Bass Pro Shops Hooksett NH

[tis]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

When Home Depot came into Rochester NH literally across the street from Brock's, most people felt that would be the end of Brock's. Then Lowes came into Rochester, and the general feeling was that this would be end of Brock's. Well, it is 5 years later, and Brock's is still going strong, due to their loyal clientele, their customer service, and their ability to deliver goods and service so well.

Riley's will survive for the same reason. They know their customers, and their customers know them. Bass Proshops will do well, but probably will not pull that many customers away from Riley's. Walmart and other big box stores that sell firearms and sporting goods may suffer.

In fact the Brock's people have told me it helped their business because people were there. It brought in store traffic.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

The new Bass Pro Shop is a lot smaller than the other BPS stores. Still has plenty of product but nothing like the displays in Foxboro. This was the old Lowes so they only had so much to work with. They did what they could turning a home improvement store into a BPS.
While inquiring about a firearm the clerk told me they would match local shops. He mentioned Shooters and Riley's and Kittery. They may not hurt the local gun shops but they aren't shy about trying.

[Rich]

At least (so far) Bass Pro has had some ammo in stock (even 22LR). I can't say the same for the other local shops (it's hit or miss).

Hopefully the drought is almost over.

[JasonG]

Bit of an off beat questions/observation. Why are there no major big box marine/outdoor stores in NH? Granted I moved away 5 years ago, but I do not recall a west marine around the lakes region, or any full LL Bean (not outlet) type of store in the area. Is it just too quiet in the off season?

[jmen24]

We have a few, Dicks Sporting Goods is all over the state. There is a full LL Bean store at the Powerhouse Mall in West Lebanon. LL Bean has lost considerable market share, now that their products are no longer made in Maine, but in China.

Honestly, I believe there is not enough year round draw to support a really large box store, that is why we continue to see these watered down versions of what are really impressive store; Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc.

The amount of overhead in a large retail store is staggering. Putting something like that so far from the main travel routes and major markets, is a fools deal. I have always felt that the Lakes region only feels like the hot spot, because there is no way to avoid the bottle necks around the lake.

Folks are not going to drive that far out of their way to get something they can get online. Or at a more convenient location.

[camp guy]

jmen24 is totally right, and I would add "quality" to the list of reasons for customer erosion. Some people, for a variety of reasons, are not going to buy products made off-shore, but some people don't really care about the quality of an item. Some items have become 'throw-away' products, last for one season, be replaced for the next.

Personally, I like to go to a store and actually handle the item I intend to buy, be it a tool, or a sporting item, or a clothing item. If I see an off-shore labeled item, then I am out the door.

[HellRaZoR004]

Drove by with intentions of visiting around 1pm today. The line of cars were about 1 mile in either direction to turn into the parking lot. Gave up and went to Home Depot instead.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

Drove by with intentions of visiting around 1pm today. The line of cars were about 1 mile in either direction to turn into the parking lot. Gave up and went to Home Depot instead.

I heared the fire alarm system at BPS was tripped a couple of times yesterday forcing a packed store to exit the building. The mass exodus from the parking lot caused a huge traffic jam.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by camp guy

jmen24 is totally right, and I would add "quality" to the list of reasons for customer erosion. Some people, for a variety of reasons, are not going to buy products made off-shore, but some people don't really care about the quality of an item. Some items have become 'throw-away' products, last for one season, be replaced for the next.

Personally, I like to go to a store and actually handle the item I intend to buy, be it a tool, or a sporting item, or a clothing item. If I see an off-shore labeled item, then I am out the door.

I agree with you here. I read somewhere LL Bean sales have been down in part due to merchandise made in China labeled and priced as 'high quality'. I am hoping people would wake up with a 'made in USA' conscience instead of 'throw away'.

[HomeWood]

We just got a new BPS this month here in Cary, NC (next to Raleigh). The traffic in and out is insane. It's nothing like Foxboro, MA but it'll do just fine! I look forward to the hype settling down. I love going to Foxboro BPS when I go back home to visit.

And we are getting a Cabela's in 2015 down the street from me. I'm gonna be broke!

[Slickcraft]

We took a look on Friday of opening week but it was too crowded to really look abound. We did pick up some .22 LR bulk ammo then.

We went down again early this morning to take a careful look around. As I am not a fisherman I have no opinion of their large fishing section. Some observations in other areas:

Shooting: They don't deal at all in used guns and have no plans to. There is no gunsmith in the store and no plans to have one. There is no fine guns section and no plans to have one. The reloading section is not as complete as Riliey's or KTP. They have a good supply of ammo but no bargains (no .22 today but more expected). There is no way that they will put Riley's out of business.

Clothing: I looked at the men's and my wife at the ladies clothing. There is a pretty good selection of what looked like a little above Walmart, maybe Target grade. However they don't compete at all with KTP or Cabela's for either selection or quality.

Camping supplies: Looked like an isle in a large Walmart.

Overall may be worth a visit occasionally if nearby anyway but I would not make a special trip to go there.

[Pineedles]

Thanks Slickcraft for your review. Their name pretty much says it all, Bass Pro. My son is the avid bass fisherman and he prefers Bass Pro over Cabelas. I hunt and fish as well, and prefer Cabelas, but not over my local gun store.

[ishoot308]

I went also and thought they had a beautiful boating supply section that carried just about everything including a lot of trailer parts and acessories. To me this was the best part of the entire place...

Fishing department was very well stocked as well not just for bass fishing but pretty much everything except maybe ice fishing...

Men's clothing includes the "Red Head" brand which I have always liked and purchased and consider to be of good quality.

They also have a nice Archery section with a good assortment of bows and accessories. I wouldn't expect the same service that a small localized shop will give you but plenty of merchandise to look at.

AS far as guns go, they have a good selection of your basic mass produced firearms and lots of ammo to go with it. They won't hurt Rileys one bit as far as I am concerned...

I personally feel if your in the area its well worth a visit...

Dan

[SIKSUKR]

Yesterday BPS was the only one between the 3 that had 9mm ammo. Still a 2 box limit as has been the case for the better part of a year.

[BroadHopper]

Sounds like the crowd has fizzle fast! I guess it is safe to go?

[Rich]

Do yourself a favor if you can, go during the week, during normal 'working' hours.

Week nights won't be as busy as the week end.

[SIKSUKR]

My business partner was there on Monday at 1 Pm and said the lot was pretty much full but had no issues with over crowding/traffic.

[Lakesrider]

So I went today as well. The parking was terrible and the lot is small. even for a Lowe's. The store is much smaller than the other BP's I have been in. I had checked a few things out on line that I was interested in and made my way to find those items inside. Well I'll tell ya the prices were a good ten to twenty percent higher than the online prices I found. I am pretty certain they are setting the prices higher until the crowds drop. The handgun/rifle section was set up as a deli style, get your number first before being serviced. Hand gun prices were fairly priced. Good selection however they had only one Sig Sauer and it was a .22. Yes the had ammo but were limiting how much anyone bought. I was surprised that onyone was paying the prices they were asking for ammo. I'd never pay $28.00 for 9mm when you can get the same thing online for $5.00 less a box. So anyway the store is nice. I hope they do well. I'll go back when all the hype is down.

[SIKSUKR]

Rileys and Shooters are generally around $15 box/50.