Since I have to make a trip to the cites on some family business, I decided it would be a good time to stock up on powder, etc since I would not have to pay hazmat shipping. So I checked Gander Mountain. They have a pretty good sale on Pyrodex RS and P... $13.99 a pound. So I called the store to make sure they would have a case of it on hand for me. They then told me that it was $19.99 a pound. When I told them on their web site it was listed for $13.99 they told me that is a web only price. I then began to argue how stupid that was. And that what's the advantage of buying on line when you have to pay the hazmat fee. He told me there was nothing he could do about it. So I then told him there was something I could do... buy locally and not purchase from them anymore.

Be sure to check the fine print on these online sales... some of then are tricky. I did go back and sure enough it says web only price. So.. are they making money on the hazmat? Or do they just cheat the customer who wants to shop in person?

I am really getting sick of these big chain stores and how they do business.

The small stores do the same thing. this is not just a chain store problem and yes it's a rip off. i deal with a small company that sales after market 4x4 suspension parts and he packs everything he possibly can in flat rate boxes. he says he doesn't need to make additional profit from shipping. Ray

You are absolutrtely right. They are playing games with us. And that is a bunch of bunk.

I wanted to order some small rifle primers that Cabela's had on sale for $19.99 a thousand. So I called them and ordered 10,000 primers. I also needed a 5# jug of Trail Boss. So I ordered that also. They wanted to charge a separate Hazmat fee for the powder. They would not put the two together like most internet stores will do. So they wanted $50 in hazmat fees and $18 per box to ship the two boxes. Add that up, and it makes you sick. They even wanted to double charge the shipping!!

So my friend went up to the Cabela's store in Wheeling. So I asked him to pick me up 10,000 primers while he was there. They did not have any of the primers on the shelf. So my friend asked a clerk. I guess the first clerk he asked was a manager, and the manager said they did not have any. But another clerk over heard the conversation and went back and got Rick the 10,000 primers I wanted. And sold them to him for 19.99?? Try to figure that one out??

We had a fellow who ran a small reloading shop here in WV for many years. And he just retired. And I sure do miss him. You would always get a fair shake in his store. Unfortunately those days are over. However I do think I found another guy to work with, but he is about twice the driving distance(about 20 miles). Tom.

I've seen the same thing with some products at the local Cabela's. With some items they will honor the online sale price and with other items they won't. I guess that they don't want folks to clear off the shelves.

I can understand that the local stores have huge overhead: wages, utilities including heat & air conditioning, local property taxes, state business taxes, liability insurance, property maintenance and then rent, lease or mortgage costs.

I sometimes wonder how some of these sporting goods stores can stay in business, especially with the economy the way it is. Just think about how much it costs just to heat a huge store in the winter!

Cabela's does allow free shipping to their stores but I don't know if they would discount the hazmat fees or not. That's something to check on since I think those items arrive on company trucks.
But they do also have a Rewards Club program that earns cash points with every Cabela's purchase, and a Cabela's credit card that earns a higher percentage of cash points, and for all purchases anywhere, and they send additional discount coupons just for signing up for their online notifications.
So there are discounts available for company loyalty.
Yes, finding the cheapest prices are a hassle and like buying gasoline, sometimes there's not much of any real difference in prices between retailers in the end, especially after shipping.
One option is to split hazmat fees with someone else on a large combined order.
Powder Valley will ship 48 pounds of primers and powder for one hazmat fee. But that's only allowed when ordering sub powders and doesn't include black powder which AFAIK needs to be shipped separately.

Bass Pro Shop in Spanish Fort AL would not honer Natchez's Blackhorn 209 on line price.

Simplicity is best. I ordered a Green Mtn Barrel for my 10/22 a couple weeks ago and the internet price included the barrel, applicable tax and shipping. The one price on the listing included it all. SO much simpler. He will receive more of my business because of it.

Its getting to be easier just to order everything online unless there is something that I need right away I go to the store. I was paying 19.99 for .54 round balls at my local cabelas. I found them for 12.00 thru Midsouth. Needless to say I will buy from Midsouth now on. Same way with black powder. But once I run out of BH209 I will run back up to Miles City and buy direct. Same way with Goex. Western powders also has that. My truck will be loaded full of powder!!!

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much for local small stores around me. Everything I have access to is a chain store and way overpriced. The best one I had was actually Sportsmans Warehouse, but due to some poor business decisions all the SW's in MN and I think WI and IA were sold and closed. So now if I want something the small stuff is usually not that different and the big stuff takes online shopping.
Harvester is a great example of shipping. I was ready to switch to PT Golds as my primary hunting and shooting bullet and start by ordering 100 bullets and sabots. But not at they're shipping costs.

It's sad, those 100 bullets can be shipped for $4.95.. Ray

Ive shipped lots 150+ bullet packs in a USPS $5.20 flat rate box and considering USPS will send any business the boxes FREE there is NO EXCUSE for a company not to use them unless they are making a few extra bucks on shipping.

UPS and FedEx are both cost more and dont even give you free shipping boxes.