Steve, I agree with you for the most part but the western part of the US doesn't have to many Cabelas or Bass Pro so lot of people rely on their local Sporting goods stores or they use the internet to purchase items from the big three, I also agree the prices are high on some items but others you can get good deals in store. I've been to the Gander mtn in Fredricksburg VA and it was nice smaller that the Bass Pro in Baltimore but the prices were better than bass Pro.