afternoon worse than death by a thousand paper cuts.

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05-25-2015, 07:58 PM
Gomer Snerd

afternoon worse than death by a thousand paper cuts.

Can not think of much worse way to pass an afternoon than visiting Bass Pro Shop in Memphis. Was there with about 40000 rubberneckers and tire kickers. Most of which wandered aimlessly perusing the wide array o0f flip flops, t shirts and caps all adorned with the BPS logo. Seems odd to have folks overpay for garb to advertise for you. The only place where I could find more than a foot of space before hitting another person was the fishing department oddly enough. Saw practically nothing that couldn't be purchased cheaper on line with no tax and delivered to my door rather than toting it back the 14 miles to the distant reaches of the parking lot. The cypress swamp is filled with trout rather than more representative species. Most passersby wouldn't have known any difference. Saw lots of folks going in but few carrying anything out. Also I wondered how much inventory walked out without being paid for. The store on the east side of town was a better place for the outdoorsman imho. never going back.
05-25-2015, 08:14 PM
BigRiverMarine

Sounds like one less Flip Flop looker to me [emoji12]
05-25-2015, 08:18 PM
MrGoodtime

Made the mistake of going there yesterday, wont be going back.
05-25-2015, 08:31 PM
joekiller

Good tax write off...
05-25-2015, 08:40 PM
hawgdog

Im not sure what everyone expects from this place. If you don't know by now that you can most likely find what you need on the internet cheaper and don't have to travel, ya'll need to be educated. It is what it is, just probably the badest outdoor store in the US and like joekiller said, probably the best tax write off they got.

Not trying to start anything with anyone, just keep seeing post like this and it don't make a lick of sense to me. I just agree to disagree , I guess......
05-25-2015, 08:42 PM
MrGoodtime

Floor plan sux , to many choke points, narrow isles, parking is pathetic , and it's nothing but a tourist attraction.
05-25-2015, 08:48 PM
hawgdog

I agree 100% Mike....tourist attraction. If I was coming through town and never been, I would probably stop and check it out. Not sure I would drive a hour or more to check out the sales. If you live close, you can go in the middle of the week, park close and not fight a crowd. Just as you would do at the store out East

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGoodtime

Floor plan sux , to many choke points, narrow isles, parking is pathetic , and it's nothing but a tourist attraction.
05-25-2015, 08:56 PM
MrGoodtime

Went to Sportsmans warehouse, so figured we'd run buy and pick up the 36qt fish cooker they had on sale, other wise i wouldnt have went.
05-25-2015, 09:01 PM
hawgdog

I understand..... Ain't no way I would go on the weekend....at least for a few years....LOL .

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGoodtime

Went to Sportsmans warehouse, so figured we'd run buy and pick up the 36qt fish cooker they had on sale, other wise i wouldnt have went.
05-25-2015, 09:39 PM
Boatbottom

Several years ago I would go to BP and find clothing on sale or closeout at a really good price. Those days are long since gone. Now days when they have a sale it means they mark it down to almost what it's selling for everywhere else. I go there now only when I need something I can't get anywhere else and that's rarely.
05-25-2015, 10:32 PM
Superglue

Back in 1977 I was trout fishing at my uncles in Hollister,Mo. Tannecomo I think was the name of the river at the bottom of Table Rock dam. Fellow fishing by me said he had a bait store in his fathers hardware store in Springfield. Said his name was Johnny Morris. Said he was mainly a bass fisherman. Didn't connect the dots till the 90's. Doubt that nice guy thought it would end up like this.
05-25-2015, 11:10 PM
gcor

Stopped by there a couple days a go. Several tourists at the fish tank. Over heard a conversation that tore me up. An elderly lady with a northern accent commented ohh look at those pretty speckled trout. A much younger man with her said no grandma those are largemouth bass as he pointed to a crappie. See the big mouth. I'm more excited about the new academy sports coming to olive branch than the new bps.
05-26-2015, 04:30 AM
downsouth

Homer, guilty as charged. We had last tuesday off for my grandson's kindergarten graduation in Atoka, Tn. We stopped by around 1030 am. First mistake was trying to park on the north side of the place. Very segmented lot netting very few parking spots. Like many have said very few if any deals to be found. I did enjoy the old shotguns and duck calls on the second floor.

And we did but a couple of 5.00 tshirts. Actually, mine was 7.00 because I'm fat. Now I've been and really see no reason to go back other than taking someone from out of town much like Graceland.
05-26-2015, 06:40 AM
BigRiverMarine

afternoon worse than death by a thousand paper cuts.

This BPS is a showplace. It's not about sales on your favorite product. It's a huge economic boost for Memphis and all the big BPS stores Ive been to had a few choke points and were crowded. There's only so much you can do with a 100 mill. or whatever it cost. Take it for what it is. If you're looking for deals, Shop Online, and like Randy said, you already knew that. It will settle down when the new gets knocked off and it'll be a nice store, and place to go have lunch or supper and to just stroll around on a rainy day.
05-26-2015, 07:56 AM
27458

What would you expect on a holiday weekend? A store is just a small part of it. It is a tourist item and a great thing for Memphis. I suspect bass tournaments will be on the MS river and held from that location at some point as well. hotel, restaurant, bowling alley, etc. That's one reason they left the original for those that wanted a quick in and out. The amount of merchandise is about the same. I would have to agree and wonder if they'd ever make enough income to pay the expenses. Utilities alone must be unbelievable. Don't forget its new and some of this will dwindle over time. Hopefully, from the economic standpoint not too much! Every BP I've been too is always packed and I've walked farther from the parking lot to the one in Nashville than I did in MEM. Some folks just aren't into the crowds. :) I enjoy people watching.
05-26-2015, 10:42 AM
Wind Knot

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

This BPS is a showplace. It's not about sales on your favorite product. It's a huge economic boost for Memphis and all the big BPS stores Ive been to had a few choke points and were crowded. There's only so much you can do with a 100 mill. or whatever it cost. Take it for what it is. If you're looking for deals, Shop Online, and like Randy said, you already knew that. It will settle down when the new gets knocked off and it'll be a nice store, and place to go have lunch or supper and to just stroll around on a rainy day.

I suspect that a lot of the folks visited the store hating Memphis and they left the store hating Memphis. I'm not saying they're right or wrong. I'm just saying that confirmation bias always has the upper hand.

We beat the crowds by going at 8:00 PM on a weekday.
05-26-2015, 11:39 AM
KDAVID1

Don't mind BPS but I do mind Memphis--won't catch me downtown less I'm forced.
05-26-2015, 12:33 PM
Crappiemaniac

Did they close the old store?
05-26-2015, 12:36 PM
tcounty

I buy 90% of my stuff online now. Still hit the original BPS occasionally. I'll go to the new store in a couple months just to check it out. Probably won't buy anything though.
05-26-2015, 01:34 PM
yikess

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crappiemaniac

Did they close the old store?

Nope.
05-26-2015, 02:05 PM
Crappiemaniac

Thanks. I'm glad of that. I am waiting on academy to get open here in Tupelo!
05-26-2015, 05:29 PM
27458

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crappiemaniac

Did they close the old store?

no.
05-26-2015, 10:37 PM
spindle

I'm with some of the folks on here as far as it being a Tourist Attraction. That is what is was designed for. They still have some bugs to be worked out, but all in all it was a good experience. It is and will continue to be a great asset for Memphis and the surrounding area. I went last week on a Monday and parked a few feet from the door. I circled the parking lot a couple of times and waited for someone to pull out. Plain and simple..... if you are in a hurry then don't go.
05-31-2015, 12:23 PM
crappiebandit

I went there on memorial day had a gift card to spend and it was awful. Wondered around aimlessly for about an hour and said the heck with it. I decided to go to the old Memphis store and it was a beautiful site and the sad thing is they had stuff marked down where the new store didnt. I see it as I went I saw I left.
06-01-2015, 10:21 AM
Wind Knot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

The cypress swamp is filled with trout rather than more representative species. Most passersby wouldn't have known any difference.

I feel like it may be wise for me to mention that there are trout in one pond/pool. There are far more largemouth, white bass, crappie, bream, smallmouth, and gar than trout. There are also alligators, sturgeon, a couple of saltwater aquariums. I even saw a bowfin.
06-03-2015, 08:54 PM
Release to the Grease...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wind Knot

I feel like it may be wise for me to mention that there are trout in one pond/pool. There are far more largemouth, white bass, crappie, bream, smallmouth, and gar than trout. There are also alligators, sturgeon, a couple of saltwater aquariums. I even saw a bowfin.

^^^^
This!!
There is one alligator gar in there easily over 100 lbs.
Sure, parking is a pain, the crowds are bad on the w/ends, etc...., but I've been in 7-8 of their superstores and none even begin to compare to ours. I have never seen anything like that place.

I agree, the prices stink, but this is like going down to the casinos in Tunica, they only get your money if you give it to them nonono
It's free of charge otherwise.

This store is a must see, trust me! It is already on our rotation for out of town guests, we've been 3x and everyone has loved it.
06-04-2015, 07:05 AM
BigRiverMarine

afternoon worse than death by a thousand paper cuts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Release to the Grease...

^^^^
This!!
There is one alligator gar in there easily over 100 lbs.
Sure, parking is a pain, the crowds are bad on the w/ends, etc...., but I've been in 7-8 of their superstores and none even begin to compare to ours. I have never seen anything like that place.

I agree, the prices stink, but this is like going down to the casinos in Tunica, they only get your money if you give it to them nonono
It's free of charge otherwise.

This store is a must see, trust me! It is already on our rotation for out of town guests, we've been 3x and everyone has loved it.

You have the right Positive attitude about it for sure. Thx for your post. There's always some Negative Nellies out there ready to put down everything, or they think they could have done it better than all the architects that designed it.
06-05-2015, 10:38 AM
Bluesraider

I agree that you just have to see it for what it is....a tourist attraction for the most part. Wife and I had to be in Memphis anyway last weekend so we ventured in on our way home Sunday to look around. Opened at 10 and we got there by 11 or so. It was pretty crowded but nothing we couldn't handle. Now if we would have had the kids with us it might have been a different story!! Overall we both enjoyed walking around and looking. Although not a fan of DU, I did like their room with the duck call displays due to the fact I know two guys that have their's displayed so that is neat to see. We didn't do the roof top visit (wife is not a fan of heights) so can't comment on that. The hotel rooms looked cool but not sure I would want the balcony of my room overlooking thousands of tourist shopping!! It might be neat at night when everyone is gone. All in all we enjoyed it...didn't buy anything...but really wasn't going for that anyway. Unless we have the kids with us and want them to see it we probably wont be back but I think its at least a good use for a building that was going to sit empty and rot.
06-05-2015, 11:47 AM
27458

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

You have the right Positive attitude about it for sure. Thx for your post. There's always some Negative Nellies out there ready to put down everything, or they think they could have done it better than all the architects that designed it.

Excellent. Agreed. I don't see anything but positive out of this. I don't think the prices are much different than any other BP. But if I wanted to buy stuff, I'd simply go to the old one and be in and out quicky which is exactly why they left it open. I doubt sales will decrease much at that store. There's still a lot of great things they can achive going forward. I expect fishing tournaments to be held on the river and weight in, etc. at the BP.

Ask yourself one question. What else could they have converted it too that would draw this much attention and revenue?
06-05-2015, 10:03 PM
Gomer Snerd

casino
06-06-2015, 10:28 AM
27458

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gomer Snerd

casino

Yes, but then that would have taken a lot of politics and law changing. And I'm sure a big resistance from many since Casinos' are not always looked upon as a "positive" influence on a community. But yes, that would be one. I still think they should make like a small amusement park on Mud Island and have a sky ride going over the river or at least from one end of the island to the other. If folks pay $10 to ride up an elevator at bass pro, I'm thinking that ride would be a hit!!!
06-08-2015, 05:15 AM
BigRiverMarine

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27458

Yes, but then that would have taken a lot of politics and law changing. And I'm sure a big resistance from many since Casinos' are not always looked upon as a "positive" influence on a community. But yes, that would be one. I still think they should make like a small amusement park on Mud Island and have a sky ride going over the river or at least from one end of the island to the other. If folks pay $10 to ride up an elevator at bass pro, I'm thinking that ride would be a hit!!!

10 bux is the cheapest HIGH in Memphis. [emoji12]
06-08-2015, 06:23 AM
"G"

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27458

Excellent. Agreed. I don't see anything but positive out of this. I don't think the prices are much different than any other BP. But if I wanted to buy stuff, I'd simply go to the old one and be in and out quicky which is exactly why they left it open. I doubt sales will decrease much at that store. There's still a lot of great things they can achive going forward. I expect fishing tournaments to be held on the river and weight in, etc. at the BP.

Ask yourself one question. What else could they have converted it too that would draw this much attention and revenue?

Tax write off
06-08-2015, 07:52 AM
joekiller

You really gotta pay to get on da dam elevator? Wow is all I got....I'm out
06-08-2015, 02:57 PM
27458

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekiller

You really gotta pay to get on da dam elevator? Wow is all I got....I'm out

But I think you get a photo!! :) Not sure. I'm not going on it. I can go on one of the highrise buildings for free and see the same. Or on top of the Peabody roof.