Cabela's chaps my hide.

The employees at a box sporting goods store like Cabelas are a whole different animal than the old timer at the local Mom and Pop gun shop who wouldn't give two "figs" if you handed the kid money, or the gun right after you bought it. As long as you check off on the paper that you are the legal purchaser of the gun and you pass a NICS, his butt is covered. Cabelas is a corporation, it's a whole different thing.

Cabelas employees have cameras on them and they're trying to keep their paycheck so they can pay their rent and maybe feed their kids. They probably get terminated on the spot for not following store policies and laws.

Gander Mountain used to make you have to have a store employee walk you out with a gun purchase. It didn't matter if you didn't like being walked out like a kid, the employee had to. They thought it was stupid too.

Patronize your local small gun shops then, because the box stores are driving them out of business

Stantheman86 said:

I saw the same thing at mine, I'm like no one is paying $800 for a 91/30

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I’m not sure beating up a store because of prices that as crazy as they are, seem to possibly be in line with the ‘current’ market. How Much Does a Mosin Nagant Cost in 2023?.
Now I am not disagreeing that the prices are also way high to me, having purchased the ones I own from a hardware store that had them in an old pickle barrel for $19.99 with sign saying take your pick, and included a box of ‘semi’ corrosive ammo with the purchase, but those days are gone. Ok, not a firearm to discuss here.

One thing I do remember from before BP took over, was that the prices of the used guns were very negotiable, at least in the stores I used to frequent. Do not know about current situation as I have not been in one for quite some time.

Walkaheap said:

Gentlemen and Ladies, if I might add some perspective from the other side of the Cabela's Gun Counter, I'd say the vast majority of interactions I have with customers are positive. People are happy to be buying a firearm or related item. They understand we have to follow ATF rules. As for purchase limits, my thoughts are that they are designed to allow more customers access to scarce products. In general I'd say if you begin our interaction in a positive manner, it'll be reciprocated. I had one customer who explained to me he'd worked at Lowes over the pandemic time and said he'd noticed the civility of the customers decrease. Perhaps that's true and I try not to add to the problem.
Walkaheap

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I have shopped at a few different Cabela's gun departments over the years. My usual experience is being ignored by most of the staff. I have walked thru the entire store, crossing paths with many different employees and not one of them said hello or asked if they could help me. I once asked 2 different employes in the gun department if they had any 38-55 ammo. Both told me no. I then checked for myself, walking thru most of the ammo on display. I found 3 different 38-55 options on the shelf. --- I agree with the others that have stated Cabela's service has gone downhill.

Just some general stuff.......

I did a 1 year stretch at the gun counter at a Minnesota Cabela's when I was in between IT jobs.
At other times I also worked at Sportsman's Warehouse (the first generation) and a couple of independents. One of the independents had a few hundred firearms in stock - the other had several thousand. Total full-time firearms retail experience six or seven years, plus some part-time stuff as well.

We had both good and bad people behind the counter.
We had both good and bad people in front of the counter.

As much as it pains me to say it (and it's taken me years to admit it) you're more likely to come across a bad counter person than a bad customer.

Ouch, that really hurt to have to say that.

Like pretty much all of us I have a bunch of gun shop stories about absolutely sterling silver top-of-the-line coworkers and customers, then there are the complete opposites that you want to scrape off the bottom of your shoe.

All I can ask is that if you're in a big box store, keep in mind the counter person doesn't make policy.
I personally (like everyone here) much prefer the independent or Mom & Pop stores.

30coupe said:

I've used them and 3 Rivers Archery in the past. My shoulders have become too worn out for traditional bows anymore. Compounds are not as much fun, but it's better than not bowhunting at all.

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I am right there with you. Still use the PSE Compound. Although I have tuned it down to about 55 lbs. The factory 70 lb. draw was too much anymore. You dont really need that much speed anyhow. Good luck out there.SM

Enjoying the read, but surprised at the ignorance of modern retailing. You want excellent customer service and highly knowledgeable, available, and skilled sales staff, but want to pay the lowest price. You want what you consider to be your deserved discounts on every product you buy but rail against the purchase quotas that may make products in short supply available to more customers. You want capitalism but complain when the price is high because the market supports higher costs. You want absolute accuracy in inventory when the majority of high-volume stock in a store can be pulled at any time for an online order. You want loyalty when you will buy wherever you can to save a few percentage points.

Sorry, 1970's style retailing died a long time ago.

Those with Cabelas or BassPro nearby have the best deal available on guns and related products. Anything you can buy from them online, including from their huge used gun market and the stock they pull from stores across the country is shipped store-to-store for free, without hazmat costs, and no FFL costs for applicable products. If you watch closely online, what you want will be available sooner or later. No deal like that from any other retailer.

Some of their policies don't sit well with me either, but that's the case with every large retailer. We can all stop shopping there because they refuse to sell us 1 more pound of Pyrodex, but when the remaining large retailers that support shooting sports stop selling guns, it is over.

As well as can be said.

The "fat lady" has finally sung.

halman said:

a week ago my brother bought a muzzleloader revolver at cabelas in okc and he had to fill out paperwork. when he questioned them they said it was their policy now

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Bought a 1863 shilo sharps from them and had to do the background check and escort out the door in Boise Idaho

It is there rules because of a convicted felon, read earlier post.

stephenprops1 said:

I have shopped at a few different Cabela's gun departments over the years. My usual experience is being ignored by most of the staff. I have walked thru the entire store, crossing paths with many different employees and not one of them said hello or asked if they could help me. I once asked 2 different employes in the gun department if they had any 38-55 ammo. Both told me no. I then checked for myself, walking thru most of the ammo on display. I found 3 different 38-55 options on the shelf. --- I agree with the others that have stated Cabela's service has gone downhill.

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Cabelas is basically WalMart with outdoors stuff and more guns at this point

They hire whoever comes in the door for a job and they don't care to learn anything, they just show up

Dale Lilly said:

He is "prepared" for the attack that he is sure will come [from U.S. Army].

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are there really people out there who think they can fight the military? them can put a missile down you chimney and up your butt before you know they are coming. its not like both sides have muskets anymore.these people must have watched RED DAWN too many times.

Uh huh. I know several. ?????

Such anger. Why not keep your ire for the Cabela family that sold out, as they couldn't agree and wanted the money. Much like successful Roadway seeking to sucky Yellow Freight -- family fees. Too bad, but there it is.

Bass pro is fishing and such -- not even regular boat stuff. Their employees are that, not people interested in the subject, but sales people. Go to the small shops

When, I read about the sale, years ago, I knew it was going this way. Such is life.

2 shots said:

are there really people out there who think they can fight the military? them can put a missile down you chimney and up your butt before you know they are coming. its not like both sides have muskets anymore.these people must have watched RED DAWN too many times.

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Veitnam does, Afghanistan does. I do

Piquant said:

Veitnam does, Afghanistan does. I do

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Oh there's no doubt you can fight the army but can you win?

Piquant said:

Veitnam does, Afghanistan does. I do

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#1 cant compare the technology.#2 i dont think it will happen in near future, there will have to be more infiltration of this country before the military would fire on its own people. [ i hope] #3 we would not win see #1 ...again this is not a level playing field.

Eutycus said:

Oh there's no doubt you can fight the army but can you win?

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The next civil war won’t have battle lines. Neither side will have a safe place and will involve all. He who is determine will win.

How will you know who the "good guys" are? Terrorists shooting terrorists?

sturmkatze said:

Such anger. Why not keep your ire for the Cabela family that sold out, as they couldn't agree and wanted the money. Much like successful Roadway seeking to sucky Yellow Freight -- family fees. Too bad, but there it is.

Bass pro is fishing and such -- not even regular boat stuff. Their employees are that, not people interested in the subject, but sales people. Go to the small shops

When, I read about the sale, years ago, I knew it was going this way. Such is life.

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That is very true. Go to Walmart, Sears, Lowes, Home depot, actually any big box department store, the sales personell will know where to direct you to a product, but know very little about it. So if it's product information you're looking for, even the small shops may not have the info you want. They are there to sell their wares. Hence the word "sales person", not sale info expert.

Yep, let's get up in arms because Cabela's wouldn't sell a third thingy to a member. Folks are even talking civil war lunacy.

i like Cabela's, got oodles of free stuff from that company and will continue to frequent their stores.