Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

Had some time to kill in Bristol the other day and thought I stop in to a Sporting Goods store I've driven by, but never been in. It's a Hiking, camping, biking, fly fishing, clothes, kinda store.

Now I knew things would probaby be over priced, but geesh! I couldn't believe how expensive things were. Some of it was really well-made stuff. But it was designed to be so "Look-cool-on-the-trail" that they had to have a big price just to pay all the fashion designers that "improved" it. Guess I've just been used to army surplus and hunting supplies for too long.

I mean, the water bottles were these unusual shapes and multi colors, with special holsters. A FREAKIN WATER BOTTLE!! Could anything be more WHO CARES?

Big business it is. From "trail" shoes, to a titanium walking stick (looks like a ski pole).

Sorry if i sound ignorant, but I'm sticking with "Sportsmans Guide" and "Cheaper than Dirt". Was good for a laugh though. The guy asked me if I found anything I couldn't live without, I laughed and said "Not in this store" ...doubt if he's ever heard that before.

The ONLY thing I saw that seemed reasonable were Mountain House Meals (for 2) that was about 5 or 6 bucks each. Don't know how that compares with buying over the net, but it seemed like a good deal to me.

Guess for now I'll stick to surplus camo and use an actual STICK as a walking stick (who'dve thunk it).

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

This sounds a lot like a store in my area (forget the name) very pricy. They had a nice gun safe on sale which I did buy (cash only) and a very good selection of guns/ammo and accessories though.

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

:cool2: Yuppie heaven is what the store sounds like.

Yes, CTD and SG have certain items that will blow away just about any sporting goods store in the US pricewise.

I bought about 100 of the Swedish self contained mess kits complete with alcohol stove from CTD about 18 months ago for TSHTF barter. Neat little kits,all of them stainless steel..........don't care for the aluminum kits.

Price,with shipping broke down to about $2.00 per kit....might have been a little lower.They gave me a bulk price with bulk shipping rates.Nice people when you order huge quantities.

These same kits have just about tripled in price since then and are selling in the local Army/Navy stores for around $15.00-$20.00 each. Ebay has a few now and then and the prices are about the same.

All survival and sporting/camping gear is rising in price as we speak.Even the cheap stuff is no longer cheap.It would be best to aquire everything you need plus extra items for barter and emergency spares for neighbors and friends now,not later.

Yeah..........I know,they should buy their own.Buy what you need personally and lock it away and forget about it.Otherwise in a year from now the prices will only get worse.

Amazon with free shipping usually beats ebay if you order certain items.I always check the prices both ways.

I am a whitewater kayaker.............don't even ask what it costs to own every piece of gear that you need besides the boat. Pretty soon the stores will be giving away boats just to get your gear business.....

:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

We had a store that decided to go upscale. They were in business for decades as an ordinary backpacking/canoing store. Then they got the idea to move into an upscale area and turn their store into more of a boutique. They lasted a year or two and closed up. I was stunned.

RR....I know what you mean about expensive paddling gear. I've still got my Hi-Float and decided to sell it in my estate sale. I haven't done any paddling in over a decade. I was stunned to see it for $110 at some internet store. And, yeah...all of the paddling gear looked very expensive.

Back when I was paddling, we would think nothing of driving down to the Slippery Rock at a moments notice. Gas was cheap back then. I'll bet they're doing a lot more car pooling today. We used to drive down by ourselves.....

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

Who is CTD???

I think i know who SG is; Sportsmands Guide?

if not who???

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

Cheaper Than Dirt
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/default.asp

Sprtsmans Guide
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

I also got 90% or my survival equipment from those two....... good service.

Re: Sporting Goods Store Experience
 

Add me to the 'river rat' list. Just how many whitewater kayakers do we have here?

Always up for play in dangerous waters. :wink:

Gear is a bitch for beginnners, but at least the rivers don't have $60 shuttle costs (like the ski hills or golf courses etc.).