BPS Classic - dissapointing turnout

[crankbait2009]

I went to the BPS classic this past Saturday (2nd day of the event).  Usually go this time every year.  Since I started going a good 5-6 years ago, I have noticed the crowds are becoming less and less.  I realize the sale items are the same every year.  No great deals to be had. Sure you have the lures that are a buck or two off.  And the plastic baits that are a certain % off.  But certainly nothing that would make me rush to the store.  I usually go to pick line up or lures I lost in the last season.  Normally I could just buy random stuff and easily spend $200.

 

I spent $50 on some line and a few lures.  But a new hat was more than half the cost of the hole trip.  I was kinda disappointed.  Was hoping for a more exciting trip.  Guess I was the reason for that......I could have spent more money on stuff I didn't need.

 

Oh, and needless to say I had to wait in no lines, and certainly didn't have to rub elbows with anyone going up and down the aisles.  That was surprising as well.

[sean55337]

We don't have one here in MN but I looked at their website. Must say, I am not very impress. Some of the sale items, I think you can buy  online for same price at Ebay, TW, etc..

[Darren.]

Agreed. Last couple of years it has gone downhill
in my estimation. The offerings are just not as 
compelling to me. I will still try to get to this years'
Classic, but nothing jumped out at me from the 
flier to get me pumped about it.

[Bluebasser86]

The one item I really wanted, a store brand reel, they didn't have any in stock. Pretty disappointing.

[Preytorien]

I've never been impressed with the classic sales. It's always the same turn off for me....when it comes to gear, tackle, and rods/reels, they push almost exclusively BPS brand items. I'm not knocking them, my Carbonlite combo is one of my favorites, but I'd like to see more assortment. I'm also in the same boat as you all that the prices aren't really really enticing enough for me to make the 1.5-2 hr drive to see it. A lot of the items in our local flier were just listings, they weren't even on sale. 

[Darren.]

1 minute ago, Preytorien said:

A lot of the items in our local flier were just listings, they weren't even on sale. 

Yes! Not sure what Johnny Morris is up to...

The Classic sales (for me) started going downhill
a couple years ago when they shortened it, and 
reduced the amount of stuff on sale. I'm sure it 
was a business decision, but I wonder what their
stats are now compared to then.

[BrianinMD]

Not a fan of Bass Pro anyway, nothing about this sale interest me enough to go. Would much rather order or shop at other places.

[lo n slo]

39 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Yes! Not sure what Johnny Morris is up to...

makes you wonder doesn't it?

[The Fisher]

No inventory and looks like they are just trying to clear out house brands. Even at BPS sale prices, TW regular prices are cheaper in most cases plus no tax.

[S. Sass]

I was considering picking up a couple a new BPQ reels if what I had read here was correct that this is when they have them dirt cheap. I haven't seen any dirt cheap ones but I didn't even stop when I drove by yesterday because the online ad didn't show anything more than what was discussed in this thread. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I get gift cards from family that don't fish themselves. I'll go during the sale to maximize the gift but that's about it. 

[crankbait2009]

Does Cabelas do this type of thing each year?

[flyfisher]

I think the sales are designed to get the more newbie fisherman in the store.  They see it as an opportunity to upgrade gear or get started and for that purpose, you can get some decent stuff.  I am pretty specific in what i like to use and i do usually pick up terminal tackle during the sale but that's about it.  I do know one year i picked up about 3-4 rods that with the rod trade in and i think mail in rebates were really good deals, same deal with reels one year too.  Now, i am pretty set so the "need" for new stuff just isn't there for me.  I'd rather go fishing than walk around a store..

[Phil_NH]

I went on Saturday and it was fairly crowded by about 11 ish.

The good-

-Best discounts seemed to be on soft plastics. Zooms were 25% off and Yum packs were 1.99

-There was a combo BPS qualifier reel and carbonlite rod for $99. Not the greatest gear ever but a hell of a deal.

 

The Bad-

-There was no really exciting deals. All the fine quality rods were just normal price.

-A lot of the Topwater lure (Frog/Spooks/Poppers) were not on sale at all. Love topwater and I was bummed out.

-No deals on Kayaks.

-Discounts were not great with like a dollar off overpriced lures.

[roadwarrior]

Well, you really don't even need to shop all over the internet to find more selection, better prices, free delivery and no sales tax.

On top of that, the holiday sales are killer!

 

[eyedabassman]

I have been going to the Spring Classic and doing seminars for my sponsor's for the last 20 years.And I can remember the vendors being there in there booths and you could talk to the reps and handle all the new stuff.And the crowds where elbow to elbow.Now it is like a ghost town. BPS priced the vendors out by charging big money for the space.And not all the stores had the same dates so more Pro's could come to more stores.Not smart marketing IMO!

[Silas]

The only reason I ever go is a BISONBURGER and a draft Blue Moon. 

Or Samantha my favorite drink maker, makes me her special MARGARITA. 

All other stuff comes off Internet. 

[Outdoor Zack]

4 hours ago, crankbait2009 said:

I went to the BPS classic this past Saturday (2nd day of the event).  Usually go this time every year.  Since I started going a good 5-6 years ago, I have noticed the crowds are becoming less and less.  I realize the sale items are the same every year.  No great deals to be had. Sure you have the lures that are a buck or two off.  And the plastic baits that are a certain % off.  But certainly nothing that would make me rush to the store.  I usually go to pick line up or lures I lost in the last season.  Normally I could just buy random stuff and easily spend $200.

 

I spent $50 on some line and a few lures.  But a new hat was more than half the cost of the hole trip.  I was kinda disappointed.  Was hoping for a more exciting trip.  Guess I was the reason for that......I could have spent more money on stuff I didn't need.

 

Oh, and needless to say I had to wait in no lines, and certainly didn't have to rub elbows with anyone going up and down the aisles.  That was surprising as well.

I went for the first time ever on Saturday.  Not impressed by the sales on tackle.  But I listened to a good seminar and got a new shirt, so I guess I can't complain... 

[Fishin' Fool]

I went to BPS on Friday and bought nothing. I bought a GLX online on Saturday so I had money to spend. But BPS had nothing to offer me. Too bad their loss.

[junyer357]

I went as well and was disapointed too. I picked up a few things but not much. Just a few new cranks and found a pack of 6/0 trokars for $3. Most everything else there is way too overpriced for me. Wanted to pick up a spool of sufix but it was $3-4 a spool higher for a 330yd sppol compared to pretty much everywhere else.  Its really not worth the hour drive anymore to go anytime for me. I can go to acadamy any day and find waht i want for less. 

[lo n slo]

2 hours ago, crankbait2009 said:

Does Cabelas do this type of thing each year?

i was on their site yesterday snooping around. they had some kinda sale going on. i like their painted bullets, which are not on sale btw. not sure about any in-store sale. 

[Hookem Hank]

I went Saturday even though I had visited my local tackle shop and took advantage of their sale the day before so I wasn't expecting to spend much if anything. This was the first year I have gone to the classic sale and I was not impressed. I like going to the store but I was not in awe of the sale. I  tend to shop more at my mom and pop store and TW. If they would price match they would have allot more business in my opinion. I purchased a beer coozie, BPS brand split ring pliers/braid cutters, and a Whopper Plopper. The coozie and pliers were on sale but was nothing that caught my attention.

 

[eyedabassman]

Mr. Morris should read all the posts on here and maybe,just maybe a light would go off in his head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blckshirt98]

A couple of local tackle shops have better sales in the springtime (buy 4 get one free on plastics, 15% off all reels, 20% off all rods, 20% off hardbaits/swimbaits, no tax storewide, etc) that I usually hit up.  BPS' trump card has always been their floor space and the selection/inventory they can carry, but it sounds like they're dropping the ball here on that.

[eyedabassman]

Back in the day when it was a good time and the crowds were bi! Bass Pro would treat all the vendors and the Pro Staff,seminars speakers to a great lunch with a chief cutting prime rib,them were the days when Mr.Morris took good care of the people that helped him sell product.One year i sat and ate  lunch next to Jimmy Houston and we had a great time and that was the last time that they did lunch! Too Bad!