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12-30-2011, 07:59 AM
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Cabelas...really?
Is it me or is it just my Cabelas store? I had been looking for a specific red dot sight for my carbine. After reading all the reviews & researching for months I finally decided to purchase the one I wanted from Cabelas since they are listed by the manufacturer as being an authorized dealer.
I drove 45 minutes to get there, waited in line to take a number at the firearms/scope counter and then waited some more until they finally called on me… Yes! It was finally my turn.
I told the clerk what I was after and he had no clue as to what I was talking about. I told him I wanted XYZ Red Dot sight Model No. 1234 & he brings me a laser sight & tells me that’s all they have. After I explained what I wanted in detail he tells me he doesn’t think they carry those. I tell him that there is a spot in their display case that mentions the item that I’m seeking. He then tells me that if I don’t see it in the case then they don’t have any. I ask when they may be getting more in & he tells me quickly that he has no idea, and then he shouts NEXT to the guy behind me. I guess he was done with me at this point. This whole conversation lasted about four minutes! I left feeling frustrated. I know they were busy but he could have looked to see if there were any on the shelf behind him at least I would have felt like he tried.
I waited three days & called to see if they had any of the red dots sights come in & they told me yes, they had several. So I drove all the way back down there, got my number ticket @ the firearms/scope counter and waited… again. They finally called my number and I explained what I was after. This clerk didn’t know what I was talking about either. He brought out an eotech magnifier & asked if that was what I was looking for. I said, “no… this is a magnifier. I need the red dot sight.” Again I was presented with a laser sight for a pistol. What the…? He went to ask another clerk for help & while they were getting things figured out I was eves dropping on the customer being waited on next to me by yet another clerk who didn’t know what a Viridian laser sight was. After about two minutes that customer said , “NEVER MIND!:” & walked away from the counter. I could clearly see several Viridian boxes behind the counter on the shelf.
I did finally get what I was after but what a frustrating experience. Are these guys just holiday help or are the firearms clerks clueless about what they sell? Sorry this is long but I had to vent.
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12-30-2011, 08:22 AM
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you need to go online at cabelas web site and explain your lack of satisfaction with the customer service you received while trying to purchase their advertised product twice. They should take care of your and offer a gift card. Just curious if you were at the store in Rapid City?
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12-30-2011, 08:26 AM
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The Cabelas near me is a typical chain store. The staff seems to know very little about the product or what they have in stock. It's hard to get good help these days.
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12-30-2011, 08:42 AM
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Order online and use the "Pick up at store" option.
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Be obscure, clearly.
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12-30-2011, 08:45 AM
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Chain stores hire sales staff, not "gun guys".
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12-30-2011, 09:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nossew
Order online and use the "Pick up at store" option.
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Order online, ship to home, save 90 minutes driving, time wasted while waiting in the store, and gas.
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12-30-2011, 09:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nossew
Order online and use the "Pick up at store" option.
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Good on almost anything at Cabelas...except for powder & primers. They charge the hazmat fee to ship to their own @$#% store.
Wanted to ad:*BUYER BEWARE* Have had this happen to me twice while shopping at Cabelas, the price of items rang up for more than what was advertised on the shelf. The last time was on a box of Berry's bullets that rang up $4.00 more than advertise, didn't realize until I got home. Fortunately, I used my Cabelas card, and the Clerk double checked the price advertised on the shelf, and they credited back the difference.
Last edited by novalty; 12-30-2011 at 09:42 AM.
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12-30-2011, 09:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RussellD
you need to go online at cabelas web site and explain your lack of satisfaction with the customer service you received while trying to purchase their advertised product twice. They should take care of your and offer a gift card. Just curious if you were at the store in Rapid City?
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This ^. Unfortunately a lot of clerks now a days can't think if you get them off the beaten path. I ran into this at a chain auto store. I pulled out my Droid, looked the part number up on THEIR site, gave it to him and then got my part. It's unfortunate that a lot of these clerks don't seem to go the extra mile for the customer anymore. That's why brick and mortar stores are going under.
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12-30-2011, 11:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goathead75
That's why brick and mortar stores are going under.
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^this is sad, but true. it used to be that you could get an education in a store, then buy right there.
now, it's very easy to research and purchase exactly what you want online.......delivered to your doorstep in 3 days.
i really feel for the brick store owners, but i think that there is a fundamental change happening in how goods are marketed and sold. a very successful busines around here is a hybrid brick/internet type operation called Florida Gun Exchange. they are all over the internet firearms sales sites like Gunbroker and GunsAmerica. due to their high volume internet sales, they can afford to have a huge in-store inventory that a customer can actually lay hands on........very smart business model IMO.
.....and i am in no way connected to FGE, just using them as an example. Buds Gun Shop is another example of this successful business tactic.
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12-30-2011, 11:57 AM
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Don't go there any more.simple
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12-30-2011, 01:17 PM
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Quote:
The Cabelas near me is a typical chain store. The staff seems to know very little about the product or what they have in stock. It's hard to get good help these days.
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Still better than Gander Mountain any day! But that's not saying much.
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12-30-2011, 01:17 PM
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My last 2 visits to the Maine Cabelas have been quite negative, terrible customer service and rude salespeople in the gun library. Couple that with their ridiculous prices on used guns and I probably won't ever buy another gun there.
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12-30-2011, 01:34 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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12-30-2011, 01:49 PM
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When they built the Cabelas here in Boise ,I was extatic! Now for all of the reasons cited in the above post's I shop at any other store before I will even set foot in Cabelas! When they put the take a ticket number at the gun counter and you have to stand there for an hour and get a person that is basically clueless about firearms it pissed me off so bad I closed my credit card account and told the guy they could shove all those guns in a place where the sun don't shine! I watched a gun sales guy sell an In-line blackpowder rifle for use during the Black powder season here in Idaho, and the real kicker is they aren't allowed to be used here! Enough said! If I can't find what I want at our local gunshops I order it on line from several different suppliers.
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12-30-2011, 02:41 PM
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I never bother stopping in Cabella's and pitch their catalogs there are many better options including supporting the local small gun shops.
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12-30-2011, 03:32 PM
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I recently ordered a Leupold VX-I 2-7x28 rimfire scope from Cabelas, advertised with a sales price of $169 and an instant $20 coupon. They were out of stock but it was marked as "backorderable" so I went ahead and ordered it. I checked the status occasionally and it continually showed "backordered". I initiated an online chat and was told that I WOULD receive the scope; they were just at the end of the season run and would be getting more once the next season production began. Two days later I checked the status again and it showed "CANCELLED". I started another online chat and was told that the first person was misinformed, should not have told me that I would eventually receive the scope, and that they will NOT backorder products once the season production has been exhausted. She could not explain to me why the website indicated "backorderable". I expressed my disappointment and informed her that this was my first and last purchase from Cabelas. She understood my position and asked if there was anything else she could do for me. I said, "No, I have to buy a scope from someone else".
The bright side to the story is that I received a free optics cleaning brush (included with every Leupold scope purchase) and a set of scope rings, to which the $20 coupon had been applied. I think shipping was free so the whole package cost me less than $10. I ended up ordering the scope from Graf & Sons and had it in a few days.
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12-30-2011, 03:57 PM
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The last time I went to Cabelas was for a Saturday car show. I, my son and his son really enjoyed the show. There was no reason to go in the store.
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12-30-2011, 05:03 PM
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Cabelas
My experience with the new Springfield Oregon Cabelas has been very good. I especially like the gun library, there are few chain stores that offer used collectable firearms. The guys working in the library are knowledgable and a pleasure to talk to. I have added three collectable S&W's in the last few months from the library, thank you Dave.
All the store employees have been helpfull and polite, I like the store.
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12-30-2011, 06:13 PM
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Cabelas at Post Falls ID seems rather stiff on used gun prices, but I still stop and look every couple of months when I am visiting there. It is always fun looking at used guns hoping to find a gem! Same thing I do at regular gun stores, and they are high priced also.
Ed
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12-30-2011, 06:25 PM
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The gun room at the Cabelas in Wheeling WV is a pretty fun place to kill some time. They always seem to have interesting guns, sometimes priced high, sometimes low. The folks there seem to know their stuff.
At the modern gun counter my experience has been similar to those above.
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12-30-2011, 06:52 PM
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I sometimes go to he onein Richfield Wi. I take my duaghters there and have lunch and uy a kids toy or two. I have bought an S&W there a 2 inch M&P with box from the 1950's and got a decent deal. However during the same trip I saw an N frame and was told it was a "Real Highway Pratrolman" what it really was was a cbbled together bunch of parts it had had M28 barrel and cylinder and a 1917 frame still with an empty lanyarf hole and stamped US property with flaming bomb.
When I pointed this out they didn't care they had it listed as a Highway Patrolman and tht was that.
So I am really careful when I look at guns there. I do like their ammo selection since they have quite a bit.
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12-30-2011, 07:04 PM
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Overall, I've had good experiences with them. Just this week I went for the S&B 9mm sale. Four bucks more a box when I got there. Called it to the attention of the sales staff and they got on line and check. Yep, they wrote a 'price match' form and I got them for 9.95 not 13.88. Ten boxes, worth it to get right price. Still, they didn't change the floor price. Pays to double check. YMMV wg
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12-30-2011, 07:27 PM
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EVERY big box store is the same. They hire "staff" or "labor". There is very little, if any, training done. Your only hope is that the staff member working that department uses those products as a hobby of his.
For example, someone behind the gun counter who owns many firearms himself and shoots regularly. Or the young man in the car electronics section who you think probably doesn't know anything, but in reality, it has been a hobby of his for over 10 years. Or the girl who works in the video game department who has played every single video game ever made and can recommend a title for your son based on the collection he already has.
You guys get the picture.
Last edited by firebirdude; 12-31-2011 at 10:35 AM.
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12-30-2011, 08:21 PM
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Cabelas...Really?
Don't feel bad, one time a while back I was building a .22 Ruger Rifle and drove two hours to Cabelas and bought a fancy laminated stock, oversized target barrel and a bunch of other stuff spending well over $500 and upon returning home I found the $250 barrel had been shot, was dirty and had been in another gun and then returned and put back in stock as new. I gave very negative feed back on line and shortly received a equally very nice call from the manager who gave me a huge discount/credit on the barrel (wisely I purchased by credit card) and said I could return the barrel if I didn't want it. I went ahead and installed it and it shoots fine with my rifle. The manager couldn't have been nicer. But, you do have to watch them.
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12-30-2011, 08:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redmongoose
Is it me or is it just my Cabelas store? I had been looking for a specific red dot sight for my carbine. After reading all the reviews & researching for months I finally decided to purchase the one I wanted from Cabelas since they are listed by the manufacturer as being an authorized dealer.
I drove 45 minutes to get there, waited in line to take a number at the firearms/scope counter and then waited some more until they finally called on me… Yes! It was finally my turn.
I told the clerk what I was after and he had no clue as to what I was talking about. I told him I wanted XYZ Red Dot sight Model No. 1234 & he brings me a laser sight & tells me that’s all they have. After I explained what I wanted in detail he tells me he doesn’t think they carry those. I tell him that there is a spot in their display case that mentions the item that I’m seeking. He then tells me that if I don’t see it in the case then they don’t have any. I ask when they may be getting more in & he tells me quickly that he has no idea, and then he shouts NEXT to the guy behind me. I guess he was done with me at this point. This whole conversation lasted about four minutes! I left feeling frustrated. I know they were busy but he could have looked to see if there were any on the shelf behind him at least I would have felt like he tried.
I waited three days & called to see if they had any of the red dots sights come in & they told me yes, they had several. So I drove all the way back down there, got my number ticket @ the firearms/scope counter and waited… again. They finally called my number and I explained what I was after. This clerk didn’t know what I was talking about either. He brought out an eotech magnifier & asked if that was what I was looking for. I said, “no… this is a magnifier. I need the red dot sight.” Again I was presented with a laser sight for a pistol. What the…? He went to ask another clerk for help & while they were getting things figured out I was eves dropping on the customer being waited on next to me by yet another clerk who didn’t know what a Viridian laser sight was. After about two minutes that customer said , “NEVER MIND!:” & walked away from the counter. I could clearly see several Viridian boxes behind the counter on the shelf.
I did finally get what I was after but what a frustrating experience. Are these guys just holiday help or are the firearms clerks clueless about what they sell? Sorry this is long but I had to vent.
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Just read this without reading all 85 posts - I'll just add - complain on Facebook and twitter. Ask for compensation (what you make an hour times travel time, time in line, and wasted clerk time) plus comp for frustration!
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12-30-2011, 08:57 PM
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I'm a fan of Cabelas ofor the most part, but overall, I don't like gun shops. Most are over priced and filled with chairborne rangers that don't know poop from applebutter.
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12-31-2011, 02:29 PM
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There are some very knowledgeable people in the Cabelas in Omaha. If you talk to one of them they are very helpful, know what's in stock, and will spend as much time as it takes to answer your questions. Never had that kind of experience here.
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12-31-2011, 02:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leftnose
Order online, ship to home, save 90 minutes driving, time wasted while waiting in the store, and gas.
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The above is what I always do when I buy from Cabelas. I have never had a problem.
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Who are those guys?
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12-31-2011, 07:41 PM
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Don't blame the Cabellas's staff.
I've no clue what an XYZ Red Dot sight Model No. 1234 is either.
Some reason you don't want to tell us what you were buying?
-- Chuck
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12-31-2011, 08:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck s
Don't blame the Cabellas's staff.
I've no clue what an XYZ Red Dot sight Model No. 1234 is either.
Some reason you don't want to tell us what you were buying?
-- Chuck
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And has not replied since first post
Must be somthing for a Taurus
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12-31-2011, 08:53 PM
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Cabela's and many other shops make their money on the items with the largest mark-up, clothes. The guns and ammo are just to get you in the store.
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Front sight and squeeze
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01-01-2012, 02:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PHB
And has not replied since first post
Must be somthing for a Taurus
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Have been working & doing the holiday stuff with the family. Little time to get online for last couple of days. I didn't identify the scope because I didn't want to turn this into a discussion about the choice of scope or red dot sight. ( Vortex strike fire for my m&p 15-22). Any way, the point is I was really disapointed at how little the gun counter guys new at this particular store. I guess I would have never guessed it to be that way. I should have known better than to be there the day after Christmas anyway, but the service I got was rushed & that is what peeved me.I don't want to bash the entire store. I do like Cabelas in other aspects. Will I shop there again? Probably... I will just call ahead or use the online pick up at store option before I drive all the way down there again.
Any way, happy New Year!
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01-01-2012, 08:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtgianni
Cabela's and many other shops make their money on the items with the largest mark-up, clothes. The guns and ammo are just to get you in the store.
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Their used gun prices are what you can almost buy new firearms at.
Occasionally they run a decent sale, but they make plenty and are close to MSRP
Don't pay well if they are purchasing privately either ( I tested them).
Just my experience living near one
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01-01-2012, 09:04 AM
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OP Just curious which store you are referring to?
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01-01-2012, 09:27 AM
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I've had almost the same exact experience at Bass Pro Shop. I refuse to give anyone my business who obviously doesn't want it.
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01-01-2012, 09:59 AM
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I hate to say it but this is the new normal. Companies get too big for their britches and forget all the things that made them big in the first place. The last pair of shoes that I ordered from Cabelas had a huge grey blotch on the upper. How it passed QC is beyond me. I had to make multiple phone calls to orchestrate them sending me a return label so that I didn't get stuck paying the return shipping. It took nearly 3 weeks to get the label.
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01-02-2012, 12:19 AM
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Guys its really simple...if you want to see your local gun store in business tomorrow, you will shop there today. The small local GS hire people with knowledge about the products, not large shop salesman. Dont put up with rude, ignorant sales people at Cabelas. Shop at the places that cater to your total needs. If you just need product with out knowledge, order online.
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02-28-2013, 08:50 AM
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Cabelas...really?
Quote:
Originally Posted by redmongoose
Is it me or is it just my Cabelas store? I had been looking for a specific red dot sight for my carbine. After reading all the reviews & researching for months I finally decided to purchase the one I wanted from Cabelas since they are listed by the manufacturer as being an authorized dealer.
I drove 45 minutes to get there, waited in line to take a number at the firearms/scope counter and then waited some more until they finally called on me… Yes! It was finally my turn.
I told the clerk what I was after and he had no clue as to what I was talking about. I told him I wanted XYZ Red Dot sight Model No. 1234 & he brings me a laser sight & tells me that’s all they have. After I explained what I wanted in detail he tells me he doesn’t think they carry those. I tell him that there is a spot in their display case that mentions the item that I’m seeking. He then tells me that if I don’t see it in the case then they don’t have any. I ask when they may be getting more in & he tells me quickly that he has no idea, and then he shouts NEXT to the guy behind me. I guess he was done with me at this point. This whole conversation lasted about four minutes! I left feeling frustrated. I know they were busy but he could have looked to see if there were any on the shelf behind him at least I would have felt like he tried.
I waited three days & called to see if they had any of the red dots sights come in & they told me yes, they had several. So I drove all the way back down there, got my number ticket @ the firearms/scope counter and waited… again. They finally called my number and I explained what I was after. This clerk didn’t know what I was talking about either. He brought out an eotech magnifier & asked if that was what I was looking for. I said, “no… this is a magnifier. I need the red dot sight.” Again I was presented with a laser sight for a pistol. What the…? He went to ask another clerk for help & while they were getting things figured out I was eves dropping on the customer being waited on next to me by yet another clerk who didn’t know what a Viridian laser sight was. After about two minutes that customer said , “NEVER MIND!:” & walked away from the counter. I could clearly see several Viridian boxes behind the counter on the shelf.
I did finally get what I was after but what a frustrating experience. Are these guys just holiday help or are the firearms clerks clueless about what they sell? Sorry this is long but I had to vent.
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As Yogi said, it's "déjà vu all over again." Your post described in great detail my last 2 visits to my "local" Gander Mountain (a 125 mile round trip, that is). What really annoyed me was the fact that the manager verified that they had what I wanted in great number and "wouldn't have to set one aside" for me. In both cases, I was at the store within 75 minutes of my phone call to them. In each case, I expressed my frustration with Gander Mountain by letter and provided them with copies of receipts for everything I've purchased from them in the last year. So far - no replies, but it has been less than 2 weeks and I remain hopeful.
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02-28-2013, 05:10 PM
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When I was in college, working on my BSEE, I happened to visit the local Radio Shack where I spotted a "help wanted" sign saying they were looking for engineering students to work part-time. Someone at corporate headquarters had evidently figured out that there might be an advantage to having clerks who may actually know something about the stuff they sold.
I took them up on it, and quickly managed to become one of the top selling sales clerks in the entire district, month after month, despite only working part-time. I was also the district's electronics expert, knowing more even than the local repair center. I'd built a reputation and a following of loyal customers who only wanted to come to me, especially for the big or complex sales. But, it was my electronics "hobby" from which I gained my knowledge and skills, not the engineering classes.
If these stores want to get the benefits they'd have with knowledgeable sales personnel, they need to recruit where you are likely to find them, at the ranges and gun stores for gun expertise, other camping stores or places where people pick up supplies, fishing areas or boat launches, etc. for other sports. And of course, put up signs in the departments in your own stores that sell these products.
One of your biggest potential sources are the retirees just looking for a part-time job to stay active and involved, and maybe earn a little extra money. (And maybe an employee discount...) If you have the knowledge and experience, that would seem to be a far more satisfying job than working as a greeter at a Walmart or Sam's club.
Will these large companies do this on their own? Probably not. But it sure wouldn't hurt to suggest it to the store managers. In addition to the potential for improving their bottom line, you can sell it as an opportunity to supply free training to the "kids" already working there who don't yet know enough about the products. This benefits EVERYONE.
Last edited by Robotech; 02-28-2013 at 05:16 PM.
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02-28-2013, 05:17 PM
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Redmongoose I swear we both had the same salesman, and i was at the conn. store , times are really getting bad.
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02-28-2013, 09:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by madmikeb
My last 2 visits to the Maine Cabelas have been quite negative, terrible customer service and rude salespeople in the gun library. Couple that with their ridiculous prices on used guns and I probably won't ever buy another gun there.
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I dont see myself ever buying a gun there, Id much rather buy from any of the LGS
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02-28-2013, 09:56 PM
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Many of the local stores don't realize that if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. 'Nuff said.
__________________
Pack light and cinch tight.
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02-28-2013, 10:02 PM
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Cabela's Springfield, Oregon store is first rate. Dave who works in the gun room is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
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02-28-2013, 11:04 PM
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I'll buy just about everything they have in the store at Cabelas, but I won't buy my guns from them.
I buy my guns from my local GUN STORE that's been in business since 1947. Just how I feel about that.
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02-28-2013, 11:25 PM
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The meter is running!
Last year, I stopped later in the evening at the local Gander Mountain to see if they had anything interesting in the gun department. A new clerk on the staff pointed out all kinds stuff and spent a lot of time doing it. Look at a glass handgun case, he was right there to make a suggestion. While I had nothing better to do, the attention wasn’t typical. I was the only customer in guns and all the other guys were restocking shelves. On the way out, I happened by a locked case with Surefire flashlights. Just the model I wanted for a couple Christmas presents. Naturally the price was sky high. Another clerk happened by and showed me the flashlights and said they would price match if that was a problem. All right, I headed off to do some price research.
A few days later I stopped back along with my 10% discount card (anniversary month of Gander Credit Card). I rounded up a guy that I had dealt with many times and expressed interest in their price match offer for a couple Surefire lights. I showed him the prices I had found at Cabela’s, Midway and a few others. He started peering into the computer. His price offer wasn’t horrible, still anticipating the extra 10% card I was holding. He started struggling when I pulled out the 10% offer. He called over the manager, a new guy I had never seen before. He peered into the computer and that’s when it got interesting. He gave the brick and mortar story, since Midway is on the web, etc. After a bunch more discussion he told me rather rudely that’s the price, can’t use the 10% discount and after all I had wasted an hour of their clerk’s time a few days earlier. Off he went leaving the clerk and me with our mouths hanging open.
So folks, hold on, they will probably start charging for their time pretty soon.
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02-28-2013, 11:39 PM
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Cabelas as a company has really went down hill the last 5 years or so. They don't take care of their customers like they used to. And their prices are sometimes laughable. On the bright side, they haven't been gouging people like Cheaper than Dirt has.
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03-01-2013, 01:33 AM
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It might be worth while sending a strongly worded note to Cabelas' corporate headquarters with a link to this thread.
Word-of-mouth can be the BEST or WORST advertising you can ever imagine, and this is not looking good for them at all.
And more importantly, they need to remember that those complaints they see or receive are just the tip of the iceberg. Most won't bother to write either to the company, or detail their problems in a forum such as this. But they WILL tell their friends and acquaintences... It snowballs from there.
A good reputation can take years to build, but only minutes to destroy. I get the impression that S&W has learned that lesson and takes it to heart. Cabelas, Gander, Dicks, and others had better pay attention. Quit trying to save pennies when it's going to COST you dollars. It's bad for customer relations, and REALLY BAD for business.
(OK, I'm taking my MBA hat off now. )
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03-01-2013, 02:25 AM
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This is the reason to shop your LGS mine is a gunsmith and over the years has been a very valuable resource for info that a chain store just can't give you. Oh! And by the way he always beats cabelas price on almost anything I need and sometimes he can get me things you can't get through a chain store. Try finding a recoil spring for a S&W 22a at.cabelas my LGS had them in stock! On the other hand I use my cabelas credit card for all my bills I pay them off each month so no interest but bank club points. So I can use them for what they have in stock. Combined with some of there promotions I have felt like I was stealing what I was buying. Go figure
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Tags
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cabelas, carbine, eotech, highway patrolman, m28, model 28, patrolman, rimfire, ruger, scope, sig arms, springfield, taurus |
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