Posted: 11/18/2025 8:01:54 PM EDT
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Stopped into Scheels last week. Noticed a S&W bodyguard 2.0 in the used cabinet. Was priced at $499, USED. That's what I paid for a new one at another shop. Of course it's gone. Yesterday stopped in again. S&W M&P 2.0 in 10mm 4.6inch barrel. Was $629 USED. Heavily used with copper fowling clearly visible while in the display case. This time I asked a salesman why this used one was priced the exact same price as new. The new one $629 has a rebate also. He didn't have an answer, just kind of shrugged and cleanly wanted to walk away. Also noticed a couple USED rifles priced at near new price. Now I know they don't give crap for trade prices. Wonder what has changed. Can't wait for the price increases after the first of the year. Buyer beware. |
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I've never seen decent prices on used trade-in guns at any "big box" store that has them. Locally owned gun shop has had many good deals, so that's where I go. Last one I scored was a Browning BPS 12ga in waterfowl camo, that looked like it was unfired, but it had a slight "bend" in the vent rib... which i easily fixed. I bought that for $200 under MSRP. Later I learned it was unfired... turned out I knew the guy who had won it in a raffle, and traded it in on a semi-auto. He never fired it. But he did drop it and bent that section of vent rib. Prices at auctions are feast or famine. A few years back, I scored a Maadi AKM for $250 at an auction, because the auctioneer mistakenly said it was another SKS (they had just sold 2 real SKS for $250) and I was the only bidder.  But earlier in that same auction (there were 75 guns in the auction) a Glock 19 gen3 (which sold for about $425 new at that time) went for $600, because 2 clowns got into a pissing match over it. 
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Pricing makes no sense that is for sure. I have seen used guns @ Scheels in Eden Prairie that you can drive a bit buy a new one for the same price. But, Scheels used to monitor their inventory and close out slow sellers at discounted price. We all have to remember that not every one is a savvy gun owner. Let's face Scheels caters to providing a shopping experience. Look at Cabelas or Bass Pro Stores. Scheels like any big box dealer has high overhead. Not justifying their price points, but you are not in Kansas any more Toto... They stock top of the line stuff in all their various departments. We all know that clothing has an incredible mark up. Look at the amount that is in each store! Inventory costs money. The last time I was Eden Prairie store they had a boat load of new Staccato's. They try to have knowledgeable sales associates. I have been in Scheels stores since I was youngster....like before they were Scheels All Sports. Like when they were a hardware store with guns! The Scheels store in Bismarck was in small strip mall across the street from the Catholic High School and blocks west of the state capital. It was sort of dumpy, but this was 75 to 78. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Joined:
Aug 2023
Posts:
273
EE: 0% (0)
WI, USA
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Big Box stores like Bass Pro, Cabelas, Scheels, etc. rely on high volume walk in trade and impulse purchases. Most offer gift cards for Christmas gifts so the wife and kids don't have to guess what to get Dad. This gets Dad in the store. Successful retail sales involves a lot of psychology. Gary |
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Originally Posted By jack_pine_savage: Big Box stores like Bass Pro, Cabelas, Scheels, etc. rely on high volume walk in trade and impulse purchases. Most offer gift cards for Christmas gifts so the wife and kids don't have to guess what to get Dad. This gets Dad in the store. Successful retail sales involves a lot of psychology. Gary When stores periodically move inventory displays to new locations in their stores, there's a method to this madness. By moving stuff to different locations, they make customers wander around looking for it. While they're doing so, they may spot something they otherwise wouldn't have seen, and just may buy it on impulse. I know I've done so, more times than I can count. It pisses me off when they move stuff, but that's why they do it. My wife worked at a big Ace hardware store for 15 years, and they did this occasionally, and that is why. |
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Originally Posted By rfb45colt: When stores periodically move inventory displays to new locations in their stores, there's a method to this madness. By moving stuff to different locations, they make customers wander around looking for it. While they're doing so, they may spot something they otherwise wouldn't have seen, and just may buy it on impulse. I know I've done so, more times than I can count. It pisses me off when they move stuff, but that's why they do it. My wife worked at a big Ace hardware store for 15 years, and they did this occasionally, and that is why. Just like channeling people through a mini-mazes of merchandise just to get to the checkout. I make it a point of never buying anything as an impulse buy while waiting for the checkout. |
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The point I was trying to make. How or why would you price a heavily used gun for the same price. Or in this case more than a new gun you can buy from THEM. Both in a cabinet not 8 feet apart. If I could add the price matching and 24 hour holds. Can't count how many times they have a gun I want to purchase and it has a 24 hour hold. WTF why do I have to call back or stop back to check. Cause some idiot has to OK it with his wife, doesn't have the money whatever. Has to be the dumbest program for a business. Tell a cash buying customer to walk while we wait for someone else to decide. I bet 60% or more of the time that gun will be there the next day. The price match drives me up the wall the most. The store marks the price up and it's up to me to catch it. If I catch them trying to rip me off they may correct the issue, or not. Only reason I stop back in there is for when they screw up. Example, the 1894C Marlin 357 JM stamped carbine I just stole from them. Priced at $599 in near mint condition. Should easily be 1000 to 1200 bucks. I kind of feel sorry for the guy they ripped off when he traded it. My guess they maybe gave $350-$400 in trade. In the long run it's great they have no idea what they are doing. Do your research before buying anything from them. BTW Midway is my favorite for price matching. |
Remember Gander Mountain? They used to do the same shit. I remember used guns being equal, or even more in price, than the exact same gun was selling for brand new, just 20' away in the next aisle. I got some fantastic deals from Gander Mountain outlet store in Wilmot back in the days they were there, on stuff like decoys, waders, ammo, camo clothing, hunting boots... but I never bought a gun from them.  I still have a pair of Hodgman rubber, felt lined ice fishing boots and Hodgman camo hip waders I bought from them in the 1980s. And they still don't leak...
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Used guns and auctions are horrible for prices. People are willing to pay far too much for used guns. I have been trying to find a decent 243 and 308 bolt guns and I will probably buy new as the used ones I can find are too much in my mind. |
Sometimes I wish we could just hit 'em over the head, rob 'em, and throw their bodies in the creek
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Gun shows are just as bad. My buddy was at a gunshow as he has been looking for a 6.5 CM for something other than his 308 Savage Scout setup he carries for deer season. He messages me about a Mossberg Patriot and what they are new. They were asking $650 with a cheap Tasco scope. I told him that new the gun is about $450, and that scopes is worth like $23. He laughed and walked away after I told him that. I flat out told him: "Gun shows used to sell stuff at good prices. You might find a gem every now and then, but largely these idiots rely on impulse buyers that are too lazy to take a minute to look shit up." I also told him if he is the market for a new 6.5 that he can shoot factory ammo from on our 700 yard range, and maybe use it for deer hunting, to spend a little more, and go buy a Bergara or a Tikka online and have it shipped to a local FFL. I also told him to leverage his first responder discount and go buy a decent scope from Leupold, Vortex or Burris. Local stores suck anymore. You might find an occasional deal, but largely their service and prices arent worth the extra money. |