Waiting Game On Shipments

[tomustang]

I'm finding more often that good selling items are out of stock in stores, which doesn't really make sense.

I hardly ever buy online and rather try something out in-store over it. But it seems like its getting worse. This week I went up to a cabelas to purchase an avid yet to my surprise they didn't have any of the baitcasting models in stock, even worse is the one guy checked the system and he told me they don't even carry those models, but really I bought two from them less than 6 months ago. Further down the line 100+mi BPS lacks a good selection and isnt even worth the trip. So I had to take the online road and ordered. Looks like this is going to be what I'm going to have to do. I actually like going in stores and pickin up more then what I came for but since certain items won't allow that I'll miss it a bit.

What's your take, do you order online or rather go in store?

[Stasher1]

I don't know about Cabelas, but BPS will let you order online and have it shipped to the store for pickup.

I generally buy my reels online, but I buy most of my rods and pretty much all of my soft plastics locally. I don't mind buying hardbaits online, but I really like to check out the color of my soft plastics in person.

When it comes to rods, I have to handle them to see how they feel in my hands before plunking down the cash. The only exception would be if I was buying a duplicate or replacement for one I had already owned.

[Fishes in trees]

I buy on-line some, I occasionally patronize BPS and Cabelas. Liberty, Mo has a very good tackle store - Rogers Lures, that's where I buy the vast majority of my rods & reels. I'm pretty familiar with the Wall-Mart tackle selection. I have a hard time driving by any fishing tackle store and not stopping and seeing what they've got. I guess I've got the fishing tackle buying habit bad enough that I'm indiscriminate about where I buy stuff.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I'd much rather buy in stores. I've had too many bad experiences with on-line purchases.

Falcon

[grimlin]

I want to say a good 75% or more of my stuff is ordered online. I rarely have any problems to be quite honest(only once).

Granted I usually stick with the stores that I never have problems with.

[Hyrule Bass]

all my tackle and lures and line and rods i buy in store. i have occasionally ordered a reel online

[Siebert Outdoors]

Almost everything I buy is online anymore. Biggest reason is what you stated Tom and cost. I do not have the time to run to a few stores looking for a part or certain lure. With gas as expensive as it is I'd rather pay 5 dollars to ship me something then spend 10-15 in fuel.

Other issue is most of the stuff I use no one local carries or will.

[bocabasser]

online for sure. tw is where i get 90% of my tackle. free shipping over $50 and for 5 extra $ you get it in 2 days. i will go to bps to get rods, reels, sunglasses etc because i need to feel it before i buy it. it also doesn't hurt that gambler's warehouse is < 5 miles away.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Fishing, hunting, knives and what not I get at the store.

Be thankful you don't have to order your shoes online. Try finding a store that sells a size 15. Every time its the same song and dance. "we don't carry anything above a size 13"

[jeremyt]

Fishing, hunting, knives and what not I get at the store.

Be thankful you don't have to order your shoes online. Try finding a store that sells a size 15. Every time its the same song and dance. "we don't carry anything above a size 13"

I feel you there, my 16yo son is in a 15 and it's a pain in the arse to find any decent looking shoes for him.

I generally prefer shopping in store because I can look and touch what I'm buying.

[ClackerBuzz]

I had the same problem Tom. Last year I drove to Cabelas and BPS Harrisburg and they were both out of gear I wanted. This year I bought 4 rods online from BPS and had shipped to Harr. I took my reels and got to feel them in my hands. Also I made sure I went before any special/tourney weekends b/c stuff gets cleared out then. They had stuff in stock, I got to test what I bought online, and I immediately returned the rods I didn't want in the store. Money right back on my credit card. If ur willing to put out the money up front it works awesome.

I have a love/hate relationship with the in-store experiences. Bad-they are always out of gear I want. Good=They always have in store specials. I got tons of Booyah 3/4oz football jigs for $.99!

Edited June 9, 2012 by ClackerBuzz

[Scorcher214]

If I could, I would buy stuff in stores. but there really are not any tackle shops around me. BPS is 34 miles, and although I LOVE going there...It's to far for me. Dicks sporting goods has a semi decent rod selection, but nothing for reels. Tackle is okay there as well. 95% of my tackle purchasing is done from TW.

I'd much rather buy in stores. I've had too many bad experiences with on-line purchases.

Falcon

Where around you do you go to buy tackle then? The nearest BPS is at Great Lakes Crossing.

Just calculated it and its $13 round trip to go to BPS. Not terrible, but, can't beat free shipping from TW

[SirSnookalot]

With the exception of a pack of worms or frogs every now and then I haven't had the need to buy anything for freshwater in quite some time, what I use is readily available not far from home.

SW is a different story, I replace tackle several times a week, always losing something for a myriad of reasons. I've honed my selections to just a few things that for the most part I can walk in and walk out minutes later. The only online purchases I make are DOA 5 1/2" flukes, DOA ships them out very fast. I do like BPS "hot lips" and "striper" jigs, it's more convenient to buy on line than driving 80 miles round trip, I do give my self enough lead time as not to endure a hardship. I will never buy a rod on line, I use mostly Hurricane Redbones and can easily be bought in stores close by. I am starting to look at some other rods, Hurricane no longer has an over the counter exchange, that's becoming a game breaker for me as much as I like them.