Cabelas Service

[fabsroman]

That isn't good to hear, but I agree about customer service. I will pay a little extra to get it because I do not want to waste my time dealing with stuff.

[Purebred Redneck]

As a retail worker for 5 years, I've screwed over countless numbers of people just like you. All acidently.
I've been to Cabelas and Bass Pro many times and unless you come in at a good time - it's frickin nuts

It's very hard to remember who is next in line when the line is spread out left to right. You may have been next - and he may have once known you were next - but a few minutes later it could be unclear. And I know what it feels like to deal with cutomers 10 hours a day - it's dallusional (sp)- you have no idea what's going on. And that accounts for a smart remark too. People don't know they do it because they're working so hard (to you they may just be standing there doing nothing). So then they're thinking - I forget who's next - I have to pick one..."
I've seen this at Wallmart, Cabelas, Bass Pro, any busy bar on a wild night, etc.

I wouldn't expect anything to come from your letter. I've been phoned and yelled at many times by people. They would demand the manager be called and they'd complain about me. The manager was always "yes maam, I'll take care of it, I'm sorry." But as soon as they leave the manager and me would just start making hand job motions and saying "what a *****"

So I don't think it was done on purpose - but I wasn't there so...

[Andy L]

I wouldnt think it would be too hard. When I walked up there were only 4 employees helping 5 people, two were together. I was the only one waiting till the other guy walked up while the genious was in the back.

As for screwing over customers, I worked in auto parts for 6 years. If I ever did that, I would have been fired in a heartbeat. I dont know where you worked, but I would just have to imagine it was a big chain that worked on bulk, individuals didnt count, due to your cavalier attitude about it.

As for hearing back, I already got a response. They were going to check with the manager and see what time I was there to see who was working. I bought some other stuff and they ask your phone number. It can be tracked.

Im glad your proud you have screwed over hundreds of people in your time in retail PBR.

Andy

[Purebred Redneck]

Originally posted by Purebred Redneck
As a retail worker for 5 years, I've screwed over countless numbers of people just like you. All acidently.

Not proud of it. I didn't lose any sleep out of the deal either though. It's one of those things you expereince everyday. Customers didn't like being told we were out of a sale item, couldn't return something, etc. Yes, it was a big retail chain - Kmart.
I would run around like a chicken with my head cut off and of course I could do nothing right.
I can't help it the shipment didn't come in and you drove 20 miles- yell at your psyciatrist, not me
When working for big retail stores, you encounter 10x more people - so you expereince 10x more drama. You just learn to live with it and do your best.

[fabsroman]

Andy,

PBR did say that his screwing over people was all done by accident. Personally, I don't know if mens rea (mental knowledge) is needed to qualify as screwing somebody over, but I would kind of think so. Of course, sometimes one guy feels like he got screwed and the other guys feels as though he gave the guy a great deal.

[Andy L]

Fabs,
That kind of service is a problem in retail, IMO. Its the difference between where I shop and dont, I know that much.

As I said, Oreilly Automotive would have canned me or anyone else in a heartbeat for blowing off someone like that. Especially if we werent busy.

Actually, if your not sure, "whos next", works pretty good. And rolling your eyes and sarasim in your voice is not acceptable. EVER.

Andy

[fabsroman]

Andy,

I worked retail at a hot dog stand in a mall's food court for 5 years, from my senior year in high school until I graduated from undergrad and started studying for the CPA exam. Retail is a tough business. However, try being an attorney/CPA. Clients think they are the only client I have.

With that said, I agree that you were treated like crap and I personally do not put up with that any more. I guess that is also why I like dealing over the Internet for most stuff. Now, it has been 24 hours since I sent Staples that e-mail and I sent them another in the middle of the day. No response yet. I sent Office Depot an e-mail last night about a product that I would like them to carry that is brand new, but they haven't responded either. Granted, both companies have sent me generic e-mails stating that they received my e-mail.

My last problem with Cabelas was regarding two custom dog collars that I ordered for Nitro. One never came and the other came with its tag broken off. I went on-line to there instant help line via some IM client and they had new collars out to me right away. I think I went on-line and Im'ed them for one other thing too, but I cannot remember what it was. It must have been a good outcome because I usually remember the bad ones and make sure that I tell everybody about it.

As far as auto parts stores are concerned, I shy away from those places because most of the guys behind the counter are far from helpful. I usually go on-line to Napa, AutoZone, Advanced Auto Parts, and Carquest. With that said, if I ever need help from somebody behind the counter, I would trust the Napa guys in this area. The service at Pep Boys over here is terrible. I went in there for some items that they had on sale and they didn't have a single one stocked on the floor out of the five items I was looking for.

[BILLY D.]

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE PROBABLY PAID $6.00 AN HOUR.

REMEMBER WE ARE NOT A MANUFACTURING COUNTRY ANYMORE. THANKS TO THE EPA AND JOB OUT SOURCING WE MERELY SELL AND PUSH EVERYBODY ELSES CHEAP CRAP. ALSO THANKS TO WALMART. WHY DO YOU THINK THERE ARE 5 WALDONS IN THE TOP RICHEST PEOPLES LIST? RETAIL CLERKS USED TO DRESSED DIGNIFIED, NOT NOWADAYS. I WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BE MOTIVATED AT WORK ALSO, ESPECIALLY IF I'M WORKING TWO JOBS AND STILL JUST SQUEAKING BY.

THE USA USED TO BE ALMOST SELF SUFFICIENT. NOT ANY MORE. TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MULTI-MULTI BILLION DOLLAR TRADE DEFICIT. WALMART MAKES A BIG CONTRIBUTION TO THAT ALSO. THESE DAYS IF YOU AREN'T IN THE MEDICAL, FINANCIAL OR COMPUTER FIELDS YOU ALMOST HAVE A DEAD END JOB.

I'M JUST A CABELAS CUSTOMER. BUT I DO ALL MY PURCHASES BY PHONE. NO PROBLEMS HERE.

[gspsonny03]

All I can tell you is that Cabela's is pretty much my second home and I have never had a problem with their service, whather it be on the phone or in person. They have always been courteous, friendly and helpful. I suppose that when you consider how many employees they now have sooner or later you are going to run into someone that's had a bad day or who just has an attitude problem. I agree with the rest, send a letter an email or better yet make a phone call. Cabela's is trying very hard to become the biggest and best sporting goods store in the U.S.A. and they can't do that with people like you just mentioned, there is just to much competetion out there. I certainly wouldn't base my opinion of a store on one person's attitude on one visit. Now if it happened more than once, than we would have a problem.

[Nulle]

Never had a problem at mine yet.
I get the master catalogs also and you can bet I dont have the credit card or spend a ton of money in that place either.
They got a ton of stuff but they sure are not a deal when it comes to buying.

[fabsroman]

Nulle,

Do you know of some other mail order places that are cheaper. Being a CPA, I can squeeze the you know what out of a nickel. So, I am all ears for any places that are cheaper than Cabelas.

[Mil Dot]

Dealing with big retail. Stay calm! Assess the situation. How busy is it? Request a management person for satisfaction. Move up the chain. Local locations do not want negatives coming back to them from corporate big wigs. I work as a Department Manager for a big chain, an equal to a store assistant manager, customer complaints to corporate office via e-mail are like a five alarm fire in my district and are expected to be handled within 24hrs. It truly is about getting to the right person within the store to get taken care of or get feedback to. They may realize a problem exists with a particular associate but without customer complaints (as crazy as this sounds) they are unable to expedite a resolution (get rid of the problem) due to legal guidelines protecting the associate. It isn't the good old days where you can just terminate on the spot. Now, there is counseling, written documentation, various warning levels and all having to be case specific. In other words, you may be doing the local Cabelas, yourself and all the patrons in your area a huge favor by lodging a complaint on a particular associate (he/she may have others). Try to make sure and have his/her name.
Cabelas has always taken care of me, customer service wise, and many other folks. Just go to their tent sale in Sidney this summer. They do a huge clean out the mailorder returns tent sale each year in like July. Its clear that a lot of folks use stuff for one camping trip and then return it as defective. I've purchased boots that had "dirty" as the reason for there return. Now that's a pretty liberal return policy.

MD

[Hawkeye6]

I've always had good service from Cabelas, whether it was as a phone or an internet customer. I've only been to their stores twice. Once to the one in Wheeling WV, and once to the one in Dundee MI. Both of them had pretty good crowds.

Fabs, I get the catalog in hardbound form, too. But this Spring was the first time.

As to their prices, I think they are competitive. Not necessarily the best price in town, but usually right in there. If what they have seems kind of expensive, I usually find its pretty close to what the rest of the retailers charge.

Another thing is that I find their clothes to be pretty consistently sized. When i "mail-order" clothes, I thinkhtat's pretty improtant.

H.

[Andy L]

Guys, I have always had good service out of Cabelas as well. I get the catalogs as well. I order a ton of stuff from there every year, usually catalog or online. I agree they are normally good. I have never used their return policy, but hear its great. Im not into using something and returning it like some folks. Just makes stuff higher in the future.

But, this is only the second time I have been in one of their stores. And, both times the same store. And, as I said before, they were not busy. Actually, I was surprised at how few people were there. I have been to the gun counter at Bass Pro on Springfield MO numerous times, and know how busy it can be. But it wasnt.

Im glad they have so many defenders. I would be the same way, had I not been treated like that. I guess you would have to be there to see the situation, tone of voice, facial expression and everything to appreciate it. I think anyone would have been upset.

Im not saying I will never buy from them again, but, as I said before, it could make the difference which way I turn next time.

Andy

[fabsroman]

I have been to Bass Pro Shop on several occasions here in Maryland and they have bene slow on a lot of them. Seems as though they are really only busy during the beginning of hunting or fishing season or when there is a big sale for a limited amount of time.

The last time I went there was when I was picking my fiance up from the airport, which is right next to Outdoor World. They were extremely dead.