Bass Pro

[Tuna Helper]

Hey guys,
I got a call from Bass Pro Shops this weekend. They said they were considering opening a store in Foxboro across from the stadium
They wanted my opinion about a few things.
Did anyone else get a call like this?

[lurch]

would that be nice!! I hope you told them that you would love to see them here!

[Pete_G]

Weak. You can say good bye to even more bait and tackles.

[5/0]

That would be awesome if they move in across from Gillette.....IM only 7 miles away from there!WoHooooo

[Flaptail]

I didn't get a call but heard that rumor just yesterday.

[Bass Babe]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Weak. You can say good bye to even more bait and tackles.

Just not the good ones. I go to local run shops more often because I'd rather give them the business, for the most part. But also, have you spoken to the staff at large sporting goods stores lately? They know nothing. All they do is wear a khaki vest with alot of pockets so it looks like they fish. "Yeah, I think you'll need some of those bobbery things, and the number 8 string. You goin fer pickerel? I love them fish!" The staff at local shops have so much knowledge and are way more helpful. Things have unspoken warranties, they'll special order for you, tell you what's best to use for the area. Plus, you can go in and chat with the wife and kid and pet the dog (at least at Mike's anyways). Unless BPS hires some really great fishermen, carries eels, and is easily on my way to go fishing, I'll stick with the bait and tackles, and I have a feeling others will, too.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Weak. You can say good bye to even more bait and tackles.

Pete's right. The Mom and Pop B&T's are gonna take a real hit. I have been to several in Florida and there is no way a little shop can compete. CAbela's in East Hartford CT. and now a possible BP in Foxboro. #^&#^&#^&#^&'s in Plymouth. The little guy is gonna be a fond memory.

[lurch]

isnt it true that most B&Ts profits come from bait and not the tackle?? I dont think that BP will sell eels and or bait.

[BrianS]

ive been to the bass pro shops here in Myrtle Beach (on vacation) 3 times already this week... that place is the mecca...

But from what I saw, they do no sell bait.

I also tend to think the reason why I like this one so much is because being in the south they have different offerings from a store in the north...

I dont see myself running to foxboro (and I am only 15 mins away) every time I want a plug... just to head the other way to the cape.

[Nebe]

you wont see me there.

[lurch]

I am guessing that they will have more saltwater stuff than other BP shops. I went to BP in upstate NY and was SUPER dissapointed that they did not have any saltwater equipment because they are not near the saltwater.

i will admit that dealing with local shops is nice but IMO the price of lures is out of control and maybe BP will control the increase of lures.

[outfished]

BP will control the cost of plugs and other "gear" until all the M&P's disappear, then watch the price's skyrocket with less competition. My 2 cents anyways. Won't be seeing me there anytime soon.

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by Nebe

you wont see me there.

Good, we do not want any of the Narragansett rabble in our neighborhood

[pmueller]

Obviously the Northeast is being targeted by these corporate chains. Cabelas is trying to get a store in East Hartford. Rumors being told, the deal is being held up a little, Cabelas is looking for some sort of tax break.
Not only will they hurt the BandT but also boat dealers and marinas.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

Just not the good ones. I go to local run shops more often because I'd rather give them the business, for the most part. But also, have you spoken to the staff at large sporting goods stores lately? They know nothing. All they do is wear a khaki vest with alot of pockets so it looks like they fish. "Yeah, I think you'll need some of those bobbery things, and the number 8 string. You goin fer pickerel? I love them fish!" The staff at local shops have so much knowledge and are way more helpful. Things have unspoken warranties, they'll special order for you, tell you what's best to use for the area. Plus, you can go in and chat with the wife and kid and pet the dog (at least at Mike's anyways). Unless BPS hires some really great fishermen, carries eels, and is easily on my way to go fishing, I'll stick with the bait and tackles, and I have a feeling others will, too.

It effects all shops, I think. I bet for a majority of shops out there that are very close to not making it due to so many factors already in place that something like this can be the last straw.

They are the Wal-Mart of the takle industry. They're giant, powerful, and they offer everything at good prices, and in many cases actually have pretty good employees. This will be the last straw for some shops, especially small ones that aren't online, guaranteed. Even some of the good ones.

[dickmont]

While Bass Pro may not be as insideous as WallMart as far as the local economy goes, they will no doubt have a negative impact on the local B&T's. Any business that you give them leaves the community. You can no doubt get some lures for less money but can you get the ones that you really want. Our local plug builders can't keep up with the demand they have now, do you really think the shelves will be stocked with Habs and all the rest. Part of the process of being a "Fisherman" aside from catching fish is the interaction with with other fishermen that takes place at the B&T's. Is that worth maybe a buck or two a lure more to me, you bet it is. These shops are run by fishermen just like the rest of us. My 2-cents.

[Bass Babe]

Pete, Maybe I was just assuming more people would be like me in wanting to support small businesses. I'm sure it could cause issues for some B&Ts, having something big and corporate come in with cheap, generic lures and whatnot. I'll have to stop by the new BPS personally to see if they have employees who know their elbows from their rearends, though.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

Pete, Maybe I was just assuming more people would be like me in wanting to support small businesses. I'm sure it could cause issues for some B&Ts, having something big and corporate come in with cheap, generic lures and whatnot. I'll have to stop by the new BPS personally to see if they have employees who know their elbows from their rearends, though.

Not counting custom stuff from local builders, they typically have EVERYTHING. Van Staal, Stellas, Saltigas, right on down to the cheapest stuff. They're very thorough. They don't offer some Yozuri. They offer ALL the Yozuri, in every single color.

Your support of local shops is appreciated Bass Babe! Tackle shop owners and managers definitely notice and appreciate their regulars.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Good, we do not want any of the Narragansett rabble in our neighborhood

where is the love RIJIMMY????

[Skip N]

I have always been guilty of shopping at the big box stores. But after going to the Saltwater edge in Newport today i dont know if i will ever go back to the big stores. Holy crap what a store! I hadnt been there in a couple years and wow i was blown away. Holy pluggage i thought i died and went to heaven!! I'm not sure if that was Pete G i talked to today but what a class act and one heck of a store. Picked up some of those sweet looking AfterHours Jr. Spooksters and a 9' Tica rod to throw some heavier plugs. Now i dont think Bass Pro would be able to help me like that. And I know they wouldnt have all those perty custom plugs

[basswipe]

I personally don't see any point in opening one.

If I was going to buy something from Basspro or Cabelas I would just mail order it.With a click of the mouse you've got yourself a new reel etc.In most cases the shipping is less than the sales tax you'd pay anyways.And it just doesn't take that long to get to your front door.I've never waited more than 5 days for something from one these places.

If I go to the Foxboro store and buy $200 worth of stuff I pay $10 bucks in tax
plus the $20+ in gas to get there.If you live next door it might worth it but most folks gotta drive a few miles.Much easier and cheaper to shop and buy while sittin' on my a$$.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Skip N

I have always been guilty of shopping at the big box stores. But after going to the Saltwater edge in Newport today i dont know if i will ever go back to the big stores. Holy crap what a store! I hadnt been there in a couple years and wow i was blown away. Holy pluggage i thought i died and went to heaven!! I'm not sure if that was Pete G i talked to today but what a class act and one heck of a store. Picked up some of those sweet looking AfterHours Jr. Spooksters and a 9' Tica rod to throw some heavier plugs. Now i dont think Bass Pro would be able to help me like that. And I know they wouldnt have all those perty custom plugs

Thanks for coming by Skip! Glad you liked the store. That was me in the store yesterday.

[Redsoxticket]

If Pro Bass offered the products that we have available from the sponsors of this site along with other well know plug, drytops, bags, etc manufacturers then I believe that some of those saying as of now that they will go to the the B&Ts will be whistling a different tune.
If Pro bass asked these manufacturers for an opportunity to come aboard I doubt that they would say no.

[Joe]

People are very much motivated by price - while I'm quite sure that Bass Babe and Eben and a few others won't patronize the big box stores - the vast majority of consumers will - that's why they build such big parking lots.

If a person has a successful B&T right now, then they've probably got the capital and business sense to find a way to compete or to exit the industry in favor of taking advantage of some of the other opportunities in the world. Because if they can make it in the tackle industry - with its very low margins - then they must be a damn good retailer. My sister sells bath products and she makes twice the margin I do.

If a person has a marginal B&T,the truth is that they are already heading for the wastebin anyway. All Bass Pro will do is make the inevitable happen sooner.

[Rob Rockcrawler]

I would shop at bass pro if it opened up, but it wouldnt be for fishing stuff, mostly hunting and some clothes. You have to admit they have damnnear everything you could possibly need. But like Varitek and Millar, they bring the intangibles to the table. All the little things tha have already been mentioned. You go to a local and the owners help you out, if they are good. Tell ya what ya need without pressure and all that. Then tell ya where to use your new goodies. And you help them out with your dollars, seems like a fair trade to me. Plus i gotta stay away from Bass Pro because i have their Visa card and those reward points can get me into trouble. Its funny how i feel like bass pro is doing me a favor when they give me a 15$ coupon after i spend a grand.

[Notaro]

I don't need BP in Foxboro. If there is something we need, we can order soemthing in mail or online. They won't sell habs. I do shop at Wal-Mart once a while for small things, but I usually buy and shop at my local dealers like MikeCC, Sportsman's Den, SWE, and Fore River B&T because each of them has somethign that I need and rely on any of them. If I'm looking for my rod to be build or fixed, I wouldn't go to a store like BP. I haven't tried it, but I wouldn't want them to touch it except for the local dealers that I know who have served me well for a while.

[JoeP]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

It effects all shops, I think. I bet for a majority of shops out there that are very close to not making it due to so many factors already in place that something like this can be the last straw.

They are the Wal-Mart of the takle industry. They're giant, powerful, and they offer everything at good prices, and in many cases actually have pretty good employees. This will be the last straw for some shops, especially small ones that aren't online, guaranteed. Even some of the good ones.

That is not good. Keep them out then -- we need the small local shops that sell local stuff & products, know the ins and outs about our areas, and are places we can go to just shoot the breeze sometimes.

I am friendly with a couple of owners of shops in RI and they have said that they know alot of guys will make a big tackle order from BPS or Cabelas in the winter, but will come in the shops all season long for smaller stuff or smaller purchases. However, if BPS or Cabelas comes into town, that will change and, as Pete said, we'll lose all these nice small shops -- just like all the small hardware stores that closed because of Home Depot & Lowe's.

How long did you all like shopping at Home Depot? For me it lasted about 6 months -- now it is a pain, you can never find help -- and there are fewer smaller, local places to go when you are in a pinch.

[Raven]

sounds like monkey see monkey do. to me...

[lurch]

This question is for the local plug builders...habs, salty, tattoo et all. If BP came knocking on your door would you sell to them?? If they asked you to lower your price (like wal mart would) would you?

I think that the folks at SWE and Cape Cod Tackle and other great local shops have nothing to worry about. There shops are some of the best in all of NE!!! The reason why I say this is because a van stall at SWE is the same price at BP. Plus if you know a lure is the lure that is working you wont run to BP to get a new one, you will go to the local shop and get it there. Also you cant get custom stuff like rods or most importantly UP TO DATE FISHING INFORMATION from BP!

I honestly do not see a huge savings at BP compared to the local shops. Now if the prices are the same then there is no reason to go to BP.

Someone posted that when they eliminate the local shops they will raise prices well if they do a local shop will open up and take business from them. The free market will fix everything because competition is always the best for the consumer!!!

I see a huge advantage with BP in the clothing, hunting, and their own BP stuff because no one else make is......but what local B&T sells clothing or hunting stuff

[lurch]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

Pete, Maybe I was just assuming more people would be like me in wanting to support small businesses.

As much as I like the local shops and the great support I support my wallet first! lets be honest, if a local shop sells the same stuff for 25% more I am sorry I will go to BP because there will be less of a hit on my wallet. If we are talking the same price OR a savings of 30 cents well then I will go to the local shop...who wouldnt!