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Fly320s said:
Oh yeah. The fishing section in Springfield MO is bigger than entire Walmart stores. And they really do have good pricing on the fishing gear.
Bass Pro Shops...disappointing
- Thread starter MaterDei
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Oh yeah. The fishing section in Springfield MO is bigger than entire Walmart stores. And they really do have good pricing on the fishing gear.
The store here sounds like a mix of several previous comments.
I've found the gun counter to be stocked with a limited but common selection of handguns, and an average variety of shotguns and rifles. All at prices I probably wouldn't pay. In checking prices against stuff I've already purchased elsewhere, I found the handgun prices to be in the 80-100 buck more expensive range. [Deer hunters actually keep this store going around here.]
Counter guys are nice enough, but there's always a line waiting for help. [Take a number...anywhere near deer season, bring a chair and some lunch.]
General rule of thumb about the gun counter...the younger [way younger kids] that occasionally work there are, uhhhh...quite uninformed...
Ammo selection is weird. When they do have something in stock, it may take you half an hour of waiting just to find out if it's available. Bums you out to wait, and hear they're "out."
Having said that, and I'm giving away what appears to be a secret to the local shooters...they have a nice pistol/rifle and archery range upstairs...and it doesn't seem to be common knowledge! My guess is that it's a PR move to keep it low profile. "Let's not "ruffle the muggles" if we don't have too.]
In a pinch, it's nice to have a place five minutes from home that I can go shoot for an hour, and usually not worry about it being crowded. [Note: I avoid public ranges on weekeds...] We actually have an informal shooting group that meets there every two weeks, and have never been turned down for our time/date request for three or more guys.
Sales help is adequate, and the people at the door couldn't be more nice or friendly. The mall in which its located is surrounded by quite a few restaurants and stores that I visit while I'm there.
Overall, for my average use...I give the place a B+.
Best thing about the place for me? I can go shoot for an hour, pick up miscellaneous shooting/camping/RV/clothing stuff in one place.
I've found the gun counter to be stocked with a limited but common selection of handguns, and an average variety of shotguns and rifles. All at prices I probably wouldn't pay. In checking prices against stuff I've already purchased elsewhere, I found the handgun prices to be in the 80-100 buck more expensive range. [Deer hunters actually keep this store going around here.]
Counter guys are nice enough, but there's always a line waiting for help. [Take a number...anywhere near deer season, bring a chair and some lunch.]
General rule of thumb about the gun counter...the younger [way younger kids] that occasionally work there are, uhhhh...quite uninformed...
Ammo selection is weird. When they do have something in stock, it may take you half an hour of waiting just to find out if it's available. Bums you out to wait, and hear they're "out."
Having said that, and I'm giving away what appears to be a secret to the local shooters...they have a nice pistol/rifle and archery range upstairs...and it doesn't seem to be common knowledge! My guess is that it's a PR move to keep it low profile. "Let's not "ruffle the muggles" if we don't have too.]
In a pinch, it's nice to have a place five minutes from home that I can go shoot for an hour, and usually not worry about it being crowded. [Note: I avoid public ranges on weekeds...] We actually have an informal shooting group that meets there every two weeks, and have never been turned down for our time/date request for three or more guys.
Sales help is adequate, and the people at the door couldn't be more nice or friendly. The mall in which its located is surrounded by quite a few restaurants and stores that I visit while I'm there.
Overall, for my average use...I give the place a B+.
Best thing about the place for me? I can go shoot for an hour, pick up miscellaneous shooting/camping/RV/clothing stuff in one place.
iamkris
Member
Don't know exactly who that was directed towards...
If it was at me, I suggest you do a little more investigation before you make remarks like that.
My point was that if you support one part of the shooting sports you should support them all. Hunters not supporting the guys shooting ARs or 50 cal shooters scoffing at cowboy action shooters is just what the anti-gunners want...divide and conquer.
Also, anyone that has seen my collection knows that 'tacticool' doesn't play into it...I have a few "Mannlichers" in it.
Then again, if it wasn't directed at me, then as Roseanne Roseannadanna said in the old SNL skit "Nevermind"
motorheadjohn
Member
My local Bass Pro beats Walmart for the .40s&w ammo I buy and other handgun ammo I've priced. They carry SiG, S&W, Kimber, FN, and a couple other handgun lines, plus lots of hunting oriented rifles.
carterbeauford
member
Well with ammunition at 1950s prices, what does one expect?
Never been to a Bass Pro Shops. Not a huge fan of big box stores in any shape or form. As beautiful as Cabelas is, it's still a big box store. Fake mountain or not, all they want is your money in exchange for mostly foreign made crap. Put enough stuffed game animals inside, maybe an aquarium and a fake river and people seem to forget that.
Limeyfellow
Member
I had a really good experience with Bass Pro this week. I had inquired about a new pair of boots that they were retiring and hadn't any in stock at the time, but I had seen them previously and needed a new pair of winter boots so Dave at Outdoor World spent 8 days calling every single bass pro store and warehouse they had and managed to find them in my size, one of only two pairs in that size, and 6 pairs they had left anywhere and got them for me, and I got them for half price. Thats far more than any of the others have done and restored a little faith in Bass Pro. On the otherside I am now rather annoyed with Gander Mountain for being rather curt and ignoring when asking about another pair of boots I was looking at in my size and left me giving the evil stare of doom to them.
tanksoldier
Member
I really like the BPS in Denver. Guns are a bit steep, but they seem to have outstanding fishing and bowhunting sections. If I was to get back into fishing or take up bowhunting I'd be set! 
I've bought clothing and such from them, and some ammo.
Wonderful staff and they have a STARBUCKS inside! The restaurant is pretty good, tough to have a good seafood place in Colorado (and don't get me started on sushi... only found one really good place in Boulder), but it's decent.
My wife calls it the Man-Disneyland... tho she's bought some stuff there too.
I really dislike the Gander Mountain in... Westminster, IIRC?? North of Denver anyway. Better gun selection, but uninformed and impolite staff. Anything I can get there I can get at Sportsman's Warehouse or BPS, so I rarely go to GM anymore.
I've bought clothing and such from them, and some ammo.
Wonderful staff and they have a STARBUCKS inside! The restaurant is pretty good, tough to have a good seafood place in Colorado (and don't get me started on sushi... only found one really good place in Boulder), but it's decent.
My wife calls it the Man-Disneyland... tho she's bought some stuff there too.
I really dislike the Gander Mountain in... Westminster, IIRC?? North of Denver anyway. Better gun selection, but uninformed and impolite staff. Anything I can get there I can get at Sportsman's Warehouse or BPS, so I rarely go to GM anymore.
Dallas Jack
Member
I've been to three of the BPs (Grapevine and Garland TX and Shreveport LA) and I enjoy going. It's the only place around (except for Cabelas in Fort Worth) I can go to see the same merchandise I lust after on the internet.
I don't buy much there but I do look it over in person and buy it online. Great place to go and do your shopping (looking) before you spend your money at an online store. I would like to see Midway open a storefront.
Dallas Jack
I don't buy much there but I do look it over in person and buy it online. Great place to go and do your shopping (looking) before you spend your money at an online store. I would like to see Midway open a storefront.
Dallas Jack
Greybeard
Member
Some mixed experiences at Grapevine TX store. Have picked up some "needed" items priced quite right during special sales. Yet had one "discussion" with a young clerk behind gun counter when looking for new scandiam j-frame a few years back. He insisted that Smith and Wesson did not even make 5-shot revolvers ...
JohnBT
Member
They've announced they're opening a superstore just north of town next to I-95 and just down the road from Green Top. I'd like to know if all of their stores are superstores. I hope we get a Fine Gun Room, although my checkbook hopes we don't.
"Starbucks" - bleech, the world's worst plain black coffee.
John
"Starbucks" - bleech, the world's worst plain black coffee.
John
High Planes Drifter
Member
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quote:
Bass Pro has a weak firearms section? Who'd a thunk it?
How's the fishing section at Bass Pro?
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Thats pretty much what I was thinking Fly
Anyway, the last time I was in one I had a good experience. Myself, and my family went to the one in Springfield Mo., it was extremely large; with the North American Wildlife Museum attatched.
Bass Pro has a weak firearms section? Who'd a thunk it?
How's the fishing section at Bass Pro?
--------------
Thats pretty much what I was thinking Fly
Anyway, the last time I was in one I had a good experience. Myself, and my family went to the one in Springfield Mo., it was extremely large; with the North American Wildlife Museum attatched.
Sistema1927
Member
I enjoyed wandering around in the Bass Pro Shop at Branson Landing during a recent trip to Missouri, and even spent some money there, but I was certainly glad that it was a Sportsman's Warehouse instead of a Bass Pro that recently opened in Albuquerque
Mannlicher
Member
Don't be so defensive Iamkriss
not directed at you, but at the thread starter.
More investigation? Now that would be a first for anyone to actually investigate anything here, before offering an observation.
not directed at you, but at the thread starter.
More investigation? Now that would be a first for anyone to actually investigate anything here, before offering an observation.
ezypikns
Member
Bass Pro
First a fishing store, then a hunting store, then a nod to other outdoor sports. Not much for shooters. Since I'm a hunter, a fisherman, and a shooter, they still have an attraction for me.
I shoot there all the time. Great indoor range. Friendly, knowledgeable people working there (mostly). They USED to have some reloading equipment there, but it's almost all gone now.
Prices are a little high, but not as high as Cabela's (in my experience). I go to Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabela's for my reloading supplies.
Gander Mountain isn't found in large cities (in Texas anyway). I've been to a couple and their prices on almost everything seemed astronomical.
First a fishing store, then a hunting store, then a nod to other outdoor sports. Not much for shooters. Since I'm a hunter, a fisherman, and a shooter, they still have an attraction for me.
I shoot there all the time. Great indoor range. Friendly, knowledgeable people working there (mostly). They USED to have some reloading equipment there, but it's almost all gone now.
Prices are a little high, but not as high as Cabela's (in my experience). I go to Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabela's for my reloading supplies.
Gander Mountain isn't found in large cities (in Texas anyway). I've been to a couple and their prices on almost everything seemed astronomical.
308win
Member
I visited my first and last BPS in Branson, MO. Not much of a gun dept; lots of fishing equipment and sporting type attire. Prices were nothing to get excited about.
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Cliff47
Member
Went into the BPS in Las Vegas (surgically attached to the Silverton Hotel/Casino/Resort), and was pleasantly surprised by the layout. I thought the handgun seelction was a bit thin, but I understand it's a new store. The ammunition prices for WWB range packs is competitive with Wal-Mart, and far better than some of the indoor ranges around LV. I thought the indoor range was a smashing idea until I read that you had to be a Nevada resident with a blue card (what's this??, a Nevada conceal carry?), and the rates were in excess of what the local shooting ranges were charging (American Shooter Supply is $5 for all day, and you can bring your own ammunition). Thought the Fine Gun Room was worth the price of the week in LV alone. Very nice collection of old firearms. The selection of shotguns and rifles was extensive, to say the least. Getting out of the parking lot is another matter entirely, pack a lunch.
frostbiker
Member
Used to work at the Katy Mills location in Houston. I was a plankowner there (One of the first employees they hired when it opened). They were smart then and hired experienced help and put them in the right spots. They even took the time to educate us on ALL the products.
Unfortunately, once the turnover hit (pay scale sucked and most of us bailed after a few months), so did the employee quality. I try to avoid goin there if at all.
The guns are generic at best and marked up the yin-yang. You might find an excellent deal on a Rem 700 or a Tikka every now and again, but you can do better elsewhere. Reloading inventory is crap. Order from someone who specializes. Don't know about ammo prices, as I usually buy from Gander. Their bread and butter is catering to the tourists. They distract you with all the gee-gaw gimcracks and pilfer your wallet while you ain't lookin.
I stopped buying hunting clothes from them years ago and went back to surplus store BDU's. Haven't been happier. I think the Gander in Houston has better prices and better selection overall.
Unfortunately, once the turnover hit (pay scale sucked and most of us bailed after a few months), so did the employee quality. I try to avoid goin there if at all.
The guns are generic at best and marked up the yin-yang. You might find an excellent deal on a Rem 700 or a Tikka every now and again, but you can do better elsewhere. Reloading inventory is crap. Order from someone who specializes. Don't know about ammo prices, as I usually buy from Gander. Their bread and butter is catering to the tourists. They distract you with all the gee-gaw gimcracks and pilfer your wallet while you ain't lookin.
I stopped buying hunting clothes from them years ago and went back to surplus store BDU's. Haven't been happier. I think the Gander in Houston has better prices and better selection overall.
ozarkhillbilly
Member
308win and Sistema1927
Just to let you know the one at the Branson Landing is a joke compared to the one in Springfield, which is the original Bass Pro, the Branson store would fit in a corner of the one in Springfield. The Branson store might have 5% to 10% of the guns the Springfield store does and all of their prices on everything seem to be more expensive there as well.
Just to let you know the one at the Branson Landing is a joke compared to the one in Springfield, which is the original Bass Pro, the Branson store would fit in a corner of the one in Springfield. The Branson store might have 5% to 10% of the guns the Springfield store does and all of their prices on everything seem to be more expensive there as well.
My complaint is that while I did get an outstanding deal on a shotgun there once, it was only once. Service seems to be hit or miss. It can be outstanding one trip and "don't bother me with your needs" on other trips. I cannot tell you the number of times that I have received a mailer from Bass Pro, driven 45 minutes to the store and have the item out of stock on day one, with no rainchecks. Or receive an email flier on a sale, go to the store, and be told online sales are not the same as in store. Man I really hate it when a store tries hard to not want your money.
On the other hand, a Cabellas is opening soon in my area, we will see if that is any better. Bass Pro has lost six firearm purchases from me in the last couple of years. Well, at least I supported lower priced and better service local stores.
On the other hand, a Cabellas is opening soon in my area, we will see if that is any better. Bass Pro has lost six firearm purchases from me in the last couple of years. Well, at least I supported lower priced and better service local stores.
el44vaquero
Member
I really like the store in Springfield, MO. It's Bass Pro Outdoor World and is the "Granddaddy of them all". The best thing though is next door is the Bass Pro outlet where they send all the catalog orders that are returned after Christmas.
tanksoldier
Member
Ahh, but the world's BEST "Chai Soy Latte"... five times the caffine, no lactose, and SMOOOOTH! Great hot or iced.
Don't knock it 'till you try it....
Don't knock it 'till you try it....
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