Bass Pro Shops — Attraction in Severn

This place is an absolute JOKE. Every time you come here you get haggled by salesmen trying to sell you vacations. The place has sort of morphed into a retail environment that was meant for outdoorsman into a sort of theme park for foreigners who are unfamiliar with what freedom looks like. None of the other customers are serious about buying anything and merely just look at everything as if it’s a window shopping museum. As such there has been a noticeable decline in quality of customer service. No matter what department they are severely uneducated about the products they are trying to sell and really don’t care if you spend your money there or not. I was interested in buying an item that was over $500 and I called that item by name and said that I would like to buy one of those. But the associate that was helping me had no idea what I was speaking of even though that was his Section. Well, what if I didn’t know what I wanted before I came in and I wanted help selecting and item that would best suit my needs. You would basically be out of luck because they have no idea what they’re selling and you literally have to point to it like you’re ordering off of a menu for them to even know what item in the display case you want to look at because if you call it by its name that’s clearly labeled on its tag. They don’t know what that even is That would be like if I went to a car dealership and asked to look at a certain model and they said well you’re gonna have to point to it because I don’t know what that car looks like. Would you want to buy a car from a place like that? Anyways, if you catch my drift.. it’s a nightmare the particular item that I wanted turned out to only be available as a display item. They did not have any more left new in the box, but they refused to sell it to me as a discount even though surely hundreds of people have touched the item which by the way, in addition to being very expensive Also has an element of fragility and an optical lens that could be damaged from over handling or dropping. The associate called the manager to make sure that they couldn’t sell the product as a discount since it was the display model. The manager wouldn’t even make eye contact Shrugged off the idea and just said I don’t see why it would have to be discounted. Well, you certainly wouldn’t go to a store to buy a television that’s been sitting on the floor, playing the same screen saver over and over and pay the same amount of money as if it was new and in the box and never been plugged in or bumped into untouched by other customers. All of my friends who used to shop here have all sworn off coming back, but I decided to Try it out because they happen to have the item that I wanted right on the shelf allegedly and otherwise I would’ve had to have ordered it online. But that’s OK because I would much rather pay the same price and wait a week to receive the item new and pristine then I would take my chances by paying full price for Fiddled with item. Zero respect for the customer and total lack of care if you spend your money there or not. Not to mention every time you go to that mall, it always feels a little unsafe to me, especially the parking lot. Better off just play it safe in order what you want online at least there you have a digital trail of what you bought and you can always return. Also, who wants to spend their harder and money at a place that treats you like dirt. Oh, and by the way, the manager’s response and the first thing that he said to me when coming up was “so what’s the problem?” I know that this is a corporate company, but they sure need to audit their stores and re-teach customer...

I am writing this review to document an absolutely unacceptable experience I had at the Hanover, MD location of Bass Pro Shops, specifically within the firearms department. While I had high expectations given the size and reputation of the brand, what I encountered was blatant disrespect, poor training, and a deeply unprofessional environment — one that I would strongly caution other women to avoid.

I purchased a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 online and, being new to the online firearm purchasing process, I responsibly called the store the next day to confirm next steps. I was told to wait for my Maryland 77R application to be approved and then visit the store to begin the pickup process. Simple enough — or so I thought.

Upon arrival, I was assisted by a salesperson who was easily the rudest, most condescending individual I have ever encountered in a retail setting. He began by aggressively demanding proof that the firearm was in stock, even though I had already completed my online order. I explained that I hadn’t received such an email, at which point he flippantly asked, “Then why would you come here if you don’t know it’s here?” He then went to the back and — surprise — the firearm was there.

Rather than apologizing or clarifying the process, he proceeded to start the paperwork but told me my ID wasn’t sufficient. That in itself wasn’t a problem — I was willing to return with my passport. However, what followed was inexcusable: a completely unprovoked, patronizing lecture where he insisted I “didn’t know how this works,” and sarcastically suggested I “go back to my firearms instructor” to learn the rules.

Here's the kicker: I am a certified firearms instructor. Women can be instructors, and I am one. His attitude was not only unprofessional — it was flat-out sexist and hostile.

The exchange escalated to the point where the salesperson declared he was done speaking to me and walked away, forcing the department manager to step in and try to salvage the situation. To the manager’s credit, he apologized for the salesperson’s behavior and assured me it would be addressed with the store manager the next day. Whether that follow-up ever occurred is unknown.

What I do know is that the encounter was so disrespectful and demeaning that I chose to request a full refund from customer service rather than continue doing business with that location. It was that bad.

Let me be absolutely clear: If you are a woman — particularly a Black woman — looking to purchase a firearm or ask questions about the process, I strongly advise you to avoid the Hanover Bass Pro Shops firearms department altogether. You deserve to be treated with respect and professionalism, and that’s not what you’ll find there.

For what it’s worth, I went to a local dealer afterward, purchased the Bodyguard 2.0, and couldn’t be happier with my new carry pistol.

Final thought: Do better, Bass Pro. Your brand should not be associated with this kind...

I'll give Bass Pro Shops 5 star but because of Bluegreen Vacations I will give 1 star or less. Customers need to be informed and be made aware of the deceitful timeshare traps lurking in your stores. Back in November 2024, we met friendly Bluegreen Vacations staff at a BassPro Shops at Arundel Mills. We were offered 4-days/3-night stay at one of their resorts. I chose the White Mountains area since I haven't been to NH. I do not recall them mentioning anything about timeshare. I was made to believe that they are promoting the resorts affiliated with Bass Pro Shops. I bought a $199 package. I received emails from Bluegreen Vacations and was assigned a member number. Months later, yesterday, I tried booking a vacation on their website, but the member number I was assigned did not work. Then, I called 800-845-1995 as I realized I am a promotional guest customer. I tried to schedule a vacation at one of the two resorts in Missouri listed on their website, Wilderness Club at Big Cedar. This is when I got a sinking feeling that I got duped. Carlos, the customer representative I spoke with explained that I can't book the resort I wanted. He gave me other choices, including Hampton Inn and Thousand Hills. I opted for Thousand Hills. I gave him the dates I prefer. To complete the booking, he explained I have to answer some questions and on the second day, I have to go to a promotional presentation at the Wilderness Club at Big Cedar. Questions: 1 Are you married? 2 Are you 25 years or older? 3 Do you have a combined income of $50T before taxes? 4 Do you have a major credit card? I answered yes to all 4 questions. Next question, who is going on this trip? I said, myself, my daughter, my son, and his girlfriend. Carlos insisted my husband has to come but I said he can't. We had a back and fort argument about the requirement for my husband to go on this trip. Finally, Carlos transferred me to another person he said would help. After a long wait time, Martin picked up from when Carlos left off. Same argument and at one point Carlos asked why can't my husband go. I said for health reasons. I asked why does Bluegreen Vacations discriminate against my husband's situation and prevents me from going on my own with my children. I didn't get any satisfying explanation. Carlos even tried to trick me into cancelling a reservation. I said there is nothing to cancel, I did not complete the booking because I didn't meet the husband requirement. In the end, I realized I lost the money I paid. I will never again go near their booth at any Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops should not have Bluegreen Vacations or any timeshare traps at their stores. It's an awful feeling for me to feel SCAMMED at a...