Yesterday I experienced the largest pain in the ass experience ever in buying a new gun at Cabela’s. Buying a new gun is something that usually makes me happier than Hugh Heffner with a new prescription of Viagra but yesterday’s experience was more like being kicked the nuts by Britney Greiner.

The gun, a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather Muzzle Brake in 6.5 Creedmoor in the Cabela’s exclusive tan and black spiderweb stock with black Cerakote finish. A modern version of Jack O’Connor’s Featherweight, I’m sure Uncle Jack would approve. Clearance sale priced as part of their Labor Day sale down to $899. Now I really don’t need another Model 70, I really don’t need a 6.5 Creedmoor, but new production Model 70’s seem to be more rare than a Subaru driven by a straight white conservative male, I’ve been intrigued by the 6.5 Creedmoor, I like the idea of a lower recoiling centerfire rifle, ammo is available and relatively cheap and well it is a Model 70.

Now start the buying process. Point out the rifle to the Fudd behind the counter he hands it over and the price is marked at $1,249. I ask him about the sale and he replies that it’s marked at the sale price. They advertised it at $899 online, so I grab their sales flier on the counter open it up to the firearms section and there it is at $899 and show it to him. “Ill have to talk with my manager and see what I can do.” So I stand there while Elmer goes off to the bowels of the store to find a manager. Manager comes back picks up the handheld scanner at the register, scans the barcode hanging from the trigger guard looks at the monitor and declares, “Yep, it’s $899.” Really Elmer you couldn’t have done that yourself?

So I tell Elmer that I’ll take it and ask if there are any in the box in back or is the display model the only one. He says that he’ll have to check and asks for my driver’s license to start the process. Ok, so hand over my license and now I get quizzed on my name, birthday and address. He then replies, “I’m sorry I can’t sell this firearm to you.” I ask why and he informs me that I replied with the wrong zip code and I was off by one digit, I probably gave home my work zip which is one number different. So I’m already passed annoyed and about to ask for my license back and walk out the door and decide to plead my case and ask if he’s really going to lose a sale over me being one digit off on his zip code quiz. “I’ll have to talk with my manager and see what I can do.” Really, does he have to hold it for you at the urinal as well?

Elmer disappears to the bowels of the store again with my license. Comes back and states that the manager said that it’s ok and that the display is the last one available. “Ok, if that’s the case, I really want to look it over before buying it.” Hands me back the rifle and I ask if he can remove the trigger lock. “I’m sorry sir, we have to leave those on while it is in the store.” Really? Like anyone has ever gone on a shooting spree with an unscoped bolt action hunting rifle in Cabela’s. So I pull the bolt out and inspect it and the rifle as close as I can annoyed that I can’t evaluate the trigger pull, console myself that if the trigger sucks I can always install the Mcarbo spring kit or a Timney trigger. I hand it back and ask Elmer if there’s any additional discount since it’s a display model, doesn’t hurt to ask. Elmer acts more offended than if I had just dropped trou and rocked a deuce on the baldachin in St. Peter’s in Rome, “That is the discounted price!”

Now start the 4473 form. They’ve got the electronic version on a laptop, cool something is finally going to be easy and quick. But NOOOOOOO! Cabela’s has their own version of the 4473 on the laptop and it’s different than the generic one most gun stores use. Every single item and question is on its own separate page requiring a checked box and then NEXT to move on to the next item, takes longer than driving across Texas to get through. Then after completing that they have a quiz on basic firearms safety that I have to click through on their laptop. Now I’m just feeling insulted.

Then I have to go though Cabela’s own internal background check and I get flagged for being a potential straw purchaser. How in the name of Zeuss’s butthole is this possible? “I’m sorry sir, but I’m going to have to find my manager to approve this sale.” This time he radios his manager on a walkie talkie rather than disappearing into the bowels of the store. Wait several minutes for the manager to arrive then get quizzed again on my name, address and birthday while the manager looks at my license. “You’ve got a different first name than the straw purchaser showing in our system and you don’t live in Bethel, so I guess it’s ok.” Really?

Ok cool, now just slap it in the box pay for it and I’m out of here. But NOOOOOOO! Now Elmer has to demonstrate the functionality of the rifle. “Please sir, I’ve been hunting with a Model 70 for over 30 years and I already own 3 others.” He gets the hint and sets the rifle back down.

Ok cool, now just slap it in the box pay for it and I’m out of here. But NOOOOOOO! Now he has to demonstrate the cable lock in the box. “Please sir, that thing is never going to leave the box as long as I own the rifle.” He then explains that it is required that he demonstrate it as part of his job.

Ok cool, now just slap it in the box pay for it and I’m out of here. But NOOOOOOO! Now he has to show me the warranty registration card and where to send it,

Ok cool, now just slap it in the box pay for it and I’m out of here. But NOOOOOOO! He attempts to try and put the rifle in the box several times unsuccessfully, only after I point to the cut out in the styrofoam for the bolt and suggest that it may have to be removed in order for the rifle to fit does he realize the error of his ways. Now he’s staring at it like an African bushman contemplating a Coke bottle thrown from an airplane trying to figure out how to remove the bolt. I pick up the rifle, depress the bolt release and start to pull back on the bolt, “Sir you are not supposed to be handling the rifle at this point in the sale.” At which point I asked if he wanted the rifle fitted back in the box or just stare it for a little while longer. Does one even qualify as a Fudd if they don't know how to remove the bolt on a Model 70?

So now I ask if he can remove the trigger lock. “I’m sorry sir, we have to leave those on while it is in the store, you’ll need to remove it yourself once you get home.”

“Really, how am I supposed to do that if I don’t have a key?”

“It’s in the box.”

“Where?”

Now Elmer takes everything out of the box again, goes rummaging through it like he’s Indiana Jones on the Last Crusdade and can’t find it. “I’m sorry I guess we forgot to put one in here, I’ll go find one.” Disappears back to the bowels of the store again and reappears several minutes later with a key for their generic trigger lock and gives me a demonstration on how to unlock it. At this point I’m no longer asking questions on the necessity of demonstrations it just prolongs the agony. Elmer puts the key in the box and then seals the box with red tape explaining that if he doesn’t security will stop me at the door. Really?

Finally at the register and pay for it thinking I’m done and out. But NOOOOOOO! Elmer explains to me that he has to carry the rifle and escort me to the exit. Well the sale is finalized, there’s nothing they can do at this point, I’m annoyed so I decide I’m going to have fun with this now. In my best fake British accent,

“Jolly good show ol’ chap, you’ll be my gun bearer on our trek through this arctic savannah. Please refer to me only as Bwana. Ah bloody hell that’s a big bastard! (pointing at the taxidermied brown bear on the mountain) At this point Elmer has a really confused look on his face, the two young guys behind the counter are laughing hysterically, Elmer hands me the boxed rifle and states that maybe it would be best if I walked myself out.

Now at home this morning looking at the item listing on Cabela’s website and find an almost hidden box in the corner that says, “REBATE”. Sure enough Winchester has a $50 rebate on Model 70’s if purchased by September 9th. Gee, it would’ve been nice during all of his demonstrations and education if Elmer could’ve told me there was a rebate available…

I wont buy from Cabelas. The gun jockeys are idiots and you are not allowed to test the trigger pull. The pawn shop down the street has better prices, a better selection and knowledgeable clerks. With my concealed carry permit I am out of there in minutes.

While it sounds like an incredible pain in the ass, at least you got a bitchin' new rifle.

I sincerely hope you don’t have to return it.

I've never bought a gun at Cabela's, primarily because I envisioned it going almost exactly as you described it. The closest I've come is Walmart and that was bad enough (at least at Cabela's you typically don't have to go hunting for the gun counter guy for 20 minutes). I bought a gun at a Range USA (big city indoor gun range) one time, too, and they had to have manager approval at every step in the process. It took over an hour.

I also REALLY hate those computerized 4473 systems. They take longer and are more likely to result in input errors (especially if they make you do it on a touch screen!) than writing it out by hand, plus you end up having to wait in line for the computer. I've stopped going to a couple of local shops because they've gone to digital systems. There's still a couple of great local places where I can walk in, fill out my 4473, pay for my gun and be gone in 10 minutes. They'll keep getting my business over the others just because they keep the process simple and straightforward. I've let them know how much I appreciate it, too.

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Originally posted by 92fstech:
I've never bought a gun at Cabela's, primarily because I envisioned it going almost exactly as you described it. The closest I've come is Walmart and that was bad enough (at least at Cabela's you typically don't have to go hunting for the gun counter guy for 20 minutes). I bought a gun at a Range USA (big city indoor gun range) one time, too, and they had to have manager approval at every step in the process. It took over an hour.

I also REALLY hate those computerized 4473 systems. They take longer and are more likely to result in input errors (especially if they make you do it on a touch screen!) than writing it out by hand, plus you end up having to wait in line for the computer. I've stopped going to a couple of local shops because they've gone to digital systems. There's still a couple of great local places where I can walk in, fill out my 4473, pay for my gun and be gone in 10 minutes. They'll keep getting my business over the others just because they keep the process simple and straightforward. I've let them know how much I appreciate it, too.

My LGS that I typically use is a small shop that uses a touchscreen 4473 and I actually like it. Very quick and easy. Cabela's and Bass Pro have their own program and it really is painful and slow to get through.

There were several times yesterday where I. was very close to walking out before the deal was done. I just kept reminding myself that I would never see a deal on a new Model 70 like this again. Although it has been several years since I bought a gun at Cabela's, it wasn't nearly this long and painful of a process. I keep thinking it's all got to be more of the same corporate lawyer driven bullshit from Bass Pro that has turned it into this.

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Finally at the register and pay for it thinking I’m done and out. But NOOOOOOO! Elmer explains to me that he has to carry the rifle and escort me to the exit.

Walmart has the same policy.

I went to Walmart in uniform on my lunch break several years back, when they were divesting themselves of their remaining stock of oh-so-evil semiauto rifles and shotguns, which they had put on ultra clearance. Bought their last remaining 12 gauge 1187 for something wild like 80% off.

After I filled out all the paperwork and paid, the employee sheepishly told me that despite the fact that I was an armed and uniformed LEO, they still had to escort me out of the store before handing over my boxed shotgun.

I just laughed and rolled with it.

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Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I just laughed and rolled with it.

It’s easier to give advice than to take it ourselves, but I try to remind myself that one minute of anger is 60 seconds of unhappiness.

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Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Finally at the register and pay for it thinking I’m done and out. But NOOOOOOO! Elmer explains to me that he has to carry the rifle and escort me to the exit.

Walmart has the same policy.

I just laughed and rolled with it.

Oh trust me I was laughing all the way out the door. The whole process was just so ridiculous all I could do was laugh. The deal was done, I just decided to have some fun and I was laughing all the way through my arctic savannah safari to the door.

2000Z71 your Cabela’s story is similar to mine from 2018 with their lying to me.

Despite a Michigan CPL (at that time valid in lieu of a NICS check) I’m held up for a hour and a half. I finally find my salesman and ask what’s going on? So off he goes to the back and a few minutes comes up with an obviously agitated alleged manager.

Alleged manager starts off instantly with accusing me of lying on the 4473 saying that the agent on the phone said that previously I had declared Tennessee as my birth date and now I’m claiming Michigan!

So at this point my wife is standing next to me, she’s tired of waiting,I’m not budging as I’ve got a 4473 out there someplace with my information on it and the Anderson lower listed on it. I said “Something f**** (I didn’t say funny either!)is going on here. Agents only give a NICS number, their name if requested and a status and nothing else. No back and forth or questioning of responses. I run these all the time at the shop I work at so I think I know a bit about NICS. I’m not leaving until I either get the lower or I see my 4473 marked as cancelled”.

So off he goes to the back, salesman comes out with the lower and perp walks me to the cashier, all this for a free lower paid for with Cabela’s points.

Day after Christmas 2019 again I had points and sever gift cards to burn. In the Gun Library was a Browning Hi-Power, stainless .40 with the box marked at 749.00 and that day less 10%. Despite it being a .40 I almost went for it until I remembered the last debacle.

And last summer I took one of the grandsons there, again a points burning trip. Went to the Library again. In a cabinet was a Colt in 32-20, looked like one I passed up on buying in New Mexico in the mid 70’s. Priced at 219.00 Their Gun Library salesman was sitting at a desk maybe eight feet away and totally ignoring us. My grandson said something to the effect of am I going to buy it. You would have thought the guy would have taken the hint and at least said “Would you like to see it?”

Anymore I don’t even bother going to the Library or the counter, I just go and pick up a couple Carhartt shirts to use up the points and leave.

I have bought several guns from Cabela's. It really is a pain. I have asked to speak to the manager. I have been given additional discounts and free ammo. The Gun Library at the one near me is frequently closed due to a lack of staff. A friend got a job there. He told me that you could be fired for any mistake on the paperwork. He said it was much better to work some where other than the gun department. It paid the same with much less responsibility.

The store I work at uses iPads for the 4473’s.

Trying to interpret some of our customers and their alleged handwriting was a challenge.

I bought my last pistol (optics ready P320) from Cabelas. Ordered it on line, paid for with points and a 10% First Responder discount. Only tiny hiccup was that my legal name is not the name on my Cabelas card or my on line account. Took less than a minute to resolve. Handed me the gun in the includes case that they sealed with security tape and they handed me the gun. Zero issues.

Now just going in to the retail counter is a PITA. But I had zero issues with my last purchase.

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Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Now he’s staring at it like an African bushman contemplating a Coke bottle thrown from an airplane

A most excellent rant, sir!

You are NOT dealing with Cabela's, you are dealing with Bass Pro and they are and always have been anti gun assholes.

I always enjoy reading your posts. I've heard horror stories about buying guns from Cabelas, but this one takes the cake. Holy crap.

I've only run into the computerized 4473 once, at Sportsman's Warehouse. It was pretty much identical to the paper version and quick and easy to get through.

The issues are not unique to Cabela's/Bass Pro.
The slow lingering death of Retail is playing a large part.
A Retail position used to be a legitimate position that varied with the type of merchandise sold but it wasn't an afterthought as is is now (or maybe a job of necessity to keep minimal service).
NO, sadly those days are gone.

Both Bass Pro/Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse take FOREVER to complete a gun purchase. I swear everyone in the store has to review the paperwork for mistakes.

It seems like an all day process, and if there’s a line of people in front of you? Forget about it. I’m in and out of my FFL dealer in less than 10 minutes. My oldest son worked there for a few months, and he had some great stories about dealing with the gun ignorant public. At the location near me, they let you walk out with a gun all by your self.

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Originally posted by vthoky:

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Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Now he’s staring at it like an African bushman contemplating a Coke bottle thrown from an airplane

A most excellent rant, sir!

Epic! The Gods must be crazy!!