Bass Pro Shop to buy Cabelas?

[huntaholic123]

Found some articles saying Bass Pro Shop is looking at possibly buying out Cabelas. Anyone else heard anything on this? Seems like a monopoly in the making if it's true.

 

[elkyinzer]

Yes, it's been reported that BPS is in the exploratory stages of buying Cabela's.

I am not a fan of either company and support smaller businesses whenever possible. Anymore I only buy some limited fishing tackle from Cabela's because I like their offerings. The last time I actually went to my local Cabela's in Wheeling, there were Duck Dynasty displays as far as the eye could see and I turned around and walked out.

I wouldn't be too worried about a monopoly, my hope would be that there are enough players in the retail space that they aren't going to be able to strong arm manufacturers (any more than they currently do). Dick's, Sportsman's Warehouse, even Walmart etc. will continue to be competitive on the national scale.

Regional/niche designers and manufacturers, which applies to most of the gear companies discussed here (ex. Kifaru, Exo, etc), will continue to offer their products direct to consumer or through smaller retailers. Further, I would venture to guess that the average consumer that purchases from the niche/smaller companies is spending more per year on gear than the average consumer that shops only at BPS/Cabela's. In other words I think that the core customer of BPS and Cabela's is Joe six-pack buying a coat and box of shells the weekend before the season, so does it really matter that they don't appeal to the much lower population of gear junkies - no - they are simply marketing to the masses and doing so effectively enough to spin a profit hawking mostly junk these days.

 

[Shrek]

Yes, it's been reported that BPS is in the exploratory stages of buying Cabela's.

I am not a fan of either company and support smaller businesses whenever possible. Anymore I only buy some limited fishing tackle from Cabela's because I like their offerings. The last time I actually went to my local Cabela's in Wheeling, there were Duck Dynasty displays as far as the eye could see and I turned around and walked out.

I wouldn't be too worried about a monopoly, my hope would be that there are enough players in the retail space that they aren't going to be able to strong arm manufacturers (any more than they currently do). Dick's, Sportsman's Warehouse, even Walmart etc. will continue to be competitive on the national scale.

Regional/niche designers and manufacturers, which applies to most of the gear companies discussed here (ex. Kifaru, Exo, etc), will continue to offer their products direct to consumer or through smaller retailers. Further, I would venture to guess that the average consumer that purchases from the niche/smaller companies is spending more per year on gear than the average consumer that shops only at BPS/Cabela's. In other words I think that the core customer of BPS and Cabela's is Joe six-pack buying a coat and box of shells the weekend before the season, so does it really matter that they don't appeal to the much lower population of gear junkies - no - they are simply marketing to the masses and doing so effectively enough to spin a profit hawking mostly junk these days.

That about sums it up. If the whole lot of the big box hunting and fishing junk dealers were gone tomorrow there's nothing I'd miss in the least. I went to a Cabelas for the first time in many years this fall when I broke my trekking pole while hunting. I walked the place for a solid hour and couldn't find anything I really wanted to buy and bought a set of poles because I had to have some right then to go back hunting.

 

[Bulldawg]

Found some articles saying Bass Pro Shop is looking at possibly buying out Cabelas. Anyone else heard anything on this? Seems like a monopoly in the making if it's true.

It's not true

 

[Dos Perros]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...a-share-or-more-in-buyout?cmpid=yhoo.headline

 

[COlineman78]

I doubt this will actually go through. I don't see how it would truly benefit them financially to buy a failing business when they aren't really doing all that great themselves. The retail model is changing and online businesses are becoming king, mostly due to the low overhead and sales tax mess that gives companies with smaller footprints a major advantage. Clothing and footwear is just about the only thing that still thrives in retail due to the ability to try things on, but just about everything else is dying. So I wouldn't worry about a monopoly. I do occasionally shop Cabela's for their clothing mainly due to availability of tall sizes. I also do occasionally stop by to look at fishing stuff because sometimes the sizes are hard to judge online and some companies have non-descriptive size numbers (snap swivels, hooks, reels, etc.)

 

[rileybassman]

I work about 5 minutes away from cabelas, and would be pretty sad if they go bought out as I go there almost every week on a lunch break. I I don't buy everything there, but they have good warranties/return policies and generally good people working there... my wife bought a used savage 116 Left Hand 30-06 in almost brand new condition for $325... so there are deals to be had if you hit em at the right time.

Hope it doesn't pan out.

 

[welpro222]

Funny thing is the Cabelas in Marysville, WA is right next store to a Walmart Supercenter. Cabelas parking lot is way more packed then walmarts. I support local business, small online vendors and buy second hand when possible. Cabelas is over priced on most things, with a few OK sales on some stuff.

 

[HookUp]

Cabelas is really fun to walk through and shop at. I look at everything and buy it cheaper else wear. Cabelas is also getting good at knocking off all the original products and clothing putting their own label on them. Really doesn't seem to be panning out for them. I read there clothing lines sales have tanked. I think most people want to wear the bands they trust, not wanting the name of their favorite outdoor store plastered all over their shirts, coffee mugs, seat covers etc.

 

[COlineman78]

Cabelas is also getting good at knocking off all the original products and clothing putting their own label on them.

This is not the first time I've heard this and could someone please tell me who they are rebranding so I have some other options for tall clothing? LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, Columbia and Cabela's are the only companies that I know of that reliably make tall sizes.

 

[welpro222]

The thing that bugged me the most, was how much the Cabelas brand stuff cost. My bro inlaw bought the big alaskan hunting pack/frame for $369. I mean come on, its made in china, what did it cost Cabelas? $50. The cabelas brand hunting cloth are kind of a hit and miss. $199 for a packable rain jacket, thats not really even water proof.

 

[edg1967]

I can't remember if I read it here or in the business pages of the paper, but the most profitable part of Cabela's over the past couple years has been the credit card portion and they are shopping that out to sell so they can focus on retail. The article stated that the CC division has been showing profit while the retail has been showing declining figures.

 

[colonel00]

I go to my Cabela's maybe once a week or once every two weeks as it's only 15 minutes from me. However, usually we just view it as a chance to "window shop" and we check out the bargain cave. They are overpriced but what retail store isn't. It's the same as any electronics store or whatever else. The other day I went to Cabela's because that is the easiest place I can find ammo I want so I do buy that there. While out we stopped by Nebraska Furniture Mart (a gigantic furniture store for those that don't know) and I was checking out a camera I wanted to buy my dad. After looking the camera over I came home and bought it online for over a hundred dollars cheaper. Retail stores exist for people who are lazy or have money to burn and don't care about looking for a better deal. Some would rather buy locally and have an easier return avenue. Granted, as mentioned, both of these stores still have a niche because you really need to see clothing and furniture in person to really make a decision. All that said, I would hate to see Cabela's or BPS go away because it is nice to be able to wander around and see things in person.

 

[dotman]

I have started getting items I need fast at Scheels, helps that it is only a few mins from my house but it is even more expensive then Cabelas and BPS.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

...Retail stores exist for people who are lazy or have money to burn and don't care about looking for a better deal.....

Among other things they exist for those that prefer to have human interaction, for someone knowledgeable to answer questions for you, for immediate sales (no ship times), and for support after the sale.
I find it more than off putting that people will use these services, come to a conclusion that the product is something they want based on those services, and then purchase it from someone else who did not help them reach that conclusion because the price is less. Of course the price is less, they don't offer the services you just used. Why use the service if you aren't going to pay the price?

 

[Shrek]

Among other things they exist for those that prefer to have human interaction, for someone knowledgeable to answer questions for you, for immediate sales (no ship times), and for support after the sale.
I find it more than off putting that people will use these services, come to a conclusion that the product is something they want based on those services, and then purchase it from someone else who did not help them reach that conclusion because the price is less. Of course the price is less, they don't offer the services you just used. Why use the service if you aren't going to pay the price?

I agree ! I buy almost everything online but I don't go shop at a local store and then order what I looked at. Besides , the savings in gas and time more than pays for the items I return. I shop online while I wait in lines at work so I'm paying myself to shop

 

[jmez]

It is kind of ironic that they started out and built an empire based on a mail order business. They then branched out to storefronts and now the retail model has returned to the internet mail order business. Had they stuck to their roots they would likely be in much better shape.

The generation Y and younger don't have any interest in going to a store to shop. They want to do a Google search, find the cheapest price and hit submit order. That isn't going to change. They do all or their communication electronically and have absolutely no interest in human interaction.

 

[Dos Perros]

The problem with Cabela's is they don't really have the best gear. They focus on the price-point type products, not specialty items.

You can't buy a Neoair Xlite or Xtherm there. Can't buy a good down sleeping bag. Doubt you can buy a top quality pack or backpacking tent. I went into the KCK this fall and couldn't buy a single elk call, not one! They do have Sitka, that is nice. They don't have specialty ammo like 6.5 Grendel. For a time they didn't even have 6.5 Creedmoor. They don't have good boots there. They don't carry some very popular bow brands. They rarely carry size medium of anything. The list goes on. Every few months I get the urge to go in there and pick up something, and most times I walk out empty handed because they just don't have it.

 

[warrior80]

These stores can't be doing too poorly or they wouldn't continue to build new stores. Here in northern Utah Cabelas is building a new store that is less than an hour away from the other store. Sportsmans Warehouse has recently built 3 stores here with another one coming in March. Throw in the Scheels that is in between the two Cabelas stores and the other 3 Sportsmans stores that have been here for a while. I agree that they are all overpriced, but sometimes they'll have good deals/sales. I know for sure that Scheels and Sportsmans both price match and I believe Cabelas does as well although not sure if they'll do online price match. They are all usually pretty busy though, even on weekdays.

 

[KHNC]

Well, I can flat tell you that Dunham`s sucks. They built one in my hometown. Absolutely impossible to get anyone to help you as they have near zero staff. The store is always empty ,even at Christmas. No need to fight the crowds tho. If you can find what you are looking for the prices is usually good. Just don't expect the service you will get at BPS or Cabelas.