| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 19:46:54
In early 2008 I began fly tying & fishing, for my pleasure.  Because of the uncertainty of staying in the sport, I started out w/mid-grade items. I bought Cabela's chest waders w/stockingfeet & boots, among other things. In 2010 the waders leaked @ seams & I patched them. Also, the boot soles started to separate & I applied adhesive. In 2011 the waders worsened & despite a heavier patch, they still leaked & were useless.  I then bought a pair of Orvis waders.  Where is this going?
Well, on Oct. 21st I had an accident while fly fishing French Crk due to the boots.  In ~ 3' water the sole on the right boot separated from the upper, along the full length of the "inside" of the boot per the pic below.
Image Insert:
103.27 KB
The separation was unknown to me & as I started to walk in the stream, the flapping sole caused me to lose balance & fall forward, up to my shoulders. Due to my age (73), the awkward position that I fell & the flopping sole, I struggled to recover, spitting water. 
Also caused by the accident was the loss of my digital camera which hung from my neck & was submerged; it was partially operational after 9+ days of a dry-out period, but not usable.  Further, my cell phone, which was in the zippered pocket of my new Orvis waders, req'd 5+ days to dry-out but was operational.
What to do? 3 Years of life for waders & boots is TOO SHORT!!! So today (Oct. 31st), I sent to the PRESIDENT of Cabela's the leaking waders, the damaged boot, the useless camera & a copy of a receipt for a new camera (which I bought to replace the water saturated camera). Also sent to the Pres was a DETAILED, 2 page letter explaining the situation, in which I recommended to him that in the future when selling the boots, that Cabela's attach a warning label to them, advising to stop using them when the sole separates from the upper. By the way, to exert pressure on him, I copied the Nebraska Attorney General, the NE BBB, the local Chamber of Commerce & the local Econimic Development organization.
I ALSO REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY LOSES - will he honor the request? TBD.
Shown below are the heavily patched waders that still managed to leak:
Image Insert:
82.78 KB
Lesson learned: 'ya get what 'ya pay for. Buying Cabela's mid-priced waders & boots was a CATASTROPHE!!! I now own an Orvis rod & reel, Orvis chest waders (bought Simm's but they were too baggy, so I returned them), a Renzetti rotary vice, etc., etc. Plan to buy an Orvis pair of cleated boots but they are out-of-stock until January; I'll wait until then to order, using my L.L Bean hip boots to fish 'til then.  |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 17:49:23
Well, Chris, the reason that this case took sooooooo loooooong to finalize is because Cabela's executives STALLED their position/reply on the warning label (not a good example of the "world's foremost outfitter") and yes, I am done sharing my bad Cabela's experience. 
Anyway, I got what I wanted (and deserved) as well as hopefully encouraging other club members to NOT accept defective products or inferior services, showing that there is recourse for such situations.
Now, lets get back to our common enjoyment, fly fishin'. |
| Blue Heron |
Posted - 05/06/2012 : 14:09:05
Does this mean that you'll stop beating this poor dead horse and bashing cabelas,the world's foremost outfitter? |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 10:20:50
What started 6 months ago in a complaint letter to Cabela's President has been satisfactorily concluded.
Reported in previous postings was (1) my request for reimbursement for defective chest waders & wading boots (the latter causing an accident), (2) replacement of a water damaged camera & (3) the addition of a warning label on the boots.
Item 1 has been fulfilled w/a gift card of $211.89 & Item 2 was satisfied w/the return of my camera (which functioned after a further dry-ouy period @ Cabela's).
They BALKED @ responding to the warning label recommendation & after a legal threat by the NE Attorney General, answered in writing that my boots had a useful lifespan, their tests confirmed the reliability of their products, that mine was the only complaint about the boots & therefore, no warning label would be provided. It is interesting to note that in the 2 letters that Cabela's responed to the NE AG, that their Corporate Councel (attorney) was copied. It shows that consultation w/their attorney was evident in legally addressing a potentially volatile issue (in a CYA action).
Although the case is now closed, I am satisfied because it is "on record" that at least one (1) customer had a serious accident w/their product. And of course Cabela's has lost this customer. |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 04/20/2012 : 16:15:55
Chris - to each his own opinion. |
| Blue Heron |
Posted - 04/20/2012 : 15:07:30
I love cabela's
, they are the world's foremost outfitter and you are still wrong.
|
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 04/13/2012 : 13:06:44
Sorry about your Endura waders "failing" after 8 seasons (!!!) but glad that you requested & got a free replacement. I commend you for making a reasonable request (after sealing the leaks that didn't fix the problem - same as my case) to "make you whole" (a legal term) & their making good on satisfying a customer (you). Perhaps more people will learn from us & not accept defective products as "normal".
Am surprised that your Orvis boot sole seperated from the upper so severely (making them hazardous to use) since Orvis sells good products (made abroad - damn).  You are wise to avoid buying Cabela's boots & I'm pleased that my bad experience w/them influenced you from doing business w/them.  |
| chris24 |
Posted - 04/12/2012 : 23:24:24
Orvis just replaced my 8 yo Endura Waders with brand new updated pair just in time for the new season. Was getting soaked on both legs and seam sealer didn't help. Slight inflation with a air matress pump showed delamination of the breathable plys in several areas. Didn't think they would come through for "free", but no calls about attempted repairs. Newer warrantee doesn't seem as good but I'll be happy to get another 8 seasons for the original price paid.
Last season the felts of my Orvis boots peeled 1/2 way back making walking the trails a clownish spectacle. Gorilla glue seemed to do the trick but they are a little stiffer. Guess I won't be stopping by Cabella's on the way home from Brodhead to replace with their brand. |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 04/03/2012 : 07:41:14
Mike - since the wading boots were my first purchase of same (have always used hip boots previously), I didn't realize that the minor seperation of the sole signaled a potential danger & continued using them until the severe seperation in the stream caused my fall. Lessons learned: stop wearing wading boots when the sole BEGINS to seperate from the upper (hence my recommendation to Cabela's to attach a warning label accordingly) & DON'T BUY CABELA'S PRODUCTS.
Consequently, I now own Simm's wading boots w/studs & Orvis chest waders. |
| Mike |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 18:01:48
Flyfisher wrote: "Hmnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Bob, the boots were slightly seperated but not to a "do not use" condition so I continued using them for awhile. Only after I was walking in French Crk did the sole severely seperate, w/out warning, causing my fall & the resulting correspondence to Cabela's. Apparently they agreed w/my claim (after prompting by the NE AG's office) as evidenced by the "check" (gift card) they sent as reimbursement for the waders & boots."
Perhaps you just ignored or missed the warning.
Life is good! I started out with nothing and I still have half of it left! |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 13:55:16
Hmnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Bob, the boots were slightly seperated but not to a "do not use" condition so I continued using them for awhile. Only after I was walking in French Crk did the sole severely seperate, w/out warning, causing my fall & the resulting correspondence to Cabela's. Apparently they agreed w/my claim (after prompting by the NE AG's office) as evidenced by the "check" (gift card) they sent as reimbursement for the waders & boots.
|
| bocoope |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 12:39:47
Question: Isn't it common sense to not wear shoes that separate?
Please don't answer. |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 03/30/2012 : 08:03:28
CORRECTION: in the above posting I said that the "check" from Cabela's (actually it is a gift card for $211.89) was for payment of my water damaged camera. I ASSUMED so because there was NO correspondance w/the "check". However, my assumption was wrong because the NE Attorney General's office sent to me a copy of a letter they rec'd from Cabela's that explained that the "check" was REIMBURSEMENT TO ME FOR MY ORIGINAL COST OF THE CHEST WADERS, BOOTS & TAX. So I did get the reimbursement that I requested for their defective products!!!
Accordingly, this is a case were David has taken on Goliath & won!!!!!!
Further, I rec'd from Cabela's several days ago my Kodak digital camera, which had been water damaged in my fall & unoperational when it was returned to them. Apparently more time dried it out so that it is now functional. I am satisfied w/its return. 
However, Cabela's has NOT responded yet to my "poison pill" request in my 2 letters to their Pres. That is, I recommended that they attach a warning label to their boots which advises to cease using the boots when the soul begins to seperate from the upper. For the "legal eagles" in the club, you realize the legal implication of the documented statement. The law holds that an executive of a company as well as the company itself is legally responsible if they are aware of a product problem that could cause injury or death & did nothing about it. As a reminder, I advised the Cabela's Pres of a serious wading boot problem (2 times!!) & sent copies of the letters to the NE AG's Office, so my request is well documented. If Cabela's does not attach a warning label & someone has a serious injury or worse, death, caused by the boot problem, they are liable in a lawsuit.
Awaiting Cabela's response to the label issue & have advised the NE AG's office that all my problems w/them have been settled, except the warning label recommendation. WHAT WILL CABELA'S DO? |
| Flyfisher |
Posted - 03/17/2012 : 19:48:39
Update: after sending 2 letters to the president of Cabela's requesting (1) reimbursement for defective chest waders & wading boots, (2) reimbursement for a new camera & (3) that Cabela's put a warning label on their boots, he ignored both letters & failed to respond.
Undaunted, I filed a complaint w/the Nebraska Attorney General's Office & copied the NE BBB. Cabela's refused to answer the AG's first request for information & therefore, they sent a second letter, threatening legal action if Cabela's refused to respond again. (Cabela also refused to reply to the BBB in a demonstration of arrogance!). 
This time a representative of Cabela's answered the AG's latest request, making a poor excuse for the delay in responding & advised that the waders & boots had a "useful lifespan" & that no reimbursement would be granted. They also contended that my Kodak digital camera functioned properly (not so when I returned it) & reimbursement was declined; however, they promised to return the camera to me. Cabela's also apologized to me for my "inconvenience & disappointment". NO MENTION WAS MADE OF MY RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE A WARNING LABEL ATTACHED TO THEIR BOOTS.
The AG's Office & BBB have contacted me to verify that the case has been settled. My response: I reluctantly accepted the non-reimbursement of the waders & boots. However, I have not rec'd my old camera yet (as promised) & further, Cabela's did not state their intended action concerning the warning label, so I did NOT concur that the case was settled.
Imagine my surprise when today (Sat) I rec'd a "check" from Cabela's for $211.89 (redeemable in Cabela's merchandise only) which is the exact amount that I submitted a receipt to them for a new Fuji F500 digital camera. I guess that they are NOT going to return my old Kodak camera after all; is it because it does NOT function as they claimed? Anyway, I will no longer be a Cabela's customer, except to use up the $211.89 in merchandise.
Image Insert:
78.69 KB
WHAT IS THE FINAL RESULT OF CABELA'S ADDING A WARNING LABEL TO THE BOOTS? TBD. |
| BirkyDucks |
Posted - 11/02/2011 : 11:48:02
BUY MY BOAT AND SAVE YOURE BOOTS FOR NEWHAMPSHIRE .Ibought a pair of simms boots and they became delaminated so iwent back to tco and pitched a bitch and between them and marcy out in montanna at Simms they were replaced . But it took some litigation so do not believe the better boots are gonna last either . The best boots I ever owned were the Gary Borger boots the shoe leather wore out before the bottoms . Now with all this liberal bull**** with invasive bugs and diity**** we all have to wear stream friendly boots to suffice these tree huggers . **** THE BOOTSS THE WADERS JUST GO GET SOME CLORAX AND M80S AND GET ALL THE TROUT YOU WANT . |
| DRY WADERS |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 19:00:05
What's in a name? |
|
|
