doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Did we make Cabela's mad?

Go type in your average gun - Browning 1885, 1886, or Win Model 70 and the majority are 'sold'.

It seems like both Cabelas and BassPro are closing some of their "fine gun rooms". I don't recall which Cabelas and BassPros are doing this as I've been to so many different ones in the last 4-5 months, I can't keep them all straight. But some were already closed.

One of Bass Pro's newer stores is Rancho Cucamonga CA. Been open about 2+ years (maybe 3) and the gun room is now closed. I went in at Christmas to grab a couple of things for duck hunting and the store was packed with both customers and merchandise, with deep lines at all the registers. Very high prices on most commodity items, like ammo and pocket knives. The old gun room was absolutely full of people, taking some sort of gun safety class (probably just so that they can buy a handgun in CA; not a CCW class).

I have only purchased one old gun from Cabela's, and that was from Steve Barzee. Gun was as described, negotiated price was fair, shipping was prompt, and I had a 30-day FIRING inspection period. What's not to like? My only gripe about Cabela's is that they now feel compelled to charge sales tax at point of purchase on shipments into CA, even though they have no business presence in CA. So, not only am I no longer buying any guns from Cabela's but I'm not buying boots or vests or ammo, either. Yes, I know CA has a use tax requirement on out-of-state purchases, but there is no legal requirement for the merchant to collect that tax at purchase. I think Cabela's shot themselves in the foot on this one.

" My only gripe about Cabela's is that they now feel compelled to charge sales tax at point of purchase on shipments into CA, even though they have no business presence in CA. So, not only am I no longer buying any guns from Cabela's but I'm not buying boots or vests or ammo, either. Yes, I know CA has a use tax requirement on out-of-state purchases, but there is no legal requirement for the merchant to collect that tax at purchase."

Replacement:
Does this mean that you can email or call a Cabellas outside Calif. and they will charge you a California tax to be sent to Calf.?
Best,
John

This being a BB focused on doubles, I decided to try a few of them as opposed to rifles. Under the "American Shotgun" category, Cabela's lists 52 Parkers (not including Reproductions), sale pending on 1; 29 Foxes, sale pending on 1.

John, they told me that their new policy is that if they ship anything to a CA address, they charge CA sales tax on that shipment. That adds 8.25% minimum to 10.75% maximum to the price of whatever you buy, depending on delivery address, plus shipping charges. Adding 10% to the price of any gun, plus the exorbitant FFL and DROS fees in CA ($85 minimum to $250 at some shops) means that it just does not make sense to buy from Cabela's unless they are absolutely the only source for what you need. I think their new policy is a reaction to a recent attempt by the state of New York to collect sales tax at the point of purchase on internet sales. CA has been pretty aggressive on this issue, but so far has not been able to prevail in court. It is getting so bad in CA that some local FFL's feel compelled to collect sales tax when they do an FFL transfer on a private party transaction. But, at least we have nice weather.

I cannot say that I feel your pain, as a recently disgraced politoco said.

A couple years ago, this scenario took place.

Maine has a sales tax. Don't know the number but it adds to the purchase so that some libs can collect.

New Hampshire has no such dumbass situation. So far !!!! Many Mass. residents moving here and tainting the thinking.

LL Bean is a Maine institution that is open 24/7 for the sportsman. Been there forever and a great store and company.
A few years ago, they opened an outlet in North Conway, NH. Many come from surrounding Socialist States ( Maine, Vermont, Mass. and even N.Y,)to shop as there is no sales tax.

Then, one bright day, a couple of suits showed up and told the manager of the N Conway store, that they were from Maine and that he, the manager, had to start charging any Maine resident, that was buying from his store, the Maine sales tax and remitting it to Maine.

The manager contacted the N. H. Governors office for guidance.

The New Hampshire Governor sent a message to the Maine Governor.

If any Maine agents dared to present themselves in New Hampshire as officials, they would be arrested by the New Hampshire State Police and prosecuted.

That was the end of that crap !!!
Best.
John

If Cabelas has any physical connection to California then they can force the collection of sales tax if they do not then California cannot force the collection. This physical connection can include a sales location, distribution center or salesperson.

US Supreme Court ruling in the Bellas Hess case in 1967.

I am well aware of the legal situation. Cabela's has admitted to me that they have no physical presence in CA, and thus cannot be compelled by CA to collect sales tax on shipments into CA. Their stores are responding to an edict from their corporate office, which is apparently scared witless by recent cases in NY state. I have told them that I will no longer purchase from them, even though I like them and their product selection. They seem unfazed by my decision. I have learned over the years that many corporate tax departments and executive teams seem to suffer from an acute case of cranial-anal impaction.

I just recieved three 1 day coupons for Budget rental cars. Evidently, Budget was inappropriately collecting a surtax at their LAX rental location and was sued in a class action. The surtax was something about LAX, but the location of the rental business was off-airport and not subject to the tax. I happened to have rented an Expedition from them for over a week to go on a hunt last year. I think Cabelas is openning themselves up for a similar suit.