BassPro Fishing Fair...Whaaaaat?

[Bartableman7]

Just saw an ad for their Springfield, MO Fishing Fair.  $12 to go shopping?!  What am I missing here?

[MN Fisher]

There's also going to be classes, seminars with pros and other things...it's not just a 'shopping expedition'.

[GreenPig]

Heck yeah. It'll only cost me $258 to drive there.

[Koz]

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

Heck yeah. It'll only cost me $258 to drive there.

So, with today's gas prices that's about 32 miles, right?

[Jaderose]

Bass Pro is no longer a store that sells Fishing gear.  They are a tourist destination and that seems to be really all they care about.  I can't hardly stand to go in one because I hate being hounded about vacations

[Johnbt]

Going to Bass Pro is the vacation for a lot of people. 

 

And I still miss Cabela's. 

[N Florida Mike]

7 hours ago, Jaderose said:

Bass Pro is no longer a store that sells Fishing gear.  They are a tourist destination and that seems to be really all they care about.  I can't hardly stand to go in one because I hate being hounded about vacations

You too?  I think the last time I went in one I had to tell them no 3-4 times before I got away. 

[Choporoz]

I, too, hate being hounded about the vacations.   But, what's worse is those sales people are the ONLY ones in the store who have half a clue about what they are selling.  The one outside of Richmond is dark, poorly stocked and full of employees unable to help.

I got a gift card at Christmas.   I drive past the store almost weekly.  Have stopped in 3 or 4 times this year and still have full value on the card.  Miserable experience.   I only wish I could use the gift card in the restaurant because their fish and chips isn't too bad.

[fishwizzard]

36 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

 The one outside of Richmond is dark, poorly stocked and full of employees unable to help.

I got a gift card at Christmas.   

 

Stand in the Greentop parking lot and try to sell it for 90 cents on the dollar.  

[MAN]

12 hours ago, Jaderose said:

I can't hardly stand to go in one because I hate being hounded about vacations

I cut through the apparel to avoid that booth and its 2 over achieving employees. And I know I ain't the only one because it looks like there's a well worn game trail going around that booth in the carpeted apparel section.      

[GANGGREEN]

Personally I've never had any trouble politely telling the time share people "no" and having them immediately leave me alone.   I think if they're pestering the hell out of you, it's likely that you were sucked in and engaged them in a conversation.

[DaubsNU1]

4 hours ago, Johnbt said:

Going to Bass Pro is the vacation for a lot of people. 

 

And I still miss Cabela's. 

 

Could not agree more! My lottery-pick college roommate in 1987 was from Sidney, Nebraska...he started at Cabela's on the phones. We are still best friends 30+ years later. 

 

He and his wife worked their way up at Cabela's corporate HQ...he was a buyer and she became VP...it was great times. I got to know several good friends who worked for Cabela's through the years...

 

Back in the day, it was fantastic. I've even met Jim Cabela, a long, long time ago.

 

Things started to change when they went public. It has been a gradual down-hill slide ever since. Getting purchased by BP changed things even more : (

 

Sadly, my buddy and his wife no longer work for BP/Cabela's. They are both doing well now...no regrets.

 

Makes me sad to visit a Cabela's now...customer service is crap, never seem to have the items I want in stock, or even on their web-site, quality has gone down-hill fast.

 

I still have loads and loads of Cabela's branded rods, clothing, gloves, boots, hats, etc. from back in the day. I am very careful, knowing that I cannot get that quality any more.

 

I do visit BP and Cabela's every once and a while...they sometimes have lures / line that I need.

 

 

[volzfan59]

12 hours ago, Jaderose said:

Bass Pro is no longer a store that sells Fishing gear.  They are a tourist destination and that seems to be really all they care about.  I can't hardly stand to go in one because I hate being hounded about vacations

When I worked at the BPS in Kodak (Sevierville), TN, our number one complaint was concerning the vacation sales folks. They aren't even BPS employees! They work for a timeshare company, which is what they are actually "selling", called Green something. I can't remember the last part. I was told that BPS allows them in the stores because they manage the BPS resorts.

 

I was somewhat interested in attending the Fishing Fair, it's only at the Springfield store. Most of the major brands will be setup there and there will be some deals to be had. Also, there's going to be some really good concerts with major acts. That's an additional charge and it's a pretty doggone steep one. That, in addition to these crazy fuel prices and a rental cabin or a room is an awfully large cash layout.  I think I'll stay home.

[Mat_ski]

I miss Cabela’s. It was a great store when it was still its own store. Bargain cave was awesome.

[QED]

I'll take the contra view.  Here in Silicon Valley, shooting and fishing sports aren't that popular so having a decent sporting goods store that stocks a wide variety of things is more than welcome.

[GreenPig]

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I, too, hate being hounded about the vacations.   But, what's worse is those sales people are the ONLY ones in the store who have half a clue about what they are selling.  The one outside of Richmond is dark, poorly stocked and full of employees unable to help.

I got a gift card at Christmas.   I drive past the store almost weekly.  Have stopped in 3 or 4 times this year and still have full value on the card.  Miserable experience.   I only wish I could use the gift card in the restaurant because their fish and chips isn't too bad.

Our Mid Ga BPS is dark to the point I must use my pocket flashlight to read their labels. 

[slonezp]

To change the tone of this thread, is there enough things on the property to keep a 5 year old interested for the day? I'm reading the promo and it mentions the Bass Fishing hall of fame and the IGFA hall of fame and the Johnny Morris museum. 

 

Or don't waste my time and money driving from Chicago?

[CrashVector]

10 hours ago, Johnbt said:

Going to Bass Pro is the vacation for a lot of people. 

 

And I still miss Cabela's. 

 

I miss it before bps and Cabela's became the same store with different layouts.

 

Cabela's was always THE place to go for hardcore outdoors equipment.  I loaded up there before my trips to mountain bike through Denali park in AK.

 

Now, it's just another bps.

[volzfan59]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

To change the tone of this thread, is there enough things on the property to keep a 5 year old interested for the day? I'm reading the promo and it mentions the Bass Fishing hall of fame and the IGFA hall of fame and the Johnny Morris museum. 

 

Or don't waste my time and money driving from Chicago?

To be completely honest, unless they bring in some kids stuff, probably not. I remember reading that they're going to have people dressed as "Paw Patrol" characters there. I'm sure that they'll have some other stuff too, but I don't know. If you do go, be sure and carve out time for the museums and the Hall of Fame. They are great!