New owner of the Mean Mallard!

[mallardchaser]

A friend of mine, Chris Bates, has just purchased the Mean Mallard.
Chris is a great guy, and I can guarantee you'll see some changes for the better. They've started to remodel to make the store a bit more accessible and he's looking for some additional help in the sales department. Chris knows the value of good customer service and will treat each customer with respect and a warm welcome.

[Robinhood]

Thank you lord, there is a God.....that Speed fellow was a disgrace to the hunting world, personality-wise. I wouldn't even go in there because of him, and I know a lot of others that felt the same way. MC, your friend will see hunters come out of the woodwork to buy from him when they find out this good news. Hope he can stay stocked up. Thanks for this breath of fresh air.

[webfoot]

FYI:

Chris Bates is the previous general manager of the Jackson Bandits Hockey team. Prior to his GM duties, he served as the American Diabetes Association's Executive Director.

He has extensive experience as a manager with professional experience centered on community relations, marketing and business operations, with customer service and satisfaction. He and his wife are equally active in the outdoors.

I have worked on projects in the past with the Bandits and the American Diabetes and can say personally that he will work hard to gain your respect, no matter who you are.

[Don Miller]

It seems to me that most everyone on this board had something bad to say about the previous owner of Mean Mallard. Was he really as bad with customer relation as what was made out to be? I hate to see anyone publicly bashed with the exception of maybe Byron Barrett who deserves it. Good luck to the new owner, maybe he will do a better job of PR.

[Wildfowler]

Was he really as bad with customer relation as what was made out to be?

I never thought so. But maybe they just liked me. I really don't see how that could be, because I was probably the least spender who ever came in that store. I really only went in there a few times per year. Mainly to but shotgun shells.

I wish the new owners the best of luck. Hopefully it won't take too long for "the word" to get out that the MM is under new management. I would hate for the new owner to be stigmatized wrongly for somebody else's actions.

[BIG TIMBER]

What about the prices? Will this guy jack the prices sky high like Mr. Speed did. Or will he consistute fair prices to the consumer?!? I just hope that he can get some real help in there and not just kids sitting around, not wanting to help in there. I am not from Jackson, but the times that I do go down there, I want to stop in a place and get the things that I can't ordinarly get. I would like the store to have good prices and good help. Just Hopeful I guess!

[gunner]

Where is this store located?

[Robinhood]

Good point a/b the prices. Way too high. And the youngsters working there. Probably also way too high .... The only place higher for 'The Freak' pittman turkey call was Got Gear Sports. Anyway Gunner, it is located off 55 North at Northside Dr. , next door to HOOTERS! Great location, hopefully better management.

[Wildfowler]

Alright, I've heard just about enough about the pricing. Who are you guys to say what price the new owners of the MM should be charging? Where do you find the gall to make such statements? I don't see you rushing out to risk your namesake by trying to open up and run a nicely stocked hunting store.

When you decide to sign your name on the line. You can decide what price to charge. Until then, if you don't like it, then don't buy any. That's real simple. And when you do sign your name on the line. I won't expect you to give your merchandise away either. I thought we had gotten beyond this a long time ago. Get over it. Jeff Speed has sold his store. I doubt any of you will ever have any dealings with him again.

Geeze.

[BIG TIMBER]

Hey Wildfowler, you must have plenty of money to give away on hunting apperal! Why would you go to a store and spend more on something than you could get it for out of Cabelas or another Magazine. That is the whole purpose of a sporting goods store! To have lower prices and the convience of going there and getting your stuff without using the Damn Postal Service. What I am trying to say is it is supposed to make the hunting community life easier, not broke! Oh and by the way I have signed my name on the line many times, so please dont lecture me about putting my name on the line!

[RIP EM]

I dont think a retail store will ever come close to competing with the Cabelas of the world, as far as prices go!

A retail store is made, or broken by selection, and customer service.PERIOD.

You will pay a little more, but the convenience is what you pay for! Not the merchandise!!!

JMHO!

I thought the MM was a cool store,... regardless of who owned it!
Customer service, or lack thereof, is what spelled THE END for the MM.

Again, JMHO

I for one, hope the Outfitter and the Mean Mallard, do very well!!!

Good luck to them both!!!

[sportsman450]

Chris Bates is a first rate guy,and a hunter and fisherman with real experience.With his personality and knowledge the Mallard should turn into the store it always could have been.

As far as pricing is concerned,if you compare name brand to name brand,the Mallard was never really that far off.

BEST OF LUCK CHRIS!!!!

[sportsman450]

That is the whole purpose of a sporting goods store! To have lower prices and the convience of going there and getting your stuff without using the Damn Postal Service.

What grade are you in?

[Wildfowler]

That is the whole purpose of a sporting goods store! To have lower prices and the convience of going there and getting your stuff without using the Damn Postal Service. What I am trying to say is it is supposed to make the hunting community life easier, not broke!

How on Earth did you arrive at this conclusion? Lower prices is the whole purpose of a sporting goods store. Make life easier, not broke!

Stop it, you're making my side hurt.

Out-freekin-rageous

[Wildfowler]

Big Timber, what do you say you open us a sporting goods store where you can call upon the vastness of your business acumen to be used to set prices according to your Utopian business model that you've so graciously given us?

I for one would personally love to be able to buy cases of Kent 3 inch steelshot for less than $85 per case. I too would love to be able to buy G&H magnums for less than $89 per dozen. The list goes on and on.