Cabelas return policy change

[Mike D]

Looks like Cabela's finally got tired of getting bent over.

Effective Sept. 1, 2009 their return policy changed pretty significantly.

http://www.cabelas.com/community-customerservice-returns.shtml

They have signs EVERYWHERE in the store now.

[SmTx]

Switching to a 90 day return policy stinks, the satisfaction guaranteed was one of my favorite aspects of the store.

[bowhuntntxn]

WOW Bill in San Jose is gonna be SOOOO disappointed!!

[DJM]

Just another sign of the times.


DJ

[Mike D]

From a business standpoint, I can't say that I blame them. I've been just as guilty of the next guy of taking advantage of their very liberal return policy. The customer service guy was saying that they were finding stuff being returned that they do not even sell. Also he said some people were bringing back things like an obviously reamed pair of boots, or clothes saying they didn't like them and they wanted their money back. There were plenty of folks that were abusing the old policy.

[tvc184]

From a business standpoint, I can't say that I blame them. I've been just as guilty of the next guy of taking advantage of their very liberal return policy. The customer service guy was saying that they were finding stuff being returned that they do not even sell. Also he said some people were bringing back things like an obviously reamed pair of boots, or clothes saying they didn't like them and they wanted their money back. There were plenty of folks that were abusing the old policy.

X2

The old policy was great for the consumer but I can't believe that it even lasted this long. Too much of a chance for abuse and lost money. Even now, for a lot of items they are giving you 3 months to check it out. If it doesn't fail by then it should be on the manufacturer, not the seller.

Still, it was great while it lasted.

[Bill]

WOW Bill in San Jose is gonna be SOOOO disappointed!!

As I read it, you still get 90 days to try something out and play with it, and return it if you don't like it.

However, this on their web site is very 'confusing'.

GUIDELINES:
Cabela's brand clothing and footwear is guaranteed for the lifetime of the product under normal wear and tear and defects in workmanship.

All other Cabela's brand merchandise is guaranteed for one full year.

I called and asked if Cabelas brand waterfowling waders are clothing and footwear. They had to get somebody else on the line from customer service to answer the question. Yes they are, BUT the lifetime is further defined as:

Up to 1 year: they cover all manufacturing defects.

1-3 years: They will evaluate the item and "work with you" on the issue. They said a pair of waders worn 2x per season is different from a pair that is worn by a guide every day with respect to the seams opening and leaking for example.

3 year- the "lifetime": who knows.

I (respectfully) suggested that if their return policy is the above, they put it on their web site so not get upset calls from guys who buy Cabelas brand and think they have a lifetime warranty if anything goes wrong. She said it was a good point and she'd forward it to their marketing and customer service people. But not give me something for free for the comment

[Instinct]

I apologise, well it wasn't all me but I had a hand in it: Sure did like that exchange policy...

[Xspot]

There were a few bow that people returned that cabelas never sold that brand of bow. Many people took advantage of them.

[bowhuntntxn]

I understand the need for the policy change, but wouldn't it be the responsibility of the person doing the return to confirm that they do in fact sell that product before blindly accepting it and giving store credit or what ever they would give out? Half the burden should fall on the poor practices of their own employees. But I do agree if it doesn't fail in 90 days, the it should fall back to the mfg. warranty.

[Smart]

Well if you don't have a receipt how do they know it was 90 days?...seems like a fella could still get a nice gift card for defective merchandise....

[TreeNap]

Too many Moultrie camara's returned caused this.

[bmac]

To many people buying things to hunt for the weekend and returning them. I dont blame them.

[leebtattoos]

i dont blame them. i wish it didnt change, but i personally know too many folks that took advantage of there 'no refusal' policy they used to have. i told those buddies that taking advantage would eventually catch up. welll it did....

[Bisch]

They have had the 60 day thing on trail cams at least since Feb. I bought a Cuddyback Capture IR camera and the clerk handed me a piece of paper at checkout that said no returns on electronics after 60 days. I thought "no problem, it's cuddyback, it will be fine". WRONG! I walked out of there with a POS that takes pics for 7-9 days and the batteries are dead as a hemmer. Cannot get anyone at Cuddyback to answer a phone to talk to it. Had a cuddyback company rep on the phone(by accident - he was talking to my local archery shop owner) and he said he would call back with an RA# so I could send it back to have it fixed or replaced. That never happened either. Guess I'm stuck with a $250.00 piece of junk.

It almost makes me think Cabelas knew there was a problem with the cameras before they sold it to me.

Bisch