Rather than hijack the other Cabela’s thread I just wanted to recount my experience yesterday at my local Cabela’s store in Hamburg, PA.
I have heard many stories about the lack of service at the big box versus local fly shop. Yesterday I went to Cabela’s to buy my nephew his Christmas present, a FIRST fly fishing outfit. While I shop at Cabela’s quite a bit; this was my first time really needing help and it was there in abundance. The guys in the Cabela’s Fly Shop couldn’t have been any more helpful in helping me to choose from the various outfits they had to offer. They spent lots of time, made great suggestions, spooled the line and attached the leader for me. AND I might add; we’re NOT talking about a $600 outfit here, quite the contrary.
Maybe this is what I should have anticipated but I guess I sort of expected them to just throw the stuff at me with that big box lack of service or ignored me with that high priced fly shop arrogance.
So I guess what I’m saying is: “Don’t be afraid of the Big Box Wolf” if they have what you’re looking for.
‘Smart’ Big Nox stores will hire people who know what they are doing to fill the sales position within departments and push service. Now I’ve not yet been to a Cabela’s store but with the reputation they have, it behooves them to have knowledgeable, customer friendly and service oriented people staff their departments. It seems ironic that there are a lot of Big Box store bashers. Yet many who recall and visited Abecrombie and Fitch(sp?) lament that store’s disappearance. Same goes for the use and dependence on Herter’s as a supplier. These were the Big Boxes of their day insofar as stores and catalog distributors.
If you have a Cabela’s credit card about 3-4 times a year they will send you a voucher for either a discount or anywhere from $10 to as much as $30 you can use the same as cash.
Last week, armed with a $10 voucher I went to Cabela’s to spend it. I talked to the guy in the fly shop for several minutes about fishing in general, a Ross reel they had on sale (I have more reels than rods) and the Three Forks rod (don’t need one, I’m on my third one). The guy was friendly and knowledgable.
I ended up buying a 4 pack of leaders and a bag of jelly beans - that took care of my $10 voucher.
i stopped in the hamburg store in october to pick the wife up an outfit. and i must agree, they were very helpful. i knew what i wanted when i went in, they did not try and puch anythig on me i didnt want/need.
very nice guys in there
I have been to the Hamburg Cabela’s several times and have never had bad service there. The folks in the fly shop are fly fishers and very polite. They helped me get a friend of mine set up with his first rig. Redington reel, Cabela’s rod, backing, line, leader, tippet and various other small items. All sale items. He even told them he was willing to spend up to a thousand dollars. If I recall correctly he spent about 250.00 dollars. They had him try several rods until they found the one that seemed to suit his casting style best. He is now madly in love with our sport.
Cabela’s makes certain to put people in their departments that live what that department does and sells. The gal selling you hunting clothes hunts. The guy selling you camping gear camps and so on.
I spent my gift card that they sent me on a new pair of hunting boots that will serve me well for winter hunting and fishing.
Last Sunday I passed through Liverpool on my way home. Sorry I couldn’t stop by but I had driven about 8 hours and had another 3 to go. Have a good winter and consider Roscoe, 2007.
That’s o.k. because I work Thursday-Sunday. It’s nice of you to think of me. If you want to stop some time and give me a couple of days advanced notice I should be able to get the time off. We can wet a line on the local fisheries. I will keep Roscoe in mind. Thanks for the invite.
When Cabela’s opened here in Utah (a year ago or so) the fly fishing dept was set into action by hiring LANCE EGAN and RYAN BARNES for managers. Two names you will see and hear a lot about. They know who to hire for sure. One of the sales clerks Devin even works as a guide at the same lodge I do.
They looked around to find the best of the best to work their store. I always enjoy going in and talking to the fine sales staff, but I still freaquent the small specialty stores and Sportsmen’s Warehouse.