Bass Pro to Open

[webfoot]

It was announced today at the Metro Area Chamber of Commerce that Bass Pro will open at the intersection of Hwy. 49 & I-20 in Rankin County. The store is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2004.

[sportsman450]

I think the asking price for the Mean Mallard just dropped a little!

[Wildfowler]

I'm not too sure about that 450. Maybe in Jackson, that's the case. Because in Jackson no one can step up and offer a good quality full service hunting store. If the price of the MM is falling, I dare say it's not because of BPS coming to town.

Isn't that kind of like saying no one can compete against Wal-Mart. There are plenty of examples around town where that's not the case. You just have to be willing to change and adapt your business, and most importantly offer better service.

I've been in BPS before, I was asking about a choke for my shotgun. I could immediately see that of the three folks that I was talking to, none of them knew anything about chokes for use with steel shot. Not too mention that it's difficult to get in and out of such a large place quickly.

I was talking with someone who was looking to buy the store, he knew all along that BPS was coming to town. He told me that he thought BPS would create more of an interest in hunting and fishing around town than we currently have. If run right, the Mean Mallard under new management should do quite well in the face of Bass Pro. At least it will in my opinion. But I'm not interested in buying it, so I can say that. I may be proven wrong later.

But don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are coming to town, because I know it will make the other guys really have to buckle down in spite of the pressure.

Something too that y'all may have forgotten about. They sell boats and outboard motors. I can only dream that BPS will "whip" these local boat dealers into better shape.

[sportsman450]

Isn't that kind of like saying no one can compete against Wal-Mart. There are plenty of examples around town where that's not the case. You just have to be willing to change and adapt your business, and most importantly offer better service.

It exactly like saying that.Very few things have done more to harm small retail businesses than Wal-Mart.With their high volume buying power,they can set prices lower than the small businessman.

Can they be competed with? Yes,but the odds are against it.At least in my less than humble opinion.

[Wildfowler]

With the bad wrap that the MM has been getting from members of this community, I dare say that whoever buys it must be willing to

Change and adapt thier business, and more importantly offer better service

than Bass Pro offers. At the very least, just to clean up their past image. I welcome the local choices, and wish the best to whomever buys it the MM.

Thanks.

[sportsman450]

I welcome the local choices, and wish the best to whomever buys it the MM.

I'm with you Wildfowler.

I don't know if you're old enough to remember the Hunt and Whitaker stores here in Jackson.In my opinion,they were the best overall hunting and fishing stores we've ever had.They had a great inventory,and most of the people who worked there were ADULTS who had enough hunting and fishing experience to be able to help you.

In my opinion,the first thing the new owner (if there is one) should do,is to bring in some older more knowledgeble and responsible help.The second would be to realize that to succeed in Jackson,you have to have the support of the average guy.

[Wildfowler]

Yes I do remember Hunt $ Whittaker very well. I remember they had two locations, but I'm most familiar with the one by the former Howards location on I-55N. Funny thing is that store may be the inspiration that Speed, as a child, wanting to own his own hunting shop one day.

I couldn't agree with you more. There needs to be more knowledgable adults in place in these stores. That's the whole reason why I laugh when I read all these complaints about not being waited on. Who wants to be waited on by some punk kid who doesn't know anything anyway.

Ideally that store would be run by folks like us, who hunt and fish every day. Who keep up with all of the latest equipment. And have real hands on experience with it. But then again, I wouldn't want to be stuck working in that store every day either. Something's got to give.

[MemphisStockBroker]

A retail shop is in a no-win situation....

it takes allot money to pay 'adults' to work at a place - enough to feed their family, plus health insurance (which is sky high in Mississippi), 401(k), disability insurance, sick pay, vacation time, etc... this adds to the cost of the merchandise sold. Throw in rent, utilities, liability insurance, FICA taxes, bad checks, merchandise theft, security systems, inventory costs, display racks, ......

quality merchandise, experienced adult staff that helps customer, and low cost just dont go together.

Just FYI.... the bass pro in memphis employ's a BUNCH of college-age kids.

[the doctor]

just to put my 2 cents in

i for one do not like wal mart or god help us super wal mart ( in my opinion the worst idea ever)

i just hate going in to these crowded stores that cost so much to run they cant afford to pay but one cashier to run 30 ceckout ailses if i go i go for T-P in bulk and dog food also in bulk

dont know where i got this stat from but it was something like for every job walmart creates 2-3 people lose a job in the same town due to local merchants going under

not quite the same opinion for bass pro but they only seem to stock their brands (reference the memphis outlet) and i dont like redhead apparel or gear

just felt the urge to post,
the doc

[webfoot]

When I do consulting, this is one of my main points.

It's the Customer, Stupid. The single most important aspect of your business is your customers. Make sure your entire team understands that - and acts like they understand it.

[sportsman450]

MemphisStockBroker-While I agree with most of what you said,there has got to be a solution.

A good manager to keep an eye on things would be a start.

You mentioned college age staff at Bass Pro Shops.Most of these kids at the MM are high school,and there's a pretty big difference.You can also find young people who know what they're talking about.When I was a kid,I hunted and fished all the time,and as a result,I knew a lot about it.I would have loved to work at a place like the MM.I've fished with a couple of these guys,and you practically have to rig their rods for them.They have no real life experience.At least look for kids who hunt and fish.They're out there.

[mallardchaser]

I went to the same bass pro as wildfowler did, I'm not impressed. Surplus city has more stuff with more knowledgable people to help you.

I don't want to drive to pearl to buy that 1 extra buzzbait or box of shells. I think the MM will do just fine under new management.

[thunnder]

Bass Pro Shop I can do without Just another "mart" if you ask me.

I've been going to the new store "The Outfitter". Beats anything we've had around here in a long time.

[crow]

I love to "window shop" at BPS, but I have to admit, I buy most of my stuff through smaller shops or mail order. I simply don't mind paying $1 more for a small item or $10 more for a larger item if I am getting good service where there are people who seem to enjoy what they do. I had rather go to Bernie's Gun Room, where Bernie himself waits on me and we can cuss and spit together, and pay more than to go to Walmart and save 10 bucks. Now, I admit to hitting the "too good to pass up" bargain on occassion. I do have a Beretta shotgun from Walmart that was just too good to pass on. And, I like the fact that I am keeping my money local, too. These mega stores have impersonalized the whole process of purchasing stuff that is at the core of who and what I am. That's too important for me to throw away. Now, on to the larger issue...What we are talking about is, in one large way, responsible for part of what we all see as a significant change in American ways and American values. This country was founded on the essential worth and reliability of the individual. In every instance where we impersonal any part of that, whether it be "Supersizing" stores in order to save pennies at the cost of losing the individual quality of the experience, or whether it is creating video games that take the personal tragedy and pain out of violence to the point where our youth now routinely "kill" people with no thought that there is a reality to the entertainment value, the result is the same...the desensitising of a nation! The individual has been sacrificed for the growth of the corporate.

Folks, we each own a piece of this problem. We'd better take care of our individual back yard if we truly believe the rhetoric we so often, and cavalierly, toss around about how we feel about America! I am not usually so eager to get on a soap box, but what we are skimming the surface of is an issue with so much riding on it that we can't afford not to face it.

Sheeesh! I should take this to Oprah!

[Wildfowler]

I've been going to the new store "The Outfitter". Beats anything we've had around here in a long time.

Where's that store? I haven't heard of it.

Thanks.