Super User NYWayfarer Posted December 3, 2018 Super User Posted December 3, 2018 7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: I guess I don't see in my comment where I said anything about the gear "not holding up". It was the steady stream of gear that was years, sometimes over a decade old, being returned so the person could upgrade to the newest version of the item that really shocked me when I worked there. Or the people who would almost brag about how badly they would abuse their gear because they could always just bring it back and get a new one if it broke. I guess maybe some folks don't see it as an issue, but it's morally wrong to me. If a product has a lifetime warranty and it breaks from normal use, then I could understand someone wanting to use the offered warranty, but taking advantage of it just so they can always have the newest gear or so they don't have to take care of their gear? That's where I see the issue. I find it morally wrong as well. 2
Super User Deleted account Posted December 3, 2018 Super User Posted December 3, 2018 28 minutes ago, Scott F said: The mark up on Cabela's brand clothing is so high, that they could easily afford the cost of the return policy. So they were just burning all the cash from sales in barrels? Everyone who has gone this route, well, has gone DOWN this route. How's that LL bean thing working out for them?
Junger Posted December 3, 2018 Posted December 3, 2018 LL Bean ended the lifetime return policy in February 2018.
Super User Deleted account Posted December 3, 2018 Super User Posted December 3, 2018 27 minutes ago, Junger said: LL Bean ended the lifetime return policy in February 2018. They are a private company, so there are no hard financials, but it's no secret that the last several years have been, let's be kind and say challenging. I would not be surprise to see them reorganize or get bought out in the near future.
Junger Posted December 15, 2018 Posted December 15, 2018 Found this: https://www.cabelas.com/category/Bass-Pro-Shops-FAQs/1710698580.uts Quote Will my Cabela's lifetime guarantees be honored by the new company and can these items be returned at Bass Pro Shops locations? Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's will continue honoring all lifetime guarantees and any other warranties on its products. Customers can make a return or claim at any location for a refund or exchange for a comparable item.
Super User slonezp Posted December 15, 2018 Super User Posted December 15, 2018 16 hours ago, Junger said: Found this: https://www.cabelas.com/category/Bass-Pro-Shops-FAQs/1710698580.uts I guess the OP got his panties in a bunch for no reason 1
Super User flyfisher Posted December 15, 2018 Super User Posted December 15, 2018 25 minutes ago, slonezp said: I guess the OP got his panties in a bunch for no reason probably some dude who read it on another forum where a guy got his warranty rejected for slamming a rod in his car door...
Joshua van Wyk Posted December 15, 2018 Author Posted December 15, 2018 1 hour ago, flyfisher said: probably some dude who read it on another forum where a guy got his warranty rejected for slamming a rod in his car door... I went to cabelas to return a bag and the guy at the counter told me the lifetime warranty was cancelled by bass pro.
Junger Posted December 16, 2018 Posted December 16, 2018 4 hours ago, Joshua van Wyk said: I went to cabelas to return a bag and the guy at the counter told me the lifetime warranty was cancelled by bass pro. Definitely go back with the link and try with a manager.
Joshua van Wyk Posted December 16, 2018 Author Posted December 16, 2018 26 minutes ago, Junger said: Definitely go back with the link and try with a manager. I certainly will. 6 hours ago, flyfisher said: probably some dude who read it on another forum where a guy got his warranty rejected for slamming a rod in his car door... Did you even read my original post? I clearly stated that I personally went in with a broken bag to get it replaced. They informed me the warranty was recalled by Bass Pro. 1
Big Rick Posted December 16, 2018 Posted December 16, 2018 9 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said: I certainly will. Did you even read my original post? I clearly stated that I personally went in with a broken bag to get it replaced. They informed me the warranty was recalled by Bass Pro. Since he started his statement with PROBABLY, I'm gonna say no, he didn't read your post. 1
Joshua van Wyk Posted December 17, 2018 Author Posted December 17, 2018 Alright guys, I went back and showed them the website and they honored the warranty, really glad they did this. Thank you @Junger for posting that link! 4
Super User Sam Posted December 17, 2018 Super User Posted December 17, 2018 On 11/26/2018 at 8:51 PM, WRB said: Cabelas will fade into oblivion. Tom X2
gkdiamond Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 While searching for what Cabela's warranty service was in the 80s I came across this thread and thought I would add my just recent warranty/exchange experience. I bought a Cabela's rod (Cabela's Mag Touch Fish Eagle Graphite Casting Rod) in what I guessed was 1983 from their catalog. It broke about 9" down from the tip. I just assumed that Cabela's had always offered their 100% Lifetime Warranty before the changes so I emailed Cabela's customer service to inquire about a replacement. I told them I no longer had the receipt but the warranty/registration card I mailed back at the time would prove my purchase. The first email I received back the next morning said she was having some trouble locating a rod to match the description I had provided and could I respond with a picture of the numbers on the rod. I replied telling her that the 5 1/2' length is no longer offered in Cabela's Fish Eagle Casting Rod line-up. The closest rod currently in the Fish Eagle family is the FE54C664-2-B (2 pieces) and FE54C664-1-B (1 piece), both with the same Power, Action, Line Weight and Lure Weight as mine but 6 1/2' in length instead of 5 1/2' as well as attaching five pictures of the rod and markings. Twenty-five minutes later I received a second response from another rep saying "We can replace the rod with SKU #04639996 which is the FE54C664-2-B. I am including return instructions on the rod that you have now. Just return that one and include this SKU number so our returns department can send you out the correct one." I thought WOW to good to be true and so easy. Today, nine days after Cabela's received the returned rod, I got this email from a third rep: "We have received your return but need some additional information to process your exchange order. The Cabela’s Fish Eagle Casting Rod, Item Number 13-9235, the item you are exchanging for is higher in price, then item that was returned. We have a balance due of $75.66. The Mag Touch Rod you returned was 33 years old, this is out of warranty. It was 100% satisfaction, not warranty, back then and was stated “on arrival of your order,” not for the rest of its life. We were unable to find a Proof of Purchase, we used the lowest sale price of $19.99. This offer is for Exchange or Gift Card only, unable to credit card. If you wish to complete this order please call us with the payment information. For security reasons do not send payment information via email. If we do no hear from you in 48 hours, a Gift Card will be issued for the exchange amount." I guess I'll have to take her word on no lifetime warranty in 1985 not that it would matter with no proof of purchase. I can't be sure but it seems like they would have exchanged it straight across if it had been under the Lifetime Warranty and proof of purchase. She added tax to the current price of the new rod but did not subtract the $19.99 exchange credit from the balance. I am not sure why but it doesn't matter. It makes more sense to take the credit and if I want the rod wait for a sale. I paid $11.75 to ship my rod back so that puts me up $8. All in all I believe Cabela's was very fair considering all the years of use I got from the rod and no warranty or proof of purchase.
Super User Deleted account Posted January 12, 2019 Super User Posted January 12, 2019 2 hours ago, gkdiamond said: While searching for what Cabela's warranty service was in the 80s I came across this thread and thought I would add my just recent warranty/exchange experience. I bought a Cabela's rod (Cabela's Mag Touch Fish Eagle Graphite Casting Rod) in what I guessed was 1983 from their catalog. It broke about 9" down from the tip. I just assumed that Cabela's had always offered their 100% Lifetime Warranty before the changes so I emailed Cabela's customer service to inquire about a replacement. I told them I no longer had the receipt but the warranty/registration card I mailed back at the time would prove my purchase. The first email I received back the next morning said she was having some trouble locating a rod to match the description I had provided and could I respond with a picture of the numbers on the rod. I replied telling her that the 5 1/2' length is no longer offered in Cabela's Fish Eagle Casting Rod line-up. The closest rod currently in the Fish Eagle family is the FE54C664-2-B (2 pieces) and FE54C664-1-B (1 piece), both with the same Power, Action, Line Weight and Lure Weight as mine but 6 1/2' in length instead of 5 1/2' as well as attaching five pictures of the rod and markings. Twenty-five minutes later I received a second response from another rep saying "We can replace the rod with SKU #04639996 which is the FE54C664-2-B. I am including return instructions on the rod that you have now. Just return that one and include this SKU number so our returns department can send you out the correct one." I thought WOW to good to be true and so easy. Today, nine days after Cabela's received the returned rod, I got this email from a third rep: "We have received your return but need some additional information to process your exchange order. The Cabela’s Fish Eagle Casting Rod, Item Number 13-9235, the item you are exchanging for is higher in price, then item that was returned. We have a balance due of $75.66. The Mag Touch Rod you returned was 33 years old, this is out of warranty. It was 100% satisfaction, not warranty, back then and was stated “on arrival of your order,” not for the rest of its life. We were unable to find a Proof of Purchase, we used the lowest sale price of $19.99. This offer is for Exchange or Gift Card only, unable to credit card. If you wish to complete this order please call us with the payment information. For security reasons do not send payment information via email. If we do no hear from you in 48 hours, a Gift Card will be issued for the exchange amount." I guess I'll have to take her word on no lifetime warranty in 1985 not that it would matter with no proof of purchase. I can't be sure but it seems like they would have exchanged it straight across if it had been under the Lifetime Warranty and proof of purchase. She added tax to the current price of the new rod but did not subtract the $19.99 exchange credit from the balance. I am not sure why but it doesn't matter. It makes more sense to take the credit and if I want the rod wait for a sale. I paid $11.75 to ship my rod back so that puts me up $8. All in all I believe Cabela's was very fair considering all the years of use I got from the rod and no warranty or proof of purchase. What? Cause it sounds like you returned a rod from 1985 AND they took you seriously.Awesome. I'm abusing the next guy that comes in to buy a bike, just in case...
OCdockskipper Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 A side track to the topic, I am surprised any fishing gear would have a lifetime warranty. Items with moving parts or that are handled frequently will eventually break. One of my vendors has in-wall & in-ceiling speakers that have a lifetime warranty (they are well built and on the higher end of similar products). This seemed like a low risk proposition because the speakers are in a environment (inside) that won't create damage, are not something that you ever touch and don't have moving parts that create friction (Yes, I understand that the woofer & tweeter vibrate & move to create sound, I see friction as the culprit that wears things out). Their lifetime warranty doesn't cover abuse, so if someone blows a speaker out or sprays acid on the grilles to clean them, the warranty would be void. Basically, the lifetime warranty is to let the uneducated buyer know their speakers will last as long as other things built into or installed in the home.
gkdiamond Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 2 hours ago, reason said: What? Cause it sounds like you returned a rod from 1985 AND they took you seriously.Awesome. I'm abusing the next guy that comes in to buy a bike, just in case... I'm not really sure what your comment means or why you would abuse the next guy buying a bike? Yes they took me seriously and that was after I emailed them first and told them I thought it was a 1983 rod and that I thought it was under their Lifetime Warranty program and I had no receipt. With no proof of purchase on record and no warranty I would not expect anything so as I said Cabela's was very fair.
bayvalle Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 The BP acquisition of Cabela's is not good for consumers. I had heard early that the lifetime warranty is done. In addition it appears pricing has increased at both stores, less options, reduced customer service. I anticipate future store closing especially since Cabelas went on a building spree in an attempt to thwart the takeover. Ten years ago in my area of Ohio we had a Dk's and a Bass Pro within a 40 minute drive. Now we have a Bass Pro, two Cabela's stores, a Field and Stream, at least three Dk's stores plus some local shops in that same 40 minute drive. The market is saturated with box stores while at the same time online fishing store are beating them on pricing. When I asked a salesman at BP why the store seems so empty he told me it's because customers are now are only coming in to check out gear and then purchasing online. BP may have bitten off more than they can chew. 1
PeteG Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 I was absolutely not happy. I'm a long time Cabelas brand consumer. After some thought I realized my Cabelas brand gear was old and continues to age and wear well. So, good product. I'd buy again from them if their product is the best available in my price range. I have also discovered my local "outfitter" will locate most of what I want at the same or competitive price of any big box. So no need to stress... Lifetime warranty is great, but some dont use it as intended. I really have not needed extended or long term warranties for a manufacturer's fault or defect. I find these issues within a short period of time.
Super User slonezp Posted January 12, 2019 Super User Posted January 12, 2019 16 hours ago, gkdiamond said: While searching for what Cabela's warranty service was in the 80s I came across this thread and thought I would add my just recent warranty/exchange experience. I bought a Cabela's rod (Cabela's Mag Touch Fish Eagle Graphite Casting Rod) in what I guessed was 1983 from their catalog. It broke about 9" down from the tip. I just assumed that Cabela's had always offered their 100% Lifetime Warranty before the changes so I emailed Cabela's customer service to inquire about a replacement. I told them I no longer had the receipt but the warranty/registration card I mailed back at the time would prove my purchase. The first email I received back the next morning said she was having some trouble locating a rod to match the description I had provided and could I respond with a picture of the numbers on the rod. I replied telling her that the 5 1/2' length is no longer offered in Cabela's Fish Eagle Casting Rod line-up. The closest rod currently in the Fish Eagle family is the FE54C664-2-B (2 pieces) and FE54C664-1-B (1 piece), both with the same Power, Action, Line Weight and Lure Weight as mine but 6 1/2' in length instead of 5 1/2' as well as attaching five pictures of the rod and markings. Twenty-five minutes later I received a second response from another rep saying "We can replace the rod with SKU #04639996 which is the FE54C664-2-B. I am including return instructions on the rod that you have now. Just return that one and include this SKU number so our returns department can send you out the correct one." I thought WOW to good to be true and so easy. Today, nine days after Cabela's received the returned rod, I got this email from a third rep: "We have received your return but need some additional information to process your exchange order. The Cabela’s Fish Eagle Casting Rod, Item Number 13-9235, the item you are exchanging for is higher in price, then item that was returned. We have a balance due of $75.66. The Mag Touch Rod you returned was 33 years old, this is out of warranty. It was 100% satisfaction, not warranty, back then and was stated “on arrival of your order,” not for the rest of its life. We were unable to find a Proof of Purchase, we used the lowest sale price of $19.99. This offer is for Exchange or Gift Card only, unable to credit card. If you wish to complete this order please call us with the payment information. For security reasons do not send payment information via email. If we do no hear from you in 48 hours, a Gift Card will be issued for the exchange amount." I guess I'll have to take her word on no lifetime warranty in 1985 not that it would matter with no proof of purchase. I can't be sure but it seems like they would have exchanged it straight across if it had been under the Lifetime Warranty and proof of purchase. She added tax to the current price of the new rod but did not subtract the $19.99 exchange credit from the balance. I am not sure why but it doesn't matter. It makes more sense to take the credit and if I want the rod wait for a sale. I paid $11.75 to ship my rod back so that puts me up $8. All in all I believe Cabela's was very fair considering all the years of use I got from the rod and no warranty or proof of purchase. A lifetime manufactures warranty is for manufacturers defects over the reasonable life of a given product. Warranty for wear and tear is not, and should not be expected to be covered under any such warranty. All warranty's are subject to manufacturers approval. You were in the wrong for going back to Cabelas trying to warranty a rod that stood the test of time. I believe Cabelas was in the wrong for even considering replacing your fishing rod and they did it to save face from being disrespected on social media. I hope you're proud of yourself. 1
LxVE Bassin Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 17 hours ago, gkdiamond said: While searching for what Cabela's warranty service was in the 80s I came across this thread and thought I would add my just recent warranty/exchange experience. I bought a Cabela's rod (Cabela's Mag Touch Fish Eagle Graphite Casting Rod) in what I guessed was 1983 from their catalog. It broke about 9" down from the tip. I just assumed that Cabela's had always offered their 100% Lifetime Warranty before the changes so I emailed Cabela's customer service to inquire about a replacement. I told them I no longer had the receipt but the warranty/registration card I mailed back at the time would prove my purchase. The first email I received back the next morning said she was having some trouble locating a rod to match the description I had provided and could I respond with a picture of the numbers on the rod. I replied telling her that the 5 1/2' length is no longer offered in Cabela's Fish Eagle Casting Rod line-up. The closest rod currently in the Fish Eagle family is the FE54C664-2-B (2 pieces) and FE54C664-1-B (1 piece), both with the same Power, Action, Line Weight and Lure Weight as mine but 6 1/2' in length instead of 5 1/2' as well as attaching five pictures of the rod and markings. Twenty-five minutes later I received a second response from another rep saying "We can replace the rod with SKU #04639996 which is the FE54C664-2-B. I am including return instructions on the rod that you have now. Just return that one and include this SKU number so our returns department can send you out the correct one." I thought WOW to good to be true and so easy. Today, nine days after Cabela's received the returned rod, I got this email from a third rep: "We have received your return but need some additional information to process your exchange order. The Cabela’s Fish Eagle Casting Rod, Item Number 13-9235, the item you are exchanging for is higher in price, then item that was returned. We have a balance due of $75.66. The Mag Touch Rod you returned was 33 years old, this is out of warranty. It was 100% satisfaction, not warranty, back then and was stated “on arrival of your order,” not for the rest of its life. We were unable to find a Proof of Purchase, we used the lowest sale price of $19.99. This offer is for Exchange or Gift Card only, unable to credit card. If you wish to complete this order please call us with the payment information. For security reasons do not send payment information via email. If we do no hear from you in 48 hours, a Gift Card will be issued for the exchange amount." I guess I'll have to take her word on no lifetime warranty in 1985 not that it would matter with no proof of purchase. I can't be sure but it seems like they would have exchanged it straight across if it had been under the Lifetime Warranty and proof of purchase. She added tax to the current price of the new rod but did not subtract the $19.99 exchange credit from the balance. I am not sure why but it doesn't matter. It makes more sense to take the credit and if I want the rod wait for a sale. I paid $11.75 to ship my rod back so that puts me up $8. All in all I believe Cabela's was very fair considering all the years of use I got from the rod and no warranty or proof of purchase. I wasn’t even born in 85. If that rod just now broke you got a life sentence and more out of that rod. That’s cool that they replaced it.
Russ E Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 17 hours ago, gkdiamond said: While searching for what Cabela's warranty service was in the 80s I came across this thread and thought I would add my just recent warranty/exchange experience. I bought a Cabela's rod (Cabela's Mag Touch Fish Eagle Graphite Casting Rod) in what I guessed was 1983 from their catalog. It broke about 9" down from the tip. I just assumed that Cabela's had always offered their 100% Lifetime Warranty before the changes so I emailed Cabela's customer service to inquire about a replacement. I told them I no longer had the receipt but the warranty/registration card I mailed back at the time would prove my purchase. The first email I received back the next morning said she was having some trouble locating a rod to match the description I had provided and could I respond with a picture of the numbers on the rod. I replied telling her that the 5 1/2' length is no longer offered in Cabela's Fish Eagle Casting Rod line-up. The closest rod currently in the Fish Eagle family is the FE54C664-2-B (2 pieces) and FE54C664-1-B (1 piece), both with the same Power, Action, Line Weight and Lure Weight as mine but 6 1/2' in length instead of 5 1/2' as well as attaching five pictures of the rod and markings. Twenty-five minutes later I received a second response from another rep saying "We can replace the rod with SKU #04639996 which is the FE54C664-2-B. I am including return instructions on the rod that you have now. Just return that one and include this SKU number so our returns department can send you out the correct one." I thought WOW to good to be true and so easy. Today, nine days after Cabela's received the returned rod, I got this email from a third rep: "We have received your return but need some additional information to process your exchange order. The Cabela’s Fish Eagle Casting Rod, Item Number 13-9235, the item you are exchanging for is higher in price, then item that was returned. We have a balance due of $75.66. The Mag Touch Rod you returned was 33 years old, this is out of warranty. It was 100% satisfaction, not warranty, back then and was stated “on arrival of your order,” not for the rest of its life. We were unable to find a Proof of Purchase, we used the lowest sale price of $19.99. This offer is for Exchange or Gift Card only, unable to credit card. If you wish to complete this order please call us with the payment information. For security reasons do not send payment information via email. If we do no hear from you in 48 hours, a Gift Card will be issued for the exchange amount." I guess I'll have to take her word on no lifetime warranty in 1985 not that it would matter with no proof of purchase. I can't be sure but it seems like they would have exchanged it straight across if it had been under the Lifetime Warranty and proof of purchase. She added tax to the current price of the new rod but did not subtract the $19.99 exchange credit from the balance. I am not sure why but it doesn't matter. It makes more sense to take the credit and if I want the rod wait for a sale. I paid $11.75 to ship my rod back so that puts me up $8. All in all I believe Cabela's was very fair considering all the years of use I got from the rod and no warranty or proof of purchase. After reading this, I was surprised that someone actually had the nerve to return a 36 year old rod, for a lifetime warranty. I personally would be too embarrassed to even try it. Sorry to say, you are probably the subject of many jokes in the customer service office. 1 1
Super User slonezp Posted January 12, 2019 Super User Posted January 12, 2019 2 hours ago, bayvalle said: The BP acquisition of Cabela's is not good for consumers. I had heard early that the lifetime warranty is done. In addition it appears pricing has increased at both stores, less options, reduced customer service. I anticipate future store closing especially since Cabelas went on a building spree in an attempt to thwart the takeover. Ten years ago in my area of Ohio we had a Dk's and a Bass Pro within a 40 minute drive. Now we have a Bass Pro, two Cabela's stores, a Field and Stream, at least three Dk's stores plus some local shops in that same 40 minute drive. The market is saturated with box stores while at the same time online fishing store are beating them on pricing. When I asked a salesman at BP why the store seems so empty he told me it's because customers are now are only coming in to check out gear and then purchasing online. BP may have bitten off more than they can chew. Company's cancel lifetime warranties because people take advantage of them. As far as your other observations, consumers and technology have driven the market change from brick and mortar to online sales. I believe the big box store mentality needs to change or all the big retailers minus those who sell necessities, will go the way of Sears. I think eventually stores like BPS and Cabelas will be nothing more than showrooms with little or no inventory, depending on what the market bears. (Some clothing retailers are experimenting with this idea right not) Or, possibly franchising the satellite stores. Consumers will go in and see, handle, the product(s) they want and order it from a computer kiosk and have the item(s) delivered to the showroom for pick up, or delivered to their home.
gkdiamond Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 1 hour ago, slonezp said: A lifetime manufactures warranty is for manufacturers defects over the reasonable life of a given product. Warranty for wear and tear is not, and should not be expected to be covered under any such warranty. All warranty's are subject to manufacturers approval. You were in the wrong for going back to Cabelas trying to warranty a rod that stood the test of time. I believe Cabelas was in the wrong for even considering replacing your fishing rod and they did it to save face from being disrespected on social media. I hope you're proud of yourself. Their current warranty is for manufacturer's defects over the reasonable life of the product. To say that I was in the wrong for going back to Cabela's is a ridiculous statement. I thought the rod was covered under a 100% Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making an inquiry about the warranty. It is not for you to decide what that warranty covers or how long it should last. Yes you are right, all warranties are the subject of manufacturers approval and after being given all the correct information and five detailed pictures THEY made the call to ship it back to them when they could have simply said it is not covered under warranty and there is no proof of purchase. As far as saving face on social media, that is nonsense. A simply search will show that there are several hundred negative complaints on sites like Yelp, Consumer Affiars, etc. They could have said no for the reasons given and no one, including myself, would have given it a second thought. I am very proud of myself thank you for your concern.
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