Cabelas/Bass Pro head scratch moment

[wgp]

Rarely have I found a used gun at a "bargain" price. But what I have done is find unusual, interesting guns that I stumbled across, and by choosing well and holding on, they've given me enjoyment and risen in value. Colt Diamondback, paid $200 new, now perhaps $2000. Winchester 94, paid $200. Ruger No.1, paid $600, probably double that now.

 

[Steve S.]

One absolute truth about Cabelas or BP or any retail establishment for that matter, no one can or will make you enter and no one can or will make you purchase anything. You have choices, exercise them - “buyer beware” is always alive and well. Here is a novel idea, if you do not like a price on any item at any store, don’t buy it. People, these retail experiences are not personal - it’s business!

 

[luv2safari]

Used gun prices have been sky high for decades.

I remember looking at some used rifles and shotguns on local gun stores in the early 90s and thinking "if I'm going to pay that much, I might as well buy the same thing brand new".

In general, retail prices for used guns are always gonna be high.

BINGO!

It's called marketing. Stores often have stock that has essentially a flooring charge, much like new auto dealers have. They haven't paid for the merchandise yet and sometimes get 10 and 10 discount from big wholesalers with time limits, so they want to move the new product fast. Having to compete with cheaper used merchandise that they paid for on the spot has them jacking prices on used up to make much better profit on the used, or to move customers to the new stock they still owe on.

Nobody can trade a dollar for a dollar and keep doors open.

 

[herrwalther]

I think the last thing I bought at Bass Pro Shop was a box of 12ga shorty ammo. And it was because they actually had it in stock. Have never bought a firearm. Just ammo, reloading supplies, and firearm related tools. Price being the major dissuading factor. They have great selection. But I don't see how they move it at the prices they charge.

 

[CowboyTim]

Used to be able to score bubba'd up M98s from Cabelas in Richfield WI for great prices whenever I was in the area. Of course the guys selling them probably weren't happy. They pay more for guns now, not bad if you're selling, but not great if you're buying.

Can't have it both ways.

 

[Ignition Override]

Bass Pro?

Haven’t visited them in at least seven years. Single-stage ammo reloading wasn’t worth the effort and stopped reloading.

Why return? Bass never sold any milsurp guns since they smothered this at Cabelas.
If Modern plastic rifles were all that existed I likely wouldn’t be into shooting often. No exaggerating.

“Ask” my several FALs assembled from nice milsurp kit components—carried and seldom used by various soldiers —and the M1A etc.

 

[Terry G]

Cabela's/ Bass Pro around here is absurd on used gun's, but so bad on new ones. Beat up rust scarred Chinese KS $800.00! New CZ P-10C $349.00 with 5% off for Veteran/ LEO. Pretty good. New guns there are pretty much below MSRP, not much below, but some.

 

[berettaprofessor]

OP, I used to shop a lot at that same Kansas Cabelas; back when they gave $100 off coupons for $500 purchases, when the gun counters were "take a number and wait an hour." Also when they sold $100 Mosin's and Mausers off the racks and the reloading area was fully stocked. Nowadays, I'm likely to be the only person approaching the gun counter for 10 minutes, but I haven't bought there for ages...just look. My local pawn shop can match their prices. I think my last purchase at Cabelas was a used Remington 51 from them for $600 maybe 4 years back.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I will admit that I do peruse the used stuff in the Gun Library now and again. There's no "local" pawn shop where I am anyway.It's a way for me to see what's around and see how much it is.
If you cross check with Gunbroker the Cabela's prices are not always that far off either way.

 

[Jim Watson]

The pawnbroker here referred to the Pet and Gun Store as “the Southern showroom.” See one there, he would order it cheaper.

Pet and Gun Store. A family operation, he dealt in guns, she sold critters. I wondered about going in and buying a hutch of rabbits and a box of 20 gauge.

 

[Barmcd]

I refuse to shop at either store because of some of their corporate policies.
My Brother in law who is not a gun guy, mistakenly answered a question wrong on the 4473. Not only did he get banned for life from purchasing from both stores, but they wouldn't sell me another gun that I was filling out paperwork for because we were together.
I buy ALOT of guns, and NEVER will go there again.
After we left there, we went to a LGS, and he bought the same gun 10% cheaper.

That's odd. I answered a question wrong and the guy behind the counter caught it and had me correct it.

 

[Barmcd]

I will admit that I do peruse the used stuff in the Gun Library now and again. There's no "local" pawn shop where I am anyway.It's a way for me to see what's around and see how much it is.
If you cross check with Gunbroker the Cabela's prices are not always that far off either way.

There's lots of pawn shops around where I live, but I haven't seen reasonable priced used guns there either.

 

[Barmcd]

Strange, every Bass Pro I've been to never sold used guns.

Our local Bass Pro sells used guns, but doesn't have a large selection most days I'm in there. I have bought used guns on-line and had them sent to the local store.

 

[ontarget]

That's odd. I answered a question wrong and the guy behind the counter caught it and had me correct it.

Yeah, it seems like that would have been easier, faster, and a lot less trouble for everyone.
The only explanation they would give us was "it's corporate policy".
That's fine, I probably buy 10-12 guns per year, and spend tons on reloading gear, and will gladly let someone else take my money.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Cabela's here in Northern Nevada is 5 miles from the CA State Line .... They could charge $0.50 a round for 9mm and they'd still sell out every weekend.

Since they took out the cafe they had, I have no reason to drive 20 miles to get there, especially since Scheel's is less than 5 miles away from the house and there's great places to eat within walking distance of Scheel's.

 

[tazbigdog]

I haven't bought a gun from either in years. They used to have a good gun library, and prices, although a little higher than I wanted, they had a good selection.

 

[Stahlhelm 1916]

My closest Cabela's is over the border in IN. I used to do a LOT of biz with those folks, to the extent of having a Cabela's VISA card. They used to have great deals on various rifle and pistol ammo and had a first-rate used gun area that was often filled with military surplus rifles. About 10 years ago I walked in there and they had just bought a guy's collection of M1 Garand rifles, about 15 in all. Springfield, Winchester, and H&R makes. One 1942 Springfield caught my eye which turned out to have all Springfield parts and a beautiful original finish GI stock. They were asking $900. I asked the manager if they would take $800 and he said YES . I stopped by the next day and took it home and here it sits today. It's been a great shooter and very reliable. I also bought a US Model 1917 made by Remington with all-matching numbers for $620. Original bluing (not parked) and wood stock, which is also a great shooter.

Sadly, those days are gone. They only carry modern plastic & steel crap now, no milsurp anymore, no good deals. They seemed to take a sharp nosedive after Bass Pro bought them out.

 

[Robbins290]

BINGO!

It's called marketing. Stores often have stock that has essentially a flooring charge, much like new auto dealers have. They haven't paid for the merchandise yet and sometimes get 10 and 10 discount from big wholesalers with time limits, so they want to move the new product fast. Having to compete with cheaper used merchandise that they paid for on the spot has them jacking prices on used up to make much better profit on the used, or to move customers to the new stock they still owe on.

Nobody can trade a dollar for a dollar and keep doors open.

There is a difference between marketing that cabelas does and marketing that some local LGS's does.

Charging $550 for a used glock 17 gen 3 from Cabelas

And a local guy has the same glock for $425.

There "marketing" and there is GREED.

 

[GEM]

The Cabela's here is very close to Buds on standard new guns. Given transfer fees that makes them doable. Also, their generic range ammo is reasonable in cost, given the hassle here of buying on line - fees to keep the streets safe.

 

[Soonerpesek]

The Cabela's here is very close to Buds on standard new guns

Cabela's, Scheel's, BassPro...........................

ALL will price match on new in stock items................................evens out the field...............

Some peeps just won't accept that....................................they just wanna complain............................................(not directed at you, or anyone in particular)...........................

 

[tark]

East Peoria Bass Pro just plain sucks.

Was there about 15 years ago.

Won't ever go back.

 

[redneck2]

What I miss is Cabela’s Bargain Cave. I used to stop in the one in Hammond, IN frequently and got to be pretty good friends with the people there. The manager had the discretion to lower many of the prices. I got a pair of defective Leupold binos for about 1/3rd of MSRP. Sent them back to Leupold and got a brand new replacement of their upgraded model N/C.

Got a trolling motor for about 40% of regular price

Unfortunately they closed it when Bass Pro bought them

 

[Robbins290]

Cabela's, Scheel's, BassPro...........................

ALL will price match on new in stock items................................evens out the field...............

Some peeps just won't accept that....................................they just wanna complain............................................(not directed at you, or anyone in particular)...........................

Problem here is, there do not “price match” internet prices. They only match brick and mortar stores with in a certain radius. Which there is almost none. Then they charged an usual up charge for buds guns. Like there guns have that much more paper work to make it 75 dollars vs the 45.

Add crappy cs to the mix. Leaves me sour towards them.

Maybe they are all not like. But the next one is over 3 hours away.

 

[luv2safari]

There is a difference between marketing that cabelas does and marketing that some local LGS's does.

Charging $550 for a used glock 17 gen 3 from Cabelas

And a local guy has the same glock for $425.

There "marketing" and there is GREED.

And, there is a need to move stock if you want to keep doors open. As I stated, used guns are often marked up to just under new prices if the store is smart. Penny shoppers who want cheap used merchandise aren't a store's friend. Stores don't need or want them. They will sometimes offer used merchandise at a bargain as a way to draw customers. Word gets around.

What you call "GREED" is a way to nudge customers to buy new. It's marketing. Been there/Done that for 20 years on and off for an extremely successful local hunting/fishing store. In that time I watched many other stores come and go.

 

[Robbins290]

And, there is a need to move stock if you want to keep doors open. As I stated, used guns are often marked up to just under new prices if the store is smart. Penny shoppers who want cheap used merchandise aren't a store's friend. Stores don't need or want them. They will sometimes offer used merchandise at a bargain as a way to draw customers. Word gets around.

What you call "GREED" is a way to nudge customers to buy new. It's marketing. Been there/Done that for 20 years on and off for an extremely successful local hunting/fishing store. In that time I watched many other stores come and go.

Well, The local stores do not operate that way.

My go to FFL prices his stuff cheap and buys them for a good price. He does not make a lot. One of the guns he bought off me, he only made 50 dollars. Sold him a glock 36. He paid me 400 for it. Put it out for 450. That same glock, cabelas offered me 250 for it. Thats a pretty big profit if they are selling for almost nee prices.