Cabela's Return Policy: The Insider Guide to Avoid Return Fees & The Free Return Hack

⚠️ REFUND ALERT: Don't Pay the $14.95 Fee

REFUND WARNING	ACTION REQUIRED
Standard Cabela's mail returns deduct approximately $14.95 from your refund for the return label. Before you print that label and lose nearly $15, check if your zip code qualifies for a Fee Waiver & Instant Refund.	🔎 CHECK ZIP CODE: WAIVE RETURN FEES

Introduction

There is nothing quite as frustrating as gearing up for hunting season or a camping trip, spending hundreds on new equipment, and realizing it doesn't fit or isn't what you expected. You bought the expensive waders, the heavy-duty tent, or the specialized boots. Now, you need to return them.

Then you see the fine print. To mail that heavy gear back, Cabela’s (and their parent company, Bass Pro Shops) will often deduct a $14.95 return shipping fee from your refund.

I hate seeing a $150 refund turn into $135 because of a "return label fee." It feels like a penalty for shopping online. While the Cabela's return policy is famous for being customer-friendly, the logistics of returning heavy outdoor gear can be a financial and physical workout.

In this guide, I’ll show you the standard way to return (which costs money and requires heavy lifting) and the "Smart Way" (which is free, instant, and saves your back).

Quick Overview: Standard vs. Smart Loophole

If you value your time and your wallet, take a look at the difference between following the standard Cabela's return policy versus using the modern refund method.

Feature	Standard Mail Return	The Instant Loophole
Cost	~$14.95 Fee (Deducted)	$0.00 (Free)
Refund Speed	14–20 Days	Instant (Paid on the spot)
Printer Needed?	Yes (Label Required)	No (QR Code only)
Heavy Lifting?	Yes (Box & Tape Required)	No (Drop off as-is)
Status	🔎 CHECK ZIP CODE NOW

How to Return Cabela's Items (The Expensive Way)

If you aren't lucky enough to live near a Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops "Outpost," you are likely stuck with the mail-in option. Because Cabela's sells heavy, bulky items, the return order process is more complex than returning a t-shirt.

Here is the step-by-step breakdown of how the standard process works—and exactly where you are likely to lose money.

1. The 60-Day Deadline

The first trap is the timeline. Historically, Cabela's had a "Legendary" almost unlimited return policy. That has changed.

The Rule: You now generally have 60 days from the purchase date (or delivery date for online orders) to return items for a full refund to your original payment method.
After 60 Days: Returns are accepted on an "inspection basis" only and usually result in Merchandise Credit (gift card) rather than cash back.
The Trap: If you buy gear in the off-season and wait until the season starts to try it out, you might miss the 60-day window.

2. Initiating the Return Online

To start a return, you have to navigate their portal.

Go to Cabelas.com or BassPro.com (they share systems).
Log in to "Order History."
Select "Return an Item."
The Fee Notification: You will likely see a notice that a prepaid return label will cost you around $14.95. This is deducted from your refund. They do not bill you; they just take it out of the money they owe you.

Don't have a printer? Don't want to pay $14.95? See if you can skip this step here: Find Instant Drop-off Location.

3. The Packing Struggle (Bulky Items)

This is where Cabela's returns differ from other brands. You aren't just returning a blouse; you might be returning a 40lb tent or a pair of muddy boots.

The Box: You need a heavy-duty box. If you threw away the original shipping carton, you have to buy a new one at UPS/FedEx, which can cost $10-$15 just for the cardboard.
The Label: You must print the label and tape it securely.
The Weight: If the item is over a certain weight limit, the standard label might not work, and you may have to pay "Oversize" shipping rates, which are exorbitant.

4. The Drop-Off

You have to haul that heavy box to a FedEx or UPS location.

Get a Receipt: If you are returning expensive optics or gear, always get a receipt. If that package is lost/stolen (which happens with high-value outdoor gear), the receipt is your only insurance.

Hate wrestling with tape and boxes? There is a way to return items without a box or label. Check for Fee Waiver Here.

Why Cabela's Returns Take So Long

You’ve done the work. You paid the $14.95 fee. You dropped it off. Now, the waiting game begins.

The Ground Shipping Delay

Many items sold by Cabela's (camp stoves, certain electronics, treated gear) cannot be shipped via air. They must go via Ground shipping.

Transit Time: This means your package literally drives across the country. It can take 7–10 days just to reach the warehouse (often in Nebraska or Wisconsin).

The Warehouse Inspection

Once it arrives, it doesn't get scanned immediately.

The Queue: It sits in a queue.
The Inspection: Because outdoor gear gets "used," the inspection team checks for mud, wear, and missing parts. If you returned a tent, they might check if the stakes are there. This adds days to the processing time.

The Bank Lag

Once Cabela's approves the refund, your bank takes another 3–5 business days to process the funds.

The Math: 7 days ground shipping + 5 days processing + 5 days bank transfer = 17+ Days. That is over two weeks where your money is in limbo.

This is why the Instant Refund Method is superior. Instead of shipping it back and waiting weeks, you drop it at a local spot and get paid before you walk out the door.

How to Unlock Instant Refunds

The retail landscape is changing. Outdoor enthusiasts are tired of paying return fees on gear they didn't even use. A new network of return locations is emerging that acts as a "Fast Lane" for returns, bypassing the warehouse wait times and the $14.95 fee.

The Neighborhood Network

This "Instant Refund" option is rolling out neighborhood by neighborhood. It utilizes a network of local, trusted businesses (like hardware stores or shipping centers) equipped with return scanning technology.

Here is how it works:

Generate a QR Code: No printing labels.
Walk In: No taping boxes.
Scan & Handover: The associate scans your code and takes the item.
Get Paid: The return is verified instantly, and the refund is triggered immediately.

The Catch: You need to enter your Zip Code to see if it's active for you.

If the tool says 'Not Active,' submit your email to vote. We prioritize expanding to zip codes with the highest demand. Don't let your area get skipped.

👉 Check Availability & Vote for My Zip

3 "SECRET" HACKS to Save on Cabela's Returns

If you aren't eligible for the Instant Refund yet, or if you prefer navigating the system yourself, here are three insider secrets to minimizing the pain of the Cabela's return policy.

1. The In-Store Loophole

The absolute best way to avoid the $14.95 return fee is to return the item to a physical store.

The Secret: You can return items bought at Cabelas.com to a Bass Pro Shops location, and vice versa. They are the same company now.
The Benefit: No shipping fee. Instant refund.
The Cost: Gas money and time. If the nearest store is 2 hours away, paying the $14.95 shipping fee might actually be cheaper than the gas.

2. The "Legendary" Guarantee vs. Warranty

Do not confuse the Return Policy with the Warranty.

Cabela's Boot Warranty: Cabela's and Bass Pro brand boots/waders typically carry a 1-Year Warranty against defects. This is not a lifetime guarantee anymore.
The Hack: If your boots leak within 11 months, do not process it as a "Return" (which might be rejected after 60 days). Process it as a Warranty Claim. Call customer service specifically for a warranty replacement to avoid restocking headaches.

3. Cabela's Return Policy Guns & Ammo

This is the most critical "Don't" in the guide.

The Rule: Cabela's return policy on guns and ammunition is strict. NO RETURNS.
The Warning: Once you complete the background check and walk out the door (or pick it up from the FFL), that firearm is yours. Even if it is defective, you cannot return it to Cabela's. You must deal with the manufacturer's warranty.
The Ammo Trap: You cannot return ammunition. Period. Make sure you are buying the right caliber before you click purchase.

Detailed Breakdown: Specific Categories & Nuances

To fully understand the financial trap, we need to look at how specific items are handled.

Waders and Technical Gear

Cabela's waders warranty used to be lifetime. Now, for Cabela's branded waders, it is usually one year against defects.

The Trap: If you return waders because they "leak," they will test them. If they find a puncture hole from a hook or barbed wire (wear and tear), they will deny the return/warranty.
Advice: Inspect your gear immediately upon arrival. Return it instantly if it looks defective. Do not wait.

Optics (Scopes, Binoculars)

Optics often have their own specific warranties (like Vortex or Leupold) which are lifetime.

The Secret: If you have a broken scope, it is often faster to send it to the manufacturer (Vortex/Leupold) than to return it to Cabela's. The manufacturers often repair/replace with no questions asked, whereas Cabela's has to process the paperwork.

Return Order without Receipt

If you lost your receipt (and you didn't use a CLUB card or account):

Policy: You will receive the lowest sale price of that item in the last 60 days.
The Trap: If that $200 jacket went on sale for $120 last week, you are getting $120 back, not $200. Always use your Cabela's account or CLUB card to track purchases.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get free returns on Cabela's? A: Standard mail returns deduct a fee (~$14.95). You can get free returns by: 1) Returning the item in-store (Cabela's or Bass Pro), 2) Checking if the item is defective (fee waived), or 3) Using the Instant Refund Tool to waive fees and drop off locally.

Q: What is Cabela's return policy on guns? A: All firearm sales are final. You cannot return a gun to Cabela's. If the gun is defective, it must be serviced by the manufacturer under warranty.

Q: Can you return ammunition to Cabela's? A: No. Can you return ammunition? The answer is strictly No. For safety and liability reasons, all ammo sales are final.

Q: What is Cabela's exchange policy? A: If you want to exchange an item (e.g., for a different size), Cabela's will typically waive the return shipping fee for the item you send back, provided you initiate the exchange through their portal or customer service.

Q: Does Cabela's still have a lifetime warranty on boots? A: Generally, no. Cabela's branded footwear now typically carries a 1-year warranty against defects in workmanship. Normal wear and tear is not covered.

Conclusion

The Cabela's return policy has shifted from "Legendary" to "Standard." While 60 days is a decent window, the $14.95 return fee and the hassle of packing heavy boxes make mail-in returns a burden.

You can do it the slow way—pay the $15, haul the box to UPS, and wait two weeks.

Or, you can do it the smart way.

Check if you can save that fee, skip the heavy lifting, and get your refund instantly right now.

👉 Check if you can save that $14.95 fee right now.