Cabela’s, Vexilar, and Cabela’s Card

The new FLX38 is out, I see a lot of places have them. I like to stay on top of the electronics innovations and I probably don’t need it however went to Cabela’s yesterday to check one out and possibly buy one using the large amount of points I’ve amassed. They had plenty of Vexilar’s there, from the FL8 to the FLX 30. Asked about the 38, they said they don’t know if they’ll get them in and mumbled something about the price. I wonder if BPS is making a play on what they are willing to pay, and Vexilar isn’t playing? It has made me think of why am I using a Cabela’s Card in the first place as I can only spend the points there. Maybe need to switch from that to one like Capital 1 that gives 2% back on every purchase but I can use those rewards anywhere. I run almost everything through my Cabela’s card and pay it off monthly. What good are the points if they don’t carry what one wants to buy? Their answer, check with us later, Now is the time to have inventory, not January.

I gave up on Cabelas/BPS when the merge happened. Don’t like going in either store. Also switched to another credit card at that time, don’t miss the points one bit. And I can use the rewards wherever I want.

I still use my Cabelas card a little. Not near as much as I used to. I have some automatic billing that goes to my Cabelas card and don’t want the hassle of changing those accounts. Where I live there are not many options for tackle, electronics, etc. I started using a Scheels card and slowed down using that after they would not honor price match policy 3 times. Scheels price match policy is a joke.

It’s almost too easy to pick on Cabelas nowadays, it always feels like being part of a big group stomping on one weakling. But that’s because it’s all pretty accurate. They are obviously still a huge store with lots of options, but as you mentioned a lot of their customer service sucks. I tried to return something yesterday that I just haven’t used and was made aware that after 60 days you’re out of luck.

And the credit card….I don’t know if it’s because it’s one of my longest- tenured cards or what, I should just cancel it. The rate of return for points sucks. I’d be better off maximizing 5% back from discover and then getting a $100 Cabelas gift card for $95 in cash back.

mxskeeter wrote:

I still use my Cabelas card a little. Not near as much as I used to. I have some automatic billing that goes to my Cabelas card and don’t want the hassle of changing those accounts. Where I live there are not many options for tackle, electronics, etc. I started using a Scheels card and slowed down using that after they would not honor price match policy 3 times. Scheels price match policy is a joke.

That is crazy to hear because I had the exact opposite a few years ago. Bought Muck Arctic Ice Pro Boots and the next week they dropped the price. I contacted them and they credited the difference back to my CC. A week later they dropped in price again and I thought “hey, I’ve got nothing to lose” and they credited my CC AGAIN. Not doubting your experience, just a big difference. That was probably 3 years ago so who knows what their policy is.

mxskeeter wrote:

I still use my Cabelas card a little. Not near as much as I used to. I have some automatic billing that goes to my Cabelas card and don’t want the hassle of changing those accounts. Where I live there are not many options for tackle, electronics, etc. I started using a Scheels card and slowed down using that after they would not honor price match policy 3 times. Scheels price match policy is a joke.

Never had a price match issue there. Done it a dozen times. Just did it last week. No issues.

To the original OP. Not surprised one bit.

I always check Reeds and give them the business when they lead the discount banner down the way. Mills Fleet Farm is good. Scheels is fantastic on having everything to look at and play with in store but prices are just OK. Cabelas (BP) losing ground … well maybe already lost it.

Vexilar website can (on occasion) be a great place for low pricing too. Just have to look before you buy elsewhere.

Side note: Verizon credit card is great. 4% back on grocery, gas, and restaurants.

Dan wrote:

I started using a Scheels card and slowed down using that after they would not honor price match policy 3 times. Scheels price match policy is a joke.

What were Scheel’s reasons for not price matching? I’ve never had a problem.

mxskeeter wrote:

I still use my Cabelas card a little. Not near as much as I used to. I have some automatic billing that goes to my Cabelas card and don’t want the hassle of changing those accounts. Where I live there are not many options for tackle, electronics, etc. I started using a Scheels card and slowed down using that after they would not honor price match policy 3 times. Scheels price match policy is a joke.

I just used Scheels price match yesterday.
They matched Bass Pro on price for a Livescope bundle. They even gave me the additional 400$ off for being a Bass Pro Club member deal. Was extremely easy and fast. I’ve never had them not match a price.

We just left scheels and they price matched a bunch of stuff we wanted. It was simple. I showed them the price on sale else where and they matched it. Saved a few hundred bucks tonight because of that.

Short answer to the original thought, yes better off using a different CC for rewards. At this point the only thing I use Cabelas for is deep discounts on items that aren’t usually discounted. When you combine CC points, online discounted gift cards, cabelas club 10% off days, and cashback sites you can stack 30% off or more depending on timing. That’s how I bought my ulterra when they were newer.

Netguy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dan wrote:</div>
I started using a Scheels card and slowed down using that after they would not honor price match policy 3 times. Scheels price match policy is a joke.

What were Scheel’s reasons for not price matching? I’ve never had a problem.

I’ve mostly had no issues at Scheels but I did have it happen a couple weeks ago where I tried to price match an item from Amazon and they wouldn’t do it as it was sold by a third party, not directly through Amazon. So I just bought it off Amazon for the cheaper price.

slough wrote:

I’ve mostly had no issues at Scheels but I did have it happen a couple weeks ago where I tried to price match an item from Amazon and they wouldn’t do it as it was sold by a third party, not directly through Amazon. So I just bought it off Amazon for the cheaper price.

I wanted to buy some Costa sunglasses at Scheels a couple years ago. I tried a bunch on and found a pair I liked. They refused to price match the online Amazon price though. But it was about 100 bucks less than what their shelf price was.

I bought the shades off Amazon instead, but at least Scheels allowed me to try on the ones I liked the most.

I’ve never understood the love for the cabelas card. There is, and always have been, way better CC rewards out there.

Well the last item that Scheels would not match was HB transducer. It was $220 at Scheels. Hodges Marine had it for $151. Another online store(forget the name) had it for $143. Hodges had like 97 in stock. The other company with 16 locations had over 200 available.
Scheels reason for not matching—the other companies were not HB Certified dealers. I find that hard to believe the other 2 companies are not certified dealer with the inventory amount that was on the shelf. Scheels had 12 available to ship.
Don’t get me wrong I like Scheels but it’s policy must have a lot of fine print or the employee can make his own decisions to deny matching.

mxskeeter wrote:

Well the last item that Scheels would not match was HB transducer. It was $220 at Scheels. Hodges Marine had it for $151. Another online store(forget the name) had it for $143. Hodges had like 97 in stock. The other company with 16 locations had over 200 available.
Scheels reason for not matching—the other companies were not HB Certified dealers. I find that hard to believe the other 2 companies are not certified dealer with the inventory amount that was on the shelf. Scheels had 12 available to ship.
Don’t get me wrong I like Scheels but it’s policy must have a lot of fine print or the employee can make his own decisions to deny matching.

I would be curious to know what store you were in. I was told by an employee at one of their locations the Sioux City store did not have enough competition and they get away with a a lot more crappy customer service. We refer to that location that has given me trouble for years as an “emergency stop only”. My dad and I both will drive 80 miles further to go to on of their other locations. Too many customer service issues. We both have spent a fair amount in the store too. I would guess between my folks and my family we have spent approx $10K in 2024 at Scheels. Not 10% has been in the Sioux City store, and I drive by several times a month and have to drive by on my way to the one I go to.

No store. It was a call in online order. I’m 90 miles from the nearest Scheels.

David save your $800 The Flx-38 not worth it. I will catch more fish with my Flx-28 then a FLX38 or FLX40. If you want the adjustable zoom get a Marcum M5 a lot cheaper.

Well, All’s well that ends well. At the St. Paul Ice show Marine General had them on sale for $700 then they gave me a $150 rebate card to send in to Vexilar. I saved over $250 from the listed price when I went to Cabela’s, who luckily didn’t have them. Have been playing with the FLX38, not a game changing upgrade from the FLX30 but the zoom features are interesting as I am anxious to try them out on my lake for crappies. BC, when I upgrade I trade my brother my old one for his old one that I traded to him last time I upgraded a couple of years ago. He get’s the old FLX30 and I get his FLX28, I have already sold my old FL20 to a friend. I understand the Marcum however basically fished my entire life with the likes of Vexilar product including the first ones branded Hondex and Micronar. That was a long time ago. My upgrade will cost me about $300, I don’t have to learn new tricks, and my brother who has helped me out, gets an upgrade as well. My friend gets a good deal on the 20 and I have a spare 28 for guests at the lake. What is an FLX 40? Thanks

The new Vexilar you will be buying next year LOL
“What’s the FLX-40?”

Why are you blaming Cabelas for being a smart retailer. They have likely expired their ability to make Vexilar buy back all the gods they purchased last year and are sitting on a surplus. Ice fishing retail is risky business due to seasonality. Last year we had no ice. Flashers and other big ticket items did not sell through. Thus everyone has a ton of old inventory. Vexilar also had amassed a ton of inventory thus all the clearance sales at their factory store and retailers. Given they are already offering a $150 rebate on that 38, does that tell you anything? A. they have a large margin on it to begin with if they can give $150 off the top, B. they need to incentivize it to sell over the $399 FLX30s that are being dumped, C. the Technology is being run into the dirt. I am not a fan of Cabelas but you certainly cant blame them for being smart business people. When you have 2 gallons of Mile in the refrigerator, do you go to the store to buy more?

the tech they are building into the 40 is pretty special though, game changer.

wormdunker wrote:

the tech they are building into the 40 is pretty special though, game changer.

(I’m assuming you’re tongue in cheek)

I just watched a video about the FLX 38, the features compare very similarly with the Humminbird Ice-55 (which was released only 16 years ago lol)

wormdunker wrote:

Why are you blaming Cabelas for being a smart retailer. They have likely expired their ability to make Vexilar buy back all the gods they purchased last year and are sitting on a surplus. Ice fishing retail is risky business due to seasonality. Last year we had no ice. Flashers and other big ticket items did not sell through. Thus everyone has a ton of old inventory. Vexilar also had amassed a ton of inventory thus all the clearance sales at their factory store and retailers. Given they are already offering a $150 rebate on that 38, does that tell you anything? A. they have a large margin on it to begin with if they can give $150 off the top, B. they need to incentivize it to sell over the $399 FLX30s that are being dumped, C. the Technology is being run into the dirt. I am not a fan of Cabelas but you certainly cant blame them for being smart business people. When you have 2 gallons of Mile in the refrigerator, do you go to the store to buy more?

Not blaming Cabela’s simply stating that they didn’t have the latest products. One could easily look at it in a different light, would a smart retailer get in an overstock situation like that, maybe they are not so smart. I get the $150 rebate is an indication of the fat margins these things have, yet are they a player or not? Unfortunately there are a ton of outdoor equipment companies hitting the brick wall these days, Polaris profits down 80%, Arctic Cat laying off 65 people and shutting the Thief River Falls plant down for a few months, BRP selling off their marine division. I think this is the tip of the iceberg. Did go to Cabela’s to buy a new Glo Ring for it, even checked stock online before I went. Nothing on the floor, I asked the guy to check his stock, yep we have 8 of them. Went back to get me one and came back empty handed. Plan B was to place an order at the desk and it would be filled in 10 minutes. I told him when they bring it up tell them to bring 4 more to put on the floor. It took 4 people to finally fill my request, they tried hard, and in the end it was taken care of but really. One guy stated that Corporate has no clue about the cold water fishing market, which might address your overstock statement. Then of course a swipe at the current political situation, I just responded….heck, I’m just trying to spend some money! Oh well, below zero tomorrow night, time to get the drill out.

David Anderson wrote:

Well, All’s well that ends well. At the St. Paul Ice show Marine General had them on sale for $700 then they gave me a $150 rebate card to send in to Vexilar. I saved over $250 from the listed price when I went to Cabela’s, who luckily didn’t have them. Have been playing with the FLX38, not a game changing upgrade from the FLX30 but the zoom features are interesting as I am anxious to try them out on my lake for crappies. BC, when I upgrade I trade my brother my old one for his old one that I traded to him last time I upgraded a couple of years ago. He get’s the old FLX30 and I get his FLX28, I have already sold my old FL20 to a friend. I understand the Marcum however basically fished my entire life with the likes of Vexilar product including the first ones branded Hondex and Micronar. That was a long time ago. My upgrade will cost me about $300, I don’t have to learn new tricks, and my brother who has helped me out, gets an upgrade as well. My friend gets a good deal on the 20 and I have a spare 28 for guests at the lake. What is an FLX 40? Thanks

I got sucked into buying a 38 as well after being a naysayer initially. I do like the new Pro Pack with the USB ports since I use underwater cameras and GoPros for my YouTube channel. Enjoy!

The 38 was last Vexilar product green-lit under the old ownership regime, along with the Predator camera. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 38 is the last flasher for Vexilar.