The Great Cabelas vs. BPS debate / Some venting

Well, I must report on my long awaited visit to the new Cabelas in Barrie and look forward to everyone voicing their opinions. I went twice actually, first on the 9th cause my dad got one of the pre-invites and then on the 10th for the grand opening. What a zoo both days, but nothing I didn't expect. The store didn't disappoint with a great selection of equipment and even some good buys in the bargain cave. Meeting some of the outdoor celebs like Taylor Wright was very cool too. The wife even found a new deer rifle. It was an expensive two days to say the least.

Here is my list of pros and cons of the two big stores and the couple others I've been to in the area.

Cabela's: Pros- fair prices, website prices and store prices are the same, good selection, staff seemed very knowledgeable, good layout, fudge shop makes everyone happy on the way home lol. Cons- they don't seem to have as good of sales and sale prices, almost no promotions for discounted shipping like BPS, no deli in the store like the website said there would be.

Bass Pro Shops: Pros- constant new sales and discounts for shipping when ordering online, good selection, store is a little more fun for the whole family (arcade, tracks on the floor amuse the kids and teach them as well). Cons- No Canadian website or prices so you never know what the price will be in the store (went to buy a knife once and it was $55US on the site and $90 in the store! needless to say I made them price match the $60 cabelas site price). Have had experiences with some less than knowledgeable staff

Ellwood Epps: Pros- Most knowledgeable people I have ever met when it comes to guns, very competitive prices on all of its products when compared to the big box stores. Cons - gets crowded quick, they don't haggle on the used gun prices, slow getting stock replenished (waited a long time for a trigger stick, ended up having to spend $35 more and get it at Cabelas)

Tremblays: Pros- exists so it draws some of the crowd away from Epps so I can spend my money there. Cons: horrible service! Twice I have went there to look at guns and was treated horribly. The first time he wouldn't listen to what I wanted and just wanted me to buy something else. The second time I went in to try to get a swivel set for a Mossberg I just bought at Epps and Epps didn't have one in stock. I asked Tremblays and they didn't have one and said he wouldn't sell me one anyways because I bought the gun at Epps! I asked him if he had one of the guns I just bought at his store to price compare and he didn't even have one in stock there to sell me anyways so even if I had gone there first I still would have ended up at Epps to buy what I wanted. What a jerk! I will never set foot in that store ever again. I prefer to support the little guys over the big boxes but not in this case.

Anyones thoughts?

Sail, basspro and cabelas are all big box stores and you need to realize more options for hunters and outdoors people is better. Sail is 5 minutes from my house and I spend most of my disposal income for hunting with them. More options is better. Sail was having a 15 percent sale on everything hunting related just because cabelas new store was opening up. More competition means better pricing and customer service. Price matching would not happen if basspro, sail and other stores did not have competition.

The key to Cabela's will be, will they actually get stuff in stock, and keep it in stock? BPS over the last year and a half, has just been in a steady decline, when it comes to having stuff in stock, and re-stocking.

Have spoken with the store manager twice on the issue, I drive a great distance to get there, to see "out of stock" stickers on every thing I'm looking for.

He said it boiled down to one supply chain for all BPS stores, and with the higher demand in the US over the recent years, Vaughn gets whats left.

The new Cabela's is the exact same as the new one in Winnipeg The samller stores make for more crampt shopping and vying for staff attention to get assistance.

The smaller stores also mean, that they don't have nearly as much stuff in store as they carry on the website, with BPS, if it's on the website, good chance it's in the store (unless it's out of stock) a good example these smaller cabela's don't carry the super mag waders in store.

Also when it comes to clothing, they have their Cabela's logo and name written on almost everything, if it's not UA gear, or Sitka, it's Cabelas and ruined with a huge name and logo, wanted just a plain waterfowl long sleep, but it had "Cabela's plastered across it"

The one major difference you overlooked in mentioning shipping and deals, is that you cannot ship, to BPS in Vaughn, "free" anytime, only when there's the promotion, or the promotion to ship to your place, you can however, ship to cabelas anytime, for free and just pick it up.

While BPS does have the free shipping to your door promotions once in awhile, you still run the risk of getting dinged with duty, which you don't ordering off the cabelas.ca website

I think having Sail, BPS, and Cabelas all lining the 401 will be better for the customer in the end, its a quick zip to any or all 3 to get the best prices.

IMO, both places are too expensive in general. I order most things online from US stores and save a bundle, even after shipping and exchange. I know that it's fun to visit these stores but they must compete with online ordering and US retailers if they are to do well in the long run.

I haven't been to Cabelas yet I am hoping they compare to the Cabelas stores in the US. I was in the Cabelas in Saskatoon and was very impressed lots of stock and good staff.

Iam am pretty much done with basspro. Their selection and stock is terrible and prices are too high in my opinion. Worst of all their staff seem to know nothing about hunting of shooting sports.

I like Sail for pricing and selection seems decent

IMOA the best place to buy a firearm in Southren Ontario is Lake Huron Rod and Gun. Their selection is good prices are competitive but best of all their staff know what their talking about and treat you like you matter. Brad will always treat you fair and he gets a ton of repeat business because of it.

I also like shooters choice as their staff are very knowledgable but the store can get crazy busy and their prices are a little high

As TR pointed out the key difference is free ship to store with Cabelas:

http://www.cabelas.ca/pages/pickup

Can't wait to test it out with an internet sale item...

Went to Cabelas-nice store,generally their brand is somewhat more appealing (to me at least )then BPS. Nice people too.
Pros-competition with BPS-Sail ,Le Baron etc
Pros-more selection, variety.
Cons-lot smaller then Dundee , thus lot less stuff.
Cons-they do not order from US catalog,if Winnipeg does not have it-you need to go an order from the web for yourself.
Nice store, I was excited about them coming ,kind of disappointed though due of the above cons.
BPS
Pros-more selection then Cabelas+Cabelas Winnipeg Catalog combined
Pros-willing to order from the Web catalog, you need to go to pick it up,which is OK
Cons- I personally like Cabelas brand better then Red Head(but this is just me)
Some ppl say BPS has less knowledgable staff-maybe,hovewer if you know what you want ahead of time......no need for much knowledge form the sales person anyhow(this may not work all the times though)
SAIL-I could not make my head around them ever,so no opinion
Just my 2 cents

I think its great to have all the options available. I really enjoyed Cabelas, even though its not as big as a US Cabelas. Great to have that option here, and something I have waited a long time for! I like SAIL, and prefer it to Bass Pro, but BPS is always a fun visit with the kids, and they have some decent sales! With respect to Tromblys Tackle Box, I am sorry to hear you had such a crap experience. I don't work there, or have any personal interest in the store, but I know Remi Trombly, and he is a stand up guy! I'm sure if it had been brought to his attention he would've been glad to assist you, and make it right. I wouldn't judge the whole outfit on the basis of the actions of one employee.

He was pretty much dead on with his assessment of trombleys. The other thing about them is that every time there is one of their big sales, there maybe 1000 things in the flyer but only 500 in store. Classic response is sorry, sold out, but I have been in a couple of times just ahead of the sales and there is nothing in stock even then.
I am hoping the bargain cave at cabelas will mirror the one in Dundee where it seemed all the returned items, open boxes, missing parts etc were marked down considerably and then put in there to resell. Of course something like that wouldn't be good right away. I often wonder what happens to the returns at bps or are they claiming 100 percent customer satisfaction? Lol

Just curious, are the shotgun shells and bullets behind the counter at the new Cabellas?

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Originally Posted by Ahuntr300

IMO, both places are too expensive in general. I order most things online from US stores and save a bundle, even after shipping and exchange. I know that it's fun to visit these stores but they must compete with online ordering and US retailers if they are to do well in the long run.

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I find the same thing, I can buy the same item at local stores for cheaper. Only benefit to cabelas is that it has greater variety. I was pumped for my first visit to a cabelas in Michigan and I didn't even buy a thing. There are some good deals in their bargin cave though.

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Originally Posted by woody1948

Just curious, are the shotgun shells and bullets behind the counter at the new Cabellas?

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No they are in the aisle locked up like at BPS.

Haven't been to the new store in Barrie yet, but I'll be damned if I ever return to Bass Pro. Last time I went, only three tills open in the entire store with a 40 minute line up at each one. One quarter of the shelves were empty of the stock I was searching for. Impossible to find help, only response was "Not my area" the firearms/archery sales people have egos larger than my woodlot. The shooting area for kids was broken down completely. Long drive for nothing, went down the road to Sail and actually had everything we needed at a much lower price. A nice surprise, and the service was excellent.

My dealing with both is somewhat limited as there are no stores yet here in Ottawa.

However I noticed

BP does not have a Canadian web site and when I went to the US site and asked about Canada they said there were no Canadian Stores. I then told them there was and they said they were just small stores and did not sell firearms or do mail order. When I contacted by email the head office in the US they also said there were no Canadian stores and that I must be mistaken.


Cabelas has a website and does mail orders and know they have a Canadian stores

Walked through Cabelas this weekend and it seemed like a nice enough store, although insanely busy and essentially a smaller version of BPS with similar pricing and less stock. My only real complaint is they have a no dogs policy and since I pretty well always have my dog with me when I head north I just can't justify skipping past BPS, which allows dogs inside, just to leave my dog in the vehicle at Cabelas.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

My dealing with both is somewhat limited as there are no stores yet here in Ottawa.

However I noticed

BP does not have a Canadian web site and when I went to the US site and asked about Canada they said there were no Canadian Stores. I then told them there was and they said they were just small stores and did not sell firearms or do mail order. When I contacted by email the head office in the US they also said there were no Canadian stores and that I must be mistaken.


Cabelas has a website and does mail orders and know they have a Canadian stores

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That's weird.. When u got to bass pro website.. It tells me my nearest store is Vaughan.

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Originally Posted by LongHunter

Walked through Cabelas this weekend and it seemed like a nice enough store, although insanely busy and essentially a smaller version of BPS with similar pricing and less stock. My only real complaint is they have a no dogs policy and since I pretty well always have my dog with me when I head north I just can't justify skipping past BPS, which allows dogs inside, just to leave my dog in the vehicle at Cabelas.

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That's strange, my wife and daughter were there last Thursday and my daughter had her Lab. with her all the time they were in the store, and she received compliments on how good looking and well behaved her dog was .

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Originally Posted by jaycee

That's strange, my wife and daughter were there last Thursday and my daughter had her Lab. with her all the time they were in the store, and she received compliments on how good looking and well behaved her dog was .

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I am actually REALLY surprised to hear that, Cabelas does not allow dogs in their stores due to the fudge shop, it claims it to be a "health and safety" issue.

This was my experience at the one in Winnipeg, I called the one in Barrie before heading over to find out if I should bring Maddy, and they re-confirmed what I had previously learned in Manitoba, no dogs.

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

I am actually REALLY surprised to hear that, Cabelas does not allow dogs in their stores due to the fudge shop, it claims it to be a "health and safety" issue.

This was my experience at the one in Winnipeg, I called the one in Barrie before heading over to find out if I should bring Maddy, and they re-confirmed what I had previously learned in Manitoba, no dogs.

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Well that takes them off my shopping list. The only time I'll be in the Barrie area is when I'm heading to Huntsville and I almost always have my dog with me. He doesn't do well to be left in the car on his own. As much as I love fudge what the heck does a fudge shop have to do with the great outdoors?

I agree with other and have COMPLETELY stopped going to Basspro. I have gone there mulitiple times to buy something that that was advertised in a flyer or online to find it sold out and have crappy customer service. I said a few years ago I wouldn't spend another dime there.....and I spend A LOT on hunting stuff.

I also agree with the annoyance of things being out of stock at BPS. If there is something on sale that I really want and it is the main reason I am driving two hours to the store, I call ahead and have the item set aside if its in stock. I also agree that more stores equal more competition which is great. I have yet to go to a Sail store, but plan on going there when I am down to BPS next. I wasn't very impressed with the website and the selection on it, so I didn't really know what to expect of the actual store. I will find out next month when BPs puts on their fall hunting classic sale.

Although I haven't been to the new Cabela's yet I can say that I rarely go to BP. Twice I've gone up to BP after calling to ensure an item was in stock and twice I've got there and been told that they don't have it. Between that problem and their pricing on a number of items, I've found it better to shop elsewhere

Basspro staff left a bitter taste in my mouth when i was first getting into hunting. Promised that I'd never buy from them again. I prefer sail , better prices and not as crowded in their hunting department. Cabelas is just way to far to travel for a small diff in price if any.

I found a huge discrepancy with Cabelas Canada and USA..online...shipping and cost from Canada was quite a bit more...2 yrs back I bought an archery bib coveralls USA side...total was around 90 and I got them in 3 days....meanwhile the same identical bib Canada was 145 and 9 bucks more shipping and a week shipping guestimate.....Epps have been great up until this past year when they sold a high end shotgun and is was missing the choke wrench...they stated it had gone missing somewhere and I was out of luck...gimme a break....the response was surprising. BPS is opening down here in Ottawa so I'm hoping for an alternative to LeBarons which is highly overpriced....

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Originally Posted by LongHunter

Walked through Cabelas this weekend and it seemed like a nice enough store, although insanely busy and essentially a smaller version of BPS with similar pricing and less stock. My only real complaint is they have a no dogs policy and since I pretty well always have my dog with me when I head north I just can't justify skipping past BPS, which allows dogs inside, just to leave my dog in the vehicle at Cabelas.

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Do you really need to bring your dog with you into the store? To knock a place for not letting dogs in seems to be a cheap shot. If you were on your way north and needed some food would you try to bring your dog into Sobeys?

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Originally Posted by jaycee

That's strange, my wife and daughter were there last Thursday and my daughter had her Lab. with her all the time they were in the store, and she received compliments on how good looking and well behaved her dog was .

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Yeah I was surprised to see the sign on the door (not a large sign so easily missed) and then saw another dog walking through, while my wife was outside with our dog, so asked at the customer service desk and they confirmed dog's weren't allowed and someone had been kicked out the day before for having their dog with them.

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Originally Posted by GBuck

Do you really need to bring your dog with you into the store? To knock a place for not letting dogs in seems to be a cheap shot. If you were on your way north and needed some food would you try to bring your dog into Sobeys?

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I don't see it as a cheap shot at all, in fact I said it seemed like a nice enough store. My point was that I can't see why I would bypass bass pro, which I'd have to drive right past to get to cabelas, when they welcome my dog.

If I'm on my way north and need food I go through a drive through or buy my food before leaving home, I don't leave my dog in the car in the middle of the summer.

If Cabelas has a hunting dog section I do not see why they would not want dogs in there as it is a PITA to fit a dog for something without having him/her there to try it on. I mean come on they are a hunting store and dogs are an integral part of hunting, so I would find it a little offencive too. Sobeys is a grocery store, I would not expect to be able to bring my lab in there (although she would be quite excited about it:)).

Cabelas used to let you bring your dog in and keep it in a kennel at least they did in the Chicago area location.

maybe we just see things differently. I don't understand the need or desire to take a dog into a big box store. Believe it or not there are many people who don't like dogs.

People getting busted daily for leaving their dog in a car unattended . Some people don't like kids running around screaming in a box store either so should we leave them locked in a car on a hot summers day too ? I can see why folks on their way north may wish to take the dog inside a store as they pass by Cabelas . It just makes sense to be allowed too .

TD

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Originally Posted by 400bigbear

People getting busted daily for leaving their dog in a car unattended . Some people don't like kids running around screaming in a box store either so should we leave them locked in a car on a hot summers day too ? I can see why folks on their way north may wish to take the dog inside a store as they pass by Cabelas . It just makes sense to be allowed too .

TD

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Exactly. It's not like I enjoy taking my dog into a store with me, though he's much better behaved than many kids. Stopping to shop on our way north is usually not an option especially in warmer weather. I appreciate stores like BP for allowing dogs.

I don't care for dogs, but I think it's a dumb business move NOT to allow them in a store like Cabela's. I suspect the highway #400 location was chosen because of the north/south traffic..not because Barrie (on it's own) can support a store like that. You rule-out allot of customers as a result.

On a side note, I visited Cabela's for the first time last night. Smaller than I expected, WAY more limited selection of fishing stuff (vs. Bass Pro) but if you're a hunter/shooter/reloader...I think Cabela's has a HUGE edge over Bass Pro. For a store that is barely a week old, seems odd to find empty spots in the ammo case already. (some .22lr I was after) prices seemed about 10%-20% higher than they should be (on some guns I'm very familiar with) but selection was very impressive. Cabela's clearly have a love-in with Mossberg, less so with Remington.

EDIT: ...oh yeah, and buying ammo. Had to produce my PAL at the gun counter, carry the green canvas bag to the cashier where I was asked to produce my PAL a second time. They scanned it (???) and up on the screen pops my full name for everyone lined-up to see. I've spoken to friends in Alberta who've bought guns at the Cabela's in Edmonton and I was told that the cashier simply glanced at their PAL. I contacted Cabela's via email this morning to question this policy, and ask if it's Ontario-specific.

With a handle of GrouseWhisperer I always figured you'd of had dogs:)

The point is, they didn't just say "no dogs" it's a health and safety policy that regulates everyone. Because of the fudge shop, they are not allowed to have pets, aside from service dogs in the store.

Now the argument can be made, we want dogs, not fudge.

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

The point is, they didn't just say "no dogs" it's a health and safety policy that regulates everyone. Because of the fudge shop, they are not allowed to have pets, aside from service dogs in the store.

Now the argument can be made, we want dogs, not fudge.

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Tough choice. I love 'um both....

I was there today.......wasn't too crowded. The gunshop isn't much different compared to BP......the same usual (and equally boring) assortment of hardware. It was nice to see an array of hand guns in the inventory though. The Gun Library, understandably so, had nothing to offer at this time.....hopefully, may become more interesting gradually down the road once trades start to trickle in. Yes, ammo price is quite high. Example - Prvi Partizan 7.62x39 is marked for $26/box! I had expected that the new store would've a large available stock of rimfire ammo but that wasn't the case. Other than a few boxes of Challenger .410 shells there was a marked absence of sub gauge cartridges i.e. bird shot. No Upland apparel/stuff either.

I couldn't find any upland vests or any decent blaze hunting clothing. They had racks and racks of plastic guns and toys as well as camo ball caps. Nice ladies walking around with fudge samples. The boot section has nowhere near the assortment carried in the US. I was able to buy a gun at Epps for the advertised promo price today, so they also price match when asked. Overall I am very disappointed with this Cabelas. I have been to the Sydney Nebraska one and there is no comparison. still, another player will put pressure on BP to up their service and inventory levels so we should benefit. You can only split the market up so much, its going to be a fight between BP and Cabelas. What it will come down to is Sail for camping and the Kayak crowd, Basspro for the fishermen and Cabelas for hunters.

The stores inventory is a refelction on the regional market, a large portion of folks from Ontario just don't have an appetite for premium brands and products, they traditionally spend there dollars on entry level and mid range items unlike the folks south of the boarder.

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

No they are in the aisle locked up like at BPS.

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Thanks Jason, something's never change.

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Originally Posted by terrym

I couldn't find any upland vests or any decent blaze hunting clothing.

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This seems to be a general disease of Cabela's in Canada. Look at what's on cabelas.ca in that regard and compare to cabelas.com.

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I have been to the Sydney Nebraska one and there is no comparison.

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Problem in Canada is the market isn't there.

People complaining about not shopping there because you can't bring your dog in, really?? give your head a shake. Do you not shop at grocery stores because you can't bring your dog in?? how about a mall or restaurant? When I worked for the city their were talks of Cabelas opening here in Peterborough. They wanted it to between Toronto and Ottawa/Kingston area. The City of Barrie though gave them a better offer

A nice thing about Cabelas is that they allow you to handle guns without having to produce your PAL.

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Originally Posted by Bonkers

People complaining about not shopping there because you can't bring your dog in, really?? give your head a shake. Do you not shop at grocery stores because you can't bring your dog in?? how about a mall or restaurant? When I worked for the city their were talks of Cabelas opening here in Peterborough. They wanted it to between Toronto and Ottawa/Kingston area. The City of Barrie though gave them a better offer

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I don't fit my dog for a neoprene vest in a grocery store, and I don't recall anyone posting they would not shop there because of this (I could be wrong). I believe the point was many people would visit there as they passing through to go North, but if they had a dog in the car they may be unable to (as they won't leave the dog in the car, in the sun) many do take their dogs North.

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Originally Posted by skeeter1

I don't fit my dog for a neoprene vest in a grocery store, and I don't recall anyone posting they would not shop there because of this (I could be wrong). I believe the point was many people would visit there as they passing through to go North, but if they had a dog in the car they may be unable to (as they won't leave the dog in the car, in the sun) many do take their dogs North.

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I was one of those people on Sunday

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Originally Posted by Bandwagon

The stores inventory is a refelction on the regional market, a large portion of folks from Ontario just don't have an appetite for premium brands and products, they traditionally spend there dollars on entry level and mid range items unlike the folks south of the boarder.

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Sorry but your comments are just not accurate. Big box stores are put in certain locations based on market research and economic studies based on population and income of the population. All about the money. Premium brands are available at big box stores because they have higher incomes and higher populations.

SAIL, hands down, has become my favourite of the big box outdoors stores. I never find inventory lacking, and they seem to carry what I actually want, instead of aisle upon aisle of the same kind of item in a slightly different format. Some stores seem to have a lot of "stuff", but none of it I actually want.

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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie

No they are in the aisle locked up like at BPS.

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Originally Posted by woody1948

Thanks Jason, something's never change.

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And yet the "greatest" gunshop in Canada (Epps) doesnt even display their ammo. At all. Its ridiculous. Its in a back room accessible by staff only. Simmons in Hamilton has it right; its displayed in a normal aisle on a normal shelf. You can wander around the store and pick up the boxes as you will. You can open them up and look at the bullets if you want.

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Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

Cabelas used to let you bring your dog in and keep it in a kennel at least they did in the Chicago area location.

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Don't do that....guy lost his dogs. Someone cut the lock and stole them. Heard some jerk put another persons horses( yes they have horse pens too in the states) in his empty trailer and drove away with them.
just drove up loaded them and drove off.

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Originally Posted by GBuck

maybe we just see things differently. I don't understand the need or desire to take a dog into a big box store. Believe it or not there are many people who don't like dogs.

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Funny you say that...I don't like people....But I have to put up with them EVERY DARN DAY.

I hate dogs

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Originally Posted by dell

I hate dogs

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Wow sucks to be you

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

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Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

Cabelas used to let you bring your dog in and keep it in a kennel at least they did in the Chicago area location.

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Don't do that....guy lost his dogs. Someone cut the lock and stole them. Heard some jerk put another persons horses( yes they have horse pens too in the states) in his empty trailer and drove away with them.
just drove up loaded them and drove off.

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They put ours in customer service and had to show my driver's license to get him back Besides no one would steal our ugly mutt anyways.

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Originally Posted by dell

I hate dogs

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You then more than likely have very few friends and you are shunned by most people!

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Originally Posted by dell

I hate dogs

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Yes we know your sick . Do you hunt or fish just to kill too ?

TD

Guys the issue with not bringing dogs into a store is a Barrie bylaw issue. If you sell food no dogs aloud, Nothing they can do about that

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Originally Posted by GBuck

maybe we just see things differently. I don't understand the need or desire to take a dog into a big box store. Believe it or not there are many people who don't like dogs.

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Clearly we do see things differently and there's nothing wrong with that, its what makes a healthy debate possible. I'm well aware that many people don't like dogs, although in my experience anyone in somewhere like BPS or cabelas that doesn't like dogs seems to be in the vast minority. There are a number of stores that allow dogs in and I take mine with me everywhere I can, it's healthy for the dog and an invaluable tool when socializing them, and I have never had an issue of any kind. But I would never force anyone to allow my dog near them nor would I try and force them onto someone else, I don't expect anyone to interact with my dog if they don't want to and in fact would prefer they didn't unless approached properly (ie. asking for permission first).

The one main thing I see as an advantage with cabelas is that you can have anything shipped there for free, and then pick it up.

I tend to like their brands. I was there the day before the grand opening, and was fairly impressed. They had lots of stock, and despite the amount of people, they were staffed fairly well on all fronts.

The no dogs in store issue? Well here's the thing. Cabelas is an Outdoor Store, catering to fishing, hunting, camping etc. NOT a place exclusively devoted to your hunting activities. It's admirable that you don't want to leave your dog in a hot car. The trouble is a very slippery slope however. If one person is allowed, and their dog is well trained, that's one thing, but that means you can't exclude the guy who walked in from the trailer park with his ill trained cur/pitbull- mutt, that then jumps up on people, chews products on the shelves, or offends someones allergies. This is why most, if not all public places have the rules allowing "service animals only", as these have been confirmed as being trained, and obedient. Cabelas isn't Petsmart. If no dogs is a deal breaker, well I guess they'll probably still do ok.

Went to Cabelas Barrie today and was extremely disappointed. They had very small selection of camo clothing and what they had seemed to be way over price. As well as a tiny fishing department. Just an overall disappointing outting. Ill be sticking with Bass Pro and Sail.

I was in there last weekend a couple had tbeir little dog walking around with them. Guess the girl at the front checking for guns missed it walki g in.lol

not too keen on BPS in Vaugn. I will try the new one in Niagra on the lake once it is open ,see if it is any better.
Will try cabelas on my way north later this month , the one store I do like is Sail ,always found what I want there.
Another store is Dicks in Buffalo,bought a rifled slug barrel with scope for my 870 down there for $145.
Every place I called in norfolk want close to 300

Bass Pro has gotten the lions share of my gear purchases over the last couple years, have run into couple stock issues but I'll tell the staff, they order in for me and call me so I can swing by and pick up, no big deal for me as I'm in the area often for work. Sail is a very scaled down version, limited on clothes, gear, bow hunting equip (crossbow only) etc as compared to BP and Cabelas. Did go to the Cabelas and was quite impressed with store, layout, selection etc, I'm likely to cross check everything between BP and Cabelas now before I make a major purchase. When I walked into the bow area at Cabelas I noticed the gal who used to work at BP was there, way closer to home for her, BP will miss her, she is a very knowledgeable person.

I've been very impressed with Sail, they have all the fishing gear I need always in stock from trout to walleye and the sales people actually know what they are talking about. Maybe not as much hunting clothes as Bass Pro but they still have a very large variety and I've gotten some real good deals there! In some cases much better than Bass pro which after numerous trips there with no sales people to help empty shelves and poor service, I will attend no more. Looking forward to the new store opening in Cambridge. Plus they are Canadian owned.

Going to be checking out Cabelas on our way north camping this week, and maybe swing by BPS on the way home

I find most of the hunting clothes at Cabela's, is their own brand, which has their name sprawled across the entire garment, which drives me nuts.

As for stock at BPS I've skipped the store staff, and e-mailed the manager directly, 2 or 3 times now, to mention that I've driven 7 hours to get there, to find nothing I wanted in stock. He has ordered it from the US and had it shipped to my door for free. Which is nice.

I find SAIL to be limited on what they carry hunting wise, what they do have, seems to be good stuff though, not junk filler, and their prices are far better for the most part then Cab, and BPS.

Cabelas was the same as the other Canadian stores, scaled down versions, with a ton of stuff online order only. But free to order to store.

I will wait to go down again before I give it an overall rating, not fair to judge the store on opening weekend when I was there, lots of product already out of stock from the door crashers.

I was disappointed to see the lack of waders available in store. Only the light fishing ones, no super mags for hunting.