GIJoes what gives?

[Plum Crazy]

Sometimes I just don't get it.
I buy almost all my gear at FM and I can say that now that FMS is on board with Ifish.
I go to FMS because they ALWAYS treat me right and they are close to my home.
Yesterday I go in the FMS to get new licence (along with half the state) and a hand full of fishing gear as usual. I ask the great galls at the desk if they will match GIJoe's price on their Mag Divers at $3.88ea Reg $5.99. Sure she says and calls GIJoes. The guy in Tackle at Joes I swear new it was fisherman's and told her NOPE no sale on Divers today. I check when I get home and look today on the Website. Sure enough Mag Divers on SALE HOT PRICE. :grin: I went ahead and bought them yesterday from FMS cause at least they are honest. You may say its an Isolated incedent but it has happened to me on other occations tooooo.
Fire
Anyone had this happen to you?

[skrimmy]

Funny, I've had just the opposite experience. I've found FM happy to give up a sale knowing I could get the better price next door, happened just a week ago even.

[Ivana Fishalot]

I have worked in retail sales for quite awhile (Haven't in 12 years now though). The employees are instructed to not answer sale questions over the phone because of price war issues. I have a strict personal policy that says I will not buy from a company if I have to go through the hassle of having them call to match prices. It is their job to give me the best price AND service. There is not much service needed when purchasing divers so I would've not even given FMS the chance. You can buy your tag at GI joes.

It is a way of cutting costs and really irks me that places practice business this way. Basically they say, "I'd love for you to pay full price but since you've done your homework (because I haven't done mine), I won't screw you out of your hard earned money"

[Jennie@ifish]

I believe I have your answer.

Things on the web site are not the same as at the store. It's two different businesses, and the web site sales do not always match the store prices.

I believe this to be true, but I'm not certain. I can find out, if you like. I do know that they are two separate businesses, however.

Jen

[SafetyChain]

Mine too was just the opposite. Picked up a nice bobber rod at GI Joes because the would match FMS price. Did'nt even call them, just took my word for it. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Yesterday GI Joes took back my son's electric scooter without a receipt (gave store credit). 100% of purchase and the scooter had a broken belt.

My only complaint about GI Joes is they never have what I need in stock. Everytime, literally, I go to pick up bobbers they are out of my preferred style (West Coast Floats). I have complained many times but the teenie boppers don't have a clue. They are a little high priced, but there is no where else in Gresham. And I'll spend any savings driving to Sportsmans or FMS, not to mention the extra time required.

[ORoutdoorsman]

All I know about fishermans is they are close to home and employ some of the best lookin gals in town :grin:

[Corkie Monster]

I don't even shop at Eastport joes anymore. They have a very serious stocking problem. Always picked clean . You would think they would stock up more durring the fishing season . O.C. FMS seems to always have plenty. Except for the prices are a little on the high side, but atleast they will have what you need. That's worth it to me. My name is Brian Warnicke and I just complained

CM

[ 01-05-2004, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: Corkie Monster ]

[Otolith]

( :grin: For Jennie ) My name is Bill Miller and I have a complaint about fisherman's.

I went to fisherman's (first choice) the other day to buy some stuff. They didn't have everything I needed, so I bought what they did have and then went to that OTHER store in the Clackamas area (you know the one) to get the rest. What I saw in price difference was ASTOUNDING. Polypros that were 15 bucks a piece at FM were 10 at the other place. West Coast floats were 5 and change at FMs compared to 3 and change at the other place.

Everything I priced seemed to be 30 to 40 percent cheaper at the other place compared to Fisherman's. What is up with that?

[ 01-05-2004, 07:48 PM: Message edited by: Otolith ]

[Otolith]

[ 01-05-2004, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Otolith ]

[ORoutdoorsman]

Yeah, at fishermans you have to wait for a sale, other wise most of there stuff is more expensive than sportsmans. If I run out of one maybe two things, I just go to fishersmans because the two bucks is not worth the gas and time to head to johnson creek. But, if I am getting a bunch of stuff, sportsmans all the way. I have also seen that there are a few fishermans employees that have gone over to work at sportsmans...so fishermans is getting it at both ends.

[Plum Crazy]

I know that they ARE on sale at Joes and I shop at FM due to its location. My thought was that Joes New they were calling from FM and thought if They say no maybe I would drive up and buy it from them. I don't know. I did feel somewhat detered when those nice girls at FM called the Manager who basically told me to Go Fish bring me proof. I believe the checkers would have honored it had it not been for the Manager. I just threw this topic out there to see if it's a bigger problem. It looks like everyone has a different story with different endings.

[3527766]

I blew a gasket one day this summer over the same issues with GI JOES (not is stock on ad items etc.) and sent them a scathing email. The VP Merchandising Manager called me personally and apologized. He also asked for our help in alerting them to potential opportunities for them to improve. It's easy to blow them off and never shop their stores again, but for me the convenience of their locations is very important. I want them to improve. So I send my issues directly to BG Eliertson at bg.eilertson@gijoes.com He can't fix everything immediately, but hopefully they will get better at fishing / hunting and the competition will be good for everyone. Use the website feedback section or send the information to BG.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

SC,
Joes doesn't stock west coast floats anymore.

[Fishalot]

I saw West Cost floats there 2 weeks ago, so what store location are you talking about????

Fishalot

[Day Late Fishen]

I like Joe's, will try Sportsmans Wharehouse but,I'm thru with that other place at least the delta location( consistently lousy service )

[Jennie@ifish]

Anyone who has written a direct complaint must write their full name on the post, or it will be removed.

Ifish policy, cough it up. :smile: I'll give it till tomorrow morning. Then, ZAP.

Jen

[ 01-05-2004, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[kodiakfisher]

Jennie,

I don't always agree with everything that is done on this board but thank you for allowing the poster with the complaint to correct his violation and add his full name before deleting the post and at least giving it some time to fix itself. Excellent policy and even better demonstration of restraint. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Plum Crazy]

I guess I agree to disagree.
I don't understand the reason for the name but agree to give it to you to play the GAME.
My name is Scott M. Carlson, I like fishing, and Golf and my loves are walks on the beach and Frank Sinatra songs. I don't like liver but will eat it if forced, My favorite color is Red, and I have a dog named Dakota. My favorite letter is R and my favorite number is 8.
Anything else I can forfit to you? I simply was asking if anyone else had a similar incident about GIjoes. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]
Scott "Fire in the Hole" Carlson

[cully]

Fire, yes could you tell us if you've always had such a good sense of humor. Favorite letter? Now, that's a good one. I don't have a clue what mine is. Guess I'll give it some thoght.

[2slow]

I have a pet peeve about stores who match competitors prices. If a store has the initiative to advertise and make a good price on a product why would I not reward them for making a good deal available to me by purchasing the product from them. Why would I give their competitor my business by merely having to match prices? If I buy from the competitor at the same price as the store running the special then I havent rewarded the aggressive store for their pricing initiative. Competition helps keep prices in line and people initiate aggressive prices to boost their sales. If stores can't boost their sales by being rewarded for an aggressive sales program then why would they have aggressive pricing? We need to reward stores that are price leaders with our business, not those who are merely price followers.

[Plum Crazy]

Good point 2slow,
I don't really care who gives me a good deal. The agressive store is still going to be agressive whether I drive over to his store or match price at a closer comp store. I would rather spend money at a store that (in my opinion) understands that I need 20 different Smelly Gelly's to fill my boat, or All the colors of the rainbow in K-fish to choose from. I shop The for mentioned stores on a regular basis. However, when I think of Fishing I think of FMS and professional sales people, when I think of sports auto and more I think of Joes. The aggressive store does get my buisness (When it convenient for me) it's the one who delivers on a day to day basis who I am inclined to spend maybe a little more with.
Fire
P.S. Cully thanks if you can't laugh and poke fun what good is life.

[Born to be Wild]

( For Jennie ) My name is Bill Miller and I have a complaint about fisherman's.

I went to fisherman's (first choice) the other day to buy some stuff. They didn't have everything I needed, so I bought what they did have and then went to that OTHER store in the Clackamas area (you know the one) to get the rest. What I saw in price difference was ASTOUNDING. Polypros that were 15 bucks a piece at FM were 10 at the other place. West Coast floats were 5 and change at FMs compared to 3 and change at the other place.

Everything I priced seemed to be 30 to 40 percent cheaper at the other place compared to Fisherman's. What is up with that?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Might be interesting to see if the "other place" will stay in business with such a low profit margin.

I don't know how they could stay in business with such a low profit margin unless someone has some serious financing.

Makes for a big hardship on the competitors that are opporating on an honest percentage.

Dan

[Mikeymoto]

For west coast floats try our New Sponser Fishermans Shack. Don will go above and beyond what you have to deal with in the big city. http://www.**************.net/
MM

[Chromaflage]

Here's something interesting. Check out both of these web sites and note the similarities.

G.I. Joes
Gart Sports

I noticed this about a year ago when I was looking for a reel for my son. You will notice same products, same price...these have nothing to do with their retail stores and they are owned by the same company. Do a search for "fly reel" and notice what comes up on both sites. Hmmmmm.....

ORS

[drhall99]

OregonRedside,

Looks like a conspiracy to me! I spent a little time on both sites. Definately the same company. I don't like it at all. The perception of competition without actually havinf to.

D.

[ORoutdoorsman]

Yhe similarities between gi joes and garts sports are probably either an agreement between the two stores, or a mutual understanding over time...and for them it is good business. While consumers like businesses to be in competition for the lowest price to bring in customers, it hurts both stores, and can continue hurting them for years at a time. Yet, if both stores stick to pretty much the same prices, higher than if they were both dropping for the purpose of competition, then people will go to the store that performs better in the customer service and selection categories. So these stores try to keep it the same so neither one has to drop their prices too low, and they hope they have better "atmosphere" to bring people to them. my .02

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

seems simple enough to me Born Gijoes gives us a few sale trinkets at a sale price and then ya have to buy other stuff that goes along with it and they are usually at a higher price and not included in the sale.

heck if i owned a sporting goods store I would put corkies on sale all the time near give them away and raise the mark up on hooks and line to cover it.

this is america we are greedy people

unfortnately we dont have a sportsmans wharehouse or a fishermans here in eugene so we are stuck with gijoes I just get my gear when its on sale and live with it.

.

[spinner53]

Yo, I think it's called a " Loss Leader", everyone does it, That's how yea can purchase a gallon of milk for $ 1.99 or less.

GI Joes internet and actual in store prices are different,
Ocuma epixor reel
49.99 on-line, 54.99 in store, who knows, with shipping it's probably a wash ??

[SKP]

I've had no problems with GI Joes.

SKP

[glassblower]

Never been to fishermans, go to joes from time to time (no problems), I love sportsmans warehouse cause the people working in the various deptments seem to have a good deal of knowlege of what they are selling and how to use it (for the most part) and they have always been really cool to chat to, never in a hurry to get away from you to snooz in the corner. But some places take the extra time to put their employees where they will give the best service. I could sell fishing gear, put me into the ball game gear area and I would not only not know anything about what I was selling but I would also not enjoy selling it, I have never once in my life watched a ball game. I have have met some cool guys at sportmans, and they have shared some good knowledge with me. And every store has "lost leaders" items priced at or below cost to get you in the store with hopes you will buy other gear while you are there, and hey what fisherman is not attracted to bright shiny objects (corkys, hot shots, Etc.). I think they are all good stores, but I give the place with the lowest price my cash. If you want a good deal you have got to shop around a little, and I know guys as a rule are not shoppers we want it 2 days ago and want it cheap, without looking for it everywhere. Me I can stand around and look at fishing gear for hours so that is not a problem, having cash to take it home is the problem. If you really look when your in those stores you will always find a good buy on somthing, it's finding a buy on somthing you need that is a challenge.

[Chukrchaser]

It's icy and cold so I might as well get into this --

Retail 101 :

1. On line stores are different divisions of most of the stores. Pricing, ads and merchandise will be different. (The major box that I work for doesn't even let us know what is on sale on line.)

2. As a retail manager, one of the best kept secrets is what is in the upcoming ad -- As we are usually busy taking care of our own ad -- memorizing what is in the competitor ads is brain damage I don't have time for -- besides the customers are always ready to tell you --

3. As for verifying, by phone, -- our price match policy somewhat gray -- except -- it must be instock at the competitors store -- We all know about the hot price but only 2 (or none)in stock problem. And of course, there is the ever present issue of customers making up prices and pushing it off as a "price match".

4. My employees are free to give out what ever pricing information they need to -- over the phone or in person "secret pricing has been long a dead issue.


So this is getting too long --
But remember this, this is not the "retail" somebody used to work in 12 years ago, there are no 1 page ads to look at -- there are 3 to 5 4 to 16 page circulars to try to keep up with and staffing that has been cut by 28% in just the last two years alone.


I'm stopping now -- before I say something about knuckle dragging customers that gets me in hot water

[Fishrite]

Suggestion: Take a copy of the newspaper ad with you. I have found Fisherman's to be very good about matching competitors adds. I know all of the employees (my son worked there for years) and I know the manager well. He is a wonderful man, as well as a very knowledgable fisherman. It has been my experience that Fisherman's is very concerned about customer satisfaction. On a scale of 1-10 they would get a "10" from me. Fishrite

[Phil Layer]

I'm with Scotty V on this one.

If I have to go out and do the work to figure out who has the lower price, then I'll be danged if I'll give my business to somebody who is charging more (unless I do the research for them.)

Match somebody else's price? NO WAY! If you want my business, offer the lower price. If you don't, I'll send my business to the guy who does.

[Megabites]

Pricing never ceases to amaze me. Here is a good example. I noticed one day at GIJoes Jansen Beach Store that they had a Black Box unit for a downrigger (I didn’t need one just noticed) for $80.00. When I was finished I walked next door to FMS and just happened to see the exact same unit for $120.00. 50% more the cost than at GIJoes. I don’t care how many you buy you won’t see that kind of a discount. I have got into the habit of checking prices for about everything I buy. Lets face it FMS sells everything at full retail unless on sale. There isn’t a reel in the store you can’t get cheaper on-line. For terminal tackle who cares but anything of any value no way. FMS should really do better on their pricing. Think of how much more business it would generate.

[ChuckDog]

FMS ---&gt; 2 stores ----&gt; West Linn Cheerleader Checkout = HIGH PRICES :grin:

[RogueFisher]

If you are not happy with one or the other take your fat wallet and go somewhere else.

Over time I believe the stores that have a competitive price and service will be around for the long haul.

I hate people that try and get the stores to fight each other via price matching.

I just stood in line behind a lady at a Mervyns in Medford that was trying to use the price match routine with additional coupons. I finally went to a different checkstand rather than stay and watch this lady make a total fool of herself.
:grin:

[Noff fishing]

I was at FM today and had my GI joes add and they wouldn't give me the sale price on a couple of items becuase there regular price was higher then Joes. It was kind of frustrating. i went to FM becuase they had a lot bigger selection on colors then Joes. Joes is always out of what I need and never seen to get it in. i always check, but there the closest to me by a large margin. I was also over at Sportsman and there prices were great on some of the items. They beat other stores sale prices. I'll just go where I need to to get what I need to. My name is Greg Noffsinger and that's my story

[Seefood Man]

I'm in the process of starting a full time guide business, and in getting my ducks in a row, several weeks ago, I went to FMS (where I worked at the Columbia Blvd store then helped with the move to Delta Park) and was pricing rods, reels, ect. I spoke with a manger and told him that I will be having my funding for all of my equiptment in two to three weeks and would he/they honor the today current sale prices then. He answered "yes" and I proceded to write down all the models and current sale prices. FYI the sale prices are better then the guides discount in most casses. So last week I went in with intentions of dropping at least $2500 to $3000 at one shot. I picked up a Lowrance 97 and headed to the tackle counter, where I asked them to call the manger I spoke to earlier, when he arrived I told him I was ready to buy the 18 reels and a bulk spool of tuff-plus xp 80lb in addition to all the other stuff on the list. He said he had to talk with his manger and returned with the answer that she said that they would not honor those sale prices, but only the most recient ad would be honored. :shocked: :whazzup: Well...I didn't get too bent out of shape and I just smiled and bought only the Lowrance and left. Then I went to Joes where I called the manger and explained the situtation and we headed to the tackle counter. He beat all the FMS sale prices on most of the items, and I wasn't even wanting or expecting that, I was just looking for a fair deal Well we checked out with a tab of $1586.00 and that's just scratching the surface. Now when I go to Delta park I'll go to Joes first, then if they don't have what I need I'll go to FMS for the "small items". When I give my word to someone I deliver, and I just expect the same in return. I don't think that's too hard to do. Pete Grace aka Seefood Man

[fishbait]

OK, gotta chime in here. Steve Salveson for those of you that haven't taken a shot at me lately

I live in Hillsboro and when I need sonthing I generally make the drive to Fishermans 25 min +. There is a GI Joes less than 10 min from my home, but anymore I just don't bother to even stop there. It seems like every time I do go there they do not have what I want. I serioulsy can say that the last 4-5 times I went there I bet I walked out empty handed at least 3 of those times. In addition, just try to find someone knowledgable to help you. I for one will gladly pay a little more to have items available. I do understand that business are in business to make money and I want them to be profitable so they can keep their doors open. Inventory and staff cost money, I understand that. But what is the hard cost to me in time and truck expense to drive to Joes and walk out empty handed, frustrated that what I needed was not on the shelf. In all fairness to Joes I also understand that their inventory dollars are spread out over a wider variety of items compared to the more narrow focus of Fishermans. But.... I am forced to drive an extra 15-20 min to take my consumer dollars elsewhere, but ya know what, I generally walk out with everything I need. I am sure that there are hundreds of fisherman from Aloha west that are in the same boat as me.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I haven't been impressed with sportsmans, they have alot of stuff... But not alot that I need. Between Joes, bi-mart, and Sportsmans I am able to keep things covered though.

[SKP]

Willametteriveroutlaw,

You are now a chromer! I'm not far behind.

SKP :grin:

[Wang]

In Salem I seem to have no choice but to shop Joes, Sportsman and Bi-Mart. When I get to the Portland area I like stop at FM just to see if they have anything on sale I might need. I buy alot of stuff from small stores in the area's I fish just to do my .02 to help keep them in business.

Remember if your not in a hurry and can wait a couple days Bi-Mart can order just about anything the other stores offer.