Cabela's has become a joke

[kmw1954]

TomJ I take it from your location that your were in the Hoffman Estates store? if so that is the one I normally shop. There is a Bass Pro Shop just over in Gurnee Illinois and I stay away as their pricing on everything is top dollar. Before my heart attack I would go to the BPS store about twice per year to get fishing supplies and tackle that were hard to get elsewhere but that was about it.

So the statement that the two businesses would stay separate entities was just more hogwash. Sad part for me was Cabela's was the best stocked local supplier for reloading supplies and tools. Sure they may have been a little higher priced but still reasonable and usually had it in stock. As I said now the nearest store that handles any volume of reloading supplies is 1.5 hours away.

 

[TomJ]

TomJ I take it from your location that your were in the Hoffman Estates store? if so that is the one I normally shop. There is a Bass Pro Shop just over in Gurnee Illinois and I stay away as their pricing on everything is top dollar. Before my heart attack I would go to the BPS store about twice per year to get fishing supplies and tackle that were hard to get elsewhere but that was about it.

So the statement that the two businesses would stay separate entities was just more hogwash. Sad part for me was Cabela's was the best stocked local supplier for reloading supplies and tools. Sure they may have been a little higher priced but still reasonable and usually had it in stock. As I said now the nearest store that handles any volume of reloading supplies is 1.5 hours away.

That's correct. I have customers in the area, so from time to time I'd run in to grab primers, which they always had in stock. Their prices were ok, and it was convenient. The gentleman I spoke to at their gun counter wasn't pulling punches in regards to the changes BPS made. He was most upset over them doing away with veterans discounts. I ordered the primers I needed online from someone else and had them shipped to my office so I didn't need to take time off of work to wait for the delivery, so it worked out fine for me. We'll see what the new policies do for that location.

 

[kmw1954]

So if Cabela's is going to start reducing or limiting the amount and type of shooting supplies they carry and stock then they will become useless for me. Before I had started shooting again just a few years ago I had never set foot into one of their stores.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I would guess that the profit margin in reloading supplies is pretty slim compared most of the products they sell.
The clothing section of the Cabela's near me has doubled in size from when the store opened.
From a business standpoint, I can't fault them.

 

[ray15]

I would guess that the profit margin in reloading supplies is pretty slim compared most of the products they sell.
The clothing section of the Cabela's near me has doubled in size from when the store opened.
From a business standpoint, I can't fault them.

I can't help but wonder if the market for high-priced 'sporting goods' stores isn't already saturated by Bass Pro itself. Their values are so much worse I figured first order of business would be to ensure the demise of the decent values offered on most reloading items at Cabelas and fear the great values afforded by sales and promos from that baseline will disappear.

 

[Average Joe]

Way too expensive, i can do better locally.

 

[marchboom]

Spoke to a friend who works at Cabela's a few days ago and he said they were firing managers and leads rapidly. They did 13 in one day. They are hiring constantly but you never know if you will be fired at the drop of a hat. Employee discounts are gone except for a very few small discounts on Cabela's clothing items. Vacation time was reduced to a max of 2 weeks. Other benefits were also cut.

With that said, how can anyone expect an employee to care about their job and/or the customers? It's obvious Bass Pro/Cabela's doesn't care about their employees and doesn't care about their customers as evidenced by their high prices. Unless they get their act together I think their days are numbered, IMO.

 

[kmw1954]

Looks like it is long past time that I change my shopping habits and accept the fact that Cabela's is no longer what it once was. So sad. I am not an impulse buyer but it is nice to go and just browse. See what's new, get ideas.

So I just took the time and did up a shopping list of primers and powders I need or am low on and then did a price comparison between, Graf's, MidSouth Shooters, MidWay and Powder Valley and then added in the shipping and hazmat fees. Then compared those prices with those of Recob's Targets and the road trip. Recob's still came out cheaper! So I have a sister-in-law about .5hr away and the wife and I determined it's time for a visit. So while they are visiting I'll take a side trip.

 

[Dudedog]

Hopefully Bass Pro won't drive Cabela's under.
I have shopped at Cabelas for a long time would hate to see them disappear. (and hate the way they are headed)
Cabela's generally didn't have the best prices but had good sales and a good selection.
Goodbye Cabelas old friend, I think lots of us will miss what you were.

 

[kmw1954]

Just received another email from Cabela's pushing their Shooting Sports Classic promo and now find it utterly ironic. Big Nationwide promotion yet they cannot or won't stock half of what they are promoting! Maybe in their new mindset Shooting Sports only involves Firearms and factory ammunition.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I don’t know about the internal politics but if Cabelas changes, I won’t go to Bass Pro. I had the opportunity to visit both today. Cabelas had a Ruger BX15 mag at $27.99. I thought that was outrageous but it was $34.99 at Bass Pro. There were numerous other examples. Cabelas is usually competitive with online at midwayusa if you consider deliver costs for online, but Bass Pro won’t be. And Bass Pro doesn’t have near the reloading supplies.

At the same time, Cabelas normally has lots of primers, but today they were completely out so maybe the change has already begun.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Debating Cabela's vs. Bass Pro is like arguing the quality of beef at Mcdonald's and Burger King.

 

[milemaker13]

Another problem shopping at cabellas in hoffman estates is that it is in cook county. 5c per round center fire and 1c per round rim fire as well as $20 on firearms... that's extra on top of regular sales tax. Im not sure if that applies to components.

I didnt know about the BPS acquisition of cabellas. They may be looking to shutter cabellas if they are making things thst bad... just a thought.

 

[ray15]

Debating Cabela's vs. Bass Pro is like arguing the quality of beef at Mcdonald's and Burger King.

Until you get to the register. One pound of H110 is 26.99 at Cabela's, and 39.99 at Bass Pro. Cabelas was useful for primers and at times bullets when sales and/or lucrative website promo codes were common. I'm unsure what Bass Pro is good for, from a consumer perspective. The lucrative Cabelas promo codes appear to already be gone, and as measures are taken to ensure the values at Cabela's are no better than Bass Pro's it does eliminate a useful source of reloading components.

 

[rjbmjb]

It's an unfortunate fact of life that big box stores need to move high margin products to cover their costs, and can't handle low margin items, even if they get recurring business from them (future sales don't count in this month's numbers). To the op- ask around about local gun stores- the one I use has a great selection and prices that are not much higher than online stores, but they have no advertising budget and are off the beaten path. I only learned about them from a local FFL holder when I was looking for advice about getting set up to reload.

Full disclosure- I really like Big Macs.

 

[kmw1954]

So if they are counting on me to go there to buy cloths or boots then they are barkin at the wrong dog. As for checking with local gun shops, well I've done that too. The two closest stores which also have indoor ranges, one has no interest in stocking any sort of reloading supplies and the other will special order it from their supplier but again at premium prices. Then the other 2 stores that do stock some stuff last time I was there they were getting $39.00 per thousand for Winchester primers and the powders were all $2-3.00 per pound higher than Cabela's. So again no bargain. There are many small shops in this Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin area. It's tat none of them are interested in stocking this stuff.

 

[George P]

So if they are counting on me to go there to buy cloths or boots then they are barkin at the wrong dog. As for checking with local gun shops, well I've done that too. The two closest stores which also have indoor ranges, one has no interest in stocking any sort of reloading supplies and the other will special order it from their supplier but again at premium prices. Then the other 2 stores that do stock some stuff last time I was there they were getting $39.00 per thousand for Winchester primers and the powders were all $2-3.00 per pound higher than Cabela's. So again no bargain. There are many small shops in this Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin area. It's tat none of them are interested in stocking this stuff.

Sounds like you need to order online.

 

[preacherJohn]

I'm kinda like Dudedog; I'd hate to see them go, I like looking around there also. I even bought my Sig P226 there when they had a close-out sale on it for the low $7xx's. That's the only time I'll buy there though, everything else is priced way above other stores. I stopped in there Thursday looking to handle the Sig P365 they've advertised for the last couple of weeks on sale, but they didn't have any. Clerk said they never received any and didn't know if they were going to. I could probably order it, but I really wanted to handle it first before shelling out any cash. They had plenty of primers this time, but at a rate $5.00 more than KY Gun Co. Then I ordered some new dies for my 40S&W and shipping took 10 days! I just don't know about them anymore. Everytime I walk in the store, they try to sign me up for a credit card for a free hat. Dude, I've got a Capitol One, "what's in your wallet?"

 

[berettaprofessor]

One pound of H110 is 26.99 at Cabela's, and 39.99 at Bass Pro.

Yep that's one of the other things I noticed yesterday. Cabela's is way cheaper for most powders by the pound than Bass Pro is, and it was better stocked for reloading (except primers). I figure that can't last with the same corporate master.

 

[kmw1954]

This is the confusing part. They seem to be bringing in powders and bullets but not primers. So I don't know if they are under some sort of contract with the powder suppliers along with Berry's bullets and Xtreme because I know personally that at least this local store has restocked these items.

 

[kmw1954]

It's bee a little while but I thought I would post an update.

I was in the Hoffman Estates store yesterday. The Reloading section is completely gone and that area is nothing but empty shelves and open floor. So jokingly I asked if Cabela's was getting out of the reloading business and got a real snide answer in return. But be tired of hear the same question. Anyways he told me that no but everything has been moved down next to the Bows and archery stuff. So snottily I kinda replied, "That makes perfect sense!" and walked off. What used to be a large area has now been reduced to about 3 isles. Looking thru those shelves I also didn't see any space reserved for primers. So what are they going to do? Take up the BPS model and keep them behind the counter and only sell by the 100 sleeve?

While I was there I did buy 2# of Ramshot Silhouette powder. Though I doubt I will be making a return trip.

 

[George P]

There are 10 locations of Gander Outdoors in WI; they carry primers, powder and bullets at really decent prices (think like Midway/Powder Valley as opposed to BASS)

 

[kmw1954]

There are 10 locations of Gander Outdoors in WI; they carry primers, powder and bullets at really decent prices (think like Midway/Powder Valley as opposed to BASS)

The Original and very 1st Gander Mountain was only 15 minutes from my house in Wilmot Wisconsin. I haven't been to the one in Kenosha Wi. yet since they reopened.

 

[gifbohane]

Today I travelled 4 hours round trip to Cabelas in Pennsylvania for powder and primers. THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE BOX OF PRIMERS OF ANY BRAND OR CONFIGURATION IN THE STORE. I heard three reasons, all different but none definitive. The powder section was as bare as a Venezuelan grocery store. Also wanted a few pound of H 335... NOPE not one bottle. Alliance for 223 NOPE, HP 38 NOPE... Came home with nothing to show for the trip but a big gas bill.

My buddy bought some crap and he was advised that the military discount is gone. Next case.

 

[tomingreeneco]

I was at the Cabelas in Wheeling WV last weekend and the same there. Almost no primers (only 2 boxes of small pistol (cci) at high price and powder selection was very slim. Not at all like it had been in the past.