Wholesale has just purchased Russell Sports.

I don't like the sounds of this!

Russells' had an excellent staff and because of this, I always try to give them my business over Wholesale Sports. I hope Glenn, Peter and the bunch are still behind the counter next time I go in.
The only guy at wholesale who's of any use is the old bald dude, the rest are about as useful as tits on a bull.

Just spoke to Wholesalesports (they called me to let me know that a Sako 75 I ordered (??) (this was a year ago) is discontinued).

She confirmed the purchase. Nothing will change for now, until their new facility near the IKEA is done. I reckon both locations will then merge into one.

Too bad.

Frans

Just spoke to Russell personel, nothing will change for now, only the store has different owners, who happen to be the same guys that own Wholesale Sports.

GordM

Well isn't this just effing marvelous! I really don't think too much of Wholesale Sports. derf

This makes me wanna puke!!

Now I know why WS's customer service and attitude is so poor. Nothing to worry about if you buy the competition. Just screw the customers all you can!

I have never been in a store, that has so much stuff, but hardly any of it I need! It doesnt matter what I want, Wholesale likely doesnt have it.
Dont know about Calgary, but Edmonton's eats A$$. I like the # system at the gun counter...2 ppl. waiting (ya I said waiting) and you still need to grab a #! Then when my # is called, I get this pimply faced 12 buck an hr kid, who doesnt know the difference between Winchester and Remington. I asked to see a Rem. rifle, said kid goes to back and brings a Rem rifle box with a WInchester in it, I tell kid..um, this is a Winchester, he then tells me, nope its a Rem. (its what the box says!) we argue for about 1 minute, I casually walkaway, and he asks...is there anything else I can help you with!!!

I have been away from the retail gun business for 12 years but have watched the ascension of Wholesale Sports with admitted disgust. I knew and dealt with most of the people who preceded the Butlers in the business and feel that Wholesale is a sad legacy. Just my opinion.
My first big game rifle was purchased from Barotto's when Barry and Otto were newly in business. Ammuniton for the same rifle was purchased from Frenchy just up the street. These people along with those who followed them like Don Lovo, Bob Hobbs, Gunther Kautsky, and Pete Rumsey were gun people. Shooters and hunters who identified with their customers and felt some loyalty to the shooting sports. This is something I have always felt the Butlers lacked. Their primary purpose in life has been to monopolize the trade and no methods were beneath them.
In the end though, it is the marketplace that speaks loudest and, if the marketplace is accepting of a Wholesale Sports monopoly, it will be so. Whether we, as consumers, support this or not is our choice. Regards, Bill.

The negative points here about the retailers of sporting arms and goods is not unique to here in Canada. I have seen the exact same complaints from american customers regards gunshops and sporting good outlets.

Often the complaints have to do with sales people who don't know and don't care much about what products are sold and taking the sporting good customers for granted.

Now realy can retailer today afford to pay expert sales people, train them and thereby keep them in today's labour poor market? Most don't, can't and so customer service is no better that the service from the shoe clerks at WalliesWorld.

As well, this problem for the customer is not unique to sporting goods. It use to be that knowing something counted for much. For example,I know of a very expert individual having left the taxidermy supply industry in Canada to go to greener pastures, the pay and incentives being much better elsewhere.

It would be good to put ourselves in the boots of relailers sometimes.... When is expert retail staff just too expensive????

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I get most my stuff elsewhere...like I said, most anything I want, Wholesale wont/dont have it!!

They still eat @$$

Living in Medicine Hat I too have been underwhelmed by wholesale sports on more than a few occasions. I think the most humorous incident occurred in Lethbridge when a young man (about my oldest sons age) told me that the Hornaday spire points I have shot out of my 7x57 since before he was born were "garbage" and that "he" wouldnt dream of using anything but a Accubond or a TSX bullet. I stand enlightened. Let me put in a plug for a gentleman who I have been dealing with in my area. He is an extremely knowledgable shooter and rifle aficionado.He will beat wholesale sports prices on any rifle/scope/mount etc. His name is Darcy Bowyer in Maple Creek, Sask. and can be reached at 306-662-3267. I am not connected to Darcy by blood or money. I am putting in an unsolicited plug for someone who has treated me more than fairly. Tell him Brian from Medicine Hat sent you.

All my shooting supplies are ordered through a little shop here. I always get what I want. Try ordering 9.3x64 or 416 Rigby brass from Wholesale sports!

One funny thing to point out is that everone wants to be treated like friends when we go to the local gun store. But boy are hunters and shooters are they ever cheap. Guns cost alot to stock they are literly the lost leader in a gun store. They make mony on ammunition, slings scope mounts. Yet the first thing everone asks for when they drop a $1000 on a gun is "can you throw in some ammo or whats the best deal you can give me on a scope or a sling". That $1000 dollar gun is alot of money but I bet it cost the gun store $900 to get there and how long did it sit there? Everyone is guilty of it at some point you go where the best price is. You know what you want you don't want to hear some clerk saying your bullets or your scope selection are crap. Just get me what I want at the best price. I don't particuly like Whole sale but they have alot of stuff. ALot of it may be shit but at least it is there for me to try. Not constantly order. SO if you want to be treated like a friend and a fellow hunter and shooter sometimes we have to suppport the smaller guy even if it costs a little more for they do not have the buying power of Wholesale, Cabela....

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
Everyone is a bitchin and a moaning and as we do against our own year by year our numbers are dwindeling. If there is no more Wholesale Sports who will we turn to for our supplies?

The US refuses to export, the small mom and pop gun stores cannot get insurance and if they do it's so expensive they cant keep their doors open. One by one they are closing down and there is no one to take their place.

No one will ship powder and primers anymore and so the story goes on

No I say thank you to the folks at Wholesale sports and their catalog cause if it were not for them many if not most of us will be up the creek with no paddle !

Try this link they ship Loomis and prices are good. E mail for the pdf pricing. Get a few people together for an order and the over all cost should be resonable with shipping and hazmat charges.

http://higginsonpowders.com/pages/934271/index.htm

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Well, I'm gonna vent my own thoughts on the subject. I grew up in Winnipeg, and enjoyed the Jennings family's wonderful gunshop and courteous, bottomless expertise. They are gone. All that seems remaining is (gag) Sidney I Robinson ..... who, years ago, was a decent place to shop. Not now. Prices are absurdly high; knowledge is absent. I wandered through the clothing departments last week. Prices?? Beyond the beyond. There is (believe it or not) a remedy. There is a chain of charitable thrift stores....HUGE stores...called Value Village. Winnipeg has 4 of these; Fairbanks (AK) has one. Huntsville (AL) has one, and I imagine they are found all over both countries. The selections are absolutely awesome....down and other parkas of top quality and condition...leather outerwear, and anything imaginable in great quantities, fantastic condition, and CLEAN. Prices are absurdly low.
I know I risk derision from you readers, regarding my suggestion of a "thrift" store as a source of hunting or other outerwear .... but honestly.....you would be AMAZED at what's available in these places.