I do most of my shopping at Jay's, Frank's, or Northwoods. Once in a great while I will order from Cabela's if nobody else has what I want.

 

I quite them when they went woke about "hand gun caliber" ammo restrictions.
Guess they don't understand that some ammo can be fired from pistols AND long guns.

 

I stopped yesterday to the Dundee store to pick up a gift for my grandchildren and whatever else might catch my eye. I had not been there since May 2017 when I went to pick up the "trailer valet" they told me on the phone they had in stock, BUT didn't. I swore I'd never go back but was helping Momma.
Walked in and BAM........hit with a credit card offer and politely I said I don't believe in them for my luxury items, only emergencies. I found the kids area, grabbed what I went for but decided to "look around" in Bargain Bin". In searching for that part of the store, BAM, would I like a vacation? Another person doing their job but annoying me, my vacation at that point was anywhere but Cabelas 😆 .
Upstairs I found the Bargain area and was shocked at the JUNK I saw laying on the floor, shelves and thrown about. The straw that broke the camels back was the 2 Broken marine speakers clearly marked NOT FOR RE-SALE with a price tag for $39.00 attached!
Not for re-sale for $39.00?HMMMMMM, not a bad deal.
I put them in my cart and headed for checkout to a very nice young cashier. I asked for a Manager and showed the cashier, she couldn't comment but only laughed. The Manager (who I believe started yesterday), when I showed the speakers to asked if I was returning these. I explained and said that if Not for sale, where they free? No humor but confused.
Manager took speakers and came back stating they don't take back items clearly broken! OMG....Not the situation at all......GRRRRRRRR.
I finally asked the cashier if she understood and she politely explained I was just showing them the JUNK they had on their shelf. They said I should take these out of the store because they wouldn't refund.......WTH! THEY WERE NEVER MINE!
With my gifts paid for, I looked at the 2 "managers" and said I did not want them and they could do what they pleased with them and I walked out.
If anyone happens to go to Cabelas, I would LOVE to know if those 2 speakers are back in the Bargain Bin......LOL
Cabelas used to be a GREAT STORE to take kids and find a bargain occasionally but IMHO I believe they should change their signs to............"WORLDS LARGEST DOLLAR GENERAL"

Sorry about my rant but I respected that store at one time, PLEASE shop and buy from the local "family run tackle shops", they are our future, I PRAY!

iv been to the one in dundee,was a good store.they had what we never had over here,

 

Cabela's has not been Cabela's since they sold out to Wall Street. That one move is why Cabela's is no longer.

 

Cabelas sold to the Morris family who own Bass Pro Shops back in 2017. Well before that date they went public. The Morris clan ran Bass Pro as a private,wholely owned business and had to raise money to meet the agreed-upon sale price, so they leveraged (borrowed money) from an investment firm to complete the purchase. Their debt burden is immense, and sales/profitability have not increased for Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops, actually worsened during the pandemic, despite more folks spending time outdoors. Bass Pro has ALWAYS attempted to "sell a potential customer up" , this combined with the low quality of Redhead label gear moved me to stop shopping there.

Cabalas became a publicly traded company via an iPO in 2004.

 

I only shop there (or pretty much any sporting goods place) for fishing stuff. Good selection but you are on your own. Anytime I go there, old men in green shirts are standing around talking to each other and customers are invisible. Twice I've asked for help. Both times they acted like "How dare I interrupt their little chat".

I'm not saying everyone in the store are like that. But in the fishing area, no doubt.

 

Once it sold it was never the same. I'm sure they struggle to get help like anywhere else. I always stop at Franks or hit the west coast shops when I'm over there. I also like some of the smaller online shops.

 

Cabelas lost it as soon as they started opening the chain stores. It's rare I go there and more rare when I find what I need. Mom and pop local shops are much cheaper that cabelas anyway so I support them first then online.

Funny though how many people pay a inflated price because the hoodies, shirts, hats say Cabelas, Dam want me to advitise a store give me the clothing I sure as heck am not paying for it to advertise for you.

 

Used to buy me lure components from them in the '80's but they quit carrying them about 20 years ago. Neat to walk around the store, but prices are out of line. Since the buyout, they've gotten downright stupid with their prices. I'm guessing it's been 15 years since they've seen any of my money.

 

Bass pro ruined them. Before bass pro took over their credit card was awesome, got like $100 in points out of the gate and earned a ton of points on gas, which is what I used it for. Haven’t been to Dundee in 10 years. Was impressed when I was last there. Can’t say the same for the store in the thumb.

Don’t know about handgun ammo restriction though, I buy ammo from there all the time and it arrives to my door with no issue. They are the cheapest on 357 ammo by a lot and free shipping over $50.

 

Basspro wanted to keep their credit card branch of cabelas business. It was one of the best credit card companies in the country. The SEC would not allow them to buy it and it was forced to be sold off to a different comapny. Bass pro already owned their own credit card company the SEC deemed it a conflict. Basspro didn't ruin cabelas credit card the SEC did.

The credit card business of cabelas was known for having the best credit card holders in the US. They had the lowest default rate and it was very profitable business. That allowed them to offer great perks.

 

I agree it Cabelas is a joke ever since being bought out by BPS. Describing it as the Dollar General of outdoor stores is spot on. Back in the day the Cabelas branded hunting clothes and casual apparel where are as good as you could buy for the price. Noe it is straight up trash, the prices for a lot of that stuff is cheaper than before but it wears out or is junk in half the time if you are lucky.

I went to a Scheels while at my brothers in Appleton WI. It was a pretty impressive outdoor store for being a chain box store. I try to do as much locally as I can we have a couple nice family owned sporting goods stores close that actually carry some of the good quality stuff.

 

I went to a Scheels while at my brothers in Appleton WI. It was a pretty impressive outdoor store for being a chain box store. I try to do as much locally as I can we have a couple nice family owned sporting goods stores close that actually carry some of the good quality stuff.

Scheels is doing it right. Stopped in one on my way to MT for a hunting trip. Saw one on the way to Superior MI and stopped there. Both stores were well staffed, clean, and orderly.

 

The Cabela’s line of coolers had a lifetime warranty before Bass pro. My cooler needs a new gasket and Cabela’s is now acting like they don’t even have the ability to get one. To trash a $300 cooler for a $5 rubber gasket is absurd. I have half a mind to go into the store and just take one off a cooler from the floor.

 

I'm not sure what kind of cooler you got. Look on Amazon. For my Eskimo cooler, I bought a kit with two hinges, new drain plug and gasket for not much at all.

 

I try to avoid BPS/Cabela's. Not always possible, especially because my standard gift from all family members is a BPS gift card and the wife likes to go to great lakes crossing.

That being said I try to spend my $ in person at Sportsman direct or Bottom Line,. Alternatively I have ordered online from Frank's, Northwoods, John Bondy's store or dead end tackle.

 

Online only at BPS/Cabela's and ONLY if they beat other store prices.

 

Last few times I've been it's been a complete ghost town. If it wasn't for their online presence, I don't think they'd still be in business, and suspect we'll see retail locations closing over the next few years.

 

Funny you say that. I'm in the Troy area a couple times a week and that Sportsmans Warehouse is the exact same way everytime I drive by. When I stop in, the place is a ghost town everytime.

 

Yep - every time.

 

Sportsman’s is kept alive by gun sales, I go there weekly and there is always 2-3 people buying guns

 

Cabela's lost it's glimmer years ago for me. I used to have what I called "Cabela's Christmas" with all of the items purchased thru them. Not any more. Their prices are out of hand. I think the "bargain Cave" has always been a trash pit. The vast majority of new firearms I own come from Dunham's or The Sportsman's Warehouse. Anything else is either my local shop or a specialty item thru Amazon. I still stop at Cabela's when passing thru but almost always come out empty handed.

 

Me too i very seldom buy anything from them. When BPS took over they went down the ****ter. Very sad from what use too be a great store

 

Cabelas has definately lost their way once they were purchased by Johnny Morris. That guy is in it for the margin and nothing more. His business model is based around low wages, low price (not true) and low quality items that end with high profits. I bet his internet sales provide way more luster to his P&L than the brick and mortar stores.

 

This new post covid Amazon world is crazy! Everywhere I go places are full of junk and a bunch of kids that don't want to work!

Not sure how we'll ever get it back or if we will but like mentioned here, Jay's DNR sports on target. Maybe some of the small places where the owners still work there?

Employees over 50 years old are cherished these days because they actually show up with a good attitude and work the whole time they're there. They're not hiding in an aisle trying to mess with their phone or run when they see it customer! Managers are running scared just to get somebody in the door. Afraid to make anybody accountable or actually work. It's a sad state of affairs!

When you get to get good knowledgeable service somewhere, you're actually shocked!

I stopped yesterday to the Dundee store to pick up a gift for my grandchildren and whatever else might catch my eye. I had not been there since May 2017 when I went to pick up the "trailer valet" they told me on the phone they had in stock, BUT didn't. I swore I'd never go back but was helping Momma.
Walked in and BAM........hit with a credit card offer and politely I said I don't believe in them for my luxury items, only emergencies. I found the kids area, grabbed what I went for but decided to "look around" in Bargain Bin". In searching for that part of the store, BAM, would I like a vacation? Another person doing their job but annoying me, my vacation at that point was anywhere but Cabelas 😆 .
Upstairs I found the Bargain area and was shocked at the JUNK I saw laying on the floor, shelves and thrown about. The straw that broke the camels back was the 2 Broken marine speakers clearly marked NOT FOR RE-SALE with a price tag for $39.00 attached!
Not for re-sale for $39.00?HMMMMMM, not a bad deal.
I put them in my cart and headed for checkout to a very nice young cashier. I asked for a Manager and showed the cashier, she couldn't comment but only laughed. The Manager (who I believe started yesterday), when I showed the speakers to asked if I was returning these. I explained and said that if Not for sale, where they free? No humor but confused.
Manager took speakers and came back stating they don't take back items clearly broken! OMG....Not the situation at all......GRRRRRRRR.
I finally asked the cashier if she understood and she politely explained I was just showing them the JUNK they had on their shelf. They said I should take these out of the store because they wouldn't refund.......WTH! THEY WERE NEVER MINE!
With my gifts paid for, I looked at the 2 "managers" and said I did not want them and they could do what they pleased with them and I walked out.
If anyone happens to go to Cabelas, I would LOVE to know if those 2 speakers are back in the Bargain Bin......LOL
Cabelas used to be a GREAT STORE to take kids and find a bargain occasionally but IMHO I believe they should change their signs to............"WORLDS LARGEST DOLLAR GENERAL"

Sorry about my rant but I respected that store at one time, PLEASE shop and buy from the local "family run tackle shops", they are our future, I PRAY!

 

Johnny Morris has turned it into a junk store full of Chinese crap...I blow through the Chesterfield store once in awhile but rarely buy anything.

 

Only time I buy from BPS/Cabelas anymore is when they have a screaming good deal on something online which isn't very often.

 

I stopped yesterday to the Dundee store to pick up a gift for my grandchildren and whatever else might catch my eye. I had not been there since May 2017 when I went to pick up the "trailer valet" they told me on the phone they had in stock, BUT didn't. I swore I'd never go back but was helping Momma.
Walked in and BAM........hit with a credit card offer and politely I said I don't believe in them for my luxury items, only emergencies. I found the kids area, grabbed what I went for but decided to "look around" in Bargain Bin". In searching for that part of the store, BAM, would I like a vacation? Another person doing their job but annoying me, my vacation at that point was anywhere but Cabelas 😆 .
Upstairs I found the Bargain area and was shocked at the JUNK I saw laying on the floor, shelves and thrown about. The straw that broke the camels back was the 2 Broken marine speakers clearly marked NOT FOR RE-SALE with a price tag for $39.00 attached!
Not for re-sale for $39.00?HMMMMMM, not a bad deal.
I put them in my cart and headed for checkout to a very nice young cashier. I asked for a Manager and showed the cashier, she couldn't comment but only laughed. The Manager (who I believe started yesterday), when I showed the speakers to asked if I was returning these. I explained and said that if Not for sale, where they free? No humor but confused.
Manager took speakers and came back stating they don't take back items clearly broken! OMG....Not the situation at all......GRRRRRRRR.
I finally asked the cashier if she understood and she politely explained I was just showing them the JUNK they had on their shelf. They said I should take these out of the store because they wouldn't refund.......WTH! THEY WERE NEVER MINE!
With my gifts paid for, I looked at the 2 "managers" and said I did not want them and they could do what they pleased with them and I walked out.
If anyone happens to go to Cabelas, I would LOVE to know if those 2 speakers are back in the Bargain Bin......LOL
Cabelas used to be a GREAT STORE to take kids and find a bargain occasionally but IMHO I believe they should change their signs to............"WORLDS LARGEST DOLLAR GENERAL"

Sorry about my rant but I respected that store at one time, PLEASE shop and buy from the local "family run tackle shops", they are our future, I PRAY!

Fully agree total sheet hole now

 

I struggle to use my Cabela bucks. They just don’t carry much that I want. At one point their fly tying and rod building departments were pretty good. No longer


Sent from my iPhone using Michigan Sportsman mobile app

 

Bought a few Rebel ditch brown micro crayfish(with barbless single hooks) from there.
Went fishing , After about 5 casts it didn’t have the same action.
Examined it and saw that a glued in, round weight thats under the dive bill fell out.
Took it back .receipt in hand for replacement. Chesterfield store didn’t have any in stock so the customer service claimed I needed to pay for it ,then when the order came in ,return the faulty one as an even exchange and get a refund. A week or so later ,I’m notified that it came in . Went to Cabelas Chesterfield . Even though the customer rep remembered me she initially didn’t want to give me the refund. I persisted and after 20 minutes she finally gave me the lure and my refund.
They still have a few fair deals there. Mostly purchase from them when they price match.

Definitely not the retailer they once were.

 

I'll go there before I ever step in a wally world. Walmart just smells like cigarettes and garbage beer

 

Get them at the right time and I seen 3 outboards 9.9..15 and a 20 mercury go for 2100 bucks out the door for all 3..bass pro though…flipped the money…