Cabelas

Cabela's in Mitchell seems OK. They do not want to give you much in trade-in or purchase of your gun, but mark-ups on new, standard rifles and shotguns is low. An 870 is almost a loser to sell. The gun staff in Mitchell consists of a lot of long term, fairly knowledgeable people. They did cut inventory in some departments a few years ago, but seem to have restocked perhaps with more clothing that we are not interested in.
What I do not understand sometimes why the gun inventory differs so much at some stores. They had tons of Dickinson's at Mitchell and Rapid City, but not Owatanna. More Faustis at Owatanna. I think they move some of the higher value guns around. They have the Gun Librarys on the internet and have a good return policy if "not as advertized " and I know of one case where one went back. They will ship from one library to the other.
About all I look at is the sxs inventory and until last fall things were bare at Mitchell tho they have picked up.
 
I live about 3 miles as the crow flies from the Cabelas here in Wichita. Was one of their new concept small footprint stores.

Have only been there about 5 times. Bought only 2 or three things. The only good deal I've ever seen there was some dog beds they had on special so I ordered 3 one year.


Other than that their ammo is overpriced, would probably never buy a new firearm there unless it was a screamin deal and can almost guarantee I'd NEVER buy a used one (ripoff, overpriced and pull my pants down to my ankles comes to mind) and their clothing typically is overpriced.

Some of the displays are neat to look at....once, but after that it loses its appeal. Since they became a publicly traded company their direction has certainly changed.


I know when they send me a catalog it goes straight in the trash. If I want to find something I'll look it up online. If I want to buy something well made and reasonably priced Cabelas is the last place I'd think of looking. Typically the same product they sell can be found much less from a supplier online or another retailer.


I'm still perplexed why every time I drive by the Wichita location, the parking lot is fairly full. Maybe its newness hasn't worn off yet.


It's good you started this thread. If Cabelas is like the company I work for, their IT dept or whoever they outsource their branding/brand awareness to will come across this thread and read the comments.

:cheers:
 
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KsHusker said:
I live about 3 miles as the crow flies from the Cabelas here in Wichita. Was one of their new concept small footprint stores.

Have only been there about 5 times. Bought only 2 or three things. The only good deal I've ever seen there was some dog beds they had on special so I ordered 3 one year.


Other than that their ammo is overpriced, would probably never buy a new firearm there unless it was a screamin deal and can almost guarantee I'd NEVER buy a used one (ripoff, overpriced and pull my pants down to my ankles comes to mind) and their clothing typically is overpriced.

Some of the displays are neat to look at....once, but after that it loses its appeal. Since they became a publicly traded company their direction has certainly changed.


I know when they send me a catalog it goes straight in the trash. If I want to find something I'll look it up online. If I want to buy something well made and reasonably priced Cabelas is the last place I'd think of looking. Typically the same product they sell can be found much less from a supplier online or another retailer.


I'm still perplexed why every time I drive by the Wichita location, the parking lot is fairly full. Maybe its newness hasn't worn off yet.


It's good you started this thread. If Cabelas is like the company I work for, their IT dept or whoever they outsource their branding/brand awareness to will come across this thread and read the comments.

:cheers:
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Thanks. Just its funny a Nebraska guy that doesn't buy cabelas. That's me.
 
COWAN said:
That's due to clothing usually being marked up as far as 500%. Guns and ammo only make about 3% to 5% profit.
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Correct. clothing is where they are making a killing.

If I buy any clothing at the big box stores, i usually wait till the seasonal changes and things are put on sale, clearance etc..
 
Their guns do seem overpriced, specifically used ones, so where do you find the best deals? I'm currently looking for a couple of different guns and it seems like their library has the best selection. However, their used prices aren't much different from what you can get a new gun for. I went to another site that appears to be an auction but the gun has to be shipped to an approved store. That's one advantage I see to Cabelas. I would appreciate other input where to look.
 
Used guns will always be marked up over cost more than new. They low ball the original owners when they bring them in to sell, then turn around and try to make 30% profit on the rack.

Lots of online gun brokers selling used guns, usually thru bidding, much the same as ebay only guns.
 
quail hound said:
I stopped at the Cabelas in Reno on my way to SD. The guys in the gun dept asked if I needed any help and I asked about a Dickinson 20 ga, guy said he had never seen one in the store and brushed me off. There was the exact gun in question literally 3 feet behind him in the display case. I get it, I'm a young(er) man and the guy probably thought letting me handle a $1500 gun was a waste of time but he may have lost a sale as my newly paid off credit card was burning a whole in my pocket lol. I went down the road to Scheels and they answered every question I had and let me handle every shotgun I asked to, even the really nice ones behind glass.:thumbsup:
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Yep Cabelas in Reno very lame, not much stock or never has my size in clothing, Scheels in Sparks NV is much better on stock and more helpful by far :thumbsup:
 
sooty grouse said:
Yep Cabelas in Reno very lame, not much stock or never has my size in clothing, Scheels in Sparks NV is much better on stock and more helpful by far :thumbsup:
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Scheels in Sparks is like the outdoorsmens Disneyland.
 
nyhusker95 said:
Their guns do seem overpriced, specifically used ones, so where do you find the best deals? I'm currently looking for a couple of different guns and it seems like their library has the best selection. However, their used prices aren't much different from what you can get a new gun for. I went to another site that appears to be an auction but the gun has to be shipped to an approved store. That's one advantage I see to Cabelas. I would appreciate other input where to look.
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I've bought one off of Armslist (think craigslist but for guns) www.armslist.com


Have also sold 4-5 on www.gunbroker.com I guess there is inherrent risk purchasing online from someone site unseen but if you are looking for something you dont come across often, this might be your best option. For some reason no one likes SXS's in KS -- every gun store I've ever been in within a 2 hr radius of Wichita has garbage for selection on SXS's - I find a lot of them on armslist starting in the fall. Picked up a nice SKB 385 from a guy in Michigan 2-3 years ago. LOVE that gun. Would not in a million years see one for sale locally here. Find a lot of SXS's are typically for sale up in Michigan, WI, and that area come fall. Not sure why - always figured there'd be more here and in OK but never see quality ones I'd carrry around for sale. Only junk like a Stoeger coach gun or something that weighs 10 lbs and I'd never carry around all day.

Depending on where you live, you may find lots of stuff on armslist local to you - you can drill down on the ads/searches based on location.

www.Gunsamerica.com is another spot -- Some years ago I purchased a scope or two via classifieds there.


Thats my .02 As always Id prefer to purchase a used gun from a local shop and others I have found locally just shopping but my taste in SxS's at a reasonable price has forced me to buy out of state.
 
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KsHusker said:
I've bought one off of Armslist (think craigslist but for guns) www.armslist.com


Have also sold 4-5 on www.gunbroker.com I guess there is inherrent risk purchasing online from someone site unseen but if you are looking for something you dont come across often, this might be your best option. For some reason no one likes SXS's in KS -- every gun store I've ever been in within a 2 hr radius of Wichita has garbage for selection on SXS's - I find a lot of them on armslist starting in the fall. Picked up a nice SKB 385 from a guy in Michigan 2-3 years ago. LOVE that gun. Would not in a million years see one for sale locally here. Find a lot of SXS's are typically for sale up in Michigan, WI, and that area come fall. Not sure why - always figured there'd be more here and in OK but never see quality ones I'd carrry around for sale. Only junk like a Stoeger coach gun or something that weighs 10 lbs and I'd never carry around all day.

Depending on where you live, you may find lots of stuff on armslist local to you - you can drill down on the ads/searches based on location.

www.Gunsamerica.com is another spot -- Some years ago I purchased a scope or two via classifieds there.


Thats my .02 As always Id prefer to purchase a used gun from a local shop and others I have found locally just shopping but my taste in SxS's at a reasonable price has forced me to buy out of state.
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I appreciate the info; a lot of good stuff there. Thanks.
 
KsHusker said:
I've bought one off of Armslist (think craigslist but for guns) www.armslist.com


I find a lot of them on armslist starting in the fall. Picked up a nice SKB 385 from a guy in Michigan 2-3 years ago. LOVE that gun. Would not in a million years see one for sale locally here. Find a lot of SXS's are typically for sale up in Michigan, WI, and that area come fall. Not sure why - always figured there'd be more here and in OK but never see quality ones I'd carrry around for sale.
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There are a lot of SXS in the Lakes States as it seems SXS's and grouse, woodcock too, go together like peas and carrots. A lot of guys carry vintage Fox's and other old SXS's. Many of my hunting buddies carry SXSs, I haven't switched yet as I like my stacked barrels to much. But my gun cabinet has two slots for my future SXSs.
 
I just bought a Benelli Ethos from a gun dealer on Gunbrokers for $1700 and no state sales taxes. Just called one broker that had a few on there,and picked the wood grain of the one I wanted. They ship for$20 to a local FFL dealer.
 
Cabela's must be struggling a little, I heard they just laid off 100+ people from their "home" store in Sidney. That will devastate that small town.:eek:

They just don't have the specialized stuff that I want or need anymore. I'm not a deer or duck hunter so I don't need to be camo from head to toe and they don't carry much upland stuff anymore.

AM
 
To be fair, who does carry a lot of upland stuff in-store anymore? Nobody around here that Im aware of.
 
cabela's

UplandHntr said:
To be fair, who does carry a lot of upland stuff in-store anymore? Nobody around here that Im aware of.
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I guess it has to do with where the store is located. I live in MD and the closest Cabela's is in DE, about a 45-50 minute drive. They have almost NO upland hunting clothing but lots of waterfowl and deer hunting clothing. I guess it is because there is literally NO upland hunting in the area unless you go to a preserve. Mostly waterfowl, turkey, and deer hunting around here. The store is small compared to the one in Hamburg PA and the employees I have dealt with were not very knowledgeable. On my last visit I bought a bottle of Hoppe's #9 solvent for $8. Went around the corner to Dick's afterwards and found the same bottle of Hoppe's #9 for $5. Why?
 
The Mitchell Cabelas is always well stocked for the opener with upland gear. It's the biggest event they have, I think. But it's 3 days drive from my home in CA.:eek:
 
We stopped at Cabala's in Mitchell, SD on the return trip to Minneapolis. The store was very busy on a Monday afternoon (10-26); they had far more upland product than the Rogers, Mn outlet..

I was interested in very light rain pants, with side zipper and they had two or three however, the one I liked was $100! Will pass for now...
 
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