doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cabela's Gun Library??

There is a new Cabela's nearby and I was wondering how they are to deal with. They have some nice guns, but the prices seem a bit high. Are they typically willing to dicker, or is the price the price? Some of the guys I have spoke with don't seem real knowledgable. Do you ask to someone higher up? Interested in both new(there are some nice AYA's and Merkels) and used.

Dave

Dave: You'll find the most expertise in the Gun Library (as opposed to the regular/new gun department), but that expertise will vary from location to location. I've become pretty well acquainted with quite a few of the Gun Library guys over the years, who are now scattered around at many of their stores. A couple of them I would describe as among the most knowledgeable and versatile collectable gun dealers in the country, a couple of them "not so much," and the rest on the above-average side. As to pricing, I've never found them to make the kind of gun IDing mistakes that some other shops have so much to my benefit, but I have often been able to buy the right gun at the right price, and then come out quite a bit ahead when parting with it a few years later. As to whether they'll "deal" on the price, it depends on the desireability of the gun, how good a customer you are, and what they have in it (or what the owner insists on, if it is consigned). Happy hunting. TT

They provide the kind of high quality retail services that require retail prices. It costs investment money to view a collection, catalog it, buy it, ship it, make repairs and servicing, advertise it, and display it. But, this is one way that fine guns come to market. If they don't make money for the main store, this service will go away. Since the guys in the GL like to be employeed, they will work to make a profit. Yes, they will deal, but only when they are convinced that they need to move the particular gun. I don't know of a better retail service. If it is bargains you want, then you have to invest your time to scout them up. One never knows when or where a bargain may appear. Note that the information age has really cut deeply into the uninformed owner selling underpriced.

Agree with RM--they are a very good retail service for good guns (lots of doubles), but they are not cheap. On the other hand, they do stand behind what they sell, new or used.

From what I've found, each GL will have one or two guys who are pretty darned sharp on guns. But they do have to have a broad base of knowledge, because they're dealing in collectible handguns, classic rifles, etc, in addition to shotguns. Some people come away disappointed when they visit a GL and one of those sharp guys isn't there--but given the hours the stores are open, there are bound to be times when the guy on duty will pretty much be a "caretaker". I've gotten to know some of the guys at several GL's, and if I want to talk about a specific gun I see on their list on the Net (and they always have stuff that's not posted), or if I'm going to be paying a visit to a particular GL, I ask for a specific individual. If I just happen to drop in, I'll look at guns, maybe ask some questions, but won't be terribly disappointed if the guy I'm talking to isn't all that sharp on doubles.

I've found that they will almost always dicker on prices on used guns, and they're pretty good about taking trades if you have something they think they can move. They will also ship guns from a distant GL to one closer to where you live (unless it's a consignment gun) if you want to take a look before you break out the plastic.

This 'C. Smith Hunter Grade' must slipped past the copy editor in KC http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conten...erarchyId=11657
Nice example of a Turnbull restoration.

I've bought two guns through them. I got a fair market price. Not a giveaway, but not obscence either. Don't sell your guns to them, they will only offer you peanuts for them. I personally find their "offers" offensive. Cabela's will offer 100-150 dollars off your purchase with a little post card they send out once, or twice a year. If you can find a gun at a good price and get 150 bucks off of that, you can come out way ahead.

For what it's worth, here's my one and only Cabela's Gun Library experience: they had a gun in Mitchell, SD I was interested in. I sent about 6 emails with no response; I finally called. Discussed the gun, said I might want it shipped to KC or might want it shipped to me; I would call them back and let them know which. Called later to have them send it to me; they said it had been shipped to KC with my name on it! Said it would be held for me and KC would call me when it arrived.

Waited a few days; heard nothing. Called KC, guy said he'd look for it and call me back. He finally called, said it was there, no name on it. I told him I'd be there the next day to look at it. When I walked in and told the guy they were holding a gun for me I got this blank stare (from his name tag I realized he was the guy I'd talked to on the phone). Said he'd go "see if he could find anything". He finally came out with the gun, handed it to me, went and set down at the desk and made a phone call.

To make a long story longer, the gun was in nice shape except for the replacement butt plate, which looked like it had been shaped with a chain saw. Worse, it was cut too small, and the last 1/4" or so of the stock had been beveled with a chisel to conform to the plate. Told the guy he could have saved us all a lot of trouble if they'd stated that in their description or if somebody in Mitchell had mentioned it when I asked if there was anything about the gun we hadn't taked about; he just shrugged. I asked if the price was firm, since I'd have to cut the stock and install a pad. He looked it up on the computer and said "Yep; that's it." I asked about a gun I'd brought along to possibly trade, and he shot me a ridculously low figure; I asked if he might want to look at it and he said "Nah; doesn't really matter. That's about all I could give you." I handed him the gun, he stood it in the corner behind the desk, I turned to go, and he sat down and picked up the phone to make another call.

Not saying I wouldn't buy from them, but will I go out of my way to do so? Not likely.

F2F,

I started out writing a long diatribe, but curtailed it.
All I can say is I've had virtually the same response at KC. What made it worse was the fact it was the most expensive gun I've ever considered buying and I really wanted it.They offered no incentive....period. I think they still have it...that was two years ago.

Ken

I found what I considered a fair deal at the Dundee, Michigan store a couple years ago. Service was nothing spectacular, although they did let me use their bore micrometer after I explained it was a no sale until I measured it and my next planned visit to their store was in 2025.

I remember being escorted out of the store by the salesman after I had bought the gun ("I was thrown out of a bar in New York City" - Ron White). In the process I forgot to buy what I had originally stopped there for...

Shotgun,
I think the escort thing is SOP for Crapbelas.

Ken