Rumor surfacing.

[redneckshadrap]

Everyone I asked that is supposed to be "in the know" says this is a rumor.

My info came from Georgetown. I heard they put a bid in...Toyota money....(not sure how that would tie in). But thier buliding a big Hamburg like area up there.

How many lakes(mileage wise) are near the one in Cincy?

Look how many lakes would be impacted within 80miles of Gtown. Lots of folks drive to Cincy from Southeast Ky to shop at BP.
Billy

[MrSplitshot]

Aside from the Ohio River, there aren't many "big" fisheries right on the back door of the BPS in Cincinnati...or Louisville really for that matter. I think that matters very little.

You don't get customer service and folks "in the know" there like you do at the smaller local stores, I agree. Unfortunately, there's a real big segment of the population that is just used to that and it doesn't matter to them. When's the last time you were wowed by customer service from the teenage chick working the register at a Wal-Mart who hates her job and is jawing about what time she gets off? It's not hurting their business any. People go. They want a great big store, with a great big parking lot, all the latest goods, and some decent prices.

Don't think for a minute that a BPS in Central Kentucky wouldn't go. People from Ashland, to Pikeville, to Somerset would frequent it without fail. Those people aren't driving here to go to Backwaters or Angler's Outpost now. I say build it...creates jobs for the people building, maintaining, and working at the store...and it's not like BPS isn't already a competitor with the Backwaters and Angler's Outposts of the world through mail order. The people that go to Backwaters and Angler's and the like now will continue to go there as long as they keep doing what they do to keep stuff on the shelves and give folks good localized baits and good localzed customer service.

My two cents...

[DJD]

I agree Backwaters will always get my business because i know my money is going to a local company plus the guys that work there are top notch as well as the guys who own the store.
"Q" whose picture is that on your avatar? It's good!

[PatientlyWading24]

It makes it really hard on the local stores. As mentioned above there are people that already travel any distance to go "get the deal" at a box store. Local business' can't survive. Those stores make their money with other products, and sell their baits for almost as low as a small store can buy them from their wholesaler.

Cincinatti and now Louisville have NO small local retailers. Either does Nashville. You would think in a market that big there would be some. but the BPS, DKS, Sprtsmans of the world have put all the little boys out of business. its very unfortunate. hope it doens't happen here.

[MrSplitshot]

Myself...I don't really pay much attention to a difference in the cost of baits between Wal-Mart, Dicks, Sportsman's Warehouse, BPS, Backwaters, Anglers, online, etc. I do notice that the smaller local shops carry some things that the big box boys don't always have, like the D&L Jigs that I prefer, for instance. If the smaller shops have it, I'll buy it there. If they don't, I'll get it where I can get it. I prefer the local guys...and like I said before, the people that are going there now will continue to go there even if BPS opens in Georgetown...the only bad thing about that is that it's a short term thinking for a shrinking group of folks.

I think the real problem lies with the generations and times changing. Whether you're talking about tires, baits, chicken sandwiches, or hardware...in the age of the internet and big budget national advertising, these kids are entering the marketplace as consumers who don't care about the local guy. They don't even know who the local guy is. They're price/brand name recognition/convenience shoppers. They're not like us and there's no sentimental or loyalty factor in there. They don't care if they are buying it from Ed who started his own business and lives two neighborhoods over and used to work with your Dad on the assembly line years ago at GE or Jimmy wearing an apron working the cash register down at X-Mart. They don't care about Ed. They don't know Ed. Jimmy's just fine, because he's fast, he's priced okay, he's got stuff, he's got a good website, and they've known who X-Mart is since they were old enough to watch TV. They've already learned all they need to know about the product on the internet. (Or so they think.)

If I owned a small sporting goods store, I'd be worried too. It is tough for the small guys to compete, but it's deeper than "We can't sell this bag of lizards for the same low price that BPS does." That's just one little piece of a great big puzzle...and maybe the least significant one. I'd be finding a way to make sure that the sporting youth knew who I was and that I found some of their flavor to put on my menu...because one day, that's going to be all of the customer base. The small shops who aren't trying to advertise, crank up a website, and get modern probably won't be around at some point. It's sad...and it'll be a part of history gone by the wayside...but it is what it is.

Capitalism is a bitch and Johnny Morris built an empire and household name full of long term competitive advantages. Got to admire him for that, if for nothing other than business savvy. There are a whole lot more 12 year olds who know who Bass Pro Shops is than the local baitshop. They see Dad's catalogs that come in the mail every week. They'll still know BPS when they're 16 and buying their first baitcaster.

Again, just my two cents.

[mustangiiman01]

i hear they are asking about some land in richmond a friend said they know the people that own land there they are asking about. but if bass pro is looking for land they probably looking at different places

[BardstownFish]

I strongly disagree with everyone about customer service/ people "in the know". I shop at the BPS in Clarksville and have met some very knowledgable people. Don at the fishing counter is great, he puts on several of the seminars, fishes in local tournies and even had a successful business making his own custom spinnerbaits. He put on an awesome seminar showing how to make your own spinnerbaits. There are numerous other people there whose names escape me, that are willing to share their knowledge. I can't speak for other stores or locations but this one is good. Oh yeah, there are still small bait and tackle/hunting and fishing stores in Louisville. Check out Bullfrog Creek, Field and Stream Outfitters (waterson trail/bardstown rd) Karems in the heart of Jtown. Those are just a few, I know there is one or two out on Dixie, one somewhere near Smyrna. I guess it is easy to spread misconceptions if you refuse to look for the facts. Just wanted to give another view point.

[redneckshadrap]

We also have to remember that they sell more than just fishing tackle. That will factor in big time. We may not have big lakes, but do have some good hunting in and around the area. Plus we have some nice campgrounds.....


Billy

[PatientlyWading24]

I strongly disagree with everyone about customer service/ people "in the know". I shop at the BPS in Clarksville and have met some very knowledgable people. Don at the fishing counter is great, he puts on several of the seminars, fishes in local tournies and even had a successful business making his own custom spinnerbaits. He put on an awesome seminar showing how to make your own spinnerbaits. There are numerous other people there whose names escape me, that are willing to share their knowledge. I can't speak for other stores or locations but this one is good. Oh yeah, there are still small bait and tackle/hunting and fishing stores in Louisville. Check out Bullfrog Creek, Field and Stream Outfitters (waterson trail/bardstown rd) Karems in the heart of Jtown. Those are just a few, I know there is one or two out on Dixie, one somewhere near Smyrna. I guess it is easy to spread misconceptions if you refuse to look for the facts. Just wanted to give another view point.

See there is a problem right there. You just listed Bullfrog Creek as a store still in Louisville. When was the last time you were there? There were posts on here in the summer about them having a going out of business sale, i assume they went out of business. They have been around for a very long time. They also were an authorized shimano warranty center.... No more. The other two, i have never heard of, not being from the area and trying to stay away as much as possible, but coming from different reps, business has gone down up there, a lot. That bps up there is newer, But in cin. and nashville, it has been around for a while and NOW there are no local shops.

Not everyone at box stores is an idiot, but for the most part, that is an appropriate sterotype. DKS... laughable, when i used to work at one, the HEAD store manager asked me what that was, he pointed to a Rapala crankbait. Sportsmans a few of their guys are pretty good, and a few are off some. BPS most of the guys i have run into in those stores have been good enough or able to BS well enough that it didn't matter.

Local stores try to take care of you, from beggining to end. YOUR business means everything to them and they prove that by service. Most of the posts already have expressed that they get better service at local stores and it is much more personal.

We have all heard that Cabelas, BPS, ... have been looking in the area for years. As far as this most recent rumor, No one has confirmed it all, and a false rumor is what most seem to be saying.

[redneckshadrap]

Which Reps.....???? Bait company or wholesaler????


Billy

[PatientlyWading24]

Which Reps.....???? Bait company or wholesaler????


Billy

Wholesalers, bait co, and rod and reel representatives.

[SuperSprint007]

My info came from Georgetown. I heard they put a bid in...Toyota money....(not sure how that would tie in). But thier buliding a big Hamburg like area up there.

How many lakes(mileage wise) are near the one in Cincy?

Look how many lakes would be impacted within 80miles of Gtown. Lots of folks drive to Cincy from Southeast Ky to shop at BP.
Billy

there may not be many lakes but lets see greater cincinnati has 2,147,617 people in it... Georgetown(35,00) and lexington(275,754) combined have 310,000 people in it....humm somehow the math just doesn't add up for them to set up a store.