Rise & Fall of American SxS's

[Dean Romig]

Pete, what do you deduce from the fact they have fewer than ten doubles? Cabelas not taking them in? They are selling faster than they can replace inventory? People are not trading them in so much anymore?......





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[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Pete, what do you deduce from the fact they have fewer than ten doubles? Cabelas not taking them in? They are selling faster than they can replace inventory? People are not trading them in so much anymore?......

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I suspect it's a combination of factors but my guess is this particular Cabelas and probably many of them in the country have a hard time finding staff who can properly identify, evaluate and fairly appraise antique side by sides and they are not taking them in like they once did. This would lead to missed opportunities, overpaying then overpricing a gun, taking in guns with defects but not pricing them accordingly leading to a smaller stagnant inventory.

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

I suspect it's a combination of factors but my guess is this particular Cabelas and probably many of them in the country have a hard time finding staff who can properly identify, evaluate and fairly appraise antique side by sides and they are not taking them in like they once did. This would lead to missed opportunities, overpaying then overpricing a gun, taking in guns with defects but not pricing them accordingly leading to a smaller stagnant inventory.

I've been to the Cabelas in Richmond, VA and am just amazed at the prices. The other night there were two 12 gauge Trojans that looked as if they had been run over by a truck. One was missing a floor plate screw that had been drilled out. Stocks could not be saved with a refinish. The prices were $1695. I asked where did these prices come from and I was told it was based upon what they paid. Poor suckers. I looked at an A5 Light 12 in similar condition. $999. The Parkers were $300 guns at most and the A5 was the same value and that is stretching it. They never check chokes to know if the barrels are cut or not, just set a price. They had a 20 Trojan one time and told me it was Mod. and Full. It was cyl/cyl with two inches whacked off. You don't want to ask the price. With prices like this, you can see why none of the new generation will ever buy a vintage double.

[Ed Blake]

Originally Posted by Jerry Harlow

I've been to the Cabelas in Richmond, VA and am just amazed at the prices. The other night there were two 12 gauge Trojans that looked as if they had been run over by a truck. One was missing a floor plate screw that had been drilled out. Stocks could not be saved with a refinish. The prices were $1695. I asked where did these prices come from and I was told it was based upon what they paid. Poor suckers. I looked at an A5 Light 12 in similar condition. $999. The Parkers were $300 guns at most and the A5 was the same value and that is stretching it. They never check chokes to know if the barrels are cut or not, just set a price. They had a 20 Trojan one time and told me it was Mod. and Full. It was cyl/cyl with two inches whacked off. You don't want to ask the price. With prices like this, you can see why none of the new generation will ever buy a vintage double.

The Richmond Cabelas is staffed with people who know little or nothing about much of anything. Remington had a special on Gun Club shotshells. Staff there had no idea what Gun Club ammo was. Sad. Most of the stuff in their gun library is a POS. The demise of the SxS is understandable.

[Kensal Rise]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Pete, what do you deduce from the fact they have fewer than ten doubles? Cabelas not taking them in? They are selling faster than they can replace inventory? People are not trading them in so much anymore?......





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While I know not what logic Cabela's may have, I do know what I was told at Jaqua's in Findlay OH.

About a year ago I dropped off about six very nice SxS guns, thinking they just might buy them outright, which has happened in the past. No. They reluctantly took them on consignment, saying "these were really popular a while back, but not so much anymore..."

They still took the guns, but only three out of the six have sold in almost 18 months. And Jaqua's sells a LOT of upscale guns. No shock to find Purdeys or an H&H on the rack.

I have my own opinions of Cabela's/Bass Pro Shops.

Bottom line: Love 'em and shoot 'em if you got 'em. Just like that '63 Stingray in your garage... it's a personal thing.