Why I dislike Gander Mountain

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Springfield_1911SS

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Mar 29, 2006
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Location
1 state with no CCW
Background
I am a C&R FLL holder. I live in the suburbs of Chicago (out side of daily’s grasp). I have purchased mil. surp rifles using my C&R, an SKS at a gun show and a K98 from a semi-local gun shop. Having a C&R is nice because I can walk into a shop/show look at a gun(C&R) and I fill out a bill of sale, give the dealer a copy of my C&R, pay, case my new gun, and go home. NO waiting, and no ATF 4473! A pretty sweet deal.

So I have been looking into and saving for a Mosin Nagant M44, I went to Gander Mountain about 15 miles from where I live just to check their stock and a buddy of mine lives out that way. They had 4 M44s and 4 or 5 91/30s. I did this on Friday(Day after Thanksgiving) and saw that the price had come down and the rifles where in good shape. The were now $99 and in very good condition. I checked another dealer about 30 miles away on the same day to see what they had. They had 1 M44 left and it was pitted pretty bad, and they wanted $90 for it. I also had a $10 Gander Cash Card. So I figured that on Monday(12/1/08) I would go get one from Gander.

Main Story
Well I want to Gander(only had 1 M44 left) and told the salesman that I wanted the m44 and if they would honor my C&R. He asked what a C&R is, and I told him it was collectors license. He then asked his manger of they will honor a C&R and the manger said “yes”. So he takes me to the sales counter and puts an ATF 4473 in front of me and I tell him that the C&R gets me out of having to fill that out. He then has me fill it out. He calls the manger over to help him with the C&R, they can’t figure it out. So he calls the State, and the state tells him that most C&R transfers are among collectors. So he calls the number on the C&R 3 times. No answer. He then hands me the C&R back and tells me I can pick up the gun in 24hrs. I tell him that I should be able to leave with it now. And that the rules for the transfer are in the book that the ATF gives to FFL holders. He completely ignores me. So I leave, only to have to go back again. This whole ordeal took 45min.

I am kind of angry at this point. That I drove out there, only to drive back again. They wasted my time and they the made me pay for a background check(not that $2 is a big deal).

I printed out some info. from the ATF site and Im going to show the manager tomorrow, when I go to pick it up.

Any advice on what else I could say to them to show my dissatisfaction in their store and service? They could have looked every thing up in a book or on the ATF site.
 
You went to a sporting goods store to buy a gun.

If you want people to be knowledgeable about guns... Go to a gun store.
 
And here I thought that their exhorbitantly high prices were the only problem. I have yet to have a positive experience with them.
 
You went to a sporting goods store to buy a gun.

If you want people to be knowledgeable about guns... Go to a gun store.
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I kinda have to agree. It sucks, but don't blame the poor schlep makin just above minimum wage for not knowing the ins-and-outs of all the ATF regulations out there. They have a standard procedure that they follow.
 
What do you expect from a minimum wage clerk in a sporting goods store. He will probably be working in the tennis department next week.
 
I kinda have to agree. It sucks, but don't blame the poor schlep makin just above minimum wage for not knowing the ins-and-outs of all the ATF regulations out there. They have a standard procedure that they follow.
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I would normally agree, but a good friend of mine had a issue with some ATF related stuff from a Dicks Sporting Goods. He is not yet an American Citizen. He is legally here. And there was some issues with some of his proof of residency and he looked it up on the ATF site and told the Dick's clerk that what he brought in was acceptable. The clerk called Corporate Dick's. and verified this and my friend was able to buy a gun.

I am just irritated that the guy basically made one phone call. and that was it.
 
I don't think most retail chains are setup with the expectation that federal licensed people are going to be their business. Therefore don't be surprised that they don't know how to handle the transfer to your expectations.

Honestly I don't get why people go to gander mountain and expect the knowledge and expertise your going to get at a good gun shop. Its even worse when the people going in know they are more knowledgeable then the help thats going to be there, and its almost like they pourposely do it to stroke their egos. Like a time I was at a local gander mountain and a guy was arguing with the counter man over the previous prices of a S&w 500. After he proved that he was right (Tha the price was previously lower then what it was that day) he declined the price match. Reason? He had bought the gun when it was cheaper. So he wasted 10 minutes of the countermans time over something he already had.

I have been frustrated by Gander, the main culprit is a lack of enough counter people for the firearms. Thats why I go in when they are dead and I can have a more pleasent shopping experiance.
 
There are enough regulations now that it's not fair to expect anybody to be conversant with all of them, let alone a kid in a general sporting goods store. I just try to be patient, especially if I'm trying to do something unusual.
 
Why not just fill out the 4473, purchase the gun and walk out of the store like everybody else there apparently does. Don't get me wrong, I also have a C&R but wouldn't necessary come unhinged if asked to follow normal store procedures.
 
You have two choices. One help teach the folks at Gander what a C&R is show them some info and become their friend. Or two go somewhere else.


C
 
Any advice on what else I could say to them to show my dissatisfaction in their store and service?
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Try "I'll take my business elsewhere." Otherwise, it really doesn't matter what you say.
 
Education makes friends where confrontation makes enemies.





We need more friends :cool:

(P.S. see my sig line)


PPS; I know it sounds condescending, I don't intend it that way. Just stating facts here.
 
You went to a sporting goods store to buy a gun.

If you want people to be knowledgeable about guns... Go to a gun store.
Click to expand...

i don't know if listening to gun store employees is going to get you much better info. i suggest doing your own research.
 
I went to pick up my m44 today. I printed the C&R info. from the ATF site and gave it to the manager. And nicely explained what a C&R is and what it allows. But hey at the end of the day I got a very nice m44!
 
Sounds like the way to do it, to me. You've got a nice gun and at least one gun salesman knows a little bit more than he did before. Well done.
 
Lots of ---even mom-and-pop type 1's --- don't want to deal with a 'type 3'. LOTS of mail order houses DO.

In my experience you'll never 'win' the argument and can either just wait out the NICS and fill out the form or take your money elsewhere.

Mostly it's a lack of knowledge on THEIR part, because the majority of C/R folks know the specs on what their license allows them to do.

Congrats on the new rifle. For what it's worth, Gander MTN fills a niche in my book in that it brings a gun-friendly place to upscale suburbia in places (like IL) where a 'gun store' wouldn't survive. Once more, they don't shy from selling EBR's and 2nd hands---unusual for a large chain store on both counts.
 
For what it's worth, Gander MTN fills a niche in my book in that it brings a gun-friendly place to upscale suburbia in places (like IL) where a 'gun store' wouldn't survive. Once more, they don't shy from selling EBR's and 2nd hands---unusual for a large chain store on both counts.
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I definitely agree with this, although I have never purchased a gun from Gander Mountain. I have seen a few good deals on guns I did not want at the time.

Gander Mountain provides a nice gun selection and they charge a premium for their locations. I don't think Cabelas offers any better "deals" or special knowledge, but I rarely see them trashed like Gander Mountain. Probably because they are not in as many shopping areas.

But I WOULD have gone for a $99 M44. Congrats on getting a deal! The C&R M44s appear to be gone (although the 1891/30s are still available for now.)

IMHO, if there's a "bad guy" here, it's all the B. (as in "B") S. (as in "S"), feel-good, political regulations that make it so difficult for a retailer to sell guns. Gun Retailers are just covering their liability by establishing procedures. Bringing a fairly obscure ATF regulation into the equation is obviously not part of their usual business.

Your local hardware store, K-Mart, Sears...many more places used to sell guns. Galyan's (before being bought by Dick's) used to sell used guns and handguns. Target used to sell ammo. Who sells guns in the suburbs today? The USA has changed. WE let it happen.

We need a strong national retailer on our side. I commend anyone still trying to make a go of it in the gun business.

I am going to save and make sure I make a gun purchase at Gander Mountain in 2009.
 
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IF wal-fart had a better selection of guns...

but then to entice national chains into supporting guns, we must increase the demand on guns.

Since most of us aren't multimillionaires who can go out and buy lots of guns, we have to increase the amount of gun enthusiasts, self-protectors, hunters, and other gun users.

Go out to your neighbor, your anti-gun friend, your AWB supporter family member, and give them the link to http://a-human-right.com/introduction.html

It can't hurt.
 
Gander Mountain has ridiculous prices. As in, on reloading components, even common ones, they are often double Midway's prices.

Their guns are sky high in value- a well used Bushy XM-15 is going for $1400 at the one nearest here.

They had an Italian Carcano there I almost bought... it was marked "Interarms 17" on the sales tag.
 
Unfortunately I often have to shop at Gander for ammo. I shoot a 16 ga. side by side for bird hunting and there are few places in town to buy ammo to begin with, even fewer carry 16 ga. Walmart will get a shipment of Federal high brass 16 every now and then but Gander always has two or three different brands and shot sizes. So, if I want ammo I often have to go there and pay the extra 3 or 4 bucks a box. Kinda sucks but it's more convenient than the internet or driving 50 miles ot Cabelas.
 
Some good about gander:
One time a while back I got a stoeger coach gun12ga used for $100

The have a decent price on wolf .223 out of any local places

More bad:
I was browsing the gun section a while back and saw a rifle(cant remember brand or model) but it had a clearance tag on it for like $499.99 I pulled out the tag to see what the original price was, $499.99
 
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