crwcbtrk,
GI Joes advertised that they were having a 14 hour sale on the Friday after Thanksgiving. They advertised that several left-hand reels would be on sale for 29.99 down from 60 something.
I went into the Lakewood store and they had several left-hand baitcasters as well as some spinning reels on sale. They had a stack of 6501 SE's on sale for 29.99. The salesman told me (don't know if it is true) that the 6501 SE's were a special order and production for Walmart. He said that the manufacturer had just finished producing the 6501's and was set to start producing 6500's when Walmart canceled the order. He said that ABU GARCIA was stuck with all of the 6501's. He also said that the buyer for GI JOES recognized the mess and purchased the 6501's for a very good price. He told me, anyway, that all of the GI JOES would have all of the reels on sale as well as the 6501's. I don't know if the story is true, but I know a good deal when I see one. I was actually looking for a 5501 instead of a 6501 (I own 3 already). If anybody has a new 5501 and would like to trade for my new 6501 then let me know. Jack