For decades I took my trade to the small private shops around the place that existed before BCF appeared.
I would visit several times a week for a chat and a coffee and place an order for things I wanted. It did not matter this gear was not on the shelf, why should I expect a mum and dad store to predict my future wants and desires and have it sitting on the shelf for me??
A month ago I ordered some items through my local BCF and it took about ten days for the gear to arrive. I picked up the gear and went home only to realise that one of the crucial items was not correct. I took it back and the manager unpacked a brand new complete setup and put the correct gear in my hands and apologised for the mistake.
As for stocks held in the shops, very little is of interest to me.
If they want to satisfy the average occasional fisher Joe and his kids, BCF is the perfect business model. For serious fisho's though it leaves lots to be desired.
The big pity is they are now more numerous than the old mum and dad shops ever were and carry a range that does not suit me. All of those small shops died out from the competition BCF offered, but the quality service the small shops provided was much more valuable than the massive stocks of the big chain to me.
Also of interest is the rest of the shops that come under the SRG banner.......many more than you realise.
I use BCF now only because it is my local store, If I want exotic tackle i drive further or i go online.