Post by: Stein on May 08, 2019, 07:49:58 AM
I used to love that place and bought a pile of stuff from them, but I don't see a reason to go back. I still get a catalog from them often, but they seem to forget how to send out sale flyers or coupons and the stuff in the store is way overpriced. On the way out, I glanced at a shrimp pot that was 20% higher than John's in Everett.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on May 08, 2019, 08:00:55 AM
Post by: ellensburgpo on May 08, 2019, 08:12:34 AM
Post by: jeffitz on May 08, 2019, 09:00:09 AM
Post by: boneaddict on May 08, 2019, 09:04:33 AM
Quote
Nothing remotely like the company it used to be unfortunately.:yeah:
Post by: Cab on May 08, 2019, 09:14:30 AM
Post by: Mfowl on May 08, 2019, 09:20:05 AM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on May 08, 2019, 09:25:43 AM
I recently had a Cabelas gift card so i went browsing - was tough to find something to buy and eventually ended up getting a box of overpriced .338 Win ammo only because i needed the brass Lol
I got a gift card for Christmas, went into the Lacey store several times, very disappointed. Then I got a letter saying my bonus points would be expiring next month if I didn't use them.
Went in over the weekend and bought a metal detector. Not something I was really planning on getting, but when all was said & done it was $16.00 & change out of pocket.
I do think it will be fun to play with though, and my card & points are done, so if never go back, won't feel like I am missing or loosing anything. But I do hope they realize what they had and turn things around...
Post by: Iveexcaped3 on May 08, 2019, 09:27:15 AM
Post by: full choke on May 08, 2019, 09:29:05 AM
I wonder if they are struggling now after talking on Bass Pro. If they are pushing clothing thats not a good sign generally as that means they are pushing more high margin product to make up for past loses. Thats pretty much how I knew Dicks was in trouble, when they switched to pretty much spandex sports only and stopped selling hard goods as much. As someone that is in that product world and knows their business pretty well I do understand sku reduction because honestly Cabelas has too much crap in it but if they are loosing key items thats not good.
I might be wrong, and am definitely over simplifying it, but the driving force behind all of this was the stock owners. Basically some super rich hedge fund guy owned a bunch of shares in both companies and wanted to maximize his profits. Pretty much straight up Wall Street type stuff. Slash and burn and take out profit where you can- and burn down the rest. Don't be surprised if you see a Cadillac parked out in front of Cabela's at 2am with a couple of Pesci and Liotta types getting ready to torch the place...
Post by: Cab on May 08, 2019, 09:33:17 AM
I wonder if they are struggling now after talking on Bass Pro. If they are pushing clothing thats not a good sign generally as that means they are pushing more high margin product to make up for past loses. Thats pretty much how I knew Dicks was in trouble, when they switched to pretty much spandex sports only and stopped selling hard goods as much. As someone that is in that product world and knows their business pretty well I do understand sku reduction because honestly Cabelas has too much crap in it but if they are loosing key items thats not good.
I might be wrong, and am definitely over simplifying it, but the driving force behind all of this was the stock owners. Basically some super rich hedge fund guy owned a bunch of shares in both companies and wanted to maximize his profits. Pretty much straight up Wall Street type stuff. Slash and burn and take out profit where you can- and burn down the rest. Don't be surprised if you see a Cadillac parked out in front of Cabela's at 2am with a couple of Pesci and Liotta types getting ready to torch the place...
:chuckle: :tup: too bad Cabelas was always a fun experience
Post by: psr81 on May 18, 2019, 05:40:21 PM
In the end, the Board for Cabela’s, like every board of directors, is responsible for maximizing long term value for its shareholders, and if that meant selling Cabela’s to the highest bidder, then that is the outcome they must pursue. Many of you probably owned Cabelas stock somewhere in your 401k/IRA and are better off because of the sale.
Unfortunately, we are in a very tough period for retail, all our own doing. Be sure to support small brick and mortar when you can.
Post by: HillHound on May 18, 2019, 05:56:06 PM
Post by: magnanimous_j on May 18, 2019, 05:57:48 PM
If I know exactly what I want, I will go online and find the lowest price and buy it. If I DON'T know what I want, I need a knowledgeable salesman to help me, and I will accept paying more money for it.
Cabelas made really nice stores that were well laid out and nice to shop in, but the prices are high and the employees know nothing. Compare that with REI. I went in there a year or so back because I had no idea how to pick a hiking pack. The guy fitted me for it, explained the different options and I walked out the door happy, knowing full well I paid more than I could have online.
That's what Cabelas needs to do. Ironically, technology and razor-thin margins makes salesmanship even more valuable on the retail level.
Post by: BD1 on May 18, 2019, 06:02:11 PM
Post by: JakeLand on May 19, 2019, 10:12:25 PM
Post by: PolarBear on May 20, 2019, 04:11:54 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 20, 2019, 05:20:49 AM
Post by: mtnwkr on May 20, 2019, 08:35:19 AM
Post by: Russ McDonald on May 20, 2019, 09:29:25 AM
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Post by: stlusn30-06 on May 20, 2019, 09:33:27 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 20, 2019, 09:14:00 PM
They've gone the way of REI. They went from selling outdoor gear to selling the outdoor lifestyle for the city folk who want to claim they are "outdoorsy".
There are certainly a lot of folks that walk around town rocking their $500 Arcteryx jackets, but REI sells a lot of high quality gear to some serious outdoors folk.
Post by: lokidog on May 20, 2019, 10:05:54 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 21, 2019, 06:48:57 AM
Cabelas died sometime in the early 00s. I remember when I was a kid getting a Cabelas catalog was like Christmas come early. Filled with lots of decent gear. As soon as it became the Walmart/Home Depot/Best Buy for outdoors men it was over. All the sudden every person driving a truck north and south of King county rocked a mossy oak Cabelas hoodie, and they sold what mostly was a bunch of imported crap. I'd much rather order quality gear online from smaller retail operations like Schnee's out of Bozeman, or even better, shop local.
I bought everything from Cabelas in the 90s. Good quality, durable clothing, waders, etc. I agree that they started slipping after the turn of the century. They're not competitive and a lot of the stuff they sell under their own label now is junk.
Post by: goldenhtr on May 21, 2019, 07:01:24 AM
I got a new landing net for $16.50 out the door, $10 coupon, some Cabelas $$ on my card, but yeah, not what it used to be. I used to stop by just to peruse the Bargain Cave, that won't happen anymore.... I just wish Sportco or Sportsmans would have a store on the north end of the crap hole called King County......
There's a Sportsmans on Everett Mall Way. :tup:
Post by: stlusn30-06 on May 21, 2019, 08:58:39 AM
They've gone the way of REI. They went from selling outdoor gear to selling the outdoor lifestyle for the city folk who want to claim they are "outdoorsy".
There are certainly a lot of folks that walk around town rocking their $500 Arcteryx jackets, but REI sells a lot of high quality gear to some serious outdoors folk.
I'd take it one step further and say that the current Cabelas sells the outdoor lifestyle to the "country" folk who want to claim they are "outdoorsy".
Post by: Stein on May 21, 2019, 09:14:59 AM
I would expect they phase out even more hunting/shooting stuff and expand the bass fishing section and clothing. I would be surprised if they keep any local stuff like clamming/shrimping/crabbing and go with more of a standardized selection decided far away from the store.
I know several people that left after the acquisition and a few that stayed and aren't very happy with the way things are going on the HR front. I know their return policy is now fairly hostile, I wouldn't buy anything unless I was sure I wanted it and it would last.