nt carry ANY of their plastics. Only one store to my knowledge carries their plastics (Boss Tackle), of course every body carries the lead. The plastics that I see on the website are NOT the ones I see around town. Boss has a very piss poor assortment of the colors available.

So I ordered about 60 bucks worth of plastic about 3 or 4 weeks ago, but I'm willing to bet that I won't see those until Summer is over. I wrote them an email about my situation but nobody bothered to reply..... I don't mind being one of the few who has big hammers in his/her tackle box just more tight lines for me.

I'm not the smartest guy in the world but even I can tell that Big Hammer is missing out on a pretty decent plastic Market in San Diego, I mean most guys I've fished with have'nt even heard of them (Big Hammer made a big entrance into the market down here about 3 or 4 years ago, and their plastics received rave reviews,(I guess only I was ravin!)). Most of my hardcore fishing buddies think I'm crazy, they all say "Just Buy FishTraps/MC/or Artafishables" to which I reply "I wan't something different" not only that I have fished Hammers from the tube and from party boats and I believe that they have an edge over many of the plastics that I am forced to use.

I really hate to post my gripe here on this site (cause I like it here) but I'm kind of at my wits end. I only have one hobby and that's fishing (I wrap rods too, but of course that's fishing related) so I spare no expense when it comes to my gear (I have enough crap to put many mom and pop tackle stores to shame). Maybe just maybe there is a store that I don't know about in my area (Hey even I don't know everything!)

So I beseech you guys to help Ol' CALICO PRO out and give him the skinny on how to get my HAMMER PROBLEM? fixed.

I apologize in advance for stepping on any toes...and I thank you guys for any input or insults you may have...

Tight Lines................

Hey Larry, I sent you an email with some info, check it out and definitely hit me back if you have any problems. Hopefully we can improve the situation for you.

-Rob

Rob beat me to it. Check your email.

--David

Larry,

First, I am very sorry you have problems with the site and that you don't agree with that method of providing customers with a "last resort" for getting the baits.

Second, the ordering system on the Big Hammer site is NOT an on-line ordering system - it is simply an order form. It states that in the second paragraph of the ordering information page. The shopping cart is there to provide you with a simple way to collect your merchandise and figure out the tax, shipping, and total. You don't submit the order form and at no time is any of your information transferred via the internet.

Local tackle shops are getting killed by the internet and on-line stores. In setting up the Hammer site we were looking for a way to continue to support the dealers and at the same time provide a last resort way for customers who absolutely can not get the baits a way to find them.

We don't require you to provide your credit card information, you can send a check, money order or cashier's check if you prefer. Just like any other snail mail type catalog ordering system.

What you see as a problem I see as a solution. A couple years ago when I couldn't find 4 or 6 inch Hammers here in Santa Barbara I would've given my left arm for this kind of "last resort" way of finding the baits. I admit the system isn't perfect. It's new and bugs need to be worked out. Most manufacturers don't even offer any way of buying directly.

Also, in my personal experience most tackle shops that carry a certain manufacturers product will be glad to special order a size, color or different product for you. In some cases they won't even charge you extra for the shipping. I've done it many times and in most cases after a few orders from a few people the shop will start carrying that product.

Thank you for your support of Big Hammer - I truly hope we can work your problem out.

Pete

Actually, I visited a couple stores here in the SF Bay Area, one of which was on the list of dealers (Hi's Tackle in SF), and both stores said they had never carried Big Hammer swimbaits. On top of that, they hinted that they didn't want to be too bothered with establishing a relationship with the manufacturer and thus, my hopes at buying them from a store kinda vanished.

I guess that up here, most people don't use plastics that often. I was thinking of ordering straight from the manufacturer after this experience, but maybe I'll just wait till I venture down to So Cal again to buy them.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

Here is the easiest solution I can think of. Plan on making the trip to the Fred Hall show in Long Beach. I just set up the display yesterday and I can promise you this... We have every color made in the 4" and 5" baits on display and for purchase NOW. We are booth #907, connected with Eric's Tackle.... right next to the Braid booth. Stop by and say Hi.

Dimitri Peros

Thanks for the offer, Dimitri, but its a 6 hour drive to Long Beach from here. I think Pete's reassurance has helped and I'll probably try to order via mail or wait until I do come down there.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

dball,

That second e-mail address is fishcomfg@yahoo.com. Let me know of any problems.

You can also always get me at leapinbass@yahoo.com.

Pete

I just wanted to thank you all for your replies... I'm a meticulous guy when it comes to my fishing and my job, so I know that I followed the ordering instructions to a tee.. As far as the fred hall show is concerned I will be there with bells on, ready to purchase a bunch of Big Hammers. As far as my personal order is concerned, If it was truly lost I probably won't go through the whole process again until I am sure that there won't be any mix-ups.. or maybe I'll send a money order or something like that, but If they misplaced my credit card order I honestly ain't feelin too happy about sending a straight money order. Hopefully nobody gets discouraged from ordering from Big Hammer, I can tell from the outpouring of the emails from the guys that run this site and have ties to Fishco, that they want to make this whole fiasco right.

Tight Lines...........

dball,

I would like to encourage you to place an order if you do not want to wait until you come down south. I think Larry's mix up is rare fluke.

Fishco has received several orders so far and all were processed immediately. I have added a second e-mail address that I check on a daily basis unless I'm out of town in case there are problems.

As far as Hi's Tackle Box I'm not sure what to tell you. Fishco's distributor says they stock Hi's and the owner of Fishco knows that Hi's had a supply of Big Hammer Tuna Sliders drop shipped directly to Hi's last year.

Pete

Larry,

It appears your order was lost somehow which as you know sometimes happens when you are dealing with snail mail. I apologize that you had difficulty reaching Fishco regarding your order. I have added a second e-mail address to the "problems with order" section. I will be checking this e-mail personally to avoid further problems.

I'm not saying you didn't but in the future please make sure to write "attn: Product Order From Website" on the envelope below the Fishco Mfg. title.

Just so you know Fishco has received several orders since the site went up and all of them were processed and sent out immediately.

I have sent you an e-mail with information to clear this matter up.

Pete