Say what you will about Gander Moutain...

[MikePGS]

Say what you will about Gander Mountain...

I know I know, the prices are awful (though they claim to do price matching, though i've never attempted such a thing). That being said I was in there fondling some revolvers yesterday (drool) when a guy came in with a gun he had recently purchased. It was a Beretta 9000s he had bought just a few days ago and after firing five rounds, the frame cracked (Yikes!). The guy at the counter, who from my limited experience seems to be quite competent, and friendly in general, calls the manager and gets her to replace the gun immediately, and throw in an extra box of ammo. I know theres a lot of negative things said about the place (and with their used guns that cost more than the same model new, i can't blame people really) but I can only hope that the store i purchase my next (first) firearm from is as up on customer service as GM was yesterday.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There is a lot to be said for that, as anyone who has had lemon guns would know.

We don't have GMs here, but it is my understanding that Cabela's (who are also not known for the lowest prices around) and Sportsman's Warehouse will also do this for you.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

you'll hear no complaints from me about gander mountain, i got a used mossberg 500 from there a couple years back for $110.

 

[akodo]

when you buy at gander mountain you pay a $25 premium on top of their standard high markup for 'gander gun club' which is a 1 year warranty on top of manufacturer's warranty.

I got a lemon, gander couldn't just replace it for me, or so they said (it's a gun not a tv) and never offered me any box of ammo either

 

[rollcage]

they wanted 735 for a s&w 686, i went to fin feather and fur and bought a new one for 600. plus every time i go there they only have jhp, no fmj. i don't need to spend the extra for the jhp's just to go to the range.

 

[Hokkmike]

for 'gander gun club' which is a 1 year warranty on top of manufacturer's warranty.

You get a bit more than that!

 

[Dravur]

Oddly enough...

I wandered into a GM last night down in Denver. I was looking for a Kayak, but stopped in the gun area..as I am want to do, on occasion.

The pain was excruciating. Every time I looked at the price on a gun, my eyes would bug out. Do you realize how painful that is? I'd look at a price, and my eyes would leap out of their skull in disbelief.

I tried to get out of that area before any more pain, but then I went by the used guns and it got WORSE! I was almost in tears it hurt so bad. I accidentally glanced at the price of a used Sig..... the pain was incredible.

I finally got out of that zone, trying to get my eyes to pop back in my head and to get the pain to stop. I wandered over to Canoes and looked around. I have no idea what Kayaks go for, so my eyes did not try to leave me and for that, I am thankful.

I honestly don't think I have ever seen worse prices in my life. I am pretty sure they took their price, doubled it, added 40% just for fun and then cranked it up even more. I am pretty sure they are actually anti-rkba as they seem to want to have a gun museum, not a gun store.

Rant off

 

[ilbob]

They must be doing something right, as they seem to be selling a lot of guns.

Its like any other retailer. Some people will go to Target and pay 10-20% more than the same exact item at Walmart.

 

[Gene_WI]

I have gotten some amazing deals at gander. I have noting against them. If you don't like their prices don't shop there.

 

[sph33r]

Not really related.. but I was in GM last night and watched a "gun guy" get handed a gun, not check it for clear, and the proceed to point it at the clerk, at himself, and sweep everyone else at the counter with it. I wish they would stop showing guns to idiots like that.

I've found a few good deals on used stuff at GM in the past. I love their layaway plan, that's the downfall of going there. I see something for a good price and I can't help but toss it in layaway. Luckily I don't find a good price very often.

 

[FFMedic]

I have only found 2 deals there, Auto Ord. 1911 .45 for $400 and a wood/blued Mini-14 for $600.

Everything else is just plain crazy. The "local" shop kills everyone elses prices in town, plus they know my name and treat me like a human even though I'm only 22.

 

[Navy_Guns]

I wonder about the Gander bashing... They have been good to me so far. They did price match my Springfield XD last year saving me an extra 2 hours in the car. Also, they clerk said he couldn't get a 5-pound can of Blue Dot from their supplier so he sold me five 1-pound cans for the same price.

Unlike Dicks or Sports Authority, their gun counter folks at least appear to know which end the bullet comes out. Their ammo aisle looks like it was stocked by blind monkeys, but I don't buy ammo their anyway (except one time I found a great deal on 7.62x51 mil surp...)

 

[Funderb]

boot prices are awesome there.

 

[Geronimo45]

and with their used guns that cost more than the same model new

Heh. The store I've been to has a ragged-looking Mini-14 (probably 10 years old, maybe more). A brand-new one, six steps away, is about a hundred bucks cheaper.

 

[Dravur]

GM

I never said that you could not find a rare gem in Gander Mountain. You might be able to. But the one thing I noticed is....

someone got a good deal when they price matched....

Any good deals were on used guns....and presumedly, someone took it in the shorts selling it to them.

This leads me to believe that they overprice their guns. So, they don't get my business, unless I happen upon one of those rare gems.

Would I buy a new gun from GM? not without having a lobotomy forced on me. Or, I might, if I have just sucked down a quart of Jack Daniels.... or if terrorists were holding my family and that was a condition of their release....

So, congrats on getting a "good" deal from them. So far, they have not given me a reason to shop there. I am looking at a kayak there. I'll let you know if I find it cheaper.

 

[Fedaykin]

Went there yesterday and they had my PT1911 for $800. I got mine for somewhere near 500.

 

[bannockburn]

Went to my local GM the other day and noticed a RIA M1911A1 for $499. Right next to it was the very same model but with High Standard on the slide. That one was priced at $699. Aren't both these guns built by the same manufacturer in the Phillipines? Why the $200 difference? I didn't have time to ask as the only salesman was busy with another customer. Still, it makes me wonder, who's doing their pricing and why is so inconsistent (when it's already so overpriced to begin with)?

 

[springmom]

They are generally more expensive, yes. I found a Ruger Mark III 22/45 at Carter's for $269; went to Gander just to compare and it was $299. They will meet others' prices, but if Carter's is going to underprice them, then it's Carter's that will get the business. (Besides, I'd rather support local stores when I can).

That said, they USED to be much better than they are. I almost wonder whether when they first located here, if they might have under priced for awhile to build up business, because it took them about six months to start raising prices to the point that we would think twice before buying there. And now, my presumption is they'll be higher.

They do have a great gunsmith on site, though.

Springmom

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have only found 2 deals there, Auto Ord. 1911 .45 for $400 and a wood/blued Mini-14 for $600.

Sportmans has both on the shelf, for $389 and $569 respectively.

GM is almost always 20% higher than any competitor.

I go to Sprtsmans for my reloading needs, and I patronize the independant shops for guns.

 

[LegalAlien]

Gander Mountain just opened there first store down here in the Palm Beaches in FL and compared to prices from local gun dealers around here, GM prices are pretty good!!!!!
I love the idea that you can browse and handle most any of the firearms, without having to get permission from an associate.
Judging by the little interaction I had with a few sales associates the first day I stopped in there to ogle the self defense tools, I can see myself spending more time there than my budget will allow in the future. . . . . and the problem is, it is only about 5 minutes from where I work

 

[cornman]

"They must be doing something right, as they seem to be selling a lot of guns."

I don't see that. I don't see a 40% markup on average over other retailers as a way of moving product.
Years ago GM was great, but at some point they became accountants and not in the sporting goods business. Poor accountants at that.

 

[tinygnat219]

While I don't buy guns or ammo there, I do look when I am in that area as it allows me to see and fondle just about anything that's on the floor or in the case.

While I didn't buy a gun or ammo last time, I walked out with a gun cabinet.

 

[FFMedic]

The problem here is that there are no "Sportsman's" stores, too bad, sounds like a good place.

 

[Im283]

I bought three guns at Gander last year (spring). Felt like I got a fair price. Two handguns and one rifle.

I used to buy ammo there as they price matched to WalMarts pricing. Now mind you this was up until the end of summer.

I went in to the Farragut store on day last August or September to buy ammo and asked for the price match and I was told they do not do that anymore. Well there ammo prices are crazy high. I do not know how they sell even one box of the stuff. And because of that I do not buy much there anymore. They still have Remington Percussion caps at a fair price and I get those there. But forget cartridge ammo or guns anymore.

Seems like their guns jumped 25% overnight and their ammo maybe 30%. I remember back in the day when I bought things from their catalogue. Well no catalogue anymore and I do not buy much anymore either.

 

[absolute0]

Here in Minnesota Gander Mtn went from being a trusted source for new & used firearms and ammo to a clip joint within the last 12 to 16 months.

I guess folks who buy there these days just don't know any better...