OT-No more Bass Pro - final straw

[86er]

I've ranted on about the inadequacies of Bass Pro before and I'm going to do it again for the last time. While away on a trip I went to the local Bass Pro there and purchased a video. The title of the video suggested it was an informational video on safari hunting and was pretty specific. That evening I watched the video about 1/2 way. There was nothing in the content that remotely touched upon the topic indicated in the title. In fact, the whole video was an advertisement for a safari outfitter in Namibia. I left the video running without watching directly to see if it ended well. Nothing changed. The next morning as the Bass Pro opened, I attempted to return it. They would not take it back. I explained it was in a sense "false advertising" and mistitled. No - no video returns if they are opened. How am I supposed to know the video does not contain what it says it does without opening it? I said I would take store credit instead of my cash back. No can do. I asked for a store manager, not available. butt't Manager - not available. ANY manager - it will be 1/2 hour before one can meet with me. I left the video laying on the counter with a business card and a note "Store Manager - if you think this video represents what it states on the packaging please call and let me know that, if not I'd like to know that too". Three weeks just passed today. No call from the Bass Pro manager.

Now - in a different kind of incident, my book publisher contacted a lot of the local hunting related stores to set up a book signing. This is at no cost to the store. They can either do a temporary sku for the day and sell the book, taking their % profit or they can just provide a space and the publisher will provide me books to sell directly. Bass Pro was the only one with absolutely no response - and I am a resident of the town the store is in. I also donate a hunt every year to the next Bass Pro over that holds an "Outfitters Day".

That's it - I have severed any ties to Bass Pro once and for all. I really don't care if they're giving stuff away, I'll pay for it somewhere else.

By the way - Cabelas agreed to the book signing days. A nice lady called immediately with questions. She said something that makes sense. "At best we sell a lot of books and draw additional customers to the store, benefitting both of us; at worst we solidify your loyalty to Cabelas". Now that's just good business! They do indeed have my loyalty from now on.

Rant over.

[awp101]

The number of times I've been to the BP over on 121 since it opened can be counted on one hand and I'd have digits left over.

The number of times I've been to the Cabela's on 35 just THIS YEAR borders on stalking or at least being able to claim it as a second residence...

[Bigahh]

Sounds like some bad customer service from that store. I would hope all BPS stores are not the same!

[Warhawk]

Joe, I agree with AWP101, I can't stand Bass Pro but hit Cabela's nearly every time I'm in the area.

[Triggernosis]

I've been treated extremely well by Cabela's customer service on the phone.

The only "negative" I've heard about them is that they kinda "steal" other people's product ideas once they start carrying them by making their own version and selling it cheaper.

[madman4570]

When the Management does not even attempt to make it right/at least contact you??. Dump them!

[wilko]

copyright law... an opened video or game software etc technically cannot be returned. When it is defective, it can be exchanged for the exact same titel...

i make exceptions in my store...

[kimwcook]

Sorry to hear about your customer service at BP, Joe. I've never done business with BP and now I never will. Cut your nose off to spite your face. That makes sense.

[horsesoldier03]

I have always had good experiances with CABELAS!

[NonPCnraRN]

copyright law... an opened video or game software etc technically cannot be returned. When it is defective, it can be exchanged for the exact same titel...

i make exceptions in my store...

So if I bought a video of Mary Poppins and it turns out to be Debbie Does Dallas I can't return it? The movie would have to be defective but if it is not the movie you though you bought, you're stuck with it?

[TedH]

I can understand why they would be hesitant to accept a return, but there is no excuse for the lack of attention/action on the part of the store management. I wish I had a Cabelas to shop at. The nearest one to me is 200 miles away. Bass Pro on the other hand is about 3 miles.

[wilko]

copyright law... an opened video or game software etc technically cannot be returned. When it is defective, it can be exchanged for the exact same titel...

i make exceptions in my store...

So if I bought a video of Mary Poppins and it turns out to be Debbie Does Dallas I can't return it? The movie would have to be defective but if it is not the movie you though you bought, you're stuck with it?

Yes you could because you did not get the item that you bought... Like i said i usually work with the customer to find a solution that works. However people could have made copies of the cd/dvd/game for themselves and then return the original...

[rafter-7]

Cabelas,

My friend (Dennis) used to mangage the gun dept. and he was at a big regional meeting kinda like the shot show. Dick Cabela recieved a bunch of camo material free from a company tring to push his product and Dick had it made into a 3 piece suit. Well Mr. Cabela was standing at the urinal and Dennis came in and stood beside Mr. Cabela. Then a third and slightly intoxicated fella pulled up in the third spot took one look and asked. "Who are you tring to be?"..... Dick Cabela???? Dennis said Mr. Cabela looked over at me and shrugged his shoulders,shook his head and started to laugh.

True Story.

so the man has a sence of humor too.

^
7

[mklwhite]

I have had lousy service and attitude ( I was berated when asking someone who was working their ballcap personalization stand where the hats were that weren't ballcaps... "well these aren't "ballcaps" these are -some other name for ball cap - and then tried to go into a long snotty attempt to educate me in the particulars of ballcaps.)
Plus BassPro took public money for to renovate their World of Wildlife and kept putting off the reopening of it (for a couple years) and then wanted to build and open a hotel, when the city council said wait a minute. When are you going to open WoW with the money we gave you they (BP) said they didn't know yet. One city councilmen then said no permit to build the hotel until we (city council) knows (when Wow would open). BP tried to fight this but has since said December 2010 is the target date.

[firefuzz]

BassPro took public money for to renovate their World of Wildlife.

BassPro has turned into a capitol black mailer just like Walmart with their super stores. "If you don't build the store for us we'll move just outside your city limits and steal all your other stores patrons anyway and you won't get the sales tax."

They built the one in OKC on tax payers dollars, tax payers that had established businesses in OKC for years. OKC gave them a free ride to go into competition with these long established businesses. "But it's a tourist attraction." Yea right. They also used tax money earmarked for public safety, not a good thing and just not right.

I don't shop at BassPro since and never will again. I can only wish we had a Cabela's locally.

Sorry (step off soap box)

Rob

[.45colt]

Joe, I don't have a bass pro nearby and have never been in one.based on Your repeated bad experience I won't waste My time with them. If customers are treated rudly or ignored by staff it is just an extension of the upper managment.

[huntress]

Well, I have never had a bad experience with Cabelas and after hearing your story, I will not bother with Bass Pro. Sorry to hear they were so rude, but if everyone complains and boycotts, they will get the message! Cabelas is a better store anyway!!!

Sandy

[oic0]

We've got one here that is huge and seems like it must have cost a literal fortune to build. I shop there occasionally (its on the boardwalk) while waiting for movie time. I rarely buy anything though since their ammo is more expensive than walmart, but its fun to look since its like walking through a sporting goods catalog / musem

I wonder if ours was built with city funds also? I didn't hear anything about it but that would seriously tarnish my opinion of them.

[FWiedner]

Bass Pro and Cabela's are both too far away from home.

Bass Pro is closer, but I rarely find what I'm looking for when I do make the effort to visit. Not much selection, and lots of it.

Cabela's is entirely too far away. Been there once since it opened. Can't recall if I bought anything or not.

I usually shop via the Internet.

[NonPCnraRN]

I live in the central CA and Cabelas is a better excuse to go to Nevada than any casino. Their mail order service is great, but it would still be fun to go to the store. I could bribe the wife with a show and stay at one of the casinos. Win/Win situation. LL Bean has great customer service. I once bought a lambs wool lined Bomber Jacket (WWII Type). I overestimated my size so I needed a size smaller. There was also a small tear in the knit cuff. I called LL Bean and their customer service agent was apologetic and told me to keep wearing the jacket I had until the new one arrived, then put the old one in the box. Included was a UPS shipping label and all I had to do was call a number and UPS picked the old one up at my house. Now you cannot beat that kind of service. I have also ordered items from US Cavalry and their customer service people are top notch.

[Bogie35]

......Not much selection, and lots of it......

LOL!
I've been in a Bass Pro Shops one time, and I had the exact experience you just described. It was like the Target sporting goods section, except with 300 of everything. LOL! I haven't been to one since. And now I certainly won't go.

bogie

[Rusty]

Here in Fla. we are over run with Bass Pro Shops and not one Cabelas. The up side of that is since there isn't one in our state when ever I order from them online I don't have to pay sales tax.
I also have a Cabelas Visa card that gives me points for everything I buy and more points if it's something I buy from them. Right now they're running a promotion for 4 times the points on anything you buy. That equals a pretty nice present for guess who after Christmas. I just found a Stetson hat for Jr in their catalog too.

One day I'll visit a Cabelas store.

[Ysabel Kid]

I wish we had a Cabelas around here. Mail order, I probably make a couple Cabela orders per year, even have purchased a few guns from them. I've never done a mail-order order with Bass Pro Shops.