Do you buy your Sporting Goods at Walmart?

[JoeOverlock]

I asked this question on Fly Fisherman's forum and it's turned into a very heated debate. So, do you buy your sporting goods at Walmart?

[Uplander]

Never. Wal Mart is evil. It drives out the competition, and then strongarms its suppliers who have no other market to sell to at that point.

Add that to its poor labor practices and cheap “Made in China” junk it carries, and it will be a cold day in Hell before Wal Mart sees a penny of my money.

I’d much rather spend $3 more for something at a Mom & Pop that treats its employees well, is an integral part of the local economy, etc.

[Joshua Field]

I'll admit it - I am generally anti big box store and pro small local business, but being that the nearest place that I'm aware of to buy fly gear is an hour away... if I'm out of tippet and want to go fishing I'll pick some up at <gasp> Walmart.

That said, I try to stock up when in Manchester or South County and would be more than happy to shop at a local mom and pop shop if there was one.

Does anyone know of an alternative resource in North County??

[noblelumpkin]

I would not even think of it. I buy all my stuff at my local fly shops if possible. If I can not get what I want or my shop owner can not get it I will then order from an online shop or try to get it on ebay. There are only a few on line shops I deal with. I will not patronize a shop that sells bait either.

[fisheswithfly]

Walmart doesn't carry anything but garbage.

I will either make purchases at my local fly shops or order on line from sites such as:

Anglers Workshop
Dan Baileys
Feather Craft
Cabelas
EZ Flyfish
and the like...

f-w-f

[jed]

What Uplander said. I don't do business with WalMart.

jed