Bass Pro shops prices

[wallydave]

We have a Bass Pro, Gander Mountain and a couple locally owned outdoors stores. Prices locally have dropped or at least haven't gone crazy. I shop all of them plus the Internet. Shop and buy smart, any retailers prices are too only if you pay for them!

[Catch'nRelease]

Originally Posted by mudpuppy

The only thing they have going for them is the hands on experience, ya know, actually seeing, touching, comparing what you're buying.

One other big advantage is the service (or lack thereof) that you'll receive if there's a problem. I can't speak for Bass Pro as there are none here in Minnesota, but on more than one occasion I was very glad that I bought an item from Cabela's instead of ebay.

[Suzuki]

You have to look for deals. My best trolling rods are pitching sticks from BPS and they were very affordable compared to some of the stuff out there purposely sold for that task.

[Burr]

Originally Posted by Catch'nRelease

One other big advantage is the service (or lack thereof) that you'll receive if there's a problem. I can't speak for Bass Pro as there are none here in Minnesota, but on more than one occasion I was very glad that I bought an item from Cabela's instead of ebay.

I thought I saw a BPS on the south side of Mpls, just off 494? But overall, agree, there are no BPS in my area. Interesting that since there is no BPS store anywhere near me, I don't ever shopping them on the internet.

It seems like in-store shopping is one side of the equation, and on-line shopping is another. I'll add a third, which is community support/sponsorship for local events - to me that is important and valued .

Cabelas in-store experience is disappointing. They don't have much selection in the store, and what they have is poorly arranged. However, the Cabela's online experience is very good, community support is appreciated.

For me, Scheels is leaps and bounds the best in-store experience. The most complete selection, minimal stockouts, absolutely the best staff, the best to work with in local event sponsorship, and with the Scheels card there are frequent ways to save. However, I will agree, without the Scheels card, the sales are slim.

Fleet Farm is very good in-store selection, Gander has good in-store sales. It's nice to have the competition. I won't be exchanging my Scheels card for Cabelas. But I might retire my GM Card for them.

[Hawkfan]

Its really just like any other kind of shopping. You have to look for the deals and you will find them in some places at one retailer and a different place at the next. I remember being in a BPS years ago and hated it. Didn't like the store layout, etc. Then when they built one locally a couple years back I went in and liked it a lot more and remember thinking I like it because it was more like the Cabelas I had been in. I do buy things at BPS in the store, but make sure to look around first. They definitely have things that are overpriced, but I got a BPS auto-inflatable PFD for the same price or less than the equivalent product at Cabelas.com that was on sale. I also found a spinning rod that was the same price both places, but in a little longer length, was $10 less at BPS. But I agree with one of the earlier posters that I don't care for the BPS website shopping. If I didn't live near a store I probably wouldn't shop there at all. I do, however, shop the bargain cave on Cabelas.com quite often.

[Catch'nRelease]

Originally Posted by Burr

I thought I saw a BPS on the south side of Mpls, just off 494? But overall, agree, there are no BPS in my area. Interesting that since there is no BPS store anywhere near me, I don't ever shopping them on the internet.

According to this announcement they were going to add a store in the Mall of America in 2006, but for whatever reason it did not come to pass:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...ptId=000000000

Confirming there are currently no BPS retail locations in Minnesota:

http://blogs.basspro.com/blog/landin...hops-locations

P.S. I find the selection at the Cabela's Rogers store to be very good, is this the location you were referring to? I'll have to give Scheels in Eden Prairie a look - never been there.