Buying a boat from Cabela's?

[gt]

Looking at an Alumacraft. Cabela's has the best price in the area. Anyone buy a boat from them? How are they to deal with? Did you get what you asked for? How are they post sale? etc,etc..

Thanks,
Gary

 

[cribber]

Re: Buying a boat from Cabela's?

I would ask around locally since Cabela's is a franchise and see how they've handled local customers. I've heard good and bad stories for these chain dealers and it's all about their sales and support staff. My experience is the local independent dealer tends to treat you more personally than the big box store. Get to know the staff and trust your instincts before cutting a check.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying a boat from Cabela's?

Recently a member posted about a great experience he had buying a used boat from Cabela's. I didn't even know they handled those. Good advice above about asking around in your area. I have NOT heard good things about buying a boat at BassPro. Alumacraft makes nice boats.

 

[GeoHawk]

Re: Buying a boat from Cabela's?

If buying from Cabela's, your experience will probably vary from store to store. Some are likely better than others.

I bought my boat from Bass Pro and looked at stores in Olathe, KS and Springfield, MO. The salespeople at Olathe never called me back when they said they were going to do a search for the model I wanted since they didn't have one in stock, even after I told then I was VERY interesting in buying a boat.

The salesperson I dealt with at the Springfield store was great. They had the model I wanted but ended up selling it before I had decided to pull the trigger. He kept in touch with me about every other day while he was searching for another one. He then called me back and told me of a brand new "scratch and dent" boat they had just got in and described exactly what was wrong with it and how much they were going to discount it. I ended up buying it.

In addition, the electric anchor that was put on the boat failed the first time we put the boat in the water. The Olathe store told me I would have to leave the boat with them and they would get to it in a "week or two." The service manager at the Springfield store said to come in anytime and they would jump right on it, which is what I did. I got there about 1 pm and by 2:30 pm they had me back on the road with a new anchor.

Chain stores are just going to be hit and miss.