Fleet Farm….what a joke

I’ve always looked at Fleet farm as the place that has it all when the ads come out, but three times in the last four weeks they’ve advertised standard canning lids but when I get there the day the ad opens they haven’t got a canning lid anywhere but on new jars by the dozen. Today is the first day of the newest ad and I drive the over 25 mile round trip to find nothing. The cover page in todays ad states specifically standard canning lids, $1.89. All they can tell me is corporate printing. I think I’m done with Fleet Farm unless I am seriously hard up.

I would try calling.

Its been a joke since they sold out.

And they’ve been out of canning lids for at least 3 or 4 months now. I wouldn’t expect any to be in stock this year there.

Can’t check online to see store status? Walmart/Menards/Farm&Fleet will show inventory at selected store

Tom Sawvell wrote:

The cover page in todays ad states specifically standard canning lids, $1.89. All they can tell me is corporate printing.

Tom,
What I have done is place an online order for in store pickup. You will know immediately if the item(s) are on hand, plus no one can buy them out from under you, on the way to the store. (if you just call to have someone check the shelf.)

Tom Sawvell wrote:

I think I’m done with Fleet Farm unless I am seriously hard up.

I’ve come to the same conclusion over the past year. Used to be my go to. Now, I just leave disappointed. Sad, really.

I’m just miffed that if the stores KNOW they cannot get the items, why advertise that they are on sale? Calling the service desk will result in getting a part-time kid who likely doesn’t know the difference between a canning lid and towing chain.

Jeremy, Dave…. all of these places you’ve listed, in Rochester, have very sorry inventory control. All three have shown items in stock only to find that the store doesn’t have any on hand…..all three locally. In one instance I bought what was supposedly the last two jugs of BH209 powder blackpowder substitute and when I got there to pick them up AFTER having paid on line they were out of stock. Getting the refund back on my card turned into a cluster too…..Rochester Fleet Farm two years ago.

Happens every week at fleet farm with ammo. They always advertise it on sale in there flyer and never in stock

Most Brick and Mortar stores lack inventory. I would say 9/10, I usually end up ordering online

David Blais wrote:

Most Brick and Mortar stores lack inventory. I would say 9/10, I usually end up ordering online

If the warehouse has no stock, what good is ordering online? A better thought might be is why put stuff in a sales fold-out if they don’t even have the merchandise?

This is the unfortunate outcome in a lot of brick and mortar stores. Most are bleeding a slow, but inevitable death. 20 years from now I’m going to wish there were brick and mortar stores to bitch about.

I agree Tom. What’s going on with outdoor stores these days? At first everyone started complaining about Cabelas, and I thought it was just a preference thing, or people fearing change when Bass Pro took them over. Now not only is Cabelas going downhill but as many have said on here, online ordering and assistance is almost non-existant.

Regarding the FF ads…I’m guessing your FF is Rochester Tom, like mine. A few weeks ago they had a real good deal with a gift card basically making a certain trail camera half off. That ad got me to their store, and most things I was looking for from the ad were not there at all. They had crocs listed as 25% off (please don’t judge me) and there were maybe 1 pair of crocs in the whole store. The trail cameras I wanted weren’t there. I was told I could fill out a form for a rain check and they would notify me when they’re in. A month later I guess I’m not excitedly awaiting that call anymore.

As you know Tom that Rochester FF is on the wrong end of town for a lot of people, so it’s even more of a pain to go all the way there and not get what you’re looking for.

I’m in a bit of a predicament now. I’ve got a fishing trip with the family the first week in September and need to re-stock some fishing supplies. The problem is I’m very unsure what route to take. Normally I’d sit here and order online, but a place like Cabelas has no problem taking 6 months or more to fulfill your order nowadays. And wandering into a store is hit or miss, mostly miss. I actually got a few things at Walmart the other day. I thought maybe Walmart would become a go-to outdoors store but even they looked like they were trying to get rid of a bunch of fishing stuff.

I almost started a thread titled “Where can I go to make sure I get the fishing stuff I’m looking for?” The Rochester crowd seems to be fairly strong on here, would Scheels be a worthwhile trip? I haven’t ever gone there much, would I be much better off going there instead of all the way to FF?

If anyone is still reading, thanks, and sorry for the rant.

Dan wrote:

As you know Tom that Rochester FF is on the wrong end of town for a lot of people, so it’s even more of a pain to go all the way there and not get what you’re looking for.

Its about a 11-12 mile hike for me.

And Dan…..go to Scheels for your tackle and if they haven’t got in store ask if other stores have what you want. They’ll bring it in to the Rochester store, call when its here and you can run in and pick it up. I’ve done that with a lot of stuff. You do have to purchase it when the ask for the merchandise transfer though but hey if I’m there to buy in the first place the money is going out no matter.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

I’m just miffed that if the stores KNOW they cannot get the items, why advertise that they are on sale?

The add was set 6 to 9 months ago before the stores or the vendors knew what a cluster(2020) was coming.
Fleet Farm has fallen off a cliff as far as service and inventory go since they were sold but every retailer is low on inventory because of supply chain shortages.

My neighbors said anything canning related is impossible to buy right now so maybe it’s not just FF and COVID related. I just dropped 20 for a set of 4 burping lids to make pickles. I’m sure this normally are like 3 bucks.. This ido site is starting to cost me…

I just bought a bunch of jars and lids from Menards. In store, not online.

Been very disappointed in FF for months now…. it’s sad..

lindyrig79 wrote:

I just bought a bunch of jars and lids from Menards. In store, not online.

Been very disappointed in FF for months now…. it’s sad..

I just bought q ton for my salsa coming soon as well. Menards had them all

Zero stock at both Rochester Menards.

I used to enjoy shopping at FF for fishing stuff, but not anymore.

For anything fishing related I prefer scheels they normally have it but this year has been a nightmare on all industries with the bans

Saw this coming back in February. sucks it is now reality with everything doesn’t matter what product it is. If it’s seasonal and your in season, check availability first

Try some reputable local ma & pa tackle/outdoor/gun stores if you have one in your area. I will drive the same distance as Fleet Farm or Cabela’s to go to a couple ion my area. They’re normally stocked a little better, just because they don’t get pillaged by the unwashed masses like the big box stores. Plus the people there usually know what they’re talking about. Their selection may be a bit limited, but if they don’t have it, you could always swing into the big box store of your choice on the way home that you would’ve driven to anyway. A plug for those in the south Metro – Cabin Fever sports in Victoria.

Or just buy online

A lot of on-line options:

Tackle Warehouse
Reed’s
Frank’s Great Outdoors
…

The Reeds Outpost store on 169 & 27 north of Onamia was pretty well stocked the other day with fishing supplies.
If you buy everything you can on line then don’t pizz and moan when there are no more local retailers.
I.E. I know the local auto parts store in Isle carries Milwaukee M8 fuel tools. They will try to match big box store / on line site prices and frankly if it was a matter of a couple of $$ I do buy local.
Your call, your $$

I hit the local grocery store early this afternoon. Fortunately they had everything I needed, but holy mackerel where there alot of signs saying temporarily out of stock due to supplier shortage

David Blais wrote:

Most Brick and Mortar stores lack inventory. I would say 9/10, I usually end up ordering online

Same. I rarely even bother checking local stores in-person anymore. I still order online from Mills and Scheels occasionally, but generally there are better/cheaper options.

I had to reuse lids this year, everywhere I checked was out.

I told the manager yesterday when he walked thru the fishing dept he might as well put out ice tackle, he has the room. Most other stores are not much better though.

Mmm why drive 25 miles when with Amazon its 2 clicks delivered to your door (12 lids fro $14.50). You can stay in your PJ’s. LOL

Get a group of people together and file a class action lawsuit for bait & switch.

Aside from that I echo bigcrappie’s sentiment.