Representatives of both parties claimed that both sides have had a tense partnership.
Failing to strike an agreement following a contract renegotiation, the Shell gas station off of Vienna Road in Clio, MI has entered its eleventh day without nightcrawlers from Walt’s Crawlers, industry sources confirmed.
Negotiations reportedly soured after Walt’s demanded the Shell station pay $2.25 per dozen for the live worms, following years of a $2.00 per dozen pricing norm.
“We have worked diligently for months to come to a fair agreement including multiple extensions and compromises, and it’s unfortunate that Walt’s is once again operating in a disruptive manner that takes away live bait from their customers,” said a spokesperson for the Clio Shell. “We are hopeful our counterparts will return to the negotiating table, and we’ll reach a deal.”
Walt’s countered that they have already made significant concessions and that they are “tired of small, local providers being bullied” by the Clio Shell station.
“In the past year, Walt’s has successfully renewed agreements with many local gas stations,” Walt’s Crawlers spokesman Colin Fournier said. “It’s unfortunate that the Clio Shell does not value our worms at the appropriate price.”
The Shell station says they have been looking into other regional bait distributors, meanwhile the Sunoco off M-54 and the Murphy off North Linden have reportedly been experiencing a boost in bait sales.
“The customer knows: Walt’s is Walt’s,” said Sunoco station manager Jeff Cobb. “Sunoco of Clio proudly stocks Walt’s Crawlers. Trust me: the customer—and the fish—tell the difference.”
At press time, the Clio Shell was preparing a take-it-or-leave-it offer of $2.15 per dozen.
