Wholesale Sports??? Dont hold your breath

A guy behind the gun counter in whole sale who was probably younger than me (this is YOUNG) told me to be careful what ammo I used in JR carbines because some had "blown theirs up using a certain brand of 9mm". I suggested to him that perhaps they had used the wrong 9mm cartridge and he insistent that there was only one variety of 9mm. I happily named 3 different varieties for him (I don't even shoot pistols ffs). Pretty dangerous to have Bubbas like that behind the counter imo.

OP wouldn't have been looking for .44 mag reloading equipment would he? The place is a desert for everything but the common calibers and some long range stuff...

Another employee in there fishing section claimed he had caught 40 lakers in one day from a lake I fish almost daily, if you are going to blow smoke go for a dart bud!
 
All it took to improve the attitude of Wholesale Sports, in Nanaimo, was a brand new Cabelas. . . Opening day at Cabelas I picked up a pair of Leupold binoculars at Whole Sports for $100 off. . Before that I'd given up even going there.
 
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SuperCub said:
I miss Russell Sports and S.I.R.
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Yup. I learned early on never to even attempt mailordering anything from WSS after the fiasco I experienced merely having an item sent from their Edmonton store to Calgary a few years ago. I did appreciate having WSS and Russell's Sports a few blocks away on the same road - WSS or Russell's didn't have it? A quick drive, either way, fixed it. But I found my stuff at Russell's more often than not. But thanks to the UFA takeover, Russell's no more.

Still, WSS is miles ahead of the abomination tourist shop (Bass Pro) we got. Good if you want cheezies, fudge or low quality RedHead products, but I can't hardly find anything I need to go to a sporting goods store for in there.
 
I had 1 order go well, and they actually payed the shipping back to me when I returned it. Then the next time, same story as OP. They have it online, I order my shotgun on special, and 1 week later I call to see why I don't have a shipping confirmation and they say the magazine cap was broken and they couldn't sell it. Bought it elsewhere.
 
Their fishing supplies aren't exactly well stocked either. They seem to have a lot of stuff in stock for west coast and bonefishing vacations but nothing for locals who aren't trolling for walleye. I had never been to the store before this holiday season.
 
jackrabbit000 said:
Everybody complains about this dump but yet they keep going back and then b**ch about it here. Go figure. f:P:
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I would much rather go to other places but when we get to Calgary it's the easiest place to go to rather than wander around Ikea with my wife for two hours (they're very close together). It seems like I still always end up buying something too. I always need a few odds and ends for my gun room and for what they do have in stock the prices aren't bad.
 
I have only ever gone to WSS specifically to buy one thing. I only knew they had it because a friend was in a week before and knew I was looking for those pink shot gun shells.
Other than that I just go to see what they have and maybe buy and maybe not.
 
I actually have had really good service from them. I found a deal on a rifle, however it was sold out for web sales, so I rang around to the different stores and found one that had it in stock. He told me to ring the local store in Kamloops and ask them to do a 911 transfer from the Edmonton store to the Kamloops store which I arranged over the phone and then went into the Kamloops store and paid and collected the rifle after it arrived. I guess it just shows it all depends on the store and the people you deal with, which in the case of the Kamloops store was some one named David. I have also found the Kamloops store manager very helpful as well in the past.
 
conor_90 said:
Their fishing supplies aren't exactly well stocked either. They seem to have a lot of stuff in stock for west coast and bonefishing vacations but nothing for locals who aren't trolling for walleye. I had never been to the store before this holiday season.
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Hmmm. The Wpg store actually has a really good and well stocked fishing dept. Actually, it out does the Cabelas store IMHO.
 
I find WSS has better price on many guns then the other stores in town. Ya they suck for service but if you know what you are looking for and they have in stock you will more likely save money on the purchase then to go somewhere else. I got a axis xp in 308 for less then 235$ after rebate.
 
Hihi962 said:
I feel sorry for UFA corporate, as they bought Wholesale sports, and they dont know what they are doing in that realm, they should have stuck to farm goods.
Ever since cabela's have been opening up everywhere, you can darn near see tumbleweeds rolling thru WS stores, even during hunting season. Without a doubt in my mind, that ship is gonna sink. Imo.
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Yep, I agree. Its just a matter of time. By the looks of all the 40% off signs and more you'd think they were having a clearance sale. The good Wholesale I remember was mid 90's on 97th and Yellowhead.

I was looking for a Lee factory crimp die in 280 Rem before Xmas. Lee labels theirs as 7mm Express. I phoned and asked if they had any 7mm Express in stock. The gal said oh I don't think so, that sounds like a special order. I said can you have a look at least. She comes back and says Ya we got five.
 
When I see a Wholesale Sports bash thread I always feel a little sad. When I worked there we had very knowledgeable people on the gun counter, ditto for fishing and camping. If you had a question that was technical you could count on an answer. I only worked there for three summers while I was going through school but the guys on the gun counter, even if somewhat eccentric, were knowledgeable. I think you still have some knowledgeable people there today but due to the size of the operation and the wages offered you don't attract the best candidates, especially in a hot economic climate like Alberta or Saskatchewan.

On the other hand, I have seen a ton of balloon-knots saunter up to the counter and prattle on all sorts of foolishness. Usually their volume level is inversely proportionate to their knowledge level. So while I don't make apologies for every stupid comment coming from the far side of the counter, neither do I dismiss idiocy from the public side.

Bottom line: if you want to lean on the counter and BS you're better off at your LGS. Or any small store. I've spent time BSing with staff and customers in places like P&D, Reliable Gun or Prairie Gun Traders and had a thoroughly enjoyable time without being subjected to "the stupid". But you also never know when you'll luck into a very knowledgeable person behind the counter at a big box. IIRC "Tactical Teacher" Barney works at a big box when he's not imparting Chemistry lessons on teenagers. I think that the old guard might still be at WSS Calgary (Brent and Bob) and there was a time when Rick from ATRS manned the gun counter with me at WSS Calgary. Then again you could get a zero-with-shoes Ken who posed as an ex-SEAL and prattled all manner of nonsense. It's a crapshoot but the law of averages alone says that you will find more zeroes at a big box than an independent.
 
I never even bother expecting to find anything in stock online but always had good luck getting anything I needed in the Winnipeg store. Live outside of Winnipeg but send my brother in to pick things up all the time, mostly sale stuff. When I do go in personally I have always had friendly service.
 
Sounds like you had a crappy experience - that's too bad…


Most of the dealings i've had with wholesale have been positive, and in today's market shortages of ammo, powder bullets etc. I don't expect to find anything I'm looking for, but WWS is still on my list of stores to browse when I'm looking for hen's teeth or other rare items. The one observation I have with the store chain that I find disappointing is the lack of real 'sales' lately. Being a cheap bugger I always enjoy finding items in the sale racks ;)

GMHVAC said:
Heads up to all or maybe Im the last to know, but I think the organizational level of Wholesale Sports has hit a new low. Likely the worst experience I have ever had with a supplier.

I was on the hunt for some Reloading components early in December. Found some on-line at Wholesale and ordered up a bunch of bullets. Items were in stock and I got the confirmation of order so Im good to go. Not so fast.

2 1/2 weeks later I get an email saying they are out of stock and the order has been cancelled. I go back on line and they are still showing as on line. I get that these items are hard to find but 2 1/2 weeks later?? I promptly emailed back and asked " why the delay". Their response was almost comical as they had said they have made numerous attempts to contact me and left a few voice mails and a few emails. Either of which were never received. Checked my profile and the phone number is correct as well. They obviously had the right email as I got the cancellation notice. Im pretty anal about keeping up on any kind of messages so my BS detector is starting to beep loudly. Anyhow, they have them in stock as well according to the web site at 3 different stores in Alberta which is where I was. Drove to the first store and no stock on the shelves. Checked with staff and they started laughing and quickly commented on the uselessness of ordering on line as its a real hit or miss. But they had an answer. They would check the computer internally.

Everybody's out except Calgary. They have a bunch. Phoned down there and of course they are out there as well.

Ok crap happens and its a busy time, but they literally lie to your face about trying to rectify the situation. That is upsetting and means they are not trustworthy.

Fired off an email to customer service (with no profanity) and absolutely no response. And I mean nothing.

As luck would have it I get a gift card for Christmas for Wholesale sports from a family member so Im off to the physical store. Talked to a manager on site and relayed the info, hoping that I was missing a "key" piece of info. He just smiled and shook his head and said " welcome to my world".

Its really too bad as the staff at the physical locations are quite nice and are understanding, but honestly, Management, web site, inventory and customer service need a serious review.
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Edit: I will say that when I'm really looking for a specific item(s), I tend to search out the site sponsors above. Most of my specific search items have come from them. The big box stores are fun to browse, but when it comes down to it - my items are found through the site sponsors.
 
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