New BCF for Cleveland and other local mutterings!!

[ThePinkPanther]

Whilst Gillard and Swan successfully destroy what we once new as a great country, nowhere else has it been demonstrated more clearly than in the marine industry!

Far too many "Dad and Mum" shops have gone to the wall as we become one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world!

But I digress - geeez, I hate those two - OK, ummmmm, where was I?

Oh year, down in Cleveland by the Bayside in Brisbane, retail outlets are closing down pretty well every week as more and more of them shut up shop. Now 47 empty shops in and around the area!

Leisure Marine went to the wall a few months back and that left an empty space in the Cleveland and surrounding suburbs for "marine stuff" and rumours suggest a seriously huge smash repair compoany - P & M Body Repairs - are quitting their shop and BCF are moving in!

This is a long way from a certainity but I was in SupaCheap - who own BCF - and the counter chic said she had also been "hearing things" about the new plans!

Would be certainly great as it appears BCF may(?) have lifted their game after the sledging they took on this site and elsewhere over dreadful customer service, pricing and staff not knowing a hook from a landing net!

By the way, that great little bait shop down the end of Colburn Avenue at Victoria Point has also shut down. Really hard getting worms and decent fresh bait any more. Mossops (the old Budds Bait 'n Tackle) sell worms for OVER $2.00 each, everything else frozen and no signs of any competition coming in and making it better!

Nothing but doom and gloom in the boating and fishing industry at the moment! I'm kind of glad I was around for the "great old days" and really sympathize for Boaties these days whose freedoms and rights have been slashed by the halfwits in Government!

Yeh, OK OK, I've godda code in da node and feeling orf culla! That's why I'm agro!

[Noelm]

not too sure about BCF picking up their game, my local is just like it was 2 years ago, but their range of boat "stuff" seems to have shrunk considerably, fishing gear is big, but boaty stuff is on the slide (well so it seems) and that mart we are not allowed to mention has ditched their fishing gear altogether. i do agree though, that the small time operator (especially in the marine game) seems to be suffereing more than anyone else.

[choppa]

Top 10 Most "Highly Developed Countries

Following list is of The Human Development Index,,,,,HDI is a composite statistic used to rank countries according to their development levels from “very high” to “low.”

Countries are placed based on life expectancy, education, standard of living, child welfare, health care, economic welfare, and population happiness.

1. Norway, 2. Australia, 3. Netherlands, 4. USA, 5. New Zealand, 6. Canada, 7. Ireland, 8. Liechtenstein, 9.Germany, 10. Sweden


Top 10 Most Taxed Countries

1. Sweden, 2. Belgium, 3. Netherlands, 4. Denmark, 5. Japan, 6. Austria, 7. Finland, 8. France, 9. Germany, 10. Australia. (with Canada a smidgeon behind at 11.)


The HDI index (along with others that measure Highly Developed Countries) will always differ from opinion polls and other Index's, HOWEVER, it's primarily the same Countries that slot into the top 10,,, it's a matter of the time period when the investigation is done,,

The TAX figures shown, do not take into account any other tax OTHER than "statutory income tax rates" and come from the OECD statistic page

its interesting to see the difference between the two lists,,,, that's why I placed the HD list first,,,


time for a cuppa

[MudRiverDan]

BCF have a very limited range of stock (that's if they have it in stock) for fishing.

As far as camping and other supplies go they probably have a decent range of gear.

They would be better of just dumping the fishing gear line and calling themselves Boating and Camping (BC)...?


Dan

[FishHunter]

not too sure about BCF picking up their game, my local is just like it was 2 years ago, but their range of boat "stuff" seems to have shrunk considerably, fishing gear is big, but boaty stuff is on the slide (well so it seems) and that mart we are not allowed to mention has ditched their fishing gear altogether. i do agree though, that the small time operator (especially in the marine game) seems to be suffereing more than anyone else.

of course thats got nothing to do with everyone buying tackle overseas

[Boat Hog]

BCF - It's their boy scout style uniforms that get to me!

All the badges as though they're somehow 'qualified' in each subject! Or am I just expecting too much?

Cheers,

[thelump]

Hope it doesn,t hurt that little camp shop behind Budds (Mossops). Thats a great shop with great service.

[copie]

Well i think its like other business you should employ people with experience in the feild of you business and not just young teenagers with little or no experience.
I personelly think bcf has minimal to offer the serious fisher when it comes to rods and reel (too many of those combos). They appear to have very little for boating such as rod holders, led lights, electric anchors winches, trailer rollers etc. When bcf was in moss street at slacks creek they had a guy (a fisherman) whom appeared very helpfull with plenty of knowledge, have not seen him locally since they moved. Much to my suprise i was at the underwood store the other day and was aproached by a young fellow very helpfull and very knowledgeable it was a pleasent experience.

Mark

[ThePinkPanther]

You're right Lump! Capalaba Camping (Cleveland) will fold up immediately BCF move in as pretty well everything they stock and sell in theirt shop is duplicated at BCF!

Bloody shame because as you correctly said, this is a top little shop where nothing is too much trouble, prices are OK but a shame there have little or no adsvertising locally and unless you know it is there, you will just fly straight past it!

As I said in the original post, too many Dad and Mum shops going to the wall as small business continues it's nose dive into oblivion!

[Si]

i was in a shopping complex the other day and couldnt help but notice that every shop was a major national or international company directly or indirectly. I'm seeing a lot of retail outlets closing down or gone. The only ones doing any good are the big major conglomerates.

It is a bloody shame pink panther.

[propdinger]

Hope it doesn,t hurt that little camp shop behind Budds (Mossops). Thats a great shop with great service.

They do ALOT of sewing for caravans (was a fair wait for sides of the annex) and the like i think thats there main business these days but i still go see them if i need any camping stuff first if they aint got it i look else where. i hope Jack and the girls can survive if bcf do come to cleveland

[Boat Hog]

i was in a shopping complex the other day and couldnt help but notice that every shop was a major national or international company directly or indirectly. I'm seeing a lot of retail outlets closing down or gone. The only ones doing any good are the big major conglomerates.

It is a bloody shame pink panther.

Yep, went to Port Macquarie a couple of months ago and had a few hours wait time in the middle of the day. Thought - you beauty, a couple of hours to go shopping somewhere new. Well, went to the big shopping centre and with the exception of two shops, every shop was a duplicate chain store of what we have here in Coffs Harbour. Very dissapointed.

[Mick77]

Theres alot to be said about supporting your local retailers (not corporations) even if that means paying a little extra. Generally you will be rewarded with service on a first name basis as well as better knowledge on what they are selling as most are passionate.
Even though the mossops doesnt have fresh bait often, i dont see BCF open at 5am so that i can grab a bag of pillies or gar on the way to the ramp :)

[bennykenny]

being a little biased as i work for BCF, but if your complaining about them not having what you want like 'Electric Anchor Winches"is a bit strange, you cant keep every single thing people want in stock, and almost anything can be ordered in and it doesnt take long to arrive in store. a tip for shopping in the store is to ask for the person in charge of the section, the generally have a person on, who is in charge of each section,and i know in the store where i work, these guys and ladies know their stuff. try and stay away from the teens who think they know everything if your after some real advice. even i get a laugh out of listening to the things they say sometimes.

[Bruce Micheal]

When I lived near Toowoomba, only two stores offered the fisherman/women any service or expertise. One was Fish 'N' Bits Bait & Tackle on Alderley Street, the other was Mullet Gut Marine (Tackle World owned by Gary Taylor). Hop into each of these stores and you would be greeted by people with a passion for fishing and great customer service! I used to go to BCF in Toowoomba on the pretext of snagging or jagging a bargain, but the 'pre- pubescent' staff would hide when you came into the shop ( I thought I must have been an ugly bugger)!
I'm now near Mackay and regularly frequent Tackle World or the Compleat Angler. Same knowledgeable and great service as the Fish 'N' Bits and Mullet Gut Marine at Toowoomba! I go to BCF in Mackay on the same pretext as before...but the staff from Toowoomba have transferred to Mackay!!!!!!!!::)

[copie]

being a little biased as i work for BCF, but if your complaining about them not having what you want like 'Electric Anchor Winches"is a bit strange, you cant keep every single thing people want in stock, and almost anything can be ordered in and it doesnt take long to arrive in store. a tip for shopping in the store is to ask for the person in charge of the section, the generally have a person on, who is in charge of each section,and i know in the store where i work, these guys and ladies know their stuff. try and stay away from the teens who think they know everything if your after some real advice. even i get a laugh out of listening to the things they say sometimes.
Not sure which store you work at but my two local stores have very limited experience. I am not complaning that they dont just stock certain items BUT they know nothing about them at all and can't even offer brochures on these typse of items. Keep in mind its called BCF "Boating Camping Fishing"

Mark

[pescados]

Unfortunately one might not like it but WE are all the blame.
Always on the look out for a bargain, buying overseas because it is cheaper,
Going to Kmart etc, BFC (never been there) etc etc.
Bottom line is that whilst we are doing that , the real dinky di tackle stores are missing out because the don't have the buying power and can't demand discounts like the big "volume" stores.
Consequently sooner or later they disappear.

[stuart29]

I agree with pescados, we all shop at woolies or coles because they are offering cheaper food. We go past the corner store unless it is absolutley necessary then pay the bit extra for the convenience. It is like every commodity we purchase, we always want the cheapest. With things like insurance, rates, rego etc getting more expensive everyone is forced to save wherever they can. This extends to our luxuries like going fishing (yes luxuries).

I consider myself lucky to be able to afford the be able to put fuel in the boats' tank to take my boys fishing. Yes I buy my soft plastics from BCF because they offer the best prices. Yes I buy my camping gear from BCF because they offer the best prices. If I want my kids to enjoy the things I did when I was growing up, I need to save money whenever and where ever I can.

It is unfortunate that this puts the smaller operator under pressure but what is the solution? Tough question I think.

[Crunchy]

Will they have security checks in aisle 3?

[MudRiverDan]

BFC never have any stock when I go there, just look at their sinkers,hooks, swivels and jig heads.... plenty there but the most useful sizes are always sold out.
The prices are nothing special either.. you wont get a bargain there with name brands.


Dan

[bennykenny]

The prices are nothing special either.. you wont get a bargain there with name brands.


Dan
all lures at the moment are 25% off, thats a pretty good deal in my books.

[Noelm]

yes, 25% off might be a great deal, BUT.... 25% off what?? RRP? their over inflated price? they could double the ticket price, then offer 50% off, or 2 for 1, buy one get one free, take your pick.

[bennykenny]

yes, 25% off might be a great deal, BUT.... 25% off what?? RRP? their over inflated price? they could double the ticket price, then offer 50% off, or 2 for 1, buy one get one free, take your pick.
over inflated prices hahaha show me a tackle shop that sells them at prices which you dont consider over inflated, not including online stores.
for instance a rapala x-rap manum 15 sells at tackle warehouse for $26.95, BCF's full price is $27.95, thats only 1 dollar extra, you cant really call that over inflated can you??? at the moment you can get it for $20.96, can you find any shop that sells them for that price??

[Noelm]

you missed what I said, a "sale" or '25% off" means bugger all untill you know what the 25% is off.

[bennykenny]

yes but unlike supermarkets where prices of items change from week to week their prices are set to a constant, unless they have a sale on, so you know what the price is all the time, they dont just over inflate them to $50 each and give you 25%off it, people arn't that stupid.and there are laws to stop it anyway.

[sid_fishes]

so ,how do i get a job at BCF in cleveland?
thanks

[bennykenny]

so ,how do i get a job at BCF in cleveland?
thanks
so far there is no news going around within the stores about a cleveland store, but that doesnt mean its not happening, all recruitment is done through the BCF website.

[castlemaine]

I hope that little camping store doesn't go under. Love it there if they haven't got it they'll get it in. Friendly service and nothing's too hard.

Now that it's on the surface, been in BCF Capalaba three times (three times too many). Can't put a price to an item, first thought they were doing stocktake or rearranging the store but after the third time, I'd rather drive to Jones' Tackle at Lutwyche, but then again there's Graham at Wellington Point Marine (the local corner store). Limited stock but if it works!

Cheers, Ivan

[scrotty]

Hey guys, There are many issues when it comes to employing boating, fishing and camping "experts". In order to employ the experts that you seem to expect in all of the Bcf stores, these experts require experience! Experience only comes with time and therefore age. I am not saying all, but most people with considerable experience are not at stages in there life where they are happy to sell fishing gear for the kind if wage that these big companies offer. Thats why they employ mainly teenage kids for after school and weekend work. Having been in the industry it can also be impossible to assist a lot of supposed experienced fishos as there a lot out there that seem to know everything anyway. Of course there are exceptions, however to expect every person in every store to know more than you regarding everything boating, fishing or camping is just crazy. Business employs the best people they have available to them at any given time! Just my thoughts! Cheers

[Si]

over inflated prices hahaha show me a tackle shop that sells them at prices which you dont consider over inflated, not including online stores.
for instance a rapala x-rap manum 15 sells at tackle warehouse for $26.95, BCF's full price is $27.95, thats only 1 dollar extra, you cant really call that over inflated can you??? at the moment you can get it for $20.96, can you find any shop that sells them for that price??

yeah mate, i purchased quite a few lures on that deal. Thought it was their best deal they have ever had. got some good little discounts and saved a bit a cash. they even had 5.00 rmg lures there for a couple of days which i stoked up ona few of those as well.

[Crunchy]

Not all teenage shop attendants are well let's say useless, dropped into the little bait & tackle store in pacific paradise the other day and the young fella in there was a friendly and helpful bloke, loved his fishing too. In fact I went to bcf looking for some decent Fluoro leader and they only had crap, thought oh we'll its a small shop but I'll pop in anyway, there was my FC rock leader! Good range and prices seem competitive....I have no affiliation with them at all but if your in the area pop in. They also open nice and early so I was able to get a big bag of ice without having to drive miles at 5:30 in the morning.

PS they don't have security checks in aisle 3 either;D

[copie]

Hey guys, There are many issues when it comes to employing boating, fishing and camping "experts". In order to employ the experts that you seem to expect in all of the Bcf stores, these experts require experience! Experience only comes with time and therefore age. I am not saying all, but most people with considerable experience are not at stages in there life where they are happy to sell fishing gear for the kind if wage that these big companies offer. Thats why they employ mainly teenage kids for after school and weekend work. Having been in the industry it can also be impossible to assist a lot of supposed experienced fishos as there a lot out there that seem to know everything anyway. Of course there are exceptions, however to expect every person in every store to know more than you regarding everything boating, fishing or camping is just crazy. Business employs the best people they have available to them at any given time! Just my thoughts! Cheers
So when you take your car,boat,trailer,TV, Mower for repairs do you expect to speak to someone with experience........... What about when you buy a new fridge,microwave,dishwasher,washing machine etc I hope I am getting someone with product knowedge. When you buy new tyres for the car or trailer would you be ok with someone who can't offer any answers or advise "these ones should do they are black and made of rubber".
I do shop at BCF I have two local stores most times I know what I want BUT other times I am not sure and would like to be offered some sound advise or "I will go and get someone with more experience to assist you sir". I wonder if BCF has any training for these young employees.
I just bought a $250 reel from BCF rang my closest store young female answers and i tell her what i want, she puts me on hold comes back and says no none in stock. I ring my next closest store young man yes we have one left, i go and get it. Later that day decieded to look at some rods when to the store i first rang and here are two of the reels in stock that i was told had none. Very Pi**ed off.

MARK.

[Noelm]

OK, here is a "real life" experience, (yesterday) my son was buying a T curve and a new reel (maybe a Stella) went to BCF, walked out with jack sh!t, the guy gave him a price for the goods, so he called into our local tackle store on the way home, they had the rod in stock, and he ended up with a Daiwa reel instaed of the Stella, and all $80 cheaper than the BCF price, PLUS he got a discount and walked out happy as. Mind you, we both know the local guy, so not 100% sure why he went to BCF in the first place, maybe advertising??

[Mr Squiggles]

Went to the Lawnton BCF last month with a lady who has never fished for Barra before. She's headed up Nth for a few weeks & wanted some gear. I went with her to give her some idea but after this young bloke came up & asked if he could help us after a minute or two I left them alone as he really knew his stuff showing her how to set a weedless hook into SP's etc & she got a special sale price on rod & reel even though the sale had finished earlier in the week.(Although I did have to pressure them a bit). I probably can't divulge the young fellas name here but it was 3 letters long & started with X.

[MudRiverDan]

There is a new one at Green-slopes, went in today, looks alright, the guy had some good fishing tips and was pretty good to talk to.

But alas the soft plastic where a plenty but out of stock of the ones I wanted...

Lets hope this one does not turn into another fly by the seat of your pants shambles with dopey staff and un-stocked shelves.

No stock = temporary business venture.

This might be a bit close to Mossops and those guys on Cleveland Road, though BCF big knobs have obviously seen a market there and are closing in.

BTW Is Mossops in the Gabba still running?
Last time I went in there was hardly any stock and they had apparently hit hard times.

Mind you they never had any stock any at other over the last 6 years...

Dan

[bennykenny]

OK, here is a "real life" experience, (yesterday) my son was buying a T curve and a new reel (maybe a Stella) went to BCF, walked out with jack sh!t, the guy gave him a price for the goods, so he called into our local tackle store on the way home, they had the rod in stock, and he ended up with a Daiwa reel instaed of the Stella, and all $80 cheaper than the BCF price, PLUS he got a discount and walked out happy as. Mind you, we both know the local guy, so not 100% sure why he went to BCF in the first place, maybe advertising??
so he got a different reel to a Stella and paid $80 less , are you comparing apples and apples or apples and mangos. also was the discount the $80, or did he get an extra $10 when he walked out, so he got $90 off:-?:-?:-?

[Noelm]

nope, not at all, he got the price for the items he also got at the local, and they were less than the chain store, dont get me wrong here, I am sure BCF and places like that are OK, but because of their full on advertising people think they will just naturally be cheaper, when if you really look, they are not most of the time, sure they may be for "mainstream" types of gear, they are there to make money, simple, and they employ people, so to a point, they must also be supported.

[mowerman]

The Cleveland BCF is going in where PM Motors are now.
The workwear shop next door is moving to the end of the complex so it will be a large BCF.
The BCF shopfitters have already been thru and measured up for the fit out.

Rod

.

[Black_Rat]

I'm now near Mackay and regularly frequent Tackle World or the Compleat Angler. Same knowledgeable and great service as the Fish 'N' Bits and Mullet Gut Marine at Toowoomba! I go to BCF in Mackay on the same pretext as before...but the staff from Toowoomba have transferred to Mackay!!!!!!!!::)

Had a laugh over this !

Was in BCF Mackay this afternoon to buy some gear so I can have a fish tommorow off the Harbour Rock Wall. Most of my gear is still in Brissie so had a bit to spend. Walked in and there was next to no-one on the floor, 2 at the returns counter chatting away to a couple and 1 manning the checkout. Only 1 on the floor I could see talking to another customer.

Spent 15mins walking around the aisles picking up bits and peices I needed, no biggy didn't need a hand for that. Security was asked to check a couple of sections during that time ::);D
Came time to get the Shimanno 8000 and rod combo advertised for $219 (couldn't find em anywhere so assumed they had to be made up by getting a reel out of the cabinet and putting them on a rod) and couldn't find anyone to help out for 15 mins even after walking around the store twice looking for someone to help as well standing there at the cabinets clearly looking for help even rattled the reel cabinet doors ;D :-X Got the $hits so left $200 odd worth of goodies on the bait freezer, $219 rod n reel combo and walked out 8-)

Walked into Compleat Angler 20mins before close and they had me sorted in a jiffy, new rod n reel combo, plenty of goodies & me $460 poorer but with a smile on face ;D I won't be wasting my time with BCF in Mackay in future thats for sure ;)

[MudRiverDan]

Also the reel selection leaves little to be desired.

A great lack of good mid range Shimano spinners.

Also what has happened to OKUMA! they used to produce some very good cheap gear, now all that seems on offer is outdated oversize reels and a bait-runner???

Dan