For little stuff I will go to the local pro shop if they have it. And I am blessed to have several good local shops near me. One is close enough I can walk there, it actually butts up to the other end of the trailer park I live in.

I have a Cabela's and a Gander Mountain both less than our from me in opposite directions, and a Bass Pro shop a little more than an hour a way, with another one going up closer. And a very large chain named after the male member which this site edits out every time I use it fairly close to me as well.

They are good for one thing, selection. Especially Cabela's, it is just hard to compete with the inventory this place has. The only problem is you never know what will be there from month to month because they are always changing stuff around. And the prices are not that great either. My local shops can usually match them, if not beat them on prices.

Now if we are talking a larger purchase like a bow or a gun, no question it is going to be a local pro shop or a gun store. I don't care if I pay $30 or $40 more on a couple hundred dollar item. The quality of service at the time and after the purchase more than makes up for the price difference.

I don't think I would get a bow at Cabela's if someone else paid for it.

Paul