R.I.P. Wholesale Sports

[possum]

The complainers will be glad but it's a sad reflection of the firearms industry in Canada.

[covey ridge]

Originally Posted by Dean2

There is no doubt UFA did an atrocious job of running these stores. There should be people getting fired from UFA Head Office for this massive write-off that UFA is going to take.

I would not be surprised if Glen Bingley and John Pardo got some type of golden parachute.

[Carriertxv]

Originally Posted by covey ridge

I would not be surprised if Glen Bingley and John Pardo got some type of golden parachute.

There's no doubt about that as they take care of their own as it could be one of them one day.

[stob]

have not read all the posts, so I apologise if I am reiterating another ... any ways it is my unofficial understanding the CDN Tire with all there rural stores etc turned up the dial on the compete level which killed a large part of their business

[Dweb]

Originally Posted by stob

have not read all the posts, so I apologise if I am reiterating another ... any ways it is my unofficial understanding the CDN Tire with all there rural stores etc turned up the dial on the compete level which killed a large part of their business

Wouldn't surprise me ... Last year bought a mariner 590a1 at canadiantire for 450$ WSS wanted over 500$ and cabelas wanted over 600$ for the model lower the 590 not even the A1....

[covey ridge]

Most of the staff were taken by surprise. Yesterday after the store was unexpectedly closed some of the non sales staff like buyers were served with their termination papers, and then asked to turn in their keys etc. They then told them had 5 minutes to gather personal property before being escorted to the door. Most of them were long time staff.

I guess that's business!

[Gade81]

Originally Posted by Dweb

Wouldn't surprise me ... Last year bought a mariner 590a1 at canadiantire for 450$ WSS wanted over 500$ and cabelas wanted over 600$ for the model lower the 590 not even the A1....

Not sure what canadiantire you shop at, but my local crappy is way high on all rifles, and ammo. I doubt they move anything.

I'll def miss wholesale in lethbridge, my go to place. Always excellent service and good folks there. certainly won't be shopping at the other local gunshop either, So order in or wait for trips to calagry

[Carriertxv]

Originally Posted by Gade81

Not sure what canadiantire you shop at, but my local crappy is way high on all rifles, and ammo. I doubt they move anything.

I'll def miss wholesale in lethbridge, my go to place. Always excellent service and good folks there. certainly won't be shopping at the other local gunshop either, So order in or wait for trips to calagry

Same with crappytire in Calgary as well.

[Penner]

On average WSS was cheaper than cabelas and bass pro. I don't know what those are smoking saying that crappytire is cheaper. Crappytire is the convenience hardware store. They do nothing well but have high prices and god help you if you need to ask a question.

I will miss the competition. WSS had way more variety in stock and I always had decent services over the years. Too bad. Think the online sales did then in. I agree UFA didn't help the cause.

[Kevlak]

Want to know what's real sad? Was in the Calgary a couple times in the past couple weeks and there might have been 2-3 people at a time. Today the liquidation sale, you could barely find a place to stand or enough room to check out products. Everyone had to wait till they were going out of business before they went there.

Kevin

[covey ridge]

Some of the tire stores have a few good deals. The High River store have Ruger Americans for $429. They even ordered one for me. I think they were close to $600 everywhere else. They also have eley rimf ammo that is tough to find anywhere else. Last time I was there I think they had SKS rifles for a bit over $200. The problem with some tire store is that if you want to look at something you have to have a clerk paged.

[Bleat]

The ONLY reason I shopped at WSS is because I couldn't find something somewhere else. Their service the first few times I visited a store was atrocious. Especially the gun counter.

Completely agree. I think the only place worse is CT.

The last time I was in WSS picking up bases (because nobody had the ones I was looking for in stock) I had the best experience possible at a gun counter. I had the rifle in the car along with rings. Guy asked me to bring in the rifle and rings. Installed it, set it all up and even had a pleasant chat with the gentleman during and after install. Walked me out of the store.

Had they provided that type of service to begin with I never would have left. I have no idea when that changed (*cough* likely when Cabelas rolled into town) but that's the point. Had they provided better service maybe I would have been around more often to notice when that changed. Or maybe I just lucked out that day.

I've spent probably less than 10% of my total outdoor items budget at Wholesale over the past 10 years. All the rest has come from some online and Cabelas but mostly local Alberta shops.

[covey ridge]

Originally Posted by Kevlak

Want to know what's real sad? Was in the Calgary a couple times in the past couple weeks and there might have been 2-3 people at a time. Today the liquidation sale, you could barely find a place to stand or enough room to check out products. Everyone had to wait till they were going out of business before they went there.

Kevin

One thing about WSS Calgary is that people on both sides of the counter seemed to get uptight about the number system. Today when they were about 4 deep at the counter I spied a small space in front of a sales guy that I knew. I slipped into the space and in a loud voice said "HEY DO I NEED A NUMBER?"
The sales guy and manager laughed but not so much for the crowd at the counter.

[missed opportunity]

Originally Posted by covey ridge

I would not be surprised if Glen Bingley and John Pardo got some type of golden parachute.

They are fine. They are UFA staff and are keeping their jobs.

[Don_Parsons]

So with WSS out and Bass Pro & Cabelas as one, would they faze out one of the stores, put their banner under one roof ???

I just can't see them feeding 2 outlets with the exact same goods.

I was suprized how many people are shopping on line, I seen the odd gadget at the range this year as I asked where they got that,,, most replies were that they bought this or that on-line.

Maybe this on line thing will become the new norm.

I like the store idea, but maybe we have to change for the times.

Sad to see folks lose jobs none the less.
The small guys are struggling, I thinking the big stores are feeling the pinch to since those big stores with over head costs don't come cheap.

Don

[wolf308]

Well this sucks.

Wss had been sooo good to me over the years ..... dam !!!!

[The Spank]

The long and the short of it is retail outlets are a dying item. Overhead is too expensive to compete with purely online sales. Outfits like Amazon only need warehouse space and shipping receiving staff. I can't speak for anyone but myself but even I rarely go into a store to shop around. I look online, find the best price then order and most times shipping is free so that means I'm not wasting gasoline driving to some retail store in the next town or a few miles away. I bought two boats this year without stepping into a showroom for either. Did all the correspondence by phone or email with pics etc and never set foot in the place until I picked them up and in fact one was even delivered at no charge. It's getting to be more and more people are buying that way so you are going to see many retail outlets closing and more online businesses as time marches on.

[makin tracks]

Originally Posted by Don_Parsons

So with WSS out and Bass Pro & Cabelas as one, would they faze out one of the stores, put their banner under one roof ???

I just can't see them feeding 2 outlets with the exact same goods.

I was suprized how many people are shopping on line, I seen the odd gadget at the range this year as I asked where they got that,,, most replies were that they bought this or that on-line.

Maybe this on line thing will become the new norm.

I like the store idea, but maybe we have to change for the times.

Sad to see folks lose jobs none the less.
The small guys are struggling, I thinking the big stores are feeling the pinch to since those big stores with over head costs don't come cheap.

Don

even the rv business have takin a hit, i see guys building there own accommodations on there truck now!!!!!

[Mangosteen]

I always get my rods, reels, Zman products from online shopping from California. Very fast and they carry Lews reels. The best. St Croix rods every kind.

[teledogs]

I always shopped trying to find the best deal and availability. Having one less store and be it Canadian is not good.

Sorry to all the employees, I have always been treated well there

[covey ridge]

I have seen three owners of this business that was to become Wholesale Sports.

Barry and Otto started the business, and Russ Butler and Brad Butler built the business. UFA were the owners that bled the business and led to where we are today. When UFA took over the Calgary Store they described it as the crowning jewel in their empire.

It may have been the economy or it may have been bad business but the business took a nose dive under UFA direction. It was under UFA direction that WSS was often called No Sale Sports.

I am sure that Russ and Brad are enjoying the fruits of their retirement if they really are retired, but I think they may be saddened that Wholesale Sports is no more. I am

[creeky]

Originally Posted by covey ridge

I have seen three owners of this business that was to become Wholesale Sports.

Barry and Otto started the business, and Russ Butler and Brad Butler built the business. UFA were the owners that bled the business and led to where we are today. When UFA took over the Calgary Store they described it as the crowning jewel in their empire.

It may have been the economy or it may have been bad business but the business took a nose dive under UFA direction. It was under UFA direction that WSS was often called No Sale Sports.

I am sure that Russ and Brad are enjoying the fruits of their retirement if they really are retired, but I think they may be saddened that Wholesale Sports is no more. I am

don't the Butlers own Campers Village?


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Dewey Cox]

My butler has no interest in campers village.


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[huntsfurfish]

The loss of another choice(wholesale sports) is a loss for all outdoorsman.

In Calgary or Edmonton it gave you an additional toy store.

Lethbridge doesnt have a BP or Cabelas and the closing will have a larger impact.

It is sad to see them go. And unfortunate for the employees as well.

[Monda45]

No its true check cbc news feed. I'll try find a link

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[Monda45]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...40683329310481

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[Monda45]

Originally Posted by covey ridge

I have seen three owners of this business that was to become Wholesale Sports.

Barry and Otto started the business, and Russ Butler and Brad Butler built the business. UFA were the owners that bled the business and led to where we are today. When UFA took over the Calgary Store they described it as the crowning jewel in their empire.

It may have been the economy or it may have been bad business but the business took a nose dive under UFA direction. It was under UFA direction that WSS was often called No Sale Sports.

I am sure that Russ and Brad are enjoying the fruits of their retirement if they really are retired, but I think they may be saddened that Wholesale Sports is no more. I am

Cabelas opening in Saskatoon really hurt them there

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[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 & hunting shops when you can. We don't want them to also disappear.

[Jjolg123]

Being Canadian doesn't excuse poor customer service. You want people to shop local give them the service that warrants them coming back ie. Flys Etc

[Brbpuppy]

Well I own 3 wholesale sports hats, I guess I'll have to retire one as memorabilia hehe!


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