View on Cabela's

Wizard · August 01, 2018, 08:23:24 PM

My brother-in-law wanted to visit Cabela's Gun Library so I tagged along. I really wanted to see if Cabela's had changed since being bought by BPS. The Cabela's near St. Louis is only 6 miles from BPS, in a dying mall and I suspect will close soon.
One thing I noticed right away was the number of workers on the floor to help customers. The people were also very knowledgeable of the department and products sold. I can't say that about BPS. The products were displayed much better and if you need different size or the product appeared out of stock, they checked the warehouse for you. All to the good for Cabela's. In almost every department, Cabela's did a better job than BPS. Where Cabela's flat out beat BPS was in Shooting and Hunting areas. The Gun Library is the best in the business and everything from hanguns to rifles to shotguns to ammo were much larger areas than BPS. The only area where BPS excelled was with their BPS brand of fishing gear.
Now, when I was still buying fishing gear, I would visit both stores. On most things, Cabela's was less expensive. Since Cabela's purchase, Cabela's prices have increased to match BPS. At least for now, you still have another choice to BPS.

Wizard

D.W. Verts · August 01, 2018, 10:41:43 PM

Very interesting. I still miss the old Outlet Store in the Brown Derby building (the ORIGINAL Bass Pro Shops) in Springfield. That's where the good deals could be found.

Thanks Wizard.

Canesfan · August 02, 2018, 07:17:21 AM

I'm not a big gun person but my wife and I both got our concealed/carry licenses so will be eventually purchasing. Have been to several local gun shops and noticed BPS is substantially more expensive. Have a neighbor who is a LEO and he said that when we're ready, he'll take us to his place where he goes and get us his LEO discount.

Stren_g · August 02, 2018, 08:12:47 AM

If you're looking for firearms and/or hunting equipment Cabelas seems to be the better "big box" store. I shop as local as possible for those items when I can. To me Bass Pro just has this overly commercialized feel to it. What sucks is unless you're close to big water the big stores and Walmart are about the only in person options for shopping. In that aspect... thank you internet!

LgMouthGambler · August 02, 2018, 08:26:46 AM

Cabelas for hunting

BPS for fishing (sometimes, because some of the employees in that dept have not a clue about anything. I think Ive helped more customers in there than they have.

)

Wizard · August 02, 2018, 08:40:17 AM

I made regular visits to the original BPS. At one time, I bought baits from the back of John's truck. He is a self made man for sure.

Wizard

Pacific NW Ron · August 02, 2018, 09:39:34 AM

I can't contribute much to this thread as I haven't been in a BPS in probably 20 years, in a cabelas maybe once and walmart maybe twice in that 20 years. Maybe someday I'll get back inside one of them.

the_huber_show · August 02, 2018, 10:30:27 AM

Thanks for the review Wizzard. I have been wanting to stop by Cabelas but last time I went by BPS I didn't have time to go there also. I will have to soon

loomisguy · August 02, 2018, 11:35:40 AM

BPS is better than Cabelas on the fishing side. In the ST. Louis area I like Dunn's better than either of the other 2.

the_huber_show · August 02, 2018, 12:57:36 PM

Dunn's is my go to spot

It's like 5 miles from my house

bassmanstan · August 02, 2018, 01:57:18 PM

Cabelas is 10 min from my house, I haven't really seen any changes at the store since the merge, I've never really shopped bps, so I can't make a comparison between the two.

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weedwhacker · August 02, 2018, 06:55:32 PM

I live 5 minutes from the Kansas City, Kansas Cabelas and 15 minutes from the Olathe, Kansas Bass Pro Shops. lately Cabelas has a better selection of hunting gear and Bass Pro Shops has a better selection of fishing gear. They both seem expensive.
Cabelas used to be a Big Ranger and Lowe Boat dealer. since the buyout they quit selling Lowes .
they also now only carry Mercury motors.
seems weird to see Trackers and Nitros on the Cabelas floor.

In regards to buying a gun, you can almost always get a better deal at a private gun dealer,.
Plus they actually have knowledge on the guns they are selling.
Right behind Cabelas, here in Kansas City Kansas, we have Frontier Justice, they have a huge selection of handguns, with good prices and Knowledgeable salesmen. They also have a good online store.

Oldfart9999 · August 03, 2018, 07:19:24 AM

Cabela's is an hour west, BPS is an hour east, the Cabela's sucked, empty shelves, little to no help, the power shop, boats, atvs etc was nothing. The BPS is a small store but is normally very well stocked, if the person that is helping you doesn't know he/she will get someone that does know, help is friendly and they tend to steer you to deals. I don't even have a good place near me, Dicks, has several stores 15 or so minutes, but little in the way of fishing and less in help. The Field & Stream is better but still small plus they gear toward hunting and some camping and cloths.
I've always had good service at BPS whether it's been on-line or in store, I buy during sales so that's why I go there.
Rodney