Cabelas Pistol Pickup is SO SLOW!

[Pat Riot]

Before Bass Pro bought them buying a gun at Cabela’s was still longer than buying at your LGS, but not much longer.
When Bass Pro bought Cabela’s nearly everything changed.
The day I walked into Cabela’s in Tualatin Oregon and saw that they had moved out half the gun safe display and installed waiting room chairs I knew it was a bad sign.
Kiosks to order guns not in stock at the store.
Educated staff replaced by inexperienced cheaper labor.
Corporate checklists for all things regulated.
And don’t get me started about what they (BPS) did everywhere else in Cabela’s.

My last gun purchase in a Cabela’s or BPS was in early 2018. Before BPS I was a regular customer at Cabela’s new and used gun counters. They don’t need my gun money.

 

[Pat Riot]

Hence, the name of the store!

Not sure if this is “truth in advertising” or a light burned out…

I took this photo last month.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Picked up this 1 yesterday, 1hr 43min from in to out. Bass Pro has a decent online used guns system but their delivery falls short of the mark.

 

[BreechFace]

Cabela's is a shell of what it once was 20+ years ago.

 

[Pat Riot]

Cabela's is a shell of what it once was 20+ years ago.

Heck, it’s a shell of what it was 7 years ago.

 

[Trey Veston]

I would love to be able to buy a gun in 2 hours from purchase to walking out the door!

Since I am in Washington state, from the time I order a gun online, to when I actually get to pick it up from my FFL, is about 3 weeks to a month. There is the 10 day waiting period, which because it includes only business days, is actually 14 days. Then, the local SO has to do their own background check, in addition to the NICS check. The SO check involves mental health record checks. And I have to show proof of having taken an approved firearms safety course within 5 years. And I have a valid CCW permit. All of this for a bolt-action .17 HMR Ruger. All semi-auto rifles are now illegal to buy in WA; even the 10/22.

But wait, there's more! All of the current redundancy, fees, and unconstitutional restrictions aren't enough. The next law that will go into effect is that I will have to apply for a permit from the already backlogged SO to even start the buying process of any firearm.

But, once all of the hoops have been jumped through, when I get the call from my FFL that everything is done and ready for me to come pick up, it takes him about half an hour to do the remaining paperwork while we BS about guns and criminals; he's a deputy for the local SO. My FFL is great, but my state is awful.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I would love to be able to buy a gun in 2 hours from purchase to walking out the door!

Since I am in Washington state, from the time I order a gun online, to when I actually get to pick it up from my FFL, is about 3 weeks to a month. There is the 10 day waiting period, which because it includes only business days, is actually 14 days. Then, the local SO has to do their own background check, in addition to the NICS check. The SO check involves mental health record checks. And I have to show proof of having taken an approved firearms safety course within 5 years. And I have a valid CCW permit. All of this for a bolt-action .17 HMR Ruger. All semi-auto rifles are now illegal to buy in WA; even the 10/22.

But wait, there's more! All of the current redundancy, fees, and unconstitutional restrictions aren't enough. The next law that will go into effect is that I will have to apply for a permit from the already backlogged SO to even start the buying process of any firearm.

But, once all of the hoops have been jumped through, when I get the call from my FFL that everything is done and ready for me to come pick up, it takes him about half an hour to do the remaining paperwork while we BS about guns and criminals; he's a deputy for the local SO. My FFL is great, but my state is awful.

tell me about it, Seattle here, we always have to make two trips

 

[Trey Veston]

tell me about it, Seattle here, we always have to make two trips

Yep. Here in Eastern Washington, the nearest FFL is 15 miles away through rural farm country, so I have to make the first 30-mile trip when the firearm arrives to sign the application, then the second trip 2-3 weeks later to do the rest of the paperwork and pick-up the firearm.

Meanwhile, my buddies over in Idaho a mile away can walk into the LGS, pick out a firearm, and be done in less than an hour.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yep. Here in Eastern Washington, the nearest FFL is 15 miles away through rural farm country, so I have to make the first 30-mile trip when the firearm arrives to sign the application, then the second trip 2-3 weeks later to do the rest of the paperwork and pick-up the firearm.

Meanwhile, my buddies over in Idaho a mile away can walk into the LGS, pick out a firearm, and be done in less than an hour.

don’t blame me, I voted against it all & against anyone for it

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I don't know about or local Cabela's, but PSA in Greenville, SC gets you out the door as fast as their can process you through the electronic Form 4473.

I ordered my pistol and had it paid for already. When it showed up, I went to PSA and inspected it. Was taken over to the electronic Form 4473 thingies, given the half minute intro to using it, then filled out my form.

They checked it, brought me my pistol, and I was on my way, detouring to the cash register with the other things I was buying.

I like the Cabela's in Greenville, but I don't have any experience purchasing a gun from them.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Yep. Here in Eastern Washington, the nearest FFL is 15 miles away through rural farm country, so I have to make the first 30-mile trip when the firearm arrives to sign the application, then the second trip 2-3 weeks later to do the rest of the paperwork and pick-up the firearm.

Meanwhile, my buddies over in Idaho a mile away can walk into the LGS, pick out a firearm, and be done in less than an hour.

We’re not that bad in MA but the latest laws passed late last year through all us gun owners into a spin as the law is so obscure that you could be doing something illegal and not even know it. Just like the state likes. We have a few groups, GOAL and Comm2A, fighting it but it’s a slow tedious process in the left leaning courts here. Hopefully someone is fighting your laws on the other coast.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I don't know about or local Cabela's, but PSA in Greenville, SC gets you out the door as fast as their can process you through the electronic Form 4473.

I ordered my pistol and had it paid for already. When it showed up, I went to PSA and inspected it. Was taken over to the electronic Form 4473 thingies, given the half minute intro to using it, then filled out my form.

They checked it, brought me my pistol, and I was on my way, detouring to the cash register with the other things I was buying.

I like the Cabela's in Greenville, but I don't have any experience purchasing a gun from them.

was at PSA in Denver NC with a bud, and he was out the door faster than you can blink

 

[.308 Norma]

Meanwhile, my buddies over in Idaho a mile away can walk into the LGS, pick out a firearm, and be done in less than an hour.

Yeah, it usually takes me longer to "pick out a firearm" than it takes me to buy it. Unless I'm in Cabela's/Bass Pro of course.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yeah, it usually takes me longer to "pick out a firearm" than it takes me to buy it. Unless I'm in Cabela's/Bass Pro of course.

their Classic Guns are well stocked! Always something Cool!

 

[jmohme]

Yep will never buy a gun there. Clowns. Would rather support my LGS anyway. I stood at bass pro for 15 minutes before someone told me I had to take a number. Not one person even asked if I needed help. Cancelled the order and paid $75 more at LGS.

I have looked at guns at both Cabellas and Bass Pro, but never bought one there. Like you, I would much rather support my local guy. He and his people always treat me right and if they don't have what I want, they always get it quickly.

I buy everything I can locally anyway. I much prefer to support the people that are neighbors.

 

[Highland Lofts]

Anything at Cabelas is SLOOOOOOOW.
CHECK, DOUBLE CHECK, TRIPPLE CHECK then CHECK AGAIN

 

[Terry G]

Anything at Cabelas is SLOOOOOOOW.
CHECK, DOUBLE CHECK, TRIPPLE CHECK then CHECK AGAIN

In a way I can't blame them. With BATFE breathing down the necks of people who have anything to do with firearms they have to be very careful. The "Customer" who aske to handle a pistol and then blew his brains out all over the Clerk and display case changed everything.

 

[Highland Lofts]

You cant stop stupid an easy way to weed out the weak.

 

[Shanvanvocht]

I don't know about or local Cabela's, but PSA in Greenville, SC gets you out the door as fast as their can process you through the electronic Form 4473.

I ordered my pistol and had it paid for already. When it showed up, I went to PSA and inspected it. Was taken over to the electronic Form 4473 thingies, given the half minute intro to using it, then filled out my form.
,
They checked it, brought me my pistol, and I was on my way, detouring to the cash register with the other things I was buying.

I like the Cabela's in Greenville, but I don't have any experience purchasing a gun from them.

The last gun I picked up from City Arsenal (also ordered and paid for ahead) had me in and out in 15min, including having a manager double-check the paperwork. Walking in cold, Academy had me out in 25 min with a pistol they had inn stock, including the stop at the cashier.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have looked at guns at both Cabellas and Bass Pro, but never bought one there. Like you, I would much rather support my local guy. He and his people always treat me right and if they don't have what I want, they always get it quickly.

I buy everything I can locally anyway. I much prefer to support the people that are neighbors.

Going to my local shop is relaxing! we locker room talk, talk about the wife & kids. Politics too. It’s like a Country Club but without alcohol

 

[Mark_Mark]

In a way I can't blame them. With BATFE breathing down the necks of people who have anything to do with firearms they have to be very careful. The "Customer" who aske to handle a pistol and then blew his brains out all over the Clerk and display case changed everything.

I think there meticulously check are designed to not fail. Like if they put Jill from Socks to work the gun counter… She can’t mess up at all. All the guns have trigger lock and you take it home with you!

 

[defjon]

Yep will never buy a gun there. Clowns. Would rather support my LGS anyway. I stood at bass pro for 15 minutes before someone told me I had to take a number. Not one person even asked if I needed help. Cancelled the order and paid $75 more at LGS.

This exactly...they said it started as a black friday thing and now it's how they do business. It's terrible and poorly communicated and executed!

 

[TTv2]

Cabela's has been on my "spit" list since Bass Pro bought them and they decided prices for black powder guns weren't high enough.

I begrudgingly use them when I have no choice, but that's for reloading stuff or buying ammo at a good price. Buying a gun there, regardless of the deal, has never crossed my mind.

 

[swg1]

Four hours to buy, four more later to pick up. Won’t remove trigger locks to examine guns. Nope, done with them. They could give guns away and I still wouldn’t shop there anymore. Lacey, WA store.

 

[tws3b2]

Dunhams in my area beats all others in slowness. No joke, my feet hurt standing there so long waiting on paperwork last time I bought a gun there. Seemed I was standing for hours. I bet I had to sign at least a half dozen sheets of paper stating that after I paid Dunhams they were not responsible for that gun for any reason from that minute till the end of the world. Then, after the paperwork at the gun counter in the back of the store the clerk took the gun in hand and escorted me to the checkout on the other end of the building where she handed the gun to another clerk. After I paid, that clerk handed the gun to another cleak who escorted me out the door to the middle of the parking lot. Where that clerk finally handed me the gun and said I could not bring that gun back inside the store for any reason. I can go to the gun & pawn and be out the door in less than 30 minutes. And that's including time to swop some dirty gun jokes between customers and guys working the counter.