What do you think of Ye Olde Backpacker in Port Clinton?

[ShelterLeopard]

So I was just wondering, what do y'all think of the Port Clinton outfitter, Ye Olde Backpacker? When I was there this past summer (not hiking through- I drove there from my New Jersey home), though they were well equipped, the staff really didn't seem to know much about backpacking or the gear they stocked, and the woman behind the counter was quite rude. I brought about $300 worth of gear (maybe more like $400) to the counter, and stood there, quietly waiting for her to finish her e-mail, and she completely ignored me for almost ten minutes.

My father (who was with me) and I were both preplexed as to why no one in the store would help us (someone did help us find the gear, though he didn't seem to know what he was talking about), as we were both polite, and prepared to buy plenty of gear. We ended up just leaving without buying the gear. Is this common, or was it just a weird day for them? Or whatever it could have been...

[Spokes]

Almost makes you WANT to shop online huh ShelterLeopard?

While I didn't stop in at this particular place on this years thru hike I did experienced several instances of rude service at so called outfitters along the trail. You'd think, with the economy the way it is, salespeople (and owners) would be bending over backwards to offer exceptional service.

My worst experience was at the outfitter (really an clothing store masquerading as an outfitter) in Kent, CT. Avoid it with your life! My best experience was at Mountain Crossings and Bluff Mountain Outfitters.

[ShelterLeopard]

I've heard a lot of good things about Mountain Crossings. I (like you) was just very surprised that the people at Port Clinton would be so rude and ill-prepared. I mean, they're running a business that caters to hikers. On the website, they make it sound like they love hikers, and they'll hold mail, etc... I don't think I'll be going there again unless someone tells me that that was way out of the ordinary for them and they were all having a really bad day.

The Mountain Goat (in Manchester, VT) on the other hand, I have always found to be accomodating and the people there actually know what they're doing.

[Cookerhiker]

I stopped in Ye Olde Backpacker last August. The guy in the store seemed indifferent. I don't know how knowledgable he was; the store had some decent gear but I was looking for maps & guides - not the AT but other PA hiking trails. Struck out. Their selection was woefully inadequate and the guy didn't seem to care.

[Blissful]

My worst experience was at the outfitter (really an clothing store masquerading as an outfitter) in Kent, CT. Avoid it with your life! My best experience was at Mountain Crossings and Bluff Mountain Outfitters.

Agreed. The people at Kent did not know what a fuel canisterr was when I was there. (?)

Good outfitters - ones above, but I like Rockfish Gap Outfitters

[Jack Tarlin]

Shelter Leopard:

You are not the first person to have complaints about this store.

Oh, and that goes for the shop in Kent as well.

[emerald]

YOB provides services not offered by Cabela's and its presence benefits hikers in many ways. I would think people could be more complementary, but perhaps it's asking too much of those gathered around the worldwide campfire.

[Jester2000]

YOB provides services not offered by Cabela's their presence benefits hikers in many ways. . .

I can see that, but if you don't need a shuttle but rather gear and you get poor service, in my opinion there's nothing wrong with mentioning that. One would hope they would provide excellent customer service in the hopes that they would thrive and continue to be of service to the trail community.

On the other hand, everyone has a bad day.

[Jack Tarlin]

Was gonna write you a PM, Emerald, but you don't accept private messages. Fact is, any number of folks have had complaints about this place. I'd have happily explained this off the Forums, with details, but you're not interested in private dialogue. And please, spare us the cheap shot "worldwide campfire" comments, OK? I see you thru-hiked in 1980 which was awhile ago.

Done much in the next 40 years? 1980 was a lot of campfires ago.

[Lone Wolf]

YOB provides services not offered by Cabela's and its presence benefits hikers in many ways. I would think people could be more complementary, but perhaps it's asking too much of those gathered around the worldwide campfire.

sounds like YOB could care less about hiker business

[The Old Fhart]

emerald-"I would think people could be more complementary, but perhaps it's asking too much of those gathered around the worldwide campfire."

I agree with others saying that comment was a cheep shot and actually goes contrary to the facts presented. The OP was physically in the store trying to buy gear as were some of the other posters who had negative experiences. I'd consider their comments as valid.

The one point I'd disagree with Jack on is his math when he said to you:

Done much in the next 40 years? 1980 was a lot of campfires ago.

[Many Walks]

Wow, maybe it changed hands since we were there, but we had a completely different experience. They came to pick us up at the pavilion and took us to their place. Their hostel (6 bunks in an unfinished room with fridge and microwave) at the time was basic, but adequate. Since it was unfinished they let us stay for free. We had a great $2 shower. They took us to the store for resupply with some things they didn't stock. They invited us to a nice cookout with their family and friends and were overall friendly and knowledgeable about their gear. We bought s Steripen there and it wasn't over priced. They even worked in a rush with someone who cut down and sewed a hip belt for my wife to better fit her smaller frame and they only charged for the sewing, nothing for their effort to arrange it. We got the impression they were active hikers and seemed to be very supportive of the hiking community in other ways. When it was time to head out they took us back to Port Clinton and wouldn't take any money we offered for all the shuttling they did for us. Our experience was wonderful and completely different from what I see here.

[nox]

i stopped by YOB about a month ago inquiring about maps for that area. They were out of stock so I asked for simple directions to the Hamburg reservoir and I got blank stares. So I went to Cabelas and got the same response. I almost expected it at Cabelas but not from a backpacking store.

[Spokes]

Agreed. The people at Kent did not know what a fuel canister was when I was there. (?)

Wow, and I thought it was bad when they looked at me and said "What's Tyvek?"

Amazing...........

[Jack Tarlin]

I think this thread is instructive.....it is a fact that every single place on the Trail has both its big fans and its serious detractors, and there are probably no exceptions to this. After all, I've read register entries where people complained about Miss Janet's or Kincora Hostel, which to me is mind-boggling. Likewise, there have been places over the years where any number of people reported bad stays or poor service, but there were plenty of other folks who reported just the opposite.

So I think you have to take these complaints with a grain of salt. Everyone, after all, has a bad day.

[Old Grouse]

Well sure, everyone has a bad day. But does that excuse apparent lack of basic knowledge? I'd say perhaps the owners have the best of intentions but a problem hiring good help.

However, there are also places where every day is a bad day. How such places stay in business is a mystery. Near where I live there's a shop that sells guns, ammo, Filson products, etc. Their permanent attitude (which they make plain) is, "If we don't know the answer or carry the product, you're an idiot for asking." Whenever I mention the shop to others, folks roll their eyes and say, "Those guys!" Yet year after year they seem to stay alive. Go figure.

[Jack Tarlin]

Grouse:

You have a point, but when it comes to the A.T., these places tend to not stay around very long, as the bad word of mouth can really hurt them.

Happpily there are very few of these places to worry about.

[Panzer1]

I can't imagine that store does a lot of business. They are in a very very small town and off the main track. Backpackers that go thru there must already have everything they need except maybe supplies. I'm guessing shuttle rides must be their biggest business.

Panzer

[Surplusman]

I blame the store managers and the owners for not taking the time to properly train the staff on how to work with customers and watch over daily floor operations. Too often they just sit a new employee down and have him watch some scratchy old videos and then put them out on the floor. Maybe not even that. The customer comes first. A trite saying, but that fact seems to be lost on a lot of businesses. And yes, please hire employees who know something about what the store is selling. Enthusiasm for what you are doing means a lot.

[Schuetzen]

Poor service is more common in all areas of the retail business these days. Unless I really have to have something right now I feel that if they don't want my business enough to have someone to take my money there is always some other business who wants it and I just leave (with my money).