Cabelas Moving In, Is this a Good Thing?

[loeman]

A couple of weeks ago I read in the paper that Cabelas will be building a big new store not too far from where I live. I see Cabelas often mentioned here on the forum but I've never been in one. What can I expect? Is this a good thing or just another big store with lots of stuff? I would welcome another source for nice used handguns...if they carry them. What opinions do you have?

 

[cmort666]

There's one opening in Avon, Ohio this week.

I'll probably check them out Saturday, since there's a new camera store in the same town.

I hope they're as good as their St. Louis, MO county store.

 

[arjay]

It's a big store with an incredible assortment of nice
and fairly expensive stuff.Watch for sales.The used guns tend to be high,but if you're knowledgable you can find good deals.

 

[Arik]

It's a large store that carries clothing, hunting gear, food, and firearms.

I don't have a Cabelas near by. I've been to one before. Can't say I liked their prices. Most of my local stores have better prices and give better on trade ins. Cabelas does have an ungodly amount of ammo in just about every caliber known. Aside from stocking deep on the most popular, you'll also find odd and uncommon calibers

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[BigBill]

Fishing equipment besides guns and other sports, great place to browse too. If they have a food court it's even better.

 

[CBus660R]

We've had one here in Columbus for a couple years now. I think it's a really cool store because of the very large selection on everything outdoor related. The catch is that it is a big corporate operation with high overhead because of that selection and inventory. Prices will be MSRP and not much in the way of doorbuster sales. If you want to get a deal, you gotta pick from a limited selection at a local independent operation.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop recently opened locally. Right across the highway from each other. Not much to say other than to echo what others have already said-- Nice place to visit but I don't buy anything.

That said, from time to time I've caught on-line sales with attractive prices. I can ship to store for free so that's a plus.

These type operations are best designed for people on vacation, birthdays and Christmas, something needed right away, those who value the shopping experience over Net purchasing, or looking for guidance from a sales person.

 

[Erich]

I'm very bummed about the one coming here to ABQ, loeman - I like to get good deals by mail on the BP revolvers and stuff in their no-shipping, pre-Christmas sales, and now that sales tax will be involved . . .

 

[SweetMK]

Our Gander Mountain seems to exist only to sell guns.
This GIANT store sets in Roanoke,, with no product turnover.

Even my wife notices there are zero customers in the entire store,,,
except for the guns.

There is never more than one cashier at the front checkout,,,
we will not discuss why they sell nothing,,,,

 

[Frank237]

Cabelas has everything one can want...Except for good prices.

 

[Arik]

We are having Gander Mountain opening here. If they are anything like Cabelas I'll be visiting only for odd calibers. There have been a few rifles that I've wanted but the lack of locally available ammo kept me from buying

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[joebiker]

Cabelas is having big problems. They are trying to find a buyer. One opened near me, I visited once, will not likely go back, could not find anything better or cheaper than local stores.

 

[hoosierone]

Gold is where you find it. I stopped at a Cabela's a few months back and in their used gun rack was a very nice CZ 452 with a scope for $249. It now sits in my safe.

 

[Jim L]

Cabelas in Louisville KY has great ammo prices. Gun price are kind of high, but there sale prices are ok.
I prefer local gun shops but sometimes there price are out of line.

 

[comtedeloach]

More choices is always good.


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[chud333]

The smaller one they built just 40 minutes from me in Noblesville
is fun to visit. Yea, prices are mostly "high retail" on a lot of product
but i can always count on finding some "good" and affordable
.22 ammo if i want to lay in some more. This store never runs
out of rimfire ( winchester, remington, CCI, browning).
Keep an eye on their Grand Opening sale.
I scored a bunch of ammo at bargain price when they first open.
Same thing with a local Gander Mtn. that opened three years ago.

 

[italiansport]

Cabelas has everything one can want...Except for good prices.

I hate to think what Cabela's overhead must be in any given store. The ones I've been in are huge with millions in inventory and large staffs and my impression was not a lot of customers.. IMO: The reason WalMart is able to keep their prices down and thrive are large numbers of shoppers and great inventory turnover. I don't see that in either Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop and I wonder how they stay in business.
Jim

 

[EugeneNine]

They are a decent store. As your in the register line you can look up at all the places they donate to, lots of pro-gun and pro-hunting organizations. As others have mentioned their prices are somewhat high so the won't run your LGS out of business.

 

[H Richard]

Watch the prices. Sometimes you can find bargains, ans sometimes you can get burned. I stop in one every chance I get, especially the "Fine Gun Library", but a couple years ago I was passing through KC and made a quick stop and walking by an end cap display I picked up a container of .177 air gun pellets, RWS, until I notices the price of $12.99 for a can of 500, that's over double the price at that time. They went back on the shelf and I ordered 3 tins of 500 from Midway fot that amount.

 

[KalamazooKid]

The smaller one they built just 40 minutes from me in Noblesville

is fun to visit.

I found this nearly perfect 37 there in the gun library. Talked with the employee who took it in - said the original owner bought it in the mid 70's, shot a box of ammo and never shot it again. Got what I thought was a very fair price.

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[les.b]

H Ruchard, I'm like you, I guess. We have a store here in WV, and I go there frequently, and have been doing since they opened. Usually the prices are too high, but as you point out, sometimes you will find a treasure. I always go to the "Gun Library" first thing. They get many hard to find items there. Usually they are priced on the high end, but sometimes you will find something you have been liking for for ages, and the price is right. I have picked up 7 or 8 Smiths and Colts at least, over the years. They will also sometimes be willing to dicker on "used guns" (just about the only ones I'm interested in) and you may find a deal. Many times I leave without buying anything.

Our store has a great aquarium that you walk through, an African plains diarama, and a whitetail museum, as well as the center of the store being an arctic diarama, with polar bears, etc. interesting experience, and fun for the kids.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Dennis The B]

We have several in Michigan now. The latest is going in out in Macomb County. The first one opened in Dundee, and for a while was the number one tourist attraction in Michigan. The Dioramas and the huge fish tanks were first rate.

They have a lot of outdoor, fishing, hunting, and camping gear, along with a lot of guns. As others have stated, you can get some good prices, but you have to negotiate with them, especially in the "Gun Libraries".

They have some pretty good sandwiches in the cafeterias, and the folks who work there are generally pretty friendly and helpful. I've bought trousers there, and they hemmed them for me on the spot.

The have the "Bargain Cave", which feature returns, etc., and they have some fairly decent prices.

The bloom isn't off the rose, but they are a bit dated.

 

[mj2008]

I think it's a good thing. I wouldn't want to see them put a small local gun shop out of business but I like Cabela's. Big well stocked with guns, and all you need for guns, clothing, fishing, hunting stuff. Nice stores. Some of the people working there I found to be very helpful.

 

[Kanewpadle]

No it's not good. If you feel like waiting up to two hours to do the paper work when you buy a gun, go for it. If you want to pay full price for a gun, go for it.

Nice place to browse and I've been there several times. I never bought anything. I would rather support the local mom and pop gun shops.

 

[Shark Bait]

It'll give Sportsmans Warehouse some competition.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Get a Cabela's credit card and you receive mailers with codes that give 20% discounts. I combine these code with sale items, and combined with cash back on the card, arrive at good prices on some items.
I'm always stocking up on Herters .38SP/.357 on sale for $14/$16.

 

[df06]

I shop at Cabelas often. With their sale flyer or sales, they are competitive.
Their hunting clothes selection is excellent.

 

[Rpg]

They are the ultimate big box sporting goods stores.

Lots of interesting stuff, often staffed by teenagers who have little information or experience.

If you can get over the lack of staff up to speed on the merchandise, they're great.

 

[model70hunter]

I used to go to the STL store a lot when we lived there. Early on there were many bargains in used guns. That changed. I have bought lots of ammo on sale. 5.56
25-06.

Used to buy kids and older grandkids bricks of 22 lr. I went to buy bricks and this was when I learned of the last ammo shortage
Bare shelves.

I know some folks who like the fishing stuff better than Bass Pros.

Maybe 10 years ago I wanted a Python from the Reno store. I ended up getting 2 really really cheap. They will ship a gun to your store from any Cabelas
I've bought quite a few this way.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I like Cabela's better than Gander Mountain or Bass Pro. Their prices seem to be just a bit better than the other two big box operations. The one closest to me is one of their smaller stores called Cabela's Outpost. It's a good sized store, but doesn't have aquariums or a restaurant or the like. There are always quite a few shoppers in Cabela's. Meanwhile just a few blocks away the much larger Gander Mountain looks like a ghost town inside. Gander has a butt load of guns, but they are pricey.