RE: WalMart stuff vs Proshop stuff?
Like any store out there, you have to know your product and shop around.
Walmart products aren't always cheaper.
Pro Shops, Cabela's, BassPro, etc, products aren't always better
(especially "store named" products)
The store that buys the more of aproduct get's to sell them for less, or makes a bigger profit.
Cheap junk can be bought anywhere, even a Pro Shop.
Now, when it comes to Walmart.
1.Yes, they sell some cheaper quality stuff. They will even have cheap stuff made just to save money. (so does every other major store)Go to Home Depot and see the difference between a "Handyman Grade" tool and a "Contractor Grade" one. Also, if you were to buy in bulk, you'd save money also. (How much for a 12 pack arrow vanes and how much for a 100 pack when you compare the cost per piece)
2.Muzzies are Muzzies. Walmart sells them for less because either:
A. they are running them on a lower profit margin
(whick they will do on a product in order to get you in the store)
(even been know to do a 0% profit on items to do that)
B. they bought more of them in total from the company so bulk pricing
comes to play.
C. the other companies have a higher minimum profit margin on the product
(Dick's and Gander Mtn especially, seem to always have full prices)
(and other than a few short pre/post season sales don't discount)
The main thing is that a company they buy from will do what it takes to make a sale. Some may lessen the specs for a product and/or make a cheaper version of one. Some may give a bigger price break for bulk. Some may have to do nothing at all.
It's a good bet that Muzzy does NOT lessen their specs on their heads and Walmart is just cutting profit margins. And the reason I think so is because I am sure that Muzzy does not NEED Walmart for their sales and Walmart doesn't have the market power in broadhead sales to force them to do it.
It is too specialized a product that Walmart sells very little of, and doesn't even sell thru all of their stores, and Muzzy has all of the other venues to sell to. (Dick's, Gander, Bass Pro, Cabela's, Any and every Pro Shop and online store)
One of the things that get's me to Walmart for hunting and fishing stuff is that, when the season is over, everything is on clearance sale and needs to be sold to make room for the new products. Muzzy 3 packs go from $17 down to $9 and maybe down to $5, just so they can get rid of them.
The other thing is, if you need something at the last minute, late at night, on Sunday night, on a holiday, while on the way to a trip, etc, Walmart will probably be open while the others are closed.