Cabela's — Attraction in Woodbury

I wouldn’t even give a 1 star! This is negative star!

I was extremely dissatisfied with the service I received at the Woodbury, MN location when attempting to pick up a rifle I ordered online.

Today, I drove an hour to the store after receiving confirmation to pick up my order at the gun counter. I then waited two full hours without a single acknowledgment from staff. There were only two employees working, both tied up with the same customers the entire time, and not once did anyone stop to say, “We’ll be with you shortly.” The lack of even basic courtesy was unacceptable.

When someone finally approached me, I was told my driver’s license was not acceptable because it was clipped (I had just renewed it and was waiting for my new card). I was not about to drive another hour home to get my passport, another hour back, and then wait another two hours in line. After asking to cancel my order, the employee disappeared for another 20 minutes. When I requested to speak with the manager, she did not apologize or acknowledge why I was upset. Instead, she only said they were short-staffed, offering no solution or empathy.

This is not the first time I’ve had this issue at the Woodbury location. The last time I purchased a firearm there, I also waited excessively long, but I assumed it was an isolated incident. Now I see this is a repeated pattern.

In total, I wasted nearly three hours of my time and left without the rifle I had already purchased. I then went to Fleet Farm, where I found the exact same firearm for $60 less—with prompt service and respect.

As a customer who has shopped with Cabela’s repeatedly, I am extremely disappointed in how this situation was handled. Not only did I lose time and money, but I also lost trust in your brand. At minimum, I expect a formal apology and acknowledgment of this poor service. I also urge you to review staffing and training at the Woodbury location, as no customer should be treated with such disregard.

I'm even including a screenshot of my refund email receipt to show that I'm a real customer who actually bought and paid for an item but was unable to complete the purchase. This was a $643 purchase and your employees literally drove me to your competitor, Fleet Farm that very same day. I also included a screenshot of the text I received from Fleet Farm confirming I bought the same firearm there after being driven away by your abysmal...

Update 3/16/25: Cabela's Woodbury has improved its service. When I called about a fishing reel, they were helpful and attentive. They also physically checked inventory to assure availability before I took a ride out. Nice poeple and great service. This store is dependably out of stock on most fishing gear (hooks, sinkers, swivels, floats) by the time the end of May roles around. After that the shelves are not well stocked. I only go to this store at the very beginning of the season (April- beginning of May). After that is just a waste of time because they are so poorly stocked that I never find what I need. This is why brick and mortar stores are being replaced with online shopping.

7/8/21 Update: Another bad experience at the Woodbury Store. Called ahead of time and to find out if they had a fishing rod that met my requirements. They would not connect me to the fishing department because "They were busy serving other customers" but the man I spoke with on the phone checked inventory and told me that there were 3 fishing rods in stock that met my requirements. So I drive to the store. There were 3 guys behind the counter in the fishing section and they were serving no one - So they were not busy serving other customers as I was told when called - the fishing department was relatively empty of customers (it was a weekday night at 8:15 PM). So I show the 3 gentlemen behind the counter the list of 3 rods that I was told were in stock over the phone. They all look at each other, chuckle a bit and tell me that they have been out of stock on those 3 rods for well over a month.

Thanks for absolutely nothing! They would not connect me to the fishing department because "they were serving other customers on a weekday night at 8:15. So I drive 20 minutes there only to see the place was empty with 3 employees standing around doing nothing. They did not have any of the 3 rods that I was assured were in stock. so I drive 20 minutes back to my home empty handed. This store is a sad ** joke.

6/6/22 update - Call to find out if they have 3/4 oz Tungsten bullet weights in stock. As usual no one in the fishing department was available at 12:33 on a Monday afternoon. Another missed sale at the Cabela's in Woodbury. I ordered them online and they will arrive in two days,...

Well, I went there to purchase a gun. Had one on hold. Went to the large counter about midway down. looked to my right. Someone standing at the end of counter. I waited but they did not move so I walked down there. I said I am here for a gun I have on hold. I gave the salesperson my identification . They then went to the back room and brought out my gun. The salesperson then started to take it out of the box and tried to assemble the gun banging it and trying to put it together. I said we should get some one that knows how to assemble the gun as I do not want it damaged. Another associate came over and put it together. I then took the test and after that had to wait for it to come back. A second associate came up and inspected the gun and numbers. Then another associate came up and inspected the gun and the numbers and put it back on shelf. Then another one came up and inspected the gun and numbers. I finally had to ask why four people are looking at the same gun and they said it was policy. Ok then so I waited and my test came back and they said all was clear. The sales associate started taking the gun apart pulling on things but it was not coming apart. Another associate then came over and disassembled the firearm. I am almost out of the woods on this one. Now they are wrapping the box in red tape. I asked why and they stated if you do not show the checkout person this they will chase you down. Hmmm. I left the counter. I picked up three boxes of shells for the new gun. I went through checkout and right away I showed the cashier my red taped up box and said I had to show it or you will chase me down. They came back with I am way too tired to chase you down and wrung up my purchase of shells. Its a beautiful place but the policies in place are crazy. If you do not trust the first three people then what will a fourth person do in this instance but again it is their policy. I wont be going back there anytime too soon. This was my first visit and will be the last visit. I will go back to Scheels and buy a gun they have in stock. This gun is a Cabella / Bass Pro Shop exclusive. Sad experience but it must be policy. Just not my kind of store. At the end I got my gun that I wanted and already using it.

Edit , they never responded back to this so here is the...