Super User SirSnookalot Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 Any company doing 4 billion a year in sales and growing, must be doing something right. Companies with this type of stature employ other companies specializing in all sorts of behind the scenes activities, like demographics for store locations. For the most part a simple polite "no thanks" goes a long way in not having to deal with them. From personal experience there have been times I wasn't in the mood for them, I was curt for no real reason other than wanting to be left alone. Other times I've been more gregarious and enjoyed a short conversation. How the interaction goes is usually whether I'm feeling carefree or have a wild hair up my posterior. These people are only trying to make a buck and BPS is only trying to make more money, for me it's best just to accept it for what is and no more. 3 Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted March 3, 2014 Super User Posted March 3, 2014 I live about 4 hours away from the nearest BPS (the Toronto/Vaughn Hills location) and can't say that I've ever been bothered about the credit card or the time share. I do recall being approached once but I politely said no and have been never approached since though I do see them in the store. Could be we Canadians are more polite :-) Regarding prices -- I don't find BPS to be any better or worse than my local outfitter except that they obviously have a far bigger selection. Usually if I can't find it locally I'll order it from BPS. I've never tried Cabella's so I can't compare the two companies. I also go to this BPS...but I find the fishing department lacking in knowledge about their products. It gets a little annoying when they don't know the different types of jigs..etc. Overall though the prices are better than my local shops (lure/plastics wise) and fair. However the reel and rods around these parts are bloated in price. I still look forward to BPS, I don't just go for equipment (go to the seminars, meet local pros..etc)...I just like the "atmosphere" and I never had a timeshare person bug me either. Quote
RipSomeLips Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I grew up going to the BPS in Springfield, MO on vacation (BPS National Headquarters), so I have a lot of fond memories. But I can honestly say I haven't bought anything from them in a couple of years because it's cost prohibitive. I will also say that I am angry they took out their soft serve ice cream machine...because it was my favorite place in the world to get ice cream (kinda lame I know, but more about memories). Plus I have an Academy Sports that went in just down the road and I couldn't enjoy their everyday low price scheme any better! Sometimes Academy has some killer clearance like the $20 Suffix 50lb braided camo line I paid $4 a couple of days ago thanks to a tip from someone on these forums. Quote
RipSomeLips Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I also forgot to mention the best way to deal with Timeshare folks at BPS is to do what Adam Sandler did in the movie "Billy Madison" and say "No I will not make out with you" really loudly when they come up to you. Hahahahaha. If anyone here ever tries this let me know!! 4 Quote
plumworm Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I just got back from the Cabela's in Green Bay. ($115 bait monkey bite) and asked the fishing dept. mgr. if they had the new Curado 1 . His answer was "What new Curado" God I wish I had a BPS closer than Chicago. Quote
crankcaster100 Posted March 4, 2014 Author Posted March 4, 2014 Wow! When I started this thread I didn't expect it would have any traction. I think I may have overreacted about my BPS experience. I don't hate the store by any means and yes I understand that those guys are just doing their jobs trying to get you to fill out their forms. I'm sure I'll be back buying there soon enough 1 Quote
Pz3 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I can say I haven't been overly impressed in bass pro shops, I have drawn up my own business plans for a bait and tackle shop chain but refuse to go in debt to get it launched. At some point in my life I will open it up. If it lasts, good, if not I won't be bankrupt atleast. Most of the issues everyone here has is the same issues I've had. It's what has driven me to start taking my ideas more serious. Lots of tackle shops come and go which is going to be the biggest obstacle to overcome first. Quote
clark9312 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I just wish I had a BPS to go in and shop at. The closest one is 5+ hours one way. The closest cabelas is 3 hours. I ordered a little under a hundred bucks worth of baits off cabelas(gift card) I had to pay about a 8% sales tax and 12.95 shipping. I was mad considering the box couldn't have weighed more than a couple pounds and it came late. Quote
FlipnLimits Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Wow! When I started this thread I didn't expect it would have any traction. I think I may have overreacted about my BPS experience. I don't hate the store by any means and yes I understand that those guys are just doing their jobs trying to get you to fill out their forms. I'm sure I'll be back buying there soon enough Not to change the subject, but how is Busse doing? Cut my teeth there 20 some years ago. Quote
Sam in Va. Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I shop at the BPS in Ashland Va. I just pretend I'm on a mission and don't give them a chance to start... It has worked so far. I gave the boat sales person my email and # to contact me when the motors went on sale and he did so... and I have NOT thank goodness gotten spammed to death. Quote
tbone1993 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Not sure if anyone said it but the help at bps can be hit or miss. My bps had a lot of really good locals that used to work there ( people I knew and have fished with) and some that are just ok. Last time I went there the people were really helpful but one guy at the reel counter was clueless. I had my gf that doesnt fish help me find shad raps while I asked the guy at the counter where they kept their wiggle warts. He had no idea what I was talking about. My gf came back with shad raps and wiggle warts because they were right by eachother. Seriously dont know how he worked their not knowing what a wiggle wart was. Quote
crankcaster100 Posted March 4, 2014 Author Posted March 4, 2014 Hey Flip Busse is pressured but it's 15 minutes from home so I can't complain I'll be fishing every morning there this summer before work Quote
FlipnLimits Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I worked nights in Wood Dale, back then, and in the morning fished Busse every day while traffic on the Kennedy died off. I kinda miss that time. Perhaps we'll meet up there some time. And to your original thread. I have found BPS has sadly down-graded since they opened (Chicago/Gurnee). I don't go there too often due to their poor selections, not the people they employ. I don't use XPS and if I did, I'd expect those knockoffs to be 50% cheaper than the originals. The originals were inventions and innovations, not copies, and they have a value worth paying for. As for the timeshare folks.....just walk past, I'm not there for them. Quote
crankcaster100 Posted March 4, 2014 Author Posted March 4, 2014 Flip I work in Wood Dale off of Thorndale I heard there's going to be some br Illinois event in Geneva or Delavan I'm in if it happens Quote
FlipnLimits Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I'd be interested in that aswell. If you see more info, please share. Also worked off Thorndale. Florstar, next to Market Day. It was a kid's job, but I was young enough to be a kid Quote
boostr Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Wow! When I started this thread I didn't expect it would have any traction. I think I may have overreacted about my BPS experience. I don't hate the store by any means and yes I understand that those guys are just doing their jobs trying to get you to fill out their forms. I'm sure I'll be back buying there soon enough It went from you just complaining about the time share hockers to "Lets boycott BPS and Cabelas" ... It makes for good reading. Quote
boostr Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I can say I haven't been overly impressed in bass pro shops, I have drawn up my own business plans for a bait and tackle shop chain but refuse to go in debt to get it launched. At some point in my life I will open it up. If it lasts, good, if not I won't be bankrupt atleast. Most of the issues everyone here has is the same issues I've had. It's what has driven me to start taking my ideas more serious. Lots of tackle shops come and go which is going to be the biggest obstacle to overcome first. I'm pretty sure Johnny Morris had the same Idea, and didn't expect it to get this big. Quote
deadadrift89 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I will say the Memphis Store, the fishing section is ran by fishermen. They know where everything is and if you have a question on rigging, baits, ect ect they are happy to help and share their experiences. Pearl,MS store is same way. I've got family close and visit that location often. Great guys in fishing dept. They always come over when im shopping to say hi and see how its going. 1 Quote
Brian Needham Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Crystal Springs...... wow I havent seen that name in a long time. Quote
Greenstealth Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 I don't care for the harrisburg pa store much. I get gift cards and have to go. I haven't encountered any time share people but the help is not great. I went in with my gift card and a reel trade in. I ask about the new curado, they don't have them and don't know when they will get them. I then ask about a core. "we never carried cores". That was just a blatant lie I had one in my hands at their sale the year before. I was then lectured by the shimano rep about how the ci4 is made from the same materials that would be used if mankind had to build a tunnel into space to transport fuel. I was getting a chronarch no matter what but this guy almost made me put the reel down. I spent my gift cards, hopefully I don't get anymore. Quote
deadadrift89 Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 Crystal Springs...... wow I havent seen that name in a long time. Nothing has changed here...ha!! Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 5, 2014 Super User Posted March 5, 2014 Just about done here guys...Who wants the last word? Quote
daiwaguy Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 I was very disappointed when guys at my local bass pro started pestering me about the time shares. I'm in there a lot though, since it's 5 minutes from my house, and the time share guys know not to bother with me anymore. I have only had a few of them at our BPS pester me. I usually act like I am talking in a bluetooth similar to waht Hootie said. Quote
Brian Needham Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 Just about done here guys...Who wants the last word? me me me, Please? 1 Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted March 5, 2014 Super User Posted March 5, 2014 me me me, Please? Well ya can't have it....lol. Hootie 2 Quote
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