Got off work early last night to run down to sportco for some fishing goods, and I roll in there at 5:53 and the doors are closed. My clock is a little fast as well. Last of the customers are paying and finishing up their shopping. What gives? I live in Mineral so dropping in to Fife is way out of my way. Not happy at all and I don't think I will shop there again because of it. Just thought I'd pass this on. Yeah yeah you don't care, but now you know anyways. I ended up having to go to GI Joes who charge an arm and a leg and only have half of what you want.

Kris

You know, for all the advantages of huge selection and price that Sportco offers I have never been impressed with the day-to-day management of the place. I'm mostly just tired of fighting the trafifc to get there in the middle of winter steelhead season only to find out that they're out of 1/0 AND 2/0 hooks, 1/4 inch snubber AND the the floats I needed. Try finding #2 steel toward the end of duck season...out of stock again! Elk calls in mid-September because you lost yours...forget it! They always seem to have plenty of walleye lures and pink gore-tex jackets!

I'm sure I'll continue to stop in from time to time but I have never been able to depend on them to have what I need when I need it.

GB,
That was way raw! Comes down to some more wayward management. Perhaps their huge market share has them a little complacent?


I do miss the neighborhood small sporting goods shops!

Thats how you vote, with your money! It's the only recourse we have, since most retail management cares very little about the customer these days. I had a similar situation at Costco a couple years ago. I had $1200.00 worth of outdoor furniture on a cart headed for the checkout when I realized I forgot the umbrella. I tried to go back but at 8:30pm they had already closed the row that had umbrellas. I went to the checkout and asked for the manager. I asked him if he wanted to lose a $1200.00 sale for a one minute walk. He declined. I walked. I vow never to walk through their doors again. You want my money, you got to earn it and show me some respect. Period.

I'm not impressed with Sportco either. The couple times I've been there,It's been a total mess. I understand they're a wharehouse,but the place was hardly shopable. I probably could have found what I wanted if I wanted to dig thru the cardboard boxes littering the aisle.

GB,
check out Sunbird in Yelm, many miles closer to home, they have practicaly eveything and the prices are only pennies more than SportCo.
G

i also think sunbird is a pretty good place to buy tackle. still a little out of the way(20 minutes from lacey with that godawful 1 lane 1 way in or out of yelm with a 25mph speed limit), but better than anywhere else outside of sportco

Thats right! Nobody go to sportco...

That will just leave more room for me!

I will admit though that it can be a little frustrating because they always seem to be out of stock of what you need for the weekend.

If it was my store and I move as much merchandice as they do I would make sure I'm always stocked up on plenty of the "hot items"... Like spinners during silver season... and 1/0-2/0 hook during any season! Thats just good business...

don't know about the rest of you but I was able to do all of my chrismas shopping there this year... in one stop no less... even picked up some stuff for me!

I have a friends who both work at Sportco and two GI Joes stores. I'm curious as what people's opinions are, as to what the best tackle store in the Seattle Tacoma Everett area is and why.
I guess that should be a topic, but I haven't decided on an answer to my own question. I've got my likes and dislikes with all the popular ones.

I just wanted to recommend another place. If you are ever fishing the Cowlitz it is worth every extra mile to go to Bob's Sporting goods in Longview. It is like an organized Sportco who is seldom out of stock of anything. When I first visited sportco I was impressed by the size and inventory but unimpressed by the organization and the fact that you have to buy a membership to get the good prices. Then my buddy took me to Bobs and I left there saying wow that is what a sporting goods store should be. Great prices, great service and great big!!!

Gsiegal, I mean Gary, whats up with that? You and I both know you have enough inventory to stock both GI Joes and Sportco.
Give me a ring, itchin to go steelheading soon, that is if I can get away from the dreaded "work" thing.

Oh and by the way, is the 60 pounder out of the planning stages yet.....give me a call!

Steve

Kyle A,

Which Costco were you shopping at? THat manager screwed the pooch, you always let the member go back for an item, or go get it yourself. That would never happen at the warehouse I work at, in Silverdale. Sorry about the bad taste they left in your mouth. I will shop at sportco, until we get our Sportsman Warehouse.

Later

Elkman

Sportco has given me some of the best customer service I've ever recieved from a retail outlet.

Sportco is the kind of place for a shopper that knows what to look for, don't expect average customer service. Its kinda like Info Tech Computers, Great prices but crappy cust service.
I got into it once with a manager there over a 11$ difference on their price mistake, he would honor the dif, just gave me attitude and never once said "we're sorry" for the price error.
I wrote the owner of Sportco and wrote a Looong letter on the complaint of BAD management and customer service, I told them I had cut up my membership card and will tell all my friends not to shop there.
The owner sent me a 40$ gift certificate and apologized and will get my issue with management rectified. I was hoping that manager would get fired, but hes still there. Oh well. I don't talk to anyone there except to Bill H.
Write the owner of your issues, its the only way to make them get better at customers service

Yes, I agree a lot of times they are out of the stuff you came to get. But, I still find the corkies I like to use. And I have found the customer service to be very good. I have taken back a leaking pair of waders, and a busted rod and John back in fishing hooked me right up. Maybe G. Zog will speak up to this slam!

For price check out Wal-Mart. Not sure about the selection but passing through the fishing section I saw the big hot spot flashers were like $6-8. Some other name brand stuff was real cheap too.

I visit Sportco several times a week for this-and-that stuff. I have yet to have bad customer service there. They always have what I need and then some.

I guess you just have to be a smart shopper and know, for example, when it is salmon season they are going to be out of Hot Spot flashers, hoochies, and Coyote spoons.

As far as hours of business goes, now you know.

"It is like an organized Sportco who is seldom out of stock of anything." Bob's in Longview....

How true that is.

Sportco is not alone in having horrible customer service. GI Joe's staffs their stores with kids who don't know JACK about fishing and therefore are not helpful at all. The common sense it takes to run a business just is absent at most stores. Sportco is like a Salvation Army store with crap all over the place and employees who seem to be asleep or watching the clock most of the time. I'm sure there are a couple of smart guys working there but perhaps they are prima donnas and don't interrupt their schedules with annoying customers.

Jacob...you must be the dream customer who is satisfied no matter what you you get or you are just lucky.

The state of customer service across the board is the worst I have seen it in my life these days. Perhaps it is because the buying public is so price oriented. Small tackle shops with "how to" and "where to" advise like 3 Rivers need to make a decent profit to continue to provide advise with your tackle purchases. So if you would drive 40 miles to save a few bucks you deserve crappy service.

I make the drive from Everett to Sportco about once a month. Do I go there for the low prices? No, I go there for the selection. The biggest problem that they have is inventory management. They have a bar code inventory system but either its totally outdated or they aren't looking at the information that can be generated. It is annoying to have to dig thru boxes because the shelves aren't stocked. Just basic blocking and tackling that needs to and can be improved.

I hate the disorganized mess........boxes everywhere, sooooooo slow at the checkout....no cheaters, no FST's...... so much easier to "shop on-line" Cabelas, Bass-Pro, Fishin.com, or many others.......AND ITS DELIVERED TO MY DOOR....

Now if I could just find "cheaters" in size 12 and 14....in the colors I like..mmmm well, maybe someone out there knows where I can buy them by the 100, let me know.

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

I'm with you Aunty

Why should they be out of stock during salmon season? Its not like theses things won't catch fish next week,next month,or next year. They're a fishing and hunting store,that's all they do. They've been there for years,they should know what we need,and when we're going to need it. How hard is it to order some hooks,open the box and leave it on the floor?

I usually don't make the trek to fife to go to sportco. I hit outdoor emporium in seattle pretty regular, always seem to have what I need. Thier biggest problem is parking, but hopefully that will be taken care of this spring as they are moving down south of Safco field. I also hit Teds in Lynwood and Johns in Everett, both great sources of info and special items.
I always check out the fishing stuff at walmart, fred meyer, kmart, etc... because you never know when they will have joe drop out putting out the new stock and pricing it all wrong. I bought a bunch of hot spot flashers at fred meyer once for 2.99 and a nice 100.00 reel for 29.99 at wal mart. It is great when the sales person has no idea what the actual price of things should be!

Two years ago I was looking for a particular item and found it at a local store Sportee's in Redmond. I told the guy behind the counter that I could buy it online from Cabelas for $50 less. After telling me what an idiot I was he told me to go ahead and see what kind of customer service I would get. So I did and I instantly thought this guy is out of business in two years. . I figured i would give them another try so i stopped in again only to have the owners son tell me what an expert he was at everything and that I did not know anything when I asked for a particular item. I have purchaed everything online since except power bait for my son and sinkers etc. which I buy at GI Joes. I just upgraded my fishing gear and set up my kids with complete outfits etc. I have spent at least $1000 in the last 90 days on gear. I got a call yesterday that Sportee's was having a going out of business sale.

Because more people fish in the summer time. There is also a lot more foot traffic at Sportco in the summer time during salmon season.

Easy,

I'm still not ok with a store being out of stock on such staples as hooks,hoochies,flashers and whatever. If they had half a clue,they would look at last years sales,and adjust the inventory if they ran out of those items.

I can see being out of certain things,if we have a season such as Sockeyes on Lake Wa. A retailer can't be expected to have all the items on hand for a once in 5 year fishery.

Will add this. I've been going to sportco since day one. When it was owned by a guy my Dad graduated with (don't know the guys name off hand). Was in that small hole in the wall across the street from UPS in that little roll up door. They always had a good selection, with stuff on stock UNTIL the store was sold to the big business it's run by now. Also, did most people know that they stock most of the tackle shops around the area? Why you see employees with carts getting stuff. Aunty, I can guarantee Sportco gets stuff WELL before 3 rivers, since they probably sell 5 times the supply they do (since they distribute to most small tackleshops, I do believe monte square being one). Why do you think the hot stuff is gone? Because everyone, including other shops, want them. So once stuff comes in, Sportco is sending it right back out again. Sportco isn't bad, but I always wished they had longer hours. I think it's just who you are, and how you come into the shop. I've never had a problem, but I rarely go in there anymore. I know I'd get in from my routes right at 6pm, so was impossible for me to get to sportco. I'd have days I'd actually take no breaks during day so I could make it back to Sportco on my way in from my route. Another hour would make a big difference.

TheKing,

I'm with You. Sportee's has survived longer than I ever thought they would. Worst CS I've ever experienced from loud mouthed know-it-alls has come from there. I gave them a few tries with the same results every time. Gee, what a shame they'll soon be gone, they certainly won't be missed. Between OE, 3 Rivers, And G.I. Joes, I can find everything I need for what I consider to be very fair prices with great CS from 2 out of the 3 (you know what to expect from most of the folks at Joes, they mean well, they just typically aren't in the outdoors like the folks at the other places).

R.I.P. Sportees.........

Seems most stores have a hard time keeping the tackle that works in stock at the peak of a season. I have been in to GI Joes during salmon season and all there stuff gets wiped out too.

The gun counter at Warshals was by far the worst in my life time. With their fishing department coming in a close second. I worked downtown and would pop in to get gear as there was nothing between work and home. If I had an option I would never go in there. It got to the point where I would bait the guys behind the counter just to listen to them rant. They could not wait to tell you what experts they were.

It's the same as shopping on Christmas eve,they may not have it in stock.What I have found shopping @ sportco is you don't have people looking over your back asking you questions,you come in and get what you want and leave.As far as having stuff in stock I'm alway's buying stuff out of season when it's well stocked cause I know it will be limited during peak season's.This goes for other stores also.One would think they would buy extra stuff during a certain season,it help's to have people who hunt or fish doing the ordering.That way they know what/when & how much should be stocked.(GOOD LUCK).That's why when going into a sporting good's store you should keep your eyes open during peak and off peak season's and stock up.Glow ball should have called and found out the hours of business then allowed him self a half hour to shop,that was not sportco's fault.I like shopping there but there is also some stocking issues and some arigance in the back counter.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Well, I think the problem Strike Zone wasn't the store hours. He knew they closed at 6, so I was lead to believe by reading. But he was there a few minutes before they closed and they had doors locked up already. Normally, most stores leave that door open until the minute clicks the closing time. I've ran into other stores (sporting goods and other retail) just at seat of my pants. Normally all have let me in, just didn't want me walking around browing for an hour. But quick in, and quick out, was ok.

It's not always the shop's fault when they run out of hot items during the peak times. Manufacturers and distributors often are the ones that fall behind building products and can't keep up with the demand. in a lot of cases the products get spread thin amongst all the shops instead of one shop having it all.

I dont mind going to the outlaws so much anymore now that I have been to Bob's in Longview. The wife says I am going to my parents and I say Iam going to Bobs too!!!

As far as Sportco's service, let me say that I have never been to a place where guys at the fishing section would go so far out of their way to help. I brought freind of mine down a few weeks ago and asked one of the guys (I think it was John) how to rig a pink worm. He spent over a half hour with just us, never knowing if we were going to buy anything, just to show us how to rig up. Last week I went down and Bill H. gave up half his lunch hour to show me how to palmer marabou for tying jigs, he tied up three while we stood there. Bill also spent an hour with my father and brother this summer getting them rigged up for ocean salmon fishing. All the fishing guys there seem to be more than happy to lead you around the store to make sure you have all your tackle. Yes, they do run out of certain items occasionally, but this can be expected during peak run and one or two items. If there is some item you don't see there, Joe Q. (the manager) is the nicest man you could deal with, and he goes out of his way to make sure all items are being ordered. I do know if you happen to be close by, and you don't think you'll make it at the buzzer, call Joe Q. and he will wait for you at the door, even a few minutes past 6. I do wish they would stock BC Steels or Mor tac spoons, and maybey some larger sizes of FST's, but their prices are best and here in Tacoma there is nothing close. Plus, there are hot clothing girls wandering around!

Remember, any outdoor store you go to does run out of stock on an item, it happens. I try to get tackle out of season, like flashers and squids for downrigger fishing out in the sound NOW, not in July when colors and sizes are at a minimum. They did have a great selection of Vibraxes all during salmon season this fall.

Find me a better selection with more knowlegable anglers working there in my area, and I'll go there.

gz is right! i've known Joe Q. for years and he is the type of person that will go out of his way to help. sportco is an excellent store and they always have what i need whether it is on the shelves or not. they do not have enough people stocking items and that is usually the reps job to keep stock up. there is not another store around that has a staff at the fishing and hunting counters that knows what they are talking about like sportco, but i guess it is just personal prefference. cs

You must be shopping at a different sportco than me... from august thru september they never did have a #4 pink vibrax on the wall or in a box...

Not to worry though... I had a few at home but my reserve was getting low...

Speaking of Warshals..does anyone know were Bob from the gun counter now works?

Aunty How much they paying you to get people to go there? Can we please unplug the 3 rivers record player? They have a decent selection, but their prices are pretty high. I bought my boat there, but won't buy any fishing gear from them. Nothing personal just ain't gonna drive 2hrs to pay more.

Strikezone I knew what time they closed and I was there prior to that time and the doors were shut. I had to go to a meeting and barely made it to Gi joes before 9 and actually left joes AFTER 9 with the gear I needed. That is why I'll go back.

I know how to fish so I don't go to a store looking for advice. I want to shop.

Hi All
Here are my observations.
I have never been impressed with Sportee's. I'm glad Three Rivers is close by for me but it looks like they are still building inventory. Don'r always have what I want. Ted's has a great selection and I've done some price checking between them and G I Joe's. Ted's does a good job. Have not always been impresseed with the help. Can be rude. G I Joes is GREAT for the SALES. I've gotten some great deals on Poles, Boots, Waders and Reels. Their sale price (happens often) on Viberex is hard to beat. Sportco has good prices but not worth the drive. To me one of the best selections, with lots of inventory (popular Viberex/Mepps 15 to 20 deep etc.) is the Grocery Store in Forks. If it's for river fishing, they probably have it and lots of it. They do a great job at restocking the shelves etc.

One last thing. I work in sales and understand customer service. Over the years I have witnessed more bad customer service from tackle shop employees than anywhere else. I think if there was one store that stocked a lot of good product at fair prices and had FANTASTIC customer service we would all not mind driving a little farther out of the way. I hope Three Rivers is going to be that place.
Good Fishing

All I know about Sportco and "Zog" is that he wanted to be paid to speak. I can name many peers of his who gladly speak for NOTHING....That's what supporting non profit sports fishing organizations are all about.

Dave at Three Rivers not only volunteers his time but has been very generous to PSA and many other sports fishing advocacy groups. Mike at Ted's is also very generous. There are others for sure but my money goes where the good guys live.

And AuntyM you are right about browsing the aisles while the 3Rivers boys work on your boat....They bailed me out a couple of times.

Man this is almost as bad as hook post. Let me say this as a former Sportco employee and a fishing rep. The Owner of Sportco is a very good and Fair Guy, always willing to help anyone out. The managers there that work the Floor in the fishing area, Mike and Joe Q are very good fair people as well, they are willing to go well out of there way to make the customer happy. You have to understand one thing about sportco and that it gets just a krazy amount of traffic so of course they are going to be out of certain items at peak times. But we were not out of Vibraxes at all the summer and Fall because Me and Bill H bought plenty of them for our personal use.
Another thing is that all the formentioned stores are good, just some a little different than others depending on there location or clientel. Teds, 3 rivers, Gregs, OE are great stores and do a fair business to try and keep all of us fishing premadonna's happy, which to say the least is impossible.
Peace
Superfly

LOL Aunty, I didn't mean sportco supplies 3 rivers. I'm sure they order themselves. I mean that sportco buys in huge lots to supply everyone else. Most of the small shops you see, and some bigger. I just meant that they get huge amounts of stock (since I used to deliver their stock, and my buddy does now and he says it's only getting more and more). So meant, that since they are big, I'm sure alot of the bigger distributors will get their stuff to them faster, since turnover is pretty fast.

Glowball,
Your thread should have started out like this, "Sportco lost a valued customer" (I'm a bit of an optimist). But I hope this is not true.
Hello, my name is Joe Q. and one of the managers here at Sportco. First and foremost I would like to apoligize for our grave mistake and steps are being taken to correct our timely error. Secondly, if you do come back to the store and have a little more time (I'm being optimistic again) ask for me , and I'll buy you a cup of coffee!!!
Now for the hard part, the rest of the board. Wow, bad news does travel fast, uh, faster!!! The wonders of the internet who would of thought. But with it comes opportunity. Gone are the those irritating mall surveyors, the errant phone call at the most inoppertune time, dinner, and the worst insult to our intelligence that little both you know the one at Expo '76 stating "WIN THIS CAR" all we had to do is fill out the entry card with all those lines on it. I think I'm still on that data base. Thanks for all your input both good and bad, I'll use this information wisely.
Lastly, for the board members I know and the ones I've met personally at the store, or on the water Thanks for your support.
Winterun.

Winterrun (Joe Q)....Now that response is what good customer service should be. Listen to your customers and take action to get better. I said early on that one bad experience is sometimes all a customer will allow you but everyone should give someone a second chance.

I think if you guys stocked your shelves before the store opens or after it closes every day the store would take on a much better look and would also probably stop the complaints about you being out of stock.

Just a recap of my experience: I wanted a Scotty downrigger release and you didn't have it on the shelf where it was supposed to go. I asked and the guy behind the fishing counter which could have been you for all I know said the typical answer....If it's not on the shelf we don't have it....That is what I consider being blown off so the Bsing with a friend could continue...Anyway we found a pallet stacked high with Scotty merchandise and on the pallet were cases of the release I wanted....I dug a case out and opened it...took out 2 packages of releases, went to the checkout and left. Your whole store is like that...Seems like there is more crap on the floor than on the shelves ready for sale....

here's an old corny sales slogan: "You can't sell from and empty cart"

I'll bet if you fix that and stop slamming the door in your last minute customer's face you might really improve.

Thanks for accepting all the criticism in a professional manner.