Supporting Local Tackle Shops

[flickshot23]

Would you buy your gear online from local shops if they had more of an online presence, or do y'all prefer bigger retailers like Bass Pro and Academy?

I like supporting small businesses but a lot of smaller tackle shops don't have an online presence and can be inconvenient to buy from if you don't live near them. I was curious if this sentiment would be the same if it was easier to buy from them, like if there was a centralized website where you could browse the inventory of several different local shops.

[MediumMouthBass]

I prefer to support my local shops when i can, the one everything is MSRP. The other has 30% of his inventory 20-50% cheaper than any big box store or online retailer. However both have a dismal rod and reel inventory, and the rest of the baits/lures are sold for MSRP. The one i prefer to go to is ran by a really great dude, and he runs some really good sales on certain rods, reels, and other lures throughout the years. But the rest of the time its MSRP, and i dont do MSRP. (oh and to add, most shops dont carry much of what i use and need, especially when it comes to terminal tackle)

 

So i give most of my money to Midway, TW, Omnia, Academy, BPS (only in the spring), and DSG. I only buy something if i can get it for 30-90% off, and these places have done this for me over and over again for years. Their prices for certain sales/promos/deals cannot be beat by most local shops clinging to MSRP or even overcharging. I dislike shopping at private equity/corporation owned places that keep buying up much of the fishing industry and would much rather give all of my money to local shops, but if i did it would be financial suicide for how much more i would spend.

3 hours ago, flickshot23 said:

I was curious if this sentiment would be the same if it was easier to buy from them, like if there was a centralized website where you could browse the inventory of several different local shops.

I dont think the shops not having a website with inventory is the reason people arent buying from them.... TW right now has a 25% off page (that stacks on some already marked down sale/clearance items), there was another company giving 25% stacked on 25% for Dobyns rods the other week, DSG buy 3 get 3 free ZZman or Strike King, Academy is having clearance stacked on clearance prices where one guy just got a Magdraft for under $3. I also picked up a LFS for $22.50 and $660 worth of rods for $188 at one of the places i mentioned within the last few months, hard for any shop to beat these deals....

And most people (especially in this economy) want to save money.

[MN Fisher]

I do most of my purchasing online, but my research local.

Scheels and Fleet Farm carry pretty much anything the USDM market has

Waypoint (about 1 mile from me by road) is a local JDM haven...I think he's gonna give HookUp some serious competition.

 

Unfortunately, my budget insists on saving as much as possible, so new gear is usually in the lower-middle levels (Tatula 100s/Lews Tournament MP, Victory(on sale)/Mojo/Black Bass) I usually stop in to Waypoint just to drool a bit....

[BassKat]

Unfortunately, everyone's gone locally. I sometimes get baited by chains with low pricing during sales. I also shop with local stores in other areas, like Tackle Trap. I'd say I fall in the middle. 

[Big Hands]

I am lucky to have a very good local shop that is stocked pretty well with relevant products and decent pricing as well as an excellent staff so I try to support them as much as possible. They also have a website that's decent enough that I have used a few times.

 

Then there's a Turner's Outdoorsman about a quarter mile from them that I occasionally wander into and I might check the tackle section of my local Walmart now and then too when I am picking up some groceries.

 

I also occasionally order online, but I still mostly support the local shop.

[Catt]

I support local tackle shops over national chains everytime. Yes I can save money at national chains but they do not support my community. 

 

Yes I know Academy, Dick's, & others support local schools, fishing clubs, & others. But when was the last time Academy opened after hours or on a Sunday to held stranded anglers?

 

That's supporting your community 

[Jig Man]

When I want something I go to the shop that isn’t a chain store.  It is located about halfway between Bass Pro and Academy.  John often has a better selection than either of the others.  He will also order stuff for me if it isn’t in stock.