Gander Mountain's Ammo Policy

[Flynt]

Gander Mountain just opened it's first store in my neck of the woods, north of Dallas. They are running a blizzard of ads, with really good deals on ammo, from .22 LR to big game rounds, but of course they're always out of stock when I get there. The problem is, "normal" people will never get their hands on these goodies, or even a lot of the ammo that's not on sale. They have a 10-box limit on .22, but no limits on center fire rifle ammo, so certain ammo vultures will stalk the place, clean out the specials, and resell at gun shows. Every other store in the area has some sort of limit. I've spoken to the manager about this policy and emailed the company, but haven't received any response. I'd encourage anyone who's concerned to contact them as well. Thanks.

 

[TheCracker]

That's just how it is these days! You really should be more concerned with their pricing policy as they are just ridiculous on many things. Even higher than cabelas and bass pro!

 

[orionengnr]

I know the GM of which you speak--I live maybe 5 miles away.
Still haven't been there, although I've seen the signage and pass by there at least once a week.

One day I'll stop by, but if my previous experiences with GM (in other states) are any indication, once will probably satisfy my curiosity.

 

[frankenstein406]

Seems like they would rather sell on their online store since they charge an extra $9 for ship to store.

 

[Reloadron]

While I can't speak for the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex area I can speak for my little SE Cleveland, Ohio suburbs area Gander Mountain. I have a Gander Mountain about 10 minuets down the road.

At the onset of the latest and greatest ammunition shortage they did (just like everyone else in retail) impose limits on ammunition purchases across the board less shotgun ammunition. Gander Mountain locally to me seemed to do a pretty good job and was among the first retail stores to get back to somewhat normal stock. Since I was in good shape I didn't overly pay much attention. Last time I was there a few weeks ago they were well stocked with everything including 22 LR. Gander Mountain, even before the shortage was not the most reasonably priced but overall not bad either. Their prices hardly make purchasing ammunition at Gander Mountain and dragging it to gun shows for resale worth the effort, especially after paying state and local taxes on the stuff. However, to each their own I guess.

Good luck in your quest but you would likely do better to learn "Ammo Vulture 101".

Ron

 

[Reloadron]

Seems like they would rather sell on their online store since they charge an extra $9 for ship to store.

Interesting and I wasn't aware of that. When I order through Cabela's be it ammunition or anything else I order online and pick up at the new Cabela's in Columbus, Ohio. There is no charge for shipping. So if I find a good ammunition sale online I just order and pick up at the store. Since we have kids / grand kids down in Columbus we make frequent trips down there anyway.

Ron

 

[Davek1977]

I feel a store has no responsibility to limit purchases. Yes, I'm aware there are people who buy ammo and resell it. That, however, isn't the store's fault, nor is it their responsbility to prevent it. Their job, in the eyes of their cooperate managers, is to sell ammo, and the empty shelves indicate they are doing a very good job of that.

 

[9mm+]

There are order limits at the Gander Mountain near me in Morrisville. Or, at least there were limits. It seems that some of the panic-buying & gouge-reselling here has eased up a little (just a little), so I believe that limits are only on certain ammo types.

Ask the manager what days ammo comes in. I was tipped off that there was a shipment coming in, so I was at the store when they opened and bought a few bricks of .22LR at a good price. People were lined up like crack addicts waiting for their fix.

 

[Louca]

I feel a store has no responsibility to limit purchases. Yes, I'm aware there are people who buy ammo and resell it. That, however, isn't the store's fault, nor is it their responsbility to prevent it. Their job, in the eyes of their cooperate managers, is to sell ammo, and the empty shelves indicate they are doing a very good job of that.

Although the store has no responsibility to do it, it makes good business sense to limit purchases. Yes it is good to sell product and sell it all if possible. But which is better, to have 100 guys come in an each get two boxes, or to have one guy come in and get 200 boxes? The one guy coming in probably is not buying anything else, just the ammo, then he leaves and tries to make his profit. Chances are many of the 100 guys coming in will buy something else while they are there, which increases overall sales.

The store's responsibility to corporate managers is to maximize and maintain sales of everything in the store, not just ammo. Then there is the psyche end of things. If a guy wants 1000 rounds of .22 LR, but can only get 2 boxes at a time, he will come back 5 times to achieve that, especially if he knows it will be there and not bought up by one guy. He goes away liking the store because he thinks they care about him. And he will come back again and again.

Lou

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Limiting amounts doesn't hurt my feelings a bit. I hope it helps discourage the profiteers and helps things get back to somewhat normal.

 

[Beach Nut]

A new Gander Mountain has opened near my neck of the woods and I was
going to go see what they offered until I went to their website and checked
out some of their everyday prices on guns and ammunition. I can do much
better at the local gun stores where I live unless there happens Gander
Mountain is running a special on something I need similar to this ammunition
deal mentioned here.

 

[rule303]

Wait until they've been open for a while. Their ammo prices will be so high that they won't need a limit for it to stay on the shelves.

 

[Flynt]

Quote:
I feel a store has no responsibility to limit purchases. Yes, I'm aware there are people who buy ammo and resell it. That, however, isn't the store's fault, nor is it their responsbility to prevent it. Their job, in the eyes of their cooperate managers, is to sell ammo, and the empty shelves indicate they are doing a very good job of that.
Although the store has no responsibility to do it, it makes good business sense to limit purchases. Yes it is good to sell product and sell it all if possible. But which is better, to have 100 guys come in an each get two boxes, or to have one guy come in and get 200 boxes? The one guy coming in probably is not buying anything else, just the ammo, then he leaves and tries to make his profit. Chances are many of the 100 guys coming in will buy something else while they are there, which increases overall sales.

The store's responsibility to corporate managers is to maximize and maintain sales of everything in the store, not just ammo. Then there is the psyche end of things. If a guy wants 1000 rounds of .22 LR, but can only get 2 boxes at a time, he will come back 5 times to achieve that, especially if he knows it will be there and not bought up by one guy. He goes away liking the store because he thinks they care about him. And he will come back again and again.

Lou

Well said, Lou. Davek1977, unless you have some kind of inside information about GM's business plan, I'd suspect that it's not to just maximize ammo sales, but to maximize return on investment, which probably means healthy sales in all departments.

 

[joustin]

I worked at Gander for a while, it is a good place to work and they seem to treat everyone well. From what I can tell their markup isn't terrible. I have read online that they have one of the lowest profit margins per square foot of space. Having seen what they pay for some items I can see why. Usually they have free shipping on purchases over $25.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

Gander Mountain just opened it's first store in my neck of the woods, north of Dallas. They are running a blizzard of ads, with really good deals on ammo, from .22 LR to big game rounds, but of course they're always out of stock when I get there. The problem is, "normal" people will never get their hands on these goodies, or even a lot of the ammo that's not on sale. They have a 10-box limit on .22, but no limits on center fire rifle ammo, so certain ammo vultures will stalk the place, clean out the specials, and resell at gun shows. Every other store in the area has some sort of limit. I've spoken to the manager about this policy and emailed the company, but haven't received any response. I'd encourage anyone who's concerned to contact them as well. Thanks.

What you need to do is quit blaming others for your failure to secure ammo. If you don't have 22lr ammo its your fault. Yours alone. Its not the store's fault and it surely is not the fault of other shooters who made the effort to be there when the ammo was stocked. The Early Shooter Gets the Ammo. All else go without.

 

[ATLDave]

I have really appreciated the stores that have taken some rationing steps during the ammo crisis. I have told them that I appreciated having a 50% chance of getting 2 boxes of .22lr rather than a 2% chance of getting 20 boxes (same for primers, etc.). And those that took steps to maximize everyone's chances to get some, even if it meant not flipping their whole inventory in 20 minutes, will get more business from me over the long run.

OTOH, those that had no rationing, and therefore have not ever had anything for me to buy... well, I just quit going to those places, since it was a straight waste of time and gasoline. And that is why smart stores use rationing. Part of your job as a retailer is not to frustrate customers.

 

[double bogey]

I bought a pistol from them saturday night. We were talking while getting paperwork done and they were trying to upsell (5% discount on any accessories when you buy a firearm) we discussed .22 ammo. I didn't buy a .22, and they had no .22 ammo on the shelf, but he offered to sell me some. I declined as Iave about 3k rounds at home. I assume they keep some for gun buyers.
The Academy next door does the same thing.
Now if I could just get a price on .44 mag ammo.

 

[Flynt]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flynt View Post
Gander Mountain just opened it's first store in my neck of the woods, north of Dallas. They are running a blizzard of ads, with really good deals on ammo, from .22 LR to big game rounds, but of course they're always out of stock when I get there. The problem is, "normal" people will never get their hands on these goodies, or even a lot of the ammo that's not on sale. They have a 10-box limit on .22, but no limits on center fire rifle ammo, so certain ammo vultures will stalk the place, clean out the specials, and resell at gun shows. Every other store in the area has some sort of limit. I've spoken to the manager about this policy and emailed the company, but haven't received any response. I'd encourage anyone who's concerned to contact them as well. Thanks.
What you need to do is quit blaming others for your failure to secure ammo. If you don't have 22lr ammo its your fault. Yours alone. Its not the store's fault and it surely is not the fault of other shooters who made the effort to be there when the ammo was stocked. The Early Shooter Gets the Ammo. All else go without.

You don't know what you're talking about, and you're out of line. You assume a lot of things without knowing the facts, and you don't know anything about me. I never said I was out of 22 ammo. Also, I was in line before the store opened on grand opening day, and was about the 5th or 6th customer admitted. Most of the advertised ammo was not in stock.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

We have a GM on the northside. I've been there half a dozen times and everything I wanted was way overpriced or they didn't have it.

 

[herrwalther]

There was a Gander Mountain a few miles away from where I lived in New York State years ago. I only went there a handful of times to browse. They always had good selection but the prices were terrible. The only notable experience I had was I popped open one of the ARs off the rack to see how clean it was and the next week when I came in they were all zip tied shut. Never bought anything from them and won't drive 3 hours just to visit their nearest store.

 

[Sentryau2]

The people who buy ammo simply to sell it online make me want to say something thats not approved here on thehighroad. I dont see the point in screwing the other shooters simply to make a profit. I have maybe 15 rounds of ammo. Simply because I'm not paying 25$ for a box of .223 Tho I do plan to hit the stores next month to look around and see if I cant pick up a few boxes for cheap. I will never pay over 18$ a box for .223 tho.

If I have to defend myself I think 15 rounds of 62gr ammo will do the job.

 

[Sam1911]

The people who buy ammo simply to sell it online make me want to say something thats not approved here on thehighroad. I dont see the point in screwing the other shooters simply to make a profit.

Actually, those people are providing an important service.

They secure ammo for others who value their time more than their money. Some folks have the time to check WalMart every day at 6:00 am to see if any ammo came in. Others have busier schedules or no inclination to do so -- however, they're happy to pay someone else to go check for them and grab ammo for them when it comes in.

That's all this is. Someone with free (or free-er) time buying ammo and holding it for others who don't want to invest that time but don't mind paying a higher price. Yeah, they might have to pay $18 a box, instead of $8. But they didn't have to take a 1/2 hour each day for a week to go check and see if there was ammo in stock. The extra $10/box they spent is well worth it to them.

NO ONE is screwing ANYONE. If no one wants the convenience of one-click ammo buying at a marked-up price, then no one buys any and it isn't profitable for the free time folks to spend that time standing in WalMart waiting for the ammo to arrive. Without willing buyers, there are no re-sellers.

This is entirely the free market at work, manifested in several ways. You have the ability -- if you so chose -- to spend your hours looking for ammo on the shelves. Or you can spend more of your money not to have to do so. Either way, you're paying a price set by a high demand/low supply condition. Only you can decide which thing you could spend represents a better value.

 

[TRX]

What you're seeing is "retail at work." The retailer made the deal with the ammo manufacturer, then stocks it and sets their own price and terms.

If you don't like the price and terms, you can buy direct from the manufacturer. But you'll have to buy in rather larger quantities than most people want, and you'll still have to take your place in the queue behind the others who've placed orders ahead of you.

 

[Warp]

Every time this topic comes up, and people get so incredibly peeved at the "flippers" or "gougers" or "hoarders" or whatever nasty not-allowed-on-THR names people use on other boards (or think to themselves) to describe those who buy ammo, sell ammo, have ammo, keep ammo...just remember one thing...

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Nobody is your friend. Not the gun grabbers, not the antis, not the fence sitters, not your fellow shooters.

Nobody.

So long as you are a "have", everybody is going to be out to get you.

And just imagine how nasty it could get if your area, your region, or the entire country were in a crisis...

 

[madwildcat]

While generally a fan of the "free market", it doesn't seem like some level of minimal rationing is totally unreasonable for calibers that are hard to keep in stock (no I don't support the one box limit ). I was in a Walmart during the middle of the scare and saw a guy talk a new clerk into allowing him to buy a couple CASES worth of 45 that had just been put out because the "maximum 6" limit sign had magically disappeared. This was with multiple others of us present who just wanted a couple boxes for actual shooting. He was obviously going to resale it, and actually had the audacity to offer some to us after he had paid