Latest visit to Cabela's.

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I was visiting my grand kids and sons and daughter in laws in Missouri this last fall and went into a Cabela's. It was really stocked well, and bought a couple of flannel shirts, a pair of boots, top quality, a steel target, as well as a crossbow cocking device. Paid for it with my Cabela's points I had accumulated, couldn't beat the price. BTW we've got a Bass Pro Shops out here in Las Vegas, so it is very convenient, however the prices are a bit high, compared to the LGS that I frequent.
 
I recently was at Cabela's and was talking with someone about 6.5 Creedmoor and this Cabela's employee said that 6.5 Creedmoor is a fair weather round and that .308 is better in the wind etc. The person I had been talking to had also asked about .223/556 and this same employee starts saying that a 1/9 twist was better than1/8 or 1/7 for the heavier bullets. I said to him that both things he said about the 6.5 and .223/556 were not what I had heard or read. He mentioned that he taught reloading and that he knew what he was talking about. I did not want to get into an argument with him so I didn't say anymore until after he left and than I said to the guy I'd been talking with that I won't be taking his class and no one else should since he's not very knowledgeable about ballistics or twist rates.
 
kmw1954 wrote:
...he had asked 4 different sales people for help.

What? You mean he was able to find four different staff members who would even acknowledge he was alive - well, he was doing better than I've ever done in a Cabella's.

As far as primers, I gave up on anyone reliably having them in stock. I now just stop at a small gun store in Ash Flat, Arkansas, on my to the family farm and pick up what I need. The owner is friendly, helpful, and keeps an orderly store. Primers are $40 per thousand and he always has at least a thousand of whatever I'm looking for.

Yeah, I know someone is going to shriek at paying $40/1000 for primers, but being able to stop in and buy what I want, when I want is a convenience I'm more than happy to pay a small premium to have.
 
2nd post on this subject: I will still shop at the Cabela's in KC when I need to, but that is becoming less frequent all the time. It is sad to go there and I would not be surprised to see that store close. I dislike Redhead products and can buy superior products for less money elsewhere. They now have ample supplies of ammo, but prices are not great, but good to have if you find yourself in need. My latest experience happened on line when I tried and failed to set up my CC account to schedule payment of my bill on line, as I have done for years with my old card. I finally gave up and called for assistance. After a frustrating 20 minute effort, I gave up and told the gal I would just prefer to cancel the card because they have made it unnecessarily complicated. I'm not the most savvy guy with computers, but I had zero problems before BP took over; I managed just fine. I feel really bad for some of the guys and gals too who have provided good service in the past will likely lose there jobs if the place doesn't get better.
 
Primers are $40 per thousand and he always has at least a thousand of whatever I'm looking for.

Yeah, I know someone is going to shriek at paying $40/1000 for primers, but being able to stop in and buy what I want, when I want is a convenience I'm more than happy to pay a small premium to have.

I've been saying that all along also. As long as I can walk in buy the 1k small or large primers I need when I need them I will gladly pay a small premium price. For me that is better than sitting on 2 or 3 years worth to make an online purchase worth while. But things are changing and hardly anyone in the area stocks any type of primers with the exception of BPS that charges $4.99 per 100
 
My LGS sells primers for anywhere between $30.00 per 1000 to $36.00 per 1000, powder usually goes for $28.00 per pound to $30.00 per pound, needless to say where I get my reloading supplies from. BP gets a whole lot more.
 
Local guy here has CCI for $28-$30/1000. Powder ranges from $24-$30. He's inexpensive enough that it's hard for me to justify ordering online unless I get a screaming deal or it's something he doesn't carry.
 
Cabelas is now carrying the Red Head line of clothing (Bass Pro Brand) and it is replacing a great deal of the similar clothes in the Cabelas brand. The reason for this is that Cabelas Brand carries a Lifetime Warranty and the Red Head line does not. Most people are not aware of this. One of the many negative changes that have taken place post merger.
 
I bought couple travel vests at BPS. They are holding up well after 3 years of use. I have never heard of lifetime guarantee on clothing although LL Bean would stand behind their product. Not sure how it is with them now.
 
I bought couple travel vests at BPS. They are holding up well after 3 years of use. I have never heard of lifetime guarantee on clothing although LL Bean would stand behind their product. Not sure how it is with them now.

BPS didn’t have a lifetime guarantee, that’s my point, whereas Cabelas did. BPS wants to get out from under that commitment.
 
I am one who does not expect any employee in a gun store to be knowledgeable about any thing they sell. I am pleasantly surprised when I am proven wrong, but most of the time I already know what I want . I just want to be pointed in the general direction to the objects of my desire.
 
A couple of weeks ago, I asked about putting something on layaway at the local Cabela's. They told me they don't do layaways anymore. Instead, they have you apply for their credit card.
 
A couple of weeks ago, I asked about putting something on layaway at the local Cabela's. They told me they don't do layaways anymore. Instead, they have you apply for their credit card.
Yeah, they can keep all that mess!!!!
 
We were at Cabela's in Idaho Falls yesterday. It was packed!!! And I don't mean just packed with Christmas shoppers (which it was), I mean it looked like it was packed with all of the stuff Cabela's carried, then they just crammed all of the stuff Bass Pro carried into the same building. There was barely room for two people to pass in the aisles.
I got claustrophobic, couldn't breath, so we left. Cabela's Christmas shopping is off the "to-do" list for this year.:cuss:
 
They have not been competitive for a long time. All they want to sell is clothing and other high markup items. I understand but there's nothing there for me
 
What? You mean he was able to find four different staff members who would even acknowledge he was alive - well, he was doing better than I've ever done in a Cabella's.

As far as primers, I gave up on anyone reliably having them in stock. I now just stop at a small gun store in Ash Flat, Arkansas, on my to the family farm and pick up what I need. The owner is friendly, helpful, and keeps an orderly store. Primers are $40 per thousand and he always has at least a thousand of whatever I'm looking for.

Yeah, I know someone is going to shriek at paying $40/1000 for primers, but being able to stop in and buy what I want, when I want is a convenience I'm more than happy to pay a small premium to have.
I often buy from my LGS even if they're a bit high. They're a good helpful and friendly bunch and I want to support their business.

I say good on you for supporting local brick and mortar stores.
 
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I often buy from my LGS even if they're a bit high. Their a good helpful and friendly bunch and I want to support their business.

I say good on you for supporting local business.

See the problem though is that in this local area non of the shops stock any sort of reloading supplies which is what pushed me to Cabela's. But since the buyout the local Cabela's hasn't had any primers since March.
 
See the problem though is that in this local area non of the shops stock any sort of reloading supplies which is what pushed me to Cabela's. But since the buyout the local Cabela's hasn't had any primers since March.
Yep that's a problem. I'm blessed to have a Cabela's, a Scheel's, an awesome LGS, and a Running's Farm and Fleet, and a host of other smaller vendors within an hour drive. I buy more equipment from my LGS and Scheels than anywhere. I buy more components from Runnings, as their powder and primer fees are very reasonable.
 
I have always had good experiences at Cabelas in IL and IN. In my opinion they are the only big box firearms store that’s worth a damn (Gander, Galyans, Dick’s, no thanks). Never had a problem with the staff; in fact, one of the old timer counter guys took the time to go through the Lyman manual with me and answer my questions when I had just started hand loading. There’s always neat old stuff in the gun library and I go whenever I can.
 
The one local shop I visit to also shoot at does not stock reloading supplies though he has said he will special order what I want. Problem then is I would also be responsible for shipping and hazmat fees along with sales tax and a slight mark up. So it's not just a matter of paying a slight premium it is actually adding a middle man.

Aside from the local Cabela's the closest shop that carries any sort and quantity of reloading supplies is 2.25 hours away and if Cabela's is no longer going to stock primers in this store then they have become pretty much useless regardless of the pricing.
 
I am one who does not expect any employee in a gun store to be knowledgeable about any thing they sell. I am pleasantly surprised when I am proven wrong, but most of the time I already know what I want . I just want to be pointed in the general direction to the objects of my desire.

This. I don't go to these places looking for the advice of some clerk. I have already done my due diligence and know exactly what I want. Which is why I save myself a trip to the city and order online. I would rather wait two days than ever walk into a Cabelas again.
 
Aside from the local Cabela's the closest shop that carries any sort and quantity of reloading supplies is 2.25 hours away and if Cabela's is no longer going to stock primers in this store then they have become pretty much useless regardless of the pricing.

Not sure what part of SE Wisconsin you live in, but there is a small gun store in Broadhead that has a very good selection of reloading supplies, far superior to anything the Calebas in Sun Prairie or Milwaukee has/had and at good prices too.
 
I want to reiterate the benefit of gun shows, at least where I go. I live in the midwest, near KC. I attend gun shows in Topeka, Emporia, and Wichita, KS, KC, MO, Tulsa, OK and Springfield, MO, in addition to stopping at local gun stores when I travel. I have yet to pay more than $27 for a pound of powder (last month in Tulsa I paid $26 for Varget) or more than $30 for 1,000 primers (usually less). Have bought many bricks of .22LR ammo, never more than $40....now days a lot less. Sure, I have bought some stuff on-line, but it's not nearly as much fun as tracking it down myself. It gets me out of the house and swimming in gun culture beats football every time. None of this involves Cabela's. And yet, I believe that Cabela's has a place in the gun world.
 
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