I'm Happy

[Mobasser]

On Feb 15th I made a post called I'm Happy. I told of a young man who was opening a new tackle shop in my  area. Many BR members were very supportive of him, and wished him success.               Ive been there several times, and have bought some stuff to support him.           Here's how it's gone so far: He's already placed another order to stock up Zoom soft plastics, as well as hooks and lines. Live bait, mostly minnows, he sells out of each week, and has set up a weekly delivery for minnows.                                         He also picked up many used reels, and refurbished them, and these have sold well also. The rod and reel repair has worked out good too. He's fixed rod guides, tips, etc for several guys.               He told me he didn't really expect to make much profit his first year, until he can establish a good customer base.                              Now, he's stocking some fly rods, reels, and fly lines, as well as some bass and trout flies.                                         We have to keep in mind that not all fisherman can afford the best gear, and by offering good qaulity refurbished tackle, he can offer a rod or reel for anyone.                                             He gives very good customer service, and when folks come in, he always greets them, and is quick to get whatever they need.                   So far, he's done well. This young man went out on a limb, and took a gamble opening this small shop. I think he'll be successful here, and I wish him continued success.                                             From what I've seen, I think he's going to make it.   

[Mike L]

Good for him!

I wish him the best of luck going forward 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[Bird]

This is good to hear.

He surely sounds like the kind of guy who is destined to succeed and someone you want to support.

[Jig Man]

How far from Springfield?

[Mobasser]

5 hrs from Springfield

[Darth-Baiter]

how far from Santa Rosa CA?  

 

  i would go and plunk down some cash if i was closer.  i wish him the best.  sounds like his work ethics are there.

[TnRiver46]

Awesome! We have 6-8 of those type stores in my area, they stay busy 

[Jig Man]

That’s a long way.  The reason I asked is the BPS Outlet gets hundreds of refurbished reels which sell on the cheap.  I talked to a guy there one day who was buying like 2 dozen reels.  He said he has a shop about 1 1/2 hours out and he had sold over 500 of them.

[GRiver]

I like hearing about people doing something the like and becoming a success at it.

[Kirtley Howe]

Where are BPS outlet stores located? I just chatted online with BPS, and the agent told me they do not have any "outlet stores", and none of their locations sell refurbished/rebuilt reels of any kind. Also, do the BPS outlet stores have any online presence? I can't find one....

 

[dave]

Where exactly in MO?   The company for which I work is headquartered in MO and has a few warehouses and fisherman.  I could ask them to give it a go.

[LrgmouthShad]

I visit a local tackle store here, too. I have learned several things while hanging around there, and they sell really good jigs, especially. They stock Oldham's, Hackney's, and Coda. 

 

Not a bad fishing store and it is a good place to see what locals like to use. Their store is built around the lakes surrounding

 

 

Nice to hear this young man is doing well pursuing something he wanted to make happen for himself

[Columbia Craw]

Success comes one sale at a time. Longevity come one return customer at a time. Good for him.

[Captain Phil]

Owning a tackle shop is a tough business.  I recently interviewed a number of local shops for a client that wanted this information.  You can't just hang out lures and expect to compete with on-line stores.   The key to profit is services.   Back in the day, fishing reel tackle repair shops were common.  I had a good friend who's whole family was involved in this.  Today's reels are expensive.  You can't charge $75 to fix a $50 reel unless it's your father's reel or it has nostalgia value.   Rod and reel repair is an under-served service that is very difficult to find locally.  Live bait is very profitable as well.  My local shop sells extra large native shiners for nearly $30 a dozen and they sell all they can get.  Keeping live bait requires investment in tanks, pumps and equipment.  It also requires some knowledge.  A bigger problem is finding people to man the store.  Most people think working in a tackle shop is a fun job.  Stocking shelves, hauling buckets of bait around, cleaning tanks, running the register, selling rods and reels and dealing with customers is just a little of what you must do.  My local tackle shop also repairs boats and outboard motors and he has all he can handle.  Some tackle shops sell their own brand of lures.   Bitter's Tackle in Orlando is an example.  Their soft plastics are very popular and they work well, some better than the name brand stuff.

[volzfan59]

@Kirtley Howe, I'm assuming that @Jig Man is talking about the clearance/outlet store next door to the BPS in Springfield. 

 

@Mobasser, it's good to hear that this young man is staying afloat. Good customer service is where it's at. If he continues with that, he'll be successful.

[Jig Man]

Here you go.  I never go to Springfield without dropping by.

https://stores.basspro.com/us/mo/springfield/2011-s-campbell-avenue.html?y_source=1_NTk0Mjg5MS03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D

[Bluebasser86]

On 7/13/2023 at 11:43 AM, Kirtley Howe said:

Where are BPS outlet stores located? I just chatted online with BPS, and the agent told me they do not have any "outlet stores", and none of their locations sell refurbished/rebuilt reels of any kind. Also, do the BPS outlet stores have any online presence? I can't find one....

 

It's always funny to me when someone that works for a place like that has no idea what they're talking about ?