Good morning All, a word of caution I have in the last 2 weeks had many reels bought second hand on gumtree and on fishing forums, only to find when I open them they virtually destroyed due to abuse and neglect. There is no such thing as a bargain unless you know the owner, know the reel or get a written quarentee on a refund. Take care and dont get caught by dishonest people you better off then buying a new reel from a store. When people sell reels dont get caught in this trap so many do by there is 300 or 500m of braid on etc etc. Here is an example of this 2 reels bought that came to me, a trinnidad 30 A, every single bearing in this reel was rusted up or seized right up to handle knob bearings, the spool shaft bearing pin was knocked out the spool damaged both sides, the spoolshaft bent and these reels both from the same seller were in absolute neglect and abused condition. The 30 A the handle lock plate missing, the lock screw boken off in the handle shaft , incorrect grease used and it was sold for R2500, 00, shocking this client paid R2500 too much for this reel. Then he bought a saltiga 30 surf also from the same seller, same scenario, I replaced all the bearings, the reel was assembled wrong, the spool cap bearing and retainer circlip was missing, seals and shims were missing and the original saltiga handle was replaced with a saltist handle. Look carefully at the before and after condition. Learn form others mistakes and beware of scammers selling you reels they want to offload that are stuffed I see enough if this kind of thing regularly. Check my page on fbook jonathans reel repairs
Second hand reels
- Thread starter old salt
- Start date
If you going to buy second hand, always be prepared to spend a few bucks, or add to your budget for "unforseen costs". Sometimes you can get bargains on gumtree, and if you replace a spool and some bearings , you could still have a good reel for cheaper than new. But as a buyer, you are responsible for what you buy. BEWARE. As a seller your conscience should make you decide if you want to sell a reel in that condition or not. A while ago, if you can remember, I sold a penn Fathom and . rod and gave a Daiwa Saltiga surf reel away for free with the purchase, There was a slight noise in the saltiga, so I decided to order a new Pinion and drive gear set for it from the states, and gave it with the reel, just because i didnt want to give someone something that did not work! Subsequently, when I posted the parts off to the buyer, it was returned......no one collected it! Conscience .
Cuban Cigar
Sealiner
..... and some times, we just have pure dumb luck !!!
Just yesterday, I bought a literally like new 1530 for the sum of R 690-00 for a friend and then later on the same day, a totally unused one in perfect nick, for the grand sum of R 400-00 - even better, the guy said, sorry I don't know where the box is, but you can have "this" too and gave me a Carbontex kit and LH spool bearing to boot.
Just the Carbontex end bearing, was worth the R 400-00, so I ended up, getting the mint reel for free !
You win some and then you loose some !!!
Just yesterday, I bought a literally like new 1530 for the sum of R 690-00 for a friend and then later on the same day, a totally unused one in perfect nick, for the grand sum of R 400-00 - even better, the guy said, sorry I don't know where the box is, but you can have "this" too and gave me a Carbontex kit and LH spool bearing to boot.
Just the Carbontex end bearing, was worth the R 400-00, so I ended up, getting the mint reel for free !
You win some and then you loose some !!!
I wouldn't expect a reel to look brand new, bearings etc etc, if I was buying second hand, then the seller could just have well replaced everything new and sold it at a much higher price. Bearings and drag washers are like tread on tyres, so always expect to pay for something extra if buying, or ask the seller, if the bearings are good, drag washers are good, and get it in writing, you have something to work with then.
Dont have to high expectations, but what happened above is really bad and unforgiving.
Dont have to high expectations, but what happened above is really bad and unforgiving.
You know what, looking at that Saltiga, I have a feeling that is the same reel that I gave away! I can remember changing the handle out with a Saltist handle, didnt like the counter balanced handle, but cant remember if i fitted the original one back!!! Although my saltist reels did have there handles on so I must have or not...cant remember, but that reel does look very familiar!!!....