Thanks Gander...

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Thanks Gander for price matching the 20% off sale at Joe's on my sweet new St. Croix Avid spinning rod!

What a surprise. Thought I would have to drive to St Paul, but I had spent all day cleaning out the winter remnants from my garage floor and also wanted to take my wife to a movie. They made the match, which saved me a ton of time.

[20lbSloughShark]

Gander M. is definitely underrated. I sometimes hear stories of "rude" employees because they won't go out of their way to ask if you need anything, or poor prices, or poor products, etc. I've found GM to have better prices than most, especially compared to the C store, and I absolutely love their store brand rods. IMO, its not being rude if you don't ask. Actually I don't care if the employees talk to me at all. I want Quality #1, Competitive Price #2, and if I need it, I wan't the workers to know what they are talking about. I could care less if they ask me if I found everything fine if they can tell me the difference between a football jig and a gumball jig.

[mrklean]

Didn't even know Gander was still around

[OnAFly]

I'm surprised they actually had it in stock.

[brian6715]

I thought all they sold was clothes and fancy fly fishing "gear"

[goose89]

I'm surprised they actually had it in stock.

First time a heard then have a wanted item in stock....maybe they're stepping up a bit? Last straw for me was clerk, and manager's "inability" to use two separate gift cards from Pheasants Forever /gander promo......they said I could come back next day and use the other one.....Lol....instead of possibly winning a customer back, they solidified my disdain...kudos to them on having the yuppie outdoors market corner ed d, though. Shame on me for being slow to learn the mom and pop shops are only place you can expect customer service and common sense.

[fishnowworknever]

That's surprising. I've moved my shopping to FF for most everything. Can't beat em.

[Alagnak]

I'm surprised they actually had it in stock.

No chit. Besides women's clothing and kayaks they are worthless. They are only around for dudes' wives who are trying to be nice and buy them a gift. A very worthless gift.

FDLFGTG

[20lbSloughShark]

LOL, have any of you been to the store in the last decade? Womens clothing and fly fishing store? Sounds like you guys won't be happy no matter where you go.

[Musky hunter 82]

I used to shop at Gander all the time, but since they took down all of their mounts, to please other people. I took my business to Fleet Farm, and they have a way better selection and prices anyway.

[TMF89]

We'll price match anything that's local. We can't price match online-only deals, and we're supposed to only match the price if the item is in stock at wherever it is that we're matching. Those are our official policies.

Anyone who thinks our stores focus on fly-fishing gear really must not have visited them recently. I work the EP store, but when I was back at Lakeville it was the same, our fly shops get less inventory year after year, to the point where we barely have anything past getting someone started with some basic gear.

As far as making room for brands like North Face while downsizing our camo selection, or clearing out half of the camping department so we have more room for patio chairs - we know. But corporate doesn't listen to us, no matter how many times I beg for high end St. Croix rods, or the new Shimano Curados.

Honestly the best way to change things would be to leave feedback. Either via phone, email, or by our feedback form on the HSOforum. I know it's more work on your part, and the changes won't be immediate, but that's about all I can tell you guys at this point. They do actually pay attention to feedback, and hopefully enough of it will get some policy changes going on our inventory.

As far as customer service goes, I'll admit that we have associates who don't go the extra mile, and don't always put the customer first. Having said that, do any of you work at a place where every single employee is always 100% on the ball? Every place out there is going to have some bad apples, that's just how humans work. Also, if you see a few of us standing around and BSing, please be a little understanding. We might actually be doing something work-related. Downtime is about the only time we have to share techniques, tips, information, and experience. If I'm teaching the new guy the finer points of the Lowrance HDS systems, I might forget to say hello to you. I'm not snubbing you, I'm just not perfect. Please feel free to interrupt with your question. On the other hand, if it's six hours into my shift and it's completely dead in the store, yeah, I'm gonna get bored and probably chat with a friend or two. Again, I don't think there's a person alive who spends their entire work day actually working. Having said that, I challenge anyone to hit up the Eden Prairie fishing department and not leave satisfied. Now when I say that, I don't mean about prices, inventory, or policies. That's stuff that us part-time hourly guys have no control over. But as far as doing everything we can to try and help you, that's gonna happen every single time.

[DTro]

Don’t take it so personal.  You should recognize that we are slamming corporate here, not individual stores.  I’m sure great people work at GM but in the end, like you said, it’s out of your hands when corporate tells you what to do. 

 

With that said, there is no doubt in my mind that GM has evolved into a clothing store first, everything else second.  Why?   Easy, the profit margin on clothing is huge.   You have to sell a cartload of sonars to equal the profit margin of a small stack of hooded sweatshirts.  To be honest Cabelas isn’t far behind either.  

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these outdoor B&M stores aren’t falling into the same hole that places like Best Buy is in.  They merely act as a showroom for people to try before they buy on Amazon or EEEBAY?

 

[Mid-Lake Rock]

For the most part, I shop Thorne Bros or order things online because the items I want are not available at most sporting goods stores. I use a lot of hard to find baits and almost all my rods are customs.

I will say that the EP store has been pretty good to me. I found a somewhat expensive piece of electronics on sale on the Gander HSOforum. Ad said online only. Went to EP and they gave me the sale price and rang it up right away. No waiting, no problem. I have also found some good deals on soft plastics, fishing gloves and a few other items. I think the fishing staff is pretty good at EP. Some products are a bit overpriced and others are priced very competitive with other stores. The issue is corporate.

Last year I purchased plastics for bass, came back the next week and they were sold out. An employee told me they would not be getting anymore because corporate only ordered "x" amount for each store. The employee was perplexed by the corporate decision. This was early June and the bait sold very well. Just seems silly that the corporate people would not want to order more product that sells.

[Alagnak]

I've lived in Lakeville for 6 years. After a couple years of going into the store for the most common items and them not having it I order it online if Fleet Farm doesn't handle it (because at least I'm there for other items already). I don't even go in the G Mtn store anymore. A guy can only get burned so many times. Not having a replacement vex battery in December (they didn't know if they were out/not ordered/when they'd be in), circle hooks of any size other than WALLEYE size, ANY walleye plastics for the river that is only miles away, ANY decent cat fishing stuff (besides a couple items that they use down south) even though the river is only miles away etc, etc, etc. I only live 2 miles away but a guy can only drive over there for nothing so many times. The fishing inventory is so sad. If you wanted scuba gear and a harpoon gun that's not legal in this state you could have bought that at one time.

I think most of the problem is not having passionate people in the correct positions that know what local people might actually need/use around here- most stores are out of touch with that.

I worked in fishing tackle retail from the time I was 10 years old until I went to college and have been a fishing guide since I was 16. When I finished college and moved to south metro I remember calling and trying to talk to a manager to see if there was any part time position they might need help with stocking shelves or whatever in the fishing area. He never asked one thing about my background and told me I could fill out an online application but there were no positions at that time anyway. I said "fine, - do you want to take my resume in case something comes up?" He said "nope- it's online application only." lol

[20lbSloughShark]

Wow, I'm against huge businesses, but gander is one of the good ones. Clothing first, everything else second? Yes they have a good amount of clothing, but not their number one item. Firearms and fishing are their thing. The only grip I have, is they lack on hunting items. Fishing, not at all. No catfish tackle? Funny the two stores I go to most, St. Cloud and Brainerd, have 3 kinds of circle hooks ranging from about #1-8/0, as well as a few small ones for walleye or whatever. They are the only place I can always find circle hooks for pike. They have so many different kinds of weights I don't even know half of them. More types of fishing line than a person should have access to. Gander has a whole section for Vex stuff, and usually have lots of batteries. Not sure how to address the comment on no plastics. They have hundreds of plastics of all kinds. The only problem is they don't like to keep big hammer swim baits or the Berkeley flat back shad 5"+ in stock, but I can hardly find those online for good prices. You might actually want to go into the store before knocking it.

[DTro]

Seeing as I worked at GM for a few years I think I’ve been there once or twice. 

 

It’s a great place to find mass marketed items such as a Columbia Vest, Under Armor Hoodie, or a Clam Fishtrap.  I’ll give you that.  But I dare you to try and find a chartreuse ringworm,  a 10/0 hook,  100lb braid, or any kind of accessory that isn’t Rapala branded

[Alagnak]

Wow, I'm against huge businesses, but gander is one of the good ones. Clothing first, everything else second? Yes they have a good amount of clothing, but not their number one item. Firearms and fishing are their thing. The only grip I have, is they lack on hunting items. Fishing, not at all. No catfish tackle? Funny the two stores I go to most, St. Cloud and Brainerd, have 3 kinds of circle hooks ranging from about #1-8/0, as well as a few small ones for walleye or whatever. They are the only place I can always find circle hooks for pike. They have so many different kinds of weights I don't even know half of them. More types of fishing line than a person should have access to. Gander has a whole section for Vex stuff, and usually have lots of batteries. Not sure how to address the comment on no plastics. They have hundreds of plastics of all kinds. The only problem is they don't like to keep big hammer swim baits or the Berkeley flat back shad 5"+ in stock, but I can hardly find those online for good prices. You might actually want to go into the store before knocking it.

Lucky for you to have a good store nearby. That's a long ways from Lakevill. The one I live next to is the only one I have experience with. And I'm not making this stuff up. Obviously different leadership/management.

[brian6715]

I found a vex battery at the Duluth store, they only had one type to choose from. I believe it was an 8 a/h battery and it didn't last a full year, and the store wouldn't take it back. I get it, there are a lot of people who don't know how to care for a battery, but seriously it was a $25 battery at a time when I could have got one at FF for $18 or so. It was even in a fancy package, I thought I was set for years with my spendy GM battery!

My other disappoint was trying to get a tip-up at the lakeville store in December and they were already sold out or didn't carry the "big-game" tip-ups, and had very, very few to choose from.

The nail in the coffin was going to buy an ice chisel for safety concerns on early ice, and the only one they had was 2' long!

SloughShark, did you ever go to GM 10 years ago or so? 10 years ago you wouldn't even recognize a GM store as compared to what they are today. It used to be my favorite store out of all of them. My favorite rod of all time is a GM Guide Series, I love it. The facts are (as admitted by TMF) they are focusing on clothing first, which I guess is understandable. I have just given up on going there at all. The true hunting, fishing, and ATV supplies are really pathetic and seem to get fewer each year.

TMF none of this is directed at you or the people who work there, I think we all know that the corporate leaders are running the store and turning it into an outdoor apparel store, not a fishing/hunting supply store. It reminds me a lot of REI stores.

The fact is that if I want someone to stand behind their products, I go to the C place, and they have everything (although as Dtro stated, they are turning more and more into an apparel shop). If I want the best bang for the buck, I go to FF, you really can't beat that place!

[CaptainMusky]

I find myself stopping in GM frequently and generally do like the store and their brand. I have a ton of their stuff from over the years, but the GM in St Cloud is hardly packed to the gills with fishing stuff if you ask me? "vexilar batteries" yeah, they may have 5 or 6 batteries that are the same amp hr rating, but no other choices. Try finding a charger for one there.

Price? Always higher. Every single time for the same item I could buy at Fleet Farm cheaper. Never fails.

Their apparel I feel is very good and priced equitably. I have lots of GM hunting clothes and not one issue (manufacturing related) with them ever.

Their tackle selection, Trolling motors (none even displayed) and batteries choices are limited. I think they had 2 deep cycle batteries in there the last time I was there.

Having said ALL of that, all these retailers have similar issues. You are far better off buying online through them then walking into a store.

I was in Cabelas yesterday buying a few odds and ends and they didnt carry battery trays for size 29 batteries. They have them online, but not in store. Just one example, many times I get burned by this stuff at these places. Cabelas is outragiously priced for their stuff too.

GM has better prices than cabelas, but there are some things they just do not carry.

[20lbSloughShark]

I was probably in a gander 10 years ago, but I don't remember it well enough to compare to now. I still think it is one of the better stores. No place should be a one stop shop. What you get is a half-hearted attempt like walmart. Sure they have a little of everything, but almost all of it is worthless. Fleet farm is also a very good store. Usually between gander, fleet farm, and the local bait shop I can get everything I need. I like cabelas online, but I don't like going into the store for anything but to pick up the order. I'm out of luck with pretty much any place when it comes to clothing, especially boots. I've bought bad batteries from fleet farm that they wouldn't take back, and you see over priced stuff all over. One thing I will say is do not go the the gun superstore gander in Rogers. I did not see one thing that was even priced to compete. Most ammo was over $5 a box more than most places. I didn't even bother to check the prices of the guns after seeing a $499 Remington 870.

[CaptainMusky]

You havent been in a gander in 10 years but of the two stores you go to most, one of them wasnt even open 10 years ago (Brainerd).

[PierBridge]

Gander M. is definitely underrated. I sometimes hear stories of "rude" employees because they won't go out of their way to ask if you need anything, or poor prices, or poor products, etc. I've found GM to have better prices than most, especially compared to the C store, and I absolutely love their store brand rods. IMO, its not being rude if you don't ask. Actually I don't care if the employees talk to me at all. I want Quality #1, Competitive Price #2, and if I need it, I wan't the workers to know what they are talking about. I could care less if they ask me if I found everything fine if they can tell me the difference between a football jig and a gumball jig.

THIS!!!!

[20lbSloughShark]

You havent been in a gander in 10 years but of the two stores you go to most, one of them wasnt even open 10 years ago (Brainerd).

I said I don't remember them 10 years ago. I was just in the brainerd gander last Thursday.

[CaptainMusky]

I was probably in a gander 10 years ago, but I don't remember it well enough to compare to now.

Looks like you said "in a Gander 10 years ago" to me.

[CAMAN]

Quote:

You might actually want to go into the store before knocking it.

I was in the Lakeville store today just because i was in the area to see if they had anything on sale and what these guys are saying is SPOT ON. I will say the EP store is better than the other Ganders in the area, and the Lakeville store is the worst I have ever been in since their remodel.

I don't know how you can say their prices are better than other places, for example, I picked up a new Plano FTO box at Fleet a few weeks ago for 11.99(Not on sale). After leaving I swung over to Gander just to waste some time, and see if they had any sales. I was walking by the tackle boxes and noticed the same boxes for sale, checked the price...14.99! That has been the norm for almost everything not just a few things at Gander for the last few years. How do they think they can stay competitive by having prices considerably more than a place within eyesight?