Anyone with experience buying from a Cabela Gun Library?

[Echo47]

Once I discovered what I had (a S&W M&P Model of 1905-fourth change and looking like it just came from a time capsule--"If it quacks like a Victory?"), that old girl got a good cleaning and lubing and placed in the safe. A form, fully completed with a number of photos, has been sent to Mr. Jinks at the S&WHF for "the letter" on it.

I am now looking for an older S&W 'number model' revolver as a 'shooter' and was very disappointed at what was available at a local rural gun show where most of the dealers are 'good-old-boys' selling selections from their personal collections.
It was suggested I visit a local Cabela's Gun Library for a better selection.
Going on line, many of the listed selections were inflated in their prices.
Has anyone ever bought a used firearm from Cabela's and will they haggle over the marked prices if a potential buyer has reservations over a desired handgun's price and condition?
Just curious.
Echo 47

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have never bought from a Cabela's Gun Library, but it's not for lack of trying. There's only one Cabela's within reasonable driving distance, and I've found them high and reluctant to deal . . .

 

[StakeOut]

I've had exactly the same experiences as Muss Muggins.

Every fair offer I've made in the Buda Texas Cabelas Gun Library was rejected.

 

[plattincreek]

I have bought several from the Cabelas gun library. In at least two instances they had to be shipped from one Cabelas store to the one nearest to me. It has been my experience that 10% comes off the advertised price quickly. Anything else requires some work as there seems to be limits as to how much the employees can discount and item. BUT, if you are like me and get those 10 and 15% off coupons in the mail from Cabelas, know that they can be used against your negotiated price. So, the gun you want is listed at $1000, you talk them out of the first 10% so now the price is $900, and then you use your coupon for another 10% off and walk out the door at $810 plus taxes. Gift cards can be used for further reductions if you have any. Anyway that has been my experience. That is how I got my .22 Jet as an example.

 

[Nightowl]

I have bought 4 revolvers from Cabela's gun library, from three different stores. I have found most of the guns to be overpriced, but I wondered into those I bought for reasonable prices. Just remembered that I bought a Browning Hi Power from one too.

I always ask about a discount. I got a discount on all of the guns. The smallest I ever got was 5%, and the most was a couple hundred dollars.

I have visited Cabela's a lot, and have found few guns that I was interested in that were reasonably priced. But, I do recall, and kick myself, a 3 1/2 Inch nickel pre 27 in perfect condition they wanted $900 for back in 2004. It sat for quit awhile and when I finally decided I should bite the bullet, it was gone! That is the least expensive nickel pre 27 I have seen since then!

 

[OldChief]

I purchased a few from the Reno store a few years back and they didn't haggle then and I'm sure they don't now. At that time, I didn't feel they were too high in price but it seems to have gone up now.

 

[Wee Hooker]

No experience with their gun library but IMHO, Cabelas is no where near the company it used to be. Cancelled my Cabelas visa after 25 years of caring it last year over various CS and product related disappointments. Just recently got soft and placed back to back orders for fly outfits. Both orders were cancelled two days later without notice because they ran out of stock. I'm all set with these guys going forward.
If you can't find one locally, I'd suggest you look to the big gun auction / brokerage sites for a reputable dealer with fair pricing.

 

[Bosquebass]

The Ft. Worth, Texas Cabela's at one time had a number of nice used field shotguns at decent prices but no longer.
They did come off the listed price on a beat up triple lock they had, but not enough reduction in price to make me reach for my wallet.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

I find the prices to be high and the willingness to negotiate poor.
I have made two fair offers on fairly high end firearms and they would not budge on price. Makes me wonder if they are double dipping, as in paying the seller a low purchase price and being steadfast on what I consider above fair market value sale prices. They do have a national base to sell to and a corporation that must allow great patience with holding time.

 

[Absalom]

They slipped once; a few years ago I discovered a Colt 1903 Hammerless with worn-off finish, but mechanically perfect, in the back of a case at a Cabela’s gun library for $249. On the Colt Forum I was accused of stealing the gun, since just the original two-tone magazine was worth more than half that price.

But I have not come across anything like that since; they usually have a few nice guns I’d be interested in at the stores I can get to, but always so highly priced that it seems pointless to even try to bargain.

 

[Jim NNN]

I have shopped at Cabela's, got screaming deals on a couple of new guns, and have shopped - but never bought - used guns. Same experience as others. Tagged prices are above market, and negotiated prices seem to be at the very high end of acceptable market value. I just don't bother looking for that kind of stuff at Cabela's anymore. My humble opinion.

 

[classic bob]

IT DEPENDS

I GUESS IT VARIES FROM STORE TO STORE. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE SEVERAL FROM MY LOCAL CABELAS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THEIR PRICES HAVE INCREASED SINCE THEY MERGED WITH BASS PRO. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE MANAGER & WAS TOLD PRICE DICKERING VARIED WITH HOW LONG THE GUN HAD BEEN IN INVENTORY AND INVENTORY LEVELS OF THAT PARTICULAR TYPE OF GUN AS WELL AS HOW MUCH THIS TYPE OF GUN WAS IN PUBLIC DEMAND. I WILL SAY I'VE NOT LEFT THE STORE IF EVERYTHING WAS AS I EXPECTED & I REALLY WANTED THE GUN. YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY VARY.

 

[hoosierone]

Bought a nice CZ 4523 with a scope for $249. I was surprised to see such a low price considering their reputation. In discussing the deal with the sales guy he told me they won't negotiate on used guns unless they have had them over 30 days.

My CZ had just came in and I was lucky to be there.

 

[ajgunner]

I have purchased 2 handguns from Cabelas gun library and both were screaming deals. One I am sure they had to have made a mistake on and I figured they would catch it before we were done. Nope---I left with a big smile.

The second was already a decent deal, but I seem to have a gene in me that says always make and offer. So I went large with what I wanted the discount to be. The guy looked it up on the computer right in front of me and says nope I can't go that low. Now knowing what they paid I raised my offer 5 bucks and he says ok we can do that deal. The next thing I very specifically told him was that if they put any of their cheap tape on the box that I would throw a fit and be loud enough that everyone in the store would know something was going on. I literally had to climb the management ladder through multiple guys and get pissed to convince them to NOT put any tape on the box. In this case the pristine box was worth over $100. They finally ended up breaking their policy on securely taping the box shut, but did end up walking it out to my trunk and insisting I close it before handing me the receipt.

The next problem that happened on both purchases is their convoluted system of doing a BG check and paperwork. Both times it was mid week and mid day----picture an almost empty store. Both times took just over an hour from deal struck, until I was walking out the door. If you don't have the patients to deal with this sort of efficiency (my blood was boiling) you should probably go elsewhere.

 

[22hipower]

Generally prices are high and willingness to negotiate is minimal. However, as noted previously, the coupons they offer and occasional "sales" (and military discount) do help. And Cabelas is like any other business, they make mistakes in pricing and have limited information/knowledge about many items. A few years ago I bought a 3.5 inch nickel 27-2 with S serial number for $500. Couldn't believe it was priced for that, told the clerk I'd take it and jokingly asked "where's the box?" He looked at the tag and said well, there's supposed to be a box, let me look. Took awhile but he eventually came back with the original box and paperwork. Another time I bought a 632 NIB for $600 because "nobody wants 32s so it's on sale." Hard for Cabelas to keep up with market trends for all the products they carry. Not an easy place to get deals but occasionally they can be found. Their national website is a good way to keep tabs on Gun Library inventory and they will ship between stores. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[elcaminocop]

I don't know if all the stores offer it, but the one in Sun Prairie WI will give you 5% discount on any purchase, including firearms, for showing military or veteran identification. This is after you've made your best deal.

 

[rct269]

Any business operation requires two things to maintain good health: Cash Flow and Profit. Both are monitored closely, and control is maintained by policy. Low level employees who function in accord with policy are rewarded by keeping their jobs. Judgement level employees might be defined here as those who are allowed to deviate from policy----within prescribed limits---with different levels subject to different limits.

Your first question, as a preamble to price negotiation, should be along the lines of "Who do I need to talk to about a better price?"---and go from there with a judgement level employee.

It should be noted there are relatively few business concerns who care even a little bit whether YOU buy any given item----only that the item is sold to somebody----within a prescribed period of time.

All this brings me back to my first ever call to Old Town Station (Jim Supica's collectible firearms operation of yesteryear). I inquired as to the best price for a particular item. I was told they deemed the price to be fair----and that if the item had not sold at that price within ninety days, they would reconsider the matter of price. Fine. I quickly decided the chances of that item still being available in ninety days were non-existent---and placed my order. Most all others did the same. Everybody was happy---except for those afflicted with Imustgetadiscountitus. They went without---and they were the only ones who cared.

And when it comes to tape on boxes, how 'bout this for a time saving alternative suggestion? Put THE box in another box---and tape that one. Everybody's still happy---especially with the lack of aggravation. Non judgement level employees are not rocket scientists. Help them out. Neither expect nor require them to think.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Rpg]

I bought a nice 500 bpe from them

Unfortunately they didn’t bother to take it down (remove barrels from action) before shipping.

They put it in a box without padding and sent it UPS.

Of course, it arrived with smashed stock and hammers.

They did refund my money.

 

[DSRichert]

At times deals can be found as a gun missed priced. But once it is priced no haggle for 30 days.

Sent from my LG-K330 using Tapatalk

 

[chiefdave]

I've had good luck with the Fort Worth, Kansas City and Sidney stores. All 3 were willing to dicker down to fair market value or slightly less then I got a 10% military discount at checkout.

This was before the Bass Pro takeover and I doubt that it would be that way now. BP has a meager 5% military discount and it is not given firearms of ammunition. I live an hour north of the BP mega store in Springfield and would not waste the time or gas to go there. Reminds me of a Walmart with better dressed customers.