I was gifted two beautiful 410's. One worked like a dream, and one was sluggish. These were given to me by a very close friend. I looked inside the sluggish one and saw I was in deeper water that I wanted to cross. So I sent it to Fred Oakes a year and a half ago. I also sent $40 in cash for Fred to repair it using the proper shims. That was over a year ago!!!!! I wouldn't give a D***, but this reel came from a very close friend. I am embarrassed when he visits my reel room and he doesn't see the reel he gifted me.
So be very careful when dealing with one of the admins on this site. He may keep your reel and the $40 cash! Plus don't ever believe "it's the next one on the shelf and I will ship it tomorrow".
I have been a collector for many years and dealt with people all over the world through many different venues. This is the absolute worst experience I have ever had. So Beware!!!!
Have you contacted Fred? If not you might try that before posting possible crap.
Wayne B.
Instead of posting a negative YELP Review re: Fred, why not call, email or PM Fred and let me know you may need the reels back by a certain date. Direct communication, I have found, works best.
And from my reel experience with Fred, his work is the best, ALWAYS, and he has worked on 15 reels of mine.
Last summer, I sent him a Penn 506HS I needed for an Oct. rural Baja trip, and it has been a few months, I emailed him, letting him know I would like to use the reel in Baja - need it by Oct. 1 - 5 days later it was on my front doorstep.
An online beatdown is not the best way to communicate with any member on this site.
The best to you.
Wayne aka: El Pescador!
Yeah ,Wayne just wait till around 6 and call him .That's when he said a little while ago he would be back from the Movies. ;D
I'm sure there's some kinda mix-up. Fred is a reel busy guy. I've never heard of him purposefully doing anyone wrong. Please contact him.
Anybody can "drop the ball" on occasion. I'm sure Fred will make it right when it is brought to his attention.
Wayne B.- Anyone is entitled to "feel like they feel" and that is not wrong, you feel as you do and I recognize that; I'm not going to say that you are wrong, or right. You feel the way you feel and you laid out some of the reasons why. The good thing is that with many of the Worlds issues, this is something that is most likely "fixable" We can beat this all to heck but let's look at the things I would want to know if it was a reel that I did for one of the folks on the Forum:
Did you reach out to Fred and specifically raise your concerns? Admittedly, that is between you and Fred but were there specific concerns with poor workmanship or delayed response/shipping? I have to think that should that be the case that Fred would immediately address your specific concerns.
Within the AT Community, there are Many that can and will assist you with your reel needs. I will also say that Fred is the epitome of what makes this Group what it is. Beyond being an "Admin" he is frankly one of the foremost vintage spinning reel authorities in the Western US, and more importantly in my interactions I will use words like "integrity" and "honor".
Wayne B - You are clearly unhappy. You are OK to feel that way, how you feel is how you feel and I'm not gonna say that is wrong. But I am going to say that it is something that can most likely be fixed, and if I can help I will. - john
You can be assured Fred will take care of you but in the meantime you might owe Fred an apology as it seems you overstated his time with your reel. You only started communicating with him about this reel in Aug. 2021. That makes about 9 months so "a year and a half" is quite an exaggeration. I know 9 months seems like a long time but I'm certain Fred has quite the back-log, plus he's always busy helping all of us and his family, friends, and neighbors. My apologies in advance if my math and/or assumptions are incorrect. Fred is one of the most honest people I know but he is human and may have misplaced your reel in what I am certain is a mountain of reels in his in-box.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/36/14769-280522014825-3680642.jpeg)
I really do appreciate everyone standing up for me —- but this is clearly my fault.
When the reel arrived, it was stiff and had issues operating (stiff, hanging up).
Figured it was just not shimmed right, or something simple like that.
Tore into it right away —- but the hanging up issue still persisted after cleaning, adjusting, switching out the rotor and other possible culprit parts.
Got busy with other reels and put it to the side. When I got back to it —- still could not figure it out. Put it aside again since other reels needed to be done.
This was one of those mystery problems.
Couple of weeks ago —- I determined that the "neck" that supports the rotor must be bent or tweaked. Replaced the frame, shimmed it properly top and bottom —- it was now fixed.
However, I was going on a camping trip and figured I would send it when I returned —- since Wayne had sent me this email on February 6th —- basically telling me he did not want the reel back & that I could keep his $40. Since he did not want it back —- I figured there was no rush.
Of course, I would send it back to Wayne fully completed, operating perfectly, refund his $40, and pay the return shipping.
But I guess since the February 6th email from Wayne saying he did not want the reel back —- he changed his mind.
This work has always been just a hobby for me —- there are many other things much more important in our lives —- at least for me (nearly everything). 😄😄😄
These days, many of you are no different from my wife and myself —- we have experienced (4) close friends and relatives pass on over the last 6 months due to Covid issues. Plus, my best friend of 52 years passed on 2 months ago. Lots of other personal issues and pressures —- but we are all experiencing those over the last 2+ years. Nothing special about us —- many are experiencing the same issues —- or worse.
Anyway, we are leaving for another week long camping trip on Sunday. Our trips need to happen now —- and after 10/15 —- due to the fire danger up here where we live. Can't be too far from home during the Summer.
Wayne's reel & return money, has been packaged for a couple of weeks. Since the Post Office up here is closed tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday for the Holiday —- I will run it down to the PO open in Fresno tomorrow morning.
Many new parts have been added to Wayne's reel —- all at no charge.
Anyway —- my fault, and apologies to Wayne.
Reel backlog is always hovering around 100+ from folks around the globe. And I am grateful for folks trust —- and will continue to do my best.
Over half of the time —- I just send out parts at little or no charge —- just trying to help out fellow members. And I will continue to do so.
Again, thanks to all who responded for your support.
It is deeply appreciated.
Here is Wayne's email to me on 2/6. I took out one bad word.
😄😄😄
Best always,
Fred
(https://alantani.com/gallery/36/17471-240522184538-36798580.jpeg)
The bar of respect was just extended 2 foot ,it is no longer set at 10 foot . :cf
Hey Fred
Did you ever send my Quick 2 speed back to my address?
I won't be home until Tuesday
I have been in the hospital for over 60 days. I had a bad heart attack and they left me on my back for over 30 days.
This resulted in a bad decubitus ulcer on my first coxys (tailbone) and left foot
Not yet, Keith —-
Been waiting until you got back home.
Last couple of times I sent you parts —- never did hear whether or not you received them.
Obviously due to the hospital and health issues.
Your reel is completed and turned out great —- lots of new parts.
Will send after you return home for sure —- and also when we return week after next.
No charges, of course.
Best, Fred
Damn Keath, I hope things improve.
Wayne B.
Really???
Having read all emails with Fred,
I think your way off base...
Why our you complaining???
Fred has done nothing WRONG!!!
He has repaired YOUR reel...
He is shipping it back to YOU...
He is sending back to you,YOUR $40.00 bucks!!!
You say, YOU don't want the REEL BACK...
How about this, ???
I'll pay Fred YOUR $40.00 bucks
And I will take the REEL...
If you are in agreement, POST YOUR RESPONSE and FINISH THIS NONSENSE!!!
Fred is a A+ Spinning Reel GURU !
A THOUSAND PEOPLE on this BOARD will testify to that, based on work HE has done for THEM!!!
YOU SIR, Are WAY OUT OF LINE !!!
Waiting on you
Dan
Quote from: Keta on May 28, 2022, 09:18:02 PMDamn Keath, I hope things improve.
Thanks a bunch Lee!!
Heck I'll take that 410 too!!
You are a standup guy too Lee
Quote from: Keta on May 27, 2022, 09:45:00 PMHave you contacted Fred? If not you might try that before posting possible crap.
Many, many times.
Beware of Fred.
He is a Shady Character.
???
I needed a part from Fred. Apparently, one part wasn't worth his time.
So, he sent me a sack full.