Gander Mountain Experience

[Terry]

So I went to Gander Mountain in Eden Prairie today to see what they would give me for my Kahr K9. I wasn't expecting anything great, but just thought I would see.

The gun has never been shot and is still wrapped in the case. The associate looks it up in the book and tells me $350. I told him that was ridiculous since it was unfired. He askes another associate to come over and give her opinion. She looks at it and says $275.

I told her how ridiculous that offer was and they both proceed to tell me that Gander has to make a certain amount on every used gun. I understand that from a business standpoint, however when they tell me they are going to sell it for $650 and low ball me like that, that's insulting.

So i laughed to myself and walked out.

[farmerj]

sounds typical for any retail gun store.

Buy low, sell high.

[Stradawhovious]

Whether you shot it or not, its used. They can't sell it as new (for Gander it won't stop them from trying to get new money for it though....). Many retail places make between a 20-50% profit margin on the sale of most new items. Why would people expect them to make less on used. Also keep in mind, most reasonable places need to sell their used equipment for going used rate. A retail establishment offering 40-50% of blue book for used equipment isn't unreasonable.

Moral of the story, if you want top dollar for your stuff, selling or trading to a retail store isn't the way to do it.

That being said, Gander sucks ass.

[dshortone]

I've worked firearms retail for another chain, and those prices sounded pretty much spot on. Unfortunately this does frequently lead to hurt feelings, but making money is the name of the game. New guns margin is typically 15-30%. As manager, I usually purchased used firearms on a 40-50% margin from our first price we set, to ensure that it WILL sell at 30% if we needed to move the product (aka it sat for more than a month or two).

It's disappointing that Gander doesn't have some sort of consignment deal where they take 15-25% and the seller takes the rest. Consignments usually keep all parties happy, as it keeps both parties honest about the price, but still allow them to adequately profit. However, for the sake of simplification, it makes sense why they don't do it.

[Thunder71]

Yeah, it's not just Gander... If they take it in and there's a problem, they have to pay to fix it. Plus they do go through them, spend time on them, clean them, etc, etc, etc.

As mentioned, if you want top dollar sell it outright to a private party... not sure what you were expecting trading it in/selling it to a gun store. Part of their margin is overhead, it isn't free to keep those doors open and employees paid.

[dsm2nr]

I see you've had your k9 up for two months now. There may just not be a local market for it $350 is better than it sitting if you need the money. I took my almost new exo g19 (that I just sold private) to bills and cabelas and was offered $270 at both places.

[Thunder71]

Doesn't surprise me, I think they all use the same book - similar to NADA or Kelly Blue Book. There's typically more 'wiggle room' with a trade-in than selling them the gun, since they have two areas they can adjust pricing from (the gun you are bringing to the table and the gun you are potentially buying).

Just like used cars, you can almost always sell them yourself for a lot more than the dealer will give you.

[tim]

Doesn't surprise me, I think they all use the same book - similar to NADA or Kelly Blue Book. There's typically more 'wiggle room' with a trade-in than selling them the gun, since they have two areas they can adjust pricing from (the gun you are bringing to the table and the gun you are potentially buying).

Must like used cars, you can almost always sell them yourself for a lot more than the dealer will give you.

Bingo. This is the case with anything.

[Dick Unger]

They can often buy a gun like that for about $400 when they buy in quantity. A manufacturer will run a big lot and sell say 500 guns to a chain like Gandere. If Kahr is not having a special, they can buy something similar from another manufacturer. And when they buy the 500 guns, they only have to talk to 1 seller, and make 1 computer entry. And the serial numbers are not going to be in some stolen property report sitting in some police station somewhere in the country.

It is worth more than the 350, though to someone who owns a gun store. Or someone who does not own a gunstore, but wants a Kahr9.

If I'm right on the low low wholesale price for Kahr and similar brands, the guy was only going to make $50 on the purchase, and do some work and take some risk for the $50.

[PileDriver]

We all already know what to expect from Gander, lowball purchase/trade prices, and stupid high sale prices. However, it still is the closest place for me to fondle. AND, people buy there regardless. What really bugs me about Gander, is they must really not pound the rules into their employee's heads. Every time I'm at Gander they point a damn gun at me. I have never been muzzle checked by anyone at Cabela's in my life, and they almost always have the slide locked back when it's handed to me.

[dsm2nr]

I have never been muzzle checked by anyone at Cabela's in my life

While I was there having my G19 appraised, the guy would keep the muzzle at me. Even when I moved out of the way, it would find it's way back to me.

[Terry]

Yea, I realize they are a retail store and need to make money. I was expecting a little more than that. I dont call that a reasonable offer though. Especially since I've had other offers from other dealers that were more. I passed because I was not ready to sell it then.

This was not my first experience with getting low balled. Last year, I took my Winchester SX2 to Cabelas to get a quote for them to buy and was quoted $500. I took it to Gander and showed them the written quote from Cabelas, and the associate at Gander in Lakeville told me Cabelas mis quoted me and told me he would give me $350. The gun was in excellent condition. Now keep in mind I was trading it in to buy a Beneli SB2. So I left Lakeville Gander and drove to the Eden Prairie Gander. I showed the associate the business card with the written quote on the back that said $500 if i traded for a SB2. The associate said no problem, took it in for $500 and sold me the SB2 for the sale price of $1299.

Anyway, I just thought I would share this since I figured it would make those who dislike Gander on here laugh..


Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

[PileDriver]

We (or I, anyways) hear ya Terry. It's just that it's so bad it's not funny anymore. What I was looking at was a CZ97. Their regular price is $1050, it was on sale for $825. ImpactGuns has it in stock for $740 shipped all day long, with night sights.

[QuercusMax]

I realize that we are not all made of money, but I think the best solution is to just not sell any guns.

Actually, the same thing applies to houses, cars, etc. Every time someone "helps" you with a transaction, they want a lot of money for the privilege.

[Eric Marleau]

Just when I give up on Gander, I stroll in yesterday because I had nothing better to do, and walk out with a used, in perfect condition Ruger Super Single Six Stainless for $245.00.
I've been looking for one for a while, just because I have a bunch of Ruger pistols amongst all of my high end pistols.
Took it to the Range today, and at 25yds, I'm surprised at it's accuracy.
Why do I think that the guy who sold it to them got maybe $125.00.

Oh well. I won't complain

Eric