doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cabela's Price Multiplier

And the car business also has a saying.

"There is an ass for every seat"

I tend to agree with the most recent comments. We have to stop and realize that there is a finite supply of "fine" guns out there, if we're talking classic, used pieces. Instead of the relatively small number of dealers that have been in the doublegun business mostly for a long time--guys like Thad Scott, for example, who may now be going out of business--we now have far more players in the field. And because of the hours places like Cabela's, Bass Pro, Scheels etc operate, can you really expect them to have someone on hand, all the time, who's an expert on shotguns, rifles, and handguns to the degree many of us here are on doubles?

Have never dealt with Bass Pro. A lot of their prices do look outlandish. Have dealt a lot with Cabela's. Some of their prices are way too high. Have done a fair amount of business with Scheels, but less than Cabela's. Both Scheels and Cabela's do have great "satisfaction guaranteed" policies. Cabela's will also give you what you paid for any gun you bought from them if you take it in to trade on a higher dollar gun. I've told the story here before, but it probably bears repeating. A few years ago, I bought a 16ga Greener from them. Had a well-hidden crack in the wrist which neither I nor the Gun Library head honcho noticed. Anyhow, the stock broke clean through the wrist on about the 2nd shot on the skeet range. So I call them, not in a terribly happy mood--but knowing very well I'll get my money back. Bill Taylor, now at Julia's but then running the Owatonna Gun Library, asks me what I'd like them to do. So I take a wild shot and say "I'd like to keep the gun. Would you restock it for me?" They did, and they paid for it.

I also think the supply of fine vintage guns are drying-up. The better ones are all safely tucked away and the rejects are making the rounds in places like Cabela's. I also think some of the older baby-boomers might be feeling the pinch a bit, and will be selling what they've been hording!

As Larry has said they (Cabela's) are there to make you happy, whatever it takes. The sales people (associates) are told to always say hello and can I help you. Even if they are not in their area and you need help they are told not to say I don't work in this area, but are told to help and/or get someone that does and not leave the customer until then.
As for their return policy, where can you buy a pair of boots (example) and wear them for months, take them back with a receipt and get your full money back. No receipt full price on store credit.
There are some good deals on guns in the gun racks, for a while Damascus barrel shotguns were a good bargain, now they are going up in price. I bought a 12 ga. Ithaca Crass Grade 2, good wood, chain Damascus barrels that were cut to 26" for $200. There has been a Fabrique National 12 ga sidelock sxs 72 cm steel barrels (28 1/2"), 2 1/2" chambers Greener crossbolt, ejectors, assisted opening, chopper lump barrels, Anson type forend release, good wood, 20 lpi,? checkering, decent blueing and blued side plates for $1,000 now reduced to $800. It has been there for quite a while. Hard to get information on it, but it is made very well.
Also as stated between all the Cabela's sites there are a lot of guns available to circulate than ever before. I like them and will continue to check out their new/used guns.
Here is one that I think I stole from them, a 20 ga Ideal 28" barrels, full/full, refinished, the cost of the re-case and blueing is about the price I paid.

This thread sparked me to visit the Cabela's site; What's up with the 20 ga. Fox A in Dundee, MI? Yea, it's been totally refinished......but isn't $1600 extremely low for a 20 ga.?

I agree Brad, Bass Pro is even higher than Cabelas.

Try J & G Sales located in Prescott,AZ. While not a large shotgun dealer there prices have been on the low side of fair. They'll be at the Crossroads show this weekend with the usual line at their tables waiting to buy guns. Century Arms,which is now mail order only to dealers has been long known for very affordable firearms. Sarcos, which is located in New Jersey, practically gave away many imported continental doubles a couple of years ago.
Jim

I used to look at Sarco's on line guns. There were anything but cheap. Maybe that has changed recently.

The sold many(thousands?)of continental doubles in the $200 to $500 range a couple of years ago. Perhaps others on this forum can provide more information as I only got one which is a J.P. Sauer which is in decent shape.
Jim

Yes, but the poop has to be in a Tiffany box!