Sometimes It's The Little Things

[ollie]

I will not shop at BP anymore after what happened last year in the store. I think Cabelas by far has better customer service and products. Now mind you I was not in there shopping for a boat, but nontheless I had a bad experience. I went to buy a pair of waders. Went in and looked around till I found them in the FF department, but those are the ones that are pretty expensive for my budget so the guy told me to go over in the other department that sold them also. I went over and looked around and finally got some high school kid to come out and help me. I was looking for the neoprene ones with stocking foot so I could buy my own boots to go along with. They did not have a pair one in store so I ask the kid to see if they were getting more or what. He comes back out and tells me they do not carry them anymore, really?! I drove 75 miles and you don't even carry them anymore? He says, "that's right, sorry." The next day I get a store mailer from them and low and behold they are running a SALE on them that week. Needless to say I was PO'ed. That is why I won't go back to BP.

[Gavin]

Depends on what you want...We have both in the STL area...BP has a much better selection of fishing equipment...Cabela's just doesnt seem to have what I want......1/2 the department is stocked with walleye & pike lures, IMO........so it kinda tells me that the are too centralized, and that they dont know their markets very well. The hunting, camping, & clothing side is better at Cabela's though.

[RSBreth]

I'm lucky to live close enough to Springfield that I can go to the outlet store a couple of times a month. Better than the main store. I don't know how many times I've got Lucky Craft or XCaliber or whatever at 50% off. Right now there are rods ranging from the store brand stuff to GLoomis marked waaay down. Just make sure it isn't one with a broken tip. A 7' rod that is actually 6'8" and has a different style tip then the rest of the guides should let you know.

I wish there was a Cabelas down here in SW MO. I think the competition would be good for us customers.

[eric1978]

I wish there was a Cabelas down here in SW MO. I think the competition would be good for us customers.

I'll trade you our Cabela's for your BPS outlet. Finding a Loomis on sale is like striking gold...you don't see it much.

[vanven]

I will not shop at BP anymore after what happened last year in the store. I think Cabelas by far has better customer service and products. Now mind you I was not in there shopping for a boat, but nontheless I had a bad experience. I went to buy a pair of waders. Went in and looked around till I found them in the FF department, but those are the ones that are pretty expensive for my budget so the guy told me to go over in the other department that sold them also. I went over and looked around and finally got some high school kid to come out and help me. I was looking for the neoprene ones with stocking foot so I could buy my own boots to go along with. They did not have a pair one in store so I ask the kid to see if they were getting more or what. He comes back out and tells me they do not carry them anymore, really?! I drove 75 miles and you don't even carry them anymore? He says, "that's right, sorry." The next day I get a store mailer from them and low and behold they are running a SALE on them that week. Needless to say I was PO'ed. That is why I won't go back to BP.

I had a very similar experiences with Cabela's. I was in the market for a pair of waders and went into the KC store. I swear that store is 100,000 square feet and they only have maybe 10 pairs of waders in stock, all of them small or medium. Forget ever trying to walk in and buy an off size like a tall. I also went in to buy a Simms waist pack that was in their ad. They had the wrong picture in the ad. Of course the pack pictured was the one I wanted, and they didnt have it in store. Their online shopping is awesome, but actually finding something for fly fishing in that store in stock is next to impossible.

I typically wont shop at BPS in KC at all, but we do go occasionally because they do have some fun kid stuff and my son loves seeing the trout in the ponds inside. The Independence store is very frustrating for a fly fisherman. KC is desperately lacking in quality fly shops and on first appearance the fly shop at BPS seems nice and sizable. When you start really looking their selection is about 95% White River junk and not much else. That irritates me.

-Jerod

[vanven]

I have one more complaint about Cabela's while I am on the subject.

I have a pair of leaking waders. Their are Cabela's brand and their "warranty" on Cabela's branded stuff sounds great. It says something like liketime replacement for any Cabela's branded clothing or equipment. I have had these waders for 2 years and they have developed a leak right in the crotch in the seams under a seam sealed joint. It isnt easily repaired and to be honest they have been in water maybe 30 days total. I consider them defective. In order to have them replaced I have to provide a receipt for a purchase 2 years ago. They are clearly Cabela's branded and this seems to be a defect in manufacturing. They wont replace them because I cant find the !$#^@$%^&@$% receipt.

I seam sealed the inside last night with Aqua Seal. I hope that gets several more trips out of them. I still find it frustrating.

-Jerod

[ness]

Yeah -- buying sized-stuff in the Cabela's store is hit-and-miss. I've made the mistake of waiting to the last minute on several occasions and end up blowing into Cabela's only to find they don't have it in my (or my boys) size. Once I was forced to buy something online and pay $$$ shipping to have it on time. I'm cheap, and that really stung. My fault for waiting, but I've sure been disappointed in their stock enough times that I just don't count on it.

[emjay]

Personally I usually grab most my gear over at Tacklewarehouse, low prices, price-matching, and fast shipping. But if I need something quick, Fin-n-Feather right down the street is my go-to place, if they dont have it then I resort to BPS.

[flyfishmaster]

Vanven,

I also had a seam leak in my 4 year old Cabelas pant waders. Here is how I was able to get a new pair from them (for free):

• Did you purchase the waders on a credit card? If you did, just inform Customer service of a date range it was purchased, they will be able to find it in their system (they did this for me, I did not have a recipt either).
  
• Allow them to send you a tube of Auqua Seal. Apply the seal as directed. I tested, by fill the inside of the waders and they still leaked.
  
• Call customer service back inform them of your test results. They will then ask you to send in the waders.
  
• With in three days I had a brand new pair with a new 5 year guarantee.
  

I hope that helps out.

FYI: I like cabelas just for the Customer Service.

Later,

FFM