Bass Pro's Curious New Ammo Sales Policy

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Phydeaux642

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I work in a pawn shop that sells firearms that is also located in a city with a huge Bass Pro Shop. We haven't been getting much in the way of ammo lately (or firearms for that matter) but the local BPS has been getting a fair amount in on a weekly basis. Their prices have, of course, gone up but they are still reasonable compared to gun show prices.
Today I was informed by a customer that tried to buy some ammo from BPS that they would only be able to get one box of ammo IF they bought a gun or they could get some sort of membership where they would inform them when ammo was going to arrive.
I understand holding back ammo for gun purchases, but the membership thing seems odd. This person I was talking with didn't know if they charged for this membership, so, it could very well be part of their rewards program but it alienated them enough that they said they wouldn't go back.
Why not just put small limits on purchases to keep the gun show sellers from sucking it all up and put it out at random times to keep the crowds down?
Any other BPS doing this anywhere?
 
I work in a pawn shop that sells firearms that is also located in a city with a huge Bass Pro Shop. We haven't been getting much in the way of ammo lately (or firearms for that matter) but the local BPS has been getting a fair amount in on a weekly basis. Their prices have, of course, gone up but they are still reasonable compared to gun show prices.
Today I was informed by a customer that tried to buy some ammo from BPS that they would only be able to get one box of ammo IF they bought a gun or they could get some sort of membership where they would inform them when ammo was going to arrive.
I understand holding back ammo for gun purchases, but the membership thing seems odd. This person I was talking with didn't know if they charged for this membership, so, it could very well be part of their rewards program but it alienated them enough that they said they wouldn't go back.
Why not just put small limits on purchases to keep the gun show sellers from sucking it all up and put it out at random times to keep the crowds down?
Any other BPS doing this anywhere?
Simple capitalism they make more money if you buy a gun from them then if you buy ammo. They probably also make a decent amount of money sending you ads and rewards points because they know you’ll come back If you have points or a coupon or something. And honestly I get it… Prioritize the customers who want to make your business a priority. Incentivize loyalty by making sure you have high demand items available for members.

And by keeping hot commodities available for members it keeps the members coming back because they feel like they’re part of something exclusive.....


As for getting ammo when you buy a gun, to me that one just makes sense. You want someone who buys a gun from you to be able to actually enjoy it and shoot it so you save some ammo to make sure they can. Especially considering that there is an unprecedented amount of first time gun owners. Increasing their positivity about the experience pretty much guarantees they’ll come back next time.
 
As I said, I get the "buy a gun, get some ammo". That just makes sense, but these big box stores are their own worst enemies by putting items out at the same times on the same days. I just went to BPS when I was in the area on my day off. I won't make a special trip there, or anywhere, after getting notified only to have it all gone by the time I get there. Now I don't have to go there at all.
 
My local gun shop has a 1 box limit of each caliber per day. The indoor range/gun shop will sell you ammo if you shoot or buy a firearm. Academy has a 2 box limit each caliber per day. Seems they are all doing limits but atleast they have some at a fair price considering the situation. I have not bought any but don't need to for awhile.
 
Good incentive for a rewards program. If you are a new shooter I can see it being worth it.

As far as store owners reserving a box of ammunition to sell if someone buys a gun, I'm good with that too. Again, think about a new shooter. Most of us have enough ammunition to see us through for a while. If we want to really get the new shooters on our side, they need something to shoot.
 
Why not just put small limits on purchases to keep the gun show sellers from sucking it all up and put it out at random times to keep the crowds down?

The ammo limits have some effect, but you still have the scalpers bringing in their hoard of unwashed family members that soon suck those shelves dry.
Lucky for them, no background checks on their family members for the ammo.

Putting it out at odd times sounds good, but how many times are you going to go by the store to see empty shelves before you give up.
Some of the negativity you are feeling over the situation will reflect back on the store as well.

Think it through and you'll see that keeping a pool of customers/members feeling
as if 'they' are in on a big secret with the store that is thinking of 'them' through these trying times is the most efficient and profitable
way to sell when quantities are limited.
Smart move by Bass Pro IMO.

JT
 
Luckily “Sleepy, -Astute- Joe” is overwhelmed with the flood at the border.

His Spokes Lady (looks like Kat Timpf) or another person just acknowledged what many of us realized—

--that they needed some Different, Actual problem to give them an excuse to avoid making any risky political actions regarding Guns or ammo.

They never forgot about the Midterm Elections.
 
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I’m going to throw the BS flag. BPS has a “policy” of 5 boxes...if a customer was told something else, it was probably an employee that went off the reservation. If someone told me that, I’d be asking for the manager.
 
Before all the ammo ran out, my BPS used to sort ammo by brand, instead of caliber. I just took one look at the ammo shelves, and walked away. There was no way I was going to spend half an hour poking thru every brand they had, to compare a few caliber prices.
 
It's surprising to see so many that seem unbothered by this. You have to buy a gun to get ammo?

The last gun I bought Scheel`s offered me some ammo to go with the gun. I said no.
Looks like buy a gun get ammo with it will be with us for the foreseeable future.
 
Why not just put small limits on purchases to keep the gun show sellers from sucking it all up and put it out at random times to keep the crowds down?
Assuming that the rumor is accurate...

During one of the past shortages, a relatively small number of people would line up at the local WalMart every single day waiting for the ammo shipments so they could get their limit every single day. Some would even take other people with them so they could get more than the limit.

I'm just speculating, but if BPS was seeing something similar and was feeling the pinch of having large numbers of customers come in and want to buy guns but not being able to get ammo for them, it might make sense for them to try prioritize gun sales over ammo sales. Especially if they are selling out of guns and ammo regularly anyway.

I think the last line of the above paragraph is what a lot of people aren't taking into consideration. If a store is regularly selling out of all their guns and ammo, why would they care if they alienate a few customers who want to buy what they're already selling out of regularly?

Gun Store: We can't sell you ammo unless you buy a gun.
Customer: Why?
Gun Store: Because we need to keep enough ammo on hand so the huge numbers of customers who are buying guns from us can get some.
Customer: I don't like that policy because I want to buy ammo and you won't sell it to me.
Gun Store: Well, if we didn't have that policy you still wouldn't be able to buy ammo from us because we'd be sold out. The only reason we have ammo is because of the policy you don't like.
Customer: Well then I'm going to take my business elsewhere!
Gun Store: You mean, because we won't let you buy ammo from us you're going to stop buying ammo from us? !! ?? :confused:
Customer: Well, I won't buy guns from you either.
Gun Store: You weren't going to buy a gun in the first place--if you were, you would be able to buy ammo too and we wouldn't be having this conversation. Besides, we're selling guns as fast as we can get them in, so if you want to go somewhere else to look for guns, that might not be a terrible thing all around--especially since you don't like our policies.
Customer: I'm leaving! Don't try to stop me! I'm boycotting you! I'm really leaving! I'll tell people on the internet about you!
Gun Store: Well... Bye. Next in line!
 
I work in a pawn shop that sells firearms that is also located in a city with a huge Bass Pro Shop. We haven't been getting much in the way of ammo lately (or firearms for that matter) but the local BPS has been getting a fair amount in on a weekly basis. Their prices have, of course, gone up but they are still reasonable compared to gun show prices.
Today I was informed by a customer that tried to buy some ammo from BPS that they would only be able to get one box of ammo IF they bought a gun or they could get some sort of membership where they would inform them when ammo was going to arrive.
I understand holding back ammo for gun purchases, but the membership thing seems odd. This person I was talking with didn't know if they charged for this membership, so, it could very well be part of their rewards program but it alienated them enough that they said they wouldn't go back.
Why not just put small limits on purchases to keep the gun show sellers from sucking it all up and put it out at random times to keep the crowds down?
Any other BPS doing this anywhere?

Bass Pro does hold some ammo in reserve for gun buyers to purchase. When I bought my RAR from them they offered me some 556 even though they none available to sell separately.

That customer might have not understood what the employee said
 
What's curious to me, is that it seems there are a good number of folks here that either seem indifferent or in some cases resentful of people searching high and low trying to find ammo and buying it when they can.... I've got to be missing something here. We aren't all looking to resell it, just looking to continue pursuing our thing. It's harder and more expensive these days but if you put in the legwork and pay the price, God bless and happy shooting. That's why I would think anyone on this board would be disappointed when one of the places supplying it puts conditions on purchases.... provided this is true. It sounds like it's probably not, that's quite the burden to place on somebody looking for a couple boxes of ammo
 
Last weekend at Academy I brought 6 boxes of various ammo to check out. The checker abruptly left and came back with a manager who said bluntly; two box max. I distributed the ammo to family members so we could each buy our two box max.

This did have an effect on me as now I find it not worth the trip into the store for only two boxes. When it was a limit of 5, I felt like I accomplished something with out having to bring in family and friends.
 
Last weekend at Academy I brought 6 boxes of various ammo to check out. The checker abruptly left and came back with a manager who said bluntly; two box max. I distributed the ammo to family members so we could each buy our two box max.

This did have an effect on me as now I find it not worth the trip into the store for only two boxes. When it was a limit of 5, I felt like I accomplished something with out having to bring in family and friends.
5 boxes!!!! Jeez, hoard much? ;)

Sorry, I'm just a lil salty over this wonderful new "hoarder" label we have been throwing around lately. Apparently we are supposed to leave those boxes alone, save them for the guy coming in after you....:confused:
 
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