Cabela's vs. Sportsmans Warehouse???? - Page 2

LiveToShoot · 11-26-2007, 12:56 PM

I used to have Cabela's fever, then Sportsman's fever...both of their inventories are outstanding. Then I learned that many Sportsman's employee recommendations are often prompted by the bonus prizes they'll win from vendors for selling so many of a particular item. Can't trust a product recommendation based on that motivator. While Sportsman's prices are the best in this area, aside from Wally-World having a good deal now and again, I'm trying to find good deals at locally-owned sporting goods shops.

troy2000 · 11-26-2007, 04:34 PM

Has anyone tried Turner's Outdoorsman? They're a chain of somewhere over a dozen stores here in Southern California, and were very reliable for years (at least in my experience). Good selection of guns, ammo and accessories; decent stock of fishing, camping and all-around outdoor stuff; decent prices. There always seemed to be at least one grizzled old veteran working who could answer questions if the noobie clerk you were dealing with couldn't.

They changed hands recently, and if the two near my house are representative I'm sadly disappointed in them. It looks like they're gutting their inventory. Instead of being the place to go when you couldn't find what you needed elsewhere, it looks like they've gone to a convenience-store mentality and are only going to carry the things that move fast. Their shelves were half-empty the last time I was in there.

Palladin8 · 11-26-2007, 05:06 PM

I have shopped at all three. I have better all around service at Sportsman in the past but recently I went upto the one in St George UT and the guy behind the counter didn't know what he was talking about. I asked him if they had a Thompson Center Encore rifle and he told me that Thompson only made the rifles in black powder. All I could do is laugh and ask to speak to another salesman. I have had similar experiences in both Cabela's and Bass Pro shops. They could be working in the gun dept one day and shoes the next. I prefer to goto local gun stores where I know the person behind the counter for the most part knows what they are talking about.

HandsomeRob · 11-26-2007, 05:13 PM

Haven't heard of that store. I wish there were more stores nationally. Like we get commercials for Sonic fast food. But the closest is in Iowa there isn't one in my state or the state(MN) that my channels come from. No Carl JR, jack in the box, checkers, Chik-fil-a, either. To be honest I originally thought Sportsman's Warehouse was just a local store.

LiveToShoot · 11-26-2007, 05:48 PM

Here's a Sportsman's Warehouse store locater link. There are at least three SW stores in MN and three in WI. I've shopped at the ones in Coon Rapids and St Cloud, MN and the one in Ankeny, IA and received great service. Sportsman's Warehouse - America's Premier OutfitterT

11-26-2007, 12:56 PM	#21
LiveToShoot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 2,071	I used to have Cabela's fever, then Sportsman's fever...both of their inventories are outstanding. Then I learned that many Sportsman's employee recommendations are often prompted by the bonus prizes they'll win from vendors for selling so many of a particular item. Can't trust a product recommendation based on that motivator. While Sportsman's prices are the best in this area, aside from Wally-World having a good deal now and again, I'm trying to find good deals at locally-owned sporting goods shops. __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown Last edited by LiveToShoot; 11-26-2007 at 12:56 PM. Reason: More info...

11-26-2007, 04:34 PM	#22
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 9,475 Images: 9	Has anyone tried Turner's Outdoorsman? They're a chain of somewhere over a dozen stores here in Southern California, and were very reliable for years (at least in my experience). Good selection of guns, ammo and accessories; decent stock of fishing, camping and all-around outdoor stuff; decent prices. There always seemed to be at least one grizzled old veteran working who could answer questions if the noobie clerk you were dealing with couldn't. They changed hands recently, and if the two near my house are representative I'm sadly disappointed in them. It looks like they're gutting their inventory. Instead of being the place to go when you couldn't find what you needed elsewhere, it looks like they've gone to a convenience-store mentality and are only going to carry the things that move fast. Their shelves were half-empty the last time I was in there. __________________ If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. -Anatole France

11-26-2007, 05:06 PM	#23
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 405	Sportsman, Cabelas, and bass pro shops I have shopped at all three. I have better all around service at Sportsman in the past but recently I went upto the one in St George UT and the guy behind the counter didn't know what he was talking about. I asked him if they had a Thompson Center Encore rifle and he told me that Thompson only made the rifles in black powder. All I could do is laugh and ask to speak to another salesman. I have had similar experiences in both Cabela's and Bass Pro shops. They could be working in the gun dept one day and shoes the next. I prefer to goto local gun stores where I know the person behind the counter for the most part knows what they are talking about.

11-26-2007, 05:48 PM	#25
LiveToShoot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 2,071	Here's a Sportsman's Warehouse store locater link. There are at least three SW stores in MN and three in WI. I've shopped at the ones in Coon Rapids and St Cloud, MN and the one in Ankeny, IA and received great service. Sportsman's Warehouse - America's Premier OutfitterT __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown Last edited by LiveToShoot; 11-26-2007 at 05:54 PM.

11-26-2007, 05:13 PM	#24
HandsomeRob Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 170	Haven't heard of that store. I wish there were more stores nationally. Like we get commercials for Sonic fast food. But the closest is in Iowa there isn't one in my state or the state(MN) that my channels come from. No Carl JR, jack in the box, checkers, Chik-fil-a, either. To be honest I originally thought Sportsman's Warehouse was just a local store.