Dear Paul
I'm going to say this and you can choose to think what you like, I've been involved with a few companies over the last 15 years. I want to list them so this site has no illusions.Trev Tomlin Catapults (1980...), Sandra Halkon Hunt (1982.....), Van Den Eynde (1987-1997), Octoplus (1988-90), Fox International(1991-1998), Richworth (1984.....), Shimano Uk Ltd (1995.....)
Ltd. I have some affiliations with some other firms but only in terms of tackle remuneration. I still use Trev Tomlin Catapults although I did promote Fox Pults which I helped to design while I worked for them, Sandra approached me before she entered into the match clothing market and offered to make me a red jacket we still have a good working relationship she makes all my red gear and I'm proud to wear her logo (non monetary), Marcel Van Den I class as a family friend I went on holiday with his daughter and son in law with my wife & kids a few years ago, he was one of the best match anglers in the world and he makes superb groundbait and I promoted it for many years because I was involved as marketing manager for the importing country and I love the olympic colours, the company cut back and I lost my job a few years back and if I fished at top match level again I would use Van Den Eynde again without compunction it is the defintive match groundbait. There was some kind of relationship with a float manufacturer who develope a small range of wagglers for which I used to get a small commission. However they chose to abuse my intellectual property rights and I no longer enjoy this small remuneration although the floats are still being sold. I still use many Fox products and consider them to be superior to other companies especially the buzzers. Richworth was the first company's boilie that I caught carp on I've used them ever since and have great confidence in the products and the company are ultra professional which is a rare commododity in this industry. And I think this leads me to the point really I have been around a while and I've had my fingers burnt very badly by some folk that ought to know better and treated me in a very unprofessional manner, but as they say thats life and if I keep putting my hand in the fire I know what the outcome is going to be... Finally my current status... I turned down several very lucrative deals with some top name companies and left one because they acted like, well nevermind........the fact of the matter is I would not get inolved with anyone if the product/company wasn't right. But if you think I'd align my hard earned reputation with some two bit outfit with crap products then think again. I was offered a ?3K a year deal with unlimited tackle in 1994 I didn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it through but the product was crap and to be honest so was the deal so I told them and guess what not even a dear John letter, not that I expected one. I only took the Shimano job on when I was happy with the products first and foremost and the financial aspects came much lower down the line. I knew they made great reels and the rods were coming good (they still are!) so I signed up and I've never been so happy they have looked after me and there is still a way to go before we get everything 100% but as I said when I first joined this thread watch this space...... The new baitrunners? well as an ex engineer of 10 years Rolls Royce apprentice trained you'd better listen to my opinions I have credability in many facets of my life. What the other want to do is their business you have only got to scratch around to find the ones who'll sell their ass for a few quid .....not my scene dirty money chap!!
Hope this clears things up a little!!
Good Luck and Great Fishing!!!
Redcyberfish
