New Bass Pro Shop opens today

[Topwater2004]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-05 AT 09:16AM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-05 AT 09:14*AM (EST)[/font]

Matt,

You make a lot of good points. I love tackle shops no matter how big they are, I always get a compulsion to buy something that I have not seen anywhere else.

You have to admit though, that when they can sell name brand crankbaits 1/2 price on their sales, it is going to bring people into the store and they are going to buy other items that are not on sale.

I have seen this same example when the SuperWal-Mart opened in Terre Haute. I could get $5 crankbaits for $3 etc.... That was when there were other tackle shops in town, several very small ones. 5 years later, all the small tackle shops are gone. Predator business tactics that the small business man can't compete with.

The only way for the small business to survive now is with quality. When spring time comes around and most anglers are looking to re-stock the box, the big sales at BassPro and GanderMountain types etc... are going to be the first stop.

I will promise you I will come on in your shop and check it out when I am in the area, I for sure will be making some purchases.

I have seen your ad on the Outdoor Channel last week, but the ad does not mention your location unless I missed it. I need my electronics updated next year and would be glad to give you a chance to sell me the unit and install it.

thanks,
topwater

[mattplapp]

Your correct, price on items can hurt the little guy sometime, but if they run their business in a way that's profitable and offer a service to customers that is needed, they'll be OK.

The big guys are doing what Wall Street wants, they make more money on their product before they sell it with rebates and coop advertising that guys like us can't get. They can sell most of their products for close to cost and still be Ok, but that's why this is America.

In a nitch business like this it's hard to a small store to survive against the big guys and I have heard it's tough to find a good tackle shop down in Louisville, I guess I forgot that fact when I posted.

As far as electronics, we've got all of them, Garmin, Lowrance, Navman, Hummingbird and all the accessories and chips as well. We can install anything, we have 7 Mechanics and 6 of them are Bass Fisherman so they know what to do. We're located in Florence KY, next to the Airport. We will be at the Louisville Boat Show this year to give you guys and gals a taste of our store.

Thanks,
Matt

Hope to see you all in the future

[Topwater2004]

Thanks for the info Matt. I was thinking you were in fact in the Louisville area and having to compete with this new BassPro.

I guess you already were competing against them in the Cincy area.

I definetely will give you a shot when I need to buy my new unit. The boat is put up for the winter, bonus check doesn't come now until March, its 1/3 the size it used to be, etc.... I just feel lucky to have a job sometimes.

The whole economic world is changing, big guys are winning big time.

[Viper201]

For some of us saving money is a big deal,even if its .25 cents on a crankbait,thats why we love these stores plain and simple.A lot of us spend a small fortune on tackle and lures every year and if we can get the same equipment from a big chain store cheaper than we can get it from a local then the chain will win our business every time,thats just the way it is.I'm going back down friday morning and i've got a shopping list from guys i work with that are wanting the zoom soft plastics at 50% off,its hard to argue against the big stores when they're keeping some of our money in our pockets.

[Topwater2004]

Zoom 4" Tab Tail grubs, the absolute best soft plastic there is in a grub. Watermelon and Pumpkinseed are all you need.