Bass Pro Shops — Local services in Rogers

My reason for rating this store so low is not because of limited product selection, because they don't have items in stock, or because I am a bigger Bass Pro fan (as I am not). I simply have to give this store a single star because of the management. I have lived in NWA my entire life and I was thrilled when Cabelas came to town. It opened up a huge selection of hunting and fishing gear in one location and they usually run fantastic deals. This is all immensely overshadowed by the management at this store. The management is the worst of any sporting goods store I have ever had to deal with. My primary issues all involve Cabelas brand rifle scopes, but I know several others including family who have had trouble with management on other items.

I had muzzleloader scope I bought in their brand that started fogging while hunting. I went to get it replaced which was 6 months after my summer purchase date. Management told me it was clearanced and all they would give me was an equivalent scope at the clearance price.....wow, what a way to treat a returning customer. I cut them some slack and later bought another scope for my AR which came recommended from their staff for AR's, once again in the Cabelas brand. After about 120 rounds the interior reticle shifted and was not able to be fixed. Again, the scope I had purchased 8 months ago was on clearance and they would only give me an equivalent scope at the clearance price which was well over $120 less than I had paid originally. They even tried to make me purchase a $100 mount to fit the new 'equivalent' cheap scope they were putting back on it. I flipped on the manager when he told me he wanted me to pay for a new mount and eventually he realized he couldn't treat me this badly and finally threw in the new mount given that the previous mounts I had been sold were the most expensive they even had.

Simply put, this store has the worst management of any sporting goods store in Arkansas. I don't intend for this rating to reflect on Cabelas as I believe it is a specific store issue and not a brand problem, although it could be as I don't often go to other Cabelas. I've never had issues like this with Bass Pro out of Springfield, MO, which I use to visit before Cabelas came to town. Other small local sporting goods store around NWA don't have these issues. They actually stand behind their products, know what they were worth a year ago, and will honor the price and replace them for free. It is so sad that Cabelas is allowing them to treat customers this way at this store. I hope there is eventually an internal investigation and they get rid of the entire management staff that is only focused on sales numbers and not their customers. This is giant retailer that could stand behind their products if they chose too, its funny it is the little guys around town treating their customers well and not the big retailer who can afford it so easily. I'm unbelievably disappointed with the management at this store.

I'm sure they didn't think I'd ever get around to writing a review. I really hope they review this and change their attitudes and start treating customers the way customers should be treated. If you do go to this store, avoid any bargain cave as they are well known for selling broken and mismarked items without telling you and avoid any costly items at all in this store because you won't get them replaced if you have problems with their products. Get the costly items from local shops who stand behind what they are selling so you know you are covered when things go wrong. My recommendation is to try Bass Pro shops if available. They have replaced items for me throughout my childhood including tree stands, scopes, guns and even everyday cheap items that didn't meet standards. There is a clear difference in management between these companies from...

I have lived in NWA my entire life and have enjoyed hunting here in the Natural State, I was super excited when I found out we were getting a Cabela's. I have to say my experience's in this particular Cabela's have been BEYOND HORRIBLE. My first complaint is the costumer service. I have sat and waited at the counter numerous times for 15-20 minutes waiting for help, while watching employees talking and laughing, while watching me stand there and refusing to offer their help. When they finally come to help no one is ever knowledgeable about the product and never have answers to my questions. I bought a 200# Boss Buck feeder that had been either a display model or had been returned by another costumer. They guaranteed me their was nothing wrong with it and that they simply could not resale it at full price. I soon discovered that the feeder was not manufactured correctly and the lid would not fit the feeder hopper. I called them back and told them that the feeder was not made correctly, they refused to allow me to exchange the product, even though they sold me a defective product after they guaranteed me nothing to be wrong with it. When I bought the feeder they refused to put a sold sign on it while I continued my shopping, they instead made me get a push cart and push it all through the store while I finished shopping. Another terrible experience I had was with a Rhine-hart 3D target. They had several of the Rhine-hart octagonal targets in a stack, which were $110.00 regular price. During a special event sale they have a sale sign that just read "3D Targets $69.99" right in front of the pile. There was no other targets around these. I even asked an older gentleman working there and he said that yes these Rhine-Hart targets are $69.99. I took one and went to pay for it and it rang at $110.00, I told them and even went back and showed them, they took the sign down immediately, and refused to sell me the target at the marked sale price of $69.99. Alone from this their prices are WAY TO HIGH. The feeder was $239.99 regular price, I can buy that exact same feeder for $219.99 at every other retailer. I also wanted a Bushnell trail camera, the one I wanted was $149.99 at Academy and cabelas had the identical same camera for $229.99. All in all I DO NOT RECOMMEND this store to anyone, the service is HORRIBLE and the prices are way to high. This goes to show that all they care about is the almighty dollar and not...

Bradford Marine - Bass Pro Shops service center

This review is for the Bradford Marine service center on Ajax that is associated with Bass Pro Shops. For the record, Bradford Marine has a terrible reputation for customer service and for that reason I have avoided using them. I purchased a fish finder from Bass Pro Shops and it came with free installation. Unfortunately, for me, the service was performed by Bradford Marine. To begin with, they simply do not answer the phone. I had to leave multiple messages which were never returned. I called the Bass Pro Shop, spoke to a manager, and finally received a call several days later to schedule the service.

Fast forward a month, I took the boat in for servicing, and they completed the service fairly quickly. The problem didn't surface until I was already home with the boat (I live approximately 30 minutes from the service center). I have absolutely no idea how they hooked up the fish finder. It is not run through the main power switch on the boat and I do not see a direct connection at the battery. It also appears they did not seal the transom plate for the transducer.

Now, back to their policy of not answering the phone or returning calls. The service was completed almost 4 weeks ago. I have called and left no fewer than 10 messages, practically begging them to contact me. No dice. I have called Bass Pro and they told me they cannot help and to call the service center, the one that doesn't answer phone calls. I've been hung up on twice now from Bass Pro.

This constitutes abysmal customer service. I highly encourage anyone considering purchasing a boat from Bass Pro or having any service done, to carefully reconsider. Service on a large purchase is extremely important and you will not be happy if you need any help at all, or, God forbid, need to call and have a simple question answered.

UPDATE: After leaving this review and another message with the service center, I finally received a call-back, almost 1 month after my initial call. I was at work and could not take the call at the time. Bradford Marine left me a rather salty message. No apologies or any hint of basic courtesy. They pretty much called me a liar, saying they had no previous messages. I am dreading calling them back and dealing with...