For what it is worth I only go to Wholesalesports when I can't get somwehing from Russell's. My experience has been the guys at Russells will try their best to find something for you. If I am in a rush I will buy from Wholesale but only if I have to. With a couple of exceptions I find their "gun staff" arrogant.

Well, I used to work for wholesale here in Lethbridge up untill Sept. I appoligize if I irratated anyone. I only tried to do my job the best to my abilities. I would like to say one thing. Most of the folks working the counters are under appreciated, unde paid, and under constant nagging from the customers and managment. I had one instance where a very good customer, and I feel as a friend to myself got quite aggitated with me. He needed his swaravski shiped back for warranty work. I had to collect shipping and handling for the scope. This made him quite irrate. I tried to explain the situation, but in the end, I feel it cost me my friendship. I was only doing my job the way I was told. The counter people can make no decisions or adjustments. It is out of their power. Just go easy on them. One of the other reasons I"m no longer working for them is because of managment. As I said before. Being underappreciated doesn't help matters. I always fought for the customer. I was pushed to sell stuff the customer didn't need. In reality, i sold the customer what worked for them, and fit their bill. I always tried to make things right, where I could. But the customers kept wanting more, and managment had little patiance for my "bad attitude". In the end, I quit, standing up for what i belive in, protecting my ethics and morals, and the little guy. It has got me nowhere. I'm still fighting to get anchored in a good job. I just wanted to shed a little light on the subject. Take care.

In regards to purchasing items from the US, if the amounts are under a 100 dollars US, generally no problem,BUT, if it is ammunition and you do not have a current hunting license issued by a state or are returning from a sanctioned firearm competition, you can be arrested and charged for posessing the ammunition (checked with BATF and Homeland Security after I was told about it when applying for my ammunition buyers permit here in Canada)and this can be done by City,County,State or Homeland Security, should they spot check you.

If you happen to hold dual citizenship (CDN/US) then it is not a problem, they smile and say have a nice day, when they see that US passport.

One thing to think about, when traveling to the US, is always go thru the same port, don't ever give them any lip, get known by making a lot of short trips down, even if it is for lunch or dinner or a casual drive with no intent of shopping and then come back thru the same port, even if it means a longer drive. Answer only to questions they ask, don't volunteer anything and make sure you go down appearing neat and presentable and have a clean vehicle (inside and out) and your problems will be minimal and this is based upon 20+ years of personal experience going back and forth.

But as the say YMMV.

Anyone know if Greame Sherwood still works at Wholesale sports (Edmonton I think) he has always been the one I deal with when I was buying Canadian. (formerly buyer at SIR, when the old man Robinson ran the show and worked at Farmers Supply, which is now Wholesale Sports)

I'll start this rant off with a call in credit card order placed by my father early September, during a hunt, for a pair of Leupold Olympic 10x50mm binocs. He was sure to have them before he went on his next deer hunt in a week or so. His Nikons had fogged up from being damaged.

The hunt came more than a week later and he called Wholesale to see what the hold up was. He had one more hunt in Sept before he took Oct off and waited for the Nov rut. Wholesale tracked them through Canada Post and it was established that they were scanned at the Vancouver depot but could not be explained where they went after that. They should of been at his house long ago. Wholesale would not send another pair til Oct 16 they told him and if he wanted another pair right away, he would be charged for a second pair and credited when they were either returned, or determined lossed by Canada Post. What, charged twice for a pair of binos that Wholesale knows he never recieved? He was also getting conflicting information between Canada Post and Wholesale to make things more fustrating. The hunt came and went with no nocs and in Oct, he said "Forget this monkey buisness" and told them to return them and give his money back.

I tried to explain to my father that I've heard nothing but good things about Wholesale and this must be a rare occurance. Still, I wondered why they were not sensitive at all about his season wasting away without arguably the most important tool next to the rifle of course. My father said not another penny from his pocket would go their way again. Fair enough.

So now I decided to order a pair of binos for my big rut hunt from Wholesale and I was sure they would be in before I set up camp. Leupold 10x42 Pinnacles were my choice. I requested them to be sent UPS to avoid any screw ups by Canada Post. A couple of days later I recieved a message from Wholesale claiming they need more information. It turns out they mistook me for a new customer dispite me now spending $2000 over the previous year. They wanted confirmation before sending out the item. I cleared that up but showed concern for me recieving the binos before the hunt. I was assured that it would only take two days for the item to reach me after they ship it the next day. Good. I'll have my binos at the end of the week.

Well, there we were at the end of the week and no binos. Right after the weekend I was heading in to set camp up so I called to see what was going on. Heres where the monkey buisness started again. The gentleman I spoke with tells me its 4 buisness days and denies that anyone would tell me otherwise. Then he adds in that they had to contact me for additonal information because I left out some details. No way!! You guys made the mistake about "new customer" so don't try and spread the blame. He continued to dance around the subject and added one more time that additional information was needed. No additional info was needed and none was given. Now I'm getting the feeling that this guy is calling me a liar. He told me I should have them Tuesday.

Hello Tuesday!! No binos?? Well I decided to postpone camp til I get my truck back and not rely on someone to come up and use their truck. I call Wholesale and am given more useless details. I tell the guy if they are serious about keeping me as a customer, refund the $15.99 shipping. He puts me on hold while he talks (or pretends) to the appropriate people. He says he can't do that because thats between me and UPS???? I never ordered from UPS, I ordered from Wholesale??? I said this very well may be the last time I order from them and I could of picked these binos up for $100 more locally, but at least had them for this big hunt. His reply was, "maybe you should go pay $100 more then". I've made my decision on that comment right there. No more orders to Wholesale.

So the next day there is still no binos. I once again call Wholesale and it sounds like their sick of dealing with me. They give me a tracking # and tell me to deal with UPS myself. I'm not happy about this. I'm setting camp in the morning and I know its going to be a run around and I'll have to drive to a pay phone at a gas station to make calls. None of this seems to concern Wholesale though.

I call UPS and they tell me that my package was scanned on Nov 2nd in Prince George but they need additional information to get the package to me. Why has UPS not called me then? O.K. Now I'm getting somewhere. I've located the package and I'm talking to the people who can get it to me. I give them the additional information. They tell me I'll have it the next day between 1 and 8 PM. I told them that the driver would have to call me and leave a message, like he's done in the past. I'd then pick it up at his house in 100 Mile.

The next day there was no message. After setting camp I went to his house to see if he recieved it. He said no. I made sure he knew to call me when it was in his hands and leave a message. I then called UPS to find out why it didnt arrive. "Sir, we need additional information before we can send it to the driver". Huh?! I gave it to them again and told them to not forget to get the info to Prince George. "once its in the computer they will get it'. Ya, but why did I have to give it to you twice?

The next day, Larry the driver did not call so I contacted UPS once again. Any guess at what they said? "Sir, we need additional information..." I've had all I could take now. At this point I got a little mouthy because I could not believe how incompitant their system was and or the people they had working for them. Once again I told them this additional info and then told her I wanted my shipping fee back. She said they could do that but I'd have to talk to a rep and put me on hold. 10 minutes of me sitiing on the side of the road went by and the battery dies on my mobile. I went to a pay phone down the road and called UPS again. I had to give them my tracking # to pull up my file and any guess on what the lady said to me? "Sir, we need additional...." I started yelling now. Its only 10 minutes later and this info is lossed and this means that I would not of got my binos Monday neither. Now she reads it all back to me and assures me I'll get my package Monday. Forget the rep and my refund. Can't deal with one more retard tonight.

Monday, guess what? No binos and the hunt has started. I call UPS and guess what? "Sir, we need additonal..." I absolutely lose it!!!!!

At least this time I was talking to a lady who swears she'll get to the bottom of this. She actually contacts Prince George and talks to a manager who says he'll put me on a "concern notice" and personally leave a message on my mobile telling me he's personally confirmed them shipped. I've calmed down now and actually am feeling bad for my temper.

The next day there is no message from this manager and no message from the driver. I once again call UPS and demand to talk to a rep. He contacts Prince George and they deny anyone has contacted them. The rep says he's got all the info right there and he's positive that they were contacted. He tells me that they are an independent contractor and maybe someone's passing the buck. None the less, he has given them the info once again and I will be contacted after they ship them in the morning.

At the end of the day there was no messages once again. I called and talked to the lady who talked to Prince George on Monday. She once again dealt with Prince George. The next day I called again and talked to the rep. More of the same run around. The next day, Nov 11, my buck was down. There was a message from the rep telling me that Prince George was closed on Rememberance day but I would have my package on Friday. I no longer cared. My buck was down and I was so tired of dealing with the whole mess. Friday came and I still did not get my binos. This was the final straw that broke my back. I called up Wholesale and told them they could take their binos and shove them up their ass. Put the money back on the card and go @#%* themselves. I'll be talking lots on the net about how they deal with customers who pay and don't get the goods.

Monday I get a message from Wholesale saying that they have a request for the binos to be refunded and they will do so when the get the binos back from UPS. Great!! Everyone knows I didnt get them. They don't want to refund them til they get them back??? Isnt that between them and half assed UPS?? They have shipping insurance. Their customes have no insurance.

A couple of days later I get a message from UPS saying that there is a request to "return to shipper" but the package is now missing. Please have the shipper contact us? HAVE ME TELL WHOLESALE SPORTS TO CONTACT THEM!!!!! What kind of Micky Mouse buisness are these two companies running. Absolutely no class at all!!!! Meanwhile, I'll be paying interest a second month on this credit card order that cost around $800.00 if they don't show up. I've asked my father to contact Visa and have them deal with Wholesale since its once again his card that has been billed for phantom binos.

Wholesale is not willing to part with a penny to keep an unhappy customer. I ordered a wool camo sweater from Cabela's last year through UPS. It was 10 days late. Cabelas offered to refund the $40 shipping. I never asked. I ordered a pair of Rocky Blizzard boots from Russell's in the middle of this hunt. I dropped the letter in the box on a Wednesday and they were at the post office the following Wednesday. They don't even wait for a personal cheque to clear and they've done this for me at least 20 times(don't abuse this guys).

I wish Russell's had sent out their new catalog before I went out on this hunt. They are now offering Leupold binos and being a Russell's kind of guy, am certain I would of been hunting with those binos even if they were lossed in the mail the first time. Further more, when you call Russell's about product questions, they will walk right over to the shelf and open up the package and check inside to give you your answer. Your dealing with a hunter or fisherman. At Wholesale you are talking to a person at a computer with a head set who knows little about hunting and fishing products. They just read discriptions to you.

I know alot of people are going to say they never had a problem with Wholesale Sports before. Just wait til you do. They seem to care little about an expensive trip and are willing to take no risk at all when it comes to keeping your buisness. Trying to get to the bottom of screw ups is like dealing with Tellus on the phone or even worse, the government.

I feel like I've finally have had the chance to do something about this whole mess and I think I'll even e-mail this post to them and let them know that I've posted it on all the hunting and fishing foroums I frequent. Maybe they will consider the consequenses of telling their customers to beat it when they want results.

Boilerroom,

I assume you ordered them by phone. Therefore nobody at Wholesale or Ups has your signiture for your visa. I would phone up your credit card company explaining that you ordered a product that was not delivered you have all the paper work to prove it and they probily wont process the payment or they will refund the payment to you and they will debit Wholesale sports.

If I happen to be in Edmonton or Lethbridge, I'll shop in Wholesale quite happily, although their help on the floor is nonexistent or quite useless. And waiting in line at the gun counter can take eons. If I am in Calgary I go to Russell's first, then to Wholesale only if I have to complete my shopping list.



BUT, I ONLY mail order from Russell's if I can help it. Catalogue or no catalogue. Their customer service has been excellent. I just call em up, describe what I want, BS a little about the pros and cons of the various options, decide what I want, and whatever it is is in the mail within a couple days. I have never ever had even the tiniest problem.



Wholesale's mail order department sucks big time. I have had countless problems over the years, although they were mainly just delays or small mix-ups. Your problems are mainly with Canada Post and UPS, but the support from Wholesale on your shipping issues (primarly WRT your binoculars) is deplorable at best.



Canuck

Just after Christmas last year Wholesale came out with a sale cataloge. In it they had the new Bushnell Legend scope about $50 off if I remember right. So's I order it. Guess what? When I get it it's not on sale. I phone them up to voice my displeasure and they say the price was wrong in the book. I told them the only reason I bought it was the price-for a few bucks more I could get the 3200 elite series. He says If I send the scope back with the proper differance he will refund the shipping and pay the shipping for the 3200 scope. I did and he did. Must have caught him on a good day.

All I can say Boilerroom is you have way more patience than me. I would have lost it on someone before you did.

And yes Russell's is way better to order from

You might want to try S.I.R. out of Winnepeg. I've had really good service from them as well.

I have spent a pile of money there any never get the service I want. I try to spend at Russels or at local shops.

Greg

I've had similar problems with Wholesale in the past, so I know exactly where you're coming from. On a recommendation from a friend I started dealing with Corlanes's in Dawson Creek and I should have done that years ago. These guys also know what they're talking about. They're avid hunters and build their own mountain rifles from scratch. I trust them implicitly and there's not a lot of businesses you can say that about anymore.

I concur on Corlane's, I can also recommend Reliable Gun & Tackle in Vancouver, B.C. and I do a lot of business with Italian Sports of Vancouver, B.C. I have never had a problem with Wholesale, but, I tend to support the local dealers because they are usually into giving the best service. Price is important to me as I am not wealthy, but, the bullshit described in this situation would drive anybody nuts.

I have found that many stores can and will match Wholesale's prices if politely asked and I also have had substantial credit privileges offered to me at both Reliable and Italian.......a wise way of doing business with a "gunaholic" like me............

Hello;
I picked up an interesting story on the radio yesterday involving Wholesale Sports. First there was the usual blah blah blah about the police seizing some unregistered and mis-registered? firearms at three separate residences. Then there was a tie in to a break in at Wholesale Sports, location not mentioned, and the fact that more firearms were missing than apparently stolen. My mind wasn't totally on the report, but to my suspicious mind it almost sounded like some insider was stealing these firearms and then staged a break in to cover the crime.
Griz

Just recieved Russel's new catalog and their pricing is better than Wholesale Sports on the rifle scopes. I haven't had time to compare anything else yet though.
Cam

As usual, Bill makes a good point, but, I would like to add a bit more. This is about the fact that the flood of Canadian dollars to American stores is a symptom of something in this country that nauseates me and that is the willingness of far too many people to "sell out" Canada without a second thought.

Now that the American invasion of Iraq plus Dubya's tax cuts for his wealthy supporters have substantially lowered the value of the damyankee dollar, our "loonies" will buy more down there. So, at least here in B.C. we see a flood of Canucks down to shop in the USA and this costs jobs here in Canada.

Remember, these are our "friends" who insist on "Free Trade" while refusing fair dealing on our softwood lumber, agricultural products and so forth. Consequently, we suffer job loss here while they demand that we sell them raw logs and natural gas at the same prices we ourselves would pay. They also want our cheap hydro-electric power and have made many aggressive comments about getting their rapacious hands on our fresh water. In short, why should we patronize their businesses when they won't deal fairly with us?

I believe in shopping here, in Canada, and in never buying another thing from the Yankees unless absolutely unobtainable elsewhere. It's time that we stood together and stood up for OUR nation in every way; this includes supporting independent Canadian businesses.

I posted this on several forums. It seems that there are alot of people sick of them. Only a few complaints about Russell's. Mostly things you'd expect from a mail order buisness.

Kutenay,
The concept of supporting Canadian business is a good one. When we are subsidising the Canadian business by paying a premium of 75% for American goods though, cross border shopping is perfectly understandable. When I have the choice of paying 37.00CDN for a box of bullets or paying 18.00US for the same, it's difficult for me to justify buying from the Canadian source. Likewise when, in spite of punitive duties, I see Canadian lumber selling for less in Montana than in BC, I kind of have to wonder.
On top of that, many of the US vendors are my friends too. In many cases, better and older friends than their Canadian counterparts.
Keep in mind as well, when it comes to the firearms field, the actions of the government on the Canadian side have had a much greater effect in the area of job loss than have the actions of any foriegn government. The Canadian federal govt. has constantly increased the difficulty of doing business for as long as I have been involved. Regards, Bill.

How are the prices on the Flinters Moki?? derf

Fred..... check out www.russellsports.com

T/C Omega $479.99 to $599.99
T/C Black Diamond $429.99
T/C Hawken .50 cal cap lock & flint lock $649.99 to $679.99

Ruger 77/50 $599.99 to $679.99

Remington 700 In-Line $449.99 to $619.99

Lyman Trade rifle $329.99

HEF Huntsman $219.99 to $299.99

Savage Arms .50 cal $639.99 to $679.99

That's all that they have in the catalog.
Cam

I can't comment on their catalog service but I do like Wholesales in house service.I live just north of Calgary and both Wholesale and Russels are close to me.I'll do my shopping at Wholesale over Russels anyday.I've had enough of being ignored at Russels gun counter and talked down to by a couple of their people.I've never walked out of Wholesale unsatisfied

I have to agree with that......
I've never been ignored in Wholesale but have been in Russel's.
In store all of Wholesale's locations are twice the store.

I have the current SIR catalogue in my hands right now and they list the T/C Hawken Woodsman at $354.99 for the Flinter. Sounds to me like Wholesale might be a bit high but we shall see as I am waiting for a reply from they mailorder people. Who by the way, have been prompt courteous and quite helpful. derf

I find the young guys in the wholesale sports in lethbridge
very helpfull they definitely try their best

I used to be happy with Wholesale. I'd had No problems with there mail order either but I used the
post office or Loomis to ship. I recently bought a 220 swift from them and before I bought it the salesman
gave me all the attention I wanted and answered all my questions. BUT when I returned and told him I
I couldn't get it to shoot and would consider trading it if Reminton wouldn't do anything he told me I was on
my own and I would lose too much trading it so to seel it elsewhere. A toally different attitude.
Like many have said
Russels has a waaaaaay better customer service
Mike

Well, after my getting all wound up I have had to suffer some let down. After telling me that they carry the Lyman GP rifle it turns out that they are out of stock and won't be ordering until Feb. 05. Marvelous! In their defence however, SIR is advertising a T/C Hawken Woodsman and apperently even the wholesaler in Winnipeg hasn't got them and SIR won't answer their phones and one cannot ask questions via their website. Bloody Marvelous!
SO, the heck with them all, I just saved between $500 and $800 to put towards next seasons hunt. derf

I've had bad experiances with both.
At wholesale sometimes you wait for a long time before being served. But when the stock cracked on my cz 375 they took it back no questions asked for a complete refund.

I've had much worse experiances at russles. I'm a pretty young guy and the old guys at russels dont give me any respect at their store. I went to buy a can of shotgun powder, blue dot I think, and the guy gave me the complete interogation of why I wanted it and asked to see my firarms liscense! Ever since that day I try to avaid Russels and shop at wholesale.

Brett

There was a time....when SIR (Winnipeg, where I grew up) was a good place to go. But then, there were other sources of all outdoor stuff in town. Now, SIR has no competition thanks to the moronic Canadian laws imposing choke-holds on small gunshops (Thank God I am now a US citizen), is an undeservedly arrogant collection of folks....and an overpriced, uninspired merchandise stock. It beats me why Winnipeg folks don't drive to Grand Forks (Scheels Hardware) or Wilson Guns near Pembina to do business, save money, and have access to quality merchandise. It's a bloody awful shame, across Canada ....
Alex

My major heartache with Wholesale Sports comes with their telephone ordering service. In winter I lay in all my reloading supplies for the year. It's usually a large order consisting of quite a few different products. You're talking into a voice recorder so if an item is out of stock you have no way of knowing it, or how long you'll have to wait. I want a human on the other end of the phone, not a machine. It's really become a sore point with my last couple of orders. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Cal after you dial the toll free phone # the recording comes on, just push #1 on your phone and you'll get a real live person.
Cam

Wait a second...wait a second......why should you care what US customs does??.....you don't even stop at the US customs building.....instead go through to Canada Customs. By the way, I still prefer Scheels Hardware to Cabelas. And for a NICE GUY...see Wilson's Gun Shop near Pembina. I went to grad. school in Fargo....LOVE the North Dakota folks!!!

Conifer. When US customs decides to inspect your vehicle as you leave US I can assure you it is much more of an ordeal than you can imagine. Last winter they were 'inspecting' a group of our friends as we went by on our way home from a snowmobile trip in Mt. They took the seats off of all skidoo's.etc. Took 2 hrs. It is going to get worse.Mark

That is too true. Those Homeland Security goofs have developed a "John Wayne Syndrome" and feel the need to justify their jobs. derf

35404, they did that because they are from the same mold as our USF&W service. They were affraid you might have kidnapped some of our wolves and were taking them back.

I have had trouble with Wholesale Sports. I don't wont to go into the details. I have already suffered enough brain damage from Wholesale. When I do deal with them, I take nothing for granted and I have to hold thier hand and keep on top of them so as not to give them a chance to screw up.

There are good people that work there. I hear it is management from the people I know.

Similar bull shit as what others have posted.

I have started going to Russel. I have delt with Rod and Tim at Corlanes for years. Service has been good always.

Daryl

Guys I think the Alberta boys should deal in Bashaw at Bashaw Sports(named appropriately)
Pud owns it,not a lot of personality but between him and Randy they sure get the job done..

quote:

---

Originally posted by oldiesel:
Guys I think the Alberta boys should deal in Bashaw at Bashaw Sports(named appropriately)
Pud owns it,not a lot of personality but between him and Randy they sure get the job done..

---

I agree-bought a savage off of pud last fall-beatr wholesales price by $80

I agree about Bashaw sports, I dropped about $2500 there last spring, I also dropped about the same at P&D in Edmonton. Thats just the five rifles I bought, dosen't include the accessories and reloading supplies. So there's well over $5000 that Wholesale normally would have gotten had they not scared me off by trying to bullshit me and insult my limited intelligence.

I've had a couple of messages last week from UPS. They are still wondering if I recieved my nocs or a replacement yet? Do they not have a frigging brain?

They expect me to call back with a 20 number code for my file. Like they have not wasted enough of my time so far!!

Someone on canadiangunnutz e-mailed the extended thread to Wholsalesports and they E-mailed him back a letter addressed to me with their bullshit story. I then had to ask him for it but assumed the letter would reach my mailbox via post some time later. To this day it never arrived. they never intended to make an appology. It was just saving face to the potential customers on the web. I did recieve a return statement with a order form for future purchases. I they were laughing when they included that. The statement had the wrong delivery address on it and obviously that was the beginning of the whole mess. The jerk off tried to put it on me in his e-mail saying I changed adress 3 times. Wrong! They were given a house number because the billing address was a rural route # and UPS can't deliver there. Guess what they gave UPS anyway? When I corrected it later he pulled the "you changed address" routine. The jerk I was dealing with is an outright liar.