Wholesale Calgary... painful

Ardent

Ardent

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Northern BC, Coastal BC, or Africa. Depends on the
My god, I've walked into the new Calgary location twice when I happen to be in town, and no kidding, both occasions took over 15 mins of standing at the shooting counter to get service (holding a number no less...), on a slow day!

I understand busy... I understand you have to answer a thousand silly questions... but jeebus it gets bloody ridiculous listening to sales people pitching a sporter as being "...a special medium weight barreled model, does both long range and field hunting as well as both a pencil and a heavy barrel" and ".243 is the only cartridge you'll ever need." ...followed by a flawed explanation of twist rates. Also, I learned that apparently stainless steel barreled actions in wood stocks are extremely rare, and very expensive as such.

When I finally got ahold of a guy, after maybe 20 minutes by this point, the poor guy had no idea what I was asking for off the ready to roll list in my hand of reloading supplies. I had to walk them through their own catalog, explaining "Well if you don't have this one, this would be a decent substitute" etc. I will always, always go to Russell Sports from now on, the guys there know their stuff. At Wholesale, they've become the walmart of our outdoor community, and hire regular city folk who probably touched a gun once. I respect that they need employees, and the guys probably wish they knew more about what I was asking more than their confusion bugged me. Frankly, I'd go back even if for ill-informed staff, if only they could serve you in a timely fashion when not even busy. Russell, where I was earlier in the day, was top notch. I'll now wait for them to order in what I need and they don't have, rather than heading to Wholesale. If I do have to deal with Wholesale, it's going to be mail order only.

From the amount of people perusing outdoor gadgetry of questionable utility however, I'm sure Wholesale will not miss my business. It's just frustrating having a store I used to deal with so frequently become so bloated and useless. Just my small change, end rant...
 
I have heard ridiculous stories/sales pitches in every gun shop I've ever been in. I think its a condition of employment...:D
 
In my experience, Wholesale has terrible wait times and un-knowledgable staff. Russell's has ignorant and rude staff. Bass Pro has no inventory. The only really good shop in town is Proline. It's just a shame they're so small so they can't carry the selection of WSS and Russells.
 
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:agree:Since UFA took over a bad situation has got worse. I was in the Cgy store a few weeks ago to wait 15 minutes to see if they had the primers I needed, which the computer said they had but they couldn't find. Went to Russels, got what I needed and was in and out in 2 minutes.
 
Ormachek said:
In my experience, Wholesale has terrible wait times and un-knowledgable staff. Russell's has ignorant and rude staff. Bass Pro has no inventory. The only really good shop in town is Proline. It's just a shame they're so small so they can't carry the selection of WSS and Russells.
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Sorry, we're not ready for your reply yet. Please take a number and wait in the back...:D

Number 47 please, Number 47 !!??
 
I just ordered some stuff, the phone was answered quickly, they had everything I wanted and it was shipped within a day...
 
I actually happen to work at wholesale sports, and have this to say. First off, maybe the employee didn't know exactly what you were talking about. But you can't expect everyone to know everything instantly. Even you had to learn what you know at some point in your life, and this is when that person is learning, so don't be so hard on them, they will learn eventually. I'm sure you would agree that becoming an expert on something such as reloading takes time.

Next point. The majority of the problems is the managment. People have been working there for 5 years and still only make $12 an hour. This year, managment has decided not to give raises. People all over are quitting, and I don't blame them. The reason they have to hire whoever they can get is because they can't keep employees. I work in the guns and archery department, and I can tell you right now its a joke. They won't even tell us what or when we're getting things in, how long it will take to order something, it seems that they're getting rid of more and more of our suppliers that we can custom order from, and we're not even allowed to order our own stock inventory! I've heard of stores having to buy things from their competitors to sell for themselves, because they can never get any stock in. Even for things like glue, or wax, for making arrows, has to be bought at local competitors so the store can make arrows for its customers.

There are many things that need to be changed with the managment at Wholesale Sports, and that is the underlying cause for nearly all problems. As a customer and employee myself, I am not just blowing smoke and making things up. Its ridiculous and incredibly frustrating, and there is nothing worse than having to answer "I don't know" everytime someone asks you a question because the head office refuses to treat its employees as they should be treated and give them the necessary information to do their jobs.
 
And I thought Calgary had the best gun shops :eek:

I guess even we Moronto (read: Idiot David Miller) and Bantario people have to feel super lucky that we have a store like www.ellwoodepps.com with great people working (they sure try hard) there. Great inventory (given the economy) and decent prices.

If feel for you, Western Brethren!!

:cheers:

Barney
 
Wholesale Sports is quickly becoming one of my less favorite stores. Since they started to get bigger, prices seem to be going up and service is going down. I don't live in the middle of nowhere, but I think its close. I get to go to edmonton and P+D is a good place to deal with and reasonable priced. And mail order off of CGN sponsors website give you some good deals if you shop around.
 
You Calgary guys have it good compared to Edmonton. They both have similar staff, but Calgary has WAY more stock then the Edmonton store. Hopefully the new Edmonton location will be better but I am not holding my breath.
 
I just canceled an order I made to wholesale for a RCBS digital reloading scale. Two weeks went by and it wasn't even shipped yet, I emailed and they said it was behind, then I phoned and the girl said the wearhouse was really backed up.....two weeks to send a scale.....thats insane. I canceled the order and ordered one from Cabellas. It was at my house in two days, cost me $40 less and it works awesome. i was totally impressed. Wholesale was whole waste of time.
 
Wholesale used to be my go-to store. Their gun selection is still quite good compared to the others, especially when it comes to at least carrying restricteds.

They stock a lot of accessories/cleaning supplies/other odds 'n ends, but there's almost no cheap ammo there anymore. You used to be able to get some decent deals, but not anymore. I'm finding CT and Russell's cheaper than WHOLESALE sports (might have to change the name).

My first day in Bass Pro was awesome, I thought I was in heaven when I saw the racks of ammo (NOT behind the counter!!!), but my hopes quickly faded. I've been in there now at least 4 times on separate occasions, and it seems their shelves aren't filling up anymore (unless it's coming and going that fast) but the shelves seem stagnant: Yup, no 12G 2 3/4 or 3 slugs, no .223, no handgun ammo anymore, no UMC, no federal, no bricks of .22... The shotgun selection is a little lacking over there too I find. Very disapointing, I was hoping they'd rip wholesale a new one, but I'd say they're hardly providing any competition.
 
I was in Calgary about 3 weeks ago and actually came out rather quickly with everything I needed for some reloading products to get ready for fall.

The person who looked after me at the counter was even kind enough to come from behind the counter and help me find a few other things I was looking for. Yes it may have been his job to do so but he did it with a great deal of pride!

The service that day was spectacular to say the least.

I spent about $400.00 that day and didn't feel bad at all doing it.

REM
 
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