I shopped Cabela's in Gainesville for a new handgun. I have owned firearms for over sixty years. I had done my online research and talked to others and had narrowed my choice. I found the sales personnel both helpful and knowledgeable. I made three trips to the store to confirm my purchase choice and ultimately ordered online and had the firearm delivered to the store. Purchasing a firearm is a lengthy process, not only with the choices involved, but the paperwork. Others have complained about the wait time at the counter. There is certainly wait time, but that is because the sales people take all the time required with each customer. I'm fine with waiting for outstanding service. This was the second firearm I have purchase at this location and if I buy another, this will be my first choice. A shout our to Tom, who helped me with both purchases. read more

Okay here is the deal. One "bad" experience should not be enough to discredit a place. People can be very impatient but patience is key when going to any public place. The gentleman who work at the firearm counters are extremely helpful, respectful, and patient individuals. Huge selection of firearms, far better than any gun shop I've seen in Northern Virginia. The one star ratings are very childish guys that's no way to rate a business...... read more

I have been several times and haven't bought anything. Everything seemed a little overpriced and like I could get it cheaper online. Today I came in with a bow I just purchased and their customer service was awesome! The guy that helped me out, sized the bow for me and was patient teaching me to shoot it. You are paying for service here and it's worth it. Every interaction I have had with the employees is always pleasant. They are knowledgeable and eager to help. I purchased a few accessories today and will most definitely be back! read more

I will never buy another firearm from Gainesville, VA Cabela's (possibly any other Cabela's if they are like this store)!!! Tons of things bad about this experience and it is to much to write out, so I will give you the highlights. Day 1: Sat in line for over 1.5 hours before being seen, and then it still took about 30-45 mins at the register. Between each paper you fill out, the employee disappeared in the back for about 10-15 mins. Not sure what they are doing back there. Employee told me that my wife couldn't be next to me at the counter because it was "a privacy issue." Then said that it was "against a federal law" for her to be next to me. Employee spent lots of time staring at the computer, looking completely lost, and not actually typing or doing anything on it. Told background wasn't coming back, so they would call when it did. They never called. Day 2: Sat in line for 45 mins, with no one in front of me. Told that I needed to do the background paperwork again because it was "over a 24 window" from the day before, that they claim is a law. Had to redo paperwork. Employee took 15-20 mins to find out I was over the "law" just to tell me that I missed it by a couple mins. Background check didn't come back, and I had to call state police to find out why. Officer said they have no idea what they are doing and they receive a lot of calls about them. No such thing as "24 hour window" or that my wife can't be beside me. Cabela's listed my middle name as NMN (I don't have one) and the officer claimed they have told them not to do this as it holds up background checks. Background cleared, went back to counter and waited about 15 more mins to be seen. Employee put the wrong firearm serial number on the paperwork, and mentioned doing it all over again. Luckily a manager stepped in and just hand jammed it in, so I could leave with my firearm. Over all: Spent over 4 hours in the store within 2 days, to get a rifle that I bought online!!! Was told multiple fake laws to get me to comply with what I can only guess is "store policy." Employees filled paperwork out wrong multiple times. Employees seemed lost at their job and not really interested in helping you. I saw at least 15 customers try to purchase firearms while I was there, and not one person left with a firearm. Always had a reason/excuse why they weren't getting it at that time. Manager offered me some "discounts" if I purchased other things in the store. Claimed he could give me discounts on something else, but that was all he could do, even after I told him I would not be purchasing anything else. Don't go here if you want to purchase a firearm... It may change in the future since they are a new store, but as of now, it is a terrible experience. read more

I've been to a few Cabelas natiowide and this one takes the cake on being inept. They can't seem to be able to handle a purchase especially in the firearms dept. and if they keep this approach up, then either there's going to be a mass layoff or the store will go the way of the Gander read more

Cabela's is one of the most amazing stores I have been to in a while I have been there a good few times and each time I am I feel welcomed and at home in there. they have everything I want and more...overall cabelas is an amazing store with great people a little high prices for some things but great products most one star reviews I find on here are about stupid things or about minor inconveniences read more

Came in on Saturday December 16 to purchase a handgun and a rifle. After standing in line for over an hour, the customer service rep said that I needed to do a background check which was fine. I didn't expect that the procedure was taking so long after I have purchased a M&P shield previously. So I asked the rep to hold the firearms for me and I will return on the next day. So he said that's fine. I left the store and was about two minutes away from the store. The rep contacted me on my cell and ask me to come back to put a partial payment on the firearm while we wait for the background check. So I called on Sunday to check on the background check status. The rep said yes it approved. So I came back on Monday evening after going thru traffic for over 2 1/2 hours to pay the rest of the firearms and pick them up. The rep said he couldn't find the handgun I had my background check on but he was able to find the rifle. So now I have to redo the background check on the same handgun I was purchasing but a different serial number. Another waiting game here at cabelas. This is the last time I will ever come to this unorganized establishment. Warning to all. Customer service is horrible. DO NOT COME HERE FOR YOUR FIREARM! read more

Always I order stuff online from Cabela's now they have new location in Gainesville Virginia I went there for visiting to buy my second crossbow that guy I forgot his name he was there helping To buy the best crossbow and he was nice guy and he have Big Bashan I came out from this place I spent over thousand dollar but I was so happy the customer service over there it's amazing whatever they're right on the reviews I think these guys they should go again give it another tryBecause my experience was awesome and thank you guys and I will be loyal customers forever read more

I buy a lot of gear from Cabelas. I purchased a Muddy Deluxe Lock On Tree Stand in January of 2019, I took it out of the box and was building it last week, it was built incorrectly and the Tree Stand would not break down and fold together and the Seat support bar would not fit properly. I tried to take it back to Cabelas in Gainesville, Va where I purchased it for either a Credit or Trade it in for a tree stand that I can safely use. MUDDY was not answering their customer support line, I will never buy their products again, either... (sidenote). A young man in the customer service department at Cabelas wearing piercings, earings, jewelry was very aggressive, unprofessional and told me that if I did not have a receipt and the item was purchased over 30/60 days that I was "out of luck"????? They do not save any CC or purchasing data for more than 60 days? The tree stand was brand new, in a box, labeled with serial numbers, cabelas stickers, ettc... and they could not help me. Nothing, he said to bad...... bad purchase, it happens. I was sooooo upset. I have never been treated so poorly by a customer service department in the past 30 years. I will need to figure out another way to get my hunting/fishing gear. p.s. I read the Cabela's return policy that evening when I was calming down and that customer service department could have easily accepted this back and figured out a way to make all of it right, they decided not to.......and that is unacceptable. read more

Had a great experience at the archery department. The guys there are knowledgeable and super polite. I've been back a couple times since, definitely recommend. Most of the salesmen there I've encountered were good guys. The prices aren't the most amazing you'll ever find, but they sell high quality items. All that being said, I go out of my way to buy from these guys rather than giving my money to Dick's. read more

I visited the Gainesville location on Saturday around 2pm. May 12, 2018, and frankly I was looking to experience poor customer service and I did not. My purchases and product research had nothing to do with guns, which may be the reason for the other responses. I had no less than 5 employees smile and greet me as I walked through the store. When I got to the departments that interested me I was approach each time and held a discussion on the products and in two cases taken to the products, or they were gotten for me. I'm not a knockout, so I know I was not getting attention for any other reason than the store employees were wanting to help me and sell product. A friend that went with me even commented on the fact of the service we were experiencing was nothing like the reviews I read. read more

Dont be a female and try to purchase a gun. I was just in this store ( which we have frequented quite a bit and spent a good amount of money) to purchase a 9mm handgun. When I told him which one I wanted to buy he looked at me strangely right out of the gate, he asked for my license and then tells me " you just renewed this, hmmmm not sure about that ". What ? yes i did because it just EXPIRED. That was the first issue, then he proceeds to ask me who else may be shooting the weapon, I said my husband. He asked who would be the owner of the gun, I said both of us but I would be purchasing it mainly for my husband. He then went back to speak with a manager.. after waiting he comes back with " since you disclosed to me that you would be buying this for your husband, who is not here, I am not able to sell you the weapon" what ??? since when is this virginia law, he says its not its a "rule" that Cabelas has. If the person that will be the actual " owner " of the gun is not present they can not sell it. Mind you I have purchased other guns before at local shops with no issues, and my husband is a US Marine ( i even brought his DD214 in case there was any questions) with extensive training and background with weapons, along with us taking safety courses.. the list goes on. Anyways the reason for this review is to basically say, if you are a women who wants to purchase a gun please make sure you have a male figure with you if you buy from this store , otherwise you will be looked at oddly and given a BS excuse as to why they cant sell you , a legal , law abiding, willing to spend money with their company citizen a weapon. read more

This is my favorite Cabela's location. Customer service is better then other locations by far. Store not as big as others but still have a nice selection. read more

All the reviews regarding the firearms counter are true. The wait is truly awful and you end up wasting a bunch of time.

Keith S. was the most informative and helpful associate. He spent so much time with us, answering all sorts of questions about different firearms, and was incredibly knowledgeable on just about everything and anything. He offered suggestions and comparisons, and was blowing us away with what he knew. He even broke down the firearm to show us how to clean our new one. I know that people can get irritated with the wait time at the firearms counter, but these guys are worth it. read more

Most terrible store in 21st century. I order a rifle on sale online, reads one week to store. After a week, they update on backorder, two weeks. Now they update 16 weeks! They took my money no rifle! I had also ordered a rifle bolt, same deal. They took my money and now three weeks later nothing. They say it has to arrive at store before issuing refund. On top of that, some was on a gift card, and they can't just put the amount back on gift card and claim they'll send you one! Why in the hell can't they refund my money when the item is going to the store to be picked up, it will never be in my possession. Stay away from this place for real. Big come on with a rifle price, and they can't deliver. Two orders and nothing. Support local gun shops, it may be a bit pricier but considering Cabala's service a free rifle would probably cost me more in time and grief. read more

I love this location! It is the first and the only Cabela's I have ever been to. They offer a huge selection of camping goods, hunting gear, sports gear, fishing, and firearms!! I came interested to look for firearms as I found local gun stores to be over priced and have minimal selection. I came in to look and ended up buying a rifle, a Bushmaster XM-15. I was very happy with the purchase and even signed up for their credit card! Over the few months I have been here I have had a good experience with finding what I need and talking to friendly staff. There is one exception, a tall bearded gentleman who works at the firearms section. He is the gun section manager. From the first visit I made, to my most recent one, he has made me uncomfortable. When I bought the Bushmaster XM-15 rifle he was processing my information and he kept asking what i'm going to use it for. That wasn't that weird, and I felt he was just making conversation but he kept asking me questions. Another visit, I came in the store and I was open carrying my firearm. I approached the firearm section as I was looking for a red dot sight for my Rifle and he asks if I need help and proceeds to help me. I show him which one I want and he takes it out to show me and I decide i'm going to take it! He then sees the gun on my waist that I am open carrying (Virginia allowes open carry without a permit). He asks me if I have a permit to carry it and I say no so he proceeds to tell me that i'm committing a felony. I explain the law to him and he continues to accuse me, then he asks where I got the gun. All in all, my encounters with this gentleman is the only negative experience I have had at Cabela's. I will continue to shop here! They have a huge selection of guns but the prices are not that good. They allow you to accumulate points when you buy things with their credit card so I don't mind paying a little extra for a gun here. read more

I was so happy to have this store open earlier this year. I now feel this is the worst service oriented store around. Specifically the fire arms counter is the worst. I have waited well over an hour multiple times and ultimately left without being helped. Tonight I was number 17 and they were at 15 for over an hour. One more frustrating visit. read more

Poor selection, prices at or above retail price, and unhelpful and lazy staff. For a store that was hyped up for months as one of their best locations, it is very disappointing. read more

Super bad customer service. The customer service manager was arrogant and obnoxious. Not shopping here any more. Cheers

I recently called Customer service at Cabela's . The customer service rep answered the phone laughing. He was uncaring and not helpful. I transferred to a supervisor who was not much better. After 35 years I will no longer deal with Cabela's . There are many other options where businesses care for there customers. In a day with on line retailers such as Amazon Cabela's would be smart to improve customer service to keep their customers instead of driving them to another site. read more

poorly staffed in gun department what staff they do have are slow-Erick is down-rite rude-stating it takes 5 hours to get a firearm there. No one was even at the counter for over 45 min. Given a beeper stating it would go off once my background check cleared- never happened. Wasted over 3 hours will travel to PA before I go back there. Manager wasn't more helpful than the staff. wow given 5% discount that expired the next day what a joke read more

The store is very nice but 3 days before muzzleloader season they where out of any sort of powder , scents, and a meger about of blaze Orange. Wal-Mart and Dicks have a better selection it a very poor showing for the "World's premier outfitter". I don't see it being open very long. read more

Customer service is subpar and some of the younger people they hire are not the brightest. Great selection of anything you'd need but service is def lacking. read more

Very friendly customer service. One worker took time to look up an item I was looking for and couldn't find in the store. They were also very friendly to our new puppy. read more

I came in on a Sunday to get some maintenance done on my bow and there is no organization to their acceptance of a bow for maintenance. Guy told me just to leave my bow and it'll be ready in a few days. No chain of custody, he had no clue of how to do a work order and he couldn't get in touch with a manager. Highly disappointed in the customer service. I will not be returning. read more

Arrived here Dec 16th at about 12:30 to pick up a rifle ordered and paid for online. About 4 hours later, at 4:20, i was driving away with my rifle. The entire firearms checkout/pickup process at this store needs to be reworked. I've had surgery not take as long as it did to simply pick up my rifle! read more

I was there a week ago to buy a rifle. I knew what I wanted, checked on line to make sure it was available at the Cabela's store in Gainesville, drove an hour to get there. After a while I realized I had to get a ticket to wait in line....I was 8 down the list. I watched for about 30 minutes two guys "working" at the speed of smell, walked around the store, came back an hour later to find out that I was now 6 th down the line...so, at that rate, I possibly had a chance to be attended to about 4 hours after entering the store. I bought my gun on line and paid $ 25 fro the paperwork at a local small store in Warrenton. In case the management of Cabela is interested...here are my suggestions 1) have qualified and attentive sales persons who actually welcome the customer as soon as he/she enters the area regardless of the number of customers ahead him/her. Staff the area sufficiently to handle the volume. 2) if a ticket system is necessary make sure the customer is made aware of it right away. 3) if a customer knows exactly what he/she wants, and only the paperwork needs to be processed have that taken care of immediately. 4) be upfront and honest about how much time might be needed to complete the purchasing process. 5) have coffee or something to help kill time...magazines, tv, video, educational material...if you local car dealership can do it while your car is being serviced, so can you. read more

Cabela's was my third stop to equip my new fishing boat and thankfully my last. Unlike the other stores, Brad at Cabela's took the time to answer all of my questions and patiently walked me through all of the equipment and parts and pieces specific to my fishing locations on the Bay. Brad had the knowledge and skill to make this a home run and I left with two complete custom rods, bait, hooks, weights and everything else I needed. I could not be more grateful and I will be back for everything else I need! read more

Though I have been a fan of Cabela's for a long time, and enjoy shopping in their stores, I cannot recommend the Gainesville store - specifically their gun appraisal process in the Gun Library. I'm not sure what the requirements are to be a gun appraiser at Cabela's, but the gentleman I spoke to was distinctly unqualified. And please don't assume that I am unhappy with the experience because I didn't get the price I was looking for on the rifle I had appraised. I didn't get the price I was looking for - but I don't appreciate being treated like a novice, and especially don't appreciate being lied to. I took a custom rifle in - a BSA Martini action from a Cadet military trainer rifle, with a custom high-end barrel chambered in .22 Hornet, and a custom stock - just about as far from original as you can get. The appraiser began by looking at the rifle, studying the caliber markings on the barrel, then went to the Internet and Fjestad's Blue Book of gun values before he asked me what I was looking to get for the gun. I told him the very reasonable price I was looking for and he began shaking his head and started his spiel: "I can't do anything close to that....wholesale on the BSA Martini is only $500 and I can only do $300." (Note: This rifle has not been made since the late '40's or early 50's, and there is no such thing as current wholesale prices.) I told him the rifle hasn't been made for more than 50 years. He said, "Well a 17 Hornet is rare caliber...." and I cut him off and told him that it was a 22 Hornet...at which time he said "Well, they are even rarer." (Note: The 22 Hornet has been a popular caliber in America and Europe since 1930, when it was first introduced.) By now he has the look on his face that tells me he doesn't like being proved wrong. When I disagreed with his assessment of the 22 Hornet, he then said "Well you can't walk into Walmart and buy ammo for it." I assured him that wasn't true either - I can buy ammo for it at Walmart, gun shows, online...He told me "Well, I only carry one brand of 22 Hornet in my store." (I found out later this wasn't true either - they carry two different brands, and even carry brass cartridge casings, reloading dies and other components for the 22 Hornet.) By now I've realized that he isn't about to admit his lack of knowledge, so I thanked him for his time and left the store. I believe this was an instance of an individual working in a "gun store" assuming that they are a "gun expert" because of their position. But please, sir - don't use your computer and your reference book to lie to me about "wholesale price"...you never found such a thing online or in Fjestad's for a gun that hasn't been made in the last 50 years. And, don't try to suggest that a custom rifle, built on just the action from the donor rifle is somehow equated with the price of the original rifle. Please - if you're going to appraise a firearm, at least know what caliber it is. And please don't blow smoke at me and lie about how "rare" or "unusual" a caliber is when it has been a standard, favorite caliber longer than both of us have been alive. And finally - you should at least know enough about your own store to know that you do in fact carry this ammunition, and even carry reloading components for it. To the appraiser for the Gainesville Cabela's: You sir, have no business doing appraisals of firearms - you are distinctly unqualified. And to the manager of the Gainesville Cabela's: This reflects badly on your store, and on Cabela's in general. I have been a shooter and gun collector for more than 40 years, and have always expected that Cabela's was a store of high standards in outdoor equipment. Your Gun Library, and at least one of your appraisers do not meet these expectations. read more

The prices are high and the customer service is dismal. I can get the same produces on Amazon for considerably less and NOT fight Gainesville traffic or the weird location. (You cannot get here from the main shopping center. You have to go out, turn left on Wellington and know it's back there.) This summer I tried buying fly fishing supplies and they left me hanging because they didn't know what I was asking. (Tippet) Then the barcodes didn't work, and the cashier couldn't help. Tried again with boating supplies, but the item I wanted was out of stock. Tried to ask about another item, but the staff member disappeared for 10 minutes and when I saw him again he was helping someone else and never answered my question. Tonight my friend and I went in ready to drop $800. The archery staff are the WORST. We asked them to remove the theft tag off the compound bow and he was too busy - spending half an hour with a customer. I got bored and went to buy a smoker, but the price tag was missing and nobody would bother to help me. So again - we left without spending a dime. Why waste your time here. Just buy it for cheaper from Amazon. read more

What a huge disappointment!!!! This Cabela's is small, tight isles, very little product choice, poorly staffed and very overpriced. My husband and I went to look at shotguns and had to wait over an hour and a half in a DMV type cattle call. Yes, it was busy, BUT... the several employees behind the counter didn't seem to care about how many people were in line, they meandered around as is they didn't have a care in the world, no sense of urgency, no professionalism, no customer service. When our number was finally called, the employee that waited on us seemed annoyed to have to answer any questions we might ask, not friendly or helpful at all... hey if I'm going to be spending $2,000 on an item, I think I'm entitled to ask an intelligent question and get an intelligent, informed answer from the person who is trying to sell it... am I wrong???? Definitely will NOT go back to this store, rather go somewhere where they actually want to wait on a customer and sell them something. Like I said... HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!!! read more

I first ordered a gift card to be mailed to my house. The payment processed from my credit card but two days later I suffered identify theft. A few days later I received a message from Cabela's customer service that there was an issue. I called customer service back and was told that there was no issue and that the card was about to ship. I received a notice that the card shipped but a few days later it had not arrived so I tracked the package to find that Cabela's had UPS return the shipment to them. I called customer service again and was told it was returned because my bank notified them of fraud and I never responded to their call. They apologized and refunded my money but my only option was now an ecard to get it in time for Fathers Day. I ordered the ecard with a different credit card and the payment posted to my card but no gift card was ever delivered to my email. I called customer service at 7:00am on Father's Day morning and they told me that even though I paid with a different card that they had a hold on my account due to previous fraud. However, I received a confirmation of my purchase and no notice of a hold when the order was placed. I was very irritated that I still had no gift in time for Father's Day. The customer service rep started telling me how this was his first day back etc and I told him I didn't care and did not want to hear about his personal life during a call for customer service on a business transaction. He told me that I was rude and chewing him out. I told him no that I simply want him to stay on focus and provide customer service. He said that he was trying to help me and I told him that his personal excuses/stories did not provide any help. He abruptly said bye and I said I wanted to talk to a manager because I think Cabela's has provided horrible service and should do something for me other than finally process the order that I paid for. The customer service rep said that there was no manager available because I called too early. I told him I wouldn't have to call at all if I had gotten either product that I ordered and paid for and he hung up on me. After all this, I don't know that I even want a gift card to spend money in their store. Horrible service. read more