My problem with BPS is that there are TWO of them within an hour's drive of my house! Dangerous! And yes, their prices are a bit on the high side. Then again, it's either that or 1) go to the catalog/online, or 2) drive ~3.5 hours to the Cabela's store in Buda, TX. MUCH better store, but much LESS convenient; and Cabela's will only put two stores in each state, and that's the closest one.
I love bass pro shops. Ordered my new reel and rod for panfish bot two weeks ago and my new setup is amazing. Also wasnt that expensive. Gotta love when you order something from there and they send you a catalog free. Two thumbs up for bass pro shops.
Bass pro is a great place to shop if you can catch ya self a sale. Its a cool experience to go in and check out all of the stuff, go to the seminars, Eat at the restaurant or just waste some time while the girls are at the mall. I live about 20 min from our local bps. There is one thing that I take into serious consideration about shopping at my bps. If I can get it at my local bait shop I refuse to buy it at bps. ALWAYS remember the lil guy. Most of these bait shops are owned and operated tiny family business that have been in operation for a few generations. They all know you, ya daddy, and his daddy by name. Ive even got a few pictures up on the wall that sticks out in the wallpaper of pics at mine. Theres always a few old men sittin on an old bench made from a 2x12 on mason blocks against the front wall drinkin coffee and tellin stories of there famous fish that got away. I would hate to see my bait shop fade away. They cant make it on just crickets and worms. BPS doesnt open at 5am.... pump your gas for you and get your boat iced and your bait packed and loaded for you either.
Support the lil guy. There just like you and me.
Mayo
Your local bait shop can often meet or beat Bass Pro's prices on many items and sometimes already do. Mayo is right, we better buy more than just bait from them if we know what's good for us. I personally think Wal-Mart is more of a threat to the little bait shop than BPS because they are in most small towns across the south and have a fair tackle selection and it's so convenient while you're buying everything else they have.
I will make a concious choice to see what my bait shop has I might want or need besides crickets. Will you please consider doing the same?
No problems. I've spent hundreds at bass pro with no problems. Had an Eagle Claw scissors forceps snap off in my hand last year after opening the jaws three times. They refunded my money and told me to keep the forceps.
If you've never been there in person you should go at least once. I went to the Springfield Missouri mall. It is massive and has everything an outdoorsman/woman would want.
No Probs. BPS gets some of my money every year. Check out the library they have on their website.
Add Cabelas and the small shops to your list and you got it covered. Just yesterday I bought an ice rod and reel from a local B&T, along with a few ice jigs and bait.