Re: Bass Pro Shop Baltimore, a disappointment
Re: Bass Pro Shop Baltimore, a disappointment
I live between two BPS stores Cicago and St. Louis and find that most of the time the prices are good but selection has sure changed. It seems to me that the quality of products to choose from and service has went down.
I have been finding Gander Mtn. and Cabela's getting most of my money lately.
Was cruising around on Lake Champlain for two days this weekend. This lake is simply spectacular and about 132 miles long. Many many islands which make the views breath taking. Located about an hour south of Montreal and split in a half by the NY and VT borders.
So we are driving around the town of Plattsburgh NY looking for a place for breakfast and what do I see . . . my first Gander Mountain store.
Located in the Champlain Mall (right next to Dicks haha).
Gander Mountain as others have said is great. Well stocked with many brand names. Not an awful lot of off names like at Bass Pro.
But of course, the first person I asked for help (a young girl, who was stocking some lures) I asked her what rack the worm harness trolling rigs would be on? She said she didn't know what those were and didn't know where they are and she does not really work in this aisle anyway. The old "not my table", so I can't get you that fork for you to eat your dinner while it's still warm
No effort to pick up her walkie talkie and ask someone either! It amazes me how stores will invest this kind of money AND NOT TRAIN THEIR HELP.
Not that many sales people around either.
When a new Lowes comes to town they hire away the top clerks from Home Depot to start their new stores (and then fire some of them 6 months later from what I've been told from a former employee)
One would think if Gander is next to ****'s, they could have hired some knowledgeable people away. True this was the only clerk I spoke too. But that's because there were not that many others around to ask.
In any case, the store was well stocked especially for being the last two weeks of the season around here. Prices were on par with other stores.
So I just walked away from this clerk and will go into my next Mom and Pop store and re-stock my tackle box.
Overall a decent experience for my first Gander visit though. I'd go back again. But if one knows the exact items they want . . . The web experience still blows away these brick an mortar stores on price. If one wants decent service, you can't beat the local Mom and Pop stores. But these big box stores will put them out of business and if I can't get decent service anywhere, I might as well continue to shop online.
On another note: West Marine as I have said already in an earlier post . . . has great doorbuster flyer specials. Put your name on their list or sign up for their free West card. This way you get a flyer in the mail of upcoming sales.
Last week I saw a 4 pack of nice blue and yellow vests (no West name on them either) in their own zipper case. Saw them on sale on their site for $59 down from 79. Called the store and they said they will match web prices, unless it was clearance stuff online.
I bought them and the a flyer came two days later for a sale from 7am to 12 pm on Sat. The same vest package was now going to be $39.
So I was leaving early anyway for a 2 hour drive to Lake Champlain. I went to the store on Sat at 7:30 to pick up some of those sale items (doorbuster was 50% off many items) and get a credit on those vests. Since I had my receipt with me they adjusted the vests down to the $39. Saved $40 off list of 79. That $20 savings is a days cruising on the lake for my boat
Also picked up a nice 30 piece marine tool set in a water proof floating case for 19.99 (imported, but for 20 bucks I'd rather rust up or lose these). A 48 quart Igloo cooler for 19.99. Two manual pull CO2 inflatable suspender vest's for 59.99 (the auto's were also only about $80), these vests do say West on them, but when a storm is coming who cares?)
They already ran out of the yellow color vests I wanted but they will get them for me on Fridays delivery truck.
Remember how much these CO2 vests were just a few years ago (like $300)?
Also a 4 pack of Orion flares for 12.99 and 4 shake flashlights for 7.99 each.
So it's worth it to get your name on West's flyer list. One could probably sign up on line too, I guess.
But still be aware of the fact that West gets retail or above for most other items. But they are knowledgeable and very helpful there and they have decent stock when you need an item quickly.
