Cabelas...really?

[imjin138]

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.

 

[webley green]

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

 

[firebirdude]

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.

 

[pdcampy]

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.

 

[EXERCISINGTHE2ND]

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.

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!

 

[J. W.]

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.

 

[grampa p]

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.

 

[tedog]

Order online, ship to home, save 90 minutes driving, time wasted while waiting in the store, and gas.

The above is what I always do when I buy from Cabelas. I have never had a problem.

 

[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

 

[PHB]

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

And has not replied since first post

Must be somthing for a Taurus

 

[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.

 

[redmongoose]

And has not replied since first post

Must be somthing for a Taurus

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!

 

[Grinder]

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.

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

 

[PHB]

OP Just curious which store you are referring to?

 

[Bombsaway]

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.

 

[scatterguy]

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.

 

[istricky]

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.

 

[BigCityChief]

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.

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.

 

[Robotech]

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.

 

[wingnuut]

Redmongoose I swear we both had the same salesman, and i was at the conn. store , times are really getting bad.