sportsmans vs. cabela's

Let's see; there are a few differences.

Sportsman's is 3 blocks from my house. Cabelas is either 230 miles south, or 280 miles west. Sportsmans is 10% cheaper than Cabelas on anything I have priced. I get $10 off coupons on anything I buy over $50 at Sportsmans. I have to get a Cabelas VISA card to get any benefit there.

Sportsmans has a bevy of good looking local girls, wanting to really help you find what you need, or get it from another store for you. The big "C" will hand you a catalog for anything you can't find.

Cabelas may have a tank full of trout, but a floor full of suckers is their real goal!
 
I have found Cabelas to have a much larger selection, I can shop online and save tax, time and fuel. I really haven't noticed a higher price at Cabelas, in fact I've found them to be lower in price than SW, fwiw...............rf
 
Cabelas hands down. At sportsmans you have to yell to break up the BS session behind the gun counter to get service, the staff isn't trained in their department half the time, you have to give a nut to make a return, the girl's aren't that cute, go to any maverick gas station and you'll find the same quality.

Cabelas has awesome customer service. I have returned many items since they opened, some without reciept, and NEVER had a problem. Selection is better, staff is more helpful, store prices aren't that much different, and I love the bargan cave.

Andy
 
WHEN THE JOKERS AT CABELAS LEARN WHAT A SET OF LEUPOLD DUAL DOVETAIL MOUNTS ARE I MIGHT GO BACK!!!

THE GUY AT SPORTSMANS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE BUT SAID THEY WOULDN'T BE GETTING ANY ANYTIME SOON!!!

SO I GO DOWN TO VanWAGENENS & THE GUY SAYS:HOW MANY DO YOU WANT???

I SAYS A PAIR WILL DO FOR NOW!!!

THAT OLE BOY DOWN THERE HAS ALWAYS TREATED ME RIGHT ON RINGS,MOUNTS & SCOPES & A FEW GUNS ALSO!!!

THE ONLY bobcat THINKING IF YOU'RE GONNA SELL SCOPES YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT MOUNTS ARE ALSO!!!
 
Cabelas - more of an overall "outdoor experience"
Sportsmans - go in, get what you need, get out.

I enjoy both, however if you need powder or a particular bullet, Cabela's seems to be conveniently out of that bullet and you have to wait an hour before someone behind the counter will go get you some H414.

In Sportsmans you can go pick up your powder off the shelf yourself and not feel like you need a guide.

Both are great stores, I guess it just depends on how much time you want to spend in a particular area. If you have "all day", Cabelas', if you need to get your stuff and go reload, Sportsmans'.
 
Don't have either one within 200/1000 miles, but with out a doubt Cabelas is far better for me. I have shopped at Sportsmans and the prices are more when you factor in Tax and driving. Nothing great in the "know" department at Sportsmans, and some have not clue. Expect the same at Cabela's store but never shopped at one. Cabelas has the best customer service I have every encountered with any store, company, etc.. Hot chicks are nice to look at, but give me a ugly one if she has the information I'm looking for. Now how about a hot one with knowlege...please oh please...for by birthday!
 
AND ONE MORE THING!!!

I ASKED THE GUY AT CABELAS IF THEY HAD A COUPLE OF HI-CAPACITY DRUM CLIPS FOR MY RUGER!!!

THE GUY SAYS:THEY DON'T MAKE THEM & WHY WOULD YOU WANT ONE???

I WENT TO THE GUN SHOW AT SOUTH TOWNE YESTERDAY & BOUGHT 2 DRUM CLIPS FOR MY RUGER!!!

THE ONLY bobcat KNOWING WHAT I WANT,ITS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS WHY I WANT THEM!!!
 
Last week I was looking for a stainless .243 win TC encore barrel. I tried all weekend to get one on e-bay but luckily I kept getting out bid. Monday I ran down to Sportsman?s in Ogden. They had a 24"BBL stainless for $219. That is about $40 bucks cheaper than cabelas. I enjoy taking the kids to cabelas but I sure wont pass up checking into sportsman?s when I need something.
 
I agree that Cabela's may be higher in price on some things but I buy there anyway for the peace of mind that if I don't like it I can take it back with no questions asked. I have tried to take boots back to Sportsmans that leaked within a couple of months of purchase and they wouldn't do it. They refered me out to the manufacturer which referred me back to SW. What a pain. I will go there for a quick box of shells or a call but for anything that cost more than 50$ I spend my money at Cabela's. As far as getting $10 off coupons. I get the one's that you don't have to spend a certain amount of money to redeem but I also get the $20 off coupons. Customer service is a whole lot better at Cabela's too. IMO.


It's always an adventure!!!
 
I can and do shop at both...nuf said?

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This is my post

I've just pissed in my pants.......and nobody can do anything about it.
 
Took my Hoyt bow into Sportsmens once to get new strings and cables. The guy behind counter took the bow and started writing down the cable and string lengths. He started lookin at it real funny, turning it sideways and upside . Then he says, "Dand gum, boy you gots three cables on this here bow. Never seen that before. I don't think we can help ya." I said, turn around and look on the rack behind your head, bubba. He turns and there is the EXACT same bow, for sale. And this guy was the manager of the archery department. The Hoyt bows with Cam-1/2 have two cables and a string.
 
Have to agree with the bobcat guy, and usually get ten times the service and knowlege at a local shop!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Sportsmans has a great fishing selection and decent hunting selection. The customer service at the Riverdale optics and guns is absolutely horrible. My wife stood by the counter to ask for some help about her GPS. The just stood there and ignored her. I wish they would fire the majority of the "punk kids' that work in there. They do not know how to work and are about as arrogant as they come.

Yeah, I know I am a little harsh. But I have had bad experiences over and over. I am going to try to do more shopping online.

I have never in my life sent a formal written complaint in my life; except once, to Sportsmans. First off, it took several days to get a response. And, it was sent to the IF store. Then about 1 week or 2 later I get an apology. I guess its better than nothing.

Bess is right, I need to support the local guy more.
 
Cabelas is all for show. Sportsmans is cheaper. Everything I have needed lately has been cheaper at sportsmans. Cabelas has got to have the most stuck up pricks at the gun counter. I have been there 4 times with cash in the pocket to get a gun, Still yet to be waited on. Oh well I guess they dont need my money. Good place to look around in but my money gets spent at Sportsmans.
 
As has been stated already, the best service is usually always at your local shop. Any given Sportsmans WH or Cabelas could have a staff that is either ignorant, rude or both. They can also have a workforce who are managed properly which creates a good atmosphere. The fact that these stores are getting more competitive (and numerous) hopefully will benefit us in the form of lower prices. I don't think local stores will ever be beat for best service. Black Sheep Sporting Goods in Coeur D'Alene has always been A+ in that catagory.
 
The installation guru at Sportsmas mounted a 1x Nikon scope on my daughter-inlaw's Omega. The windage adjustment control was on the top, the elevation was on the left side. Great job. He also told her she could not have low mounts because she couldn't ##### the hammer. Took the mounts back and we re-installed the scope ourselves, with mounts that fit her eye level. We should have done it ourselves in the first place.
 
"Black Sheep Sporting Goods in Coeur D'Alene has always been A+ in that catagory. "
I really like those guys in lewiston, id. great store
we may have both sportsmans and cabela's in the same town here in western wa soon. haven't heard any dirt yet, but sportsmans is already there and cabela's was/is rumored to be coming.
i had a great time my first trip to sportsmans last week. cool store, good selection.
never been to a cabelas
 
I shop at both of them and prefer to go to Sportsman's it's just quicker for me. But if I'm making a big purchase I always consider the Cabela's warranty. They both will continue to get my $$ but the service at both stores could improve. That has more to do with what employee you're dealing with because i've had great service at both stores at times.
 
Ya know, I have to agree with bobsack. That guy at Vanwagenens is great. I have bought several scopes , a handgun , and accessories from him and he knows his shiz. His price on my xd 40 was $85 below sportsmans and cabelas.

Andy
 
Have you ever noticed how crappy the ammo section is at Cabelas in Lehi? I'm not talking about obscure rounds either --12 guage and 270. I like Sportsmans for ammo.

In general I find the service at both places quite hit or miss. Its a rare salesman who can speak to the generalist and the specialist. Its either a dofus who doesn't know enough about what he is talking about or a specialist trying to convince you on some product with a googlifonic system that makes no sense.

I guarantee these places would sell more if they would train their people a little more. I think they should spend more time with manufacturers reps.
 
I like Sportsmans cause it is right by my house and has some good stuff and some good looking women..When i cant find something at Sportsmans, I can always turn to Cabelas...Rumor has it they are building a Cabelas in Albuquerque, New Mexico..Cant wait..haha
 
Hey Bobcatbess, love the posts but is it possible to get you to hit your "capslock" key, it looks like your yelling all the time;^).................rf
 
we just got a new sportsman store here in town and I have a hard time staying away from the store myself but i have found that their return policy is lousy and if you find something you like you better buy it now otherwise if it sells out it wont get restocked anytime soon and as far as prices go just check out rivers west backcountry pants and coat I just had to order from cabelas not only because they were cheaper but because sportsman would not restock, I waited for 4 months. same results with a sleeping bag,ammunition,etc.
 
huntnphool!!!

A FEW YEARS BACK I GET MY FIRST PUTER!!!

IT HAD A CAPS LOCK PROBLEM!!!

SHE FINNALY BLOWED!!!

I GET ANOTHER PUTER!!!

JUST AS WORTHLESS AS THE FIRST ONE!!!

CAPS LOCK LOCKED UP ON ME & SHE BLEW!!!

LAST YEAR I GET ANOTHER NEW PUTER!!!

RIGHT OUT OF THE FRICKEN BOX THE CAPS LOCK WAS LOCKED!!!

I'M ALMOST TO BLOW THIS PUTER UP!!!

WITH A .50 THIS TIME!!!

THE ONLY bobcat!!!
 
Walked up to the gun counter at Cabelas and ask the guy if he had any Ruger Gold Label shot guns. Guy looked at me and said "never heard of them" and walked off. I've never been back.

RUS
 
Bobcat, LOL!!!!!! No worries man, I don't have a .50BMG but I have a 408 Chey-Tac you can borrow for a shot, it will only need one;^)..................rf
 

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