Rods At Dicks

[C0lt]

so im newly employed at dicks, and dont get me wrong, my local location has a pretty decent fishing section (wish they would have a better selection of swimbaits), however I don't feel they stock the right rods. For some reason they only have 3 different cast combos stocked, all right hand retrieve, and expensive. In the reel section, they only have a few bait casters stocked. they actually do have a nice rod selection, however I really think they would benefit from cutting down on the dime a dozen spinning reel combos they stock, and adding some more mid range casting combos and reels. 

 

There is an open door policy for employees at dicks giving us the opportunity to make suggestions to the upper management. Should I bring my thoughts forward? if so, how should I go about this?

 

the only reason I feel like this is kind of a big deal is due to our stores proximity to one of the largest and most productive lakes in the state (less than 8 minutes from a very popular launch). 

 

what do you guys think?

[Darren.]

If as you say, feedback is "open door" then by all means! Just be creative, upbeat, avoid "we shouldn't carry..." and other negative-leaning words. Go with upbeat, positive "hey, since we are so close to such a big fishing lake, what if we carried a greater variety of rods/reels....etc."

 

Some DSGs carry huge fishing/hunting sections, others, like mine, do not.

[C0lt]

If as you say, feedback is "open door" then by all means! Just be creative, upbeat, avoid "we shouldn't carry..." and other negative-leaning words. Go with upbeat, positive "hey, since we are so close to such a big fishing lake, what if we carried a greater variety of rods/reels....etc."

 

Some DSGs carry huge fishing/hunting sections, others, like mine, do not.

The fishing section is actually pretty big. However at least half of it is salt water. I live far inland ct, and the sound is 45 minutes away at the closest point, and the store location is 8 minutes from a huge lake full of large and smallies, plus its 15 minutes away from some good size lakes full of pike and walleye. Im not fishing legend or marketing expert I just feel like that section would do a lot better expanding on the freshwater section (bass specifically) and possibly trimming some of the poor selling salt gear. 

[TheBig1]

I'm all about Dick's getting a better selection of the "Right" stuff in the reasonable price range instead of the big box store original junk that is there to be sold to the guy I used to be.  I'm sure you're very knowledgable but at the same time perhaps you might be served better by keeping things to yourself since you're the new guy.  Maybe later on when people get to know you and you level of knowledge they'll take you a little more serious instead of laughing at "the new guy who wants to change the world." 

 

My point is, they've been there for how long selling the same crap and haven't cared, they're not just going to change.  I swear the guy who does their buying for their Lodge section is probably someone who's never fished on his own before and probably lives in NYC or Philadelphia.  He probably gets courted by the big companies and taken to dinners by them so that he'll get their products in Dick's stores.

 

We have a personal shop here in Wilkes Barre that is a better store than the local Gander Mountain, Dick's and all 3 local, drivable Wal Marts combined.  As far as I'm concerned, the next closest thing comparable to the 6 rows of fishing equipment that he carries is Bass Pro and Cabela's, both of which are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours away.

 

Whatever you choose, tread lightly and choose your words wisely if you value your new job.

[Sam]

The store has the stats on the fishing department sales.

Must not have a lot of rod sales so the store buyer has decided to stock a low inventory and use the extra space for better selling products.

Check with your store buyer and get their input about what is offered for sale.

[C0lt]

I'm all about Dick's getting a better selection of the "Right" stuff in the reasonable price range instead of the big box store original junk that is there to be sold to the guy I used to be.  I'm sure you're very knowledgable but at the same time perhaps you might be served better by keeping things to yourself since you're the new guy.  Maybe later on when people get to know you and you level of knowledge they'll take you a little more serious instead of laughing at "the new guy who wants to change the world." 

 

My point is, they've been there for how long selling the same crap and haven't cared, they're not just going to change.  I swear the guy who does their buying for their Lodge section is probably someone who's never fished on his own before and probably lives in NYC or Philadelphia.  He probably gets courted by the big companies and taken to dinners by them so that he'll get their products in Dick's stores.

 

We have a personal shop here in Wilkes Barre that is a better store than the local Gander Mountain, Dick's and all 3 local, drivable Wal Marts combined.  As far as I'm concerned, the next closest thing comparable to the 6 rows of fishing equipment that he carries is Bass Pro and Cabela's, both of which are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours away.

 

Whatever you choose, tread lightly and choose your words wisely if you value your new job.

I should have explicitly stated that I was for sure going to wait until I was more established to talk to management. Although the point of the open door policy (from my understanding) is that you cant be fired for sharing your feedback or suggestions, however it would be pretty embarrassing to get shot down as the stupid new kid. 

 

as far as the buying goes, the company hq is out of Pittsburgh so you were close. The soft bait section is pretty reasonable, although I find it odd that the only rage tail product we carry is the craw, considering this is Connecticut and crawfish are not primary forage (although they are present). Pretty good collection of frogs too. 

[flyfisher]

So here is my take.  You are a new employee and while what you may want is different gear that does not mean that the rest of the buying public does.  Work a few months and see what type of customers you are helping and keep a mental note of why they are asking for and their reactions to suggestions of the more pricey items.  You may find that while the enthusiast wouldn't mind having better gear at their disposal, they are also the ones who are going to buy online, used or find the deals.  They don't make the store run per se.

 

When i used to work at an outdoor retail store that was heavy into backpacking but had a good selection of a lot of things i said we needed to expand the climbing section because well, i was a climber and that is what i wanted to see.  After working there for a few months it was pretty apparent the three money makers in the store were socks, footwear and patagonia capilene and it was not even a close battle with socks head and shoulders above the rat in both volume and profit margin. 

 

Your feedback will be much better taken if it is phrased positively like others have mentioned and also if you have some background to your suggestions.

 

good luck!!

[F14A-B]

Yea, I like you're outlook, I coulda used more Guys like you thru the years, but I agree with a couple up threads .... I would just focus on you're new hire position and buy things every payday! Joking... Maybe after a while , Entertain that Ideal again... Enjoy you're new job!!!

[C0lt]

So here is my take.  You are a new employee and while what you may want is different gear that does not mean that the rest of the buying public does.  Work a few months and see what type of customers you are helping and keep a mental note of why they are asking for and their reactions to suggestions of the more pricey items.  You may find that while the enthusiast wouldn't mind having better gear at their disposal, they are also the ones who are going to buy online, used or find the deals.  They don't make the store run per se.

 

When i used to work at an outdoor retail store that was heavy into backpacking but had a good selection of a lot of things i said we needed to expand the climbing section because well, i was a climber and that is what i wanted to see.  After working there for a few months it was pretty apparent the three money makers in the store were socks, footwear and patagonia capilene and it was not even a close battle with socks head and shoulders above the rat in both volume and profit margin. 

 

Your feedback will be much better taken if it is phrased positively like others have mentioned and also if you have some background to your suggestions.

 

good luck!!

 

Yea, I like you're outlook, I coulda used more Guys like you thru the years, but I agree with a couple up threads .... I would just focus on you're new hire position and buy things every payday! Joking... Maybe after a while , Entertain that Ideal again... Enjoy you're new job!!!

Thanks for the feedback guys. i totally get what youre saying. Im gonna lay low for a while, and see what happens. and I understand the enthusiast is going to be able to get what they need, either at another store or online. That being said, my suggestion idea wasn't exactly to revamp the entire department ( although thats what I dream of  ), my suggestion would be to just bring in some quality combos at mid price range, and a few other things in low quantity just as an experiment to see how they sell. 

 

anyways, I'll start paying more attention to customer feedback on the section and see what they think (when I can get over there that is, im currently stationed in the footwear department  )

[Darren.]

The fishing section is actually pretty big. However at least half of it is salt water. I live far inland ct, and the sound is 45 minutes away at the closest point, and the store location is 8 minutes from a huge lake full of large and smallies, plus its 15 minutes away from some good size lakes full of pike and walleye. Im not fishing legend or marketing expert I just feel like that section would do a lot better expanding on the freshwater section (bass specifically) and possibly trimming some of the poor selling salt gear. 

 

Totally understand. And I will echo what flyfisher said regarding watching what moves and what doesn't over the weeks/months.

 

Curious, do you have other big primarily fishing stores around you like Gander Mtn, Cabelas, or Bass Pro Shops? If so, or even if there's a mom & pop fishing store that's been around for ages, all of that can make a difference as to what your DSG chooses to focus on.

 

After all, DSG caters to just about every sport out there, so has to divide the store appropriately. Bass Pro, Gander, Cabelas pretty much just cater to fishing and hunting...

 

Sounds like you've got a good plan to lay low, wait-n-see. Good luck at your job!

[C0lt]

Totally understand. And I will echo what flyfisher said regarding watching what moves and what doesn't over the weeks/months.

 

Curious, do you have other big primarily fishing stores around you like Gander Mtn, Cabelas, or Bass Pro Shops? If so, or even if there's a mom & pop fishing store that's been around for ages, all of that can make a difference as to what your DSG chooses to focus on.

 

After all, DSG caters to just about every sport out there, so has to divide the store appropriately. Bass Pro, Gander, Cabelas pretty much just cater to fishing and hunting...

 

Sounds like you've got a good plan to lay low, wait-n-see. Good luck at your job!

A few mom and pop stores, besides that, nothing. However there is a Bass pro shops megastore opening in january in bridgeport conn. The only downside is that its 50 minutes away from me ):

[Stingray23]

so im newly employed at dicks, and dont get me wrong, my local location has a pretty decent fishing section (wish they would have a better selection of swimbaits), however I don't feel they stock the right rods. For some reason they only have 3 different cast combos stocked, all right hand retrieve, and expensive. In the reel section, they only have a few bait casters stocked. they actually do have a nice rod selection, however I really think they would benefit from cutting down on the dime a dozen spinning reel combos they stock, and adding some more mid range casting combos and reels. 

 

There is an open door policy for employees at dicks giving us the opportunity to make suggestions to the upper management. Should I bring my thoughts forward? if so, how should I go about this?

 

the only reason I feel like this is kind of a big deal is due to our stores proximity to one of the largest and most productive lakes in the state (less than 8 minutes from a very popular launch). 

 

what do you guys think?

 

 

So you work at the Dicks in Danbury? I was there today.

[sk8ter107]

I talked to a manager at my local Dicks about kinda the same thing.  He said most of the time people don't buy rods, reels, or combos.  Everyone seems to get better deals online nowadays.  If they buy one from Dicks it's because they need it right then and can't wait for shipping.   So instead of stocking a lot of those they stock lots of plastics, lures, and terminal tackle.  This is just as my Dicks though so yours might be different.

[primetime]

IT NEVER HURTS TO SHOW MANAGEMENT THAT YOU ARE "CURIOUS" AS TO WHY YOU CARRY ONE BRAND OVER ANOTHER AND IF YOU ARE POLIGHT AND SHOW THAT YOU ARE ONLY ASKING TO HELP GROW THE BUSINESS SINCE YOU ARE A DEDICATED ANGLER, THE CONVERSATION SHOULD TURN OUT GREAT. I AGREE WITH WHAT EVERYONE SAID, NEVER DISPARAGE PRODUCT ANYONE CARRIES, EVEN THE COMPETITION, BUT SUGGESTING HIGHER END RODS MAY BE A GOOD IDEA SINCE MOST DIE HARD BASS FISHERMAN KNOW WHAT IS LACKING IN THE AREA.

 

I WOULD TELL THEM TO START CARRRYING MORE SWING JIGS, PUNCH RIGS, AND ALSO CARRY SOME BRANDS THAT ARE RARELY SEEN IN RETAIL STORES SINCE I SEE A TREND COMING AND ACCESSORIES ARE ALL PROFIT AND ALWAYS NEEDED....I GUESS EACH STORE HAS A BUDGET FOR EACH DEPT AS WELL, BUT ALL WOULD BE COOL TO KNOW AND IF YOU WANT TO MOVE UP YOU WILL ONE DAY HAVE TO KNOW SO NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION AND THAT IS THE TRUTH IF PRESENTED WITH RESPECT AND WELL INTENDED.

 

I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED SHOPPING AT DICKS FOR FISHING AND OUTDOOR GEAR, WE HAVE GREAT SELECTIONS, CLEAN STORES, GOOD HELP AT THE ONE'S AROUND TAMPA IMO, ALSO GREAT SALES & THEY ARE ADDING MORE OF THE POPULAR SOFT BAITS AND LURES ALWAYS LACKING SO SOMEONE IS MAKING SUGGESTIONS OR DOING STUDIES AS GANDER, WALLMART, OR BAITSHOPS ARE NOT CARRYING WHAT DICK'S HAS.

[einscodek]

Ya I wouldnt lay low but I wouldnt ruffle feathers neither

I'd just put forth the rational suggestion informally like you did and if it dont make sense to em..

well then you just dont get to use yer 25% employee discount on that gear that you REALLY want

[C0lt]

 use yer 25% employee discount on that gear that you REALLY want

amen

[buzzed bait]

If you ask me, the most realistic and wisest first move would be to simply find out if the store has it's own buying capacity or if the products offered are all driven at a corporate level.  A lot of these big box retailers use planograms that are somewhat "generic" created from a buyer in the corporate office for say a particular geograpic region.  You should just work with either the Fishing Department Manager or perhaps even a manager in the Receiving area if there is one and ask if the items they receive are ones they select or the corporate office selects. 

If they say the store has the selection power, then I suggest going with flyfisher's advice and laying back and taking very insightful notes on the habits of the customers.  You may see that the majority of them are just buying a gift or perhaps just looking for the most cost effective options.  However, you may find that with limited offerings in your area, you receive a lot more traffic from avid anglers than the store estimates.  Either way, listen first, observe second, lastly offer your feedback.

Best of luck and buy as much quality gear as you can with that discount.  More importantly, I would check the clearance section EVERYTIME I started a shift and try to score a mega deal + your 25% discount!