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.