Disappointment at Gander Mountain

[rwsmith]

I checked out the new Gander Mountain in North Charleston, SC (Yeah, where the policeman shot that guy. I really hate that place even if I did grow up there) Anyway, we were talking about Gander Mountain. FABULOUS store, with most anything you could want. I couldn't find the powder shelf, even an empty one so I asked the guy behind the counter. He said he had ONE kind in the back, some IMR something that wasn't on my (long) list. He said Gander Mountain QUIT stocking powder in stores, but he was going to try to keep some in stock, but you would have to ask at the counter, nothing on the shelf. He did say that he was going to get a complete line of reloading gear though. So I might shop there, but I'm not going to count on them for powder.

[hoc9sw]

Incredible that you found an employee in any store that actually cares. If it were me, I would give them what business I could, and ask for that guy every time you go in. Let them know he made a good impression.

[scooter123]

I wouldn't waste my time trying to buy powder at Gander Mountain. They'll charge about 5-10 dollars per pound MORE than the vendors at the gun shows who sell powder. My advice would be for Powders and Primers plan on going to every gun show in your area. Here in my area Powder runs about 25-30 dollars per pound and 8 lbs. kegs run 150-180 dollars. Primers run 30 dollars/1000 for Small Pistol and Large Rifle and 35 dollars/1000 for Small Rifle and Large Pistol. Yeah, that makes no sense to me at all but it what the dealers have been charging recently for primers.

[BLUEDOT37]

The new one that opened in Tulsa was the same way. No smokeless powder but they did have black powder types. They had a hodgepodge of other reloading supplies.

Stopped by Bass Pro while I was in town & was surprised that they had some 2400 (my fav) on the shelf. It was over priced but I'm almost out, & I haven't seen any in a long time. What can you do?

.

[rwsmith]

Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37

The new one that opened in Tulsa was the same way. No smokeless powder but they did have black powder types. They had a hodgepodge of other reloading supplies.

Stopped by Bass Pro while I was in town & was surprised that they had some 2400 (my fav) on the shelf. It was over priced but I'm almost out, & I haven't seen any in a long time. What can you do?

.

Went to Bass Pro Shop in Myrtle Beach. Besides having nothing the people behind the counter were too busy to help me so I'm not looking forward to the one they are opening here soon.

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37

Stopped by Bass Pro... they had some 2400 (my fav) on the shelf. It was over priced...

To be fair, I should have added that they did have some Starline .357 Mag brass, which I was also looking for, at a very reasonable price so I grabbed the last bag.

.

[GrayGhost99]

Mine stopped handling reloading 2 years ago to carry more air soft.

[MyDads38]

There's a new GM in Greenfield, IN that I stop at once in a while now. They have had 22 ammo occasionally, but most everything else is over-priced. If it's on sale, not a bad price. No reloading supplies or equipment at all. They have tons of ammo in stock, but I can buy locally for less money. Nice selection of handguns and long guns, if all you want to do is look.

[Texas40]

I once took a gander in Gander Mountain. That was all I Did take a gander.

[MN2944]

I haven't shopped at Gander in several years. Their prices are like Kryptonite.

[Bastogne71]

The Gander Mt. Here in Roanoke dropped all reloading equipment & supplies when they remodeled the store a few years ago. Fortunately, we have a Sportsman's Wearhouse here with better selection and prices than Gander ever did.

[tomf52]

Gander Mountain here in Dickson City PA is almost a complete waste of time for anything related to shooting. Poor selection (no powders) and high prices on what they do stock, especially the guns. I don't even bother anymore.

[Clovishound]

I was in the Bass Pro in MB last year. They had very little powder. Prices were about the same as the high LGS here locally. Other reloading supplies were in the same price range. Palmetto State Armory is the low price leader in the area. The biggest problem is the drive to Mt P.

[H Richard]

I quit going to Gander Mountains as they don't have anything I want (at a price I want to pay). Cabelas are good and bad, their problem is the volume of customers, I can imagine how difficult it is to keep things in stock. Their prices are a little higher, but not ridiculous. What I don't like about Cabelas is the "take a number" then stand around until someone can wait on you. I normally only go to the Fine Gun Room, and usually there is someone that you can talk to. Those prices are dependent on the knowledge of the Fine Gun Room mgr. and it is possible to get something reasonable, but most things are priced at 2020 levels.

[Green Frog]

GM in Richmond went broke because they were located right between a Bass Pro and the established regional store Green Top, that bought their store and took over the larger show room. GM in Charlottesville is the smallest one I've been in and has been a major disappointment in all respects. I have been fortunate in the Winchester GM to occasionally find some good stuff, but they seem to have been in a bit of a slump in the last few months as well. You've already heard about the Roanoke GM above, so overall Gander Mountain in VA (at least the ones I've been able to observe) seems to be pretty poor. It's a pity too, since they have the corporate size to buy and sell on a pretty economical scale.

Froggie

[Deputy Dawg Gone]

Gander Mountain compares to Big Lots, in my humble opinion

[Voyager28]

I really like Cabella's. Gander and Dick's? Not so much. In fact, as for Gander, I will never darken their door again. I'd rather hunt with a sick than buy anything from them.

Bob

[gorji]

They are always overpriced on almost all items. Yes they have overhead but so does everyone else like Cabelas or Basspro. The other issue: I've never seen any powder at all there. Not in the past 2 years. Recently they had some primers at $4.99/100.

[Mcwsky09]

They do sometimes have good sale prices and will price match. But have little to nothing to do with reloading.
In northeast Ohio the place to go for reloading is Fin Feather Fur or the new Great Lakes Outdoor Supply in Bainbridge (I haven't checked of Madison since the remodel and Chesterland is very small so the reloading section is tiny by comparison)

[Twoboxer]

My initial reaction is to tell the guy don't bother selling reloading gear without selling supplies. Who the hell would sell razors without also selling the razor blades?

Anyhow, that's a first reaction. dunno what I'd say/do if i took time to think about it

[rwsmith]

We are supposed to get a Cabelas here about a mile from my house. I hope I'm more satisfied than at other 'Big Gear' stores.

[Clovishound]

Where is the Cabelas supposed to be? I've heard the Bass Pro had problems with the planned location and may be going in near Tanger. Just rumor at this point.

Hadn't heard we were getting a Cabelas. Not sure this area could support that many outdoor shops.

[Collo Rosso]

We had a Cabela's open late last year, first in S.C. I'd like to tell you about it but they put it on THE road in town that's bumper to bumper 24/7. I refuse to go to a store and take 45 minutes when it's 7 miles away.
Palmetto state armory is right down the road. Don't go there either.

[05CarbonDRZ]

Gander Mountain is a joke! Now that a Cabelas opened near by I will never set Foot in there again.Any Store where I have to pull a Number to talk to an Idiot behind the counter does not sit well with me.

[Calaveras Slim]

They opened a Gander Mtn. up in San Antonio about 2 years ago. Drove up. What a waste.

On rare occasion, I go to Bass Pro. I would rather drive 90 minutes to Cabelas than waste time with the other 2.

[03clyde]

All I have ever gotten from GM is aggravation - and even that was at retail.

[Budnjax]

They have a huge gun department, literally many hundreds of guns in stock, possibly thousands. However, their new gun prices are not competitive with other dealers in town. I think they sell mostly to people who don't know any better. There are one or two sales people who know something about guns, the rest could just as well be selling milk at the Jiffy Mart. The only really good thing about GM is that they sometimes have some very good prices on used guns, although lately they seem to have few really good used guns in stock. I have been wondering how they stay in business. They are huge stores in expensive shopping centers and I never see that many folks actually buying anything. Oh well, I have heard that we will soon have a Bass Pro shop here with the biggest gun department in the South. But if it's like other Bass Pro Shops I've been to they are almost a clone of GM.

[bfalcon00]

There is an upside to GM tho. I can go try out something first then buy elsewhere haha.

[Magload]

Originally Posted by Budnjax

They have a huge gun department, literally many hundreds of guns in stock, possibly thousands. However, their new gun prices are not competitive with other dealers in town. I think they sell mostly to people who don't know any better. There are one or two sales people who know something about guns, the rest could just as well be selling milk at the Jiffy Mart. The only really good thing about GM is that they sometimes have some very good prices on used guns, although lately they seem to have few really good used guns in stock. I have been wondering how they stay in business. They are huge stores in expensive shopping centers and I never see that many folks actually buying anything. Oh well, I have heard that we will soon have a Bass Pro shop here with the biggest gun department in the South. But if it's like other Bass Pro Shops I've been to they are almost a clone of GM.

Went to the one in St Augustine last weekend. They had two bottles of powder, rifle, but they did have the mag small pistol primers I needed. The sales guy was petty helpful he was able to show me where the new cabinet was where they kept the two bottles of powder. is the new Bass Pro going to be up North of Jax? Don

[Voyager28]

Originally Posted by Magload

Went to the one in St Augustine last weekend. They had two bottles of powder, rifle, but they did have the mag small pistol primers I needed. The sales guy was petty helpful he was able to show me where the new cabinet was where they kept the two bottles of powder. is the new Bass Pro going to be up North of Jax? Don

I used to shop the GM in St. Augustine. That is, until I caught them ringing up merchandise (particularly ammo) at prices higher than what was marked on the shelf ............... 3 times!

Called the manager's attention to it and basically got a "oops, too bad" response and refused to honor the price as marked.

Done with them. Much easier to order on line from Cabela's and have it delivered to my door. Shipping cost offset by not having to drive the 40 mile round trip to GM.

Bob