I would like to know what you guys think of cabela's, best, worst buys/experiences. My bad experience was the first time I went to Cabela's, I bought a bow. The sales person was really nice and sounded knowledgeable, but when I went to a nearby archery shop, back in Canada the guy was freaking out thinking he assembled it because the add ons the dude at cabela's put on were so messed up. He was so happy it wasn't him he did for free lol. I would also like to know the best stores you've evcer been to.


Mine would be S.I.R in winnipeg mb. They are all knowlegable and won't let you buy any thing they thing is not up to par.

Speaking only about the one in Hamburg PA ... staff knowledge was nill. I had one of them trying to sell me a used Pedersoli 45-90 target rifle saying (paraphrase) "This is the finest example of German craftsmanship and quality you can find." (I suppose he missed the stamping that read "Made in Italy")

While I was looking over a beat to crap K31 carrying a $425 price tag, another "salesman" made the unsolicited comment, "That was the standard issue sniper rifle of the Russian army." Playing along I said, "you don't say?". Kid, "ya, man, they had them special made in Finnland." :confused: :confused: :confused:

Okay, so the kids got their historica and geographical data a little confused ... likely the product of public schooling ...

I will give credit to the older gentleman putting on the museum tour, he did in fact know his stuff or at least the script he was given was in fact accurate.

I ran into several other sales people who were in fact friendly and tried to be helpful however, most didn't know anything about what they were selling.

The smoked ostrich was definitely very good!

Everything was priced high with the exception of the bulk empty brass. 100 round packs were about the same price as mail-order when you take the tax off and add the shipping but the 500 round bags were a lot cheaper than mail-order even with the tax added on. Powder price was way too high but primers were more reasonable and if you were't buying bulk via mail-order, they would have been cheaper at the store.

I'll also give credit to the kid in the fishing section, I asked him about a fly pole and he said, "I'm new here and don't know fly fishing at all but I'll be glad to get you the man that fly fishes all the time who can help you."

Overall, good store but know what your buying and definitely watch the prices. Great place to spend the day with the family even if you just go to look around.

FWIW I like Cabelas stores better than Bass Pro, but I like Big 5 better than both... mainly because I hate to "shop".

Give me a bare store with good selection, knowledgable help and good prices over a pretty place to lose the Wife while looking at guns...

Cabela's opened a store near me almost two years ago. I've been twice, and one of those trips was because I was given a gift card. Some thoughts the CEO and Board might be able to use:

I didn't drive 50 miles to buy bags of candy with "Cabelas" on the label.

I don't want to buy a Turkish Mauser (that was wholesaling at the time for $49) for $329.

I saw a floor lamp, made of cedar, priced at $800! I didn't realioze I'm a millionaire...the trash cedar on my property is worth MILLIONS by their reckoning.

Reloading supplies? Everything you would ever need...if you didn't cast bullets, and loaded only .30/06,.308, .270, etc.

Just not a very impressive store.

Sportsman's Warehouse is a much better store for shooters.

...Sportsman's Warehouse is a much better store for shooters.

THAT's the name of the store in Spokane that I couldn't remember... Not Big5. Sportsmen's Warehouse...that's where I shopped.

DUHHH.

They're supposed to open a Cabelas in Maine to compete with L.L. Bean of Freeport. I only have experience by internet and they have consistently been bad. Prices are too high for all categories. Also long waits on backorders. Gave up on them years ago.

I have gotten great deals on hunting supplies from Cabelas, at the end of the season. Great deals on decoys also. I don't ever rely on a salesman's knowledge. The gun shop near my house is a perfect example. I was looking for some 9.3 bullets, I inquired of the "expert" behind the counter. His response was kinda funny, "I never seen one", "but I ordered some once for some guy" ?? His next comment was precious. I got a big thumper at home, to which I replied "I bet it is a .35 Whelan", I was right, imagine that. This reloading expert would like to see resized brass and a complete cartridge.
Don't trust any of them!!!

I have always had very good service from Cabela's mail order. They supposedly have a store in the works for Georgia.

I think it is unrealistic to believe a store like Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas are always going to have an experienced clerk on duty at all times.

I bought some powder and primers from the Bass Pro Shop in Savannah this past weekend, it was late on Saturday night. The clerk didn't have a clue but he was polite enough and was willing to listen to me and he hunted for what I TOLD him I wanted until he found it.

They're supposed to open a Cabelas in Maine to compete with L.L. Bean of Freeport. I only have experience by internet and they have consistently been bad. Prices are too high for all categories. Also long waits on backorders. Gave up on them years ago.

Now that is weird. Because I've never had anything but positive experiences with their Web service. Sure, they are a little pricy, but not egregiously so - especially if you watch the sales. I've even bought stuff cheaper from Cabelas than Midway.

one plus of cabelas over midway is the shipping is based on item price, not "actual shipping" so if your going to get something heavy or bulky, Cabela's isn't a bad way to go, providing the price is right

I find cabela's is great if you know what you are looking for not just "browsing" if you just want to look ans just aren't sure the large maybe 1 or 2 store places are great cause evryone their is knowlegable in their feild and can direct you to n e thing in a heart beat. If you guys ever stroll across the border in to manitoba check out S.I.R best of all the shops I've been to and it's been around for 77 or so years. (1 store just location shifts alot, basically same local moves along street to bigger facility)

I've found Cabela's to have high quality equipment (including their own store brand), have high prices, and a good return policy. My impression on price is Cabella's > Bass Pro > Sportsman's Warehouse. For shooting related items (as contrasted to hunting and fishing items) I prefer Midway, and unlike JB12String prefer their charging actual shipping costs rather than the price of the purchased items as done by Cabela's and Bass Pro. Cabela's often has good after season sales with markdowns up to half or more. We now have both Sportsman's Warehouse and Bass Pro in the Denver area and a Cabela's is expected to open in about a year.

As a result of trying to buy an item advertised in Bass Pro's mail order flyer at store in Saint Louis (that would not honor the advertised price) on a trip between Denver and Pennsylvania several years ago, I now generally avoid Bass Pro unless they have a specific item advertised at a very low price. Two years ago, the Cabela's in Hamburg PA was willing to give me the sale price on heavy wool shirts even though their sale had ended.

Sports Authority (formerly Gart's) and Dick's (formerly Gaylan's) have regressed with respect to the shooting sports since the change of ownership which now targets primarily the skiers, hikers, etc.

Some knowledgeable staff exist in these larger stores, but the percentage seems to be lower than in smaller owner operated stores.

Things have been going downhill here with Sportsman's Warehouse. 8 months with nothing other than Speer Hot Core 350 grain bullets in .416 caliber and now they don't even have those. Cabelas has not been bad shopping them online and shipping prices have been reasonable but their inventory has been nothing to get all excited about. Same goes for Sportman's Warehouse but at least they are here local.

I can say this though. Sportman's Warehouse has a few guys behind the counter who know what I am talking about. So far it has been one in four who knows a little more than which end is the "wrong" end so that has been good. As for customer service? Well, I've begun to get the feeling they don't care about anyone shooting anything but the new whizbang short mags and your basic .338 winmag because they don't carry much in the way of reloading components beyond the top 12 calibers for each rifle and pistol. If you shoot a guide gun you are okay, but anything else large and you are sorta outta luck and they aren't listening.

the best stores are the ones around for a while. when they first start up they hire whoever they can get

I have a Cabellas, Gander Mountain and Sportsman Warehouse all within 10 miles. I have had uneven experiences at Cabellas. Occasionally I will actually find someone who actually has knowledge of reloading. Most of the time they try to bluff their way through as described above. In any sales environment it is always best just to be honest if you are unsure.

I typically search through the bargain cave every time I visit Cabellas. The best deals are usually on the clothes and the boots. I did find a very good price on an spotting scope. However, on most of the stuff in the cave you really have to watch the integrity of the price tags. Most times it is only a dollar or two cheaper than the regular shelf item.

I have found Gander Mountain to be at least as high as Cabellas but with even less customer service.

Sportsmans Warehouse is where I buy. The prices and the staff are the best all around. I shop all three, but buy at SW.

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39

I have had good success with Cabela's mail order but I have not been to a store yet. I have gotten all kinds of stuff through the mail and they have an excellent return policy. That is very convenient if you are buying boots or clothes. Their regular prices are high but they do have sales that put them pretty much at market value. We do have a Gander Mountain that I go to locally and it is a great store. I really like it. I bought a new bow there and the guy really did a good job. The guys at the gun racks though didn't have a clue. They also have gunsmithing services but I don't know anyone that has used it so I can't comment on that part of their store.

I keep my hands deep in my own pockets when in Cabela's. I've bought several things from Bass Pro, although not likely to in the future since I no longer travel to that distant city. Sportsman's Warehouse has the best selection of powder I have around here at competitive or better prices. I've spent the most money with Midway over the last few months. Now that I have a triple 4, Marshall will probably get a big chunk of my money for his 405 grain cast bullets.

Don't have a Cabella's near by but we do have a Gander Mountain. It got flooded out last year, the store had 5 feet of standing water in it. I had a gun on lay-away that was drowned before I made my last payment so they refunded my money. It took a long time but they have since reopened. Prices were much better prior to the flood and I told them that, they're so high now I don't even bother to frequent the store and do all my shopping on line. You would think they would get the message. Here in Owego, NY, this is a gun shop starved area with only one privately owned business in a 50 mile radius and his prices are no better than Gander Mountain. He seems to want to retire on every sale. Wally World still has the best gun prices if you find they carry what you want but you can't get any reloading supplies.

Wally World still has the best gun prices if you find they carry what you want but you can't get any reloading supplies.

I hate using them but the Wally World in my town can special order anything you want since the in-store selection is quite limited. You are right about the prices. I do have a couple of shops in town though that will match whatever the Wal-Mart price is so I try to go to them instead.

Don't have a Cabella's near by but we do have a Gander Mountain. It got flooded out last year, the store had 5 feet of standing water in it. I had a gun on lay-away that was drowned before I made my last payment so they refunded my money. It took a long time but they have since reopened. Prices were much better prior to the flood and I told them that, they're so high now I don't even bother to frequent the store and do all my shopping on line. You would think they would get the message. Here in Owego, NY, this is a gun shop starved area with only one privately owned business in a 50 mile radius and his prices are no better than Gander Mountain. He seems to want to retire on every sale. Wally World still has the best gun prices if you find they carry what you want but you can't get any reloading supplies.

flashhole,

Know what ya' mean. I lived across the river in Apalachin for 14 years. Used to be able to do pretty well at Sugarman's when it was there, but gun shop starved area now. I still have a bunch of friends working at the big plant; I think it's Lockheed-Martin now?

Best'
Dan

I heard Wally was going to stop carrying firearms in many of their stores as they have concluded it is a lost cause as the demand for guns in their stores have actually decreased in the past few years. I don't know if this is the truth or a PC thing with them. My local store (Waterville, Maine) always looks busy when I'm in there. I know that many of my friends buy brick .22 ammo for plinking as you can't really beat their prices.

I heard Wally was going to stop carrying firearms in many of their stores as they have concluded it is a lost cause as the demand for guns in their stores have actually decreased in the past few years. I don't know if this is the truth or a PC thing with them. My local store (Waterville, Maine) always looks busy when I'm in there. I know that many of my friends buy brick .22 ammo for plinking as you can't really beat their prices.

The Walmart nearest to me stopped carrying firearms a few months ago, but they said one of the others in the Denver area still carries guns. Never bought any guns there (maybe that contributed to their change), but 2 years ago after the waterfowl season I picked up a case of 3 1/2" steel shells at less than half price (and haven't hunted waterfowl since even though I bought the stamps).

I went to the Gander Mountain just north of Denver 2 years ago just before the Christmas holidays and there were fewer shoppers than sales staff in the store. If the customer traffic is that low during the peak retail sales season, I doubt that they will survive.

What helps us in Maine is that almost every little town and small city have at least one and often more gun shops. Most of these also have gunsmiths there at the store or are referred to them by the gun shops. It is safe to say that we probably have in most homes firearms that go back generations and these show up at the local shops as the kids move out of state for new jobs and the old folks wind up in homes for elderly.

We are supposed to get a Cabellas, we have a SW, but I still buy local. SW had a gun in Wash. State that was 200.00 more there than here. Shipping??? Not even with lots of insurance. I found a gun on the internet for 1000.00 less. Local shops when I can afford it. Shipping kills any incentive to buy outside from retailers.

Just a note we were told about Wal Mart. They submit a copy of the form 4473 to BATFE with every purchase, rather than keeping the form in their files until required by BATFE, if ever.
They have always been supportive of shooting and hunting groups in the area with donations as do the smaller shops.

I've never been inside a Cabeia's store but I've ordered several items from them. Before I was FFL, I ordered a muzzle loader. I tried several times over the course of a week to fax my FOID card. The sales lady kept with me until a good fax was made. I'm convinced anyone else would have given up on me, but she kept working, calling me back until the sale was approved. The rifle came from Nebraska. I admire the extra effort on Cabela's part and especially that particular sales lady to get my order out to me.

I have had good luck with both Cabela's and Bass Pro purchases over the internet. i have pretty much stopped going to Bass Pro stores (Springfield and St. Louis, MO) since they carry more home decorating items than sporting goods. Cabela's is a little more pricey, but i think the quality is better.


I shop local if I can, but sometimes selections is not nearly as good as Cabela's or BP. I have used Sportsmans Warehouse over the internet and had real good luck and customer service. for firearms i go to local gunshops. for archery, i will buy the base bow at Cabela's/ BP and have a local shop set it up for me.

I was sighting in my 22-250 last summer at a local conservation range. I got to talking to one of hte range masters and he told me a story about a guy would bought a new Remington rifle (30-06 or 7mm) at BP and the store bore sighted his scope. He could not get the gun zeroed in and asked the range master for help. Long-story short BP mounted the scope upside down; the windage adjustment on top and the elevation on the side.

How about "Cheaper than Dirt"??????????

never used them, heard them talked about, nothing stuck out good or bad

never used them, heard them talked about, nothing stuck out good or bad

I have used them several times. They have occasional good deals on ammo. Got 500 rounds of .22 magnums $43 delivered.
Second and third best deals on ammo were on:

Ammoman.com
Gunbrocker.com for 8mm Mauser rounds (880 rounds for $54)

you mean you can buy ammo complete and not have to load it :confused: :confused: :confused:

you mean you can buy ammo complete and not have to load it :confused: :confused: :confused:

Heck I'm too poor to reload:confused::confused::confused:

huh, that's weird, I'm too poor not to reload :D

I generally buy from Cabelas at year's end when they send me a discount certificate. Have found their merchandise to be as good as any others providing you know what is good. They accept returned merchandise hassel free and will try to satisfy your needs. I also like their Visa program which allows you to accumulate Cabelas Points for future purchase redemption. Don't have a Cabelas in my area which could result in my purchasing a lot more from them. Cabelas is on my list of places to shop.

The only negative I can bring up on Cabelas is their shipping department does not provide enough packing material to always protect the merchandise. They should also consider shipping with another shipping firm who will treat the packages with more care. Received a bullet mould from them that suffered a badly cracked mould box, another time received a broken box where some bagged bullets had broken loose and bullets were lost all due to insufficient packing materials. Damaged shipped goods result in returns, more waiting and aggravation.

The only negative I can bring up on Cabelas is their shipping department does not provide enough packing material to always protect the merchandise. They should also consider shipping with another shipping firm who will treat the packages with more care.

Because I've had repeated problems with one of the UPS drivers not leaving packages, I requested Cabelas to only ship Parcel Post. They have flagged my file and have used Parcel Post for shipments to me at no additional cost since then. Some other catalog merchants have refused to change and have lost my business.

I have had wonderful luck dealing with Cabela's by mail order. I also have a Cabela's Club Visa card that when used gets me .02 on the dollar on Cabela's goods, and .01 on any other purchase. We use this card for everything we can and I accumulate some nice credits "Club Points." I have returned a couple of items that I used pretty hard and they gave me 100% of my money back. Haven't had a bad experience. Have gotten a lot of good deals at Cabela's. My best purchase was a Cabela's Alaskan Guide scope 6.5X-20X w/AO. It was only about $260 and is the berries for woodchucks or deer at any range my 6mm Rem. will reach.
Their stores are just stores. They aren't sport shops. I use mail order (either Cabela's or Midway USA) for everything but smokless guns, powders, primers, ammunition, and archery stuff. I use Hunter's Friend (www.huntersfriend.com) for all my archery stuff. Archery is advancing too fast for any "everything store" to handle.
-Ed