F.Y.I. Cabela's rip-off

[fishville]

I noticed Cabelas prices are competative with the local tackle shops. Not like it mattered two days after Christmas they had all their ice gear on clearance and were wiped out before the middle of Janurary. The sad thing is Dicks and Sports Authority prices are cheaper and they have more ice gear.

[Slay]

You are spot on about a good return policy.  Cabelas flourishes because it pays attention to the customer.  They have a very smart team of folks that KNOW that consumers of hunting and fishing equipment are a very particular bunch.  They do not hassle you about a return because they know that if you intended to buy a product, it was because you have a very defined passion about your life.  And they know that if they treat you well, you will keep coming back.

I research all my prices well before buying, but sometimes, even though I may spend a little more I will go with Cabelas just because I know they will accept my opinion.

Did you ever notice that on thier return paperwork, it even has a code for "changed my mind"?
I have used that because it was true, and they instantly returned my money back into my bank account.

Now that is service.  World's foremost outfitter indeed.....

[topher7694]

where can I find this Reed's place online?

[bshirtd]

He still got it at a sales price

[Hard_H2O]

where can I find this Reed's place online?

http://www.reedssports.com/

[jayswimmer09]

never was a fan of cablelas. with all the books they send out monthly to try to get people to buy more stuff they just end up jacking up the prices for us. and i when i say book i mean it. anyone else get that hard cover book about a month ago??

[JerryofWNY]

I would like to say thanks to all the suckers that pay full price so that I can have my credit card points.

Being a small retailer, you've hit a sore spot with me. A retailer pays a higher percentage to the card companies to process a "points earned" card than a card that does not earn points. So you can also thank the other stores where you use your card for points, not just the "suckers" who pay full price.  Just one more added expense that the small retailer has to put up with to the benefit of the big guy. The cumulative effect is a "Going Out of Business" sign in the window. We all want everything we can get, and I'm not saying that's wrong, but then moan about the shriveling up of the mom and pop operations who for the most part excel in service. We either have to spend a few extra cents to keep the small guys afloat or be satisfied with nothing but big boxes with inferior service. We can't have it both ways.

Sorry I just had to rant.

[GRIZZZ]

Never had any problems, never disappoint.
I'll shop cablelas the rest of my life 

[pooley]

i shop local when i can. cabelas has always treated me well. but i know i can't get up to date info from them. local sport shops can usually do that. if you figure in the shipping, and waiting period, it's not always cheaper at cabelas. just research for the best deal.

[loualbano]

prob i had with them is my boots ... cabelas boots...and they only have a 1 year warranty well i dont wear em year round so thats a 5 month warranty if ya ask me

[Capt.Dana]

JerryofWNY please go and rant and rave, the "big box" stores wish we would all go away. Try going into a Cabelas and getting fresh herring!

[abishop]

I know what you mean. They just opened a new store in Hammond, Indiana. After checking their bargain basement I was surprised to find damaged goods and basically junk on sale for the same prices paid elsewhere. The bright side they do have good fudge.

[copperjohn]

Around these parts Cabella's seemed to shoot itself in the foot by offering a controversial  Trophy properties brokerage service.  After helping the sale of a few large ranches to wealthy  nontraditional landowners which resulted in reducing and eliminating previous public access to hunting and fishing areas,  many here in the west have held Cabellas accountable for their role in the land deals.  Boycott.  I've read that the once family owned company took a turn for the worse in the last few years as their board of directors have steered away from its commitment to the individual sportsman.  Diversifying into the more profitable areas of realestate and other fringe services to increase margins for shareholders has recently hurt its overall growth in Montana as they've stopped working on the store planned in Billings after breaking ground this year.  Personally, I hate to see once secure and traditional public access disappear even though private property rights are sacrament in the West.  I think a company such as Cabellas should be on the other side of the issue, fighting for the common sportsman.  Wouldn't it be a better investment in their retail future to expand their customer base by supporting public access issue and the growth of the sports like hunting and fishing?  Until I see such a turnaround, my hard earned dollars will go to alternative suppliers, both local and on-line.

[minnowguy]

I just bought an Aqua-Vu Scout 2 from Gander Mountain in Bemidji for their regular price of $199.97. I just stopped into Cabela's in Rogers and their regular price for the Scout 2 is $299.99. To me, that is a ridiculous price gouge. After seeing that, I will never buy anything of significant price from Cabela's without researching it first.

The difference in price could have been the camera cable length. you can get them with a 60ft or 100ft cable.

[Ski Hunter]

I've never had any problems with them...have brought back numerous pairs of Cabelas branded gear over the years without receipts and was always given store credit....brought back waders that had started to leak really bad after 4 years of heavy use...was given store credit to get a new pair...same with neoprene gloves...Gander won't even look at a return, even if its their brand, without a reciept from within the past 30 days or whatever their return policy is (I forget since I haven't had to return anything to them recently)

Yes, Cabelas is usually a little higher priced but they also run numerous in store promotions that save me $$$, will have items shipped to me if they are out of stock without any shipping charges, and in general go the extra mile to see I leave the store happy


Back to the original post, as was stated...any items ending in .97 are not regular prices, they are clearance prices

[Chris Raymond]

....brought back waders that had started to leak really bad after 4 years of heavy use...was given store credit to get a new pair...

After four years of heavy use, I would say that you took advantage of their return policy.  Whether it's available or not, we all still need to exercise some judgement on our part. 

[Slay]

I can understand being upset with this bland brokerage arrangement.  I hear they are doing that in Ohio too.  Unfortunately, as with any business, it eventually becomes so big, that money ends up being thier main commitment.  Having said that, I see nothing wrong in buying from them and they have very good customer service.  If you don't like them or thier prices...shop somewhere else.

I usually research a purchase very thoroughly, and I have to tell you, with the advent of the internet, a lot of local shops sell to out of staters to save on taxes...so that helps them and us.

[hardwater Rick]

man maybe I should get rid of my cabelas credit card, I do not buy a lot of stuff from them,  what I have has been pretty good, no big items. I have noticed Dick's sporting goods
prices are way high also, I was looking at the catalytic heater, the blackcat one
it was like 59 bucks, I went over to Kmart, same thing was 39  and I got it for 29
so it really does make a difference to shop around,  if you pay too much, your fault
unless you really need something and price is no issue, take a look at the LCD
TV'S at Sam's club  then price it at circuit city or best buy  same thing for
4 to 500 dollars more  you need to shop and compare

[dkfry]

High prices are how they pay for their huge fancy stores and Cabela's Bucks on credit cards. The $$$ has to come from somewhere.

I buy alot of my stuff through Thorne Bros. or FishUSA.

[Ski Hunter]

After four years of heavy use, I would say that you took advantage of their return policy.  Whether it's available or not, we all still need to exercise some judgement on our part. 

I didn't bring them back planning on getting them replaced....I brought them back simply to show them that it was the seems that had split and started to leak badly....they offered me the refund after that....who here would say no to it when they insisted I take it?

[Big-Jake]

gotta research everything you buy - too bad you have to live in the big city to get that cell phone live internet capability to check on things before you buy in person.

[pickeral boy]

This is what make our country great. Your free to shop around. No ones forcing you to buy from Cabelas. Anything over $200 and I like to check around for pricing, just to make sure the dealer I'm buying from is in the ballpark. Feel like you got ripped, send it back.

[Chris Raymond]

I didn't bring them back planning on getting them replaced....I brought them back simply to show them that it was the seems that had split and started to leak badly....they offered me the refund after that....who here would say no to it when they insisted I take it?

Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree...after four years of hard use, I wouldn't have even thought to take them to show.  Maybe we have difference definitions of hard use. 

[rileyross]

I almost bought the one from cabelas......... ......close call

[McFish]

 I almost purchased a gps from cabelas until i shopped around and found it was about half the price every wear else