Warning Don't buy N.G. TOPO! Software

Megabites · 04-05-2002, 03:18 PM

Went to Fisherman's Marine Supply today and bought the Nation Geographics TOPO! Software for Oregon. What a piece of junk. The box looked real good. It should waterways and depths. Truth is there are very few spots on the map that have this detail and the ones that did you could hardly see on the screen. The other two major problems are no lookup. What good is a computer map that you can't search. Next was that you can't scroll the screen. You have to back off and reselect the area you want to view. I expect alot more from a $100.00 software package. Oh well back to paper maps.
To make maters even worse Fishermans Marine will not return software. Even after I explained to the manager how bad this product is and how he is about to lose a very good customer. He could of cared less was more interested in pointing out the no return policy signs and acusing me of copying the CD's. Last time I checked that was a ferderal offense. Too bad, I will go out of my way to shop other place from now on and don't mind telling every one I meet. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Artwo · 04-05-2002, 03:27 PM

mega...,
You might be able to get a refund from the manufacturer. See if they have a web site or a customer service number you can call and tell them about your disatifaction.

JK

Pilar · 04-05-2002, 03:39 PM

I agree with some of what you said, megabytes. But .. as a consumer of vast quantities of arcane and job related software .. I must tell you that a very standard practice is open the box and no return fo refund.

FM has fallen a few notches in my estimation as a place to go for anything. Except maybe for weighing your trophy Jen's contest winning springer. They don't stock the stuff I want and the once awesome hook and tackle making stuff selection is really poor now.

Years ago when Larry Schoenborn owned that business I would go there often. They had a good selection and even then high prices. I would handle the merchandise and select the thing I wanted .... then go to Bi Mart and order the same thing for about 2/3 the price. Yes I waited a week or two but I had money left over.

Sounds like I need to start doing the same thing again. By the time Larry went under all of my friends were doing the same thing.

Will it work again? A new owner might pay attention to details.

Thumper · 04-05-2002, 04:10 PM

Pilar ---

"Years ago when Larry Schoenborn owned that business I would go there often. They had a good selection and even then high prices. I would handle the merchandise and select the thing I wanted .... then go to Bi Mart and order the same thing for about 2/3 the price."

Maybe there was a reason Larry went under.

Thick-N-Thin · 04-05-2002, 04:15 PM

I have Delorme 3-D Topo for Oregon. It has about 10 disk, 5 for Eastern Oregon and 5 for Western. I can say that I have been very impressed with this software. It does everything you mention the software you purchased won't do plus a whole lot more. I think for East and West it was around $200. If you use a GPS it's great software to have and to make routes and download the waypoints of your route onto your GPS.

Doc Spratley · 04-05-2002, 04:51 PM

I'm with Thumper on this one. You need to support the local sporting goods retailers. Yes, you may spend a dollar or two more when you shop at Fisherman's versus Cabelas, but the convenience of being able to handle the item, try it on and see if it fits, to compare side by side, etc., makes the extra money worth it. When our local shops are gone, where will you go the night before your big trip when you realize you're short your favorite plug or you need a new spool of line ??? I'm tired of hearing comments about "looking at Fisherman's, but buying at Wal-Mart" from the same people who complain when Larry's or other local shops go out of business due to lack of sales. I'm sick of dollars leaving the local area to feed some fat-cat living in Arkansas.

Megabites, I'm sorry to hear about your situation regarding that software. I agree with Pilar that this is the standard practice for software sales now because of all of the CD burning equipment available in the stores. Artwo may be on to something with his suggestion. As to the lack of product at Fisherman's, do what I do, complain to the manager and explain why he needs to stock what you need. Local shops will sell what we want to buy, but we need to buy it from them, not Bi-Mart or Wal-Mart. [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

Megabites · 04-05-2002, 06:01 PM

Artwo - I have allready sent an email to TOPO! we will see if they respond. I resell, write and support software for a living. I know junk when I see it. No mater what people do with copying software you still should be able to return a software package that is an inferior product.

Thick-N-Thin - Does the version of the software you metioned show water depths on the Columbia and the Willamette?

Pilar - I have to admit I have done the Bi-Mart thing also. Although I think that saving over a $100.00 on $300.00 worth of reloading equipment was justified. Does FM think that people don't shop anywhere else? I don't know where they came up with the pricing for that stuff.

Thumper & Doc Spratley - Yes, Larry should have gone out of business. Being a business owner myself I would expect to be out of business if I was not competitive. Competitive covers selection, price and customer service. As far as being the local business owner that should make him the customer service vendor of choice not just like the other guys only more expensive. I am not saying I will never shop there again but givin a choice I will go somewhere else. No customer loyalty here.

Pilar · 04-05-2002, 06:45 PM

Thumper and Doc. I can't believe my measely wallet withdrawn caused Larry's to go TU. I think Larry's the business problems were due to Larrys hubris and personal issues.

As far as FM goes, I have spent time on the phone with the guy that orders the tackle and had very limited success getting stuff I needed. I have also explained to whoever will listen at the store in OC in particular what is wrong with the tackle selection and why I come less often and spend less money in the store. They are indifferent to what the big game fisher needs.

Last summer I neede to restock my tuna gear in June. After 3 months of requests for specific items they finally restocked the Tuna feathers in the colors that I wanted to use. They finally showed up in September, just in time to sit on the shelf for another 9 months after Tuna was over for the year.

Just a month ago I found some 200# leader there. 8 months after I asked for it!@ If I have to special order something at FM, why would I pay so much more than if I special ordered it at Bi-Mart?? What am I paying more for?

I agree that the local shop is important. That is why I shop for tackle 'The night before' at the shops in Tillamook or Newport and I buy what I need and don't care what it costs. The little guy on the coast is the essence of the 'local shop'. The Yahoos that run FM could care less about anything but their bottom line.

For that reason I do not consider FM to be a 'local shop' and I do not owe them any loyalty.

If FM wants me to endorse or patronize their business they had better stop acting like the business is run from Arkansas and charging as much or more than Larry did.

Whew! rant over.

Thick-N-Thin · 04-05-2002, 06:49 PM

Magabites,

No Delorme's 3-D Topo does not give water depths. It does however show the channel,bouy markers and tidal flats on the Columbia.

jayman · 04-08-2002, 04:36 PM

try BC Angling next to Rite-Aid just a 30 second walk from Fisherman's. their prawns are much better and they are a true small business that could use our support.

jayman

hookem · 04-08-2002, 04:52 PM

I think they used to have that software on one of their computers that they will let you look and demo in the store.

willametteriveroutlaw · 04-08-2002, 10:54 PM

There are going to be some changes happening soon in the sporting goods market locally. A big outfit called sportsmens warehouse is coming into salem.. I am mildly interested in seeing what their all about.. You can order about anything from G.I. Joes and they will generally get it to you fairly fast. I work there and was quite impressed at the speed in which they deliver S.O. items.. I know it doesn't really mean that much coming from an employee, but a week average is pretty good. I actually like the selection at FM but the employees aren't always the friendliest lot.

birdsnest · 04-09-2002, 05:44 AM

Doc,I agree with most everything you said concerning the support of local shops. But I believe that you should include Bi-Mart as a Locally Owned shop. They are based out of Eugene. They provide a decent selection of all types of Sporting goods at consistintly good price. As was posted earlier they will go the extra mile and special order products for you.

Good Prices, Great service, Decent selection, locally owned. 3 out of 4 isn't bad.

WaterDog · 04-09-2002, 05:52 AM

I'll second or third that statement about bi-mart. Other than Walmart, that is the only game in this here backwaterville. The guy that runs the sporting goods department for bi-mart here does a pretty good job of stocking what you need when you need it. Special orders are no problem either. You just have to put up with his attiude and opinionated nature. :smile:

:tongue:

Myles · 04-09-2002, 06:18 AM

I don't know exactly what they have, but if I was interested in paper charts or charting software I'd check Captains Nautical, downtown Portland. I would expect they would have more "charting" software as opposed to maps.
Maybe a bust, but just a thought.

Myles

rags · 04-09-2002, 06:33 AM

If you really want what fisherman are using go see Gary at Great American Tackle in Oregon City. He seems to stock the things I need and is very helpful.

wetaline · 04-09-2002, 09:00 AM

Why do so many people play the victim ... I feel like so many people are complaining about pointless things..... There a thread on how bad the fishing is, another one on hog lines and who was there first (oh and hot dogs), how bad the customer service is at abc store, and it just goes on... yet people are still catching fish, finding places to fish, buying stuff to fish with, and getting customer service. A lot of it has to do with how people approach life, its situations, and playing the cards in our hand.

i.e. don’t complain about lack of fish biting - take the opportunity to learn new methods of catching. - believe it or not there are good numbers of fish being caught.

i.e. if your favorite hole has someone it, take the opportunity to learn some new water..

i.e. what company do you know that ever returns opened software, dvd's, cd's etc.. Unless its a exchanged for the same software because of defect. Perhaps doing research before purchasing would be something to keep in mind in the future. PS - I've returned plenty and special ordered without ever having a problem at FM.

Leave the frustrations at the door, take a deep breath and just enjoy the opportunity and ability to purchase, use, and fish when and where you want (for the most part). Fishing for most of us is not a job - Its a past time we do to get away from work - its a way to relax and do what we love to do...

Life could be a lot worse - If you have the physical and mental ability to go out there and play in this giant playground, then you have it pretty good! now keep your tip up and go out there and have some fun!

Phish_on · 04-09-2002, 09:14 AM

I buy a lot of stuff at FMS. No complaints about the staff, usually I know what I am after and I just pick it up - the few times I have engaged the staff for help they have been friendly and informative.

But, I think it is the last place on earth I would buy SOFTWARE! Don't buy software you haven't test-driven, unless it's $9.95 at Frye's or something. The "no-return" on opened software is absolutely the industry standard. Otherwise, everyone would just install it and bring it back. Well not EVERYONE. Most people, selfish dogs that they are.

:tongue: