The Great Cabelas vs. BPS debate / Some venting

[klums]

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 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.

[TurkeyRookie]

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

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

[stilchen67]

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.

[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

[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.

[topher]

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

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

[jaycee]

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.

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 .

[TurkeyRookie]

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 .

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.

[TPM]

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.

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?

[SongDog]

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.