Fosters BPS in Columbia

[fish]

Just stopped in at Fosters an saw a "going out of bidness" sign on the marquee. Up to 75% off on some stuff. Bought two boxes of 25.06 Winch Supreme bullets at 25% off. The big box store kilt his bidness he said. No surprise there, I suppose....

[PoisonSnake]

I'm gonna head over there this morning and see if I can't get a game camera cheap. In fact, I know just the guy to call to see if we can get a really good deal.

[hobiecat]

Just came back into town... Foster's is goin outta business??? That's a shock... not!

Fish, I don't know that the "big box" comin into town did it as much as the "only game in town" attitude.

[fish]

Nope - Talked to him personally Sunday. Said his bidness was down over 50% since the big store opened. He gave it 6mos an still it hasn't recovered any. Give it about 60 days an he will be giving stuff away.... what is left.



I've known Tommy for over 15 yrs, an yes he is a hard nosed business man but the BPS shop was more like a hobby to him. Not like it was his only source of income. Believe me he will land on his feet.



But...the BPS chain really f'd him on this one



fish -

[hobiecat]

I used to work for Tom bout 10 yrs ago. I always liked him, din't think he was bad as far as bosses go either. I know he's got other gigs goin, and that the "Guns, Liquor, Ammo" store was pretty much just a tax write-off/hobby for him. What I never understood is why he din't ever want it to be more? Sometimes I really hadda scratch my head at the way he did things there.



As far as him landin on his feet... I doubt that this knocks him off'em.

[fish]

Other things goin on ??? Try the DQ on Stadium an NASDAQ, NYSE an some other investments. Prolly met you at one of his Christmas Throwdowns.

You bet this was a hobby for him.

fish -

[JimDog]

I read in the Tribune where BPS was pulling his right to use the BPS name. I am sure that had something to do with it. But I can tell ya that none of that 50% decrease was from me. I didn't spend my money there. Every time I went in the place, I was treated as if my money was not good enough for em. So I took my business elsewhere.

It was a convenient place to pick up a dozen minnows on the way up to Finger Lakes, but that is all it was to me. I am surprised they lasted as long as they did...

[fish]

JD - That is because he has to order "x" amount of his invevtory from the BPS Shop to keep the name of Bass Pro. After what they did , would you??? Like I said Foster is a GOOD buisness man. He knows how to make $$$$ He didn't make his money from selling minners

fish -

[PoisonSnake]

He sold that DQ on Stadium to his daughter. Fish, for a long time Tom had a monopoly on the outdoor business here in Columbia. He could charge as he wished and folks would pay it. I guess a guy can call that good business sense. I call it screwing your neighbor. But, the older I get, the more I see that as being the norm regardless of what you are doing. Heck, at the church last night, there was this big debate about fund-raising. They didn't want to call it fund-raising. It is called stewardship. Stewardship my donkey.

[Outdoorsfool]

I had lousy service every time I was in that place, so I stopped going and went where my $$ was appreciated. I know many that had the same experience...the only reason the place lasted this long is because he DID have other things going for him. He obviously didn't give a chit whether BPS made a dime or not.

[counts]

Free Enterprise is a beautiful thing.

[BornBad]

That new BPS they opened up outside of Rolla (I44) worked hard to get my dollar. I went in there a week back to see if they had a chenille selection (for trout jigs/flies). The guy at the counter asked what I was looking for, a lil dumbfounded with my reply but he did get out the catalogs. He even asked if I would come in there more often if they carried more tying supplies.



Business sense should suggest that it would be appropriate to have a healthier fly tying supply section, given the area. But kudos for him trying to find what I was after, even if it ment dragging out the catalogs for a 2 bit item.

[Triton X2]

BB you calling yourself a 2 bit item? Most of the BPS shops really work for the customer for a while and then...The main one here in Springfield acts as if they could care less if you come in or not and many of the sales reps dont know anything about what they are selling...


I didnt know they had opened up a store in Rolla. Is it a full fledged BPS or one of those that has a BPS sign up if they buy a certain percentage of stuff from them?

[BornBad]

2 bit item: chenille usualy runs around $2.00, but I hear ya.

It is a nice and clean store (not a full blown BPS). Archery, firearm, outdoor gear and a fair amount of fishing tackle. Sits off I-44 (north side) just past the Newburg exit (going west).

[Warmouth]

Those little shops never have a decent fly tieing section. It's nice to get help though, even when you're only after nickle and dime chit.