I'm done with Cabelas

[ghoster]

i ordered several reloading die sets.---3-4 week delivery.

4 week later - e- mail another 4 week.

4 week later - e- mail another 4 week

4 week later, yep again, and again:banghead:

6 month later i cancelled my order.

3 week later dies showed up.

cant wait till they call to get paid

gonna be 27 week backorder and my transfer fee will match their shipping to the cent.

 

[huntsman]

The problem isn’t with Cabela’s or any other store for that matter, It with the mentality of gun owners.

When pursuing an in demand commodity (which ammo and reloading supplies have become) the old rules of business go out the window. Like previously stated Cabela’s is at the mercy of the manufacturers and that puts buyers at the mercy of both the store and the manufacturers, you have to change your buying mentality.

The best thing to do is only buy the stuff physically on hand locally or get together with a few friends and make a trip to a big box store to fill your needs.

Mostly get used to the notion that the way things worked in the past may not be how things will work from here on out.

 

[mcdonl]

The problem isn’t with Cabela’s or any other store for that matter, It with the mentality of gun owners.

I disagree... in my case, all someone had to say was... "Excuse me sir, we are busy and will be with you as soon as we can...." I would have waited there as long as it took. That is basic CS skills.

 

[SSN Vet]

well,

you could always go and buy them somewhere else.

good luck

The best thing to do is only buy the stuff physically on hand locally

I frequently called KTP and Cabalas for small rifle primers at 5 min. past opening time over a period of weeks....

One morning I was on the road and called the guy at Cabalas from my cell, and he says he just got in 6 boxes....

Even though he said he's hold three of them for me, I blasted 40 miles up the highway at 80 mph to make my purchase.

Successful hunting and gathering involves some skill, but mostly depends on an individuals willingness to work for results.

 

[ArmedBear]

You can have (2) 8# jugs of powder and 25,000 primers ship in one box for one hazmat fee - makes the cost per round go way down that way

You can tell the shotshell reloaders. I've got to get a 28 so I have an excuse to reload again. I just can't bring myself to do it with 12 Gauge, especially for skeet.

Seriously, though, you can certainly do that normally. But trying to do that, right now, with rifle reloading components, is going to be hit-or-miss. When everyone is trying hard just to FIND components, it's asking a bit much when you get angry that your perfect plan doesn't come together just right...

 

[dfunde01]

I am amazed at the responses to the original post. The main complaint stated is that at 2-3 week back order time is being advertised for a product that is at best a 120 days out. That is false advertising. the size of the vendor is no excuse. It is wrong as well as stupid to solicit orders for product under terms that you know you can not meet.

 

[bearmgc]

Cabalas is not a first class outfit with good ethics. I stopped buying from them 5-6 yrs ago. I know people who stopped working for them about 5-6yrs ago, when their management practices started to get dark, and their merchandise was getting iffy, like changing the Kmart labels on clothing to their label. Guys, get a clue.

 

[ArmedBear]

Whatever they did 5-6 years ago, I've been happy with what I've bought from them lately.

I'm selective about what I buy, from any vendor.

 

[6.5x55swedish]

Mcdonl

Ever try special ordering a firearm from any small shop in New England? You may want to go back for that and consider 50.00 adequate to forget the grudge. My brother was looking for a new Beretta 12 gauge last year and nobody in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine could order it because of the manufacturer's minimum order. We called Cabela's Scarborough and they had it the next weekend.

Think of it this way... If they hired brilliant cashiers that cost would be passed to you, not only does cabela's have the gun you want, but it is over 25% off of retail.

For anybody else who is mad at them consider what your options would look like without them. We have had them for decades as a mail order company and I always ordered from them because even with shipping it was often cheaper than a local shop....now they have stores you can walk right into and get what you want without waiting. Sure it looks like they are not any cheaper than the local shops now, but that is only because the local shops had to lower prices to stay in business.

 

[bearmgc]

Armed bear, you can get the same stuff at Kmart and Walmart much cheaper. Or if you want a fancy label, check the Browning factory stores, where their stuff is 50-75% off label. Or Sportsmans Wharehouse in January, when alot of stuff goes often for more than 60% off. Most of us were dang near raised on Cabalas, and saw the change as clear as day. But how you spend your hard earned dollar is your business.

 

[Warhawk83]

I ordered a couple boxes of .380 a week ago with 1-2 weeks backorder, I'm starting to wonder if that was a bad idea.

 

[ezenbrowntown]

I think they list everything as 1-2 weeks. I put in an order for some WWB, which I understand is in high demand. I placed an order in March, and I still don't have it here in September. There idea of 1-2 weeks is different than mine.

 

[mcdonl]

You may want to go back for that and consider 50.00 adequate to forget the grudge.

Considering if very seriously.

 

[ArmedBear]

Armed bear, you can get the same stuff at Kmart and Walmart much cheaper.

Not what I buy from them (and I buy almost exclusively what's on sale). Sportsman's prices have never impressed me, either. Maybe after Christmas. They didn't carry anything I wanted, last year.

Why would I buy stuff that Kmart and Walmart have for cheaper, from Cabela's?

If you really think you want a travel fly rod from Wal-Mart, have at it. And all that hunting dog training equipment that K-mart has...

Not too thrilled with Wal-Mart's junk boots, either, but maybe I'm strange in not liking blisters or sore knees.

Seriously, I'm not sure what you're buying, but I don't see much overlap between Wal-Mart and Cabela's, at least in anything I buy from the two stores.

I'm not saying that I don't buy from Lion Country, Sierra Trading Post, even REI (they have great tech underwear). I just don't understand what, exactly, you were buying at Cabela's that you now buy from Wal-Mart.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I really enjoy Cabela's (I have to drive from Denver to Sydney Nebraska to go to one, until ours opens in Westminster SOMETIME) but I have never purchased ammo, reloading supplies etc from them because honestly, their prices have never been as low on that stuff as Wiedner's or Midway.

Never had an issue with customer service in store or shipping and I have bought a lot of stuff from them over the years.

Sorry you're getting the run-around but the volatility of the ammo/components market is certainly contributing to this problem.

 

[bearmgc]

I bought Rocky Boots from Walmart that lasted 8yrs and fit great. I bought a pair of Danner Hunting boots from a local shoe store for $50.00, perfect shape and still wearing them. I bought a pair of Vasque gortex boots from Sportsman's Guide for $45.00, 5yrs ago, perfect fit, still wearing them. bought a pair of Montrail hikers from a individual on a Forum for $50.00 new last winter, perfect fit. Bought Columbia wool blend hunting jacket and pants, $80.00 total online. Bought a Loomis 5-6wt Flyrod and reel with backing and new FWTF line for $120 total, like new from online individual seller. Rather than buy bulk handgun ammo from Cabalas, I order straight from Hunting shack Munitions by case, and get a better deal. Point being, Cabalas is not the all things to all sportmans one shop place anymore. Outrageous prices, general iffiness of quality to many of their own label offerings.

 

[mljdeckard]

I backordered a case of Wolf from them several months ago, for something like $139. I figured I better get in line, and I would do the in-store pickup to get around shipping. After extending it a couple of times, they cancelled it. The next day, they re-listed the same item but with a higher price. $179. The same day, Midway email notified me that they had it in stock, it was about $150 delivered, IRRC. NOW, Cabela's has it listed for $119, special blowout price.

They can do whatever they want to, and I am very much a capitalist, but Midway has been kicking their butt lately. Now I go to Midway first for pretty much everything.

 

[TX1911fan]

Cabela's was great for me and primers. Yes they were backordered for a long time, but when then finally showed up, in two different shipments, Cabela's did not charge me two hazmat fees. Only one. It's not Cabela's fault that manufacturers can't get primers out the door. Because Cabela's does not charge for goods until they ship, Cabela's wants to ship them as soon as possible too.

I don't even have a Kmart anywhere near me. Can't get much ammo or primers from Kmart, or Walmart for that matter, these days.

 

[jard]

The Cabela's here in Boise is great.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Again thanks for all the responses, but only a few of the readers realized this was not about the actual back order or wait time.

I got an email from Cabela's that the product was considered unavailable and my order would be canceled. I went to their website and they are still advertising (to this minute) that the CCI primers are only 2-3 weeks on back order. My order was about 3 months old. So that means Cabelas will get a shipment in the next few weeks that will cover all of their back orders and still get any new shipment out at the same time? Really?

When I called to complain, then wrote an email, and called again, I was not treated well. They kept responding that they had no control over the shipment and that they are still waiting. They also kept addressing the wait time, but no one would simply just listen to me.

Also, this is costing me money. I placed my orders for powder and primer and cleaning supplies to minimize the shipping and hazmat costs. Now my order is canceled but I still had to pay shipping and haz mat cuase I got a partial shipment. All I got was the powder. I would not have ordered just the powder under any other case. It was to be a combined shipment. If they had refunded the shipping or haz mat or something I'd have been a little happier, but it just not right.

 

[msb45]

They are attempting to comply with FTC requirements, which (again IIRC) require a mail order vendor to notify customers if a backorder is going to be more than 30 days out (or 30+ days beyond a delay that the buyer was already aware of), particularly if they already have given an expected ship date and need to revise it. The same FTC regulations require the vendor to seek the buyers consent for the unanticipated (additional) delay. If the vendor does not recieve that consent, they are supposed to cancel the order. Similarly, if the vendor is given consent and they determine that they will not be able to fill the order or that they will not be able to ship when promised (both presuming that additional consent has not been received from the buyer for further delay), the vendor is again in a position to cancel the order. (This is way over simplified, and from memory...take it at that)

I have 25 years in the direct to consumer market and can confirm this is true. Failing to do this would result in a serious fine and an audit from hell. Every exec will have to sign a consent decree and about a dozen lawyers will get a serious payday.

Of course this doesn't mean the communication can't be better than the OP stated. Sounds like two systems for retail and online. That's why stores often have bad web service and mixed messages.

 

[jmr40]

Cabelas has no control over their suppliers. They did you right. You are mad at the wrong people.

 

[TX1911fan]

You say "now my order is canceled" but you were the one who canceled it. I got the same email after 90 days so I just called and told them I didn't want it canceled. They kept it open and I got my first shipment of primers a week later. They are required by law to inform people after a certain time that they can cancel backordered orders.

I get that you are upset that they are misleading people about the wait time for new orders, but that is not the problem of the backorder people. You were complaining to the wrong people. Technically, yes, they are incorrect, but NO ONE who is reloading these days would really believe they could have primers in one to two weeks. I think you were too sensitive, probably got nasty on the phone, and they were rude back. I have had nothing but good experiences with Cabela's and their order department.

 

[Defense Minister]

At least they didn't do this to you for 6 months and then tell you that the item had been discontinued by the manufacturer. That's what they did to me...

 

[Lovesbeer99]

jmr40 - I think your on the wrong page.

tX1911FAN - I canceled the order cause they told me they were not getting the the primers. I didn't just get mad, I made a call, wrote an email, then followed with another call. They told me the parts were now considered unavailable, not just on back order any more. I pointed out that they were still taking orders blah, blah, blah.

I finally just got frustrated and said, yes cancel my order. I would have waited tll Jan, March, April. I didn't care about how long it took, but I didn't like the attitude and I didn't like how I was treated.