Author Topic: Gander Mountain XL7s, Beware (Read 3663 times)

Huffmanite · « **on:** December 11, 2009, 05:56:09 PM »

If you are interested in buying a Marlin XL7 (plastic stock) rifle you may not want to buy it at one of the Houston Gander Mountain stores and here is why.

Yesterday, I visited one of the three Gander Mountain stores in the Houston, Tx area. Noticed they had both the XL and the newer XS marlin bolt action rifles. Odd prices Gander Mtn had on the XL models. The several XL rifles they had were all priced at $499 and the one XS rifle they had was $329. The XLs were all in the original plastic stock. Perhaps just a very bad pricing error because I know they did sell the XL type Marlins for around the recommended Marlin retail price of $329 about a month ago. Personally, at another Houston retail gun store, I could have bought either a 270 or 30-06 Marlin XL7 on sale for $289 a number of months ago, but I bought the only 25-06 (not on sale) they had for $319.

I did speak with one of the sales clerk in the Gander store rifle department about the $499 price, informng him that Marlin's recommended retail price for the XL7 was $329 (as I remembered the price on the Marlin website). Clerk responded to my comment on their XL price by telling me it had been a popular seller for them and those that had bought them and returned to the store later had made very positive comments about the XL they had bought. I replied to this by telling the clerk I had one of the XLs and I was very happy with mine, but I had paid only $319 for mine at another gun retailer in the Houston area. The clerk, guy in his 60s, never did respond to my comments about their price for a XL7.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2009, 02:49:43 AM »

gander mountain is a big price gouger! They are one the worse offenders in this time of shortages. The local store has been out of primers for some time and i needed 350 ccis desperately and they had got a shippment and had cases of them in the back. I got a brick but had to pay 5 bucks a pack for them! You know they didnt pay a penny more then the did last year at this time from there distributor. Problem is there the only shop within 200 miles that has any reloading stuff in quanity. It also never ceases to amaze me at the people they hire behind there gun counter. Just about to the man there nothing but a bsing wind bag. Ive shook my head a quite a few conversations of overheard between them and customers that didnt no better. Two classics are the guy buying the handgun for hunting and the employee tells him his buddy had a 454 raging bull and broke his wrist shooting it. Told him that he should buy a 44 because the 454 was just a dangerous round. The other was a gun just starting loading and was looking for powder for his 44 mag. The idiot told him that h414 would be a good powder. He said any powder with 3 numbers in it was a pistol powder and any with 4 was a rifle powder. I had to jump into that conversation and told the idiot that he didnt know his ### from his face and was one ignorant son of a ***** for giving advice that he didnt have a clue on. Told him it was just a matter of time before he killed someone. It amazes me that someone has had a lawsuit against that strore yet!

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:01:32 AM »

Nice things about forums "is "you can let people know what is going on . You got to be honest mind you , but there are many that are influanced by what they read.
Thanks for the heads up.

Maybe some one will come forward with a good place to order from .

We have done this to a place in central Ontario who think they can do as they Darn well Please . Well We just order in from somewhere else trying to make an "Honest " sale .

In the age of computers, no man is on an island.

FW Conch · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2009, 04:54:25 AM »

Isn't it amazing how giving a guy a job & a red vest suddenly makes him a world class expert, & gives him the right to be as arougant as he wants, with no sign of reprocutions from management !

What goes around, comes around ! I would not be suprised to see GM go belly up, just like Boaters World !

Jim

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2009, 01:22:37 PM »

At least here loaclly the Gander Mountain store says they will price match and so far I have had no trouble getting them to do that. I usually find the cheapest price I can on the net and take in a print off of it. I but almost nothing there at their prices, but do buy quite abit with the price match.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2009, 01:36:22 PM »

Welcome to the free market system.

usherj · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:04:28 PM »

I'll wander in and check the used rack, but have never bought a gun there. I choose instead to support the small local shops because I want them to be around. I travel for work a bit and enjoy stoppping in and checking out the many small shops. Kind of like seeing a development sprout up where you used to hunt as a kid. That's what it takes if you value the experience and history of those types of outfits. You have to be loyal and support them or they won't be there anymore. Many nice shops are gone. Believe it or not, the prices are much lower than the Gander price - I have receipts to prove it. If it is not on the rack, they will order it for you and get by the end of the week.

tjrod · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:41:30 PM »

My least favorite store is Gander Mountain. I stay away from them at all costs.

1marty · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2009, 04:46:29 PM »

GM is a very strange store. I saw a CZ Bob white which GM in Middletown NY was selling at $150 more than MSRP. The salesmen all looked puzzled even when they looked at the CZ circular. It appears it was sloppy inputing in the computer since when I went back a couple of months after the gun was priced $50 below MSRP. You need to know your prices and can't assume the box store is less. I deal with a local guy who gives me a fair price and good advice instead some pimple kid who thinks he's an expert on every weapon made.

yooper77 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2009, 04:22:37 AM »

The Gander Mountain store in Marquette, Michigan could close anytime and would not be missed. I usually order all my goods online, but if I need something and can’t wait for an internet order, I visit the local mom and pop stores since they appreciate the business and are always cheaper.

Gander Mountain charges $49.99 for RCBS 2-die set in 30-06 Springfield. Cabelas being over priced only charges $29.99.

Did anyone know that Cabelas bought out Gander Mountain’s mail order department years ago, so that shows how they run their business?

I will not walk into a Gander Mountain store ever again, they are way over priced, and their workers are uneducated and not helpful. Every chance I get, I will inform people of their spiked pricing and guide them elsewhere.

Oh hey their boat trailers are full of rust and are now sitting outside in the snow rusting even more, but every summer they attempt to sell them at full price.

I truly hope the poor economy brings them too their knees.

yooper77

youthpastorjon · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2009, 05:02:13 AM »

I was talking to a lady in their bow department. (the head of the department) She asked what kind of bow I had and I told her I had a Martin Jaguar Pro Series. She told me that Martin did not have a pro series in the Jaguar. I said that's strange its printed right on my bow.
If you go into a big store to buy something on sale have all your questions answered first.

boaman88 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2009, 07:30:07 AM »

The Gander here was pretty fair on prices for about the 1st year. After that evey gun they had went up $100-$200 . It drives me crazy going there now to here all the lies Ganders employees tell their customers. Only dealer near me where prices are just about all over suggested retail. They are not even good for ammo. Most calibers I can buy 3-1 online compared to Ganders.

Casull · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2009, 09:30:55 AM »

Went into a GM a few years back, looking for a Mossberg 835. Price for a new one was $389 I believe. Went to look at the used gun rack, and they had one in there with a sling on it (that was the only difference between it and the new one). Price for the used was $395. Go figure. Ended up buying it at Wally World for like $350.

crash87 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2009, 06:07:25 AM »

Had the same experience as Lloyd. One week 3.99 5 days later same primers plus a few more 4.99. A few years ago, B.O. (before obama, non capitalized on purpose) I would drive by a G.M. store every day. Drive by, not stopp as I was already on to them. I needed some powder and stopped in. It was on average, $2 more per lb. than anywhere else. Now it's anywhere from $5 to $10. What gives, everybody else blind? I do not buy reloading components, even if I need them, from G.M.
New guns; I see others are seeing this price discrepensy also. IF they have something I'm interested in and IF, big if, it's got a good price, I will go somewhere else and see if they are cheaper or will match it. Just mention G.M. or G.M's price and usually they are more than happy to do business with you. If any of you are interested, I recently found a STEVENS 200 at a G.B. in Notheast Wisconsin for a Deal at $499.00, yes it's there computuer guys, keep telling yourself that. Used guns? there where you find them, and How bad you want a particular one.
It is quite entertaining though to sit and listen to their comments and suggestions, or lack therof, to customers whom obviousley do not have a clue. And yes, it is really hard, and it hurts, to bite my tongue.
With the winter months upon us and hunting seasons ending, help feed your cabin fever by going to a G.M. or 2 and asking some insipid questions about all things hunting, shooting, reloading, etc. Their comments and/ or suggestions almost make it worthwhile. CRASH87

Savage .250 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2009, 01:40:59 AM »

Just a general comment on Gander Mountain. I was in My local GM a couple of days ago and talk about no customer service. Lots of sales prople but seemed like nobody wanted to make eye-contact on the chance you needed help. You`d think as this is a busy shopping time they would be all out in their attention to their customers but that was not the case.
Plus, if they were having any "sales" I didn`t see any as prices seemed as high as usual. IMO.

Mckie Hollow · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:39:04 AM »

I used to hit 2 Gander Mts. when I worked in downstate NY. I think that I have more reloading supplies on hand than these stores had. It looked to me that the Ganders were a good place for the uniformed.

youthpastorjon · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2009, 07:25:37 AM »

Speaking of Gander mountain, I got a $50 gift card to gander mountain. What should I get? What can I get for $50 at GM?

crash87 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 27, 2009, 04:50:00 AM »

Hmm, That's a tough one. What you could do, is go to another sporting goods store and find something you need for around 20 bucks. Then go to G.M. and see if they have it. IF they do you got your $50 gift card spent. On the down side you will have to pony up for the state tax out of your own pocket. Hope this helps.

CRASH87

youthpastorjon · « **Reply #18 on:** December 27, 2009, 06:51:29 AM »

Crash, you are oh so helpful! Happy New Year!

mjbgalt · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2009, 07:01:22 AM »

i was just at gander a bit ago. they had the xl7 but they were part of a package. the guy said if iw anted just the rifle i could have it for $329. he was careful to let me know the package was more money than just the gun price.

the marlin is a damn nice rifle!

kiddekop · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2010, 10:34:12 AM »

Quote from: Savage .250 on December 24, 2009, 01:40:59 AM

Just a general comment on Gander Mountain. I was in My local GM a couple of days ago and talk about no customer service. Lots of sales prople but seemed like nobody wanted to make eye-contact on the chance you needed help. You`d think as this is a busy shopping time they would be all out in their attention to their customers but that was not the case.
Plus, if they were having any "sales" I didn`t see any as prices seemed as high as usual. IMO.

I went in a local chain sporting goods store to make a purchase and was ignored so I observed the store staff were making a rifle sales pitch to a customer who arrived after me so I broke into the conversation and told the customer a better deal was with a savage with the accutrigger ,I instantly received attention and was able to buy some ammo and leave,didn't go back until the chain was purchased by new owners.

HogFan · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2010, 06:12:24 AM »

The only thing I have bought from a GM in the last two years was a Burris scope. It was actually cheaper than I could find online.