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**Memory Maker** · 11-28-2010, 03:29 PM

...... any compensation? ............

**medicyaker** · 11-28-2010, 03:31 PM

I could treat to lunch... Sorry, thats the best I can do

**Memory Maker** · 11-28-2010, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by medicyaker View Post

I could treat to lunch... Sorry, thats the best I can do

Sorry for the rant but I've dealt with BPS before and trust me it's usually a 1 sided affair that benefits only BPS ........ they have had the Kayak demos for years but the guys doing the demo's don't seem to return and BPS doesn't seem participate in the smaller local affairs .......... local kayak shops and local tackle shops on the other hand are usually more than willing to participate .........that's why I'll be contacting the Kayak Shop in Easton to do some work on my PA this winter .......

BPS is only interested in their profit and gaining marketshare at everyone else's expense .......

That's why I support the local shops ........

Maybe your manager would be willing to offer something that would be mutually beneficial to the club or it's members ............

If he doesn't then he'll just prove my point .......

**medicyaker** · 11-28-2010, 04:21 PM

Well I welcome the constructive criticism. As far as "the other guys" doing demos, I cant speak much for them as I know that they have never had an employee doing them. As I stated, I actually work there in the fishing dept. and have for the past 3 yrs albeit as a PT associate. Last year they used a Kayak Guide who has a service on Kent Island and he did an awesome job on his "Talk" and a slide show. I want to do more than that, I want to have "Real Fishing Yaks" there for people to put there hands on, and see all there is to do with a Kayak. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with BPS and I doubt there is much I can do to change your mind on their community service policy. I can tell you that as a Volunteer FireFighter that they have donated allot of merchandise to my fire station as well as other Non-Profit groups for fundraisers. They do back several conservation foundations as well. I would welcome you to come and see the presentation that I hope to do and perhaps I can get them to donate some merchandise to our club to use as a raffle or stuff for our next M&G or some sort of fundraiser to maybe purchase shirts for our group. Thanks for listening to my rant as well.

**Memory Maker** · 11-28-2010, 05:09 PM

Sorry guy ........ I'd love to support you but not without some reciprical benefit to the club.

In another year they had a Potomac Kayak fishing river guide and several of his kayak fishing friends do the demo's and presentation ....... their rigs were awesome and the guide had some custom grips on his rods that I was so impressed with that I photographed.

As far as donations to charities, I've seen what they did 1 year and I was so disgusted that I will not support them again unless I see a change. I've also showed up early for items advertised for weeks with no mention of limited quantities only to find they had very few to sell and to be told that I should have read the fine print ........ again ..... disgusted with the way they treat their customer base ......... felt like a fool both times for being hoodwinked.

Further more, It seems to me that if they can donate sporting goods to a Voluntary Fire Station (which has nothing to do with fire fighting) that does not provide direct benefit to BPS then they could do the same for another volunteer fishing organization that would provide a direct benefit to them.

Shirts for everyone would be nice since we don't have fundraisers ...... or a discount that other shops would offer if asked ......... or gift cards etc .......
Anything to show BPS's support of us .......... like the discount Kayak shop in Easton did without us doing anything for them ......... or Tochterman's do for the Tidalfish guys etc .....

Again ....... sorry for my rant ......... probably for nothing because there will probably volunteers to help ........ would just be nice to see BPS show some benefit to those that benefit them ...... like the other shops do

**medicyaker** · 11-28-2010, 05:27 PM

fair enough, I will see what I can do!!! However I doubt there is much I can do to change your view of BPS. That's not what I'm here to do either. I was just asking for some help with a project. Also, with your permission I'd like to share your thoughts and concerns with the store manager, But won't do it without you allowing me to do so. I realize this is a public medium however in all fairness to you, I would prefer your blessing. I don't see a problem with them giving us something but will ask them prior to the event,. perhaps that would get some club participation. I will post an update later to this post, but for for now its game time and the Ravens are on.
Hope everyone stays safe if you go out for the cold water stripers.

**Memory Maker** · 11-28-2010, 05:47 PM

Hey guy ........ nothing against you at all ....... I'd be VERY happy to support you in any other way. I'm sorry to bring this stuff up here but I think it is appropriate.

You can share this with anyone you'd like. Maybe it will benefit the club but I'm not looking for anything for myself.

Shoot ......... Steelers lucked out again .......

**ictalurus** · 11-28-2010, 06:14 PM

Hey Tom,

What kind of pictures are you looking for? Fish, rigging, or something else? Let me know what you'd like, and I could take some additional pics if needed.

Bill

**Redfish12** · 11-28-2010, 08:12 PM

Tom, I'd be happy to help and make my kayak available for demo day. I think what Rick is really trying to get at is- if we contribute our time and passion for the sport will Bass Pro assist the club by providing prizes or some other sort of charitable goods for future events to the group? I understand your situation, my father part times at the Charlotte store flyshop despite having a full-time job as an fancial planner. He does it because he is passionate about fly fishing and loves to help new entrants into the sport get started. The discount also keeps him interested because he happens to have a son that can burn through some gear... Anyway, long story short, the local shops have already been very generous with our group and I think it would be great if Bass Pro took an interest as well. If you are in a position to influence products that the store carries I am sure we can come up with a list of things that would help improve sales at bps as well as improve our experience by providing what we are looking to purchase.

I have more to say but you're looking for volunteers, so consider me available and I can show any of my three boats. If the fish are biting... I'll be happy to show some pictures or videos.

**DOGFISH** · 11-28-2010, 09:07 PM

You'll do fine. I did a seminar at West Marine earlier this year, which went well. I did have a glich with the overhead viewer. Make sure you try out all of your equipment prior to your presentation. I had my kayak at that one. I will e-mail you some pictures. I can't give up my kayak for any amount of time, I do alot of fishing or working on it.

It would be nice if BPS would give up some prizes. I work at West Marine part-time, and I am going to try to have them donate some prizes, if we have a spring tournament.

Everyone should keep in mind, a tournament takes alot of work. There needs to be insurance and other details if it is to be large event. If it is only informal, among the group, then it is not such a big thing. However, a larger event, takes sponsors.

...and maybe if we get involved with Bass Pro, unlike having a guide service do the thing, then maybe they will get involved with us. Who knows, maybe Johnny Morris has a heart. Just a thought, just a thought.

Good Luck.

**medicyaker** · 11-29-2010, 07:07 PM

Bill and Redfish, Thanks for the reply and the interest in helping me out. As far Pics I would welcome anything at this point as I am trying to put together some sort of a Powerpoint presentation to go along with a static display like having a few Yaks for people to touch and see what a Fishing Kayak looks like etc... Also any recommendation's that anyone may have as I've never done anything like this before. I want potential future Kayak Fisherman to see all that is out there. Not just what Basspro has to offer.
As far as the issue with BPS in the earlier comments. I FULLY UNDERSTAND where Memory Maker is coming from. I"m gonna do all I can to get some sort of donation to our club and most importantly trying to get a discount even a 5 or 10% discount would be most welcomed. The problem with getting the discount is that we as a club have no ID that says we are members of MD Kayak Fishing. I see other obstacles as well but will bring it up tomorrow when I go in to work at BPS. I see more opportunity to get a sizable donation of Merchandise in the form of Tackle or gift card something like that we can use at one of our outings. I will do all that I can and will have an answer for everyone prior to the event so that everyone knows ahead of time what is on the table. By the way, BPS already gives discounts to all military (active and retired with ID) as well as Firefighters and Police officers also with ID.
Thank You all again VERY MUCH,

**Memory Maker** · 11-29-2010, 07:33 PM

Thanks for your efforts.

I'm sure we could come up with some membersgip cards it need be.

**Tucked In** · 11-30-2010, 11:59 AM

Dam'n now I find out they give discounts to Firefighters after all I've spent there. I would also be willing to help you out on the demo if needed. You will get about half the crowd who has never fished from a kayak and the other half who have so I would talk about choosing a boat for the begginers and different rigging opions for both of the crowd, cause that is always one of the topics people are confused about. you always learn something new or a better way of doing it. And Also Kent Island Kayak said he will give us A 10% discount, and its nice to support the local guys even if you are spending the same with a discount. If you want to stop by I will be working there on 12/2 and 12/3

**DOGFISH** · 11-30-2010, 12:36 PM

Maybe they should give discounts to retired old farts. Of course then they would probably go out of business. We fish alot.

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