1.) Swamp Fox - 03/09/2017

Actually, let's expand it out to anything that might be vaguely interesting and that people might want to chat about...LOL

I was reading something the other day about the demise of the brick and mortar store, especially specialty stores (tackle shops, archery shops, hardware stores, etc.) and everyone knows mom-and-pop shops struggle in certain areas.

Even box stores have problems in certain markets. (Look what's going on with Gander Mountain and Dick's/Field &Stream, for instance.)

It got me thinking about what kind of things we're almost forced to go on-line for, [B]so I'm curious what everyone finds especially hard to find, even on the web. [/B]

Specialty hardware springs immediately to mind for me. Certain kinds of ammo, of course, and not just .22 LR. I also had a mildly amusing experience not long ago trying to find some replacement parts for something not long ago. If I can remember the details any time soon, I might tell the story just for grins and giggles. (Hey, Billy, got any tips for me on not losing my memory too soon?--LOL---Too late?).

Lights suitable for hunting and fishing is one category that's gotten easier, I think, but even just 10 years ago it was such slim pickings I thought briefly about building some that I came up with myself to sell to discriminating sportsmen like myself. I figured there must be some out there, right? :wink

(On a side note, it seemed like around that same time a lot of little guys were building bow stabilizers. Is that still going on?)

So here are three questions to start us off:

[B]What do you find hard to buy, even on-line?[/B]

[B]If you bought that item, what else would you want to buy with it from the same vendor (for convenience or whatever)? [/B]

[B]What purchases that fit the "hard to find" category will you make in the next one, three and five years?
[/B]

2.) bluecat - 03/09/2017

Do you just want me to call you...LOL!

3.) bluecat - 03/09/2017

I always like to support brick and mortar stores locally if possible. There was an archery shop here in town that was charging almost 40 dollars for a package of Magnus Stingers. I'm willing to pay a little more for local support but that is ridiculous. They are out of business now.

4.) DParker - 03/09/2017

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;47541]Even box stores have problems in certain markets. (Look what's going on with Gander Mountain and Dick's/Field &Stream, for instance.)[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but Gander Mountain's woes can mostly be attributed to their bordering-on-mental-illness-even-for-a-major-retail-chain pricing on just about everything. And Dick's not only ticked off a lot of hunters with their caving to anti-2A pressure, but their staff tend to be pretty useless as well.

5.) DParker - 03/09/2017

[QUOTE=bluecat;47545]I always like to support brick and mortar stores locally if possible.[/QUOTE]

I hear you. Ordering bricks and mortar online really kills you when it comes to the shipping.

6.) bluecat - 03/09/2017

[QUOTE=DParker;47546]Yeah, but Gander Mountain's woes can mostly be attributed to their bordering-on-mental-illness-even-for-a-major-retail-chain pricing on just about everything. And Dick's not only ticked off a lot of hunters with their caving to anti-2A pressure, [B]but their staff tend to be pretty useless as well[/B].[/QUOTE]

Boom!

7.) DParker - 03/09/2017

[QUOTE=bluecat;47548]Boom![/QUOTE]

LOL! OK, that one took me a second.

8.) Swamp Fox - 03/09/2017

I agree that usually Dick's staff is useless, except that they seem to have found one or two guys in the outdoor departments I most often visit who are on the ball. Their selection is the main problem.

Field & Stream is Dick's attempt at being more serious about outdoor gear. We had a place near here that was excellent as far as staff goes, but they closed that store recently. Supposedly the shopping center it was in never took off the way F&S had planned. The store was still in the middle of a goldmine, though, if you ask me. I'm not driving an hour to get to the location they consolidated with.

Gander has good sales, closeouts, and the odd item no one else carries. Other than that, it's pretty generic. Because of the location of one of the stores, I find it worth stopping in when I'm in the area for something else. On-line shopping at Gander is better if you don't like hit or miss.

9.) Swamp Fox - 03/09/2017

[QUOTE=bluecat;47543]Do you just want me to call you...LOL![/QUOTE]


You can try, but I have to warn you I screen my calls...LOL

10.) Wild Bob - 03/11/2017

That really hard to find stuff... I get off the corner down on lower Main...

11.) Swamp Fox - 03/11/2017

LOL...That's why we keep you around, WB...


:wink

12.) Swamp Fox - 03/20/2017

So I guess everybody always finds what they're looking for, whether at a brick-and-mortar or online...LOL

BTW, there was an article in the local paper a while back about the Gander closest to me closing down (one of two to be shuttered in the state; at least one other remains) and the only on-line comment was, as best I can quote from memory, "Good! Gander sold guns! Make room for a Michael's or a Craft Warehouse!"

If I thought anyone out there knew the commenter, and if I were intentionally trying to insult the angry dwarf community, I would make a snarky remark, but I don't, and I hesitate to, so I won't.

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Take it for what it's worth.

Carry on. :wink

13.) DParker - 03/20/2017

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;47767]So I guess everybody always finds what they're looking for, whether at a brick-and-mortar or online...LOL

BTW, there was an article in the local paper a while back about the Gander closest to me closing down (one of two to be shuttered in the state; at least one other remains) and the only on-line comment was, as best I can quote from memory, "Good! Gander sold guns! Make room for a Michael's or a Craft Warehouse!"

If I thought anyone out there knew the commenter, and if I were intentionally trying to insult the angry dwarf community, I would make a snarky remark, but I don't, and I hesitate to, so I won't.

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Take it for what it's worth.

Carry on. :wink[/QUOTE]

You could have just let them know that with the money people save by not buying guns at Gander's inflated prices they'll be able to buy even MORE guns.

14.) Swamp Fox - 03/20/2017

Good point, but I was too slow on the uptake, I think. I didn't see the article until weeks after it ran, while looking for something to wrap fish in.