Cabelas Gun Library - positive selling experience

[Newtosavage]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum - feel free to move if there is a more appropriate place.

Just wanted to share a positive transaction with the Cabelas Gun Library in Buda, TX. It was my first time trading in rifles and I had no idea what to expect. In fact, I had read some horror stories about being severely lowballed so I was a bit reluctant. But I was going there anyway so I decided to take along two rifles that were just not "doing it" for me, and see what they would offer.

The young man who made the evaluation and offer was very professional and up-front about their policies. He said they offer 70% of what they would price the rifle at on the shelf. I told him I thought that was very fair considering I didn't have to ship or pay FFL fees or just do a bunch of correspondence on a sale.

He offered me almost exactly what I was expecting on both rifles, and then told me if I traded them in on a rifle in the store (new or used) that I wouldn't have to pay tax on that rifle, which saved me an additional $20.

Overall I was very pleased, and walked out of there with a rifle I'm much more likely to use than the two I traded in. It was a good way to clear some space in my gun safe.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

I've sold several guns at cabelas. Of course it was for less than I could have got on the open market, but the convenience was worth it. Make sure you call ahead and get the library manager though. The others are just warm body's.

 

[jmr40]

I took one in for an appraisal. The experience was professional, but I was quoted 65% of what they expected to sell. They valued the rifle exactly where I thought, but I decided It was worth the trouble to sell on my own. I did end up having to ship mine which cost about $50, but I got about 95% of the expected value. It was worth the trouble to me, but I'd consider selling to them again.

 

[Newtosavage]

I'd say it was pretty close to a toss-up to me. If they had offered me $50 less I would have just waited for a private sale and shipped it myself. But I also figure my time and the shipping and FFL transfer fees are worth at least $100 to me, so with that taken into consideration, the price was very fair.

I took a loss on both guns but I guess that's how you learn what you do and don't like.

The most important thing to me is that they didn't insult me with a low offer. But the two rifles were also very clean and will sell quickly for them. The young man said as much himself.

 

[Axis II]

What did you sell if you don't mind us asking? I talked to the gun library guy the other night at mine and he was very knowledgeable and willing to help. Ive noticed this now at 2 stores they are the more knowledgeable ones than the actual gun counter guys. Makes sense cause of the price of some of the guns in there.

 

[Newtosavage]

I don't mind. I sold my Ruger 77 MkII .280 and the Savage .17 HMR that I bought from them back in January. Both were very clean. I decided to go back to all .30 cal rifles and I just wasn't shooting the .17 as much as I thought I would. It's a fun gun but my wife and daughter prefer my old .22 still.

The buyer wanted the Ruger more than the .17 but they gave me a fair price on both I thought. Essentially what I was asking on a private sale w/o shipping and FFL fees.

I agree that the three guys I know in the Buda gun library are extremely knowledgeable. Would be a cool job to have if a person could get it.

BTW, I know some of the guns online have scopes on them, but the Buda store won't buy a scope. Said they can't warranty it. So if you take one in, keep that in mind.

 

[CoalTrain49]

If you are talking about a 1K gun that's a $300 hit.

Nothing wrong with trading guns or cars but I've always found a little effort on my part might be worth the time I spend selling it myself.

Pistols are a pain to sell online because a person who doesn't have an FFL can't ship USPS. Long guns just box them up and ship them USPS ground. Last one I shipped was about $25.

 

[swampcrawler]

I've bought and sold A LOT of guns through cabelas.

They are by far the best way I've found to do so unless you have the patience to do consignment or private sale

 

[KansasSasquatch]

They don't offer 70% around here. It's more like 50% if it's a fairly common gun. They offer 60 or 70% if you have something a little rare or high valued. If I sell a gun I either do a private sale or take it to an LGS that does consignment.

What I find funny about their used pistols is they'll commonly have a used one in the case that's marked $50 more than a brand new example of the same pistol. But I think they expect some haggling. I've easily talked them down $100 on a used pistol.

 

[Newtosavage]

It's only a $300 hit if: 1) you find a buyer who is willing to give you the same $ as Cabelas would sell it for (unlikely), and 2) your time isn't worth anything, and 3) you don't have to pay for shipping or FFL transfer fees.

I figure I could have gotten close to 80% return - maybe even 90% if I happened to luck out and find the right buyer. But then I wouldn't be playing with my new rifle right now either, and I value my time.

As far as "boxing up and shipping" long guns without an FFL, uhhhh.....

 

[1KPerDay]

As far as "boxing up and shipping" long guns without an FFL, uhhhh.....

Are you saying you think it's illegal to ship long guns yourself? It isn't. You have to ship them TO an FFL if the sale crosses state lines, but an FFL doesn't have to ship them.

 

[Newtosavage]

Are you saying you think it's illegal to ship long guns yourself? It isn't. You have to ship them TO an FFL if the sale crosses state lines, but an FFL doesn't have to ship them.

I did not know that. Thanks.

 

[Newtosavage]

Learn something new every day...

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A); 27 CFR 478.31]

 

[kimberkid]

The last time I took a gun to Cabbalas it was 40% of what I sold it for on GunBroker, the buyer paid shipping & insurance, and I disclose that if their ffl requires it come from another ffl it's an extra $35 which is what my ffl charges me ... which if it's a pistol is close to a wash because an ffl can ship by usps whereas I have to ship overnight by common carrier ... so for just a little hassle of listing & shipping I get retail instead whosale or less

 

[CoalTrain49]

It's only a $300 hit if: 1) you find a buyer who is willing to give you the same $ as Cabelas would sell it for (unlikely), and 2) your time isn't worth anything, and 3) you don't have to pay for shipping or FFL transfer fees.

I figure I could have gotten close to 80% return - maybe even 90% if I happened to luck out and find the right buyer. But then I wouldn't be playing with my new rifle right now either, and I value my time.

As far as "boxing up and shipping" long guns without an FFL, uhhhh.....

All that is required to ship a long gun USPS is it has to go to an FFL. The buyer just needs to tell you which FFL to ship to. You can check current licenses online. Paying the FFL on the other end is not your responsibility, that's on the purchaser.

I've sold numerous guns online over the years doing just that. I just shipped one a few weeks ago. I've even talked to my FFL guy about it and he said it was perfectly legal.

Sorry, didn't see your last. Don't mean to beat a dead horse.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Deleted double post

 

[Sniper66]

I have 2 Cabela's experiences. First one....took an old but very good condition Remington 74 in and they offered $150 ( had seen them at gun shows for $400) I said no thanks and he subsequently offered me $200....again, no thanks. Turned around and sold it to a good friend who is a collector for the $200. He was very happy and has sold guns to me in the past at below market value.
2nd experience.....took in a Ruger 77/17 and a Magnum Research Inc. Target .22. They offered roughly 50% of MSRP. I made a counter offer and they accepted. I left with enough cash to allow me to make a substantial down payment on the new Sako FinnFire II 17HMR that I ordered Monday. I'm happy with the transaction and the Cabela's folks were very good to deal with...BTW that's in Kansas City .

 

[kimberkid]

<snip>
2nd experience.....took in a Ruger 77/17 and a Magnum Research Inc. Target .22. They offered roughly 50% of MSRP. I made a counter offer and they accepted. I left with enough cash to allow me to make a substantial down payment on the new Sako FinnFire II 17HMR that I ordered Monday. I'm happy with the transaction and the Cabela's folks were very good to deal with...BTW that's in Kansas City .

The one I was talking about is the KC branch. Maybe I'll give them another try one of these days soon ... I've got a couple I've been going to list on GunBroker for a couple months but just haven't gotten around to it.

 

[Newtosavage]

Well, I had my first "lowball" offer after taking in two more guns to trade in. (sigh) But they made up for it with the offer on the other gun which was higher than I expected, so I went through with the deal. I almost thought of coming back later in the day or another day because the guy who made the offer was a bit of a jerk about it and really didn't know what he had in his hands, as evidenced by the fact that one of the other guys in the Gun Library was contemplating buying it before I had left the store. LOL He knew what it was.

If I lived closer I would have just come back another day. So I suppose some of your "luck" will have to do with the person doing the appraisals and whether they are a corporate shill or a regular guy.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Well, I had my first "lowball" offer after taking in two more guns to trade in. (sigh) But they made up for it with the offer on the other gun which was higher than I expected, so I went through with the deal. I almost thought of coming back later in the day or another day because the guy who made the offer was a bit of a jerk about it and really didn't know what he had in his hands, as evidenced by the fact that one of the other guys in the Gun Library was contemplating buying it before I had left the store. LOL He knew what it was.

If I lived closer I would have just come back another day. So I suppose some of your "luck" will have to do with the person doing the appraisals and whether they are a corporate shill or a regular guy.

As I said before make sure you're talking to the gun library manager. All the others can do is look in the blue book.

 

[Newtosavage]

As I said before make sure you're talking to the gun library manager. All the others can do is look in the blue book.

And that they did. LOL

 

[Corn-Picker]

As I said before make sure you're talking to the gun library manager. All the others can do is look in the blue book.

Is this book you mention publically available? I have a few old handguns and rifles that I would like to unload, but I'd like a general idea on value before I trade them in. I don't own anything unique, they are commodity firearms.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Is this book you mention publically available? I have a few old handguns and rifles that I would like to unload, but I'd like a general idea on value before I trade them in. I don't own anything unique, they are commodity firearms.

Yes you can buy the book at amazon and they have a online version you can subscribe to. I like the book, makes for interesting reading.

 

[Reloadron]

No, I have never sold a gun to Cabela's gun library but have carried several out. You can actually ask "is that the best you can do on this gun"? They will also apply any store discount (gun) coupons you may have and last but not least the give a 5% veteran discount. I was not aware of the latter but my Ohio drivers license reflects Veteran along with Organ Donor and my Motorcycle endorsements. The final sales guy informed me as a vet I get an additional 5% which I like and appreciated. Overall, as far as large brick and mortar? I like Cabela's. As to what they pay for a gun? They are not in business o collect guns. They buy the gun and sell the gun and generally offer 66% of what they figure they can get for the gun. When I had my gun shop I did about the same, it's how the rent gets paid.

Ron