If you build it they will come?

[songdog]

So if there was a mini Cabela's in the SoCal area that provided:

90% of the stuff that you see in a Cabela's catalog but in person so you can try it on, touch it, feel it, look through it, etc.

Extensive firearms inventory including the stuff that you can't get at Turner's (Dakota, Cooper, more than one Ruger or four Winchesters).

Casting pond out back to try that fly rod on water before buying it (yes, with fish in it).

Plenty of atmosphere with mounts, fish tanks, etc.

Guy sitting behind a bench tying custom flies at your request.

Full archery shop with guys who know what they're doing and don't have an attitude to help you pick out a bow and shoot it indoors at 3D targets.

An observation deck on top of the store where you can test optics further than the 40 feet through the window in the front of the store like we do now.

Hunting/fishing resource desk with maps and some travel help for affordable in and out of state hunts and fishing trips.

Of course, with everything in stock (even spoonie decoys) so you can get it and use it right away rather than waiting 4 weeks for Turner's to order it.

Everyone working there is an outdoorsman with in field experience not just someone with a pair of boots and an attitude and twelve opinions.

An education/classroom center in the back for hunter saftey courses, intro to varmint calling, etc. classes.

So would you do your part to support this kind of place and keep it in business? ###How far would you drive?

[Whoadog]

###You have me salivating and I live in Northern CA.

Brian

[Speckmisser]

I've even considered including the main Cabelas in a hunting/outdoors vacation and it's way the heck out in Nebraska. ###Man, I'd drive to SoCal from the Bay Area at least twice a year to walk through a "live" Cabelas catalog.

Hell, over the years I've practically paid for it anyway, they would have to name it after me.

[hronk]

I would actually drive the 300 miles to LA (if that's where you are talking about) and sneak onto the Freeways (after downing a bottle of downers) and frolick thru the aisles (maybe even buy something) before getting the .... out of town. ###Remember, this is the guy that didn't even go to a relatives wedding since it was in LA (LA being anything south or west of Lancaster).....hronk ###

[EVAN III]

if they put a cabelas in so cal i would not have a pay check at the end of the week, i would just sign it over. really though, i was working for ###the ontario mills mall(in ontario , ca.) about 4 years ago and bass pro shops were biding on an open pad there. well to make a long story short, they were out bid by some yuppie music shop,you know instraments. if only people knew how close we were to getting a real outdoors shop. well maybe next time. and hey any one know what happened to gander mountain?

happy hunting

[MNHNTR]

I already drive to North Hollywood from San Dimas to go to B & B sales so I would drive at least 30 -50 miles.

[Qbn Hunter]

If they open a Cabelas in So. Cal. Turner's will go out of business, as well they should. The staff of Turner's don't know sh@#. I think we should start e-mailing Cabelas to look into the posibility. If they do open a store in So. Cal I am going to direct deposit my check right to Cabelas.

[grtwythunter]

Who needs Britney pics with the thought of one of these babies opening within a days drive!!!!!! ###Anyone know a good lawyer, because if it ever happens I'll probably need one. ### ### ###Scott

[songdog]

Ok, so we'd all like a Cabela's retail store in our back yard but what's the biggest draw of it?

Everything in stock?

Browse for hours and hours?

Knowledgable sales people?

Atmosphere - mounts, fish tanks, wild game cafe, etc.?

All of the above?

Most of their stores are almost 100,000 sq ft and employ a small town. ###I'm just wondering how much of that is what we all want or is it just a bigger, better Turner's without the bozo sales people?

[grtwythunter]

All of the above!!! ### ### Scott

[feelinducky]

I would hope they put it in N. Cal since I'm moving back there in December. ###I would have a hard time driving from Sac to LA to check out Cabela's but if I were ever down here for anything I would definately make a special trip to go there. ###I agree with all the other posts about Turners.. I was there yesterday looking at new shotguns and the guy behind the counter couldn't tell me much about any of them. ###So to answer Songdog my biggest draw would be Knowledgable sales people, and being able to actually see the products and wear it before I buy it

[karstic]

If I ever win the Lottery, yeah right.

Knowledgable sales people-thats the hardest thing about shopping from a catalog, no first hand advice.

Everything in stock- That's the problem with the stores we have now. Little selection to compare,try on, etc. and then it's not in stock if they do carry it.

Browse for hours and hours-Yeah, but from above you need something to browse for hours and hours.

Atmosphere - mounts, fish tanks, wild game cafe, etc. Yeah some of the stores I've seen look like a garage or warehouse. Half the time you can't find a price or correct price for that matter, things disorganized etc.

I think friendly/helpful salespeople are a definite plus. Many times I have gone into gun/fishing shops and have gotten the cold shoulder because I'm not a regular or someone with 20 years hunting/fishing experience.

I'm relatively new to hunting (this is my second season) and I think the owners of these shops should go out of their way to cater to my needs. If I have a few good first visits I'll be a customer for life.

Another thing that I think store owners need to work on, and I am making some broad generalizations here, is that the people behind the counter need to be a little more sensative, tactfull, PC, I'm not sure what word or phrase to use here, of their customers, we come from all walks of life, and if we want to encourage and foster the hunting sports we need to in some cases or some degree drop the good ole boy attitude.

I've probably scrapped a few nerves here, but take into consideration what I've said before you flame me to hard. I don't come from a hunting background, my dad and grandparents were immigrants to this country. I am the only person who hunts in my family so my views are formed from my experiences with people involved with the sport, like hunters I meet in the field, posters to this board, shopowners, members of QU, CWA, etc.

[tinner]

i know cabellas is an all encompassing outdoor store but if it is fishing you want it is in chino ca. a little shop owned by a fella named gary kimura. he has the knowledge, quite a complete stock and custom makes rods and reels. fresh or saltwater and anything in between. kimuras tackle. chino is just south of pomona on the 71 expressway.

[huntducks]

Having lived in Joplin MO. for 4 months last year which got me 70 miles from bass pro shop, which also had me parting with several hundred dollars on each trip there, just going inside BPS is a adventure in itself seeing ponds full of 10lb trout with ducks sitting on them, watching pheasents walk around in a setting, and there bass tank with 18lbs fish is something, having a wall full of duck calls to chose from along with most every scope made.

If any of you head east on I-44 I would not pass Springfield Mo. without stoping in and plan on spending at least 4-5hrs there, then go to Lamberts for dinner.

I have also been in both Cabels in Kerney & Sidney and both are worth a stop the Sidney store is much bigger and has all the mounts and tanks.

I would jump for joy if either opened a store any where in Ca. Turners is OK at Best I only buy sale stuff from them, if I need reloading stuff I either go to B & B down by the beach or Fowlers in Tustin.

MNHNTR do you live in SD? if so where, I also live there.

[songdog]

I'm happy to collect any messages posted and make a case to Cabela's for a SoCal retail store. ###I know a couple of folks there and some "friends or friends of friends" that know Dick Cabela. ###

Put your two cents in and specifically why you would want one here in SoCal. ###If they pass on it, it might make an interesting case for just a large independent outdoors sporting goods store not affiliated with Cabela's/BPS. ###I've personally built several technology companies... how different can retail be? ###Heck, I know a lot more about hunting than I do about computers anyway.

[troll]

You could always move to Michigan near the flagship store. :moon:

[songdog]

Yeah, but we don't have to shovel our driveways in the middle of the night or use 20mm cannons to defend from the mosquitos here in SoCal :wink-yellow:

--Songdog (originally from Chicago)

[Brian S]

### I worked at turners a couple of years ago for a couple extra bucks and for kicks. I only did it for 3 months during nights and weekends . I think the biggest problem is that there is no training what so ever on the different guns or loads. Its all prior experience and if you only work there you don't make enough to hunt and fish and if you have a day job you don't have time.
###I would love a cabelas or bass pro shop out here I buy from both regularly. But they also have to compete with the turners and big fives of the world and when you add the cost of all those wonderfull extras we want in a store and all the knowledgable sales staff its gonna cost.
### If anybody could compete I'm sure Cabelas and BPS could, that combined with the 33 million people in California they ought to be able to make a few bucks.
Brian S

[Speckmisser]

Wow, what would I like best about it?

Knowledgeable sales people is a big one. Even with the phone support, the people at Cabelas either know the answer, or they can get you in touch with a "technician" PDQ. ###Haven't steered me wrong yet. ###

Being able to touch the stuff, and try some things on is a big plus, too. ###Hunting boots, for example, and some of the clothing... I always hate the guessing, and then the waiting for it to arrive, then finding it the wrong size and returning it and waiting for the replacement, and so on.

That's probably the last biggest reason... to have that kind of variety right there where you can walk in, pay for it, and walk back out with your prize. ###No waiting for FedEx or UPS, especially when you've ordered a case of Tungsten goose loads a week and a half before the season ends and you've got reservations for Sac on closing weekend and you know it's on the way but it's not here yet and finally it's Friday, time to go, and no shotshells, and you find them on your chair Sunday evening when you get home... ###and find out you missed the deliveryman by an hour! ###

Plus, heck, it's Cabelas! ###Hunters' diedandgonetoheaven store! ###I'll start playing the lottery again!

[foulshot]

Last time I was in Colorado Springs, heck everytime I'm in the Springs,I make the trip to Cabelas in Sydney, NE. ###I have been to BPS in Mo also, but for my buck Cabelas outdoes them. ###As I entered the driveway to the store there is a pond out front. At the time it was frozen over and had about 40 Canada Geese sittin on it. ###Then you walk in the front door and my jaw just about hit the floor. ###The gun selections alone was incredible. ###Rows and rows of everything a good, or bad, hunter needs, doesn't need or can't live without. ###Every guy behind the counter really knows his stuff. ###The experience is one I look forward to everytime I go back to Colorado. ###It is a day out of my vacation, but worth every second. ###If there's a petition to sign to get them in California, youv'e got my signature!

[paulc]

key point is knowledgeable sales people.. you cant pay good sales people minimum wage plus with the overhead everything will cost more...if we do what has happened the last 15yrs in retail where the guy with the specialized inventory goes out of business because the walmart,costco, homedepot have put him out of business. this would apply to cabelas coming out here because we would have to pay 30% more for an item than what walmart has it for .. will you do it??? knowing that you can buy it 30 - 40% cheaper somwhere else... some folks would just go there to touch and feel and then buy it out of a catalog cheaper... ###
with that said i bet they could make a go of it out here if they can staff it with quality people.

[karstic]

I would pay extra and have paid extra at the mom and pop stores because I am sick and tired of crappy service alond with idiotic policies at wally world and blowmart.

[sportyg]

Cabelas and or Bass Pro Shop in S Cal would nothing short of awesome !!!! Need I say more!! :toast-yellow:

[Thonzberry]

songgod you made my mouth water, (slober slober )LOL. That would be saaawwwwweeeeeeettt.:dancinred::bounce-green::bounce-red-fire::smiley-thumbs-up::7-bouncin::party-whistle:

[Hntrjohn]

I think it would make more sense to build one in Northern CA. Somewere between Fresno and Sacramento.

John

[Thonzberry]

If they do biuld in California I'll just move next door!!!!:dancinred:

[coyotehunter 1]

Song Dog, Calliefornia is a little far away for me to ride the ol' mule. :laffin-yellow: A store like that is a great idea, if it was close to me you would have to run me out every day at closing time or issue me a camping permit. Hehehe! Then again your location might be better, I'd end up giving you my paycheck every Friday.
ch 1

[kilbuc]

Well... ###good luck on getting a Cabela's or BPS in CA, ###it would never get by the Enviromental Review, especially if it is a store that sells guns and goods that kill something. ### ### HeHe, ### just kidding.

[doghouse95]

This gets my vote!!!!! ###What can we do to talk them into it???? ###We might argue about the location, a location somewhere north of LA would make it so we northeners wouldn't have to go into the city....

[lostagain]

I've been to the Bass Pro Shops in Dallas and it was an absolute heaven. Spent the bette part of three days there (when I was'nt working) just looking around and trying on all of the stuff. I am told the main Bass Pro shop and Cabelas store is even larger. Man, that would be worth the trip. A hunters disneyland. Put it anywhere in Cal

[EL CAZADOR]

My wife would kill me.

[MNHNTR]

huntducks, I live on the La Verne/San Dimas Border south of the 210 near Allen School. ###Been here for about 12 yr. I'm a So Cal Native. ###Grew up in San Gabriel , Ca.

[Stryder]

I'd travel hours to go to a store like that. Just thinking about one here makes me drool!!! Bring it on!!!!!!!!!
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###Stryder

[Welby]

For the past two years, my wife and I have vacationed in and around Springield and Carthage, MO. ###She is especially fond of (well, we both are actually) the Precious Moments site in Carthage and I really get excited about the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield.

That Bass Pro Shop is nothing short of awesome. ###It's not just a huge outdoors store, it's also a museum of sorts. ###The experience is total!

From the many wildlife displays (both live and mounted) to the artifacts, there is much to see. ###There are seemingly millions of products on display and a couple of restaurants located within the store. ###One, Hemmingway's, is a four star restaurant.

One thing you might not realize is that located within the store there is a full shooting gallery to try out firearms, but it is so well built that you do not hear the guns at all. ###Even if you are browsing a few feet from the gallery. ###Amazing!

For shopping, the main store has it all, but my suggestion is to go next door to the BPS Catalogue Return outlet first. ###You may find what you are looking for there at a greatly discounted price rather than paying full price for it at the main store. ###For instance, on my first trip there, I happened across one dozen Game Tracker (I think?) Advantage Camo 2540 Carbon Arrows for only $40, which was half the regular price. ###Of course, I took those home with me. ###On some nearby racks were several dozen compound bows of all brands, all at greatly discounted prices. ###Many at or around $100.

Are you slobbering now??????

It's a really fun experience to go to the Bass Pro Shop and a nice change from our local shops. ###I am fortunate (??) to live within 20 miles of the home of Mossy Oak Camo and Toxey Haas. ###Toxey tried to build a Bass Pro type Mossy Oak outlet over here, but it has not done well. ###One thing you don't realize is that after the intial excitement of such a shopping place dies down, every other store becomes the same ol' same ol' from then on.

Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away on this topic. ###Thanks for your attention though.

(Edited by Welby at 12:06 am on Nov. 8, 2001)

[nobuckkev]

I'd drive a hundred miles each way for a Cabela's visit. I have bought so much stuff through their catalog that I should own stock in the company.