Latest on Bass Pro Buying Cabelas...

[Darren.]

Johnny Morris and the team have hired Goldman Sachs
to help with the Cabelas bidding/purchase. 

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/04/19/bass-pro-teams-up-with-goldman-for-cabelas-bid.html

 

[Gundog]

Ugghh...if this happens prices are gonna go up. And they are probably going to close some redundant stores. 

[Jeff H]

Oy!  I'm not sure what good would come from this??

[flyfisher]

it will be interesting to see if they close stores because around here at least, Cabelas has different section than bass pro and seems to focus more on the hunting side of the house where bass pro is more fishing.  Guess we will see, especially since they just opened a new cabelas here about 2 weeks ago lol

 

[Jeff H]

I use Cabela's for everything.  Hunting, fishing and clothes of all sorts, footwear, camping gear et al.

Many days I am clad head to foot in their products and if it doesn't have their name on it chances are still good I bought it there.  I just love the place and I'd be absolutely ticked if they go away.   

[iabass8]

Ugh....the only real big box store in my area is a Cabelas a little bit over an hour north of me and it just so happens to be one of their distribution centers. If I ever need anything in a pinch I can almost always get it there. If they close this down for a Bass Pro less then DC, it's going to make a lot of people upset. I really dislike Bass Pro's ridiculously inflated prices. 

[Evan K]

I super hope this doesn't go through. They really serve two different demographics; Cabela's focusing on camping/backpacking/hunting and stuff like walleye/musky/pike/even saltwater fishing. Bass pro is all Nascar and bass fishing.

[Darren.]

I agree with all the "UGH's" here.

Can't see this being a good deal for the consumer.

[Bluebasser86]

They're both expensive already and I rarely shop at either. 

[Oregon Native]

I agree they both are expensive.  Have to watch for the sales.  Maybe BP wants to get more into hunting!?  

[MDBowHunter]

One more who's praying this don't happen

[Bankbeater]

If this goes through I can see my TW purchases increasing.

[K_Mac]

I'm not sure if it would make any difference in my area (St. Louis, Mo). Both stores are 70ish miles from my home and in the same general area. The last couple of times I've been Cablelas had as many employees on the floor as customers, while BPS was very crowded. The stock wasn't nearly as good at Cablelas as it used to be either. Based on this small sampling, it looks like something is needed to keep Cablelas vital, at least locally.

[Senko lover]

15 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

They're both expensive already and I rarely shop at either. 

 Exactly lol

[Gundog]

22 hours ago, flyfisher said:

it will be interesting to see if they close stores because around here at least, Cabelas has different section than bass pro and seems to focus more on the hunting side of the house where bass pro is more fishing.  Guess we will see, especially since they just opened a new cabelas here about 2 weeks ago lol

 

 

21 hours ago, Evan K said:

I super hope this doesn't go through. They really serve two different demographics; Cabela's focusing on camping/backpacking/hunting and stuff like walleye/musky/pike/even saltwater fishing. Bass pro is all Nascar and bass fishing.

Here in PA they are alot alike. Both sell hunting/fishing equipment, other outdoor stuff and clothing. The only difference is BPS has a boat center and Cabela's just sells a few jon boats and v-hulls. 

[curtis9]

We have a cabelas and a bass pro is supposed to be opening, though construction has been delayed.  I like to go to cabelas at lunch and waste time looking for sales.  I've found a few unexpected deals, but typically don't buy much.  I'm hoping the bass pro still opens to give me another option to add to my rotatation. 

[flyfisher]

1 hour ago, Gundog said:

 

Here in PA they are alot alike. Both sell hunting/fishing equipment, other outdoor stuff and clothing. The only difference is BPS has a boat center and Cabela's just sells a few jon boats and v-hulls. 

 I do think that cabelas carries the Lund brand which bass pro doesn't....

 

[deaknh03]

Any time competition in a market decreases, especially with one of the biggest players eaten by another big player, the consumer always loses.

[Allen Der]

2 hours ago, flyfisher said:

 I do think that cabelas carries the Lund brand which bass pro doesn't....

 

no they dont sell Lund but they do have Alumacraft, Lowe, Ranger and Stratos

[j bab]

I don't think it will be as bad as people are thinking. I think Cabela's will stay open, just under new management.

Everyone here is assuming that BPS buying them out means that they will turn all Cabela's stores into BPS stores, which is pretty ridiculous. 

[Turkey sandwich]

I just hate to see Cabelas change.  I have two within an hour and a half of me, one being the Hamburg PA store Gundog alluded to.  That's one of my favorite places to shop because the selection is huge, the quality of merchandise is excellent, and the staff is legitimately involved in the outdoors and can answer questions.  The Bass Pro is in AC, and a nightmare.  The staff is clueless, the selection is almost entirely Wal-Mart quality rods/reels, and it's tacky as hell.  Luckily, Tackle Direct is 15-20 minutes closer than Bass Pro near the Jersey shore. 

[deaknh03]

6 hours ago, j bab said:

I don't think it will be as bad as people are thinking. I think Cabela's will stay open, just under new management.

Everyone here is assuming that BPS buying them out means that they will turn all Cabela's stores into BPS stores, which is pretty ridiculous. 

I dont think anyone really thinks that, but they will all be owned by the same corporation which is not good for you and me.

[buzzed bait]

BPS is good for one thing = when they occasionally do the free shipping no minimum.  Then i can get the handful of items i'd want from them.

Cabela's also good for one thing = the bargain cave

[Surfcaster]

We have a Cabela's and Bass Pro in the Raleigh/Cary area.  I have been to the Cabela's outside Atlanta off I-75 and was not impressed, however, they had just opened and may not have been fully prepared.  I noticed they had Stratos bass boats which BPS owns.  I enjoy looking around at the "Big Box" tackle stores but I rarely purchase anything there.  It gives me the opportunity to touch and feel a wide variety of rods and reels.  I have found local tackle stores prices to be close to BPS and online stores regularly beat BPS prices

[Buckeye Ron]

I can still remember the excitement in going to the original Bass Pro not long after they opened. Then Cabela's built a huge store in Dundee Mi which attracted its share of sportsmen. A few years ago Gander opened one of its largest stores just a half hour from me and it always seems to draw a crowd.

Like most consumer goods stores I think there's becoming a real saturation issue with so many of the same types of stores. What started out as a specialty market geared towards people who love hunting & fishing has morphed into stores that sell everything from fishing lures to bags of candy to offering sit down restaurants. Guess what I'm trying to say is they aren't so special any more. 

Bass Pro...Cabela's...Gander Mountain...Field & Stream...

How many of the same types of stores are really needed,especially when you can buy pretty much anything you want or need online?

If Bass Pro actually does complete the purchase of Cabela's I see it being a negative for sportsmen because BP will be able to control the choices we all have as well as increase prices due to less competition.

Ron