Cabelas Grand Rapids (Grandville)

[mikesmiph]

I'm sure a lot of use will be coming to see you Dan.

[Dan]

Those of you who know me, know I'm a people person with a bit of a gift for gab. The part of the job I'll look forward to the most is meeting people in the store and helping them get what they are looking for. The down side of the job is that it keeps me here in town, which I don't know how long I will like that. I haven't worked since I retired six years ago so being committed to a weekly schedule will take some getting use to.

[Waterfoul]

A BIT of a gift for gab?  Really?  No, not you Dan!!

Hey, when are they planning on opening the doors for us consumers to consume?

[Dan]

Maybe I'll get that info at the trainings. They are going to be at the Hilton. If they give us an hour for lunch we may have to meet at Arnie's or somewhere to grab lunch. I'll have to driver over to the other side of the world five days in a row for the trainings. Look out Krispy Kreme!! I'm on a diet though. I'll have to limit myself to half a dozen of the hot off the conveyor donuts. Man are they good right out of the fryer!!!

[Dan]

Just got another call from one of the new Cabela's managers reminding me of the week's training coming up. He went on to say we would be in the store setting shelves Feb. 9. Sounds like the store is making good progress toward a mid march opening. I asked them for a date, but was told that an official announcement would be coming soon. I also heard, from another person who's wife interviewed that the opening will be March 17th.

[BSB]

WOOD TV is now reporting today that it will open Thursday March 21st at 11am.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/cabelas-in-grandville-update

[Cy]

WOOD TV is now reporting today that it will open Thursday March 21st at 11am.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/cabelas-in-grandville-update

Well that sucks!  That is the same weekend as the Grand Rapids Fishing Show.  Cabelas will certainly hurt the turn out for the show.

[Waterfoul]

Well that sucks!  That is the same weekend as the Grand Rapids Fishing Show.  Cabelas will certainly hurt the turn out for the show.
[/quote]

Yeah, you wonder if they thought that one out before choosing a date???

[Dan]

I just heard about the 21st as well. During one of my phone conversations with the Cabela's guys, I've had four calls since being hired, was to tell them about the show. I told them that when I was at the Classic last year we parked in BPS and they had busses that shuttled you to the various Classic destinations. I don't think I saw too many return to BPS without going in. I suggested Cabela's have a bus. Parking at the show is tough and $$. If you could park in their lot and take the bus it would promote their store and give people a way to visit the show without worrying about parking. People from out of town, could catch a Cabela's shuttle and visit the store. A two for one weekend. We'll see if they pick up on the idea. The manager said he would relay it to the Promotions manager.

[Dan]

Going through my training for Cabelas. It's a week long set of classes with continuing ed as you go as well. The 350 employees are working pretty much all 5-6 day weeks whether you want full or part time. We were told that even though the store is a smaller second generation store it has more animal mounts than the Dundee store. I haven't been in the store yet, but will be all day on Saturday. I just got a mailing announcing the opening of the Saginaw Michigan Cabelas, which I believe opens February 14th. If you have a Cabela's Club Visa card you will get early entry to the Saginaw Store and special offers. I don't know yet if the Cabelas Grandville will be having a special preopening night for Club Card holders. I'll post as soon as I find out. Not a bad rewards card to have. I'm going to be getting one even though I don't really need another credit card. At least the Cabelas card gives me a lot of benefits. I just have to have a little fiscal constraint.

[thedude]

let us know if they do that. i have a club card and i know how to use it.

[bigmojet]

The saginaw club card preopening was offering 3x points and speical deals.

[Waterfoul]

My Cabelas card says

Cabela's Club Rewards

Is this what you are refering to?  I do not have their visa (nor do I want one).

Member since 10/07 but haven't bought anything from them in years due to them losing about 500 rewards points for me in 2009 or so.  I got no help from them, 0 satisfaction as they showed 0 transactions on the card even though I gave them specific dates on when I had been in the store (it was easy... Michigan's football homecoming game for several years in a row plus a trip or two down there for work).  I was not happy and have not bought anything from them since.  Guess I'll give them a second chance now that they will be here in town and Gander will no longer be carrying fishing tackle.

[Dan]

March 20 will be a Club Card Visa night. You will be getting some VIP treatment, and an early look at the store before it opens on the 21st.
Mike, I am sure you will see that the attitude of the store is definitely to make sure we bend over backward for customers. We are to make sure we do everything we can for them. The individual sales people have an a lot of leeway as to what they can do for the customer. They give us a long leash. I would hope that you will have a chance to experience what Cabela's calls their Legendary Customer Service. If you made your purchases at Cabela's with a credit card versus cash they can look up your transactions.
I too am a guy who likes to keep my number of credit cards low, but with the benefits that their Club Visa Card has, I will be picking up one.
Tomorrow, I am working in the store for the first time and will get to get a glimpse of what it looks like. Definitely exciting.

[YpsiBass]

Little over a week away now.  Any news from the store?

[Dan]

The store is looking marvelous! Spectacular. It's pretty much ready.  Big opener at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Come and see me in the fishing dept.

[thedude]

dan - during the club preview night are they going to be running any special sales or anything?

[Dan]

I am in Denver and haven't heard for sure. Rumor was a pretty good discount on all purchases, but I'll try and find out for sure. Am back in town Wednesday night. I work Thursday and should be able to find out. I know I work that night.

[Skulley]

I'll be making a trip there in April when I'm there with my son for a State Cup soccer game sometime in April. Looking forward to checking it out. Hopefully it will be better than gene Dundee store merchandise wise. I am not impressed with that store.



BD.                           

[Dan]

One thing that I've learned that in order for them to carry merchandise from a retailer it has to have a bar code. I understand that that includes an insurance aspect as well, without it they can't carry it so the smaller companies end up not being able to afford that process and don't opt to merchandise their products through larger chains. They end up at the smaller local shops that don't have to worry about that. For that reason the big box stores always give a niche market to the smaller shops and consequently don't squeeze them out. That's my understaning any way.