SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE - TODAY'S EXPERIENCE

[chief38]

I recently found out there is a new Sportsman's Warehouse not far from me and today I had the opportunity to visit. The store I was in today was opened just 2 months ago and it was very quiet inside - I was 1 of 3 customers in the entire store.

I checked out their selection of firearms and was not impressed. Their prices are higher than Bass Pro and even some of the small LGS. They did have a descent ammo selection however their prices were insanely ridiculous! They even had W231 Ball Powder but the price was $37.00 / lb. which I think is also way too high. This was the first time I have ever been in a Sportsman's Warehouse and possibly could be the last unless I get super desperate - lol. I was always under the belief that their prices were good - I guess I thought wrong!

All in all I was disappointed in SW although the employees were friendly - I guess they had nothing else to do.

 

[SmithNut]

......snip........ I was always under the belief that their prices were good .......

That has never been my experience.....

 

[lihpster]

Have had one in town for years. Only go there if that's the only place that has something or they have a good sale price. I did buy one gun from them, off the website, as it was a sought after model and they were the only ones that had it in stock. The transaction was completed, and I love the gun, but the customer service was severely lacking, both in store and on the phone. I find that with places like Midway, Amazon and others, I can often get it shipped to my house cheaper. And if I don't have to go into town........

 

[Engineer1911]

Ten years ago SW in Columbia, SC was a great place to shop for firearms, reloading essentials, or a reasonable price on fishing gear. I was in the store 2 weeks ago. Winchester 231 for only $37 would be "Clearance Sale Price" from what I saw. W231 was about $43, IMR powder over $50, black powder was over $60 per pound. Any metal handgun started at $995 to $1,300. I won't be back.

 

[pantannojack]

My town has had a family outdoor retail business that for years, and years shared with us the best pricing of anywhere in the inland NW. Part of the family over the state line gave it up, then on my side our favorite store expanded so big they moved off their paid for property, took over a failing shopping cntr, then the components supply chain faltered, now they are no longer just a hometown store. I don't even go there anymore.

 

[dave1918a2]

Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas, and Bass Pro are owned by the same Company, Great American Outdoors. SW up here beats bass Pro and Cabelas all to pieces. They have to compete with Scheels. LGS up here compete pretty good also. Must have something to do with the specific area. $37 for W-231 is about right for up here, if it's available. Hodgens and IMR are right there also. No Bullseye anywhere.

 

[ken158]

Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas, and Bass Pro are owned by the same Company, Great American Outdoors. SW up here beats bass Pro and Cabelas all to pieces. They have to compete with Scheels. LGS up here compete pretty good also. Must have something to do with the specific area. $37 for W-231 is about right for up here, if it's available. Hodgens and IMR are right there also. No Bullseye anywhere.

Nope - the government disallowed the sale due to fear of creating a monopoly

 

[Eddietruett]

Ten years ago SW in Columbia, SC was a great place to shop for firearms, reloading essentials, or a reasonable price on fishing gear. I was in the store 2 weeks ago. Winchester 231 for only $37 would be "Clearance Sale Price" from what I saw. W231 was about $43, IMR powder over $50, black powder was over $60 per pound. Any metal handgun started at $995 to $1,300. I won't be back.

I hate to hear that. SW in Columbia was my go to place for reloading supplies pre COVID. They were a tad higher than some places, but the selection made it worth the little difference.

 

[6string]

I hate to hear that. SW in Columbia was my go to place for reloading supplies pre COVID. They were a tad higher than some places, but the selection made it worth the little difference.

Hi Eddie,
Yeah, that particular SW in Columbia is quite underwhelming. They haven't had significant inventory for essential reloading supplies in a few years. Funny thing: they do have some reloading equipment from the typical household names. Unfortunately, that stuff is now mostly made in China.
One time I was in there and the long aisle that had two sides of shelves for reloading and ammo was lined with boxes and boxes of disposable COVID masks.
I felt like they were mocking their customers for being dumb enough to expect to find anything.
But, it's not much different in any of the Big Box stores. Generally, I walk in, look around, shake my head, and walk out empty-handed.

There used to be three or four independent local gun stores all on Sunset, maybe 20 years ago. They're all gone now except Shooter's Choice. At one time, they were a stocking dealer for Dillon Reloading gear. Not anymore! That area of the store now just has body armour.
Maybe better to just call it Prepper's Choice.
It seems like the less pertinent a product is to "shooting bad guys", the less likely it is that you'll be able to find it.
The majority of shooters I meet in SC seem to have the opinion that reloading is somewhere between alchemy and witchcraft.
Sad!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Nope - the government disallowed the sale due to fear of creating a monopoly

THE TRUTH.

 

[NCBeagle]

I have a grudge against Sportsman's Warehouse. Is it reasonable? Maybe not. But, I do not like SW anyway.

Stopped by the Sportsman's Warehouse in Washington, PA. Nice limited run DAO Model 36, spurless hammer, bead blast finish, combats...the whole package. Forget the exact price, but it started with a "4". SW would not ship the gun to an FFL in NC. I offered to pay a ridiculous amount for shipping. Nope. Would not ship. Super disappointing.

 

[Ranger17]

A dozen + years ago when we lived in the area, I’d try the SW store in Columbia as I was just getting into this hobby and like many had trouble finding ammo. Esp 22lr. Occasionally they’d have stock at what was then decent prices but their gun counter help seemed all over the board. While waiting to look at a compact 9, I got to listen to a worker explain to a young couple looking at a small Ruger how a pocket gun was used in the 1800’s. Was entertaining but I felt it didnt answer the q’s the couple had.
That turned me away. And as (at the time anyway) the PSA range would sell ammo very reasonable they became my go to while there. Academy as well.

 

[Ameshawki]

One in the next town south of me. They're all right. Generally decent selection, typical big box prices (you're not getting a bargains at any of the big boys), pre-covid generally had reasonable price on ammo and decent selection. Frequently have sales on clothes. Like most places COVID messed them up, they're still in recovery phase.

 

[Oldsalt66]

Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas, and Bass Pro are owned by the same Company, Great American Outdoors. SW up here beats bass Pro and Cabelas all to pieces. They have to compete with Scheels. LGS up here compete pretty good also. Must have something to do with the specific area. $37 for W-231 is about right for up here, if it's available. Hodgens and IMR are right there also. No Bullseye anywhere.

It's my understanding that the deal with Great American Outdoors was canceled and Sportsman's Warehouse shares are still traded on the NASDAQ.

Bass Pro and Sportsman's Warehouse cancel $785 million merger

 

[DWalt]

There were two SW stores here in San Antonio about 15 years ago, and then both closed, no reason given. When they were open, their prices and selection of products were the best, and they seemed to have good levels of customer traffic. Very good inventory of reloading tools and supplies at good prices at the time. Things change.