Cabela's and Gun Trade ins

[Brubz]

Like many Cabela's my local store offers a trade in where you can trade an older gun for a new one.of course they won't tell you how much they pay because they say that that depends on the gun and the condition and blah blah blah. have any of you had experience with trading in guns to Cabela's?

 

[Reloadron]

Like many Cabela's my local store offers a trade in where you can trade an older gun for a new one.of course they won't tell you how much they pay because they say that that depends on the gun and the condition and blah blah blah. have any of you had experience with trading in guns to Cabela's?

I can share this much. My wife and I owned a small brick and mortar gun shop during the early and mid 90s. Something I made perfectly clear to people bring in guns to sell or trade was I buy a gun for one reason and that is to resell the gun. My policy was cash up front and I will give you about 20% less than I figure I can sell the gun for. A big part was the overall condition of the gun. Cabela's is no different. They buy a gun to place in their "Gun Library" and resell the gun. Typically they look for about a 33% profit margin. A gun they figure they can sell for $1,000 will generally net the seller about $666.00 give or take and again depending on condition. Condition is a key player in gun value.

Something else to consider is when buying an estate with maybe 10 guns there are cherries and there are pits. When I make an offer on the lot it's just that, all or none. Some guns you know will move fast and others I may still be looking at a few years later. I have also bought a few guns from Cabela's gun library and discovered that I can ask for a best and final price and also get an additional 5% for being a veteran which is nice.

So it comes down to this. If you are the seller it's wise to know what you have and the going rate for what you have. You figure that Colt Series 70 MK IV is a $2,000 gun then you can either take or decline the offer. It's totally the sellers choice to accept or decline. Any business be it Cabela's or other will operate the same, buy the gun, sell the gun, pay the overhead and life is good.

Be it just a buy or trade it's the same.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[rust collector]

Gun dealers are in it to make money. My objective, on the other hand, is to chisel my dealer down as much as possible without making his children go barefoot. His business card says he cheats the other guy and passes the savings on to me. But I sometimes I wonder...

 

[jmr40]

I talked to them about it. They have a very straightforward way of doing things. If you don't like the price no one is making you sell to them. But I felt they were very professional, open, and honest during the process.

Their policy is to calculate how much they can sell the gun for and give you 65% of that. At least that is what they told me. That number may vary by location.

The rifle I took to them was somewhat unusual, only made for one year in the 1980's. I had already done some research and was pretty sure what it was worth. The guy looked over my rifle and spent 30+ minutes online and making phone calls to determine its value while I looked around in the store. They texted me when ready.

They determined my rifle would sell for $700 in a store, which is exactly what I'd determined. But 65% of that was $455. I declined their offer, shook the man's hand and left. No hard feelings either way. They were upfront and honest. No one was trying to cheat me or insult my intelligence.

Selling one anymore is a PITA, especially if you do it online and have to deal with the hassles of shipping. Had they offered me $550 I'd have taken the deal. I don't mind them making a profit, that is why they are open. I did eventually sell it for $600, but it took time and work. It was worth the $145 over what Cabelas offered to sell myself. But not worth $50 more had they offered me $550.

 

[Mosin77]

I talked to them about it. They have a very straightforward way of doing things. If you don't like the price no one is making you sell to them. But I felt they were very professional, open, and honest during the process.

Their policy is to calculate how much they can sell the gun for and give you 65% of that. At least that is what they told me. That number may vary by location.

The rifle I took to them was somewhat unusual, only made for one year in the 1980's. I had already done some research and was pretty sure what it was worth. The guy looked over my rifle and spent 30+ minutes online and making phone calls to determine its value while I looked around in the store. They texted me when ready.

They determined my rifle would sell for $700 in a store, which is exactly what I'd determined. But 65% of that was $455. I declined their offer, shook the man's hand and left. No hard feelings either way. They were upfront and honest. No one was trying to cheat me or insult my intelligence.

Selling one anymore is a PITA, especially if you do it online and have to deal with the hassles of shipping. Had they offered me $550 I'd have taken the deal. I don't mind them making a profit, that is why they are open. I did eventually sell it for $600, but it took time and work. It was worth the $145 over what Cabelas offered to sell myself. But not worth $50 more had they offered me $550.

Yep, and everyone has a different pain threshold. Everyone also has different friends, connections, expertise. For many the $455 cash would probably be money ahead. (But I would have sold it myself too.)

 

[12Bravo20]

Getting 60 to 70 percent of what a FFL can sell the firearm for is the going average no matter if it is a small FFL or a big chain store like Cabela's.

And if you don't like that percentage, then I suggest that you never take a firearm to a pawn shop to get a loan or to sell. Back when I had my Type 2 Pawn Broker FFL, the going rate for a buy was 40% of what I could sell it for and only 25% if the person was pawning the item. And that was pretty much industry wide. And those percentages are for any item you try to sell or pawn at pawn shops.

 

[arsterling180]

I do know with Sportsman’s Warehouse the math is even more murky. They will offer more if you trade to buy a gun sitting on the shelf. The murkiness comes from the fact they push that warranty program. Actuarial tables and what not come into play and if it’s something that’s known to get RMA’d a lot in a short period of time, they’ll either won’t offer you anything, or a low amount.

 

[Obturation]

If you don't sell guns, you'll never need to worry what cabelas pays.


I try not to buy something I won't keep and I don't keep anything I don't like. It's been years since I sold a gun and anytime I have it's been to fund a new gun. If you're selling to cabelas just ask yourself if it's worth it to you, you can always get more money but guns can be tough to replace sometimes.

 

[Brubz]

If you don't sell guns, you'll never need to worry what cabelas pays.


I try not to buy something I won't keep and I don't keep anything I don't like. It's been years since I sold a gun and anytime I have it's been to fund a new gun. If you're selling to cabelas just ask yourself if it's worth it to you, you can always get more money but guns can be tough to replace sometimes.

Well since you asked I'm getting older and my hand strength is going it's getting harder to Rack semi-automatic pistols particularly my Kimber micro nine.I've been toying with the idea of trading it for a .357 Magnum but then again I might not. the Kimber is a beauty and I hate to give it up

 

[Mark_Mark]

If you don't sell guns, you'll never need to worry what cabelas pays.


I try not to buy something I won't keep and I don't keep anything I don't like. It's been years since I sold a gun and anytime I have it's been to fund a new gun. If you're selling to cabelas just ask yourself if it's worth it to you, you can always get more money but guns can be tough to replace sometimes.

100% agree! I have not sold a gun in a decade. and, only sold 5-6 guns in a lifetime. Why, becuse what was good then, will eventually be good now. my gun sold regrets were: Winchester 94, Glock 23, and 10/22 tackdown.

 

[Jimbo80]

When I was in the biz we never paid more than half of retail for anything. For really common guns it was typically less. People only sell guns to gun shops if they need fast cash or are afraid to sell F2F. Most gun shops are well aware of that and take advantage. Some folks are OK with that and others get offended. Over the years I had more than a few offended customers who knew I was a collector turn down the stores lowball offer and call me later offering the gun for just a few dollars more and on rare occasions less. That was how I got my Israeli Desert Eagle for $400.

 

[Mark_Mark]

When I was in the biz we never paid more than half of retail for anything. For really common guns it was typically less. People only sell guns to gun shops if they need fast cash or are afraid to sell F2F. Most gun shops are well aware of that and take advantage. Some folks are OK with that and others get offended. Over the years I had more than a few offended customers who knew I was a collector turn down the stores lowball offer and call me later offering the gun for just a few dollars more and on rare occasions less. That was how I got my Israeli Desert Eagle for $400.

Wow! $400!

 

[Lennyjoe]

Like many Cabela's my local store offers a trade in where you can trade an older gun for a new one.of course they won't tell you how much they pay because they say that that depends on the gun and the condition and blah blah blah. have any of you had experience with trading in guns to Cabela's?

Not Cabelas but the local Vance Outdoors near Cincinnati only offered me $250 for a pristine Glock 20 Gen 4…….which I kindly told them their off their rocker.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Not Cabelas but the local Vance Outdoors near Cincinnati only offered me $250 for a pristine Glock 20 Gen 4…….which I kindly told them their off their rocker.

they probably low balled a little, and would have sold it for $450, after employee, light bills, rent, wife’s cut, taxes, … owner would have probably made $40 on the sale

remember one thing, after a gun leaves the shop, it’s considered USED! shot or not… so go shot your guns people

 

[TomJ]

I asked this question at the Cabela's in Hoffman estates, IL a few years back and was told they'd give me 60% of the value of the gun. There's a LGS where I now live in Wisconsin that sells guns on consignment for a 10% fee. The seller sets the price. If I'm going to sell a gun the consignment route is obviously a better option.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I asked this question at the Cabela's in Hoffman estates, IL a few years back and was told they'd give me 60% of the value of the gun. There's a LGS where I now live in Wisconsin that sells guns on consignment for a 10% fee. The seller sets the price. If I'm going to sell a gun the consignment route is obviously a better option.

Consignment at a local shop can sit for a long time. Wish Cabelas would do Consignment, they have a great Gun Library website and can get exposed to more buyers.

Another thing I wish LGS would do, is, to do the packing and shipping of guns SOLD online. They charge a fee for their experts service and charge a profitable fee. Customer pays for convenience.

another option to Cableas is Dury’s Gun. They send you shipping box and labels, evaluate your gun(s) and give you considment offer or buy out right

https://durysguns.com/

 

[Chuck R.]

I talked to them about it. They have a very straightforward way of doing things. If you don't like the price no one is making you sell to them. But I felt they were very professional, open, and honest during the process.

Their policy is to calculate how much they can sell the gun for and give you 65% of that. At least that is what they told me. That number may vary by location.

The rifle I took to them was somewhat unusual, only made for one year in the 1980's. I had already done some research and was pretty sure what it was worth. The guy looked over my rifle and spent 30+ minutes online and making phone calls to determine its value while I looked around in the store. They texted me when ready.

They determined my rifle would sell for $700 in a store, which is exactly what I'd determined. But 65% of that was $455. I declined their offer, shook the man's hand and left. No hard feelings either way. They were upfront and honest. No one was trying to cheat me or insult my intelligence.

Selling one anymore is a PITA, especially if you do it online and have to deal with the hassles of shipping. Had they offered me $550 I'd have taken the deal. I don't mind them making a profit, that is why they are open. I did eventually sell it for $600, but it took time and work. It was worth the $145 over what Cabelas offered to sell myself. But not worth $50 more had they offered me $550.

This was my experience and I've now sold 3 outright to my local Cabela's in the last 18 months. All three times I felt fairly treated and I left with cash in hand. It's quick and hassle free, plus I'm not worried about where the gun ends up. I've got a couple more that I'm probably going to move along this year that I'll give them a shot on.

 

[Brubz]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm starting to have second thoughts about trading in my semiautos. maybe I'll just work on exercises to increase my hand strength.If my buddy Arthur Ritus will cooperate. Lol

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm starting to have second thoughts about trading in my semiautos. maybe I'll just work on exercises to increase my hand strength.If my buddy Arthur Ritus will cooperate. Lol

Inquiring Minds want to know, what were you selling to Cabelas?

 

[Brubz]

I wasn't planning on selling anything but was going to trade my Kimber Micro 9 for a revolver.
Too hard on my hands to rack but I will keep it and try to get it to loosen up a little.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I wasn't planning on selling anything but was going to trade my Kimber Micro 9 for a revolver.
Too hard on my hands to rack but I will keep it and try to get it to loosen up a little.

Good Sir, S&W make a series called the EZ, very easy to rack!!! from 380 to 9mm. try it out!

 

[drk1]

Chapter 1. A senior citizen came into a friend's shop with two obviously older long-gunsr in take-down cases. He explained that he had inherited these from his father several years ago and they had been sitting in a closet, but he was now down-sizing. One was Savage 99 with two barrels -- 410 and rifle. The other was a take-down Winchester -- don't remember the model. Friend told him what he could about them and gave him three prices -- 1) high blue book value of what he thought a collector would pay; 2) what he would pay; 3) what he would put them on the shelf for. He also offered to take them on consignment, but explained the positives and negatives of that. The fellow thanked him but decided he would "think on it." A few weeks later, the gentleman returned. He put both cases on the counter, opened them and then explained that he had taken them to that "C" place to ask them about buying them. He said they took the guns into the back room and returned about a half hour later, cases closed and said that they weren't interested in buying them because "they're old and broken." Well, as the gentleman explained, when he got them home and opened the cases, the guns were literally in pieces. That "C" place even destroyed the inside of one of the cases just to get it to close on top of the broken pieces. The gentleman now wanted to know 1) if the shop owner was still interested and if not 2) what they would cost to fix. Moral of the story: if it's anything that you value, don't take it to "that C place."

Chapter 2. Worked for several (more than 4) of the big box "sporting goods" stores back in the day. They all had about the same "official policy" regarding buying used guns. Offer half of blue book price based on condition, put on shelf for ninety percent of blue book value. Reduce ten percent a month until sold. All of those big box stores are now either out of business or no longer buy and sell used firearms.

Best of luck.

 

[Ru4real]

I’ve never ever sold a gun.

But I’ve given quite a few away. Church donation is always for a good cause.

 

[Brubz]

Good Sir, S&W make a series called the EZ, very easy to rack!!! from 380 to 9mm. try it out!

I have a S&W M&P EZ and it is still hard to rack.
That's my point. Revolvers are the answer!

 

[Megawatt maker]

When it comes to selling old, or used firearms..it comes down to..profits vs Time.
Unless you are selling a rare model, war trophy, special edition, low serial number, hard to find, etc firearm, the longer you are willing to wait, your chances of getting more money for it increases.

If you want it gone fast..for whatever reason, you have to expect to get far less than retail. If you are not in a hurry, places like Gunbroker are the better choice.

If you like to gamble, a live auction is the most fun, but the most risk as well.

If you are not doing a consignment, and selling to someone like Cabelas...expect to take a bath. It's just capitalism, it's not personal. Need cash fast? It will cost you.

Just how it is.