BPS Thanksgiving Sale

[Daniel My Brother]

I posted this in another thread, but I wanted to bring it to everyone's attention since there are a lot of people here who are fans of BPS branded gear. BPS is advertising a Thanksgiving sale on a Pro Qualifier combo for just $69.99.

This looks like an incredible deal, but please note that this is a Limited Edition combo, and neither the rod nor the reel appear to be the standard Pro-Qualifier offering.

If I am wrong, I apologize, but I've seen this before from BPS with Limited Edition' gear that is cheaper than the original.

Here's the link

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=163&option=3&template=wee.cfm&weeID=1142&catalog=20071101-13&storeID=26&pageNumber=8

[Guest muddy]

The Pro Qualifiers,are gray. It could be a good buy, but this is the BPS Shuffle, wish they wouldn't do this, it could be a good buy. If I was going to buy one, it would have to be from a store, where i can look at it and handle it

[Crestliner2008]

But boy, this is real tempting!  

[Guest muddy]

Go check it out. Sometimes it's an older combo, what difference can a bb or a different color rod make SOMETIMES. I would go look at it, if there was a BPS close than 3 hours from me

[Tin]

Day after Thanksgiving, as soon as I get out of UPS I'm heading up to the one in Foxboro with my little brother  . He has $75 in gift cards and as soon as he saw the pro qualifier combo he wanted it. So now I have to take him, thanks BPS, instead of sleeping I know have to go shopping on Black Friday.  

[Olebiker]

Day after Thanksgiving, as soon as I get out of UPS I'm heading up to the one in Foxboro with my little brother . He has $75 in gift cards and as soon as he saw the pro qualifier combo he wanted it. So now I have to take him, thanks BPS, instead of sleeping I know have to go shopping on Black Friday.

I wonder if they will have any left the day after Thanksgiving.

[luckyinkentucky]

I already posted something on this the other night.  

Here is the link.  

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1195405335

Early bird get's the worm!  

Read on to my posts in this topic.  You'll find out anything you need to know.  

[Micro]

Those sure don't look like the regular Pro Qualifier rods for $119 (70 million modulus, Alconite guides).  BPS recently had these rods on sale for $59 since they are being discontinued.  

[FishTank]

I would call your local store and ask if it is the current model.  I went looking for a Johnny Morris reel last year that was advertised at an extremelly low price and it ended up being a model from 3 years ago.  They had a few in stock when I arrived and all of them had been returned and all but one had string on it.  So be cautious with some of their sales.

[Daniel My Brother]

Those sure don't look like the regular Pro Qualifier rods for $119 (70 million modulus, Alconite guides). BPS recently had these rods on sale for $59 since they are being discontinued.

That was exactly my point. This is NOT the Pro-Qualifier, this is the Pro-Qualifier Limited Edition, an entirely different rod and reel. Classic bait and switch by BPS.  I hoped this post would warn people to be careful, but everyone's so blinded by the $69.99 price tag that they don't really care.

Oh well  

[burleytog]

Couldn't get me into that hellhole with the promise of free Shimano tackle.

They're crowded on a weekday, I can't imagine how bad it will be on a day when pretty much everyone is off.

[luckyinkentucky]

Those sure don't look like the regular Pro Qualifier rods for $119 (70 million modulus, Alconite guides).  BPS recently had these rods on sale for $59 since they are being discontinued.  

That was exactly my point. This is NOT the Pro-Qualifier, this is the Pro-Qualifier Limited Edition, an entirely different rod and reel. Classic bait and switch by BPS.  I hoped this post would warn people to be careful, but everyone's so blinded by the $69.99 price tag that they don't really care.

Oh well  

Read my post on the other thread.  Instead of passing around speculation read what I found out.  They ARE Pro Qualifier Rods.  I actually did the footwork on the deal, so it might be worth reading.  

For those of you that missed it .... here is what I wrote in the other thread.  

BPS has their Pro Qualifier Limited Edition series combos on sale from 11/22 to 11/25.  You won't find a better deal than $70 for this combo.  The rod alone usually sells for $120, and the reel sells for $100.  The only thing 'Limited' about these are the graphics jobs on them, and the 10 bearing reel instead of the 6 bearing reel.  These are a definite steal, and I'm going to be there Thanksgiving morning for their 5 hour sale to buy 3 or 4.    It's a store only deal, so you won't be able to get them online.  I spoke to the person at the BPS near me today, and he said they are only getting around 60 of them in.  So, they'll go fast.  

And the final verdict after speaking to the General Manager at the Clarksville, IN store.  

Well from speaking to the Pros today at BPS there isn't any difference between their HM70 and IM-8 rods.  I'm not worried about them.  I think they'll be a good deal.  Yeah, they might be something to draw people in, but BPS has been known to take a hit on a popular item if they think people will swarm in to buy more items.

[Daniel My Brother]

Lucky,

I do appreciate the research you've done on this. I've read every word you've written, and I've also read everything BPS says and I am convinced that the "Pro-Qualifier" and the "Pro-Qualifier Limited Edition" are completely different animals.

The reasoning is obvious:

The Pro-Qualifier reel:

     Has Six Bearings

The Pro-Qualifier Limited Edition Reel :

     Has 10 Bearings

     Looks completely different

The Pro-Qualifier rod is:

     Grey

     Has Fuji Concept Alconite Guides

     Is advertised as high-grade 70 million modulus graphite core with a full 1K carbon filament spiral wrap

The Pro-Qualifier Limited Edition rod is:

     Blue

     Has Fuji Aluminum Oxide Guides

     Has a different foregrip and threading

     Is advertised as IM8 Graphite Matrix Blank

If this were a true Pro-Qualifier combo, it would have a regular retail price of $220, not $169 as the ad says. Despite what your store manager tells you, these 2 rods and reels are not the same.

Below is the $69 Limited Edition combo:

Now, here's the regular Pro-Qualifier reel and rod:

Again, this might be a great deal, but to call it a Pro-Qualifier is deceptive.

[Micro]

Sorry Lucky, I have to agree with DMB.  These ARE NOT the same Pro Qualifier rods that usually sell for $119.   I have several of these rods and that ones in the add are not them.   BPS has slapped the Pro Qualifier name on lesser products in the past.  

[Guest muddy]

Hey Lucky Thanks for all your hard work, but I gotta tell you asking the "Pros" at BPS( as much as i love that store) about one of thier typical bait and switch deals is like asking a used car salesman " Anything wrong ith this car" If you all want to pick up some quality combos those are the correct rods and reels on the Exteme combos AND WHAT ABOUT THE RICKY CLUNN COMBOS I think the reel is correct anyone know about the rods, if yes that is a very good deal for 129.

[fish-fighting-illini]

For a place that I generaly have a great deal of respect for BPS has to quit this garbage. If it is a Pro qualifier then so be it if not quit the deception. Or spell it out in fine rint at least. You can sell a rod and reel for $70 without the "false" name situation. This seems so blatant that one of these days a laywer is going o go in to buy from BPS and it will be instant lawsuit! JMHO

[senko_77]

I gotta throw in my 02. so no one will get robbed.  I got to experience all the wonderful things Bass Pro does to get more sales last year when I worked for them.  These ARE NOT the true Pro Qaulifier combo.  I actually think the Pro Qaulifier series by Bass Pro is a very good setup and I own a few.  These combos that there advertising are massed produced just for this sale and are delivered in massive bundles to the warehouse.  When they come off the trucks, about 1/4 of the rods are broken from abuse and the ones still intact are put on the sales floor.  So for $69.99 you get a cheap version of the Pro Qaulifier that has already been harshly treated and damaged.  

IMO I would NEVER buy one of these combos.

[Guest muddy]

Thanks Senko77, I'm done doing business with them now. You confirmed what i have been seeing for a while now. Why ould such a sucessful company, who seels good gear, have to do this in the first place?  :-/

[luckyinkentucky]

Thanks Senko77, I'm done doing business with them now. You confirmed what i have been seeing for a while now. Why ould such a sucessful company, who seels good gear, have to do this in the first place?  :-/

I think everyone does it on their 'Black Friday' sales.  Sears has their $20 Turkey Fryers.  Wal-Mart has their $20 DVD Players.  The list goes on and on.  I'm gonna go check them out on Thursday at any rate.  I'll get one in my hands, and if it feels like a low-end K-Mart quality rod I won't buy it.  If I think it's a decent setup I will.  Simple as that!    The fact of the matter is there are so many companies out there that draw people in with a 'Super Deal' this time of year.  To hold one accountable would mean you have to hold the whole lot of 'em accountable.  

[senko_77]

Lucky, it's your choice, but the reason I would never buy these combos is due to the abuse.  Although it may work for you for years, and I really hope it does, but when a high modulus graphite rod gets hit in any way, it will become significantly weaker on the spot of contact.  I can't tell you how many broken rods we're brought in from customers for warranty because the tips snapped off.  When customers pick up rods and test them out, 50% of the time the tip makes contact with something.  Therefore, whoever buys them has a good chance at breaking them.  

The way these "Pro Qaulifiers" will be treated, there is a good chance they will break.  They come in bundles by the 50 and are lashed together by twine and large zipties.  At the bottom of the packaging they are wrapped in are dozens of broken off tips and guides.

Like I said, buy them if you want.  But I just want to make sure you are not getting robbed of your hard earned dollar.  

[Guest muddy]

Thanks Senko77, I'm done doing business with them now. You confirmed what i have been seeing for a while now. Why ould such a sucessful company, who seels good gear, have to do this in the first place? :-/

I think everyone does it on their 'Black Friday' sales. Sears has their $20 Turkey Fryers. Wal-Mart has their $20 DVD Players. The list goes on and on. I'm gonna go check them out on Thursday at any rate. I'll get one in my hands, and if it feels like a low-end K-Mart quality rod I won't buy it. If I think it's a decent setup I will. Simple as that! The fact of the matter is there are so many companies out there that draw people in with a 'Super Deal' this time of year. To hold one accountable would mean you have to hold the whole lot of 'em accountable.

This company BPS, has demostrated misrepresentation for about 2 years now, So they deserve tobe held accountable. I went back and read the current circulars and catalogs and online descriptions. The pictures they are showing ,especially for the pro qualifiers are very blatantly NOT THE PRO QUALIFIERS, I have 3 of them i should know. They are not advertising it as the buy of the season they are advertising it as their current Pro Qualifiers ON SALE with no disclaimer anywhere. This is not the first time.

[mayassa]

Lucky, it's your choice, but the reason I would never buy these combos is due to the abuse.  Although it may work for you for years, and I really hope it does, but when a high modulus graphite rod gets hit in any way, it will become significantly weaker on the spot of contact.  I can't tell you how many broken rods we're brought in from customers for warranty because the tips snapped off.  When customers pick up rods and test them out, 50% of the time the tip makes contact with something.  Therefore, whoever buys them has a good chance at breaking them.  

The way these "Pro Qaulifiers" will be treated, there is a good chance they will break.  They come in bundles by the 50 and are lashed together by twine and large zipties.  At the bottom of the packaging they are wrapped in are dozens of broken off tips and guides.

Like I said, buy them if you want.  But I just want to make sure you are not getting robbed of your hard earned dollar.  

The G-Loomis guy said the sme thing when the rods get smacked around it ruins them

[Pencil Pusher]

I don't see any misrepresentation in the ad. The reel says "Pro Qualifier LTD" and the rod says the same thing. The ad also states in big letters "Limited Edition". The photos are not of the "Pro Qualifiers" in the catalog and both the reel and the rod are described differently than those in the catalog. The fact is that "Pro Qualifier" is a registered trademark of BPS and they can put it on anything they want. The fact that some one is PO'd because its not what they want it to be does not make it misrepresentation.

[luckyinkentucky]

Well I decided to go up and take a look at them today.    The rods strongly resemble the Bionic Blade series rods, and the reels feel more like an Extreme edition reel than a Pro Qualifier.  I seriously couldn't tell much of a difference between the Bionic Blades, and the Pro Qualifier LTDs.     The one I saw seemed very solid, and they were all individually wrapped in the back stock room.   :  The manager did say that at one time they did come bundled in lots of 50, but they no longer practice this.  I witnessed it!   Each rod is individually wrapped.  At least at the store I visited.

So, make your own assessment when you get your hands on one, but I think they are decent rod/reel combos for the price.  The only thing is that they claim to have a Blue hugh to them, but in a certain light they are Purple.  

[Guest muddy]

I don't see any misrepresentation in the ad. The reel says "Pro Qualifier LTD" and the rod says the same thing. The ad also states in big letters "Limited Edition". The photos are not of the "Pro Qualifiers" in the catalog and both the reel and the rod are described differently than those in the catalog. The fact is that "Pro Qualifier" is a registered trademark of BPS and they can put it on anything they want. The fact that some one is PO'd because its not what they want it to be does not make it misrepresentation.

They have sold the Pro Qualifier for years and never have used that name for another reel, ever. Last year they did the same thing with their Extreme line. They put the Extreme reel right before a limited edition combo, Then they posted the LTD combo. Only it was an older reel and the rod was not the same as the combo they had sold all along. I am not the only member who has noticed this, as it has been a shady practice over at least the last two years Ask around more than one thread has been on here by guys who had to send rods and or reels back to exchange for what they were supposed to be. One guy even worked there and his experiences with some of thier practices are eyeopneing

I am one of a couple og guys who helps down and out guys , jsut getting on thier feet, by introducing them to fishing. We do this basically out of our own pockets. SO I SHOP FOR A LOT OF COMBOS FOR OUR STOCKPILE, and i have never once had this experience with CABELAS. Dicks also has Pflueger Combos made just for them THEY HAVE VERY CLEARLY MARKED ON THELABEL: MADE BY PFLUEGER SPECIALLY FOR DICKS> It isa how they advertise and it has worked well for BPS, It no longer works for me