problems with Cabelas?

W

wis boz

Well-known member
I've stopped at Cabelas in Prairie Du Chien 3 times now and have left p.o.ed. Every clerk that has waited on me has no idea of their stock or if they have it even going to the computer. I stopped after leaving from LaCrosse and had to show the clerk the item in HIS catalog, he couldn't find it in his own catalog?. They never seem to have the items I'm looking for listed in their catalogs and certaintly arent very professional. I've been to their original store without problems but that one in Prairie sucks. I'm probably the only one with that problem--just had to vent.
wis boz
 
They just opened up a Cabellas in Post Falls Idaho, about three hour drive from here. I was jubulant, I know guys from around here who plan their family vacations around a trip to Cabellas in Nebraska and kiss the ground when they arrive at that holy site. Anyway I was finally able to visit our Post falls one last spring. I'm an optics nut so I brought a few pair of my binocs to take in the store and try out against all of their high end stock. First of all that particular store was really not much more than a Sportsman Warehouse, and the clerks were not at all helpful or knowledgeable, except the guy in fly fishing knew his stuff and was friendly. All in all I was disappointed, I guess I need to visit one of the original stores to get that awe inspiring experience.
 
Well guys, I live abut 14 miles from one of there stores and have had both great and horrible experiences there. I have returned items within one hour and of course have had the wonderful products and service they are famous for. I think two problems. 1. Good help is very hard to find. 2. Too much of there stuff is made in China. No I don't work there but when I get the chance I go there first. Too bad about your experiences.
 
I've been in 4 different ones and would prefer to shop out of the catalog or on the net. The places are big, packed with clothes down to 1/2 lane and there is usually 10 people trying to go N.E.W.and S. at the same time. I like looking at their mounts and gun room but I come out with nothing more than something. I still say I am the only person that has gone in with 750 dollars worth of gift cards and came out with...750 dollars worth of gift cards. Jim, I was in the PDC store several times and a clerk told me that store was one of the most profitable because they use it as a shipping center to other stores. Seems if goods were shipped to the other stores from there that they would have a ton more back up inventory. The clerks I look for are the 40-60 year olds that look alive.
 
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I should point out that I have never had a bad experience with Cabellas mail order, and in fact have received unbelievable service, including full credit returns on items that were way past warranty.
 
It's been hit or miss at the Prairie du Chien store for me too. I've had some great service there, and some bad. Walked in one time wearing a pair of 2 year-old Rocky's that the sole had separated on earlier that day. Asked the service desk if they had the contact information for Rocky as the boots were most likely out of warranty, but I wanted to check with the manufacturer. They did me one better and replaced them on the spot. Walked out with a new pair on my feet.

They do have the distribution hub there as well. Only problem with that is the distribution is split between PDC and Nebraska. They don't have everything in the catalog at their disposal at one location. And if you do happen to find something in stock that they have to fetch from the warehouse, it could take a while depending on how busy they are. I've had items picked up in 15 minutes, and also waited for over 1 1/2 hours for others.

Just like about anything....some folks are great, love the job and do it well. Some are just there for the paycheck and the idea of customer service is lost on them.

Take care.
Aaron
 
I still say I am the only person that has gone in with 750 dollars worth of gift cards and came out with...750 dollars worth of gift cards.
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it was only 200 in gift cards, but I left twice with nothing.....Third time it was a case of just get something to get rid of the cards...

the one by Milwaukee is pretty nice though, returned waders there, 4 years old, no issue, no questions, just like they promise. But I found an older gal to help me.
 
I'd rather purchase from Cabela's even if the clerks don't know much because their return policy is unmatched. I know that if I don't like it I can return it without much guff. I don't return many items but have never had any problems and have heard many stories of them taking items back after they've been well worn.
 
Eric, was that a new store? When I came up there last year, I stopped in one just off the freeway and it was so new that there was dirt piles around the parking lot. I picked up a couple boxes of Bismuth 28ga shells for the hunt.
 
Lee
That's what I was looking for---28 gauge bismuth shells. Wanna sell a box?
The main reason for stopping was to avert the shipping sharges.
wis boz
 
They just opened a store in Maine. I stopped on my way back from New Brunswick. Should have stopped at Bean's instead, but it's too yuppie for my taste any more. I guess it would have been better if I hadn't visited their store in Nebraska a few years ago. I'll stick with their web site and save the sales tax.
 
Seems to be a common issue......the customers know more about the products than the "outfitters". It's the difference between us wacked out, well informed outdoors people, and people off the street who work there because they need a job and will work for $10-$12/hr.

Jim
 
Seems to be a common issue......the customers know more about the products than the "outfitters". It's the difference between us wacked out, well informed outdoors people, and people off the street who work there because they need a job and will work for $10-$12/hr.

Jim
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BINGO! What do you guys expect from people that are working for near-minimum wage? About the only guys that I've ever gotten accurate information from at Cabelas are the retired guys that don't need a minimum-wage retail job to survive. I've been in over a dozen Cabelas stores, and have shopped in the MN, WI, and NE locations dozens of times. The quality of employees at their stores has gradually declined over the years, just like the rest of retail.

I've always been hard-pressed to find someone that REALLY knew a lot about all aspects of waterfowling. Someone making $20K a year probably isn't gonna have much actual experience and knowledge about the finer points of hign-end hunting and fishing.

You can't blame them for stocking Chinese made goods. It's becoming harder and harder to source products from any mainstream company that hasn't moved their production to China. As long as the quality is good, I don't care where it's made. The best thing about Cabelas is their return policy. If that ever changes, bye-bye Cabelas.
 
I just got back a few minutes ago from a trip to the Richfield store with 3 hunting buddies. I had a great day with mucho help from fairly knowledgable clerks. First at bat was a return of my 5 year old Cabela's brand zipper waders that had broken a tooth sometime in Argentina this year - result? Full value replacements are being sent to my house with no add-on shipping charges (just because I drove so far to the store). I and my buddies spent about 4+ hours there and were all very satisfied when we finally stuffed all the stuff into the back of the suburban.

I was at the customer service desk three different times today for other things beyond returns and got smiling help all three times for things that basically were my fault.

Personally, IMO, Cabelas has the best customer service of any store I frequent. On top of good value for my dollar, I will continue to shop there whenever I can.

If you guys have gift cards in your pocket that you can't spend in Cabelas then maybe you should take up knitting, no wait, never mind...................they don't have knitting supplies there :)
 
Yup.......and modest.

Actually I think I get treated well because I expect to be treated well. When I expect to be treated poorly I usually am. Many times it's all about attitude.
 
Pete
I always expect to be treated like a paying customer but see less and less of that today in any place of business. Truthfully, I've never had problems ordering over the phone or the internet with them.
Jim
 
Jim,

I've always had good results when purchasing on line and I've had returns that went well. I always get my mechandise within 3 or 4 days since they are a regional warehouse but you'd think that since it is a distribution point the store would be stocked better. I will say because of this the Priaire du Chien store is a bit of a dissappointment. Of course I'm not in the retail buisness so I don't know how it works. Sometimes photos in a catalog just don't show a product well and I like to touch and feel before buying so I make it a point to stop and look when I'm in the area. Unfortunately there haven't been many times when I've actually been able to see the product I wanted to see. I find that within the same drive I end up going to a store called Scheels Sporting goods. They are a smaller family owned chain but have very well stocked stores with competitive pricing. You might check at http://www.scheelssports.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ScheelsLocationsView?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001 to find one within driving distance.

Ed L.
 



















Just started working at CABELA's six weeks ago in there fly fishing section and will be 68 oct 1. Bill












just started working at cavb
 
Bill,

Thats great! I'm sure with your background you will be an asset to the company and your customers are will come to appreciate your knowledge.

Good luck.

Ed L.
 
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