Camelbak M.U.L.E under $30 @ Cabelas

[huachuca]

Caught this in an email flyer.  Heck a 100 oz bladder will run you this much and its the GMI version.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=012409bcave50orless-cat21404_main&id=0060396518787a&navCount=0&podId=0060396&parentId=cat604166&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=OG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

[uh_clem]

It strikes me as odd that an item rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 by 69 customers would be marked down from $125 to $29.88. 

[homerboy2u]

It strikes me as odd that an item rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 by 69 customers would be marked down from $125 to $29.88. 

 Just the sign of the times, nothing more.

[aggiehiker]

It's in the Bargain Cave. I always look there for bargains. Nearly everything in there has something wrong with it-broken, missing parts, torn, etc.

[Robert]

Nearly everything in there has something wrong with it-broken, missing parts, torn, etc.

That's strange because I don't see it mentioned anywhere that the items in the Bargain Cave are returns or seconds or are in anyway defective. Wouldn't this be deceptive?  As a matter of fact they call them "quality overstocks".

[homerboy2u]

Nearly everything in there has something wrong with it-broken, missing parts, torn, etc.

That's strange because I don't see it mentioned anywhere that the items in the Bargain Cave are returns or seconds or are in anyway defective. Wouldn't this be deceptive?  As a matter of fact they call them "quality overstocks".

 Agreed!!...Aggiehiker si also right. If you place an order thru the Bargain Cave in their webpage,they will ship you the item in good condition,brand new. However, if you go down to the store (Buda,Tx.) and visit the area of the Bargain Cave,like AH said you will find many items that are torn,broken,missing parts, etc, etc. It is however a very good source to pick up stuff that if you know how to fix it can be acquired at very cheap prices.

 Before galloping the halls of the store,i ALWAYS check first the Bargain Cave at Buda,Tx.

[uh_clem]

It strikes me as odd that an item rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 by 69 customers would be marked down from $125 to $29.88. 

 Just the sign of the times, nothing more.

I'm no expert on retail sales, but I figure they have to be losing a considerable amount on each sale unless their mark-up is outrageous. What circumstance would compel them to practically give away a product that they should expect to sell at a profit?

[jeffblaylock]

I suspect it's a combination of (1) it's discontinued and (2) it didn't sell very well at an (incredibly overpriced) $125.

[huachuca]

Camelbak has two product lines - GMI (Government, Military, Industrial) and Recreational.   M.U.L.E. is used a a model designation in both but the products are slightly dissimiliar.   Check the REI website for the 'civilian' offering.  This is the GMI version which is standard issue for our troops in some deployments.  I wouldn't be suprised if the pricing is the result of an overproduction of a government contract.  Perhaps even a reaction to the changing political climate in Washington .

In any case, I've ordered one and hopefully will be able to provide a first hand account of is functionality in the Bend over Easter.  

[RichardM]

Here are some other Camelbak options:
http://www.sunnysports.com/Cat/Context_2200/Sort_Brand/DescSort_0/Page_1/Hydration_and_Drinking/2210.html

Looks like the Cabela's GMI is the best value, as long as you're cool with camo and the military configuration. The insulated tube is a nice bonus.

Of course, this one was named for one of our own!