USAF_Vet
Member
The Gander Mtn I go to has all new long guns behind the counter, but used long guns on the floor cabled to a rack. I don't often purchase from them as their prices are typically higher than the mom and pop shops I go to.
Gander Mountain Disappointment
- Thread starter LibShooter
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MachIVshooter
Member
It's been mentioned, but that was the only reason many of us ever ventured in. I stopped by the one nearest me on occasion when I was in the area, never had any intention of paying their prices on guns, though. However, I did Ocassionally buy something else in the store.
With this change, I have no reason to stop in at all. There are a half dozen LGS's within a couple miles of them that offer much better service and lower prices. Even Bass Pro Shop is more reasonable than Gander, and they have a MUCH larger selection of everything.
RobNDenver
Member
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- Mar 23, 2008
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- 275
The last time I was in a Gander Mountain, some spithead took a rifle off the wall, and pointed it directly at me, when I was across the gun section buying some ammo. He then handed it to his buddy, who also pointed it directly at me when he shouldered it. I gave both of them a piece of my mind and the clerk who wandered up to help them. Clerk says "Don't Worry. It's not loaded" and I have never been back. I am delighted that the great unwashed can no longer get their hands on any firearm they want to handle.
N003k
Member
I know the vast majority of the guns at the Cabelas in CT seemed to be behind the counter, think there were a couple racks of used guns out on the floor...and the shops I've been to seem to have a mix. Higher end stuff tends to be behind the counter, the more average things, and used guns on the floor.
As for Feedthehogs, personally, if I had to ask to look at every rifle I had an interest in, I wouldn't bother buying from that shop. I understand if it's expensive, that's fine. If it's an average rifle, I'm not going to bother. I'm the type that'll go to a gunshop 10-20 times, and buy one gun that really stands out to me. I handle all sorts of things from $100 Mosins, to one of the limited edition MSAR's that cost me $3000. I handled Glocks for a month before finally going in an buying a G23 my favorite shop has.
Just because some of us handle a lot more than we buy, doesn't make us tire kickers.
As for Feedthehogs, personally, if I had to ask to look at every rifle I had an interest in, I wouldn't bother buying from that shop. I understand if it's expensive, that's fine. If it's an average rifle, I'm not going to bother. I'm the type that'll go to a gunshop 10-20 times, and buy one gun that really stands out to me. I handle all sorts of things from $100 Mosins, to one of the limited edition MSAR's that cost me $3000. I handled Glocks for a month before finally going in an buying a G23 my favorite shop has.
Just because some of us handle a lot more than we buy, doesn't make us tire kickers.
RobNDenver
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- Mar 23, 2008
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Actually, in the lexicon of sales, it makes those who handle, but don't buy "be-backs" not tire kickers. . . I don't care either way, but I don't care for anyone who can pick up a rifle doing so without some inputs about Rule number one.
N003k
Member
Rob, that's fair enough. Just irked me a bit when Feedthehogs said that anyone that isn't serious about buying that rifle, is only a tirekicker, and only going to damage the guns.
Also, that's a VERY fair point about the basic rules. I've been handling guns since I was 8...the only gun I don't check to make sure it's not loaded every time I pick it up, is my carry gun, and that's because I KNOW it IS loaded. Fortunatly, my favorite gun shop iss small, so they can easily see if someone's being unsafe...though I've yet to have any problems there, I can imagine it would piss me off a LOT if I saw someone pointing a gun at me.
Also, that's a VERY fair point about the basic rules. I've been handling guns since I was 8...the only gun I don't check to make sure it's not loaded every time I pick it up, is my carry gun, and that's because I KNOW it IS loaded. Fortunatly, my favorite gun shop iss small, so they can easily see if someone's being unsafe...though I've yet to have any problems there, I can imagine it would piss me off a LOT if I saw someone pointing a gun at me.
jelayne
Member
I took my wife there a few years back and we bought her a 20 guage Browning shot gun. We got the salesman to get us a new one from the back because we didn't want the one people had been fingering. Anytime I ever pickup a gun I just want to look at I try to never touch the metal. It leaves nasty little finger prints which have to be cleaned off. A lot of people I have seen pick up long guns straight by the barrel. Guess I can't blame GM for wanting to protecting their product.
LibShooter
Member
That used to bother me, too. I was raised with gun safety rules from the womb. However, in big stores and giant gun shows, I stopped being concerned. Gander Mountain had big orange trigger locks on the shotguns and rifles. Most gun show firearms have been checked and zip-tied. I just let it go.
Some guy picking up a Henry at Gander Mountain may never have touched a real rifle before. Maybe he'll like it, buy it, learn something and become a good, safe shooter. Being yelled at by stranger over something that really couldn't hurt anybody might abort that process.
The one in Green Bay still has everything out and accessible. However their prices have gone though the roof, even for Gander Mountain the past couple of years, and coupled with shoddy Gunsmith service (Im still having fits with a new Remington 700 I bought while on Leave from Iraq) Salespeople that know nothing about the products and the general overall prices on -everything- being significantly higher I just can't be bothered. And this is coming from someone that bought more firearms though this place than anywhere else. I go though my LGS now and though online retailers for supplies and I save even with hazard shipping tacked on to the orders.
Oh, its not just the customers that drop firearms guys. To be perfectly honest while in this particular Gander Mountain I've seen more firearms dropped by employees than customers.
It was a niche that you could handle the rifles freely, but I will not loose sleep over it. It has been a long time since I've found a deal at one of those stores, and if I shop elsewhere I save hundreds of bucks sometimes. Things change and companies move on at times. I suspect the lack of care by nearly everyone the cooperate decision was made to reduce the risks by locking everything up and having it all handled as little as possible.
Oh, its not just the customers that drop firearms guys. To be perfectly honest while in this particular Gander Mountain I've seen more firearms dropped by employees than customers.
It was a niche that you could handle the rifles freely, but I will not loose sleep over it. It has been a long time since I've found a deal at one of those stores, and if I shop elsewhere I save hundreds of bucks sometimes. Things change and companies move on at times. I suspect the lack of care by nearly everyone the cooperate decision was made to reduce the risks by locking everything up and having it all handled as little as possible.
hey_poolboy
Member
In my book the thread title is redundant. In my experience everything in GM is always way overpriced. Even most of my LGS have better prices on ammo and accessories than GM. Let's not even talk about the gun prices. I don't darken their door unless someone has given me a gift card.
Nope. Not BATFE. The change came from Gander corporate and will eventually effect all Gander stores. It seems they got tired of paying for all the dropped, scratched, cracked, and scraped guns that idiots damaged while checking out the merchandise. I don't blame them. I purchased many guns from them, and it seemed like most all of them had a blemish or two. The only way to proceed was to find one in the back. I watched many a time when a half a parent allowed their dumbass kids to play with triggers and such. It couldn't last. I'm surprised Gander let it go on as long as it did. Our store had nice, $2500 Citori's to check out. Some dorks thought it was their right to bring in their kids to play with them.
Lonerider357
Member
I stopped going to any GM store! It's a clothing store that has some hunting and fishing stuff at High prices and Idiots working there!! My wife was going into town shopping, I asked her to stop by GM and pick me up some powder, Trail Boss, the kid in the gun dept. sold her Pyrodex!!! They were out of Trail Boss , he told her that this was the same thing!! And the last time I ever went there to get some Trail Boss, only because I was out and needed some and my regular supplier was out of town (a shooter that I shoot with)they wanted $29.95 a can!! I buy it from this guy and others for $13 a can!
They won't ever see me there again!
They won't ever see me there again!
jcwit
member
Another reason I dislike Gander Ripoff, was in the Ft Wayne store on Lima Road and bought one of their Coleman LED Camp Lanterns, $19.95 before tx.
Here is the same item from Colemans site with Colemans MSRP
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?CategoryID=10452&product_id=2000000090
Only reason I bought it was I had a gift card left from last Christmas, so I guess I didn't get ripped off, but they never get any of my actual money. IMHO they are nothing but ripoff artists.
Here is the same item from Colemans site with Colemans MSRP
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?CategoryID=10452&product_id=2000000090
Only reason I bought it was I had a gift card left from last Christmas, so I guess I didn't get ripped off, but they never get any of my actual money. IMHO they are nothing but ripoff artists.
Messenger Guard
Member
I know for a fact the Knoxville store you speak of had multiple bolt/bolt carriers stolen from Colt AR15s on open display to the public. That's when the semi auto military knock offs went behind the counter. They may have had additional problems with theft. An understandable reaction if this is the case.
wlewisiii
Member
Funny hearing all these whines about GM. I've gotten more than one great deal there and been able to do it on lay away. Good enough for me 
The [redacted] at my local "mom and pop" stores can burn in hell as far as I'm concerned - there are none around here that give me anything worth the tiny price difference between them and GM.
The [redacted] at my local "mom and pop" stores can burn in hell as far as I'm concerned - there are none around here that give me anything worth the tiny price difference between them and GM.
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jcwit
member
I wasn't whining, I was stating a fact with a mfg's web site with MSRP to back it up. The ONLY way for Gander Ripoff to get me to purchase anything from them is if some idiot gives me another gift card for them. I hope my friends are not idiots, but then again?
It's just like anything else, you have to look for the right deal. And you have to talk with management. They're not my favorite store, but they are an option. I like options. This thread was about why the guns got moved behind a counter not whether or not GM was the saviour of the world. They moved the guns because they got tired of paying for repairing the damage from dumbasses.
jcwit
member
I like options as well as the next guy, but I tend to ignore bad options. This may be because of the way they display merchandise, it may be their pricing, it may be inept employees, or any of a number of things. At least this is my opinion based on retail experience from the last 54 years.
I wouldn't buy a display model anyway, not at full price. I would demand one from the back or go elswhere to buy it anyway...
All the triggers had locks on the guns at my local Gander Mountain. All the guns over $900 or so wer also locked in a glass case.
SSN Vet
Member
I had a similar experience at KTP....
Bozo posing like Rambo while GF takes cell phone pics....
covering everybody at the counter repeatedly.
jcwit
member
LOL, Ever been to a gun show. All muzzles are pointed at someone!
TheGrimReaper
Member
I think they'll close their doors soon. Too bad years ago they were not too bad. They just keep spiraling down.
jelayne
Member
Sorry guys but I love GM. Don't spend a lot of money there because it is expensive but it sure makes me feel good to stop in and window shop. Im not above asking the sales guy if I can see a pistol even if I have no intention of buying it. Thats his job.
Yes, in Charlotte, NC. Our store, its actually right outside city limits in Moorrsville. They were rearranging the entire gun area when me and my father were there the other day. It was our first time in the store, and I have to say, there prices are rediculous!!! I havr never seen prices so high for any firearm! They had USED m&p 9c's for $539, my local gun store has BRAND NEW ones for $520! I promise, I will never go back to that joke of a store. I would rather go to my regular gun store and see good people and good prices, not this big corporate garbage. Haha, im done venting. It was my first time out there and it was a 45 minute drive, I heard great things.......guess thats there opinion though. To each his own.......
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