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CB Retail and Online Shopping Cabela's 4800 NW 1st St Ste 300, Lincoln, NE, 68521, US
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Cabela's

4800 NW 1st St Ste 300, Lincoln, NE, 68521, US
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8:45 pm EDT

Cabela's - credit card acct management practices

First, as general information about World's Foremost Bank, it is a wholely owned subsidiary of the Cabela's retail store, catalog, and online sales operation. Unlike other companies, Cabelas actually owns the bank that issues its own credit cards. This isn't like a Sears card that is issued by CitiBank.

Next, Cabelas primarily (almost exclusively) uses credit reporting information from Equifax and DOES NOT use all three (plus Experian and Transunion) and then average them together. So if your Equifax score is lower than Experian or Transunion, your credit with them will not be as good. This is assuming that your information with Equifax is accurate as well because they will update or even verify any credit information without pulling a report which counts as a "hard hit" on your credit record.

Equifax information is considered significantly more important than your own account history with this bank. Meaning if you have a good history with them, but have inaccurate or negative information with another bank, it DOES NOT factor into actions they take on your account.

Lastly, and this is the basis for my complaint, by the admission of several representatives of the bank, they "are a small bank" and this is their excuse/explanation of why they can't or won't offer any customer service.

Over the last several months, Cabelas and their bank has demonstrated a pattern of conduct that indicates to me that my business is not important to them. They have always received every cent that I charged plus interest and any associated fees. There has NEVER been an issue of non-payment, but this isn't important to them.

On several occasions over the last 6 months, I have received letters saying that my credit limit is being reduced. Coincidentally, it was always right after I made a payment and my balance less than or starting to approach less than 50% of my limit. But then they would reduce my limit making my card appear "maxed out" which is a "negative factor" on a credit score. This happened again when I paid off nearly 90% of my balance and they lowered my limit to just a few dollars above my balance. The credit reporting agencies don't care that the amount is relatively low, it just shows that I have a card where the balance is at the limit.

My limit is now nearly at Cabela's own account minimum credit limit. The fact that at one time I had a credit limit that was over 30 TIMES what is now is meaningless.

The Cabelas card is also a "points card" where you earn points towards their merchandise. They are earned at a rate of 1 cent for every dollar put on the card, 2 cents for every purchase made at Cabelas. They also keep a running total of your points. I currently have over $700 in points if that is any indication of what kind of customer that I am, that equates to over $70, 000 in purchases that have been paid for.

The sad part is that I really like Cabelas and their merchandise. I used my Cabelas club card as my primary card just so that I could earn points. I even used it for automated payments for things I would have written a check for normally like utilities. Either way, they made a fair amount of money from me via interest and such.

I know the economy is in a sad state and banks are failing left and right and I can understand wanting to protect your business. But why do they have to damage to my credit history every time.

I'm sorry, but the Cabela's Club just doesn't feel like much of a club anymore.

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Smithwesson10
, US
Apr 11, 2017 9:36 pm EDT

Cabellas and WFB have no idea how to treat loyal customers. They view scores and equifax activity at a higher priority than your actual history with them. Stay away if you want your credit to stay untouched. They won't answer any questions and will simply transfer your call to the next ###. Shop at a store that cares!

Valerie
Valerie
, US
Aug 12, 2008 5:53 am EDT

My review on Cabelas.com:

Re: Cabela's Tur-Duc-Hen

I purchased Cabela's Tur-Duc-Hen for Christmas dinner and it was a nightmare...

Bottom line is that whoever Cabela's has producing this product must put it through a brining process prior to shipment.

After cooking the bird(s) and bringing up to temperature, I let it rest and started serving for a dinner party of 20.

When served, I noticed that people were taking one bite and sheepishly removing said bite to the provided dinner's napkins. As I continued to carve, I cut a bite to taste for myself and was not able to swallow.

It tasted like it sat in a brine tub for three days. Maybe this was a Friday bird that never made it out until Monday p.m.

20 really disappointed people rummaged around the house trying to get full on the appetizers and ancillary food that was brought to the house in support of the main meal.

Anyway, I asked for my money back and Cabela's countered with a refund for shipping and a $15.00 gift certificate.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

I saved some of the bird and offered to send it back frozen for a taste test, and Cabela's refused to take me up on the offer.

The entire Tur-Duc-Hen went in to the trash.

This will be the last product that I will purchase through Cabela's in view of the lack of responsiveness...

Consider yourself duly warned...

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HunterTim
, US
Jun 10, 2011 4:42 pm EDT

It's just not same there any more. When that store first opened, they had very intelligent staff. They knew their product. Specialists if you will...since then, all of those faces have been replaced by young, inexperienced kids who are there because "it's a job." Where did all the good employees go? I went in to purchase a new pair of boots (my old ones from 2008 had given out) and the kid in the footwear dept. didn't know anything about the footwear. Nothing. Why couldn't he explain to me the difference between Gortex and dryplus? I read the other comment about the guy named "John" who is a good duck caller. I have heard that in the store now that I think about it. They moved him? I'm telling you, the good employees are all gone and it makes me wonder why.

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racer8721
, US
Jul 24, 2011 12:39 pm EDT

Merchant with likely dishonest employee(s). I was in the market for a compact handgun. Cabelas had a big insert in the Seattle Times. "49th Anniversary Sale" advertising $30 OFF ANY NEW TAURUS for "$219.99 WAS $249.99" Item number 291204, that item is Taurus TCP .380 Auto. The ad was limited to in stock only and was good from 9/16-9/26. Since this was a good price and live about 60 miles away, and I didn't see the ad until 9/18, I thought I better call first before I waste my gas and time
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I called and spoke with a rep named Tony in the pistol area. Tony stated he had 3 black and and over 10 stainless and black in stock. He stated they show up at $299.99 in his system, I told him the ad clearly stated $219.99. He said they would make good on it. I stated that I lived an hour away and didn't want to waste my time and gas and he affirmed that I should come down.

So drove down went through all the paperwork, which was very slow since they were not staffed to handle the demand, and at checkout the clerk rang it up at $299.99. I showed her the ad and informed her that I had talked to Tony before I came down and that he'd make good on it.

After quite a while a guy named Jim came out and and stated that he had overheard Tony telling me that it was misprint and that they would not honor the price. Not wanting to call him a liar since the possibility exists he overheard Tony tell that to another customer, I told him that Tony never said anything of the kind to me and affirmed that he stated that they would make good on the price. Jim then offered me a $10 Gift Certificate and a price of $299.99. I advised that I could order the same item from another merchant on the web for $250 and declined, I also insisted that Tony was not telling truth, stating that I simply would not have wasted all my time and gas to come down there had Tony told me that they would not honor their ad. Jim then went back and checked with Tony and came back that Tony clearly stated that it was misprint but that he would sell it to me for $240 which was his cost.

Being tired of it all and that being a good price I agreed. I also asked for The $10 Gift Certificate, which Jim issued and which I used immediately on ammunition, since I knew this would be the last time I will set foot in the place.

So all in all I paid $10.01 +Tax more than advertised. It still does not sit completely well with me, but it was the best deal I was going to get. I will not be back.

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Raypee
, US
Apr 19, 2016 10:20 pm EDT

I was reported to the credit bureau by this damn bank they posted chapter 7 bankruptcy on my behalf which I did not file, , , affected my credit score dramatically...hate this lie and inconvenience they cause me

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IslandFam
Westminster, US
Mar 24, 2015 4:19 pm EDT

Definitely canceling my Cabela's card once it is paid off! Really?!? Decreasing my limit from $7000 to $3700 so that now it looks like my card is "maxxed". Unbelievable! and so disappointed with this credit card company. Will never buy Cabelas again.FYI Bass Pro Shop uses a large and reputable bank (Bank of America)

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G-Team
plattsmouth, US
Oct 04, 2013 2:33 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just ordered a card it's at home. I haven't used it yet, but you all scared me, I don't need those kind of problems. I'm going home get it out of the mail and cancel it right away. Thanks for the heads up! Just thought it would help me buy my own x-mas present this year.:(

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Mark T. Jones
Mobile, US
Dec 28, 2011 4:11 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I've been a life-long customer of Cabela's. Heck, most everything I wear or use in the field comes from there, and has for 35+ years! A few years ago I decided to get a Cabela's Visa. The same sort of stories heard here have begun happening to me. Never once have I *EVER* been late on a payment or even come near my credit limit, yet I get a letter in the mail saying that my card, which is due to expire at the end of the month, will NOT be renewed! WTF?! What's more, the 'points' I've earned are somehow locked to where I can not use them and will be lost.
There isn't a Cabela's store within many hours drive of me, all of my business for all of these years has been mail-order or Internet purchase. However there *IS* a Bass Pro Shop only ten miles down the road. Guess where I'm going from now on! Too bad...
Now I suppose I can understand the comments from the employees of this 'bank'. One must look after one's job. However, a simple Google search shows more devious practices that this 'bank' has been found guilty of and has been fined over.
Where there is smoke, there is fire! Good bye, Cabela's...

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bolding
pickens, US
Nov 10, 2011 5:19 pm EST

I agree with all the letters that has been written about reducing credit limits. I have spent over $110.000.00 with Cabela's Credit Card in the last 3 years, and have never been late with a payment, and 95% of the time was paid off each month. I was on a hunting trip this past October, and was using my card, and it was declined. I knew that had to be a mistake so when I talked with someone from the bank they told me my credit had been reduced, and I only received the letter today 11-10-11 telling me this. I have closed my account with this company. I will be using my Bass Pro card from now on. I do not like to be made a fool of when using my card. If they don't want any business from all of us then everyone should close accounts with them.

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RobRoutt
, US
Nov 07, 2011 9:23 pm EST

I have finally given WFB and others the big FU! I have closed these accounts and just paid them off with my currently interest rate. I had tried to get a credit increase a few times and were denied every time. I have never been late. I have never missed a payment. I never pay minimum. To date, I have charged and paid off over $10k this year. The CS rep I spoke with she could not help me with credit increase, but really did not want me to close my account. I am done with WFB. I am done with Cabela's. I would rather pay more @ Wholesale sports or order from Bass Pro then to go back to Cabelas.

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