Cabela's Survey

[RaetherEnt]

Tonight when I opened my email, there was a request from Cabela's to answer some questions for a survey they had prepared. After answering the typical fill in the box type questions, they had a final question:

"What can Cabela's do to improve their retail stores"?

Not that it will probably do any good, but this is what I had to tell them:

Remind the folks in the gun library that while many people do in fact purchase firearms for hunting, it is not the only reason. I am an avid hunter, but I also am a concealed carry holder.

Many times when going into the gun library, I'm almost treated as a second-class citizen if I am not purchasing or inquiring about a "hunting" firearm. So much, almost, that I have considered not visiting your store anymore.

I understand the fact that Cabela's primary mission is to provide sporting goods to the hunting / fishing community. However, not supporting other firearms enthusiasts only helps to bolster anti-gun sentiments that are so prevelant in the United States today.

You might not think it's important now, but the attitudes I have seen from members of the gun library tell me that they see no valid reason for any firearm other than one for "sporting" purposes. Once the anti-gunners get their wish and ban certain firearms, "sporting" rifles will be next.

The Remington 700 ADL with a scope will very soon become a "sniper" rifle...

Just a heads up.

 

[Declaration Day]

In the gun library at my closest Cabela's (Dundee, MI), they don't bother anybody. Rather, if you have a question or are interested in a firearm, they wait for you to approach them. The gun library there also has many "non-hunting" firearms, though most of those are pistols.

 

[Outlaws]

My Cabela's is so overpriced I don't even bother to go into it. Not to mention its more of a "tourist" atmosphere than I care to hang around.

 

[Majic]

Many times when going into the gun library, I'm almost treated as a second-class citizen if I am not purchasing or inquiring about a "hunting" firearm. So much, almost, that I have considered not visiting your store anymore.

What exactly have they done to you?

 

[Declaration Day]

Cabela's is way overpriced on most items. Their gun prices are reasonable. They used to have great prices on ammo, but not anymore.

I go there when I have a day off to eat lunch and pick up some reloading supplies. Anything else I need can be purchased much cheaper either locally or online.

 

[22-rimfire]

Bass Pro has a similar survey. I suspect the questions are almost the same.

Prices? Well, they are primarily a retail store. They aren't so different from other high end sporting goods stores in terms of pricing.

I feel a tingle of excitement when I go to Bass Pro just like when I was a kid going to the 5&10. No Cabela's close to my location (yet). I always feel the same way when I head for the entrance of gunshows.

 

[JoeHatley]

I visited the new store in La Vista last Sunday. The number of people there was insane!!

Lots of firearms, and many handguns, with dozens that would be considered CCW. Nice selection of holsters, again many that are intended for carry.

The folks were stacked up 3 deep at the handgun counters. What prices I could see were a little high(10%), but not totally out of line.

I think I'll wait for the crowds to thin out a bit, before I return. Maybe after Christmas.

Joe

 

[shadowalker]

I hate that the Boise Cabelas store asks for your phone number or zip code when checking out, even Radio Shack stopped doing that. I also hate that you can not walk into the store without being asked to sign up for their credit card or register for whatever give away they are having that week.

Lower prices, smaller crowds,more friendly people and a bigger reloading section make shopping at Sportsman's Warehouse more enjoyable.

 

[bender]

I visited cabela's (Buda, TX) for the first time last weekend. Took my son, we had fun walking around.

However, yes the prices are kind of high, as Bass Pro also. My son & I were both surprised to see several open isles of guns. My son was very surprised, since he has only seen store guns behind counters.

Sportsmans Warehouse is definately my favorite place for shooting / reloading supplies, and they have OK prices on guns too, and even lay-a-way...

 

[Nicolai]

Got the Cabela's survey too. Have been in the Gun Library at the Buda, TX, store many times and never had any of the problems described. In fact, at the recent Friends of NRA banquet here, there were lots of folks from the Cabela's staff in attendance and Cabela's was a major donor to the FNRA event. Haven't bought any guns there, but it's probably just a matter of time--some of the stuff in the most recent sales flyer is real interesting.

 

[MartinBrody]

Cabelas in Hamburg, PA Rules!

I love the Cabelas in Hamburg PA, my only complaint is that it is mobbed on the weekends. They have a huge selection of handguns for self-defense and I think their prices are great. If you are a Club member (which costs nothing, just get their credit card) you get fantastic deals. Maybe if you are used to buying milsurp it would seem pricey but overall I think they rock.

 

[SJG26]

Cabelas PA is priced way high...............

but----they DO price match when you show em lower costs-----------they wanted ~$100 for a PM9 and ~$150 more on a Savage LEO---------asked them to FFL from another dealer and they dropped like a rock.

 

[Manedwolf]

Keep in mind that a bit of the markup is also for the atmosphere. You can either shop for guns in a vast open space with a restaurant and waterfall and all, set at a perfect climate, or you can go to "cheap hole'n'the'wall guns" and stand under fluorescent lights amid 1970's wood paneling until one of the grumpy clerks stops telling stories long enough to say "What? No, we don't sell'em, they're crap. You want a..." to you.

So...depends what you value more.