Cabela's Product specialists, lack of respect, lies, and you Be informed! Sidney Nebraska

Being employed by the worlds foremost outfitter I would like to bring a few things to the surface. This way everyone knows how the company really operates. Most of these inconsistent practices concern the product information call center group.

First of all the product specialists do not get to use all of the products the company offers. They are allowed to use products returned to the bargain cave, and are offered a generous discount to be able to purchase items themselves. The items returned to the bargain cave in many cases are defective not to mention soiled. This leaves the empolyees to have to purchase these items.

My next issue concerns the wage structure at the company. The employees are give reviews once a year with a possible increase of 5%, decreasing with the wage quartile you fall into. The wage is now around 9.75 an hour. If you don't make the maximum on your review you can be passed up. Some with 2-4 years seniority are making as much as new hires.

The wages have increased for the new-hires for the last two years, those currently employed saw no proportionate increase. This basically says, we don't value your dedication.

Not all product specialists have degrees but we have a lot of time in the field, some over 20 years or more. This experience is obviously not valued. How can you be expected to gain more knowledge buying products when you can't afford cable or rent on $19K a year (no we do NOT get a commission contrary to belief). Which is why the company loses their specialists every couple of years. Which brings about the increase in starting wage, to attract the new employees.

The department has set about a new add-on sales and specials program. Being an outfitter you should offer things to a customer that would help them out. Things that YOU trust. Not things that have a high profit margin.

Now not all of our co-workers have a great deal of outdoor knowledge. For this I apologize. The associates you speak to are told where they can find information on subjects they are not knowledgable in. This does not make up for real world experience. This is a result of the company not being able to retain the good empolyees. For this you get employees that have to bend the truth when talking to customers.

If your hunt depends on the information you get from an associate (i.e. cold weather clothing recommendations) you should be talking to someone who knows what it's like to be freezing cold. Some don't realize how important it can be to you. Let me tell you, being dropped off by a helicopter/bush plane for a hunt and being picked up days later can be life or death in some cases. How would you feel if you were suggested inadequate gear?

Think they owe the longtime employees anything yet? Or should they still be enticing the new hires to join the group and play with your vacation/dream hunt etc.

The product specialists (or the new term they are trying to use, product associate, less liability?) don't go on a lot of the hunts you see on tv either. We are left to test this stuff at our own time. Vacation is nearly impossible to get from November to the middle of January. Think of any hunting seasons that go on in that time? They want us there because our average order is worth over 40% more than the average order entry person.

Move up in the company where customers vacations and dream hunts aren't your responsibility and you're entitled to a nice bonus. In some cases more than your yearly wage.

These subjects and more have been brought up to immediate management, and when turned away to senior management including the founders of the company. Only to be told nothing can be done. That prompted changes to the review guidelines stating that one must follow the chain of command when dealing with issues and not speak opinions that would bring down moral. This would punish those who voiced their opinion and lower the percent of a raise you were awarded.

All while tring to help the customer get the best service they could i.e. To help retain the knowledgeable employees who put in years in the field and of service to the company.

This is a ripoff to the employees and ultimately you the consumer.

Jack
Sidney, Nebraska
U.S.A.