Dunkield Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 I asked this elsewhere but it may not have been noticed, so here is a nice fresh thread. I/we are planning to go to the States for a hunting, shootin', fishin' shopping trip. The rough plan is to fly to a cheap destination and get into Cabela's and Basspro + any others. I have looked at both of their sites and tried to superimpose their store maps to find out where they have shops in the same area. Hamburg and Harris Pennsylvania look favourite at the moment but I need to get air fare quotes to see if it is viable or not. I know RioTheDog did this, but has anyone else given it a go? if so how did it go? Anyone know any other decent shops worth factoring in for the trip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 For obvious reason BassPro and Cabelas do not have their Superstores near to each other. Also consider that the location does completely influence the stock. You don't get a lot of sea fishing equipment at BassPro Nashville and their Miami store doesn't stock a lot of hunting equipment. I normally go to the USA twice a year (interrupted in the last year due to knee and back surgery), I have never gone just to shop. I do not believe this could be financially viable, as the sole reason for the trip. The cheapest air fare anywhere in the US is going to be no less than £250, add on accommodation, car hire and general expenses and its got to be at least £600 and thats "slumming it". If you accept that most of their equipment is less than half the price of ours, you would have to spend in excess of £1200, before you made a "profit". You also have to navigate the Customs at your UK airport, who will make you pay duty on all excesses over your allowances. On my trips I bring back a few reels (making sure the shops put line on them, so I can claim I have used them), fishing line, lures and clothing (with all labels and packaging removed). I have been stopped on at least one trip a year and although I took these precautions, I have had a few arguments with the Customs (fortunately I have won them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 I was told to do this to get a new barrel for the remington take my gun to USA buy a replacement ditch MINE there and put the new one on the gun and bring back. When back send to proof house for stamp job done Works out at $370 with post AND export licence from US to get one shipped here so effectivley it's most likely cheaper to just have one shipped LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Cabela's at Hamburg, and Basspro at Harrisburg are no more than 20-30 miles apart, and Cabela's will do a shuttle to the airport if required - although a car will obviously provide a bit flexibility. I am not looking to make a profit out of the trip as it will be a bit of a holiday anyway, hopefully with some 'leeesure time' I need to find out if it is worth taking orders for stuff from friends and then declaring it on the way back in, as I want to get a Mcmillan stock and maybe a Leupold scope as well, and there is only so much you can get away with when a customs man opens up your bag My brother owns a travel agency so I will get him working on some ticket prices, and who knows it may have legs after all.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytie Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Stuart, I have always sent my family with a shopping list whenever they are going over there! I already buy most of my shirts and trousers from Cabela's, Bass Pro and LL Bean. Orvis shops can give some bargains too although they are much pricier than the others. Going out to buy if you can wangle it as a holiday, so defraying the cost of the trip, is a good idea. This will stop you making a big mistake like me! I bought a wetlands pattern breathable jacket with a zip out liner from LL Bean, great value at $68.00 even with postage/duty it woked out at about £75.00. Marvelous you would think. I had forgotton that the winters in maine are a bit cooler than ours, so instead of a zip out fleece, mine comes with a true sub-zero proof inner jacket. If the gulf stream stops working and we have a mini ice age I'll be fine Ft Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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