Beware Gander Mountain deception!

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oneounceload said:
What's simply wrong is that you thought Gander would EVER have low prices on ANYTHING gun-related. EVERYTHING in their store here where I live is at a minimum 25% OVER MSRP.

I stopped having folks get me gift cards for there - I can get the same stuff for much less elsewhere.

They and Cabela's used to have great prices when they were mail-order - but those super fancy stores cost a ton of money and you're paying for it every time you buy from them
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I stopped into the Gander store in Blaine MN just a couple of weeks ago, they had a Ruger KP345PR .45 auto in the display case listed at $600.00! This is the same store that charges $59.00 for a box(20-rounds)of 9mm hollow points! Why anyone would spend a dime on a Gander gun, or gun gear is simply beyond my comprehension....
 
Gander Mountain are you listening? I have been in your store 5-6 times, never ever left with a purchase. Sportsmans Warehouse is no better, these mega stores should have micro prices, but they don't. I say support the locally owned gunstores rather than waste your time in places like these. I will vote with my wallet, and have so far voted no.
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Gander Mountain does have ridiculous prices on guns, but the Sportsman's Warehouse down the road has always had reasonable prices. Generally in line with Scheel's and slightly less to roughly comparable to Bass Pro Shops. Only one Ma and Pa store in town and their selection is limited and the location is inconvenient for me.
 
I'm appalled at what I've read about Gander Mountain in this thread and will never shop there again. Easy decision.

What really roused my interest was the discussion on mail in rebates. Stores rely on people forgetting to mail in their forms in time or on people not doing the paperwork correctly. And if your mail-in rebate never comes (even after doing all the right paperwork), are you tracking it anyway? And probably most of the time the item price has been increased to cover the mail-in rebate. I've come to the view that mail-in rebates are not worth my time in processing them. I now seek out the best value amongst those products that do not offer mail-in rebates.

PS I've also had mail-in rebates that were already expired when I bought the item..
 
I purchased two rifles at GM, one a CZ Safari American, 375H&H, beautiful wood, and they had some special going so the price was ok.

The other a little Marlin 1894 CL in 32-20, price was a bit high but I had been looking for a long time and those things are scarce.

That said, they did not at the times of those purchases or at anytime since had any ammo in those calibers. You wonder why they sell guns and no ammo for them. No problem for me, I just ordered brass dies and bullets earlier than I would have normally, and considering price of loaded ammo in those calibers it was probably the best thing to do,
 
Follow up ...

By way of a follow up to my initial post, the New York State Consumer Protection Board responded to my complaint swiftly and effectively. Within a week or so of filing my complaint, they sent a letter to GM; and within a week of that letter I received a phone call from the local store manager. He apologized for the "oversight," and promised to refund my 16 bucks worth of rebates in cash. This, of course, from the very same management that caused my complaint to escalate in the first place.

If anybody else has had this problem with GM, I would encourage you to pursue your complaint to a successful outcome---if necessary through government agencies. It's not about the 16 bucks; it's about letting them get away with consumer fraud.
 
Way to go sleazyrider, I love it when people are motivated enough to right these sort of wrongs. It makes the world a better place.
 
I just sent an email to GM Customer Service regarding the same misleading ad. Bought 12 boxes of .308, and got my $4 rebate from GM, and $5 rebate from Winchester. I'll see if I get a reply from GM. Looks like I may need to contact my local Consumer Protection folks if I don't get a refund, based on the other comments posted here.

"Airborne All The Way"
 
Farm and Fleet ad for this week has ALL Winchester centerfire ammo on sale.
Minimum 2 boxes for a $5 rebate and the ad states very clear, "Maximum of $5 rebate per household address."
 
dgn1960 said:
I just sent an email to GM Customer Service regarding the same misleading ad. Bought 12 boxes of .308, and got my $4 rebate from GM, and $5 rebate from Winchester. I'll see if I get a reply from GM. Looks like I may need to contact my local Consumer Protection folks if I don't get a refund, based on the other comments posted here.

"Airborne All The Way"
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I don't use e-mail for such things. Personally, I'd contact the store manager, getting the name of said person, then call or write to Gander management if you aren't satisfied. They should be familiar with this problem. Then I'd contact the a state agency.

The important thing is to document everything, making copies of receipts and advertisements. But most importantly---stay with it! It's the principle of the thing!
 
I agree, Gander mountain is ridiculous with their prices. They had police trade in Glock 22's for $499 and they were in very rough shape. They also had a used XD tactical in 40 cal for $589!

Browsing their ammo selection, I found a 20 round box of Federal Cape Shok 458 win mag for $250!!!!
When I checked the net, GM' s price was twice as much as several other stores. I asked the clerk about the price, he said that it was the real price. I asked him why it was twice as expensive and he said "when your out hunting buffalo and you get that once in a lifetime shot, you want to have the best ammunition for the job." I laughed and thanked him for his time.
 
Hold the phone! A miracle has happened! A representative from Gander Mountain just called me, apologizing for the mess, and promising to change the language of their advertising. They're sending me a gift card for the difference in price.

So for those of you that have already been duped, call Gander on the phone and they will make it right. Yes, I know that a cash refund would really make it right, but it's better than nothing, which is what I expected.
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Regardless, Gander Mountain uses this tactic as "damage control". They tried it with me. I talked to the guy behind the counter as I was looking for a handgun and I thought "big box store = good price" a little weary I told the guy I'm heading out to price check and he came back with "you can but we buy in volume so know body around here can beat our price" I hesitantly agreed and bought it only to find out every frigging gun dealer in the US had it for $90 less as a regular price. Yep My Fault But when I went back to politely advise the guy that he and GM apparently did not stay up on their competitive price checks. He smiled and said "you bought it didn't you". I just raised a brow, turned and left the building.

Long story short I emailed their cust serv dept with a little information on how to make repeat customers. And they called back with coupons. I told him I don't want your coupons for my mistake, I'm just giving you and you company advise on how you could of sold me more than just 1 gun.
 
They eventually refunded my money in cash, after a letter from my state Consumer Protection Board. This is what it takes; you've got to ride these folks like a carnival pony.
 
I asked him why it was twice as expensive and he said "when your out hunting buffalo and you get that once in a lifetime shot, you want to have the best ammunition for the job." I laughed and thanked him for his time.
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That his hilarious! :D Why pay double the price? "Because when it's only you in the Amazon rainforest staring down a deadly black panther you need to feel confident that you weren't stingy with ammo and spent enough to get the best."
 
Well, you made one mistake. And that was purchasing something with the word rebate attached to it. About 10 years ago I quit buying anything that promises a rebate if I mail something in.

I kept records of what I sent, how long I waited and if I got any return back for my time and postage. Do this and it will surprise you.

Unless I see a rebate at the register I won't buy the product.
 
They practice sleazy kind of business. I ve never been fan of Gander Mtn except to see their wares every once a year.
 
I best deal i had on ammo to date was two tins of 5.45 Russian surplus at $ 100 a tin. This was a private deal so enough said.
 
Well, you made one mistake. And that was purchasing something with the word rebate attached to it.
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I've been treated well when it comes to S&W's rebates. They take a while because they have so many to process, but they always pull through eventually. Some rebates are genuine deals, some are rips offs, others are completely fraudulent. You just have to be careful.
 
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