Has Cabelas gone down hill?

[Hunter4Life78]

I recall the days when you could call and speak with a tech about any product they had. Bought my first gun safe and serious (Wind River) binos from them. Even traded a rifle in on my first new Sako at the Ft Worth store. Bought a fair amount of camo and boots from them. Chit, had their catalogue memorized.

Enter Johnny Morris...
View attachment 298051

Is there a casino in there too?? There's more lights than airport on that building

 

[Hunter4Life78]

Anyone recall the sound of the little stopper pop guns you would buy your kids or grandkids just inside the entrance?

I remember having one.

 

[Dave N]

Anyone recall the sound of the little stopper pop guns you would buy your kids or grandkids just inside the entrance?

Unfortunately.

 

[F250]

The only reason to go to a Cabela’s now is for a sugar fix with the fudge.

 

[peterk1234]

The only reason to go to a Cabela’s now is for a sugar fix with the fudge.

With the price of gas, even that is questionable.

 

[SWNMELK]

Seems like order frequency, or $ amount depicted how many catalogs you got in the mail. I used to get 3-4 catalogs a week, and the hard back a couple times a year. I think that was kind of like a preferred status. I haven't ordered or bought in store in so long that I can't even remember the last time I got a catalog. I just looked in the side table by my chair and there is a catalog from 2021?? They built the Cabelas in El Paso (3 hours away) and the one in Albuquerque (4 hours away), those are so small that they are worthless. It used to be a treat to stop at the one in Phoenix (5 hours away) when we would go see family. Now we don't even go to that one anymore. Sure miss the bargain cave.

 

[Polaris_Doc]

I'm with most people on here. Once they got bought out it completely went to crap. Used to go to the local Cabela's a couple times a week, now unless I absolutely have to go there for something that isn't anywhere else I will go over an hour out of my way to go to Scheels. Cabela's used to have knowledgeable people, now it seems if they get a gun expert in there, they put them in the shoe department because they are low on personnel. Other than what the product box says, nobody can ever give me expert advice. Went to buy a turkey decoy one day, their website said they had one in stock. Once I got there they didn't have any, and once I finally found somebody he told me all they have is what is on the shelf and just walked away. Went to Scheels and I must have been asked at least half a dozen times how I was doing and if I could be helped before I got to the gun department. Way better customer service. I guess if I want home decorations or fishing gear then maybe I'll go to Cabela's. Of course even Scheels now has a better selection of that!

 

[BillDoe708]

I agree cabelas has gone down hill, but it would be really nice if you guys would stop with all this scheels stuff. There isn't one even remotely close to me and all it does it make me sad. ........

 

[SWNMELK]

I agree cabelas has gone down hill, but it would be really nice if you guys would stop with all this scheels stuff. There isn't one even remotely close to me and all it does it make me sad. ........

Same here, but they just opened Scheels in the Phoenix area (Chandler) but is still 5 hours away. Now there is a Cabelas, Bass Pro, and Scheels in the Phoenix metro. Not to mention 3 I think, Sportsmans Warehouses.

 

[nhenry]

Now I will say that my kid loves going to the Mule Deer Museum and the African animals and the large aquarium at the KC store. I’ll concede that it’s still cool even if Cabela’s is dead to me now.

 

[SAJ-99]

Bass Pro debt is single B (I.e high yield/junk). We get a serious recession and a guy might be able to get a nice taxidermy mount for his living room at a great price.

 

[Nick87]

Bass Pro debt is single B (I.e high yield/junk). We get a serious recession and a guy might be able to get a nice taxidermy mount for his living room at a great price.

Who would buy a mount from a store for there living room?

 

[SAJ-99]

Who would buy a mount from a store for there living room?

Maybe someone who draws a OIL tag and shanks a tent in frustration.

 

[Nick87]

Maybe someone who draws a OIL tag and shanks a tent in frustration.

Yah, actually that would make sense.

 

[Sytes]

Now there is a Cabelas, Bass Pro, and Scheels in the Phoenix metro. Not to mention 3 I think, Sportsmans Warehouses.

I didn't realize Cabelas bought Sportsman Warehouse in 2020. It used to be a favorite of mine for reasonable knowledge and to browse / buy at the Missoula, MT store. They went to garbage when the Canadian Company aquired them in '09.

 

[Khunter]

Downhill? LOL. Was Cabela’s ever “uphill”?

 

[SAJ-99]

I didn't realize Cabelas bought Sportsman Warehouse in 2020. It used to be a favorite of mine for reasonable knowledge and to browse / buy at the Missoula, MT store. They went to garbage when the Canadian Company aquired them in '09.

Thought the FTC nixed that? Did it eventually get approval?

 

[Wildabeest]

Thought the FTC nixed that? Did it eventually get approval?

That acquisition did not go thru. Thank God. These days it’s either the local Sportsman’s Warehouse or drive down to the Scheel’s in SLC for me. Both have great service, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Scheels has better inventory. And Abraham Lincoln.

 

[Sytes]

@Wildabeest or @SAJ-99 ,

That's good to hear. Did they break ties from the Canadian conglomerate or are they still operating under their umbrella?

 

[Gut Shot]

Cabelas began to go downhill when they became a publicly traded company. When Basspro bought them out they really went to crap. Now it's all just overpriced and/or low quality merchandise.

How are things in Sydney Nebraska now?