Good riddance Gander Mountain

Ive read that Amazon uses dynamic pricing algorithms to adjust item pricing on a per user basis, using your history to determine what price you're likely willing to pay and displaying it accordingly.
I could see that. I'm talking about eBay and everything thought. Amazon has it where you can blow up the list of all of their prices as well though, and usually they don't have the best deals on a lot of things. I really think a lot of it is just public perception. Heck, I order from Walmart more than Amazon now because Walmart is cheaper.
 
I'm not sure if this has been discussed somewhere else on here, but Amazon is actually studying the feasibility of what I'm about to type. I don't think the idea will fly (no pun intended) with the FAA or local municipalities, but they are seriously examining the feasibility of using giant airships as floating warehouses that will process online orders and use drones that will drop off of the airship with the product and deliver it to the customer the same day the order was placed. In today's "Need it, want it, have to have it now" environment, imagine trying to compete with that.:eek:
 
Depends how much they get paid.

Very true. It makes me wonder what strings Harrison Ford pulled to get out of that mess he was in when he overflew that airliner and landed on a taxiway with absolutely zero sanctions or accountability.
 
It makes me wonder what strings Harrison Ford pulled to get out of that mess he was in when he overflew that airliner and landed on a taxiway with absolutely zero sanctions or accountability.
My guess would be about 20 minutes on his knees.
 
I went to the Mooresville store Friday afternoon armed with an email I received earlier that morning. The email stated "all your camping needs NOW 40% off". I was looking at getting a couple propane camping stoves for my Boy Scout troop. I found the stove only marked down 10%. At the register, I showed the cashier the email and asked for the 40% discount. The cashier called the manager. I showed him the email and asked for the discount. The manager said the 40% off was for camping items only not for stoves. I explained the 2-burner propane stove is used for camping and showed him where it said "camping stove" on the box. The manager stated the stove was for backyard grilling not camping and wouldn't give the 40% discount. Then, the guy waiting in line behind me, told the manager the stove was a camping stove not a Weber grill. When other customers came to my defense I finally got the 40% discount. It only took about 20 minutes arguing about grill types to get the discount.
 
I went to the Mooresville store Friday afternoon armed with an email I received earlier that morning. The email stated "all your camping needs NOW 40% off". I was looking at getting a couple propane camping stoves for my Boy Scout troop. I found the stove only marked down 10%. At the register, I showed the cashier the email and asked for the 40% discount. The cashier called the manager. I showed him the email and asked for the discount. The manager said the 40% off was for camping items only not for stoves. I explained the 2-burner propane stove is used for camping and showed him where it said "camping stove" on the box. The manager stated the stove was for backyard grilling not camping and wouldn't give the 40% discount. Then, the guy waiting in line behind me, told the manager the stove was a camping stove not a Weber grill. When other customers came to my defense I finally got the 40% discount. It only took about 20 minutes arguing about grill types to get the discount.
I don't think I could have been that calm or waited that long, good for you. I would have ended up leaving before then and showed my butt. The older I get the less patience I have. At least you got you stove for the scouts. Bravo
 
I don't think I could have been that calm or waited that long, good for you. I would have ended up leaving before then and showed my butt. The older I get the less patience I have. At least you got you stove for the scouts. Bravo
Normally, I'm not that patient. After a long week at work I think I was just looking for argument. And I won!
 
What's the main goal to this topic??

You guys want crap as cheap and as fast as you can have it.

No loyalty to the merchant, and no real limits to saving the $$$ even if it costs you $$$ to find that deal.

I get it, and the only way a store can make it in this market is to have over $1 mil in inventory.

And you will still "settle" for the item you buy.

That's the only way....
 
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I stopped into the Mooresville store today. Lots of product, 10-30% off regular prices, very few people.

-R

I saw a list online somewhere that the Mooresville location is one that Camping World plans to keep open.
 
What's the main goal to this topic??

You guys want crap as cheap and as fast as you can have it.

No loyalty to the merchant, and no real limits to saving the $$$ even if it costs you $$$ to find that deal.

I get it, and the only way a store can make it in this market is to have over $1 mil in inventory.

And you will still "settle" for the item you buy.

That's the only way....


???

I know I am, and I'm sure people here are loyal to their selected merchants. Gander Mtn has done nothing to encourage loyalty with their beyond insane prices (which are typically MSRP or above) and generally treating customers like crap.

I'll gladly pay over online/competitor prices for the vendors I like. Hell, if I go in a local store just to browse, and the folks there take the time to talk to me, I'll buy a few boxes of ammo even if it is a good bit above what I can get.

That said, I helped out in an ammo store where potential customers would tell me how they could buy 1000 rounds of wolf gold for 25 bucks cheaper than PMC 55gr from Cheaper Than Dirt.
 
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What's the limit on what extra you should pay to support your local merchant?
Is it $10 on a $50 shirt, $100 on a $500 gun, or $200 on a $1,000 gun? I honestly don't know.
That's the thing, it's not really a percentage of numbers thing, but more of a qualitative sense of value and worth that will depend upon the particular merchant and transaction. If I had to put a percentage to it, I would throw out thst generally speaking I would say about 10%.
 
What's the limit on what extra you should pay to support your local merchant?
Is it $10 on a $50 shirt, $100 on a $500 gun, or $200 on a $1,000 gun? I honestly don't know.

Too many factors. How long the local shop has been around and how often you've dealt with them. The price of the item is big. 5% diffeence on a $500 gun is sure different than 5% on a $2,000 gun. I may be reading it wrong but IMO John's point is that many here celebrate every time a big box store goes down the tubes. Or like to point out when they have a box of ammo priced idiotically. But because they aren't great at everything doesn't mean there isn't value in local stores. I didn't buy a ton from Gander, but I would often grab a box or two of overpriced ammo if I was there to get soemthing else. I probably paid $5 too much or so. Oh, the horror. But I did grap about 4 pairs of their canvas work pants once for $5 a pair. But the trend is that eventually we will not have any place local to shop, handle and compare. It will simply be a handful of online retailers. Prices will be good I am sure. For a while. But how good will they be when 100's of their competitors are gone nationwide? And what will the sleection be like? Good luck getting hard to find things. And what is easier to control? A few companies in an industry or 100's? History shows governments love to have a few big companies in industries so that those companies will do as their told. Imagine Buds, Davidsons, Cheaper Than Dirt and maybe a couple others being your only gun shops. Imagine a Democrat administrstion manipulating them into only stocking low cap mags or limited numbers of the things they think are appropriate. Sounds wacky, but Obama and Holder went after the financial side of the gun industry. There are lots of ways to reduce our options. It may happen regardless, but we shouldn't be the ones helping it along.
 
Let me give you an example f a merchant losing business. There's an LGS near me that I've purchased from since it opened, maybe two or three firearms per year plus some accessories. Recently I saw an item on the internet I wanted to order. Asked if I could order it through him and the cost. He was $10 higher than another merchant just a little bit farther away. Told him that and asked if he'd do for the $10 cheaper. He said a firm NO. I ordered through the other guy and made my last purchase from him. He saved that $10.
 
@BudE I've seen comments mentioned in several threads, here and elsewhere over time to the effect of "the store (owner) doesn't have to take 'stuff' from people", especially in regards to gun stores, when in fact is really the other way around that customers are the ones who don't have to put up with stuff from the stores.
 
Too many factors. How long the local shop has been around and how often you've dealt with them. The price of the item is big. 5% diffeence on a $500 gun is sure different than 5% on a $2,000 gun. I may be reading it wrong but IMO John's point is that many here celebrate every time a big box store goes down the tubes. Or like to point out when they have a box of ammo priced idiotically. But because they aren't great at everything doesn't mean there isn't value in local stores. I didn't buy a ton from Gander, but I would often grab a box or two of overpriced ammo if I was there to get soemthing else. I probably paid $5 too much or so. Oh, the horror. But I did grap about 4 pairs of their canvas work pants once for $5 a pair. But the trend is that eventually we will not have any place local to shop, handle and compare. It will simply be a handful of online retailers. Prices will be good I am sure. For a while. But how good will they be when 100's of their competitors are gone nationwide? And what will the sleection be like? Good luck getting hard to find things. And what is easier to control? A few companies in an industry or 100's? History shows governments love to have a few big companies in industries so that those companies will do as their told. Imagine Buds, Davidsons, Cheaper Than Dirt and maybe a couple others being your only gun shops. Imagine a Democrat administrstion manipulating them into only stocking low cap mags or limited numbers of the things they think are appropriate. Sounds wacky, but Obama and Holder went after the financial side of the gun industry. There are lots of ways to reduce our options. It may happen regardless, but we shouldn't be the ones helping it along.
I think this was very well said. Some guys will crow about getting a gun for less than the difference in shipping and FFL charges add up to and act like they think the gun shop was trying to rip them off. When the local shops have all been put out of business by the online sellers it becomes so much easier to control retail firearm sales to the public. Plus, you just lost the option of paying cash without a cc record of your purchases. Right now, no biggie. If the loony left manages to take down Trump and retake even one house of the legislature, all that is going to change and you will be wondering how someone from .gov knew what you bought and when. Personally I am very willing to pay a little extra for ammo (there will always be a written record of firearm sales) to keep my privacy and to be able to go by and pick up a few things when I have cash in my pocket.
 
What's the limit on what extra you should pay to support your local merchant?
Is it $10 on a $50 shirt, $100 on a $500 gun, or $200 on a $1,000 gun? I honestly don't know.

There is no way to place a value on that as a group...

John
 
I never like to see any gun/fishing store go out of business.
Whether it's big or small. It's always nice to have options.

Yeah, I have never understood reveling in the demise of a store, unless you are diametrically opposed to what they sell. I mean I can see an old spinster jumping for joy that an Adam & Eve closed.

But Gander Mountain was a pro 2a company. They hosted the testing portion of the CCW classes in their stores. Yes they were overpriced on a lot of things but they also carried things that others did not.

I for one am sad to see them go. We need more gun stores, not less.
 
@Chdamn every time I see your "new" avatar I think it's @B00ger posting. Damn you!

Yeah, your right we need more stores not less. Really what the stores and customers need is GOOD competition. Unfortunately, GM is z bit of a catch-22 of their own making by being so non competitive on pricing. What got me more than the price was the attitude of the employees and some of the store policies.
 
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@Chdamn every time I see your "new" avatar I think it's @B00ger posting. Damn you!

Yeah, your right we need more stores not less. Really what the stores and customers need is GOOD competition. Unfortunately, GM is z bit of a catch-22 of their own making by being so non competitive on pricing. What got me more than the price was the attitude of the employees and some of the store policies.

Honestly,I do too! That's my old pic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
"That said, if the stores would carry what people want and have a demand for, at a price that competes with online stores........."

Is it possible for a brick & mortar location to do that and remain profitable?

( hijack )

.
Well lots of online stores hide the total cost until you are committed. I have seen good gun prices followed by surcharges for credit cards of sometimes 50-75 dollar shipping costs.

Psa is a rough exception but they have a litany of their own issues to contend with
 
Yeah, I have never understood reveling in the demise of a store, unless you are diametrically opposed to what they sell. I mean I can see an old spinster jumping for joy that an Adam & Eve closed.

But Gander Mountain was a pro 2a company. They hosted the testing portion of the CCW classes in their stores. Yes they were overpriced on a lot of things but they also carried things that others did not.

I for one am sad to see them go. We need more gun stores, not less.
I don't understand all the hate either. I mean isn't this still America? Can't we still choose not to buy from a particular company if we don't want to? Have they caused harm to anyone?

To me, what has happened to Gander Mountain is exactly how it's supposed to happen in a free economy. Their pricing was poor, their service was poor, etc. People with the freedom to choose didn't like it and voted with their dollars by buying elsewhere. They didn't make money, so they went out of business. Simple. No one was hurt. No moral or ethical boundaries were crossed. (Unless there's something I haven't heard about. )

But, those that would tar and feather GM, and ride GM out of town on a rail, not because they themselves were harmed or that GM harmed others, but because they were offended at the pricing. That GM didn't conform to some unwritten pricing code of ethics for the betterment of all consumers. Well, that kinda sounds...ummm... liberal. ;)
 
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New CEO says more selection and better prices: http://www.guns.com/2017/05/15/new-gander-mountain-ceo-promises-more-guns-better-prices/

Of course "better" might mean "better margins" or "better for their bottom line"....

Good post and clearly some folks read right over it. I never bought firearms there, but did buy some odds and ends there now and then, and it was the easiest place for me to get mineral rocks and such.
Good to see the name change to "Gander Outdoors" and the public invited to help design the logo and looks like an overhaul to their firearms business....did not see the Fayetteville store on the open list, so assume it is gone for good...which is surprising, since the the HH Gregg right next door is also closing and I would assume the building owner would bend over to keep a big box in that building.
 
My son and I went to Gander MTN today (the Morrisville, NC store) to check out some discounted fishing gear and prices on ammo cans. The selection of fishing gear was not that impressive. Everything had been picked through and what was left was still, in my opinion, over priced. The ammo cans were marked down 40% off the original price of $20. At $12 a can, I decided to get several (4) to replace some of my older ones with ageing seals. However, at the register they were only discounted 20%. The manager came over and I explained the sign over the pallet of ammo cans stated they were 40% off. He then called backed to the shooting supply department and ask them about the sign. They confirmed the 40% off sign and he proceeded to tell them to take the sign down and bring it to the front. When the guy got to the registers he handed the sign over to the manager. I again asked for the 40% discount. The manager said the sign was posted by mistake and he would not honor it. I said ok, left the ammo cans on the counter and walked out. The reason I'm posting my story is to warn everyone who is still shopping Gander MTN to check the price/discount before they pay. The marked discounted price may not be what you pay. All merchandise in the store is owned by the Tiger liquidation firm not Gander MTN. They make their money by charging you as much as they can. Buyer beware
 
My son and I went to Gander MTN today (the Morrisville, NC store) to check out some discounted fishing gear and prices on ammo cans. The selection of fishing gear was not that impressive. Everything had been picked through and what was left was still, in my opinion, over priced. The ammo cans were marked down 40% off the original price of $20. At $12 a can, I decided to get several (4) to replace some of my older ones with ageing seals. However, at the register they were only discounted 20%. The manager came over and I explained the sign over the pallet of ammo cans stated they were 40% off. He then called backed to the shooting supply department and ask them about the sign. They confirmed the 40% off sign and he proceeded to tell them to take the sign down and bring it to the front. When the guy got to the registers he handed the sign over to the manager. I again asked for the 40% discount. The manager said the sign was posted by mistake and he would not honor it. I said ok, left the ammo cans on the counter and walked out. The reason I'm posting my story is to warn everyone who is still shopping Gander MTN to check the price/discount before they pay. The marked discounted price may not be what you pay. All merchandise in the store is owned by the Tiger liquidation firm not Gander MTN. They make their money by charging you as much as they can. Buyer beware

That sucks, but is probably the norm when you have a manager of a closing store. Morale likely sucks, and that guy/gal may be out a job. But he still should have honored the discount.
 
That sucks, but is probably the norm when you have a manager of a closing store. Morale likely sucks, and that guy/gal may be out a job. But he still should have honored the discount.
My 13 year old son was more upset than I was. On the ride home he kept saying that they should've given us the discount. I explained that if the store was operating normally and wasn't under liquidation than we would have been given the discount because it was their mistake. I reiterated that most store will honor their listed prices even if they have it wrong. I think he learned a valuable lesson. To know how much something is before you get to the register and speak up when you notice a mistake. Also, to keep cool and remain cordial while explaining your side of the situation.
 
My 13 year old son was more upset than I was. On the ride home he kept saying that they should've given us the discount. I explained that if the store was operating normally and wasn't under liquidation than we would have been given the discount because it was their mistake. I reiterated that most store will honor their listed prices even if they have it wrong. I think he learned a valuable lesson. To know how much something is before you get to the register and speak up when you notice a mistake. Also, to keep cool and remain cordial while explaining your side of the situation.

He also learend that he may not want to be a retail store manager!
 
Went to the Monroe store today, looked at shooting and fishing, walked out empty handed.

Have bought from them in the past, but prices are still high at 5%-15% off (Maybe clothing was a deeper discount) and all I really wanted was stuff they were out of. Actually saw a set of scope rings I could use, but $70+tax vs $45 online is too much of a premium to a liquidation company. Might have paid it to a new LGS.
 
Anyone been in lately?
Keep getting emails about 40% off, think it said firearms and related were 15%, should be getting closer to competitive.
 
I haven't been in a GM store in a few weeks, and haven't even looked at their website.
 
Not meaning to hijack the thread, but if you want to price track things offered by Amazon, use this website: https://camelcamelcamel.com/

It shows you the current price as well as the high/low history. You can also set a price and have it watch for that price to be offered.

Note: I am not affiliated with the site. I have just found it to be a useful tool.
 
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Yeah, I have never understood reveling in the demise of a store, unless you are diametrically opposed to what they sell. I mean I can see an old spinster jumping for joy that an Adam & Eve closed.

But Gander Mountain was a pro 2a company. They hosted the testing portion of the CCW classes in their stores. Yes they were overpriced on a lot of things but they also carried things that others did not.

I for one am sad to see them go. We need more gun stores, not less.

I hated to see the prices on their Guns, but ammo was always readily on shelves for me to go buy every pay day and have on hand. I hate to see that going away, like chad said. But, they could have been more competitive in prices.
 
I purchased a new fairly expensive pistol yesterday at a local store. They had it for $100 below retail but a $100 more than I could have purchased online and had shipped to an FFL and for $25 transferred. I ended up getting the gun, ammo, and other supplies. I support them because they have a good inventory and if I want to go look at a product they usually have it.

But there is a similar big box store that I only shop for little things in a pinch. Why? Because they don't have nearly the inventory and everything is retail priced. Occasionally they will have 2 items in the gun section on sale. Usually something you don't want. So I don't shop there.

It's pretty simple...
 
Went into the GM in Monroe yesterday. Sign over the door in BIG letters says 40% off and in really tiny letters "certain items". Picked up an Uncle Mikes holster to see what the price was, and with all discounts applied it was still $25. No thanks. Looked at the M&P Shield in 9mm that PSA has for $289 ($214 after S&W rebate) and GM's "final discount price, no other discounts taken" was still close to $400
Yes I prefer to shop locally, and I'm no cheap bastard, but damn, I'm not made of money. If the shield were even CLOSE to reasonably priced I would have picked one up, and probably the holster too but to spend an extra hundred bucks on a $300 gun? Ummm no
 
Greensboro, Fayetteville and Winston Salem stores are staying open per the new CEO.
 
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