Yeah but you got to remember they are a 'local' to somewhere. They are an Australian Company (i believe started in QLD?) And the fact is they will employ local people to man the store. All one can hope is that they employ some people that are good managers, and good customer service assistants.

I find it funny sometimes when people bag BCF out as being the big chain store demon, when really its no different then say the Bunnings Chains(Wesfarmers?) or other big Australian started chains. They are a success story for Australian business.  I mean BCF, Super Cheap Auto, Rays Outdoors, Gold Cross Cycles(Eastern states) and even our beloved metro local Campbells Protackle are all owned by the Super Retail Group(thinks thats what they are called?).

I personnaly dont care if they are a big chain or a local, they both employ local people. As per my post on the weekend, i will shop where i get the best customer service, good value, and good products. Granted there do seem to be a alot of metro BCF stores that need some attention in these areas, but realistically that comes down more to poor managment and staff work ethic/motivation(again managment). Have you been to any BCF stores in QLD or even out of WA. Some of them are bloody brilliant!!!!!

Not trying to defend BCF, just trying to put it a little more in perspective as it seems alot of people like to jump on board the big chain witch hunts. I mean how many of you shop at Coles, or Woolies, or Liquorland, or Thirsty Camel or whatever, they are still all Aussie companies/chains, employing Aussie people in their local areas.

But if you do have a bad experience at a BCF store or any retail store, like i keep saying, email or contact their customer relations, they DO take your experiences/concerns/opinions very seriously. Or in smaller businesses let the Manager/Owner know. If you dont let them know where they are failing by your standards how will they know to fix what you want.

Totally agree Lamby that independants always do it tough especially when a big chain moves in. Thats the bad thing is an independant store will operate for years building a good local reputation and often bending over back wards for customers and local(especially in country towns) then a big chain comes in, and boom all the people that are now into fishing, camping and outdoors have another option with the new big chain that usually has done nothing to build a rapport with the local community. Though the workers might all be local the main parent company is all about profit usually. But thats Capitalism working at its best. Which sucks when your local is great in what they do. But on the flipside it can be good if your local store is shit or has bad service. I personally was friends with Rusty when he was down there, was very sad the day i found out he was shutting shop. His store/stores he ran when down there basically provided the goods and knowledge for my apprenticship in recreational fishing. But alas he has moved on to greener pastures in Exmouth. Though i know he rubbed a few locals the wrong way i personnally always loved going into his shop/s.

I can see what you are saying about the chains in regards to food, travel half way rouund the world to experience something different and you can be greeted with exactly what you can get at home. For some people i think this is exactly what they want, but for me if i go somewhere different for an experience, its for the whole package of differences.

Unfortunantly we are all guilty of supporting the bigger chains instead of local small businesses somewhere along the line. Whether they are offshore owned or even Aussie owned, thats Capitalism on a Global scale for you. I mean if you really wanted to do just local you would only buy Alvey reels instead of Daiwa and Shimano, but that isnt going to happen anytime soon i am gussing  :P

I'll support local where i can if its justified, but even your local tackle stores will always look at where they can make a saving/profit even if it means buying from a different agent/reseller/suppier that isnt local or even Australian, or even further on the agent/reseller/supplier might do the same too.

Where there is a niche there is an opportunity for business or market.

Capatilism.............. what other option, Communism? Anarchy :D hahahaha

And thats why when i am down in Busso i'll drive all the way to Dunsborough to get the tackle i need, because i know you guys have it, and you guys know how to serve customers.

Plus you guys are right next to Tas's bakery :)