Hey Guys,
Just thought I would post a quick note on some lures I got to product test. Yes, that is right. I got lures to try out. I live in Michigan and it is December, I fish for trout, steelhead, salmon,etc. SO, you know what they sent me to try? 3 bags of rubber lizard things, I was so excited. I ran right down to the river to try them out. I started throwing them just knowing that those steelhead were gonna crush em.  Hey. Why were those other guys fishing there laughing at me? They asked me what I was trying to catch and I told them I was trying out the latest and greatest salmon and steelhead fishing lures that I just got from the NAFC. They said "You can't catch steelhead on rubber bass lures" but I told them there was no way the club would send 3 bags of lures to catch a fish I don't even fish for or if I did it would not be in December. That they must be the hottest new thing for salmonids. You know what ? Those guys told me the club just sends stuff like out to get guys to keep paying dues. Well I never! That could not possibly be true. I am sure the club just made a mistake and those rubber lizard bass lures were just supposed to go to a guy in Texas and he probably got some big spinners, or egg flies, or stick baits, or salmon egg hooks, or something that could be used to catch steelhead in December in Michigan that were supposed to go to me. Maybe if that guy reads this we could straighten out this obvious mistake. We could meet half way in like Missouri ro something and switch lures. I have seven month to ponder this before it becomes time to renew my membership in the club. On a positve note the rubber lizard things stick to the wall pretty good when you throw them and my cat thinks they are a pretty cool toy when tied to a stick. And some guys say they never get anything to test...." src="http://www.fishingclub.com/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/FC/emoticons/ermm.gif" width="20" height="20">

LOL...Sorry to hear that rwhite17...Unfortunately I don't think the club takes into consideration the species of fish you fish for or your geographic location, time of year..etc, etc, etc...Look at the bright side..you got a neat little cat toy! LOL...I have a cat myself...A Maine Coon...He's a big beast! I'm gonna try that...I got a bunch of soft plastics that I don't use...Maybe he'll have some fun with them! LOL...But seriously, don't give up on the club...Freebies aren't the only thing the club has to offer...It's the members in the forums..plenty of great advice, tips and tricks...and maybe you'll make a few friends too!

I thought that they take into consideration the fish and location you’re in. Isn’t that why they have you fill out your info? Well if you don’t want them I to live in MI and bass fish. Haha I would gladly take them off your hands.

I keep getting field test items in December also. One item was the Banjo Minnow Big Fish kit which is supposed to be a very good lure for pike IN WARM WATER. I am not likely to find warm water anywhere near my Illinois home before May! The other item was a very nice Okuma spinning reel. Not being an ice guy, my testing had to wait until spring.

Seems like just about all of us have a "test item" horror story...here's mine. About 2 months ago, I received an e-mail from the club saying I was chosen to test Foley Belsaw's Fishing Guide Training Course. There was a time in my life when I would have jumped at a deal like this, but I'm retired/disabled...I'm doing good to get myself to the lake...let alone customers! I sadly declined. To make matters worse, I just saw in this month's NAF magazine that the program is valued at $799. If that's not a big enough kick in the teeth, the club made me re-up my testing profile, which moves me to the back of the line! Alright...lets see someone top that one!
                                                                                 

man thats a bummer mo

I got some fishing line after a year... Maybe next year I will get a reel to put it on!

I got the reel this year after getting some POS hooks that had the points folded over. Now I cant find the paper to get my review posted online. I called, and the customer service rep. thought I was nuts or something, by the sound of her voice.

I am not looking for "free" anything. I joined because I thought it would be cool and useful. I like the magazine and the forums just fine. I am just disappointed that they sent something I can't and don't use after they asked what I do fish for so they could send a product to try out. If they sent the rubber lizards to keep me interested they failed, if anything I am pretty sad. I got the package and thought "WOW" they really do send stuff to test. That's is pretty cool. Then I opened it and was half mad and very disappointed. I am happy for all the guys that get something interesting or cool to try. It is a neat perk but when you get ice fishing jigs and you live in Florida you have to wonder what they are thinking. I know we do have bass here in Michigan and actually have pretty big ones in the St. Joe river where I fish but not to catch in December. Should I take up bass fishing now? Am I supposed to hold on to them and remember that I have to reply to a survey in July. I am sorry but it is just wrong to send something like this at this time of year. Oh well, I know some people will say I should be happy to get anything but it is a waste of time, effort, money and postage to send something that will just sit around or be given away to a friend and the tackle company will never get the response they need to make a product that will sell so they can stay in business. They don't give the Club product just for fun. These guys spent money to make these lures and the Club sent them to the wrong guy. They have us fill out a profile to get the right stuff in the right hands. I hope everyone has a Great Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year. Thanks for reading

MO, I turned down that same exact offer. $799, while a nice price tag, it just wasn't for me. Kudos to those who accepted and gained something from it though!

Posted By Scottm on 21 Dec 2011 11:31 PM
MO, I turned down that same exact offer. $799, while a nice price tag, it just wasn't for me. Kudos to those who accepted and gained something from it though!

Yes, I agree. I think it is awesome that this club can offer its members something so valuable for free...but I still feel a bit left out. About a month ago, the club offered a test item to some members called "fishidy.com", a fishing related website. This was not well received and many members complained. I'll use my friend Captain Quantum here as an example. CQ stated he was not happy with "fishidy" and a few weeks later received a spool of line as a test product. I never even complained about the guide program, only said it wasn't for me, but my "consolation prize" was to move to the back of the line. Hey Stevo, Web Guy Greg...anyone listening? Hows about shooting ol' mo a spool of Trilene while I stand back here at the end of the line!
                                                                                            

Mo,
I got bumped to the end of the line as well. And didn't even realize I was bumped to the back of the line til a couple days ago. I hadn't received anything to test, so I didn't think I would need to redo my profile, but I guess being given an option to test something like that counts as a "test product" even if we chose not to give it a go.

Scottm: Check this out. After receiving notification about the guide program, I sent an e-mail to the club thanking them for the opportunity but said I would have to decline. In the message, I asked them to let me know whether I needed to register again, but they never answered. A few days later the "fishidy incident" arose...several members wondered if they would need to register again...but all commented that they were still registered. I though Hmm...maybe I had better check my status. Sure enough, it said I needed to re-up! Now, my question is, why did these "fishidy" recipients NOT need to re-up? How did CQ end up with a spool of line instead of a ticket to the back of the line? And also, while I'm standing on my soapbox, I have made repeated requests for the club to enroll me in the dvd program. They have notified me several times I would be receiving one, but I'm STILL waiting! Can you believe this? Not someone complaining about receiving a product...but asking to receive one! All that aside, like '151 says, "I'm as happy as a clam!"

             
                                                                                                                                                                               


P.S. CQ...don't take this the wrong way. I'm not complaining about you...just using you as an example.(you lucky dog!)

Fellas: I am very sorry to hear about this! I am forwarding the recent posts on this thread to the Product Testing editor in hopes that we can do something for you guys! -- Web Guy Greg

Thanks Greg. And now, to let you know I'm not always complaining...I would like to congratulate you on that interview with KVD(in the Web Extras section of this site). It was a treat to see him unrehearsed, not like those BPS commercials where he comes off like an extra in a spaghetti western! Thanks again.
                                                     

No problem, mo65! And thanks for the congrats on the KVD interview! He's one of my fishing heroes, so I hope it didn't look like I was too star struck when I interviewed him! -- Regards, Greg

Ha ha! Know what you mean, he's like a god or something! I would have opened my mouth and went "bababababa....duh..." You did fine! I liked the part where he stressed how important it was that the bait look like it was struggling...that's the one they hit. That made me feel good because that's what I'm always preaching!
                                                                                 

Hello Greg, I recived a cloth rod case and a plastic lure case about a month ago.It is the same as the stuff you get when you upgrade to lifmember ( it even says n.a.f.c. lifemember logo on it ) i have e-mailed the club and also called to see if these are test items or just a gift from the club.and have not been able to get an answer.I did not get a e-mail or letter in the mail about it being a test item .Can you please look into this and get back to me so i can get my name back into the test program again if i need to please..when i did talk to someone on the phone all they could tell me was that i'm in line to get a test item soon..THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ALSO I HOPE YOU HAVE A MARRY X-MAS AND A SAFE NEW YEAR..THANKS JOHN...... BY THE WAY THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE CLUB AND ALL THE MEMBERS.....

Posted By mo65 on 22 Dec 2011 01:19 PM
Scottm: Check this out. After receiving notification about the guide program, I sent an e-mail to the club thanking them for the opportunity but said I would have to decline. In the message, I asked them to let me know whether I needed to register again, but they never answered. A few days later the "fishidy incident" arose...several members wondered if they would need to register again...but all commented that they were still registered. I though Hmm...maybe I had better check my status. Sure enough, it said I needed to re-up! Now, my question is, why did these "fishidy" recipients NOT need to re-up? How did CQ end up with a spool of line instead of a ticket to the back of the line? And also, while I'm standing on my soapbox, I have made repeated requests for the club to enroll me in the dvd program. They have notified me several times I would be receiving one, but I'm STILL waiting! Can you believe this? Not someone complaining about receiving a product...but asking to receive one! All that aside, like '151 says, "I'm as happy as a clam!"

             
                                                                                                                                                                               


P.S. CQ...don't take this the wrong way. I'm not complaining about you...just using you as an example.(you lucky dog!)

Mo: That is rather interesting. No complaining here either, just to clear that up if anyone thinks as such. I do think it's a bit outta whack that we have to be booted to the bottom of the list, while the others did not. And hopefully not partaking in this $799 one won't mess up chances for other high end product testing because we chose not to take part in this one. I love everything about the club, the forums are great, Web Guy Greg does Awesome with the FB Side, and the magazine is awesome!

I have been a member for a while this time around, got the life membership too {I first started at a young age, but I w{1}**** and miss keeping a membership as I was in high school, and then the military, and those dues weren't credited but I wouldn't expect the club to search the history of every member to find all their purchases}, but I haven't received a book or dvd like everyone else complains about receiving. Maybe it's just me, but I'd at least like to see/preview them before I commit to buying...as well I'd like to see some of this stuff that everyone else complains about, as I've only ever gotten a magazine, so I don't know what the rest are complaining about. But alas, all is well. I couldn't be happier as a member!

Posted By mo65 on 22 Dec 2011 01:19 PM
Scottm: Check this out. After receiving notification about the guide program, I sent an e-mail to the club thanking them for the opportunity but said I would have to decline. In the message, I asked them to let me know whether I needed to register again, but they never answered. A few days later the "fishidy incident" arose...several members wondered if they would need to register again...but all commented that they were still registered. I though Hmm...maybe I had better check my status. Sure enough, it said I needed to re-up! Now, my question is, why did these "fishidy" recipients NOT need to re-up? How did CQ end up with a spool of line instead of a ticket to the back of the line? And also, while I'm standing on my soapbox, I have made repeated requests for the club to enroll me in the dvd program. They have notified me several times I would be receiving one, but I'm STILL waiting! Can you believe this? Not someone complaining about receiving a product...but asking to receive one! All that aside, like '151 says, "I'm as happy as a clam!"

             
                                                                                                                                                                               


P.S. CQ...don't take this the wrong way. I'm not complaining about you...just using you as an example.(you lucky dog!)

Ha ha no worries! I don't know why I got my test product when I did.  I think the whole Fisiditiy or whatever it was called wasn't a real test product. Just like a trial thing or something. Who knows.

Posted By Captain Quantum on 23 Dec 2011 01:15 AM

Ha ha no worries! I don't know why I got my test product when I did.  I think the whole Fisiditiy or whatever it was called wasn't a real test product. Just like a trial thing or something. Who knows.

Now CQ has made a comment that I have wondered about since the first day I logged on this site...what constitutes a REAL test product? I've heard that only real test products are preceded by an e-mail, but that wasn't coming from a staff member, only club members.The club calls all those perks you get with membership or the book & dvd programs "test products", but they don't affect your testing status. So far, the only time I had to re-up, was after this incident.
                                                                                                          

How about getting an answer from the horse's mouth Greg? I was told by one of the editors (possibly Kurt) that if there was no heads up email, it was a perk or giveaway and not a part of the field test program, but this was a while ago and I would hate to spread incorrect info on this.

Well, my thought is if it's a TEST Product, that we're supposed to do a report on, it wouldn't be something that we are given an option on. and also

This is part of the email:

We are looking for members to test the online Foley-Belsaw Professional Fishing Guide Training Course.

If interested, please email memberbenefits@fishingclub.com and make sure to answer the following questions, which will help us ensure you’re a proper candidate to test the Foley-Belsaw Professional Fishing Guide Training Course.

This wording makes it sound more like one of the Perks of the club as opposed to a product testing.

Ok Guys,
I recieved a half sheet of paper in the package that the rubber lizard things came in that states "Congratulations on being selected as a Field Tester! " It explained what to do and gave the web address to post your results. I did post my results as I was asked to do. I did NOT get a email on this test product. In Spetember I recieved a email about testing the "Fishidy"and product after looking at it I decided it had to be a joke and I figured it was just a scam from the club or a mistake. This is another case of not looking at a profile before sending a product to test. I never responded or tested the product because there was nothing I could use it for anyway. I never went back to update my profile and real had no plans to. As I posted earlier, yes it is a cool perk to recieve something to test but it seems like a HUGE waste of a companies monet to send producst to guys that can"t use them. It also just causes hard feelings, I honestly would have been happier to never recieve anything and just figure my number never came up than get some off the wall product to test that I can never use. I am not asking for anything, I have been a member for less than 2 years and recieved 2 products now that I can"t use. This is a sad statement about our club. As stated in a earlier post I have 7 months to decide if I want to continue being a member. I am enjoying the other posts about members who have issues also, it makes me feel better that I am not alone in feeling this is unacceptable. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I never received an email prior to my test product arriving either. However, I did get one about Fishidity. (Or whatever the heck it's called!)

I haven't read all the posts here, but I've been selected to test 5 items, 4 of which actually showed up. The first two, I loved, techni-ice & Cocoons. The first was a cool sheet you could immerse in water then freeze/heat & it would retain the temp for a long time. The Cocoons were a sunglasses strap that was like Cookies, but you could tuck your folded glasses into a protective cloth pouch. I loved these things and when I wore them out, I couldn't find them anywhere to replace them. The next one was the dogfish neck knife. Completely unrelated to fishing, but actually a very high quality steel knife with a plastic sheath that Hung on a chain around the neck. Then I got some funky treble hooks and trout bait. Total mismatch its tough to catch trout in Kansas. I told the club I couldn't test them & they put me back into the Que. I also rec'd a livewell treatment formula, but my aluminum boat doesn't have a livewell. I informed the club and went back into the Que. The last thing I was supposed to test was.called,.and I quote, "fuzyfur fishbait." I was dying to test this or at least see it, but the test was.canceled. don't get bent out of shape on test items, if you get something you can't use, inform the club and reque. And... Share it on here so we can laugh. About it.

Uh.. How do you guys know that you got " booted the bottom of the list"? Is there a list you can acess on the site?

Ariess, whenever you have to redo your product testing profile, you are booted to the bottom of the list.

Yep...I think they mention it under the FIELD TEST heading. No list you can access as far as I know.

Ok, just thought if there was I'd like to see were I was. Probably near the bottom. Got a filleting knife a few months ago.

WelI feel your pain brother. l I didn't get anything this year. I am a paid in full LIFE MEMBER. They said they were sending me some items for my trouble and would be put on "The Priority List!" Yeh.. right. Still haven't gotten anything at all. This was in August. The other day I was told I was put on the priority list in November...WT??? Anyway i'm in Scottsboro, AL. Anyone in the area want to do some winter Largemouth fishing let me know maybe we can go and whine in person. HA HA HA. Good luck to all.

I got a filet knife which i sent report in was retail $20 i still prefered my rapala. Got a few plastic worms and some discs i coun't figure out their purpose.

Don't feel bad.  I've been a life member for 3 years and have only gotten a package of hooks as a test product.  At least NAFC remembers me every year wanting me to purchase their overpriced calendar.  This year was especially nice - after paying for the first calendar, they shipped me another one with a note saying that it would make a great Christmas gift all for the low low price of $19.95.

I keep reading about all this great stuff members get to test. I see it on the tv show also. Must be special (friends of the top dogs) people to get to test these $300 rods and reels, rain suits, electronics. Oh well. Hope everone had a good new year. Good luck fishing.

I just signed up and was wondering if I am automatically placed on the test list.

Posted By kingfishermarc on 03 Jan 2012 05:27 PM
I just signed up and was wondering if I am automatically placed on the test list.

Nope...you have to resister by filling out a profile under the heading FIELD TEST.

How long does it normally take to get your first product test?

When I filled out my latest profile the other day it said the current wait is 8 to 12 months.

Woo that's not going to be fun. It will prob come right at the end of fishing season >.>

ya it takes a long time i've been a member for 3yr's and have only got 1 test item and that was four little hooks...that was a little over a yr ago.it says on my profile page that i'm in line to get something soon...I;M NOT COMPLAINING WILL WAIT AS LONG AS IT TAKES, I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE CLUB..........JOHN

I have been a member for about a year now and haven't gotten anything. but im not worried about it. Very happy with the club.

Hey j where does it say if your up soon

As far as I know, there isn't anywhere that tells when an individual is "up soon".

Yeah mo I didn't think so I've looked all over the site

Hey guy's if you goto your acc.then on the right side goto prod test and it will tell you if your are enrolled or not, mine said that i was enrolled for the longest time and like i said now it say's i'm in line to get a test item....it has said that for about 2 months now...JOHN

Hay mo and bassman did you guy's get on there and see what i was talking about ????????JOHN

Posted By jtaylor23 on 11 Jan 2012 11:48 PM
Hay mo and bassman did you guy's get on there and see what i was talking about ????????JOHN

Yeah John...I know where you're talking about. It says "you're in line to receive a test product". When Bassman asked if there was someplace that says you're up soon, I though he was looking for a specific date. All we get is that generic "you're in line" bit.                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                    

Yeah I thought you meant that it says a specific month or something. Because it said that I am in line for the past year. I just thought you knew something I didn't.

thats all yu'll find....until they send ya a notice that says yer getting something soon, er when the product just shows up at the door.

my last product that i got to test, i think it was something that was good. but it was broken and it took me 6 months to figure out what it was. by then they had it in the mag. as member tested....that was like 3/4yrs ago..and it was the 1st. thing i've gotten in like 10/12yrs.

Wow yeah I'm not too worried about getting anything. It seems like most people that do just get hooks or something which I have more than enough of

o.k. sorry guy's i thought i was on to something but it usually say that you are in the prod test program on mine, not that im in line to get something soon as it sats now JOHN

No worries John...guess we'll all just stand here in line....