BPS Classic - dissapointing turnout

[Airman4754]

I was at the San Jose one for the opening day of the sale. I bought a Browning baitcast that wasn't on sale and I didn't get a military discount on it either. Apparently military guys don't use reels. I bought whatever the highest end Johnny Morris rod is and the discount was less than the military discount. I got some Speed Shads at a really good price though, and they didn't offer a military discount to the sale price. 

If I didn't just happen to be in the area for work I would have never went. I haven't bought anything from them in years. TW is cheaper 99% of the time and they give me a 10% military discount on absolutely everything even if it's on sale. I shant stray again. 

[Darren.]

3 hours ago, eyedabassman said:

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!

THIS is what I remember. Elbow-to-elbow crowds, sales reps
from Daiwa, Shimano, local guys, etc. Spot on, mate.

[UKCATSBASSER]

A SK 1.5 flat is almost $7.50 !!!

other places are hovering a touch over $5.50!

[robster80]

last year i blew a good bit of $ there but this year the ONLY thing i bought was a terminator walking frog on sale for a couple bucks off retail.  saw a bunch of folks grabbing the pq/carbonlite combo.  other than that all i really noticed was the typical sale on some of the bps hardbaits and some plastics but nothing crazy. 

[Allen Der]

I go multiple times every year but mostly because I live 5 minutes away.  I usually do at least 1 rod trade in but i've pretty much run out of cheap old rods to trade in.  my store was about as crowded as usual and they were sold out of most of the Sufix 832 and speed shads that i wanted to get.  Went home with a new 8wt Mojo Bass fly rod though!

[atcoha]

I don't go to the "events", but I stopped in a local bps on Friday...looking to buy "something". I was so under impressed, I left with nothing.

The sales were nothing to drive over there for, I just happened to be right there. Only thing I saw worth getting was the tungsten bullet weights on sale for $4.29, but I reupped a during the xmas sale at TW.

[nascar2428]

Unfortunately BPS is just a destination to me, and the Fishing Classic is just an event at a destination. Really not much of anything on sale, considering how over priced they are to begin with.If you think it's bad now. What's it gonna be like if Johnny gets a hold of Cabelas. I've never been a fan of competing companies buying each other out. The consumer always loses in the end. 

[RyneB]

I'm only going because I have gift cards to spend. I honestly don't even know what I'll get. Pry just some line and hooks

[MFBAB]

I like to catch a few of the seminars during the Spring Classic if I have the time, but it's very close for me so no trouble to get there. 

[Robeng]

I agree- same every year.  Not great discounts.  They had Storm Arashi's for $9.24 each.  I bought them at Meijers for $2.34 each and 5ft depths at $3.54 each. 

Not much in way of true Pros' for seminars.  Just locals.

They always reduce the fish cleaning table to $69.99 from $99.  Rod wraps were at $3.97- not bad. 

Typically, they are not the first to get all the new baits either.  

Every year the Johnny Morris baitcast combos for $99. I had $20 in gift cards left over- so I got one.  For most part, historically, has good reviews. 

Alas, a Cabelas will be opening nearby soon in greater Detroit area.  

Bottom line: TW, Overtons, and others online get most of my business.  

[eyedabassman]

45 minutes ago, RyneB said:

I'm only going because I have gift cards to spend. I honestly don't even know what I'll get. Pry just some line and hooks

My Birthday is coming up?

[Bluebasser86]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

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

They had the reel I wanted in stock today on my lunch break, all is forgiven. 

[robster80]

did anyone get a chance to check out those new bps reels. cant remember what it was called. titanium or something

[Bluebasser86]

51 minutes ago, robster80 said:

did anyone get a chance to check out those new bps reels. cant remember what it was called. titanium or something

That's the one I bought in the 8.1 ratio. 33 IPT and 19lbs max drag. Going.to be my new frog reel. 

[robster80]

25 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

That's the one I bought in the 8.1 ratio. 33 IPT and 19lbs max drag. Going.to be my new frog reel. 

i glanced at the reels to see if they had the curado 70 and didnt even think to look for the titanium.  i may look into getting one myself i need a good 8.1 for flipping or frogging

[tbone1993]

Once online shopping became big fishing shows took a nose dive. Many are good but most of their great deals are gone.  

[ChrisD46]

Poor turnout because over all - the BPS Classic sale offers were not that good as compared to years past .

[MDBowHunter]

Honestly I've been disappointed with BPS for a couple years now. I only go there if someone gives me a gift card or if I need something now. 

[0119]

I go to BPS at least 4 times a month.  Most of my fishing money goes to Morris.  Not because I love BPS but because its the only place to get bass tackle in s.w.Fl.. Locals are only about saltwater and bait.  I now have 3 BPS within minor driving time of my home.  Tackle warehouse is great but 99.9% of my buying, I want to see it, maybe handle it before I buy.  Their choices are getting VERY poor. I don't buy in house brands so big sales on mainland asia reels doesnt draw me.  Ive always avoided the big classic kind of sales until this one.  It just made sense to me to use the trade in deal and let the gear go to kids instead of trying to sell it to someone who dickers you down and deal with shipping.  Honestly I think I got the only 2 rods in stock that werent Abu or BPS brand.  The only recognizable pro was Pete Thliveros standing at the lew's reels.  Slowly BPS looses me as I increase my use of regionally made baits but its always my place to get shoes and t shirts.  I don't expect BPS's college kid employees to give me advise Im not looking to get.  But they are always friendly and willingly to help.  I can NEVER say that about local mom and pop tackle shops who have ignored me at the register for decades while they gossip with guides.  I really can't bad mouth BPS for selling me Chronarch CI4's for $50 off or Loomis rods for $40 off on top of the $ I had in points discount. 

[stkbassn]

I never have been able to go but it doesn't sound like I need to get in a hurry to work it out either. It's a bit disheartening to hear this about BPS but I've never been impressed with their prices or sales. Maybe I once was when they were the top dog but it's been a long time since that was true. They advertise like it's a big family affair and make it seem all warm and cozy like they are here for us but it sounds more like they could care less in reality. Doesn't sound like they take care of their vendors either. Not wise. 

BTD, TW, FFO, LCC, Monster, folks here on the Flea Market and a few others get my business and that's just the way it is and will continue to be. This is not to say I don't appreciate our sponsors and wouldn't buy from them, I just haven't directly. I use Z-Man and Seaguar, and soon to use Rage products though!

[tomustang]

20 hours ago, eyedabassman said:

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!

I bet 20 years ago there wasn't 70 BPS stores which you wouldn't have to divide venders/sponsors at...

[blckshirt98]

20 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

I was at the San Jose one for the opening day of the sale. I bought a Browning baitcast that wasn't on sale and I didn't get a military discount on it either. Apparently military guys don't use reels. I bought whatever the highest end Johnny Morris rod is and the discount was less than the military discount. I got some Speed Shads at a really good price though, and they didn't offer a military discount to the sale price. 

If I didn't just happen to be in the area for work I would have never went. I haven't bought anything from them in years. TW is cheaper 99% of the time and they give me a 10% military discount on absolutely everything even if it's on sale. I shant stray again. 

Next time you're in San Jose stop by Coyote Bait and Tackle...they have hands down the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff of any fishing store, if not any store period, I've ever been to.  They specialize in bass swimbaits, best selection I've seen at a brick and mortar store so far.  Hopefully you'll be in town for their yearly mega sale in the spring!

[U-boat Aficionado]

When they built the BPS here, must be more than ten years now, everyone was saying it was going to revitalize the area and bring in tens of thousands of tourists. Of course that kind of talk helps get tax breaks and puts money in the developers pockets but in reality its just another store and the novelty wore off, especially after a Gander Mountain opened up then another BPS just an hour away. When I walk in on a weekday it's often like a ghost town.

It seems like they may be a victim of their own success and over expanded. With BPS high prices I usually go just to check out in person what I want then turn to other sources like Amazon for my purchases. Why spend nine bucks for a Rapala when the Walmart has it for six?

I do like they will match any of their online sale prices and that's when I usually make purchases. 

[Bigbarge50]

Seems like just a few years back they were getting top level pro's to do seminars that were great because you could get lots of access to these guys and ask real questions and get real answers.  Now they have some local guys... which nothing against them, but I think shows a lack of effort towards the event.  The vendors were also always great to talk to but now are nowhere to be seen.  The deals.... well outside of the Yum stuff, not much caught my eye.  

I am curious... I thought the purpose of "Big Box" stores was they could deliver cheaper prices because of the sheer volume they handle.... yet BPS is not really providing the value.... Think it is just trying to gouge people or is it because they have their own product lines that other, non-BPS stuff is not really a good value?

[0119]

5 hours ago, Bigbarge50 said:

Seems like just a few years back they were getting top level pro's to do seminars that were great because you could get lots of access to these guys and ask real questions and get real answers.  

Well I wouldn't call Peter Thliveros a none top level pro, at least not to his face, he looked pretty tough.  Actually while I stood in line for nearly 15 minutes, not a soul spoke to him.  Local putz's here wouldn't know a bass pro from a bass. Just a bunch of ignorant shrimp dunkers. That's why the local BPS isnt stocked with good crap. Nobody is willing to pay and all they want is surf casting monster gear and minnow buckets to catch 1/2lb. trout.  BPS heck any shop, only is what the customer makes it be. If they're cheap 3 time a year pier fishermen then that's who they're going to cater to.