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Old 03-19-2017, 01:18 PM
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SageValleyOutdoors SageValleyOutdoors is offline
 
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Default That's the last time I buy anything at Cabela's Calgary

Planning on taking my 14 year old son on his first backpack hunt in the mountains this fall, and we're acquiring the gear he's going to need. I had half a day off last week, so stopped at cabelas to kill some time, and look at their trekking poles, insulated mattress pads, and packs. They had a good selection of cabelas brand and therm-a-rest air mattresses, but only a few demo models hanging for me to look at.
The camping sales associate came over and told me great things about a particular therm a rest mattress, but since they didn't have a demo model for me to look at, I had to take him at his word that it was what I was looking for.
So I bought it ($150) and took it home. Took it out to check it out, it came with a little battery air pump, so I tried it all out. Inflated it with the pump, and had conner lay on it in the living room. It was a little small, but that was no big deal. It was VERY loud and crackly - Conner told me he likely wouldn't be able to sleep with how loud it was, and I agreed. We decided we'd return it and get a larger, quieter one this weekend.
So we went there this morning, and I explained that I wanted to exchange/return it. The customer "service" associate told me they can't return air mattresses for hygienic reasons - people sleeping on them, or using their mouths to blow them up. I told her "I get that - but nobody had slept on it, and we used the included air pump to blow it up. Besides, where does it say that we can't return it?"
She looked at the back of the reciept, said "hmmmm... it should say something here... hmmmm... it doesn't... but that's our policy."
By this point, I was starting to get annoyed. So I said "wait a sec - let's pretend that right on the back of the receipt it said 'no returns on air mattresses'. Do you think that would be adaquetly informing the customer BEFORE we buy it?? We don't get the receipt until AFTER it's been paid for. So what good would that do??"
"I can go ask a manager, if you like?"
I said "yes, I'd like to speak to a manager. I understand the policy, but if I had known about it before, I would not have bought it."
So she went to the back. Was gone a few minutes and said "I'm sorry, the manager is busy and can't come see you, and said that we couldn't return it. He's asked a camping associate to come talk to you instead"
"What? What good is an associate going to do? Is there a sign on the wall saying 'mattress sales final'?"
I went and looked. There was no signage indicating ANYTHING about returns or exchanges. The ONLY signs visible anywhere said "within 90 days we will be happy to exchange or refund purchase price with receipt etc. etc. etc"
I fully understand the logic behind WHY that would be their policy - if someone had blown it up by mouth, or someone slept on it before I bought it, I wouldn't want it. For hygiene reasons. It makes sense, thinking about it from that angle...
What REALLY bothers me about the situation is that;
a) they didn't have demo models of all the products. Only a few of them - so I couldn't see/feel the product to know it was too loud before buying it.
b) there was absolutely NO signage or indication from the sales associate that no returns or exchanges were allowed before I bought it.
c) the manager refused to come speak to me directly. He/she was "too busy" to talk to a customer who had a problem. What kind of customer service is that???

Since the Cabelas store opened in Calgary, ive been torn between them and Bass Pro. I like some of the cabelas products better, but bass pro is larger and has more selection and is a little closer to my home (Airdrie). This experience has completely soured me to Cabelas. I won't be spending any more of my hard-earned money there, and I would urge every single one of you to double and triple check BEFORE you make a purchase there, to ensure that their "customer satisfaction guarantee" applied to whatever you're looking at.

So that's my rant. I'm done.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:02 PM
bobtodrick bobtodrick is offline
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Whilst I agree that they should have had a demo...it doesn't matter where you to...Cabelas, Wholesale, Sears, Homesense...nobody takes back bedding, it's common knowledge.
Recently moved my mother into a seniors facility. Had to buy new bed and bedding even though hers was only a year or two old.
Blame the bedbug problem that has arrived in our country along with our new immigrants.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:07 PM
Big Thumper Big Thumper is offline
 
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To top it off, BP and Cabelas are now same Co anyway....
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:07 PM
Weedy1 Weedy1 is offline
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http://www.cabelas.ca/pages/return-policy

It lists the mattresses/pads in the Final Sale section here as being non-returnable. If not, it should be clear in the store also.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:11 PM
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To top it off, BP and Cabelas are now same Co anyway....
That merger is pending approval, its not yet finalized:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/...as-merger.html
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:14 PM
ETOWNCANUCK ETOWNCANUCK is offline
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No demo, but why didn't you open the box in the store to check it out before you bought it?
Then they would have a demo ready to go and you would know what it is you are buying.

frustrating as it is, it's always buyer beware,
even in the stores.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:28 PM
dewalt18 dewalt18 is offline
 
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Cabelas is a hunting and fishing department store. If you're in the market for specialty gear, like backcountry stuff especially, go somewhere that deals almost exclusively in it. Campers village, MEC, Atmosphere, Valhalla Pure, etc. The person that likely talked you into your purchase may have never spent a single night in a tent, let alone done any sort of back country camping. When I'm in the market for a set of tires, I go to a tire shop, not Canadian tire or Walmart. Just because they sell tires, doesn't mean that they know about tires.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:32 PM
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Same as underwear.

I bought some, realized it was the wrong size in the parking lot, they wouldn't allow me to return it ten minutes later still in its factory sealed bag.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:38 PM
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SageValleyOutdoors SageValleyOutdoors is offline
 
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I agree with pretty much everything that you all had to say - but like I outlined in the post: it really doesn't bother me that their policy is no returns or exchanges on mattress - regardless of the fact that nobody slept on it or blew it up by mouth - I totally get that. What bothers the hell out of me is that there was absolutely NO signage anywhere in the store indicating the policy regarding the bedding (I would have thought there would be a sign on the wall, just like there is by the firearms counter), that there were no demos available to check out the product before buying it, and most especially the complete lack of customer service by the managers to handle the problem... anytime a manager is "too busy" to deal with a customer's issue, that speaks volumes about their attitude and priorities.
Just my 2 cents.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Trochu View Post
Same as underwear.

I bought some, realized it was the wrong size in the parking lot, they wouldn't allow me to return it ten minutes later still in its factory sealed bag.
yups .. but I also I agree with the no return policy on some items ... just think about it .... new or used ...lol... yikes
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by SageValleyOutdoors View Post
I agree with pretty much everything that you all had to say - but like I outlined in the post: it really doesn't bother me that their policy is no returns or exchanges on mattress - regardless of the fact that nobody slept on it or blew it up by mouth - I totally get that. What bothers the hell out of me is that there was absolutely NO signage anywhere in the store indicating the policy regarding the bedding (I would have thought there would be a sign on the wall, just like there is by the firearms counter), that there were no demos available to check out the product before buying it, and most especially the complete lack of customer service by the managers to handle the problem... anytime a manager is "too busy" to deal with a customer's issue, that speaks volumes about their attitude and priorities.
Just my 2 cents.
maybe ASK before you buy ...otherwise the walls would be full of signs and policies and someone would say ..HEY the print was too small
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Old 03-19-2017, 03:02 PM
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To top it off, BP and Cabelas are now same Co anyway....


Nope. And the drop in my cabelas shares proves it


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Old 03-19-2017, 03:57 PM
morinj morinj is offline
 
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There was no clarification in the store or on your paperwork (receipt), signage in store expresses that they will happily return items within 90 days. If you wanna spend time fighting it, I'm sure you would probably win, the store should have happily returned your money, and fixed their problem, instead of making it yours. The no return policy, and the fact that there was no demo would have probably, rerouted your choice, but fighting this will be very similar to banging your head on a brick wall!
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Old 03-19-2017, 04:01 PM
Phshrmn Phshrmn is offline
 
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Consider using it for a few nights at home to see if it changes after a number of uses. You may be able to save it. Thermarest is a decent brand. It should work.

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Old 03-19-2017, 04:03 PM
TROLLER TROLLER is offline
 
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I would still hunt down the manager, talk with him or her and also let it be known you will spread the word on social media.

Him not being available is just a way of a real poor mgr. avoiding a customer and pawning you off to some one else to take the heat.

Do not let this cowardly mgr get off without at least addressing the issue with you face to face.
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Old 03-19-2017, 04:10 PM
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My take on this is ,
the OP had every intention of taking it home , trying it and returning ... I don't want used products .. the fact he knew this , is every reason for him to ask before and not cause all this fuss .. these sort of consumers along with theft cost billions of dollars to the rest of us .. not pointing at you OP but take some responsibility .... you still have the mattress right ?
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Old 03-19-2017, 04:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rio56 View Post
maybe ASK before you buy ...otherwise the walls would be full of signs and policies and someone would say ..HEY the print was too small
100% agreed .......... not having a store policy sign, to outline every single "reasonable and commonly understood" exception to a store policy is just like having a warning sign saying "caution sharp" on a knife.

It's a knife ..... yeah it's sharp ?!?!

It's underwear or bedding ...... no you can't return it ?!?!

Signs like these explaining every single and possible REASONABLY AND COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD EXCEPTION are for troublemakers, those without common sense, dummies and lawyers.

I don't run with scissors !!!!! Yet the package doesn't say not to.
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Old 03-19-2017, 04:29 PM
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SageValleyOutdoors SageValleyOutdoors is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rio56 View Post
My take on this is ,
the OP had every intention of taking it home , trying it and returning ... I don't want used products .. the fact he knew this , is every reason for him to ask before and not cause all this fuss .. these sort of consumers along with theft cost billions of dollars to the rest of us .. not pointing at you OP but take some responsibility .... you still have the mattress right ?
While I appreciate your take on this - your take is absolutely WRONG. I never had the intention of taking it home, using it and then returning it. I took it home, opened it, blew it up (with the supplied battery pump) and then we saw that it crinkled and cracked and made as much noise as if it was made of a box of corn flakes. Of course nobody wants "used products". Which is exactly the reason I didn't tear open the box and look at it closely before paying for it - they wouldn't be able to sell it with a torn open box, any more than they could sell it if some smelly, hairy dude slept on it for a week.
The retailer isn't responsible for me being uneducated about a product - but when their sales associate tells me it's a great product and worth shelling out $150 for, I'm going to believe him. Next time you're in a cabelas, look for the public posting of their return policy - it's a big poster above the customer service desk - in huge bold letters it states "90 days return or exchange with receipt etc etc" in smaller letters it states that firearm sales are final - that's it! There's a reminder at the gun counter that firearm and ammunition sales are final. My complaint isn't so much that the policy is what it is - but that the manager had better things to do than even talk with me, and that the policy on mattresses isn't as crystal clear to the customer as the firearms policy.
I didn't post this to play a martyr or play "poor me".
I posted this to vent frustration and hopefully so that at least ONE person can learn from my mistake.

On a totally unrelated topic - I have a beautiful, unused, high quality therm-a-rest air mattress for sale. Any takers? Lol
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Old 03-19-2017, 04:49 PM
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I'm glad they don't take back air mattresses.
Knowing they don't makes me more willing to buy one there.
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Old 03-19-2017, 05:05 PM
1shotwade 1shotwade is offline
 
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I think its pretty clear its a policy! Talking with a manager is a mute point and a waste of time. Would you have written a praising post if the manager had refunded your money. I think we need to have a 24 hour cooling off period on the site before one can post about how they feel they were wronged in their opinion.
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Old 03-19-2017, 05:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobtodrick View Post
Whilst I agree that they should have had a demo...it doesn't matter where you to...Cabelas, Wholesale, Sears, Homesense...nobody takes back bedding, it's common knowledge.
Recently moved my mother into a seniors facility. Had to buy new bed and bedding even though hers was only a year or two old.
Blame the bedbug problem that has arrived in our country along with our new immigrants.
Totally agree. I hate that them immigrants brought bed bugs to North America. Also the Starlings, English Sparrows and Dandylions.

If the Brits, French, Spanish had not been allowed to come here we would be bed bug free.

http://www.bedbugs.org/the-history-of-bed-bugs/





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Old 03-19-2017, 05:27 PM
sgill808 sgill808 is offline
 
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Costco takes returns on matresses and underwear. Don't even need the receipt.
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Old 03-19-2017, 05:30 PM
Springerman Springerman is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rio56 View Post
My take on this is ,
the OP had every intention of taking it home , trying it and returning ... I don't want used products .. the fact he knew this , is every reason for him to ask before and not cause all this fuss .. these sort of consumers along with theft cost billions of dollars to the rest of us .. not pointing at you OP but take some responsibility .... you still have the mattress right ?
That's B.S. There is getting to be less & less customer servic every day !!!
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Old 03-19-2017, 05:40 PM
Pekan Pekan is offline
 
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It sounds like a sound policy, to not take back bedding. Sorry about your luck on the purchase.

imo cabelas and bass pro both have crappy camping sections. Unless you need a propane powered ice cream maker, or a camo camp chair!

One question for the OP, what was your rush to make the purchase anyway? Its March for gods sake! Your son likley wont need it til summer.
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Old 03-19-2017, 05:45 PM
sweld sweld is offline
 
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All they have is your word that you didn't use it. It's there policy. If u sold a bed and the person wanted to return it would you take there word and that chance


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Old 03-19-2017, 06:13 PM
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Rio56 Rio56 is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Springerman View Post
That's B.S. There is getting to be less & less customer servic every day !!!
you mean less and less returns ! take it home and return with fleas , lice and bed bugs maybe ... I really don't want your return.. I PAY for new
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Old 03-19-2017, 06:28 PM
Treehound Treehound is offline
 
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Thermarest is pretty much the best you can buy and I have never had one making those noises you describe, not if inflated properly. Regardless you won't hear it under a few blankets and a sleeping bag. Usually need to break them in a bit which I would do by inflating it and leaving it fully inflated in the closet or under the bed for a while. Never had a bad one yet. I still use the one my dad left too close to the heater and it popped some sections into a Quasimodo style growth. Still works.
That being said I never impulse buy something important. I research it online and check the reviews before going in. Good luck.
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Old 03-19-2017, 06:36 PM
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Ken07AOVette Ken07AOVette is offline
 
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So if you got it home and it leaked they wouldn't warRandy it? And everyone would be just fine with that? Sounds like it was junk, and they don't want to stand behind their product.
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Old 03-19-2017, 06:38 PM
sweld sweld is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette View Post
So if you got it home and it leaked they wouldn't warRandy it? And everyone would be just fine with that? Sounds like it was junk, and they don't want to stand behind their product.


It wasn't junk. It was to noisy for his sons liking.


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Old 03-19-2017, 06:42 PM
Jjolg123 Jjolg123 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette View Post
So if you got it home and it leaked they wouldn't warRandy it? And everyone would be just fine with that? Sounds like it was junk, and they don't want to stand behind their product.
Like many companies once open or used the customer deals direct with thermrest if there's a issue with it in sure they would have one sent out asap.
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