Gander Mtn...Brainerd, MN

[Kyle]

I wish all of the GM stores would close so we can stop acknowledging their existence.

[lungdeflator]

Haven't been there in awhile but I think the gander in bemidji has also removed mounts. Really leaves the bemidji area in a pinch. I have one more gift card to use up and then I'm done. Since bluewater closed and now gander doesn't support the people buying their products, that leaves l&m fleet.

[walleye18]

L&M Fleet is good!!

[96trigger]

Still mounts up in the Rochester Gander. On a side note, went there with a friend to buy a muzzle loader. We looked at quite a few. We did get decent customer service but there were two guns there that we looked close at. One was a display model, it was marked down in price but it was also missing the front sight. The other was full price but it had looked like someone stood it on its barrel end and spun it, all the finish on rim of the barrel was scratched and gouged. I felt bad for my friend, he had his heart set on buying one but we walked out without one.

I don't get why they wouldn't put a front sight on the gun. It was a nice gun, never fired and it was probably discounted $30. It's a big store with a big firearms dept, find a sight and put it on. Secondly, my friend decided he wasn't going to pay full price for an obviously flawed gun. The site would have been cheap for them and they could have raised the price of the gun to cover it. Had the manager offered to compensate, it might have been different, but there wasn't anything said. Guess I understand both sides but I would not want to sell either of those guns with flaws like they had, especially not full price.

[walleye18]

never buy a gun that has scratch makes on the end of the barrel....this is called the "crown".

If there is any damage to the crown, the gun could be a lemon...meaning it will never be a consistant shooting gun

[walleye34]

I interviewed for a inventory analyist position with gander out of college, late 90's. No wonder they are where they are. The "buyer" who interviewed me did not even hunt or fish!! He looked like they kind of guy who rides his bike to starbucks every sat/sun morning, you know one of those guys who thinks they are Greg Lamond, who wear those biking jerseys!! He had a very strong retail background but I am afraid when it comes to outdoor products your buyers need to know the products, it's not all about margins. When it comes to outdoor products we outdoormen will pay top dollar for QUALITY service and products which is why they cant make it and walmart does not do so well either they have margins they need to meet on each and every product. For me Reeds is #1, Cabelas #2, Fleet farm 3#. Fleet farm is really starting to improve but they need to sell a higher product line of clothing and footwear. Reeds is #1 for me because they are still mom and pop and you can barter with them on bigger ticket items...

[Double D]

If you live outstate, some of the Running's stores are really expanding the outdoor lines. They have bought a couple different buildings to move into, mainly to improve the outdoor sales.

Now, they are definitely not Cabelas or FF or GM, but if you need to pick up one or two items quick, they are a good option.

DD

[jay83196]

I can't speak to the removing of the mounts but if they do I will think less of shopping there, seems pretty hypocritical to me. They are getting expensive anyway most things Cabellas has cheaper and way better selection. Last few guns were $100 less on a $600-800 gun at Cabella's, Fleet Farm or even Joe's. Walked in today left with half my list cuz prices and poor selections.

[Red Miller]

I wandered into the Blaine store a couple of weeks ago out of boredom and could not believe it. I was looking for tent water-proofer. The hunting section was pathetic (and I am being kind). Could not find a blaze orange anything. There is no product on the shelves. I am really surprised they are still in business. The loses must be astronomical. I predict that they will belly up within a year. Its been a long road since the days of Holiday Sports and Burger Bros. That company should be ashamed of themselves.

[jay83196]

I don't know they are usually busy and they re did many stores as fire arm super centers. Be few years if happens.

[walleye365]

There were only two guys id talk to in the Baxter store both have quit. The one guy before he quit told me that most of there sales are from clothing and he doesnt know how they keep the doors open never was a fan REEDS was great wish they would come back.

[mwal]

Lakeville has been removed most of their mounts and put clothes where the bass plastics were.

Mwal

[Bear55]

Was there today only because Fleetfarm was out of the ammo I needed, of course GM didn't have any either. Single diget mounts on the wall and I am pretty sure there was 20+ this summer. Unless there is a hunting emergency I don't plan on going back.

[candiru]

A few years ago around Christmas, I stopped at the Frago store. They had a gun there priced at $600. The same gun a few blocks away at Scheels was $429. A box of premium lead pheasant loads was $35.

They are either ignorant or they believe that we are ignorant.

[NoWiser]

A few years ago around Christmas, I stopped at the Frago store. They had a gun there priced at $600. The same gun a few blocks away at Scheels was $429. A box of premium lead pheasant loads was $35.

They are either ignorant or they believe that we are ignorant.

I was there a couple years back looking at their ammo. I have a 270 WSM so was specifically looking at those, although I was not planning on buying any. They were down to the last box, and marked up the price to right around $85.00 on it. There was an old tag under the marked up price, and I think they doubled it because they knew people would be desperate. I understand that it's their right to be able to do that, but it left a sour taste in my mouth. I cringe now when I get Gander gift cards for Christmas. Hate that store.

[Luzbel]

I guess it is all about personal experiences.. I have spent thousands of dollars at Gander Mountain Stores over the years with very positive experiences. I have bought many guns from hunting to tactical, from ice fishing to camping, from gear to ammo..

Over these years I have found my deals being much better than Cabelas, Scheels, Sportmans Warehouse, Fleet Farm, etc. Some of these deals have been better on the other guys than Gander Mountain stores but they seem to have competitive prices and they have all I need.

I agree ont he ammo prices.. they normaly run higher than the others but Cabelas is not giving ammo away neither.

I guess the stores just work for me.

[candiru]

Been looking at getting a new gun and doing on-line research. Ten or so retailers came up along with the prices for the gun. Guess who was the highest, yep - Gander Mountain.

[fishkins]

There were only two guys id talk to in the Baxter store both have quit. The one guy before he quit told me that most of there sales are from clothing and he doesnt know how they keep the doors open never was a fan REEDS was great wish they would come back.

Pretty sad,,,Reeds had a great store, they can't come back as they have

a non compete.

[Luzbel]

I guess, all I am saying is that I have done very well at Gander Mountain with my purchases. If a gun is cheaper somewhere else, I would buy it.

I am just sharing my personal experience, I am not inlove with the store nor anything like that. Last gun I bought from Gander Mountain was a brand new FN .308 for $1299 + tax; all the other local stores including the all mighty Cabelas did not even know what I was talking about(they did not have it) Bud's online right now is currently sells them for $1419. Now as far as I know, there is nobody outthere that sells cheaper than them..

Sometime they are cheaper,sometimes they are not....

[MUSKY18]

I thought Reed's non compete was only for 10 years. Has to be getting pretty close to that time frame where they can once again build a store in Brainered and finally run Gander out of town?!?!?!?

[Boonie5]

I heard the reason they are removing the mounts is because on of them fell on a customer and caused a big law suit?

[mrklean]

I thought Reed's non compete was only for 10 years. Has to be getting pretty close to that time frame where they can once again build a store in Brainered and finally run Gander out of town?!?!?!?

If it was a 10 year then its about half way done i think reeds left around 2008

[B. Amish]

i'm glad i have two really good ma and pop sporting goods stores in my area. if you have an opinion to share, you can tell the guy that's helping you cause he owns the place.

[walleye365]

I was told it was 5 years and theres been talk about them comeing back so will see what happens hope they do.

[mrklean]

If they do come back stick a fork in gander