BPS and Daiwa???

[GeeseMelvin]

So I did a search for this and didn't find anything. I was at my local BPS today and did not see one Daiwa reel. What's up with that? Daiwa remove their products from them for some reason?

[Finnz922]

Maybe a BPS employee can confirm or correct, but i had heard it had to do with prices and margins. 

[fishnkamp]

Bass Pro did not sell any for a few years. I guess Johnny did not want to pay Daiwas price.  They do sell some online now.  The stores have been pushing the BPS models as well as a few Browning ( another house brand) and a few Abus mostly.  There have been a few Shimanos in stock in some of the stores but not many. Remember Johnny has been trying to purchase Cabelas and so much of his money is ear marked for that I am sure.  Cabelas does carry more of the Daiwas, Shimanos and even Pfluegers. 

[bigturtle]

The BPS in canada had tatula rods last year, not sure if they still carry it

[GeeseMelvin]

4 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Bass Pro did not sell any for a few years. I guess Johnny did not want to pay Daiwas price.  They do sell some online now.  The stores have been pushing the BPS models as well as a few Browning ( another house brand) and a few Abus mostly.  There have been a few Shimanos in stock in some of the stores but not many. Remember Johnny has been trying to purchase Cabelas and so much of his money is ear marked for that I am sure.  Cabelas does carry more of the Daiwas, Shimanos and even Pfluegers. 

 

I did notice that the only baitcasting shimanos they had was the Curado. I just never imagined that they'd decide to not carry Daiwa and shimano. They also didn't have any Lucky Craft cranks that weren't shallow squarebilled. No GYCB twin tail grubs. I was kind of disappointed as this was the first time in a good while that I've gone to up my tackle and see what new product they may have. 

[Tim Kelly]

They've all become a bit disappointing. I used to try to fit in a BPS or Cabela's trip into my infrequent fishing holidays Stateside, and this summer, I was flying into Ottawa, the flight was arriving in the evening and I decided to get a hotel for the night so I could go to Cabelas before heading off to the lake a couple of hours away. Let's just say I won't be doing that again! Cabela's in Canada was an even bigger disappointment than the ailing Gander mountain in Syracuse I went to last time! A very small range of branded products and very poorly stocked shelves. I suppose they're running the inventory down ahead of the sell off, but really? Hardly worth keeping the doors open. 10 or more years ago it was an extraordinary experience going into a BPS, Cabelas or Gander for someone from Europe. Now either I'm jaded, which is entirely possible, or they are a shadow of their former selves. It used to be a day out, but now it's a slightly frustrating let down.

[dsqui]

Cabelas bass pro and gander are geared more towards the guy who fishing maybe 4-6 times a year anymore.  I remember when gander mountain first moved in here what a selection.  I swear for the time they had everything.  Now ur lucky if they have more then a local shop or Wal-Mart.  

[GeeseMelvin]

6 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

They've all become a bit disappointing. I used to try to fit in a BPS or Cabela's trip into my infrequent fishing holidays Stateside, and this summer, I was flying into Ottawa, the flight was arriving in the evening and I decided to get a hotel for the night so I could go to Cabelas before heading off to the lake a couple of hours away. Let's just say I won't be doing that again! Cabela's in Canada was an even bigger disappointment than the ailing Gander mountain in Syracuse I went to last time! A very small range of branded products and very poorly stocked shelves. I suppose they're running the inventory down ahead of the sell off, but really? Hardly worth keeping the doors open. 10 or more years ago it was an extraordinary experience going into a BPS, Cabelas or Gander for someone from Europe. Now either I'm jaded, which is entirely possible, or they are a shadow of their former selves. It used to be a day out, but now it's a slightly frustrating let down.

 

3 hours ago, dsqui said:

Cabelas bass pro and gander are geared more towards the guy who fishing maybe 4-6 times a year anymore.  I remember when gander mountain first moved in here what a selection.  I swear for the time they had everything.  Now ur lucky if they have more then a local shop or Wal-Mart.  

 

It sucks, I went looking for some very specific lures and to check out the new reels on the market.... Didn't check anything off my list. So where do y'all do the majority of your shopping now? Is TackleWarehouse the best option? 

[Darren.]

I know my BPS has, as of my last visit the other month,

Diawa, Shimano, Pflueger in casting and spinning...

 

Used to make weekly trips down to the Hampton, VA

Bass Pro, but over the past few years those trips have

trailed off to a few times a quarter, or year.

 

For one, I'm not able to get out fishing as much as I'd like,

and two, I'm trying to keep purchases to a minimum except

for bait/tackle replenishment.

 

That said, the general atmosphere of BPS seems to have

changed, and not necessarily for the better. Can't quite put

my finger on it but you know how a new Walmart is great for

the first couple years, then it starts ... getting stale, run down?

Maybe its just me that has changed.

[kickerfish1]

The location closest to me stopped carrying Daiwa gear last spring. BPS has gone down hill a lot the last few years IMO. Other than to see a product in person I rarely purchase anything from them anymore.

[PanfishBass]

If you think about it, it's the internet, and more specifically, Amazon. Because of places like Gander mounter, dicks, Cabela, bass pro shop, they all have to maintain multiple over heard locations, between the cost of the HQ building, the main store, all the "sub" stores through out US and Canada, plus warehousing. If Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Shimano, Pflueger, etc. plus Amazon only have to keep a warehouse stocked and a website running. Who do you think is going to win in the price/profit wars? 

 

It's ok for people like me where the nearest Gander mountain and dicks is a 1.5-hour drive, and the nearest Cabelas, BPS, Academy, and one other is 100 miles away. With online purchasing I can still get all the good brands, the downside though, I can't feel before I buy.

[GeeseMelvin]

14 minutes ago, PanfishBass said:

If you think about it, it's the internet, and more specifically, Amazon. Because of places like Gander mounter, dicks, Cabela, bass pro shop, they all have to maintain multiple over heard locations, between the cost of the HQ building, the main store, all the "sub" stores through out US and Canada, plus warehousing. If Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Shimano, Pflueger, etc. plus Amazon only have to keep a warehouse stocked and a website running. Who do you think is going to win in the price/profit wars? 

 

It's ok for people like me where the nearest Gander mountain and dicks is a 1.5-hour drive, and the nearest Cabelas, BPS, Academy, and one other is 100 miles away. With online purchasing I can still get all the good brands, the downside though, I can't feel before I buy.

 

Thats very true. The internet selections are far greater too. I guess when it comes to rod and reel purchases I'll just have to put my trust into the good people here at BR. 

[Tim Kelly]

I'm not sure price is the thing that's killing the big stores. Tackle Warehouse looks like it's a successful business, and it's not cheap, everything's full retail price, but they have a huge stock, so you can get most things at one stop. That used to be the case at BPS and cabela's, plus they had their own brand clothing which was good quality, plus they were destinations signposted from 100 miles away on the freeways. There's either something that's changed with the consumer, but apparently shopping is the number one recreational pastime, so you'd think the destination model would still work? I think they've gone down the wrong road with the limited stock, too much house branded stuff and not enough branded goods. 

 

What do I know, Mr BPS seems to have an ever expanding empire, but as a consumer you get the feeling that there's significantly less choice than there used to be!

[fishnkamp]

PanfishBass  You are correct that the internet has an influence for sure. However you must realize Bass Pro competes not just in its brick and mortar stores but online and with phone in orders as well.  

Bass Pro started changing its inventory as Bass Pro started copying everyone's lures and selling them under their own name. They then started slowly lowering their inventory of other brand's lures.  This also coinsided with buying Ranger Triton, and Stratos boats which was done partially to consume the competition. I am not trying to start debate over that, but it plays into the cash flow available to stock other brands within Johnny's empire. Perhaps the additional cash held up over the Cabelas purchase was a major impact as well. That merger has been held up for quite a while, mostly due to legal issues and the US Government approval. 

[CTBassin860]

The BPS in Foxborough carries both Daiwa spinning and casting in store but not as heavy as the Shimano selection. Most of the things you would want to buy are only available online or constantly out of stock. Tackle Warehouse is the way to go.

[Darren.]

I'm not so convinced Amazon and other online retailers are

the cause. Contributing factor, perhaps. I've bought one 

fishing product on Amazon that I can recall. Chinese-made

bobber stops. Other than that, I've used TW, ebay, and 

several other online retailers.

 

I actually am one that would rather visit a BPS for the 

atmosphere, the fish tank, and so on. There used to be

a sense of wonder at the place. Something that garnered

an excitement for the sport of fishing. The problem is, those

things are not the same attractions they once were. Again, 

this could be me, but BPS used to have things going on all

the time. Feedings, pro sessions, excited, helpful, and

knowledgable sales folks.

 

Those things have dwindled to semi-occasional attractions,

and  the knowledgeable sales folk are fewer and farther

between. I used to visit to run things by the fishing manager,

who became a friend. He was sharp. He left for better pastures.

It was a sad day. BPS became less personal ever since. I'd run

stuff by folks there and nobody could give me solid advice I was

seeking.

 

Also agree with @fishnkamp that Johnny's Empire of products

has usurped other brands' products. And JM himself, a man 

worth billions, seems to have surrounded himself with advice

that steers the "a fun place to visit" atmosphere of his stores

into something other than that.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[CTBassin860]

2 hours ago, Darren. said:

I'm not so convinced Amazon and other online retailers are

the cause. Contributing factor, perhaps. I've bought one 

fishing product on Amazon that I can recall. Chinese-made

bobber stops. Other than that, I've used TW, ebay, and 

several other online retailers.

 

I actually am one that would rather visit a BPS for the 

atmosphere, the fish tank, and so on. There used to be

a sense of wonder at the place. Something that garnered

an excitement for the sport of fishing. The problem is, those

things are not the same attractions they once were. Again, 

this could be me, but BPS used to have things going on all

the time. Feedings, pro sessions, excited, helpful, and

knowledgable sales folks.

 

Those things have dwindled to semi-occasional attractions,

and  the knowledgeable sales folk are fewer and farther

between. I used to visit to run things by the fishing manager,

who became a friend. He was sharp. He left for better pastures.

It was a sad day. BPS became less personal ever since. I'd run

stuff by folks there and nobody could give me solid advice I was

seeking.

 

Also agree with @fishnkamp that Johnny's Empire of products

has usurped other brands' products. And JM himself, a man 

worth billions, seems to have surrounded himself with advice

that steers the "a fun place to visit" atmosphere of his stores

into something other than that.

 

Just my 2 cents.

Very similar experience with me. I have been there so many times that i used to go just to grab some hooks and BS with some of the guys. A lot of the smart ones have since left and the kids they have now can't answer simple questions straight. No longer as personal as it once was and twice the hassle. It's a shame.

[susQbassman]

I think the bean counters that the greedy corporate types hire are killing the retail shopping brick & mortar stores off. I live next to Cabelas and not far from bass pro but don't shop there often do to the poor inventories and selections of mid to upper end products.

[Mjmj]

7 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

PanfishBass  You are correct that the internet has an influence for sure. However you must realize Bass Pro competes not just in its brick and mortar stores but online and with phone in orders as well.  

Bass Pro started changing its inventory as Bass Pro started copying everyone's lures and selling them under their own name. They then started slowly lowering their inventory of other brand's lures.  This also coinsided with buying Ranger Triton, and Stratos boats which was done partially to consume the competition. I am not trying to start debate over that, but it plays into the cash flow available to stock other brands within Johnny's empire. Perhaps the additional cash held up over the Cabelas purchase was a major impact as well. That merger has been held up for quite a while, mostly due to legal issues and the US Government approval. 

I live near Cabela's and the deal is going through. It's starting in October and will be finished some time next year

[Chance_Taker4]

My BPS told me they "replaced" Daiwa with Lews. This was about a year ago i believe. I know there was some bitterness from BPS when Daiwa started making exclusive equipment for TW. My BPS has Curado, Citica, Casitas, and Caenen for Shimano, the full Abu line, BPS  house brand and Lews. A friend of mine is the head for the fishing department at my local BPS and he tells us  all the time that his ordering options become more and more limited with outside brands and soon you'll only be able to get house brand gear and the brands that make the house brands.

[Jason Penn]

just from my experience with the memphis store, they seem more worried about the family experience than the fishing side of things.  there's no telling how much money they put into the pyramid.

[dsqui]

The real problem lies in people.  It seems everyone wants everything for the cheapest they can find it. They want to stop in at there local mom and pop fishing shop and look at items and get $10 worth of info on it (where r the fish biting what's everyone catching them on what got baits won last Wednesday night's local tournament) then run home and but it on line cause they can save $5.  It used to be order it from b Pro and cables to save a few bucks which ran many mom n pop shops out now the internet is doing the same to them by having more online retailers varying more items that people want.for a better price or just the convenience of one order not three

[Jay Dubs]

I went to my BPS to look at reels by Daiwa, Lew's and Shimano.  They had the Citica and Curado, a slew of Lew's, and the full Abu Revos line.  Tons of the house brand, of course.  They did have a few Daiwa spinning reels, but considering the following that the Tatula line has, not seeing it at BPS was a shocker.

 

It seems they aren't the company that I remember ordering out of the catalog from, when I was young.  Agreed that you can't get any advice or knowledge from the staff.  I love the tips and knowledge from staff, and always buy products as a thanks.  It just seems the store doesn't hire people that love hunting, camping or fishing, which makes no sense to me.  

 

Thank God for the forums where people can get to talk to those in the know.

[GeeseMelvin]

I was just very curious about that situation and wanted to get the down-low of what's going on. It doesn't really affect me as I've got a GreenTop around me and they run a fishing shop for true anglers. Thank God for that!

[Montanaro]

If they recruit and retain knowledgeable employees they have to pay them more.

 

If they stock premium brands they have to pay

 

If they dont come out with house brands then they pay premiums for lures maybe a couple hardcore fisherman would buy

 

If they create a website they have to rent a server and staff it and not discount prices because it would canalbalize their stores.

 

They are in a pickle despite bass fishing growing at an incredible rate especially compared to economic growth.