First time I skipped it since the Manteca store opened... just not anything exciting enough for the 3 hour round trip. As others have stated, my two biggest issues are the majority of sale items being house brand and non-house brands often being listed above retail pricing (to in turn sell more of the house brand),

fwiw - we hit the BPS in Concord, NC this morning (last day of the in-store classic). they were honoring the internet classic sale prices (that lasts until 3/9.) you must have  the appropriate sale catalog to present at the check out in order to get the deals. btw - we saw old Woo Daves!

I stopped by one on Thursday...its on my way home from work.  It was empty this late in the sale and plus it was a Thursday.  Only picked up two packs of the BPS Speed Shads to see how well they knocked off Keitech....They still had a decent inventory of everything except maybe Trokar hooks...I agree sales have gotten worse through the years and I'm ok with that, it means I just spend more at TW

On 2/16/2016 at 7:03 AM, MDBowHunter said:

Honestly I've been disappointed with BPS for a couple years now. I only go there if someone gives me a gift card or if I need something now. 

I agree, and for me it's so bad if people ask where I like gift cards from I tell them several other places on my list before I get to BPS

5 hours ago, Preytorien said:

I agree, and for me it's so bad if people ask where I like gift cards from I tell them several other places on my list before I get to BPS

I used the BPS gift cards I had saved up on a Yeti cooler I don't even need because it's one of the few items that never go on sale anywhere, so getting it at BPS I didn't feel like "I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere".

BPS is headed the way of Cabela's. Too many stores have been built cannibalizing its other business. Too big and lost emphasis on the customer the fisherman. 20 years ago you got a catalog called them on the phone and had the merchandise shipped to you with good deals and  fishing was their only business. Then came the stand alone brick and mortar good at first but now has reached a point of diminishing returns. Today they are into clothes, cooking items and other sundry items. Fishing is secondary.  Like Cabela's business will suffer and changes will be made -- buyout or strategic repositioning of the company. Wait and see.

10 hours ago, greentrout said:

Too many stores have been built cannibalizing its other business. Too big and lost emphasis on the customer the fisherman. 20 years ago you got a catalog called them on the phone and had the merchandise shipped to you with good deals and  fishing was their only business. Then came the stand alone brick and mortar good at first but now has reached a point of diminishing returns. Today they are into clothes, cooking items and other sundry items. Fishing is secondary.  Like Cabela's business will suffer and changes will be made -- buyout or strategic repositioning of the company. Wait and see.

I'm not sure about cannibalizing their stores but they do seem endanger of over extending themselves by there ever expanding number of stores.  He also usually owns the malls that he is connected with through his development company. Now you see his stores being more 'stand alone'.  Its frustrating to have to walk through an acre of hot sauce and ladies clothes to find the fishing section which keeps getting smaller and smaller.  But I still cannot complain about the prices I find.  Never being anywhere near a Cabela's to see a store I only experience them through their catalogs.  They seem to offer more in the range of tackle to me.  Cabela's did suffer something as Morris did recently try to buy them.

The BPS by me still has a solid fishing department and is 10x better than the cabelas and 100x better than Gander Mtn and DSG.  The Walmarts around here have half an aisle of fishing stuff and are worthless.  Yes BPS is a little over priced and they primarily stock their rods, but I can live with it for the convenience and their rods are pretty good especially when on sale.

I guess a lot of my dissapointment stems from being spoiled by having acadamy sports close by. Much better regular prices and selection. Just not alot of higher end rods. 

On 2/23/2016 at 9:04 PM, greentrout said:

BPS is headed the way of Cabela's. Too many stores have been built cannibalizing its other business. Too big and lost emphasis on the customer the fisherman. 20 years ago you got a catalog called them on the phone and had the merchandise shipped to you with good deals and  fishing was their only business. Then came the stand alone brick and mortar good at first but now has reached a point of diminishing returns. Today they are into clothes, cooking items and other sundry items. Fishing is secondary.  Like Cabela's business will suffer and changes will be made -- buyout or strategic repositioning of the company. Wait and see.

The reason that a lot of these stores trend towards clothes is because of the high margin on them. I will say though that I won't go to the new Cabela's here anymore because the fishing section is tiny and it is mostly clothes. The are really missing out on sales to fishermen with 5 trophy muskie lakes within 45 minutes of the store and a strong group of bass and walleye fishermen to boot.