Author Topic: Gander Mountain - Can't deal with them anymore (Read 3748 times)

Buckskin · « **on:** October 18, 2007, 08:43:04 AM »

Since I was purchasing something for my Encore, I figured I would post my frustrations here. Maybe GB could make a site where people could post their good and bad experiences with retailers/gun/outdoor shops. The good should get good press and the bad should get whats coming.

Tuesday I stopped by Gander in Kenosha WI, because I needed a few things and then remembered that I need a couple extra forend screws for my Encore. So I asked the gunsmith if they had any. First of all he seemed extremely bothered that I was wasting his time for a couple screws. We went over to the rack where they had 3 green laminate forends (there only choice) on display so I could show him what I needed. He took them out then checked to see if they had any (again very rude about it). He came back later and said they didn't have any but could order them and have them in a couple days. I asked if he could just sell me the ones in his hand from the display and he rudely said NO. I asked why not and he said " why do you think.... if someone buys this with no screws!) I replied, getting a little agitated now. I would think that you could pull it off the shelf for a couple days, because I really don't think that you are going to go through 3 green laminate forends by then! He stammered that he wouldn't do it. So I put down the approximately $150 worth of stuff I had in my hands and walked out of the store. Let's see $2 worth of screws cost them a $150 sale.

I'm soooo tired of the terrible service that Gander provided, nearly every time I have ever needed some type of assistance. I have decided that I am done with them. There are so many other choices in my area now Sportsman, (not my favorite either). Cabela's which I have had such great service from its almost amazing and other smaller places that have good selections and good service.
There really is no reason to settle for Gander anymore. They used to be the only game in town, now in my mind they aren't even a player.

duxburybuck · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2007, 12:13:09 PM »

I had the same experience a few months ago with a gunsmith at the Gander in Forest Lake, MN. We had went in the see if they could look at an older pistol my dad has and possibly order parts for us. The guy acted as if he didn't have the time of day to deal with us. He was just really rude and act like he didn't want us there.

Keith L · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2007, 12:39:27 PM »

Gander Mountain in Germantown, WI used to have a real good smith, who went elsewhere some time ago. I think they are a funny store. Most of the time I can't find what I need there at all. I got a great deal at one on a used rifle once, but for the most part I have never done well.

Capt Gary · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2007, 05:51:34 AM »

You really should go back there and talk with the store manager.
I have had to do that is a couple of places lately and have gotten outstanding results. These stores rely on good customer service and if the person in charge finds out it's not happening things do get better very quickly.
Give it a try.
Just be polite and let him know your concerns.

coopershooter · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2007, 06:08:48 AM »

I have had almost the same thing happen in Merrillville Indiana, last year.

Keith L · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2007, 06:12:29 AM »

Quote from: Capt Gary on October 20, 2007, 05:51:34 AM

Just be polite and let him know your concerns.

This is the most important part when attempting to correct a problem with any vendor. You can count on getting less than you deserve if you start out hard. Be polite and factual. It is very hard for a seller to disregard your concerns when faced with someone in control and polite. It is easy for them to discount your concerns if you are raving mad.

sdb777 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2007, 10:54:48 AM »

This thread could have been called "__________" is the last place I'll ever shop.

But I prefer it be called, I'm going to destroy company's name because I'm special and I didn't get my way.

Scott B

Odinbreaker · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2007, 02:31:18 PM »

FYI I needed screws for my encore called TC sent them out had them in 2 days no charge

~Ace~ · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2007, 02:53:45 PM »

You wanted them to Rob parts off complete rifles on retail display ? And were suprised when they said No ?

I could see if you NEEDED ONE to go hunting that day, if I was the smith, Id of probably helped you out, but to think someone is going to take parts off big $ guns, and risk Not selling them ? Not on my watch lol, thats asking a bit much.

encore3006 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2007, 03:09:36 PM »

Kiss and make up

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2007, 04:59:37 PM »

I was a hunting manager for a large sporting goods store for several years. They're still around, but the name doesn't matter here.

That said,

THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I would rob screws out of a stock set and give them to you. Too bad. I'd have ordered them for you, or given you TC's number to order them yourself. But your out of your mind if you think you'd have gotten them out of another gun or stock set. Sounds like you were being an unreasonable jerk and got what you deserved. Now you're here trashing them for protecting their inventory.

Call TC and get them to send you some for free.

And quit your whining for "not getting your way". You sound pretty spoiled...

Man "HIGH MAINTENANCE" people really get to me.

Buckskin · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2007, 03:07:17 AM »

Quote from: ~Ace~ on October 20, 2007, 02:53:45 PM

You wanted them to Rob parts off complete rifles on retail display ? And were suprised when they said No ?

I could see if you NEEDED ONE to go hunting that day, if I was the smith, Id of probably helped you out, but to think someone is going to take parts off big $ guns, and risk Not selling them ? Not on my watch lol, thats asking a bit much.

First of all it wasn't off of a rifle. I was off of a forend. And they had 3 of them. I bet they haven't sold a green laminate forend in 6 months. To set that forend aside for a couple days would not have been that big of a deal and it would have made me put a possitve post here instead of a negative one. Which I have done in the past. Yep I will slam poor service but also reward above average service.

If he would have been anywhere near polite about the whole deal, and denied my request I would have thought nothing of it. Not like I needed them that day.

By the way I did contact the store manager and he was very apologetic. He said that was something they do all the time. And that the guy in question has had a lot of complaints about his attitude and they were working on it. Admittedly with not much success.

I stopped by Cabelas on Saturday and they gave me the screws... They got a good chuckle out of there so called competition.

sdb777 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2007, 01:27:36 AM »

Glad you got your way....

Teach your children to wine and moan, then the public can deal with them also!

Scott B

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2007, 02:39:47 AM »

I can understand why they wouldn't open a package to give you the screws. It wasn't like they sold you a forend without screws, and they had to make good on them. I have found them to be very considerate in most aspects, especially on returns and refunds. Also they can be good on gun trade-ins and buys.

I do have a problem with their pricing. On their flyer in our paper yesterday, they had the new CVA Electra muzzleloader for $529.95. Our local (central NY) chain, Philipson's, has them advertised for $469.95. When I look at the difference in buying power between the 2 chains, you can see what is happening. Gander can buy in the 100's or 1000's of units while Philipson's probably buys less around 100. I have seen the same thing with other guns. It pays to shop around! I also see high prices on their Guide line of clothing. I would think that they would be able to really undercut the name brands, but it ain't necessarily so!

teddy12b · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2007, 04:19:45 AM »

If I were working there, I wouldn't be opening up packages to sell screws for $2. Anyone ever seen where stores have to sell opened packaged for X% off just to get rid of them because nobody wants an opened package because they think there is something wrong with it. I don't buy packages that have already been opened because I assume something is wrong with it.

The local Gander near me just jacked up the prices on all their guns buy at least $50 - $100 because now they have a one year warranty on them. It's such a B.S. statement because they'll just send it back to the manufacturer and pocket what's left after shipping. I just go to a local guy for guns. I can't afford guns at gander anymore.

Gander Mountain does have serious problems though. Their stock price will likely be under $5 a share soon and that's not exactly a good thing for any business.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2007, 06:00:45 AM »

The last post about their stock price explains why they discontinued the discounts for club membership, military, and whatever. I can't blame them for trying to save the business. Does anybody know what is going on there? Too big, too soon?

teddy12b · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2007, 07:00:56 AM »

I haven't really looked at them with a fine tooth comb, but "Too Big, Too Fast" is a good way to put it. One thing I do like to see is in a company is inside ownership (they have 47.5% of the stock owned by people in the company). I think that's a good motivator for people to turn things around since they have their own money on the line. The really bad thing to see is that they have a negative net income. They can recover from that with enough time and I hope for their sake that they do. It'll be interesting to see how their 4th quarter goes, but you can't have stock prices steadily going down and expect to survive.

Keith L · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2007, 08:25:57 AM »

Seems to me that a few years ago they split the catalog order business off from the stores. Another chain bought the catalog part, and I can't recall who it was. If I remember the story from the papers Gander Mountain had financial problems then and sold off the most profitable part (also the only one with real value) to keep the rest going. I know that they have opened a number of stores since then. I hadn't heard of financial problems since then.

30-06man · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2007, 04:16:57 PM »

Gander mountain employee's are rather stupid. i was in the guns dept. and they had a gun that would be perfect for concealed carry and i asked to see it. the guy was the head gunsmith and he went on and on about the new bullet for this gun and he pulled out the ammo and forced it into my hand and i had the gun at the same time. i figured well how does this look i am holding the pistol with the action open no locks and ammo for it. i quickly handed him the gun and put the ammo in his hands and walked off not wanting any trouble. they opened another gander mountain in my parts in an old k mart and they had it setup nice and then they closed it and restored it. i can see them going into the hole soon

~Ace~ · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2007, 04:27:46 PM »

If I ever went into a Gun Shop that did NOT turst me with Guns and Ammo at the same time, I'd not be back... What in the world is this country coming to when we Complain that people trust us, LMAO !

teddy12b · « **Reply #20 on:** October 23, 2007, 02:33:57 AM »

Gander Mountain is what it is. It's the walmart of sporting goods and I say that because they don't pay their people the best or treat them the best either. There's a big difference in the people that come out to apply for an $8 an hour job and a $18 an hour job. In my town most of the Gander employees are high school aged kids that kinda know what they're talking about. When you pay your people as little as you can you won't get stellar performers, you get the benchwarmers that can't get a job somewhere else.

Buckskin · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2007, 04:07:44 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on October 22, 2007, 04:19:45 AM

If I were working there, I wouldn't be opening up packages to sell screws for $2. Anyone ever seen where stores have to sell opened packaged for X% off just to get rid of them because nobody wants an opened package because they think there is something wrong with it. I don't buy packages that have already been opened because I assume something is wrong with it.

The so-called gunsmith opened the package to see what kind of screws they were anyway, instead of going to the TC manual in the first place. I guess he didn't know what a forend screw was.

Bad or good customer service is not something that should be overlooked. As I said before, the attitude and ignorance that is expressed by employees at Gander is what bothers me more than that idiot not selling me the 2 screws (really just a small part of the story). This certainly was not the first time I have had an issue with Gander. Just the last.

And I don't buy the explanation of how much the employees are paid. I doubt Cabela's pays any more than Gander and I have never had an issue with Cabela's customer service. As a matter of fact they generally go out of their way to make sure you are happy. I think it's a company wide attitude that starts from the top and is en-grained all the way down for both stores.

I don't just carry water for Cabela's either. Would never buy a gun there due to cost. If your ever driving through Black River Falls in Wisconsin. Stop by Moe's Ace Hardware store in town. They have they best prices I have seen anywhere and they have a selection that will blow your mind. Don't know if it still holds but they were the largest seller of Browning in the state. On an average costing rifle you can easily save $100 over the big guys.

30-06man · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2007, 11:55:42 AM »

well that's it it wasn't a gun shop. if it was i wouldn't have had any trouble with it. its the way that they forced the ammo box into my while i was tring to hand him the gun. that was the first time i was in there. i see a problem if they do that to others. i mean that guy was just plain stupid!

coopershooter · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2007, 04:35:27 AM »

To Scott B.
I am In sales, and can easily say that In ten years of service, that Iv,e never been rude to a customer! I think, that when you ask a sales person a question, no matter how big or small, they should be able to handle the question, in a professional way ( and not be rude, or act like your wasting there time).
As far as destroying a company,s name? are we supposed to put up with bad service?
I would not have taken screws out of a stock, forarm!!! but I would not have rude to the customer either!!! I,m not a whiner but I do expect good customer service!

JPH45 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 27, 2007, 03:54:48 PM »

I went into the Gander Mountain in Huntsville, Al. Paid 7.95 & tax for a shell holder. I paid becasue I couldn't get it mail order cheaper. RCBS 9mm carbide 3 die set was 75.99, I opted not to buy, won't go back to that store either. If Gander Mountain is in trouble, it is because of their pricing. $40.00 for the same shirt I can get in Wal Mart for $20.00. Look around in yard sales and I can find it for $5 or less

Cabalas is opening a store in Adairsville, Ga this year. I'll go down and check 'em out but if I see the same pricing, I won't buy there either.

Sportsman's Warehouse in Chattanooga, Tn is right pricey too. I buy there on occasion, but shop carefully. Powder prices are normally reasonable.

I've worked in a gunshop and can tell you that only a nincompoop would have sold you screws under such circumstances, and will tell you that only a bigger nincompoop would have expected such a sale. I doubt the words to describe one that gets PO'd about it are printable.

Capt Gary · « **Reply #25 on:** October 27, 2007, 04:14:20 PM »

It's fairly simple guys. If you don't like a store just don't go back.
If enough people don't go back..... they will not be there long.

If they seem to last a long time......maybe you just had a bad experience and need to give it another try, or move on and get over it.

Prices seem to be on the rise everywhere and we all need to shop as closely as possible, but we have to understand that these people are in the business to make money, not for our shopping convenience.

chucky52 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 27, 2007, 04:50:12 PM »

As P. T. Barnum said, there's a sucker born everyday. They won't go out of business unless they do it to themselves. My advice, stay away from gunshows.

300winman · « **Reply #27 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:17:17 AM »

I went to Gander in Coldwater, MI last summer to find a scope for my Benelli. I had the sales clerk full attention while I was looking at the pricey Leupolds, but walked off and somewhat ignored me when I was looking at the Bushnells and Nikons. So I got the attention of another sales clerk and he helped me all the way to my purchase(2-7x Nikon). I don't blame companies for the jerks of the world. But I do hold people responsible for their actions. In this case i still bought a scope, and reported the employee to one of the managers, while bragging up the one who made the sale.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #28 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:37:54 AM »

Quote from: sdb777 on October 20, 2007, 10:54:48 AM

This thread could have been called "__________" is the last place I'll ever shop.

But I prefer it be called, I'm going to destroy company's name because I'm special and I didn't get my way.

Think how many stores you would not go to if you used this everyday. Bad experiencee at wallyworld? Forget them, cranky cashier at Home Depot? never again, then Lowes, next Menards, soon you have nowhere to shop!

sdb777 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 28, 2007, 11:55:06 AM »

Quote from: coopershooter on October 27, 2007, 04:35:27 AM

To Scott B.
I am In sales, and can easily say that In ten years of service, that Iv,e never been rude to a customer! I think, that when you ask a sales person a question, no matter how big or small, they should be able to handle the question, in a professional way ( and not be rude, or act like your wasting there time).
As far as destroying a company,s name? are we supposed to put up with bad service?
I would not have taken screws out of a stock, forarm!!! but I would not have rude to the customer either!!! I,m not a whiner but I do expect good customer service!

Glad you've been in sales that long.....why?

And if your saying that you've NEVER been rude to a customer(even behind their back in the breakroom), may GOD be kind to you. Where do you work at? I'd like to come in and complain about you! And then watch you give me excellent service.....bet even money it won't happen!

And I don't work at Gander.....my store is much smaller! Customers that act like the above are not welcome!

Scott B