I hate mail order. When I want something, I wanna go get it and have it then. I don't like to wait. With that said. Saturday, I decided was the day that I would run over to Barlows, and buy some hooks to pour jigs. I drove over there, and got there just before they opened. I went in and told the guy I wanted 500 hooks. He started to give me the story, that that is a mail order item, and how busy mail order had been all week and there may not be 500 packaged up. So, he goes back there and sure enough, says, those hooks are all in bulk right now, and I should just place an order and come back Monday, then asked if I was in a hurry. Well dang right I was in a hurry. I drove over there to make a purchase specific to that store. He said well, if you aren't in a really big hurry, he could go back there and do it for me but it would mean counting them one by one, and would take some time, if I really wanted him to. That it's not really his job, and normally doesn't have to do that sort of thing, blah,blah, blah. I said, yeah, I'll wait. You should have seen this guy. His chin must have hit the floor!!! But, I waited. And, since I think I made him mad, I think I got 600 hooks. His way of stickin it to the man, I guess. HAHAHAHA!!

Is there another place locally to buy hooks like that? Cause the service at that store has never been all that friendly.

I can understand the clerk's point of view. The employees in the catalog department do not work on Saturday and counting out 500 hooks is a lot to ask. He could have just sold you 50 and mailed you the rest on Monday. You are correct about the atmosphere at Barlows. They could be friendlier in my opinion. Bob is the only one that will spend a few extra minutes with you and he is an asset to the store. He told me the catalog sales does 90% of their business.
Barlow's is the only store in the area you can buy in bulk at the counter that I know of.

Maybe they should invest in a count scale... Would only take a minute or two and they are not that expensive. ROI would be real quick.

cabelas and bass pro have them but there only 100 to a pack

I understood it to a point. I was there early, there was not a soul in there other than me, and the old guy that stood over at the vice tying flys. One guy came in as I was leaving with my hooks. The time it took him to pick out 500 hooks, I could have done it in 1/3 the time. I'm glad that's the only reason I go there.

i dont like thier friendly service cashier either. If thats how they feel about thier walkin customers, they should just shut the doors to the public and do mail order only. I heard they were headed that way, anyways. I like thier selection of plastics, and crappie jigs- but they could use a more personable sales associate.. it really would help our thier sales.

I get the idea that they don't care. I even made the statement that Saturday would seem to be a good day, but he said, Barlow had been doing it this way for 30 years, and he has it pretty well figured out.

they need to send that guy to walmart, and hire someone with more personal skills to handle walkin consumers. I have never felt welcome inside that place. more like a criminal with eyes watching me the whole time.

That guy's always been nice to me and Sherry when we go in there. One day I figured out why. He would always go help Sherry pick out crappie tubes while I would pick out jig tyin supplies. One time I walked over to see Sherry crouched down looking at something on the bottom row. He was looking at her arse. Go figure!

figures! ol pervert!

Maybe that's why he is always watchin you too Ronnie!

LOL!! I was waiting for that... figured Ernest woulda said it..

I've never had a problem with their customer service, but my fiance' has. Maybe I'm just nicer than she is. <ouch - sorry honey. >

I've also had to sit and wait while they counted out hooks before. But that was during the week. So that's probably why I didn't get any grief.

What kinda hooks you gettin' there Wylie? It may be sorta mail order, but I've got a bunch left over next time you get ready for some.

Barlow's is the only place that I can think of that you can buy in bulk...for bulk prices...locally.

Believe it or not, I went against myself and bought the Sicle hooks again, they were 17.00 for 500. That's a huge savings to me. And, this bunch is for Spring, and I like them ok for vertical fishing.

I still like the sickle hooks, but I sold all of mine when I got out of the pouring business.
I still have about 2000 Eagle Claw 570's left.