Why i'll never give gander mntn another dime ever... a rant

[Thunder71]

Every time I see this thread pop back up it reminds me to run to Gander to check the used inventory...

[PileDriver]

Every time I see this thread pop back up it reminds me to run to Gander to check the used inventory...

Glad I'm not the only one who still goes. I still like the place for clothes (where their sales actually result in some purdy good prices) and general time killing. The Lakeville store is usually dead around 7pm and while the guys behind the gun counter may say some silly things, they let me fondle all the guns I want.

[Mdclinks]

Every time I see this thread pop back up it reminds me to run to Gander to check the used inventory...

Glad I'm not the only one who still goes. I still like the place for clothes (where their sales actually result in some purdy good prices) and general time killing. The Lakeville store is usually dead around 7pm and while the guys behind the gun counter may say some silly things, they let me fondle all the guns I want.

They will let you grope away without any complaining. They did have an older guy at the gun counter that was very polite and adequately knowledgeable a few years back.

[yukonjasper]

you have to remember that some of the anti Gander mountain bias has to do with the large number of instructors on this forum who have had crabby pants about the chosen few instructors that have had good success conducting classes at Gander over the years - I'm assuming that the relationship was fairly exclusive which caused some some to feel like they were shut out of the same lucrative opportunity. Admittedly, I'm just guessing here, but the undercurrents I've picked up from being around here for a while seem to support my theory.

Although the gun prices do tend to be higher, I've never been able to understand why the reaction is so strong against the store. IMO
-if you don't like the prices don't buy them,
-if you are so much more intelligent than the guy across the counter don't ask any questions or take their drivel with a grain of salt,
-if they want to charge you $100 more for something than you think its worth and they don't want to discount it to make it cheaper just to be convenient for you - tough

--- slandering the name of a legitimate business that sells a bunch of other stuff to a bunch of other people who don't happen to be small group of cheap ass Gun Geeks is a shame. Of course you are more likely to get a better deal from a private party or a FFL that you know with low mark up - obvious. Of course your going to get a better rap from a gun dealer who does his craft full time - no brainer. Although this is the interwebs and everyone is entitled to their opinion, I think its funny that "the experts" tend to get real wound up over little things. Falling Testosterone Levels can make you grouchy.

That may be just provacative enough to elicit a firestorm of comments. These are my opinions based on observation, no direct attacks are intended.

[Stradawhovious]

no direct attacks are intended.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[JJ]

you have to remember that some of the anti Gander mountain bias has to do with the large number of instructors on this forum who have had crabby pants about the chosen few instructors that have had good success conducting classes at Gander over the years - I'm assuming that the relationship was fairly exclusive which caused some some to feel like they were shut out of the same lucrative opportunity. Admittedly, I'm just guessing here, but the undercurrents I've picked up from being around here for a while seem to support my theory.

Although the gun prices do tend to be higher, I've never been able to understand why the reaction is so strong against the store. IMO
-if you don't like the prices don't buy them,
-if you are so much more intelligent than the guy across the counter don't ask any questions or take their drivel with a grain of salt,
-if they want to charge you $100 more for something than you think its worth and they don't want to discount it to make it cheaper just to be convenient for you - tough

--- slandering the name of a legitimate business that sells a bunch of other stuff to a bunch of other people who don't happen to be small group of cheap ass Gun Geeks is a shame. Of course you are more likely to get a better deal from a private party or a FFL that you know with low mark up - obvious. Of course your going to get a better rap from a gun dealer who does his craft full time - no brainer. Although this is the interwebs and everyone is entitled to their opinion, I think its funny that "the experts" tend to get real wound up over little things. Falling Testosterone Levels can make you grouchy.

That may be just provacative enough to elicit a firestorm of comments. These are my opinions based on observation, no direct attacks are intended.

I don't think it's just "gun geeks" that are complaining. I know plenty of fishermen and hunters that have written them off in the last couple of years. And for the same reasons the "gun geeks" are complaining.

1. Overpriced merchandise
2. Inexperienced sales associates.
3. General disinterest in listening to customer complaints/concerns


GM in Maple Grove is currently in process of closing it's doors. It will be no shocker to see plenty more follow suit. Especially with the decision of FF to start carrying handguns and such.

[cobb]

you have to remember that some of the anti Gander mountain bias has to do with the large number of instructors on this forum who have had crabby pants about the chosen few instructors that have had good success conducting classes at Gander over the years - I'm assuming that the relationship was fairly exclusive which caused some some to feel like they were shut out of the same lucrative opportunity.

Boy, I think you are truly misinformed.......

And yes, I still go into Gander, they sometimes have a good price on an item, or the only place locally that I can get an item that I need/want now. From what I have seen I think their gun prices are out of line compared to others gun shops, so no I don't go there to buy guns. They do have some good sales on clothing at the tail end of the different seasons though.

[FJ540]

I'm not, never have, and never will be a gun instructor - I've written gander off ever since they bought out holiday sports.

As mentioned, I did buy my compound bow there, through their website for a good price on clearance (still not spectacular, as it only saved me about 20 bucks), and they've refused to service it at their retail stores in the metro (Brainerd must have different management practices because they'd gladly set it up, but I had cabela's do it anyway).

The only reason I ever grace their establishments is to look for new products (to purchase elsewhere), and waste time. I found my bow via google shopper.

[chudrockz]

I can only speak about the GM in Mankato, as I did a few posts back. To the best of my knowledge, I've never been to any other one that I can remember.

And I rip the Mankato Gander Mountain freely because of PISS POOR customer service and high prices. And I rarely shop there for those reasons.

[Eric Marleau]

I still go into Gander.
Just have to watch their prices, which are astronomical on many items.
I still buy most of my cloths there because of quality, and run into some great buys on used guns once in a while.

Their management is very poor, but they get what they pay for on that one.

A few years back, the Forest Lake Gander was charging $15.00 for their DNR Firearms Safety Classes. The DNR allows Instructors to charge extra for study materials. I reported them, and they lowered their class prices. Gander has all the study materials on hand, and was just trying to make an extra dollar. That is their M.O.

With Gander, its buyer beware.

Eric

[Heffay]

I go to Gander mountain all the time! It's a great place to shop with your smartphone and the Amazon app installed.

"Oooh, pretty hat!"

*click*

This item is available for 40% less from these online retailers. Would you like to purchase this sales tax free with free 2-day shipping?

[Rodentman]

I think "slander" refers to statements that are false. I think these are generally true:

«1. Overpriced merchandise
2. Inexperienced sales associates.
3. General disinterest in listening to customer complaints/concerns»

and do not qualify as slander. Yes, the above can be opinions rather than proven fact, but the consensus is that the 3 points above are descriptive of Gouger Mt overall.

[plblark]

I go to Gander mountain all the time! It's a great place to shop with your smartphone and the Amazon app installed.

"Oooh, pretty hat!"

*click*

This item is available for 40% less from these online retailers. Would you like to purchase this sales tax free with free 2-day shipping?

I like the one on my phone, it gives other local retailers' prices. It's sometimes spotty but it works. I wonder how we can get them to link up to Brownells and Midway USA?

[Countryfried Frank]

Gander Mountain is not overpriced. Their prices are right where the market will allow. The question that hasn't been directly addressed is, what are they selling. Obviously it is not service and really it's not even sporting goods. It is convenience. Just like McDonalds, they are close by for most of us and they usually have what we want when we want it. They can cook a burger but don't ask them for a t-bone, they would probably fry it for two minutes on each side slather it with secret sauce and put it between two buns.

[Rodentman]

Well, they don't much of what I want with respect to bullets, primers, and powder. I'd rather drive to GS than pay $40 for a pound of powder at GM. They are pricing themselves out of the market. Well, if they survive I guess they're in the ballpark. Maybe they are, but not with the stuff I want.

« It's sometimes spotty but it works.»

I see you've met my wife.