I’m enjoying this thread quite a bit. First, because my reloading mentor started it...but also because of the deep emotions, pet peeves, noses in the air, grammar nazis (of which I am a recovering g.n.), and the frequent snarky comments that come out.
Cabelas is a bit of a problem for me, but then, I am seeing the continuing decline of brick and mortar, big box retailers all over the local area. Price Bros....gone; Elder Beerman...last store closing Monday; Sears...last local area store closing in months (I bet money this would be the last to close....).
I have a teeny soft spot in my heart for Cabelas because they took a chance opening a store in my area just months after a Field and Stream opened up. From no big box outdoors venues to two in short order...ouch. I bought my first powder there (HP-38), my first primers (CCI 550 by mistake), my first bullets (Berry’s 115gr CPRN), powder stand, media sifter, case gauge, calipers, and on and on and on. It hurts, now, to walk into a nearly empty, severely shrunken reloading area, not to mention the loss of the vet discount on reloading supplies.
Yeah...some prices do hurt...but I tend to buy when I see a “reasonable“ to me price. I don’t have memories of primers at $10/k, or powders at $10/bottle. But it’s nice not paying hazmat...though I know enough now (through this forum) to buy in bulk when available, and I have a dozen online retailers to choose from...further contributing to the death of brick and mortar retailers. My LGS closed 3 months ago...and aside from Cabelas, I think the nearest shop with reloading supplies is 45 miles away.
Perhaps Cabelas has lost their mind, but not (yet) their soul...if a retailer can have a soul. I don’t get the same tickle up my leg when I pass their location...but I still devour every flyer and catalog hoping (against hope?) for a deal on something.