Placed my order on 05/20/20... emailed for an update on 06/03/20 with no response and then again yesterday because you cannot talk to them on the phone. Customer service is non existent with this company... I got the original email stating that they received the order and then not another peep from them. No happy, this was a birthday gift!!!

terrible customer service, order delayed over three weeks

AAAAAAAAAAAA

Incredible fishing tackle store! Incredible customer service! Huge line of quality products!

Always great service and great products

A few observations: For me, weighing 9 oz, this 3500 size reel covers a range fishing. Using out-of-the-box, the spool hold's 300 yards of 15 lb PP braid; 275 yards of 20 lb; 250 yards of 30 lb. The oft quoted "360 Yards of 20 lb Braid" on Van Stall's site is incorrect. I tried another quality braid, same 275 yard capacity - max - overfilling the spool produced wind knots and reduced light casting distance. The VR 50 pairs well with my 8.5' 6 -18 lb Mod Med Lamiglas stick for cranking the bay/surf (12 -21 gram crankbaits) for corbina, perch, cabizon and halibut. Bigger game? Change to spool II, my 30 lb and it's perfect for my stiff, Saint Croix Legend Surf 10.5', 20 -30 lb to toss 1 - 4 oz a mile. I can't wait to try this reel on Roosterfish. So far (after set-up), 2, three-hour outings. 4 fish first; 18 the second; great fun on the 6 - 18. I could toss 1/4 oz 100 yards.14 -21 gram lures flew and (having spooled the appropriate length) not one wind knot. Just for giggles, fly-lining small cut bait was deadly fun. Drag was smooth. Bail-less? I converted to bail-less before use and the verdict is still out. It can't be more difficult than mastering baitcasters was (can it???) My technique is cast, recover; cast, recover, etc. (maybe remove some salad every other cast, but this cast, fiddle with setting line onto awkward bail-less arm roller, then get the slack in (while holding the line tight near the first guide (are you feeling me?),recover (lure that's now been battered around uncontrolled in the waves), repeat, etc? So I've gone back to the Harbor and improved my coordination, but for casting 14 - 21 gm crank's 100 yards into the wind/surf and keeping control I'm slower than with a bail. We'll see after 50 or so outings. Regarding the "feel" of this machine, I've read every description from "Stella smooth" to "grinding noise". It is a little grumpy and the feel of gears meshing is quite apparent. Uh, Stella? Not even my Saragosa (which broke the first trip out, cough, cough) smooth. Minimalist and sturdy. When this season's over, I'll send it home for a check-up and let them tell me. When they give me the go-ahead "that's how it's supposed to feel" and I'll start doing all the maintenance myself. On that subject and a couple last notes..."maintaining your VR 50", you should be prepared to utilize factory service /outlets. There is no Self Service kit. Hopefully Van Staal will publish the sizes of O-rings and bearings on schematics. Until then, factory service. You can always buy the appropriate "recommended" lubricant form VS and the manufacturer. Be ready for sticker shock, however my cursory research shows this special lube is quite special indeed. I'm not selling it. You be the judge. Would I buy it again? To be honest I plan to do just that. Doing business with Tackle Direct was a breeze ... and it saved me money. Very professional, fast shipping ... did I mention the price? Recommended seller and product.

Support is not existan . Send email and wrote in chat . No response at all . Poor

I'm still waiting for the back order items. Thank you.

I understand things are not normal during the pandemic, but i did place 3 orders with you and was only happy with one. The first one took a bery long time to be delivered. When it came, only 1/3 of my order was in shipment. I called, and waited for ever on hold, to be told the test of the order was coming shortly. That was in march, and it never came. The third time i ordered, i was given confirmation, and 1 month later tried to contact you to see about the order. There was no phone service available, so i left an email. No one ever responded. I understand if you are shorthanded, and delivery is backed up, but why am i recieving adds in my email almost every day to place more orders if you cant even handle the ones you already have. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Thanks for the quick delivery and communication