RE: I'm thinking a recurve is superior.
Interesting perspective. When I told my co-workers that I bought a recurve and am learning to shoot instinctively, they acted like I was the archery snob. They were just joking around but as they either have shot traditional and modern bows or are familar with both, they believe traditional archery is much more difficult and seem to respect that.
Maybe the folks at Cabelas prefer to assist those interested in compound equipment because that's what they shoot and there is a lot more after market "stuff" to add. I don't know if they get a commission but I'd rather sell a compound bow with a new sight, rest, stabilizer, limb savers, string silencer and all the other goodies than a recurve and the basic accessories.
Just my two cents.