Hunting Gear: Huge Retailers or Local Shops?
The first time I walked into a Bass Pro Shop, I was in awe at the sheer amount of merchandise they had. It took me all day to get from the front door, through the entire store, and finally to the checkout. Amazingly, I only had a couple of items I had actually picked up and taken there with me. I have to say, I was amazed about that fact and I wondered why that was the case in a virtual outdoors candy store.
Part of it could be that the sheer amount of things to look at was so overwhelming it distracted me from getting what I really wanted. It was so easy to be looking at one thing, only to loose interest as I caught glimpse of something else from the corner of my eye and got lured away never to return. But I don’t think that was the true underlying factor.
As great as it was, there was something missing that I at first didn’t consciously realize.
Personal interaction with the staff.
Sure, the employees were knowledgeable and would answer any question you had, but, because of the number of customers, there was a lack of that personal touch you get from your small hometown sporting shop. You know, the swapping of fishing stories brought on by looking at a certain lure, the personal experience of using a certain deer lure, and things like that. That is something that makes it feel less like customer and retailer and more like friends discussing what works and what doesn’t.
Sure, the small shop may not have the selection of the big boys, but I’ve spent more there than I probably ever will from the giant retailers. How about you?
hunting, gear, Bass Pro Shop, hometown, sporting good stores, gun shops, archery shop
April 24th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Your story is right on the mark! When you go to one of these “Superstores” you better know just what you want.
I do like to take my Grand Kids and just walk around and “look”!