Walking Along Party Boat Row - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

nutleysigns · #1 07-01-2013, 09:18 AM

I Always fish on a certain boat in Atlantic Highlands ... BUT this time I decided to try a different boat on a referral from a friend. I was walking with my cooler & the captain from my usual boat saw me coming. He smiled & waved, but I told him that I was going on another boat today. He said "Why did we do something to make you mad at us?" I said "NO not at all, I will be back next time" Anyway he made me feel like a jerk. Any input from you guys? I mean I don't get a sandwich from the same deli everyday.

jenny lee sportfishing · #2 07-01-2013, 09:37 AM

i feel i can answer this from personal experience. i own and operate two service related businesses, my main business dave's heavy towing and my charter business jenny lee sportfishing. i have operated the towing for the past 38 years and the fishing 14years. both business are similar in the fact that there are hundreds of tow campanies to chose from as is there for hire fishing operations. i'd like to think that my wreckers and my boat are in mint and professional condition, as i'm sure my competition believes the same in regards to their own equipment. so, the only thing that differentiates me from the rest is service. i strive to be the best at what i do and provide the utmost in professional service, in both operations. ex: tow damage free, be on time, present a clean driver, etc. in the fishing we strive for the same, catch fish, proovide a clean safe environment, etc.

i'm guessing that the capt that saw you feels as i do that he has treated you with the utmost in respect and provided you with great experiences over the years, so truthfully not only is his pride hurt but so is his pocketbook. almost
everyday i am calling a towing client we have not heard from in a while or perhaps even seen on the back of another wrecker to say " hey, it's been a while or did we do something wrong i saw your truck being hauled by xyz towing" most of the time the customer is fine with it, but occasionally i think it upsets him that i ask. at this stage of the game for me, it's more about my pride than the money, 38 years is a long time. don't be upset with that captain, you must mean alot for him to ask you .

if it were me, i'd make sure i fished with him soon and give him a kind handshake when you board..

sorry for the rant, sore spot.

capt dave bender

Dino · #3 07-01-2013, 09:59 AM

your fine.. maybe throw the guy's mates an extra few bucks next trip..

nutleysigns · #4 07-01-2013, 10:12 AM

Thanks Very Much, I have my own business too & I will be back on his boat soon

bulletbob · #5 07-01-2013, 10:35 AM

I guess I don't understand... I provide services for steady clients as well.. Sometimes they go elsewhere, sometimes they use me.. I just take what I get, and do my job as well as I can every time I am called...

No reason to get "butt hurt" because a customer goes elsewhere now and then..

I would tell the cap next time you see him that you just wanted a different experience , just a change of venue.. I see nothing wrong with that at all.. bob

Ol Pedro · #6 07-01-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutleysigns

Thanks Very Much, I have my own business too & I will be back on his boat soon

Sometimes change is good . You can appreciate more why you fished your usual boat . Or see that the other possibly had more to offer . Without trying other boats you can't compare . I feel that the Captain asking you if they did anything wrong is a good thing and he values you as his customer . We all want your business and try to fix any problem that our clients have . In the off season regulars carry us through .

shresearchdude · #7 07-01-2013, 12:00 PM

If you get great service and a pleasant experience on your regular boat then he should realize that you will be back. If the "other" boat ended up being better than find a constructive way of telling your regular boat.

Loyalty is a sensitive subject with small business as well as large.

joerosa1 · #8 07-01-2013, 12:35 PM

A lot of great party boats down at Atlantic Highlands. I have my favorites but sometimes it comes down to what do I feel like doing today; 1/2 day verses 3/4 day, stripers verses bottom fishing, believe it or not (it could be me) if I feel like eating from the galley a pork roll egg and cheese for breakfast and a sausage and pepper sandwich for lunch that will decide the boat for the day. But making the walk to boat could sometimes be awkward but when you provide good services I will be back to your boat in the future….

HavingFunYet · #9 07-01-2013, 01:26 PM

I use the Atlantic Highland Party Boats regularly. I can not say I have a regular boat because every boat is top notch. I try to use different boats everytime to even out the business. Sometimes I will pick the boat with less crowd.

mikeytheflop · #10 07-01-2013, 02:08 PM

I have two AH boats I use; one is a 1/2 day boat and the other a 3/4 day. Most times I cannot find the time to do a full day (which sucks because if I could I would!).

I understand where you are coming from; I just grin and bear it, as well as to keep in mind the opinions of others regarding "loyalty to a specific boat". Its understandable - remember you try to catch your limit on the water - the captains are trying to limit on the dock!!!