Jerry & Ryan,

I understand your sentiments. I am a commercial lender for a community bank in a small town. I tried to buy a Bucks Bag from three diffrent shops within a 30 mile radius of my home, but two didn't know how to order one from that company and carried the cheaper brands you mentioned. The third carried them, but were out of stock, were unsure when they were gonna be restocked, and couldn't give me a turn-around time on the additional accessories that I wanted and were unsure of the price. Two other shops were not an option because one reeks of cigarette smoke and carries limited gear while the other gave my Brother-in-law a hard time when he returned a Columbia fly vest I got him for Christmas, and he had the receipt with him. You have no idea how much we wish for a quality sporting goods shop like Ted's or Yeager's in our area. Failor's in Aberdeen is just starting out and they listen, have good service, and I buy something from them weekly, needed or not. They have even added 4 of the 5 products that I suggested they add.

As to my math:

Outdrs.com / your price
South Fork raft / $479 / $600
anchor system / $80 / $60
oar rest/gun rack / $25 / $30
Shipping / $30 / $0
Tax / $0 / $60
TU 2 year member/ $free / $?
Oar upgrade, 7'/ $20 / $20?

total / $634 / $770

Your prices matched a lot of the other folks, but a few were higher, so you can see that it wasn't a leap to say that if I didn't shop around I could have paid much more for the boat. One call to these folks answered all of my questions, and the fellow remembered me when I called back to exchange the 6' oars for 7 footers. My frustration level had been met, and I wanted a boat with the options I requested. Period. For me to drive up north to get a raft would have cost even more in gas, and especially time, which is worth much per hour than I get paid at work.

As to the anchor system and oar rest/rod rest/gun rack, I wanted them. They come in handy when I want to rest my rods securely, carry a shotgun or muzzleloader during duck/deer season, or hop out quickly in shallow enough water to fight a fish without having to beach the boat.

Next time I'm up in your neighborhood, I'll buy something at Ted's.

Andy