Went to a Cabelas store today, depressing (Page 1 of 4)
Posted: 8/25/2026 6:58:47 PM EDT
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They used to be cool stores. Got there about 11:15 and the parking lot was empty. Thought maybe they didn’t open until 11:30? Nope, already open. I’ll bet there was less than ten customers inside. Employees definitely outnumbered customers even though entire sections of the store were not staffed. Did see a 1980s HK91 in the gun library for $5000 and a used Sig P239 40SW with three mags Bass Pro merger seems to be killing Cabelas |
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Originally Posted By StevenH: They used to be cool stores. Got there about 11:15 and the parking lot was empty. Thought maybe they didn’t open until 11:30? Nope, already open. I’ll bet there was less than ten customers inside. Employees definitely outnumbered customers even though entire sections of the store were not staffed. Did see a 1980s HK91 in the gun library for $5000 and a used Sig P239 40SW with three mags Bass Pro merger seems to be killing Cabelas Yeah, because Bass Pro sucks, while Cabelas used to actually have decent prices at times on things. I bought a lot of $20/k primers from them back in the day… |
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Originally Posted By Domnior: Probably had more to do with it being 11:15 on a Tuesday when most people are working, but yeah the bass pro buyout didn't help them. That's what I see as well! I am up and down I-5 in commie Wa, and it's a good place to go pee when I am on the road. I always swing through the gun library, because you never know. That said their buying a gun there is a PIA, last time was 10 years ago and it is worse now.. |
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Originally Posted By Cooper1: I remember when their catalog was a quarter inch thick. Having my mom write a check for my Bill Dance polarized fishing glasses and the Jimmy Stewart 4 track cassette tape for crow calling. Then waiting 8 weeks  1/4 inch? Used to be 1-2 inches |
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Originally Posted By DubyaB: 1/4 inch? Used to be 1-2 inches Originally Posted By DubyaB: Originally Posted By Cooper1: I remember when their catalog was a quarter inch thick. Having my mom write a check for my Bill Dance polarized fishing glasses and the Jimmy Stewart 4 track cassette tape for crow calling. Then waiting 8 weeks 1/4 inch? Used to be 1-2 inches I think he's saying way back when...BEFORE it grew to two inches thick. And yeah, Cabela's used to have decent gear and occasionally great deals. I've hardly spent a dime with them since the merger. |
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Cabela’s had great gear and great customer service. My dad bought a pair of boots from them in 1990, I think Rockies, and I wore them when I got older until the soles crumbled away in 1998 when I was in HS. I called to order a replacement pair of boots and the person asked if I was the same customer who ordered before. I have my dad’s name. I said no, that was my dad and the clerk asked if I wanted the same Rockies. I told him no because the soles wore off. He gave me $25 off the pair of boots I ordered (larger than my dad’s) and he sent my dad a new pair of Rockies. Didn’t even tell me he was going to do it and when they showed up there was a note apologizing for the product defect. Their Wooltimate clothes were thick and heavy, but they lasted forever and blocked wind well. Ever since bass pro they have become a bargain basement crap hole. |
| When I lived in Alaska late 80s early 90s, I ordered so much from them fishing wise it was ridiculous. Back in the day when you had to actually wait more than a couple of days for shit to get to you. Even living in Dutch Hbr, it was still within a month if not less. Which was pretty good.. |
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Originally Posted By Domnior: Probably had more to do with it being 11:15 on a Tuesday when most people are working, but yeah the bass pro buyout didn't help them. Don't discount the argument that Bass Pro sucks....because they do. |
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It used to be cool. Then it went to a cabin store, selling far more cabin wear than camo. First the boot selections all but disappeared, then camo, then the gun area started to shrink. Now it is just weekend cabin clothes and decor and fishing. Very little hunting related. Scheels is going the same route. |
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WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
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Originally Posted By JimmyAR: That's what I see as well! I am up and down I-5 in commie Wa, and it's a good place to go pee when I am on the road. I always swing through the gun library, because you never know. That said their buying a gun there is a PIA, last time was 10 years ago and it is worse now.. Thanks to that Lacey store, we no longer have a sportsmans warehouse here. Crapbelas largely sucks now. sometimes they have ammo I want, but nothing else. 
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Cabela's used to have lot of decent stuff for actual hunting and fishing, then it became about bass fishing in overpriced boats and campground camping. They ruined the Cabela's Outfitter gear brand and Cabela's clothing with their crappy Redhead garbage and I'm still mad about them changing Cabela's black powder firearms sales. Bass Pro has always sucked and then they made Cabela's suck. 
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| Yep. I walked into the Boise location yesterday. Everything was insanely overpriced. On the way out, the "greeters" asked if I found everything okay. I told the woman that their ammo prices were $10-$15 higher than nearby shops. The man chimed in and said if I was a Cabela's Club member and could prove the lower price, they would match the price and give me 5% off that price. I told him it was not worth the trouble for 5%. That I'd support the folks that have normal pricing. He looked dumbfounded. |
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Stopped buying guns there around 2016 . Didn't get better with the merger . Gun library is too expensive. Go through Sidney 4-6 times a year , don't even stop anymore, always used to . Always stop at Sportsman's Warehouse in Cheyenne . |
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Originally Posted By StevenH: They used to be cool stores. Got there about 11:15 and the parking lot was empty. Thought maybe they didn’t open until 11:30? Nope, already open. I’ll bet there was less than ten customers inside. Employees definitely outnumbered customers even though entire sections of the store were not staffed. Did see a 1980s HK91 in the gun library for $5000 and a used Sig P239 40SW with three mags Bass Pro merger seems to be killing Cabelas Maybe it has to do with going midmorning on a Tuesday? |
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Originally Posted By Rebel31: Another merger that should have been blocked but wasn't, and now the consumer is worse off for it. The old pre-merger Cabelas brand stuff used to be decent. Now its all Basshole Pro junk. Prices were better and more competitive pre-merger. Yep, not been the same. Cabela's was great, now as Bass Pro  
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Related. I went to my local Sportsman's Warehouse last week and it looked like a going out of business sale. The center of the store which used to be huge display after huge display was just random stacks of coolers and grills and whatnot. The large enclosed counter of optics was gone. The big racks of logo wear were gone. Definitely not the spectacle it used to be. They did have the Bergara BXR Carbon that I've been lusting after in stock at a decent price. Maybe I should go snag it. |
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Originally Posted By Domnior: Probably had more to do with it being 11:15 on a Tuesday when most people are working, but yeah the bass pro buyout didn't help them. Lmfao, this is exactly what I thought. Who the fuck is shopping at 11am on Tues besides housewives? |
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Originally Posted By Deny_Everything: I stopped shopping there when they chose to end firearm sales the day before the unconstitutional ban in Virginia that has now been stayed. Cabela's sold guns, but they were never particularly pro-2A, at least not in the last 10 years or so. They actually wanted to make me fill out a corporate mandated non-ATF 4473-type form for a Pietta black powder cap and ball revolver. I told them to go pound sand and ordered one from the goobernet. Another time they ran NICS even though I gave my CHL/LTC with my DL. In Texas NICS can be bypassed if one has a state issued carry license. Clown FFL behind the counter didn't care. Last firearm I bought from them. Been back for their quality cotton shirts and cargo shorts, but now all the they have is the Redhead clothing lines. Pretty much done with them unless an unusual need arises. |
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Originally Posted By StevenH: They used to be cool stores. Got there about 11:15 and the parking lot was empty. Thought maybe they didn’t open until 11:30? Nope, already open. I’ll bet there was less than ten customers inside. Employees definitely outnumbered customers even though entire sections of the store were not staffed. Did see a 1980s HK91 in the gun library for $5000 and a used Sig P239 40SW with three mags Bass Pro merger seems to be killing Cabelas |
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Originally Posted By DubyaB: 1/4 inch? Used to be 1-2 inches Originally Posted By DubyaB: Originally Posted By Cooper1: I remember when their catalog was a quarter inch thick. Having my mom write a check for my Bill Dance polarized fishing glasses and the Jimmy Stewart 4 track cassette tape for crow calling. Then waiting 8 weeks 1/4 inch? Used to be 1-2 inches 1" to 2".?.... Shoot once it was delivered on its own set of rolling castors. |
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I was invited to the grand opening of the store in Buda, TX many years ago. They had a great selection of stuff and I bought a refinished S&W Model 1917 for $180 OTD. One time I went they were selling someone's collection of Remington rolling-blocks. I should have bought one when I had the chance, because they're a lot more expensive now. Last time I went it was pretty lame. 
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Originally Posted By Clarinath: It used to be cool. Then it went to a cabin store, selling far more cabin wear than camo. First the boot selections all but disappeared, then camo, then the gun area started to shrink. Now it is just weekend cabin clothes and decor and fishing. Very little hunting related. Scheels is going the same route. Still a lot of hunting gear in the Sun Prairie location. For me the feel of the store just changed a lot. Also, service completely went to hell, lines got long, and trying to buy a gun became a big pain in the ass. To a lesser extent prices seemed to go up, too. |
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Customer service at the old Cabelas was beyond awesome. I saved my money to buy a HK SP5K. I missed the employee price event by a day. It was a huge discount for a high price item. Called Cabela CS, got a nice lady in Nebraska. She made small talk while she got her manager to approve a one time coupon. Got the SP5k for employee price plus another 10% off customer appreciation and used my points. I got it for $1500. |