BPS Reel Trade In... Are you kidding me?!?

[LAO162]

Although I hear the Foxboro store is fantastic (including the bar ), I can't justify the 2 hours each way to save $40...  Although Cabelas is less than an hour away, I've gone three times to check out specific models.  Each time, they were were not in stock.  That's not to say the baitmonkey didn't have fun   Since the local tackle shops emphasize entry level and "value" models, I tend to look on-line.

[Pantera61]

I never could understand the sale mentality from either end of the cash register.  It conditions the customer base wait for a sale which leaves plenty of room for crickets during non-sale times and the people in the home office have no idea of stock on hand or if they do, they ignore it, when they run the sale.

Give me a fair price on in-stock merchandise and service after the sale and you've got me as a customer.

[Pantera61]

...

Since the local tackle shops emphasize entry level and "value" models, I tend to look on-line.

If it were up to the "serious" anglers to keep a store afloat most merchants would be in the poor house.  Those quarters and dimes spent on bobbers and bait add up quicker than the dollars spend on even mid-range tackle, simply because of the profit margin.

There were two tackle stores within 5 miles of my home, both now closed.  One catered to the old, the poor and the guy who was taking his kids out for a Saturday trip, the other to the tournament wannabes and the more serious anglers.

The high-line tackle in the second shop caught more fingerprints and wistful glances than sales.  Guys who populate this and other boards would go into the local guy's shop, check out the tackle and feel it up more than Susie Creamcheese her first time in the backseat, then order it from catalog houses.

Sad but true.

[LAO162]

...

Since the local tackle shops emphasize entry level and "value" models, I tend to look on-line.

If it were up to the "serious" anglers to keep a store afloat most merchants would be in the poor house. Those quarters and dimes spent on bobbers and bait add up quicker than the dollars spend on even mid-range tackle, simply because of the profit margin.

There were two tackle stores within 5 miles of my home, both now closed. One catered to the old, the poor and the guy who was taking his kids out for a Saturday trip, the other to the tournament wannabes and the more serious anglers.

The high-line tackle in the second shop caught more fingerprints and wistful glances than sales. Guys who populate this and other boards would go into the local guy's shop, check out the tackle and feel it up more than Susie Creamcheese her first time in the backseat, then order it from catalog houses.

Sad but true.

Having been close to several local merchants and having worked for a family business at the time, I understood the frustration of a local business who would spend an hour with a customer, who would then go to Dick's to save $7.50. on a $400 purchase. I prefer to go to local businesses and support them so that I can continue to get their outstanding service. I consider the ability to handle (expensive) inventory a very important aspect of that service.

However, I do not feel that I must pay a significant premium if I have done many hours of research, I disagree with some of the advice of the merchant, and I must prepay for the item to order it sight unseen

For instance, a Cumara that I had never seen in person would have cost $239 MSRP + $10 typical additional mark-up at shop + ~$15 shipping to receive at the store in less than 4 weeks + 6% tax...

Therefore, I attempt to support the businesses that sponsor BR since they are indirectly contributing to my fishing knowledge.

Although I do not visit the local tackle shop anymore, I think my wife is pleased that I still support my local jeweler (The baitmonkey feels differently )

[Stingray23]

Although I hear the Foxboro store is fantastic (including the bar ), I can't justify the 2 hours each way to save $40...  Although Cabelas is less than an hour away, I've gone three times to check out specific models.  Each time, they were were not in stock.  That's not to say the baitmonkey didn't have fun   Since the local tackle shops emphasize entry level and "value" models, I tend to look on-line.

I'm heading to BPS for the first time next week and the one I'm going to is in Foxborough,MA. Its a 3 hr trip for me each way, but I look forward to going. I have an itch that needs scratching. ;D

[LAO162]

Although I hear the Foxboro store is fantastic (including the bar ), I can't justify the 2 hours each way to save $40... Although Cabelas is less than an hour away, I've gone three times to check out specific models. Each time, they were were not in stock. That's not to say the baitmonkey didn't have fun Since the local tackle shops emphasize entry level and "value" models, I tend to look on-line.

I'm heading to BPS for the first time next week and the one I'm going to is in Foxborough,MA. Its a 3 hr trip for me each way, but I look forward to going. I have an itch that needs scratching. ;D

Sound's like a fun day   I'm envious:)

[whoopbazz]

The spring sale has been like this for years. I never plan on getting what's on sale. I just assume it's sold out. Now, of course, some of the little sales the have the items. But, awsome deals on rods, reels, lines (especially) or baits they are almost always sold out.

I use BPS Excel mono. They were sold out of common sizes Friday at noon. The first 3 hours of the sale! This year, BPS floro 10 and 12 lb....gone by 930 Saturday.

They did have boat loads of Strike King cranks, Red Eye Shads and KVD spinnerbaits...but KVD was speaking there Saturday night too. Maybe something to do with it.

BPS Spring Sale....less than average!

[Stingray23]

I would hope they will restock everything on a daily basis. By the time I go(next saturday) they'll probably be closed.

[Indiana Bass1]

I got my 3 pro qualifiers, but the carbonlite was gone. I had them write me a rain check on it since I had taken 4 reels for the trade in. the guy said they would even mail it to me after I call them with my card number. they seemed to be stocked on everything else. The place was not very busy either. I came away happy.

[Jake.]

I would rather sit at home on the labtop and shop TW.

When did they start making labtops?! ;D

That's how they say laptop in Rhode Island.

Figures, yankees. :

No, that is New York. If we really were an island we would probably be our own country.

We call everyone from the North "yankees".

There is no reason to do business with BPS unless you want one of their house brand products. Even during their "sales", you can find a better deal somewhere else.

[WdyCrankbait]

Yeah, that is a little jacked up not have Carbonlites on the second day. 

I have a 3-year old BPS Prolite baitcasting reel.  It has to be the Carbonlite's big-brother (seeing the evolution of the Prolite and comparing the specs to a Carbonlite). It has done well for me, meaning caught a lot of fish using it!  but, the casting is controls always left something to be desired for me.  I hope BPS fixed that.  I just never had the confidence to throw a different assortment of lure weights, the reel just seemed to like 3/8oz. and up. 

[Boogey Man]

Bass Pro says they use the trade-ins for youth fishing. Now, I know this sounds far fetched, but since they own their own reel repair center, wonder where they get all their parts? I was there Friday and saw the big box of traded in reels and for some reason, this just popped into my head.

[breakyourrod]

Just called to see if they had any more carbonlite reels...answer was no. BUT he told me if I came up there they would give me a rain check for one. Awesome.

[jhow2319]

I had the same exact thing happen to me yesterday. They were all out of the RCX reels, carbonlites, and the pro qualifier tournament edition was only available in one gear ratio. I ended up going with 2 David Fritts crankbait reels for $60 a piece and a Johnny Morris Signature Series reel. All in all, Bass Pro cannot supply even close to the amount that they need. Poor planning. Last but not least, no rain checks...what the hell?

[Brian4618]

I showed up to BPS Friday with a reel to trade in. Asked for a PQ in their lowest gear ratio, had none at all... so i said didnt the sale just start today, how are yall sold out already? He replied with, im sorry, have you looked at the RCX reels, they are better quality and same price. Checked them out and asked for something around 5:1 and he looked for 10 mins and said all they have left is 6.4 and a 7. So i left with a RCX 6.4.

[Gone_Phishin]

One of the things that always got me, during the Spring Classic, was the attitude of the associates.

I know they are swamped, stressed, etc, but most every time I asked a simple question, I was given the roll of the eyes, and/or the what do you want look.

No thanks.  I'll spend my money elsewhere.

[b.Lee]

Manteca is always out of everything, I hate making the 2 hour trek for me. BUt I have some crappy reels I need to trade in.

[rodnreel11]

I got lucky, the BPS in Cincinnati had one Stradic CI4 in store.  Apparently someone called a couple weeks ago and asked if they could get one in for him.  The sales rep said it took him 2-3 weeks to find one, finally got it in the store, and the buyer backed out on the sale!  I don't know, but spending all that time trying to find a product for 1 customer sounds like pretty good service to me.

As far as keeping product in stock, I know of a member on another forum who placed an order from BPS for 20 of the new Stradic CI4s.  He received all 20 reels, probably the majority of one shipment.  And a lot of folks wait for this spring classic sale to buy highly sought after items like a Carbonlite or LC RC cranks on sale, then turn around and try to sell them online for full price to make a profit.

[Fishing Rhino]

I would rather sit at home on the labtop and shop TW.

When did they start making labtops?! ;D

I'm from RI, remember. You say sandwich, we say grinder. You say milkshake, we say Cabinet. You drink chocolate milk, we drink coffee milk. It is a different language up here.

In Fall River they are also called cabinets.  But head east from Fall River, and that "cabinet" becomes a "frappe" which sounds like a pile a cow might leave in a field.

Then Newport Creamery calls them Awful Awfuls, and Friendly's calls them Fribbles.

[Flukeman]

The BPS here in New York is always out of product, but the associates are great for info and doing all they can to help. Our store only started out with two Carbonlite Reels that they just got in before the sale. 

I will say one year I was at the Nashville BPS for the spring sale and it was amazing. I stayed for multiple days to see the seminars and local tourist sites. The were not only stocked to the ceiling, but when they ran out, new stock arrived each night to fill in with. They got several items I wanted back in for the next day!

I had a chance to handle the Carbonlite Reel, it is much better than the old Prolite. Basically Abu and BPS swapped some technologies and it is a low end Revo. I would have bought them, but just an hour earlier I bought 4 of last years Revo Premiers at Gander for $115 each. After handling both just minutes apart the Revo was slightly smoother. But for the $80 with reel trade-in it is a great reel.

[J Francho]

Jeff, those Premiers are great reels.  Let me know if you want me to make them even better....

Good to see you and Randy and a quite a few other familiar faces there yesterday.

In case anyone's wondering....yeah, I didn't get out of there alive:

[Glenn Abuelhaj]

You should really support your local mom and pop tackle shops. Fisherman's Warehouse, Hook Line and Sinker, Mel's, C&C, et al offer superior service, no aggravation, and fill you in on the hot bite and latest equipment information. You can't put a price on those "extra's".

Try getting anything remote to that from BPS

Good luck!

[Dockhead]

Even if some big wig from BPS does notice this thread (ya right), they are also going to notice something else.

Most who complained about the out of stock merchandise, ended up buying other items. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, but from the company's perspective, what they are doing is working.

[J Francho]

You should really support your local mom and pop tackle shops.

Not if they suck just as bad.  Most places around here cater to the bucket brigade.  When I'm in the market for a Zebco combo, and bucket of diseased perch minnows, I'll be sure to shop local, though.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Yeesh, I'm glad neither of my BPS' are as bad as all of yours.  I've got two of them in different directions from me, equal distance.  Unfortunatley one of them is very close to where I work...yeah not god.  I've never had a problem with either store, or the associates (shocker being that they're in Miami).  That being said, I went to pick up a Carbonlite reel, sold out.  The guy at the reel counter said the warehouse had 500 reels to go to 50 stores.  He's hoping to get some more in any day now.  Call ahead and if they don't have them, he'll do a raincheck for me.