Had To Grab The Reins at Bass Pro Todat

So I'm traveling for work and stop off at the Bass Pro Shops in Spanish Fort Alabama. I wander over to the archery section like I normally do and see a "bow tech" working on someone's bow trying to tie in a peep sight. After watching her struggle for a good 10 to 15 minutes while she tried to tie just one side of the peep several times, I told her I could show her a better way. At first she refused because it is a customer's bow, Even though she said they really don't teach them how to "do this stuff". I have no idea exactly how she was trying to tie this thing in the first place, but it was no method I had ever seen in my life!

After a few more minutes, I asked her again if she she would let me show her how to do it, and once again she said that she couldn't because it's the customers bow. Well the customer was standing right there and he said go ahead it's OK with him. So, of course I hop behind the counter and show her the Tim Gillingham method and had a tied in properly and securely in under two minutes. I then wrote down the link to watch Tim's video on Vimeo before I left. I just can't understand how any of these big box stores can their employees loose on customers' bows when they don't have the first clue on how to work on them. Not even simple things like tying in a peep sight.

Emrah

Bass Pro = fishing store that carries some hunting equipment.

Hopefully not coming soon to a Cabelas in your neighborhood.

My experience with BP, Cabelas, Gander etc is similar. I usually know more about the equipment, setup, etc than they do. Not bragging about MY knowledge, just saying the people they hire are totally inexperienced and not into the details as much as I am (or probably most on this forum are). I'm talking bows, rifles, reloading, etc. You try to talk technical details with these people and they revert to spouting advertising speak. Ridiculous, meaningless terms like "kinetic energy" or "knockdown power".

Even at many dedicated bow shops, they usually have a younger "tech" who thinks he or she understands bows, arrows, arrow flight or penetration characteristics just because they've fletched a few arrows or installed a sight. Ask a question about a bow older than 11 months and they look at you with a look of disbelief that you'd shoot such an old, passé bow. Like omg, that was SO last year! Probe a little further and mention serving size, FOC, or slugs of momentum and watch their eyes glaze over and make nervous twitches trying to reach for comfort of their phones.

Emrah

My wife used to work for Cabela's customer service. The "product specialists" they hire crack me up. All they know-with a few exceptions-is what is on the screen in front of them.

The exception to the rule is Sheel's stores. At least in archery, they hire the real deal.

My dad bought his first rifle and scope a few months ago at Cabela's, they put the scope on and bore-sighted it for him. It wasn't even on paper at 50yds, and the scope bases were rattling after less than 20 shots, nothing was installed correctly. I had to redo it all...

So, of course I hop behind the counter and show her the Tim Gillingham method

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Hello lawsuit...unfortunate but yes, that is our litigious culture.

Our local Cabela's is the same way. I tried to return a pair of waders because they leaked, but I no longer had the receipt. The customer service employee said I could not return them without a receipt because they were not Cabelas brand, she did not see the logo. I paused in astonishment because she was indeed correct they did not have the Cabela's logo on them, but they were the Outfitter Camouflage made and sold only by Cabela's. I remained calm and was granted my return, but now I may go in the store once or twice a year.

I will give credit, where credit is due though. I bought 10 flyrods from them this past Spring for a youth fly fishing program and they gave me a very nice discount. I was actually able to buy a couple extra and the process was very simple and quick.

You can't expect somebody who has a gift, (tying flies, working on bows, gunsmithing, etc.) to work for a salary that is well below the poverty line unless they are just bored or want a few bucks for spending cash.

Jess said:

You can't expect somebody who has a gift, (tying flies, working on bows, gunsmithing, etc.) to work for a salary that is well below the poverty line unless they are just bored or want a few bucks for spending cash.

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True.

I was at a Bass Pro store recently and met a guy who was deciding on a scope for a 17 Hornet rifle. He selected a Leupold Rifleman in 3-9 and there was discussion about the mounts. The clerk comes back out with the mounted scope and as I had mentioned to check it for proper eye relief, the gun owner takes it from the clerk. The clerk was going to take it back in to secure the scope and I asked to look it over since it didn't look right to me. The scope serial number was facing right, with the vertical adjustment on the left and the horizontal adjustment on the top! I politely pointed out the mistake (by them both), made the change and gave it back to the clerk to finish his tightening..... Makes one wonder!

Luckily the Bass Pro where I sometimes shop has 2 very knowlegeable bow techs behind the counter. It could be because they are both bowhunters.