View Full Version : Bass Pro buys Sportsman's Warehouse
funkymonkey1111
12-21-2020, 18:36
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/12/21/2149037/0/en/Sportsman-s-Warehouse-to-join-The-Great-American-Outdoors-Group-to-better-serve-outdoorsmen-and-women.html
Well that seriously sucks. That is, if they do to Sportsman's Warehouse what they did to Cabela's, which is highly likely. And just as bad is that there's little competition left in the market.
And the hits just keep on comin.
theGinsue
12-21-2020, 19:31
Well, f' me!
Look, I like Bass Pro and all, but owning Cabela's and SW eliminates fair competition and a unique inventory of stock.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fuck.
hollohas
12-21-2020, 19:39
UGH! I never shop at Bass Pro or Cabela's. I love Sportsman's.
This sucks.
funkymonkey1111
12-21-2020, 19:56
Scheel's is the last hope
eddiememphis
12-21-2020, 20:07
Scheel's is the last hope
And Big R.
Never been to either, but I guess I need to head to Elizabeth or Evergreen to support a Colorado business.
theGinsue
12-21-2020, 20:08
I have hopes for the new Scheel's store opening in the Springs in March (21st I think). But, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high just to see them crashed by being less than I hoped for.
ETA: Big R is okay for what it is, but it doesn't hold a candle to even Sportsmans Warehouse. It's a farming store with a little outdoorsy stuff.
.455_Hunter
12-21-2020, 20:11
Fuck me.
eddiememphis
12-21-2020, 20:14
I have hopes for the new Scheel's store opening in the Springs in March (21st I think). But, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high just to see them crashed by being less than I hoped for.
ETA: Big R is okay for what it is, but it doesn't hold a candle to even Sportsmans Warehouse. It's a farming store with a little outdoorsy stuff.
Sounds like an opportunity to expand.
However, retail stores are dinosaurs.
eddiememphis
12-21-2020, 20:57
My main concern is the ability of the government to shut down sales of ammunition and firearms.
With a two large companies managing much of the product manufacturing and retail sales, it will be easier for an incoming federal administration that is anti-gun to control the flow of product.
Vista Outdoors and Bass Pros are now very dominant companies. They will be able to influence market trends. And prices.
If a hostile administration choses to throttle or shut down the firearms market, it is much easier to do so by going after a few large players that control the majority of sales, rather than hundreds of smaller companies. The trickle down will be devastating regardless, to both smaller businesses and to the individual firearm enthusiast.
People are gong to need to ease up on buying reloads.
Hopefully they leave the company as it is, it’s a nice alternative. I try not to enter Cabelas or Bass Pro if I don’t have to. Jax used to be good until they jumped on the anti black rifle bandwagon.
funkymonkey1111
12-21-2020, 22:26
before the panic, Sportsman's primer prices were significantly lower than Cab/Bass Pro
...and another death announced in 2020. Stop the suck already.
Great-Kazoo
12-21-2020, 23:24
My main concern is the ability of the government to shut down sales of ammunition and firearms.
With a two large companies managing much of the product manufacturing and retail sales, it will be easier for an incoming federal administration that is anti-gun to control the flow of product.
Vista Outdoors and Bass Pros are now very dominant companies. They will be able to influence market trends. And prices.
If a hostile administration choses to throttle or shut down the firearms market, it is much easier to do so by going after a few large players that control the majority of sales, rather than hundreds of smaller companies. The trickle down will be devastating regardless, to both smaller businesses and to the individual firearm enthusiast.
Funny you should mention that. Just watched a show on amazon called
The Last Motorcycle on Earth.
I'm going to post it in a few threads. But substitute guns for motorcycles. Well you'll get the picture.
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/23/916209659/california-governor-signs-order-banning-sales-of-new-gasoline-cars-by-2035
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
So almost all primers are made by one company over here, almost all ammo is made by one company over here, and all the big box stores are owned by one company over here.
Brilliant.
I'm guessing sportsman's prices are getting jacked up 20% now. If bass pro continues acquisitions, they'll be able to maintain a respectable profit margin on guns... Soon we'll just have women's department stores, with guns. AR-15's 40% off! Del-ton basic rifle was $2,000, now $1200!
OtterbatHellcat
12-22-2020, 02:36
Assume the doggy style position, and get used to the communist penetration. You know it's better for you and everyone else to have it like this, it hurts at first but you'll get so used to it, you won't care about anything ever again.
What a relief to be part of a conscious collective that really cares about you and I.
Bailey Guns
12-22-2020, 06:34
UGH! I never shop at Bass Pro or Cabela's. I love Sportsman's.
This sucks.
I agree. Even though there are no SW stores down here. Was still my favorite/go to big box store.
Yep now just ban anything purchased online and were screwed.
Singlestack
12-22-2020, 09:17
Im bummed. Sportsmans were always the stores I could count on.
BladesNBarrels
12-22-2020, 09:22
Sad day.
Bass Pro, Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse.
Wonder if they will keep the names?
Soon, the names will disappear like Gart's and Dave Cooks
Yep now just ban anything purchased online and were screwed.
That's the plan. Biden made it very clear.
Little Dutch
12-22-2020, 10:59
That's the plan. Biden made it very clear.
You beat me to it. Banning online sales of literally anything gun related was prominently and proudly promised by the Biden campaign.
We can no longer afford to ignore any brick store that sells firearms or firearm accessories. They will be our only option if / when the Biden plan goes into effect.
Another one bites the dust.
.455_Hunter
12-22-2020, 12:17
Welcome to the PC Sports Conglomerate!
Hoodies, yoga mats and soccer cones for everyone.
Great-Kazoo
12-22-2020, 14:16
You beat me to it. Banning online sales of literally anything gun related was prominently and proudly promised by the Biden campaign.
We can no longer afford to ignore any brick store that sells firearms or firearm accessories. They will be our only option if / when the Biden plan goes into effect.
Throw in the interstate tax plan for any firearm related item. Oh you need 500 pounds of powder shipped to your reloading business? The hazmat, plus carbon tax, climate change, plus threat to innocent children, makes that an additional $10K . Then we'll need a background check on everyone on top of that.
You're current wait time is (due to covid work shortages) 30 days. Press 1 to continue. Press 2, for a call back
electronman1729
12-22-2020, 15:57
That just sucks
Martinjmpr
12-22-2020, 16:19
Meh. I don't recall noticing that their prices or selection were improved in any way after their big bankruptcy and reorganization in 2010 - 2011 or so (when they closed down the SW Plaza and Aurora locations.) I actually am surprised they came back from that.
The few times I've gone to their new, much smaller store in Riverpointe (Santa Fe and Hampden) I wasn't much impressed by their selection or any of their prices on anything.
Bottom line, it's hard for me to feel bad about this because I don't think they really added much actual "competition" to the likes of BP/Cabela's.
Maybe they had killer deals on reloading components, I dunno since I stopped reloading years ago but their firearm and ammo prices were never any lower than any other big box store and their selection was never any better. Their prices on non-firearm outdoor goods were never that good either.
So I'm not sure what all the gnashing of teeth and rending of clothes is about. If there was enough room in the outdoor market for more than one "Mega-Lo Mart" of shooting stuff, we'd have one but from all appearances it doesn't appear that there is.
EDITED TO ADD: Now that I think about it, SW's only "gimmick" was lower prices than the competition. That was it. Not better selection, just lower prices. And I'm assuming it was the lower prices that drove them to the brink of insolvency back in 2010 - 11. So when they came back their prices and selection were indistinguishable from the likes of BPS and Cabelas (even BEFORE BPS bought Cabelas) so what did they add other than a few more physical locations? As near as I can tell, nothing. Just a Cabelas without the stuffed animals or BPS without the fish tank and the Starbucks. [Dunno]
eddiememphis
12-22-2020, 17:25
Throw in the interstate tax plan for any firearm related item. Oh you need 500 pounds of powder shipped to your reloading business? The hazmat, plus carbon tax, climate change, plus threat to innocent children, makes that an additional $10K . Then we'll need a background check on everyone on top of that.
You're current wait time is (due to covid work shortages) 30 days. Press 1 to continue. Press 2, for a call back
You left out a couple of things.
The insurance available for workman's comp and product liability will either be unavailable or prohibitivly expensive. This will apply to manufacturers, transport and storage companies.
The ability to get a loan for anything firearm related will also disappear.
Banks and insurance companies, which are essentially giant banks, are very politically involved. Several banks have already scaled back or eliminated loans to firearms manufacturers.
A hostile executive branch can wreak a lot of havok outside of Congressional controls.
I have read that Biden will, in his first 100 days, ban importation of ammunition and all magazine fed semi-automatic firearms.
I honestly believe the worst is yet to come.
I don't know that insurance companies are as politically involved regarding their coverage as you think.
eddiememphis
12-22-2020, 22:01
I don't know that insurance companies are as politically involved regarding their coverage as you think.
I have personally seen it.
I sold insurance for a time. I have family members that are involved in commercial insurance sales, SBA loans, SBA management (employed by the federal government) and insurance company management at a very high level.
They all have personal anecdotes about political influences changing coverage. And these people have been in their fields for, at the most recent, 16 years. The other three over 20 years.
I did it for two years and ran away. I'm not an office guy. Trying to sell commercial was difficult. Many carriers won't insure certain businesses so they toss it to E&S.
Excess and Surplus lines. These are the businesses that regular carriers won't insure so it becomes expensive and the scope of coverage may be limited.
To say insurance companies are not politically motivated is nonsense. The donate millions every year to all candidates and obviously want any laws passed to be in their favor.
To question whether coverage is directly influenced by politics is fair, as is the issuance of policies because of the prevailing politics of the management.
I can only offer what I have seen and heard.
Cute gal at the optics counter today did not flinch when I said that my purchase was in advance of Bass Pro raising prices :|
I can only offer what I have seen and heard.
My family has been in the insurance industry since before I was born. If politics was all it took to determine coverage, ZERO weed related businesses would be able to be insured, and automatic firearms coverage on homeowners policies would have gone by the wayside decades ago.
Sportsmans has sucked for like 2-3 years. They?re Fuddier than a Joe Biden ?buy a shotgun? PSA. The last thing I bought at SW was a Bayou Classic propane burner. I could have bought that anywhere. I just happened to have a coupon. They?re worth nothing because they?ve sold out. Who gives a shit.
There is always...Dick's.....right?
Martinjmpr
12-23-2020, 10:33
Fun BPS story: Back in October the wife and I took a week+ trip to the west, camping in our trailer. We passed through Utah and Arizona, stayed at a place called Willow Beach on the Colorado River South of the Hoover dam (gorgeous area!) and then went and spent almost a week at an "RV Resort" in Pahrump, NV.
Usually when we go someplace I like to have an actual paper map or atlas in case I want to do a little mild off-roading in my truck. I have the Benchmark Atlases of most of the states we were going to be in, but I didn't have on for Nevada.
So on our way to Pahrump, we were passing through Las Vegas and I said "let's stop at Bass Pro and get an atlas."
Went up to the hunting department and asked the kid (probably 20) where I would find an atlas of Nevada.
Kid: "A what?"
Me: "An atlas. It's like a book with maps in it."
Kid: "Maps? So like a GPS?"
Me: "No, a BOOK. Made of PAPER. With maps in it."
Kid gets a confused look on his face
"I don't think we sell those."
:rolleyes:
So we went downstairs where sure enough, right there near the optics there was a little rotating carousel with the benchmark atlas of Nevada on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1f1IjaKGU8
hollohas
12-23-2020, 13:50
I had a trip to Bass Pro gun counter years ago.
I asked the man behind the counter if he had any Walther PPQ subcompacts. He said "no, but we can order". Then he asked me why I wanted a subcompact. I told him I wanted it for a CCW. Then he told me that they wouldn't sell it to me then, because concealed guns are for police only.
Seriously.
So, that was my last trip there.
I have never had a negative experience with the guys at the gun counter in COS, and the rest of the store seems to employs cute gals.
I had a trip to Bass Pro gun counter years ago.
I asked the man behind the counter if he had any Walther PPQ subcompacts. He said "no, but we can order". Then he asked me why I wanted a subcompact. I told him I wanted it for a CCW. Then he told me that they wouldn't sell it to me then, because concealed guns are for police only.
Seriously.
So, that was my last trip there.
That ass clown should quit the job at bass pro and work for Brady Campaign.
StagLefty
12-24-2020, 08:39
Many moons ago I went into a Bass Pro looking for some fishing lures in October and was told by fishing wizard behind the counter that fishing season was over in Colorado !!!!
hollohas
12-24-2020, 09:22
Many moons ago I went into a Bass Pro looking for some fishing lures in October and was told by fishing wizard behind the counter that fishing season was over in Colorado !!!!Hahahahaha.
funkymonkey1111
12-24-2020, 10:26
I had a trip to Bass Pro gun counter years ago.
I asked the man behind the counter if he had any Walther PPQ subcompacts. He said "no, but we can order". Then he asked me why I wanted a subcompact. I told him I wanted it for a CCW. Then he told me that they wouldn't sell it to me then, because concealed guns are for police only.
Seriously.
So, that was my last trip there.
go to bass pro, don't go--it's your choice. however, not going anywhere because you encountered a dumb employee (in this case, Elmer Fudd) is silly--especially when they clearly sell plenty of compact guns
This will be good for their employees as they will now receive discounts at BP, Cabela's and SW. Always gotta look on the positive side of things.
ANADRILL
12-27-2020, 09:14
I work at the Parker store, gun counter, due to being laid off from the oil field. It sucks, as our discounts are amazing, but will go away when bass pro takes over. Most all of our customers comment on the level of service they get at the gun counter, and complain about cabellas and bp.
I work at the Parker store, gun counter, due to being laid off from the oil field. It sucks, as our discounts are amazing, but will go away when bass pro takes over. Most all of our customers comment on the level of service they get at the gun counter, and complain about cabellas and bp.
Your store must be much better than Thornton, because the counter service there is shit just like Bass Pro.
Stand in line. Lady calls you up and takes your info, says someone will call you in a few. Lady stares at wall for 15 minutes. Lady walks over and asks if you have been helped, and if you need assistance. (All the same woman) One dude is walking around having casual conversation with the other reps about the pizza he had for lunch.
On the plus side, one of 'em rang up the rifles at black friday prices 3 weeks after that sale was said and done.
I went to Parker Sportsman's warehouse on Tuesday while I was going down to parker to pickup my firearm.
Looks like it is much bigger and gun counter is much wider in terms of display. I can just do a quick sweep of pistol display inventory and price and just leave. I cannot do that at Thornton Sportsmans. :D
ChadAmberg
12-27-2020, 18:08
I work at the Parker store, gun counter, due to being laid off from the oil field. It sucks, as our discounts are amazing, but will go away when bass pro takes over. Most all of our customers comment on the level of service they get at the gun counter, and complain about cabellas and bp.
I will say, any time I've dealt with the guys behind the counter at the Spring's Sportsman's, I've been very happy with how I was treated. Cabelas and Bass Pro not so much.
.455_Hunter
12-27-2020, 18:43
I guess neither side of the acquisition did much market research on implications of the deal. Even the guys working a Cabela's today thought it was a bad idea.
When the market is at their highs, many companies do dumb M&A. Funniest one was Compaq-HP deal and AOL-Time Warners.
Martinjmpr
12-28-2020, 09:39
I've never been much of a "business guy" but I thought the whole reason SW went through their bankruptcy or near bankruptcy in 2010 - 11 (I think that's when it was) was because they grew too fast and spread themselves too thin. And back then, we didn't even have Cabela's yet (I think the Cabelas stores in the Metro area opened around 2015 or so.)
So now, with BPS owning not only their own BPS store, they own the two Cabelas stores in the metro area, and soon will own the, what, 3 or 4 SW locations? So that's one company with either 6 or 7 locations just in the Denver area alone.
What is the value, to the company, in having that many locations? Seems like a lot of overhead to have that many store that are all relatively close to each other.
Didn't Gander Mountain close their retail stores because they decided they couldn't compete in the "big box sporting goods store" area?
Cabela's has a "brand identity" seeing as how it's been around since 1961, and I suppose you could say the same about BPS but SW really doesn't - as I said above, their gimmick was always low prices so once their prices go up to BPS and Cabela's levels, there's really no gimmick at all.
Would not surprise me a bit to see SW closed for good after this. To be honest, I'm surprised they even came back from their earlier bankruptcy or reorganization or whatever it was.
The SW in Parker has always been great with customer service and their store is very well light and organized, unlike the other SW locations that are dark and gloomy. I’m not the type to browse the gun counter often, but when I pass by they always ask if I need help. I hope the employees who are currently at Parker stay through the transition as they are the ones giving the service, not Corporate.
.455_Hunter
12-28-2020, 10:29
I have found SW to provide great service and definitely more product selection than post-Bass Pro Cabela's. Usually, the same $10 to $20 item is $1 to $2 less at SW than Cabela's, but there are exceptions. The biggest thing that happened to Cabela's was expansion of the outdoor lifestyle crap that reduced sales space for the traditional items. Over a quarter of the 144th store is now sunglasses, toys, decorative junk, and self-branded t-shirts / hoodies.
Cabelas ain't an old Sydney Nebraska Cabelas no mo.
I don't know about Bass Pro, but old Cabelas loves real estates.
funkymonkey1111
12-28-2020, 11:12
I guess neither side of the acquisition did much market research on implications of the deal. Even the guys working a Cabela's today thought it was a bad idea.
It's crazy that Johnny didn't consult with the guys working at a local Cabela's before this $700M deal.
.455_Hunter
12-28-2020, 11:46
It's crazy that Johnny didn't consult with the guys working at a local Cabela's before this $700M deal.
If your aquisition of brand is going to result in a hemorrage of that brand's customers, then perhaps the purchase is not such a good deal. So far, I have seen comments or spoken to about 50 people about this development, and zero are happy about it. Maybe I just interface with a certain type of person, or there are ulterior motives for the purchase to which I am unaware. If they just blindly thought filling SW with Red Head crap was going to be warmly received, I believe they are mistaken.
Rucker61
12-28-2020, 12:32
When the market is at their highs, many companies do dumb M&A. Funniest one was Compaq-HP deal and AOL-Time Warners.
The Compaq-HP mergers seems to have worked out well enough.
Funniest one was Compaq-HP deal...
Was there, did that. Worked out well for my group (Compaq ne Digital). They canned the HP product our product was up against and merged the groups.
...and then we had to put up with seething hatred and non-cooperation for years from the HP employees whose product was replaced by ours.
Management took the approach of "It'll sort itself out" and it did, like 2 to 3 years later. They could have fixed it in months if they had the fortitude to actually manage the groups.
O2
Martinjmpr
12-28-2020, 15:24
Seriously, though, if SW disappeared tomorrow, would anyone miss them? More to the point, would anyone even notice?
When SW first opened in Colorado I believe it was either mid 2000 or 2001. The reason I say that is that I had just moved to Laramie, WY to go to school in August of 2000 and I got one of their mailers/grand opening discount coupons in the mail. The only SW location nearby was the one in Loveland. Up to that time the closest thing to a "big box" sporting goods store that actually sold hunting or shooting gear was Jax (in its original FoCo location.) So SW was a "big new thing" being a big (physically very large) big-box sporting goods store that unlike Gart Bros, actually had a good supply of guns, ammo, shooting stuff, camping gear, etc (Gart was always more "urban sports": Soccer, football, running/bicycling, volleyball, etc.)
The "big thing" about SW back then was their size ("big box" size store) and their large, in-stock selection, and of course their low prices. I'm sure the LGS's hated them and I would imagine that more than a few LGSs went out of business because of them being able to undercut the LGS on both selection and price.
But then....BPS came along in, what, 2006 or so? Maybe 2007? And at the same time, SW expanded to include large stores in the Denver area as well (Northglenn, Aurora and SW Plaza.)
It was also around this time, IIRC, that Gander Mountain opened its two stores in the Denver area, one in Thornton and one in Aurora in the old Home Base off of I-225 and Iliff.
So by the time the big financial crises of 2008 - 2009 hit, shoppers in the Front Range had at least EIGHT "big box" style stores that were exclusively dedicated to sporting goods (4 x SW, 2 x GM, 1 x BPS and by this time Jax had expanded to include a big-box style store in Louisville.)
All of a sudden, SW's one and only gimmick - large selection - was no longer exclusive to them. All they had left was cutting prices and that led them into a major reorg in 2010 - 2011 or so that saw them closing a huge percentage (I think it was over half) of their retail stores nationwide. The Aurora and SW plaza stores closed permanently.
By the time they emerged from their reorg in 2016 or so, not one but TWO Cabelas stores had also popped up in the Metro area.
And yet, they decided to put stores in the SW and SE part of the city again (Sheridan and Parker.)
And what's more, they did this after Gander Mountain had decided that their big box stores weren't making enough $$ to stay open.
You have to wonder why. I haven't been to the Parker store, but the SW in Sheridan at River Point is tiny - probably less than half the floor space of the old SW Plaza store. Selection is not good and prices are no better than the likes of BPS, Cabelas or Jax. Is there anything more useless than a "small" "big box" store? Being "big" is about the only thing they have to offer, and if they can't offer that, what good are they?
I can understand the emotional reaction of those who remember SW when it was literally the only real "big box sporting goods store" in town that dedicated a large portion of its floor space to hunting and fishing (as opposed to more "mainstream" sports stores like Gart/Sports Authority that virtually ignored the hunting/fishing market.)
But IMO, Sportsman's Warehouse's glory days are long behind them and all that's left is a shadow of what they once were. The one thing that made them unique is no longer unique to them, so the real question is, is there even a place for them in the current market?
I would say no, I don't think there is because there's nothing that SW does that other big box sporting goods places don't do as well or better.
.455_Hunter
12-28-2020, 15:44
Seriously, though, if SW disappeared tomorrow, would anyone miss them? More to the point, would anyone even notice?
Yes- I would. I go there more the all of their competition combined.
Martinjmpr
12-28-2020, 16:09
Yes- I would. I go there more the all of their competition combined.
Is that because they are closer to you or because they offer something the others don't?
Yes- I would. I go there more the all of their competition combined.
Is that because they are closer to you or because they offer something the others don't?
Yes, a lot because they are closer. I do like the size of the store of the SW by me. If I don't have to climb a set of stairs just to check for primers, that's nice.
The Compaq-HP mergers seems to have worked out well enough.
Decades later after many diversification and playing around agilent, yes it has.
However, carly's one of biggest failure is still seen as Compaq merger.
Was there, did that. Worked out well for my group (Compaq ne Digital). They canned the HP product our product was up against and merged the groups.
...and then we had to put up with seething hatred and non-cooperation for years from the HP employees whose product was replaced by ours.
Management took the approach of "It'll sort itself out" and it did, like 2 to 3 years later. They could have fixed it in months if they had the fortitude to actually manage the groups.
O2
Oh yeah. I remember ibank were praising Michael Capella for that merger. Smaller companies usually benefits in mergers (of course depending on deal structures and etc).
Yes- I would. I go there more the all of their competition combined.
[Beer]
Sometimes you only need a couple replacement Panther-Martins, and don't want to deal with the biggest-box store hassles.
ANADRILL
12-28-2020, 19:22
Your store must be much better than Thornton, because the counter service there is shit just like Bass Pro.
Stand in line. Lady calls you up and takes your info, says someone will call you in a few. Lady stares at wall for 15 minutes. Lady walks over and asks if you have been helped, and if you need assistance. (All the same woman) One dude is walking around having casual conversation with the other reps about the pizza he had for lunch.
On the plus side, one of 'em rang up the rifles at black friday prices 3 weeks after that sale was said and done.
It is! I have heard the same about Thorton.
ANADRILL
12-28-2020, 19:25
The SW in Parker has always been great with customer service and their store is very well light and organized, unlike the other SW locations that are dark and gloomy. I’m not the type to browse the gun counter often, but when I pass by they always ask if I need help. I hope the employees who are currently at Parker stay through the transition as they are the ones giving the service, not Corporate.
Thanks, we try! Had a lady comment on our service today, saying it was awesome compared to Cabellas...
ANADRILL
12-28-2020, 19:32
Sportsmans has sucked for like 2-3 years. They?re Fuddier than a Joe Biden ?buy a shotgun? PSA. The last thing I bought at SW was a Bayou Classic propane burner. I could have bought that anywhere. I just happened to have a coupon. They?re worth nothing because they?ve sold out. Who gives a shit.
Hum not sure on which SW you are going to, but the Parker sees quite a few nice tactical guns come through. Problem is they get bought up quick.
Rucker61
12-29-2020, 08:46
Decades later after many diversification and playing around agilent, yes it has.
However, carly's one of biggest failure is still seen as Compaq merger.
Did Carly have any successes?
.455_Hunter
12-29-2020, 08:57
Is that because they are closer to you or because they offer something the others don't?
I frequent the Turnpike corridor, so the 84th Ave SW location is easy access for me. I have found SW offers considerably more selection for the things that I buy over Cabela's and BP (general outdoor gear). I sometimes go to JAX, but the locations are definitely not convenient, but I am still annoyed by the magazine pandering from 7ish years ago, and tend to limit purchases there. Scheel's is pretty good, but Hwy 34 is far out of the way.
theGinsue
12-29-2020, 10:12
I've always been a fan of the SW in Colo Spr. Good customer service, I like the selection of items available - which differs on some counts (that interest me) from the items found at either BPS or Cabela's, location, etc.
Colo Spr. has a BPS on the very North end of town. Frankly, it's not in the most convenient location for me. SW has a store pretty much in the middle of town; I live just a touch closer to SW than to BPS. Even though I have to go through more traffic/lights to get to SW, I'll make the trip to SW more often than BPS. I find it worthwhile.
One thing about SW I've always enjoyed is the huge board at the front of the store with fishing reports for many of the fishing spots around the state. They do a great job keeping that info updated. Will this continue under BPS? We'll see.
When I'm in a BPS store, all of the things I want to look at seem to be in crowded little spaces. This is rarely, if ever, an issue at SW - they space things out nicely for the customer.
So, what happens if (when) BPS decides that they don't need so many retail locations and decides to close the SW stores? They take over the stock and extra supply contracts and move it all into their BPS stores.
Last I heard, Cabela's was being sued over something to do with ammunition. Under BPS, SW will feel the fallout from whatever occurs from that suit.
Prior to this buy out, if BPS caved to the pressure of the anti-gunners and decided to quit carrying handguns or evil black rifles or anything associated (like so many of the larger branded stores have done), we'd still have the option to find them at SW. Under this buyout, I'd expect SW would have to follow suit and that would leave just the Mom & Pop stores. I wouldn't mind this so much if I lived much closer to Bower's, but I don't. I often tell anyone in the Springs looking to buy a handgun, but not sure what they want, to go to Specialty Sports because of their large inventory. I tell them to handle as many as they can to get a feel for what fits them best - BUT DON'T BUY FROM THEM because their employees are rude/hateful and their prices are higher. I've always told these folks that once they've decided on the gun they want to head over to SW to make the purchase. Even if they don't have the particular firearm in stock, they'll order it for you. I can't imagine that will be the case under BPS.
Now, if after all of this you are left believing that I just don't like BPS you'd be wrong. What Johnny Morris has built up serves a particular niche and I shop at BPS often enough. But, there is something about SW that I enjoy that I believe will be lost once BPS owns them.
ETA: Stu mentioned the stairs. After the Colo Spr. BPS opened I noticed they didn't have an upstairs. I asked the manager about this and he told me that the store in Denver was one of the last that would be built with a second floor. I've come to call the new footprint of BPS "2/3 stores". Sure, they try to include all of the same stock even without a second story, but that just goes back to the crowded feeling within the stores I mentioned earlier.
hollohas
12-29-2020, 10:21
40mins to Bass pro
40mins to Cabela's 1
45mins to Cabela's 2
All big ass stores that require a person to wade through a bunch of BS to get what one wants.
10 mins to Sportsmans. Grab and go in a matter of minutes.
Any of the gift/decor/random BS other stuff bass pro/cabela's jam their stores full of, I'm not buying on short notice. I shop at big box outdoor stores for last minute hunting/shooting/camping stuff or convenient/hazmat free reloading stuff. I don't want to make a 2hr+ round trip for that.
I was super sad when the SW Plaza location closed years ago (but my wallet was happy).
Then Dick's turned to the dark side.
That left a hole for convenient outdoor goods in my area until Sportmans opened at River point again.
My guess is in a few years, we'll see many of the Sportsmans locations closed for just the reasons mentioned by others above...to consolidate locations. That will suck.
When that happens, my last minute outdoor shopping will come to an end as there won't be anything reasonably close anymore.
BladesNBarrels
12-30-2020, 09:52
Wonder if Sportsman's Warehouse will eliminate the 10% Veteran's Discount now.
[Dunno]
Did Carly have any successes?
One.
She kept her job very long at hwp/hpq relative to her performance.
:)
funkymonkey1111
12-30-2020, 12:21
Prior to this buy out, if BPS caved to the pressure of the anti-gunners and decided to quit carrying handguns or evil black rifles or anything associated (like so many of the larger branded stores have done), we'd still have the option to find them at SW. .
Prior to this acquisition, if SW caved to the pressure of the anti-gunners and decided to quit carrying handguns or evil black rifles or anything associated (like so many of the larger branded stores have done), we'd still have the option to find them at Cabela's or BPS.
Martinjmpr
12-30-2020, 12:38
Prior to this acquisition, if SW caved to the pressure of the anti-gunners and decided to quit carrying handguns or evil black rifles or anything associated (like so many of the larger branded stores have done), we'd still have the option to find them at Cabela's or BPS.
If there's demand for handguns or EBRs and BPS stops carrying them, someone else will step up and fill that market niche.
I mean, people bought handguns and EBRs BEFORE there was a BPS or a SW, right? ;)
If anything, BPS dropping EBRs or handguns would be a boost to the LGS's.
But honestly, that's unlikely to happen because if BPS, Cabelas and SW decide to cut handguns and EBRs, then they basically become Sports Authority or Dicks.
If there's demand for handguns or EBRs and BPS stops carrying them, someone else will step up and fill that market niche.
I mean, people bought handguns and EBRs BEFORE there was a BPS or a SW, right? ;)
If anything, BPS dropping EBRs or handguns would be a boost to the LGS's.
But honestly, that's unlikely to happen because if BPS, Cabelas and SW decide to cut handguns and EBRs, then they basically become Sports Authority or Dicks.
Well if they pull guns, they'd definitely be Dicks.
Aloha_Shooter
12-31-2020, 03:04
Decades later after many diversification and playing around agilent, yes it has.
However, carly's one of biggest failure is still seen as Compaq merger.
Did Carly have any successes?
I had owned a small amount of HPQ stock around that time period. While I appreciated some of Carly's statements in later years when she ran for political office, she was an unmitigated disaster as CEO of HPQ back in the day and I had to laugh whenever she pointed to her background as a businesswoman. Her time as CEO reminded me of the statement by the man elected by the "mutineers" of the 20th Maine when he addressed COL Joshua Chamberlain and described the Union Army's generals as "unable to pour pee from a boot with the instructions written on the heel."
Merging HP with CPQ was utter stupidity.
BladesNBarrels
12-31-2020, 09:58
Talked to a local FFL.
Cabelas/Bass Pro is the biggest gorilla in the civilian firearms market.
With their buying power they can get pricing so low that they can retail below the small dealer's wholesale price through the major distributors.
He said he can get most firearms cheaper from Bass Pro than through his distributor.
I don't think a business oriented major store chain would walk away from that kind of market power.
[Coffee]
RiderGeek
12-31-2020, 14:38
Is that because they are closer to you or because they offer something the others don't?
Here's two places where Sportsman's historically excelled: ammunition selection / depth or selection of reloading components / supplies. Also, generally being much more affordable than the alternatives.
Before things went stupid:
Ammunition:
*BPS had lots of duck and goose loads, very expensive and limited choice of target loads (Win AA, Rem Nitro), a bit of the common soft tip rifle ammo, rarely any match grade anything. Handgun ammo was extremely limited, with very little choice, exceptionally high prices.
*Cabela's had lots of duck and goose loads also, more choice and less expensive target loads. They had a much better selection of rifle ammo than BPS, and a much better selection of handgun ammo. Prices generally better also
*Sportsman's pretty much had any duck / goose load you'd ever want with seasonal availability, had just about every caliber of modern rifle ammo you could imagine, usually with multiple manufacturers represented, and multiple loads from each manufacturer. Handgun ammo available in bulk quantities with reasonable prices.
BPS (at least the Stapleton one) only ever sold primers by the sleeve, and at the low, low price of $4.99 per 100 - (e.g. $50 per thousand + tax)
Cabela's at least nominally carried the thousand piece bricks, but almost never had them. Also, the price was pretty much in line with BPS--just barely more palatable than buying a single brick online and sucking up the hazmat fee.
Sportsman's was $3.50 per sleeve, and if you bought the whole thousand pack you'd also get 5% off. They generally had a few cases worth of primers at a given time.
Sportsman's was much closer to the price you'd get if you bought in big bulk quantities online and paid the hazmat fees. They also had a wider selection of primers.
Powder:
BPS and Cabelas only ever carried one pound containers, and had poopy selection, even poopier prices.
Sportsman's offered 1 / 4 / 8 pound containers of just about anything you'd want, and generally had it available. Prices couldn't be beat unless you wanted to order 30-48 lbs from an online store and split the hazmat fee with your friends.
Guns:
The last time I went to BPS it was medium to medium-high end fudd gun central. Few handguns aside from Taurus revolvers--but certianly nothing you couldn't get from somewhere else at a drastically better price. Noticed the no MSR / precision target rifles / no sporting shotgun or home defense shotgun policy. It it wasn't strictly designed for shooting doves/pheasants/waterfowl/turkeys or deer, it was clear they wanted nothing to do with it. But hey, suppose you wanted a wildly overpriced Remington 700 CDL chambered for a cartridge the salesman never heard of? Oh man did they have you covered. The one redeeming thing about the place they shuttered -- the high end gun room. Kinda fun to browse and drool on the glass protecting me from stuff I had no business buying. Also, poor selection of rifle scopes.
Cabelas: at least they had MSRs and handguns people would want to buy.
Sportsmans: had good selection of handguns / MSRs / a few decent target rifles / decent sporting shotguns selection. Pretty much anything a guy could want for whatever it was he wanted to do.
Just wanted to add: Murdochs, the hardware / farm / ranch supply / general store has recently put aside a small corner of the store dedicated to guns and gun accessories in many of their stores. They're killing it in terms of the selection of stuff they pack into a tiny area. It's kind of amusing.
Talked to a local FFL.
Cabelas/Bass Pro is the biggest gorilla in the civilian firearms market.
With their buying power they can get pricing so low that they can retail below the small dealer's wholesale price through the major distributors.
He said he can get most firearms cheaper from Bass Pro than through his distributor.
I don't think a business oriented major store chain would walk away from that kind of market power.
[Coffee]
Sounds about right. I recall reading somewhere a couple years ago that they were the largest purchaser of firearms after the USG. As a matter of fact I think Cabela's held that distinction prior to BPS buying them.
BladesNBarrels
12-31-2020, 17:19
Sounds about right. I recall reading somewhere a couple years ago that they were the largest purchaser of firearms after the USG. As a matter of fact I think Cabela's held that distinction prior to BPS buying them.
I had heard that before.
I was attending SHOT Show around 2017 and was having breakfast at one of the casino garden cafes.
I was sitting next to a table of about 6 guys talking about a firearms purchase.
One or two of them were from Cabelas and the others were from a major firearm manufacturer.
The buyers were settling some discussions they had obviously had prior to breakfast and agreed to buy over 2,000 of one model at the table, and said they would talk more about the other deals.
The FFL dealer I was with just shook his head and said he couldn't compete with that, since he sold about 500 guns total during a year and the manufacturer required him to go through a distributor.
He said Cabelas would probably have those out to their stores in a week.
Just wanted to add: Murdochs, the hardware / farm / ranch supply / general store has recently put aside a small corner of the store dedicated to guns and gun accessories in many of their stores. They're killing it in terms of the selection of stuff they pack into a tiny area. It's kind of amusing.
I noticed that at Murdochs. Pretty impressive the variety of firearms they could fit into that space.
.455_Hunter
01-01-2021, 00:32
I noticed that at Murdochs. Pretty impressive the variety of firearms they could fit into that space.
I always seem to forget about them.
We were trying to socialize our puppy at Murdochs pre-Covid. I always seemed to make it by that corner of the store. [Coffee]
Martinjmpr
01-01-2021, 10:03
I don't think a business oriented major store chain would walk away from that kind of market power.
[Coffee]
More to the point, there will always be a demand for guns so if X stops selling them, Y will pick up the slack. No businessman with a lick of common sense is going to leave all that potential money on the table.
Who else is old enough to remember when:
* Sears
* JC Penny
* K-Mart
* Target
* Montgomery Wards (remember them?)
sold guns? It wasn't that long ago - maybe 30 years or so (I know I'm showing my age here. ;) )
EDITED TO ADD: Anyone else buy their first gun at Sears? Mine was a Universal .30 Carbine I bought at the Sears in Columbus, Georgia in 1981 when I was stationed at Fort Benning.
^^I definetly remember those days lol. When we moved to Tucson in 1968 (I was 12) I'd generally be found hanging out in the sporting goods section of Monkey Ward and Sears oogling the rifles and shotguns. My dad found a hardware store he really liked and I remember barrels of rifles for sale. The big gun store in Tucson at the time, now long out of business, also had a big section of used rifles/shotguns in barrels. Same thing when I moved here in 1984, the Dave Cook store on the 16th St Mall had barrels downstairs in the gun department with all kinds of old rifles. Ah, the good old days.
.455_Hunter
01-01-2021, 11:48
Even the Dave Cooks in Boulder had the rifle barrels in the post-86 surplus explosion.
BladesNBarrels
01-01-2021, 14:46
I bought a Colt Frontier Scout .22 with the 2 cylinders, .22 Mag, .22 LR at McGuckin's Hardware Store in Boulder in the early 70's.
Cheaper than Garts or Dave Cooks at the time.
[blaster]
.455_Hunter
01-01-2021, 15:49
I bought a Colt Frontier Scout .22 with the 2 cylinders, .22 Mag, .22 LR at McGuckin's Hardware Store in Boulder in the early 70's.
Cheaper than Garts or Dave Cooks at the time.
[blaster]
My Grandfather bought his elk rifle from a McGuckin's manager in the late 50's. I think it was a private sale, but got him an immediate post-war Model 70 in .270 (still has pre-war safety and an Lyman Alaskan 2.5X scope) that I proudly own now. By the time I was cognizant in the 80's, they only sold airguns and ammo. Now it's just airguns, and ammo for .22 and shotgun. Still a great store, however.
I lived in boulder off and on since 95-01.
I remember McGuckin's was the ONLY Hardware store available in city of Boulder. Until the 28th st mall renovation/reconstruction and Home depot came in.
.455_Hunter
01-01-2021, 16:20
I lived in boulder off and on since 95-01.
I remember McGuckin's was the ONLY Hardware store available in city of Boulder. Until the 28th st mall renovation/reconstruction and Home depot came in.
There was also Sutherland's on Valmont by the RR tracks until maybe 2010?
There was also Sutherland's on Valmont by the RR tracks until maybe 2010?
I use to work about 0.5miles from there ( south of valmont and 30th during late 90s and till end of 2000), and I still forgot to mention Sutherland's
.455_Hunter
01-01-2021, 17:09
I use to work about 0.5miles from there ( south of valmont and 30th during late 90s and till end of 2000), and I still forgot to mention Sutherland's
Don't feel bad. I pissed in one of their mock bathroom toilets when I was a little kid. Hey, it looked like a bathroom, what did you expect was going to happen?
Now, that is a funny story! It would be horrible for staff to clean that up.
:D
Going back to the topic.
I went to Cabelas just to see if there are any ammo left. NONE. Not even 243win. It had those unpopular rounds available as usual. The gun counter had about 4 lookers, and a guy in next to me was taking photograph of a firearm with his phone. I think there were one serious buyer who were couple. By questions they asked the sales staff, they are most likely first time buyer. Friendly staff ( at least the time I was in at 144th)
BREATHER
01-02-2021, 05:47
I can remember when a person could buy a firearm out of a catalog or the back of a magazine and have it delivered by the US Postal Service. There were no mass shootings, there were no school shooting... What the hell happened ??
.455_Hunter
01-02-2021, 10:47
I have no issues with the staff at Cabela's, or SW. 95% of the time or greater, they are friendly and helpful. The folks at Cabela's are specifically aware of how their store has gone downhill since the acquisition. Even with the limited times I have gone to BP in the past few years, they have also been courteous. Ownership and upper management are the problem, not the staff.
BlasterBob
01-02-2021, 11:18
I can remember when a person could buy a firearm out of a catalog or the back of a magazine and have it delivered by the US Postal Service. There were no mass shootings, there were no school shooting... What the hell happened ??
That is progress. [blaster]
StagLefty
01-03-2021, 08:43
Walgreens just bought REI !!! Does that mean we can finally get a crampon tampon ???
Walgreens just bought REI !!! Does that mean we can finally get a crampon tampon ???
Cute, but I haven't seen that news anywhere. Got a link?
BladesNBarrels
01-04-2021, 09:05
I think he was making a joke
[Coffee]
StagLefty
01-05-2021, 09:05
I think he was making a joke
[Coffee]
It's isolation fatigue !!!!
Speaking of M&A, I thought there was about 10% probability that walmart is acquiring FedEx. This was when Fedex office is getting into Walmart stores.
Of course WMT not having balls to compete with Amazon, they did not.
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