All wholesale sports CLOSING!!!

[happyfisher]

Inventory liquidation sales will begin Friday, with all stores to be closed by Dec. 28.

ok time for a flasher!!!!! and stuff!!!!!

all of them are gone!!!!

Happy

[Spooner]

I hope that in some small way that I contributed to their demise.

I can't speak for other departments, but the fishing section in Calgary was chronically mismanaged.

I wouldn't be surprised if their own employees had a hand in it after witnessing their completely dysfunctional inventory control.

[The Spank]

I hope that in some small way that I contributed to their demise.

I can't speak for other departments, but the fishing section in Calgary was chronically mismanaged.

I wouldn't be surprised if their own employees had a hand in it after witnessing their completely dysfunctional inventory control.

Another 800 unemployed...I am sure they appreciate your concern?! :rolleye2:

[Bub]

When I was in Edmonton earlier this summer, I hit both Cabela's and both Wholesale Sports. The south Wholesale Sports was not even on the same level compared to the other three for fly tying/fishing supplies. It could still be better, but I was able to find some things I could not find anywhere else. So it is a loss no matter how you look at it.

[FlyDog]

Inventory liquidation sales will begin Friday, with all stores to be closed by Dec. 28.

ok time for a flasher!!!!! and stuff!!!!!

all of them are gone!!!!

Happy

Yeah and another 600 people are out of work in this province. But you'll save $2 on flashers so who cares? Wake up.

[calgarygringo]

And thats a flasher and stuff that the open shops wont get to sell and stay in business and then everyone will complain. It is the way it goes but for the shops still open that hurts them more especially the smaller guys. They will pay big in the short term.

[pinelakeperch]

It's really too bad. I work a few Saturdays per month in the fishing section of the Lethbridge store. I really feel bad for the full time staff there, they're good people.

[happyfisher]

I believe in the market place.....545 people laid off....my wife was laid off for 2.5 years....i didn't bitch it's life....good for me I need stuff!!!

Sale starts tomorrow booya....ill be there to see if there are any deals!!! It might just be some stuff or a crappy sale....we will see!!!

[Kim473]

It will be typical close out sale. 10% off for a week or 2 then 20% and so on.

[Freedom55]

The press release indicated that the stores will remain open until December 28. That is more than 100 days of 'sale' prices. Don't look for any bargains just yet and there likely will be no bargains on electronics. Is there ever?

Warehoused items will be re-packed and wholesaled off to Bass Pro or Sales or some of the smaller regional vendors in Ontario I'd guess, and I'm thinking that the clothing will be the only real bargains to be had.

Free

[RavYak]

10% on rods, reels and fish finders, 30% on tackle. Entire store is 10-30% off depending on the item.

Lines were probably an hour long thanks to typical WSS staffing.

I was amazed how busy they were. Usually like a ghost town but was packed to the gills with people hoping for good prices, no great deals to be had just yet though.

[Weedy1]

The press release indicated that the stores will remain open until December 28.

Isn't it nice of WSS to let their staff work past Christmas Day only to sack them two days after Boxing Day! Brutal.....

[.257Weatherby]

I hope that in some small way that I contributed to their demise.

I can't speak for other departments, but the fishing section in Calgary was chronically mismanaged.

I wouldn't be surprised if their own employees had a hand in it after witnessing their completely dysfunctional inventory control.

Not Something to be proud of if someone where to ask me....
That comment ranks right up there with turning a blind eye to shoplifting.
If one is not part of the solution they are part of the problem
But, to each their own.
Rob

[Fishwhere]

Hey guys, i went and checked out southside one in edmonton. Most rods only 10%, Most hooks are 30%, lower end spinning reels are 25%.... thats what i was paying attention to anyway.

Just a heads up.

Have a good one boys!

[the local angler]

this was such a surprise to me cause i spoke to some of the higher end staff there and rumor had it that another big fishing/sporting chain in the US was going to purchase a few of the stores in western Canada. i just got back from the calgary store nothing outragous just your typical sale. the funny thing is the shoe and clothing departments were the first to look like it was ransacked stuff everywhere. lol

[beaver hunter]

Don't waste your time going for at least a month, most good stuff is 10-15% off. The boots I wanted are still cheaper at cabela's...

[happyfisher]

i agree.....im gunna wait....no big bargains yet.....maybe in another 2 weeks........but the guy there said they will match sale prices at other shops...and still beat it by 10%...but its a zoo in there......

[ntsougri]

Wholesale Sports was a good Canadian company that could not compete with US big brother Bass Pro who now also owns Cabelas.
All the profits from the Bass Pro and Cabelas stores go directly to their USA corporate headquarters. Too bad the profits don't stay in Canada.
Trump says America first - maybe we should start saying Canada first.

This reminds me of what happened when Walmart came to Canada 27 years ago and closed all the small city Canadian stores. Support your local Canadian fishing shops when you can. We don't want them to also disappear.

:character0110:

[yada]

Sale sucks super hard right now.

Also, if companies want to stay in business they need to compete. This means drastically dropping their prices. Wholesale Sports was just too expensive. If they were constantly 25% off cheaper than every other store, they would still be open. Also, the website sucked super bad.

The margins on fishing gear is huge. Lowering the cost won't kill them.

[FishingPole]

I overheard one of the other staff members tell a customer that the fish finders were actually marked up prior to so that any "Sales" on fish finders/electronics aren't really on sale just yet.

I got my eye on a couple of rods and I'm hoping they won't sell until they drop prices a bit. It looks like most people were gunning for the rod/reel combos (and not the good ones either).

Hopefully, when the lures drop more than 30% there are definitely some I would love to get on clearance.

[calgarygringo]

Actually your statement is not totally true. Formerly in the management side of this type of business and knowing costs margins on small items are healthy. Most of the items are not and are average retail mark ups at best.

Electronics are real slim and that is why you don't see any huge sales on them.
Anyone in retail management will tell you need to be on an average of around 50 points if you want your company to survive and do well in any retail. If you don not it is only a matter of time or you will be just limping along trying to keep your head above water.

Yes I agree though on some of the items not being great deals right now but it is amazing how many people get sucked in by the big sale hype. Sears, Bay and all those guys have done it to us for years too.



Sale sucks super hard right now.

Also, if companies want to stay in business they need to compete. This means drastically dropping their prices. Wholesale Sports was just too expensive. If they were constantly 25% off cheaper than every other store, they would still be open. Also, the website sucked super bad.

The margins on fishing gear is huge. Lowering the cost won't kill them.

[Prairiewolf]

A buddy and I went to the Calgary location yesterday. Yeah the ads say "up to 30% off" but the reality is most of the items were 10% - probably on par with most other stores' early season sales etc. Didn't walk out with much.

As I walked around though, it was sad to see. I gave WSS a second chance a few years ago after a long period in the penalty box (non-competitive prices, irrelevant sales, and poor customer service). This drastically improved once the announcement of the Calgary Cabelas. I'd actually placed WSS above either Bass Pro or Cabelas for in-store experience. Most of what I buy now seems to be online though - an aspect WSS once again didn't emphasize properly.

Looking for positives in this - maybe this will get me patronizing the local shops I should know more about (Bow River Troutfitters, Iron Bow, Jim Bows (God help my marriage if that archery bug ever sticks), Calgary Shooting Center, Shooters Edge, Robinson's camera, etc.

[pinelakeperch]

Used my last employee discount today. It's too bad, I'll miss working my odd Saturday there.

[SNAPFisher]

Crappy news overall. I didn't appreciate the Edmonton South Common location much but the North West location on St. Albert Trail and Yellowhead will be very much missed. That was my go to place for West coast supplies. They also had a very good selection of pretty much everything. Great manager as well. I feel for them...

[pikester]

Isn't it nice of WSS to let their staff work past Christmas Day only to sack them two days after Boxing Day! Brutal.....

Somewhat true but at least those folks will be employed through Christmas; it would be more cruel to give them their walking papers a week or two before Christmas I would think? Plus this gives them all ample time to look elsewhere for gainful employment for the New Year. It sucks no matter what :(

[waterninja]

Inventory liquidation sales will begin Friday, with all stores to be closed by Dec. 28.

ok time for a flasher!!!!! and stuff!!!!!

all of them are gone!!!!

Happy

I'll never understand what makes some people happy,,

[happyfisher]

let me explain it for you....its called the free market.....when companies compete its best for the consumer in many ways. If a company cant compete either their service or prices are not competitive. In WWS case i believe it was both.
So if you believe in the free market (unless your a commie) and you are a consumer take advantage of the sale if there is something you need. Im happy we live in a free market....its part of the reason it makes me Happy!!!

[waterninja]

let me explain it for you....its called the free market.....when companies compete its best for the consumer in many ways. If a company cant compete either their service or prices are not competitive. In WWS case i believe it was both.
So if you believe in the free market (unless your a commie) and you are a consumer take advantage of the sale if there is something you need. Im happy we live in a free market....its part of the reason it makes me Happy!!!

Gee, thanks for the explanation. I never looked at it that way. I'm happy your happy that you saved a buck today. Are you going to invest it in real estate?

[happyfisher]

Let me help you out with that as well. I Can do whatever I want with the money as it is none of your business nor concern. But thanks to the free market I have plenty of choices.

[huntsfurfish]

Let me help you out with that as well. I Can do whatever I want with the money as it is none of your business nor concern. But thanks to the free market I have plenty of choices.

Actually, you will have one less market choice soon.

And that is never a good thing.

[happyfisher]

they come and go....the strongest survive....the market will make sure of that

[yada]

Their website sucked, service wasn't good, and way too expensive. The selection was also not very good. I think everyone knew it wasn't competing.

I was there a while ago and they sold a lot of stuff. Not many quality items left. But you can buy things in the states and ship it over + duties for the same price as the "sales price" at WWS right now.

[Okotokian]

Holy Hanna, I leave the country for a month, depriving them of my regular purchases income, and they go under?????

I will miss them. Bought most of my stuff from them. And Bass Pro bought Cabelas, so the latter will be gone soon... so now I get the choice of ONE big store, 60 miles away. Oh goody.

:mad0100:

[RavYak]

Holy Hanna, I leave the country for a month, depriving them of my regular purchases income, and they go under?????

I will miss them. Bought most of my stuff from them. And Bass Pro bought Cabelas, so the latter will be gone soon... so now I get the choice of ONE big store, 60 miles away. Oh goody.

:mad0100:

I think Bass Pro is keeping the Cabelas stores and name. Giving customers the illusion that they have options.

Just like Sobeys and Safeway(and so many other large companies).

[happyfisher]

Was in there yesterday....talked with some of the guys....they say don't buy anything....not really a sale yet. They also say the agro other side of the business is losing all the money....WSS was making money.....they just wanna liquidate all stock to keep the other side of the business open....wierd. lots of stock from other stores will be heading to Calgary as it's WSS main store. Told me other goodies....but they all say they have....or have been offered other jobs....

Still tons of stock all over WSS.....still all the good stuff only 10% off......im waiting.....

Sounds like the fishing hole will be my new go to after they close the doors!!! Everyone always says good things about them....so goodie

Happy

[Sundancefisher]

They also say the agro other side of the business is losing all the money....WSS was making money.....they just wanna liquidate all stock to keep the other side of the business open....wierd. lots of stock from other stores will be heading to Calgary as it's WSS main store.

Doesn't make sense. They wouldn't sell a winner to save a loser. Likely WSS made money but an insignificant amount compared to the whole company.

Restructuring and focusing would be a logical business model to follow.

[happyfisher]

Yea.....unless the "losing" side of the business is much larger....and the UFA is.......dont make much sense either way....i think bass pro and cabelas made the desicion for them....when WSS opened....i don't even think either one was around.....

[yada]

Making money isnt enough. They need to make a certain percent of the investment they put in. If you only make 1 dollar for every 100 dollars of investment, you will close down still.

Also, UP TO 40% off now.

[RavYak]

The UFA financials are available on their website, no reason to post hearsay.

WSS wasn't losing them money but they weren't really making money either. Too much competition(especially since Cabelas moved into a bunch of the cities WSS are in, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon to name the ones I know of) and a poor economy, not as many people spending lots of money on this stuff like they used to.

[PFKGSP]

I was there today. Pricing is staring to get more like a sale. Still not there yet. But how long are you willing to wait?

[happyfisher]

November

[Savage Bacon]

I was in there 2 weekends ago and bought a bunch of fishing lures that I thought were on for a decent price. Then bought 2 scope lens caps. The next day we went to another store and the regular price was exactly 30% cheaper. But I did notice the price of the ruger 10/22 I bought from them a couple months ago was about $50 cheaper