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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
 Posted - 10/31/2011 : 19:46:54
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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.
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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:
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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.  |
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Blue Heron
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2011 : 22:15:53
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| Waders leak and boots wear out. You've lived long enough to learn that yes, you get what you pay for. My mom is a cheapskate but she taught us to wear good shoes and boots. If your boots seperate get better ones, don't blame someone else for your lack of sense and demand they pay for ruined electronics.If it can't get wet leave it in your car. I could go on but I'm not going to. |
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Mike
USA
265 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 10:24:09
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Your new camera takes nice pictures. Money spent doesn't always mean quality.
You got about the same lifetime from the Cabela's waders I've gotten from a pair of high end guide weight Orvis waders. Their only a few years old and I think the seams in the re-enforced butt section are leaking. Can't find a trace of a hole or tear and when I take them off it looks liked I pee'd myself - soaked from my butt down to my knees. Time for a trip to Orvis to see what they say.
Life is good! I started out with nothing and I still have half of it left! |
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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 15:42:18
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Mike - I believe that Orvis will do the right thing for you. (They exchanged a new 9' rod for an 8 1/2' rod & a reel w/sml arbor for one w/a med arbor after minimal use, @ no cost to me). I like doing business w/them.
Chris - thank you for your tirade & especially for not going "on & on".
Despite my age & life experiences (I am a certified Toolmaker, have a degree from Carnegie Mellon Univ & am a retired PA professional engineer; in addition, I had extensive middle mgmt experience in which I was responsible for up to 31 people, who implemented capital projects valued in the millions & worked in the corporate office of a manufacturing giant (Rockwell Intl), so I have above-average common sense, especially about product responsibility), I bought Cabela's items because of name recognition & assumed that their products were quality made. I had no idea that their waders & boots were of marginal quality; further, 3 years of life seems too short, even for marginal products. FYI: this was not my 1st fall in a stream (like most fishermen)& most likely will not be the last, the difference being that the boots caused this last fall.
Unfortunately, you completely missed the point of my message. I used my embarrassing situation to try to educate the beginning, novice fly fisherman in the club so that they don't make the same purchasing mistakes that I made. Hopefully, it will help a few of them.
Chris, for your education, know that companies can & are held liable for defective products that can cause injury or death. Are you not aware of Toyota's sticking gas pedal problem (a product liability case) in which they paid out millions of dollars in lawsuits? Also, have you not noticed ALL the warning labels on a simple ladder? Such are to advise users about risks & to avoid litigation claims. A current problem is that of tire manufacturer's selling new tires that have a shelf life of > 6 months in which the tread may seperate from the casing; there are documented cases of such in litigation. Ironically, the same thing happened to me in 1979 so I wrote to the Pres of General Tire who granted me FREE, new replacement tires that were NOT pro-rated. Apparently he knew of the risk that his tires were to my family & "covered his ass" by granting me FREE, new replacements. My letter to him & the subsequent agreement (free tires) are available to you at your request.
While I was not injured or killed in the stream fall, I was exposed to a serious risk from the defective boots that could have ended in drowning. Consequently, I am rightfully seeking compensation from Cabela's & since this is a defective product case (w/no warning about the hazards of sole seperation); I have copied the Nebraska Attorney General for possible action by his department (the Consumer Protection Agency).
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Blue Heron
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 17:50:19
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| I have to respectfully disagree, Ed. You already know the inherent dangers of wading and yes, we've all gone for a swim with the fishies. Normally one doesn't advertise when they do lest they be put in the running for the DA award. Would you have driven your tires after the tread started delaminating? You shouldn't have tried to goop your boots, not when they get abused like wading boots do. Personally, I would chalk it up to a life lesson and be happy I wasn't injured, but that's me. You may get your way by threatening legal action but you're still in the wrong. It's not a tirade, I'm just a believer in doing the right thing and not blaming others for my errors, but once again that's just my take on it. |
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DRY WADERS
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 19:00:05
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| What's in a name? |
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BirkyDucks
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2011 : 11:48:02
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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 .  |
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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2012 : 19:48:39
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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.
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WHAT IS THE FINAL RESULT OF CABELA'S ADDING A WARNING LABEL TO THE BOOTS? TBD. |
Edited by - Flyfisher on 03/17/2012 19:55:03 |
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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2012 : 08:03:28
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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? |
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bocoope
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 12:39:47
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Question: Isn't it common sense to not wear shoes that separate?
Please don't answer. |
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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 13:55:16
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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.
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Edited by - Flyfisher on 04/02/2012 13:56:15 |
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Mike
USA
265 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2012 : 18:01:48
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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! |
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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2012 : 07:41:14
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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. |
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chris24
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2012 : 23:24:24
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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. |
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Flyfisher
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2012 : 13:06:44
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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. |
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Blue Heron
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2012 : 15:07:30
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I love cabela's
, they are the world's foremost outfitter and you are still wrong.
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Accidental fall @ French Crk
