Cabela's Return Policy

60 days (90 for club members)

Yes (in-store)

Return shipping fee for mail

Possible for firearms

Not specifically extended

Firearms (state-dependent), ammo, final sale items

Most shoppers get 60 days to return items to Cabela's. If you're a CLUB member, that window stretches to 90 days — a solid perk worth knowing before you shop. The clock starts from your purchase date, so don't sit on a return too long. Electronics follow the same 60-day window, so don't wait on those. Firearms, ammo, and final sale items are non-returnable regardless of timing. Free returns are available in-store, but if you're mailing something back, expect to pay a return shipping fee.

Cabela's doesn't publicly detail exactly what happens when you show up without a receipt, so this one varies. Your best bet is to bring any proof of purchase you have — a bank statement, order confirmation email, or CLUB member account history. CLUB members have an advantage here since purchases are tied to their account and can likely be looked up. If you genuinely have no record of the purchase, call your local store ahead of time rather than making a wasted trip. Policy on receipt-free returns is not publicly published in detail.

For most items, Cabela's does not charge a restocking fee. The exception is firearms — a restocking fee is possible on those returns, though the exact amount isn't publicly specified. Given that firearm returns are also restricted depending on your state's laws, the restocking fee question may be moot in many cases. For standard gear like clothing, boots, rods, or camping equipment, you shouldn't expect any restocking fee to eat into your refund. When in doubt, confirm with the store before initiating a firearm-related return.

Cabela's doesn't explicitly publish a hard rule against returning opened or used items, which suggests some discretion is applied at the store level. For outdoor gear, a reasonable "tried it once" return is generally accepted at many retailers in this category. However, ammo and final sale items cannot be returned regardless of condition, and firearms have their own legal restrictions. If you're returning something that's clearly been heavily used, your odds go down. Bring your receipt, be straightforward about the situation, and ideally return in-store where a manager can make a judgment call.

Cabela's does not have a specifically published holiday return extension. Unlike many retailers that push return windows to mid-January for holiday purchases, Cabela's sticks to its standard 60-day window (or 90 days for CLUB members). If you're buying gifts in late November or December, do the math on that 60-day window — items bought in late November could expire before recipients even think to return them. CLUB membership is the most reliable way to get extra breathing room at Cabela's. Check the policy page for any seasonal updates closer to the holidays.

Yes — returning online orders in-store at Cabela's is free. This is genuinely the better option since mail returns come with a return shipping fee that eats into your refund. Bring your packing slip or order confirmation to the store to speed things up. Since Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops share the same parent company, it's worth checking whether Bass Pro locations also accept Cabela's returns — that could give you more drop-off options depending on where you live. Either way, in-store is faster, free, and you get your refund resolved on the spot.

Cabela's military discount policy is not publicly detailed in their standard policy documentation. Cabela's does have a CLUB rewards program that offers members various benefits, but a dedicated military discount rate isn't published as part of their core policy. Your best move is to call your local Cabela's or ask at the register — some stores have discretionary discounts for active duty and veterans. You can also check third-party verification platforms like ID.me, which sometimes surfaces military discounts that aren't prominently advertised on a retailer's main site.

Cabela's price match policy is not publicly detailed in their standard policy documentation available through Thrifle. Since Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops are under the same parent company, they likely won't price match each other. For competitor price matching, your best approach is to contact Cabela's customer service directly or ask at the store with the competitor's current price pulled up on your phone. Policies like this can also vary by location and manager discretion. Don't assume a match will happen automatically — come prepared with documented proof of the lower price.

Returning a gift without a receipt at Cabela's gets tricky since their no-receipt return policy isn't publicly detailed. If the person who gave you the gift is a CLUB member, ask them to look up the purchase in their account — that transaction history can serve as your proof of purchase. Without any documentation, you may be limited to store credit at best, or the return may be declined. Head to a physical Cabela's store rather than attempting a mail return in this situation, and explain clearly that it was a gift. A manager will have more flexibility to help you there.

If something you bought from Cabela's arrived broken or turned out to be defective, you're in a stronger position than a standard return. Defective items generally fall under consumer protection regardless of the standard return window. Bring the item in-store with your receipt or proof of purchase and explain the defect clearly — in-store returns are free and faster than mail. For online orders, contact Cabela's customer service before shipping anything back to confirm the process and whether they'll cover return shipping in defect cases. Electronics have the same 60-day window, so don't delay if a device is malfunctioning.