I went to the one in Phoenix last summer a few times. They had a lot of stuff but the prices weren't great. The gun library had some nice stuff in it but again, the prices weren't great.

They did have an awesome selection of animals in the store though, I had fun picking up rifles off the used racks and aiming them at the animals.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:

I was in their parking lot yesterday,didn't go in, I stopped to clean my windshield. lol
Now you've got me curious to see if it changed, I may have to go in tomorrow.

I did go in a couple days later, I saw no difference from any other time I've been there.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:

I was pissed at Big Bear during the Obama years and the powder, .22 ammo, shortage era. As they gouged pretty good. $35 a pound powder, $60 a brick .22's...

I wouldn't necessarily fault the retailer. Their wholesale cost probably went up too.

quote:

Originally posted by TigerDore:

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:

I was pissed at Big Bear during the Obama years and the powder, .22 ammo, shortage era. As they gouged pretty good. $35 a pound powder, $60 a brick .22's...

I wouldn't necessarily fault the retailer. Their wholesale cost probably went up too.

It didn't go up overnight. They had retagged many items, many at double the original prices.

One could remove the top tag and see the much lower underneath.

Brick and mortar stores operating expenses, greatly exceeds that of 24x7 internet sources. Cabelas was not what it was after going public and even worse following the Bass Pro acquisition.

It’s too late for either to improve prices, service and market share.

Was in one today

Picked up a can of gun scrubber for $15

Left with another $25 of snack foods

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
There was an announcement on the local news the other day that our local Big Bear store was closing in Gt Falls. They are a Chain, we have them in most larger cities...unsure if they are only in MT or not.

Apparently no longer viable to keep the doors open. But the good news the building will be occupied by North 40 a Ranch store, that DOES also sell firearms, ammo, reloading gear, fishing gear, etc. And at generally better prices than Big Bear.

I was pissed at Big Bear during the Obama years and the powder, .22 ammo, shortage era. As they gouged pretty good. $35 a pound powder, $60 a brick .22's etc. Maybe THAT caught up with them?

Is Big R not still around? I used to find some great deals there in '09-'10.

They built a Cabela's near me in Hoffman Estates, IL which is in Crook County. The store is probably a mile or less from the Kane County border.

I was pretty surprised that they chose to build in Crook County with its higher taxes, onerous regulations, and rabidly anti-gun government officials.

<<insert "You Chose Poorly" meme here.>>

quote:

Originally posted by Sgt Neutron:
In addition.....
Went by the local Cabela's today and picked up a box of ammo. Cabela's no longer gives Military 5% discounts on Guns, ammo, components, safes, etc. Asked the salesman----Bass Pro decision.

Discount still applies to everything else.....for now.

Per my last visit to the Cabelas in Buda, TX, they have also ceased their Lay Away program, another Bass Pro decision.

The Buda store has always been pretty gun centric and well stocked but last visit it seemed like they were drawing down the inventory or just never restocked after the holidays.

I’ve always preferred Cabelas over bass pro. Sorry to see them assimilated.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
There was an announcement on the local news the other day that our local Big Bear store was closing in Gt Falls. They are a Chain, we have them in most larger cities...unsure if they are only in MT or not.

Apparently no longer viable to keep the doors open. But the good news the building will be occupied by North 40 a Ranch store, that DOES also sell firearms, ammo, reloading gear, fishing gear, etc. And at generally better prices than Big Bear.

I was pissed at Big Bear during the Obama years and the powder, .22 ammo, shortage era. As they gouged pretty good. $35 a pound powder, $60 a brick .22's etc. Maybe THAT caught up with them?

Is Big R not still around? I used to find some great deals there in '09-'10.

Big R in Gt Falls turned into North 40. Decent gun/reloaidng selection and OK prices.

THEY are going to take over the old (soon to be old) Big Bear too by the way. So two North 4o's in Gt Falls now.

Love how I went to one in Fort Worth not long ago looking for Hi-Viz replacement tubes for a pistol sight. First guy was spraying down the gun cases with glass cleaner and asked another gentleman if he needed help, and the other guy said he was fine. So, I asserted myself in a friendly manner to ask how he was doing and if he could tell me if they carried Hi-Viz sights for pistols (I had found shotgun sights galore and 1 for an XD, but I was sure the answer was no). He droned on about oh I don't help with the "hunting" items. I only help with gun counter items... I thought he was just jacking with me at first, but this worthless employee was serious. He then went on to point at another employee and said that hunting guy may help you. I may have said something not so nice at that point... but I'll just leave it at that fine example of the death of customer service.

Just went to Cabela’s south of Austin. At gun counter picked my number. 8 customers ahead of me. One sales guy. Where is staff? It’s 12:30. Out to lunch? Surely they would schedule staff lunches so that there would be adequate staff to handle lunch rush. After all, working folk often visit stores at lunch because they work most of the day. Here? Nope. Several customers left in disgust.

Finally at 1pm, 3 gun employees return from lunch. By this time, several potential customers are gone. What a way to run a business. Good retailers stagger employee lunches to ensure adequate staff knowing that there will be a lunch rush. Not this place. Business must be too good.