quote:

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.

Ever see some of the chicken scratch on those handwritten 4473's? One large store here in southern NH only uses paper 4473. Getting them filled and approved is a fun time. Expect to spend the day.

A good friend is on the sales staff and he wonders is some customer made it past the 5th grade. Or maybe the younger crowd forgot the art of handwriting.

I’ve purchased at cabelas twice. First time was a Henry 22.

They sent me home with their copy of the paperwork. Called me and asked if I could bring it back. I said sure.

Next day I drove up there and went to the counter. “You need to take a ticket”.

Nevermind, I’m good.

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

Ever see some of the chicken scratch on those handwritten 4473's? One large store here in southern NH only uses paper 4473. Getting them filled and approved is a fun time. Expect to spend the day.

A good friend is on the sales staff and he wonders is some customer made it past the 5th grade. Or maybe the younger crowd forgot the art of handwriting.

If that's the case then tell them to take it back and write like an adult.

My biggest complaints about the computerized systems are as follows:

1. Often there's only one computer, or if a bigger store, still not enough of them to accommodate all the customers and you're stuck waiting in line to use one. I have yet to visit a shop that had a shortage of pens.

2. Touchscreens hate me. I have big, calloused fingers, and if you give me a tablet with an on-screen keyboard I'm guaranteed to fat finger half the fields and typo critical information, which will result in me having to fill the whole thing out again.

3. One of the systems I encountered had a separate screen for every question, and they were out of order. So you had to read through every one in detail and keep flipping through screens, when if I'm filling out the paper form I already know what questions I'm answering and can just check Yes, no, no, no, no etc. the digital version takes 20x as long.

4. One place had a system that actually made you set up an account and asked a whole bunch of extra stuff that wasn't even included on the 4473. That one was extra annoying.

I get that the digital systems make things easier for the shop, but as a customer, especially one who is familiar with the paper process, they're a PITA.

IIRC, I bought a Sig P226 from Bass Pro many moons ago, but no guns from Cabela's. The purchase process wasn't a big deal. When I was competing in clays games, I bought most of my flats of shotgun ammo from Bass Pro and Cabela's, as they seasonally ran sales on AA and STS shells. Combined with occasional rebates for AA/STS, it was about the best deal in town.

Both stores are now just big box chains that cater to the sorta-kinda gun owner -- not the true firearm enthusiast. The store help is often Fudd-ish and the customers are often Fudd-ish. Shopping there basically means the customer is expected to be Fudd-ish and will be treated as such.

I was in one yesterday asking about a CMMG Banshee and got a manager. He said they are SBR’s and they don’t sell them. I told him they are pistols and he again said they are SBR and they don’t sell them. He even said that they won’t do a transfer if they receive them. He seemed quite proud of the policy. Of course they are free to sell what they want but I am free not to buy from them. I won’t go back to a place that doesn’t know the difference between an SBR and a pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by PJS:

He said they are SBR’s and they don’t sell them. I told him they are pistols and he again said they are SBR

Actually, you were both correct, and both wrong (Schroedinger's Banshee). CMMG offers it in both versions, pistol and SBR.

I’m no longer desperate enough to shop for firearms (or anything else) to enter a Bass Pro/Cabelas.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
You are NOT dealing with Cabela's, you are dealing with Bass Pro and they are and always have been anti gun assholes.

actually, both companies live in fear of the ATF and a bad compliance audit,

and both have no issues firing anyone that makes mistakes,
clerk forget to dot and I,, sorry fired,
clerks dept head, who was the one that checked it, yup fired too,
and other manager who missed that non dotted I, yet fuck you fired too,

so you, the customer, has to endure the process, and the first and second and sometimes 3rd check of a basically automated form that will not allow you to make a mistake, cause ATF may inspect them tomorrow,

re the trigger locks, due to a customer, supposedly a policeman, asking to see a shotgun, then loading and shooting himself with it , they lock it all down tight,

however the ''fudds'' as mentioned, have dry fired the fuck out of almost every gun in teh back room

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

Ever see some of the chicken scratch on those handwritten 4473's? One large store here in southern NH only uses paper 4473. Getting them filled and approved is a fun time. Expect to spend the day.

A good friend is on the sales staff and he wonders is some customer made it past the 5th grade. Or maybe the younger crowd forgot the art of handwriting.

If that's the case then tell them to take it back and write like an adult.

My biggest complaints about the computerized systems are as follows:

1. Often there's only one computer, or if a bigger store, still not enough of them to accommodate all the customers and you're stuck waiting in line to use one. I have yet to visit a shop that had a shortage of pens.

2. Touchscreens hate me. I have big, calloused fingers, and if you give me a tablet with an on-screen keyboard I'm guaranteed to fat finger half the fields and typo critical information, which will result in me having to fill the whole thing out again.

3. One of the systems I encountered had a separate screen for every question, and they were out of order. So you had to read through every one in detail and keep flipping through screens, when if I'm filling out the paper form I already know what questions I'm answering and can just check Yes, no, no, no, no etc. the digital version takes 20x as long.

4. One place had a system that actually made you set up an account and asked a whole bunch of extra stuff that wasn't even included on the 4473. That one was extra annoying.

I get that the digital systems make things easier for the shop, but as a customer, especially one who is familiar with the paper process, they're a PITA.

on the small dealer side,

why use the electronic, when I am required to print and store anyway/

I can order the 4473's from the ATF, as long as I can make out your address and name to input into the State background check system (VA uses Va State Police to do background checks) and you pass, that is all that matters,

less money I need to spend on reams of paper , toner etc

Cabela's and Bass Pro are both owned by the same company.
Who owns Bass Pro Shops and Cabelaʼs?

What I've noticed over the years is that they list great prices in the ads, then when you get to the store, they say they've sold them all.
Then they try to sell you something else, kinda like a car dealership would do.

I rarely go into one or the other, but I will check out what's in the gun case when I go.
Prices are usually way too high.
But I do get amusement hearing the buyer-seller conversations in stores like that.
It's usually two idiots going back and forth.

I suppose not everyone does their research before buying a firearm, or anything else for that matter, like many of us do.
Over the years, I knew more about a given firearm than the salesperson did.


As for the iPad 4473s, I've only done that once at my local gun shop, when they did a transfer for me.
After I filled out the form, they disappeared for about 20 minutes and came back with an answer that they would do the transfer.
I asked why they did a background check with my Texas LTC?
They stated they do their own background check on every purchase or transfer.
OK, whatever..

Since the mid-1990s, I would purchase a firearm, fill out a 4473, pay for it, and be on my way.
Never had any delays getting in and out.
That was actually one of the perks of having an LTC, formerly a CHL.
I guess since Texas started constitutional carry, some FFL sellers are just covering their asses..

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1lowlife,

Range USA has a tablet based form. It's not too bad, but the keyboard is like 85% of full size so that causes errors. Sequence of questions is similar to actual form.

They do extra checks with another person which takes a little time, but as said earlier, this is to ensure no mistakes that an ATF audit might find.

Otherwise, similar to an LGS.

Bass Pro is almost as bad, big shock since they are an affiliate. A few years ago the one in Harrisburg had an LTT Elite Beretta 92 that was marked $500 lower than new because they had ordered it for a customer but with the wrong barrel length, which wasn't noticed until the transaction was completed. So when they took it back, they had to put it out as used. They have some weird contraption to use if you want to try the trigger, but in the end it was worth it for the price. And the pistol is sweet. But it would have to be something equally special to go through all of that sh*t again.

Epic rant 2000Z-71!
My last transfer was for a GOA fundraiser lower made by Palmetto State Armory. Went to my local FFL and filled out the 4473 on their touchpad whatever it is. They copied my DL and CCW card, reviewed my form (both guys) and in no time I was out the door.
Nice living in a small town with gun guys running the store. (left Phx 5 years ago)

Signed, Your imaginary internet friend.
(Threse still remembers you well from JCL)

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
I’ve purchased at cabelas twice. First time was a Henry 22.

They sent me home with their copy of the paperwork. Called me and asked if I could bring it back. I said sure.

Next day I drove up there and went to the counter. “You need to take a ticket”.

Nevermind, I’m good.

Their next ATF audit should be interesting.

I bought a .22 rifle from Range USA and it couldn't have been easier . I ordered it online , paid by CC and it was delivered to the store in just a couple of days . Free shipping . No background check since I have a CHP .

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
I bought a .22 rifle from Range USA and it couldn't have been easier . I ordered it online , paid by CC and it was delivered to the store in just a couple of days . Free shipping . No background check since I have a CHP .

The one and only time I've purchased from Range USA it took an hour. Tablet didn't want to work, then when he finally got it going and I completed the 4473 he had to have his manager double-check the form before he could submit it. The manager was busy, so it took forever to get him around. Then they had to repeat the process at their point of sale system and go hunt for the manager again to confirm the serial number and all the final paperwork. Huge PITA.

Somebody explain to me how that's better for the customer than having Bob slide me a paper form across the counter, I hand him my DL and spend 3 minutes filling out the form, slide it back to Bob, he looks it over and submits my info, gets the proceed, then swipes my credit card and I'm out the door.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
No background check since I have a CHP .

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
I bought a .22 rifle from Range USA and it couldn't have been easier . I ordered it online , paid by CC and it was delivered to the store in just a couple of days . Free shipping . No background check since I have a CHP .

The one and only time I've purchased from Range USA it took an hour. Tablet didn't want to work, then when he finally got it going and I completed the 4473 he had to have his manager double-check the form before he could submit it. The manager was busy, so it took forever to get him around. Then they had to repeat the process at their point of sale system and go hunt for the manager again to confirm the serial number and all the final paperwork. Huge PITA.

Somebody explain to me how that's better for the customer than having Bob slide me a paper form across the counter, I hand him my DL and spend 3 minutes filling out the form, slide it back to Bob, he looks it over and submits my info, gets the proceed, then swipes my credit card and I'm out the door.

I’m all for tablets because at least around here it would be easier deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics or the Dead Sea Scrolls than reading some of the paper 4473’s I’ve seen over the last few years.

I accompanied my B-I-L to his local Cabelas. We were in and out with his new gun in less than 15 minutes.

I sometimes stop to look at the used guns because it's 5 minutes from the house. I go to the gun library...it's locked. Hey Elmer Fudd, I want to go into the library, he's at lunch, hmmm. asked someone older, .... he's not here, and we can't go in. Seriously? just shrugs shoulders.

my last gun from them took 45 minutes to get out of the store after I said I'll take it. It was a Saturday, they were busy. And it was 2018?