Seriously, not all Bait and Tackle shops are created equally and my experience last month with Pacific Coast Bait & tackle was undeniably AWESOME!
For several years I was going to a different North San Diego business for my saltwater hunting needs. They were pretty good and I had dropped several hundred bucks buying spearfishing and fishing equipment from them. I even wrote them a 5 Star Yelp review. Then came the day when I went in to buy only a new fishing license and lobster card. The owner was at the counter ringing up two other customers and, after he was finished, he continued to chat with them, even though he saw me waiting. At one point one of the guys he was talking to pointed at me and said, "I think it's his turn now..." and the owner of this business shrugged his shoulders and then turned his back to me and continued his long winded conversation. WTF?! 20 minutes later, when he was ready to help me, he said, "I want CASH ONLY for a fishing license and lobster card because I don't feel like paying the extra percentage to a bank/credit card company for something this small." REALLY?!?!?!
Yeah, I was pissed, but I also respect small business owners. Rather than dish them, I deleted my 5 Star Yelp review, vowed to never come back, and that I would find another place to take my business.
So I asked around and several of my surfing bros recommended Pacific Coast Bait & tackle. After reading the previous Yelp reviews about poor service I was hesitant but, hey, nothing could be worse than what I went though the year before at the other business.
So this place is a little hard to find since it's right on the border of Carlsbad and Oceanside. The good part is that it's almost directly across the street from yummy Angelo's Burgers, in a small strip mall, on the east side of the street, and they have plenty of free parking.
Walked in and saw two young guys at the counter. "Hey, how's it going?" one of them asked. "We're just ringing up another customer and we'll be with you in a sec." the other said.
"Hmm, not bad." I thought.
Within about 2 minutes one of the guys asked, "How can we help you?"
"Umm, I just need to buy a fishing license and lobster card."
"Sure. Just need your Driver's License."
"Uhh, is it okay if I pay with my ATM card?" I asked.
"Of course. Why not?!" he said.
SCORE!!!
So I looked around the store and found that they really have a really respectable selection of excellent fishing, spearfishing, and outdoor equipment. Their mark-up is fair, the inventory is well organized, and I ended buying a few other things while waiting of them to ring up my license.
"You know I'm really glad I found you guys. You were a little hard to find but I'm stoked to find a new Tackle Shop!" I said.
"Thanks. Most of our business comes from word of mouth and repeat customers."
(THIS speaks VOLUMES!!!)
So, yeah, what the hey, the guys who work here are young, but they really knew their stuff when I talked to them about fishing, spearfishing, and even surfing. I mean, it's not Neiman Marcus, nor should it be. The unpretentious quality of Pacific Coast Bait & tackle is really attractive. If you want someone to serve you a drink and wait on you hand and foot then go shopping for your fishing stuff at Orvis!
After shopping I'm back in my car, answering a quick text message before starting the engine when suddenly there's a knock on my driver's side window. I roll it down and it's one of the guys who helped me. "Hey, you shouldn't leave without this. You left your Driver's License on the counter!" he said, out of breath, after running out of the store to return it to me.
How's that for customer service?! I am now a repeat customer of Pacific Coast Bait & tackle and am more than willing to give them my Most Excellent "Word Of Mouth"!!! read more