Gander Mountain vs. Bass Pros Shops

[Vadermedic]

Not that my opinion means anything, but I would like to share a recent experience that may help others. After saving cash and wanting a full size 1911 I came across a S&W @ Bass Pro Shops in Dania Fl, the retired Veteran behind the counter and I hit it of immediately. Very knowledgeable and spent time with me. Purchased 1911 for $800 round numbers with sale incentive. 2 weeks later with a friend @ Gander Mtn in Palm Beach Gardens, no help, same pistol $200 more. Finally a guy showed up, said .45 was to big to carry and prices are non negotiable. My friend didn't buy obviously. Sent him down south. Maybe this will allow a reader to save some time when exploring different options of a purchase.

 

[oldman45]

A lot has to do with overhead. Gander Mountain has some pricey locations. The local Bass Pro was built on top of an old city dump.

I am not happy with the gun selections at the local Bass Pro and hate the prices at Gander Mountain.

When I buy guns, I try to use the local independant gun stores. Better service and sometimes a really good price.

 

[Gun Smoke]

I think it just depends on the store...We only have Bass Pro Shops in my area and on my last visit I was checking out the gun display and over heard a young lady talking to the guy behind the counter...She said she was thinking about a pistol but didn't know anything about guns and had never fired one... What does the salesman bring out? The most expensive Kimber 1911 they had...She could hardly hold it and gave it back asking if they had something smaller so he shows her the new Sig P238 .380 which she liked but wanted her boyfriend to come back with her before she bought something and walked away (smart move)...While he had the Sig out I asked to see it...It's a nice little pistol but as I handed it back I said to him that I wouldn't feel very comfortable with a cocked and locked pistol in my pocket...He looked at me kinda funny and asked me what does cocked and locked mean?...I had to explain to him the difference between a SA semi auto vs a SA/DA pistol and this guy sells guns and gives out advice....

 

[Vadermedic]

You guys are right, all depends on the area I guess. Hope to establish a professional relationship with some local gun store owners, and maybe I find 1 thats good. Any ideas in the Stuart, Palm Beach FL area?

 

[Skeeziks]

...He looked at me kinda funny and asked me what does cocked and locked mean?...I had to explain to him the difference between a SA semi auto vs a SA/DA pistol and this guy sells guns and gives out advice....

They know absolutely nothing at my Gander Mtn. as well. I've lost count how many times in just this past year or so that I've had it happen to me.
They either don't know...or they think they do know, but they don't.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I've visited both, and have been pleased with neither the prices or selection of either store.

Seems both are clothing stores with a gun department attached as an afterthought, and the "pro shop" has so much invested in displays I cannot rationalize them having a decent deal on anything because of the amount they paid for those things!!!

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

These are the 2 worst retailers for firearms, hunting supplies or shooting in my state! Both are extremely high priced and they generaaly have in stock a very limited selection of product. I generally shop independent or go to Cabelas which is 2 hours away in michigan or west virginia.

 

[Skeeziks]

I wish I had a Cabela's near me!

Only got a Bass Pro 75 min. away...and the stupid Gander Mtn. 10 min. down the road. ~

 

[gpe55bud]

If anyone is looking for a great dealer in central Florida, Ultimate Arms, on Combee Rd. in Lakeland is the place to go.
The owner, Mark, is knowledgeable and a great person to deal with. If he doesn't have what you're looking for he'll order it for you and can usually have it within a couple of days. He's my dealer of choice around here. In addition, he and his wife run the shooting range at Teneroc here in Lakeland. They have a limited supply of guns at the range for sale plus they rent a variety of arms at the range. It's an outdoor range so take the weather into account if you plan a trip. They also have some reloading supplies at the range, primarily powders and primers.
Even during the shortages they were usually able to come up with primers for me. Can you tell I like this dealer??

 

[AR_Black]

There is a Gander Mountain near me. I'm a dealer. I sell some of the same guns for $150 less than Gander. However, they do have a good selection. I tell my friends to goto Gandermountain and feel out what they want to buy, then I will order it for them at cost plus my profit.

 

[bassoneer]

I live in Knoxville, TN. There is a Gander Mtn store in West Knoxville in a very expensive shopping area. There is a BPS about 20 minutes East of Knoxville at Exit 407 off I-40...that is where you turn to go to the Smokies, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville...a lot of folks get off at that exit and there are lots of shopping areas in that location. So, we have both withing a half hour of us.

The BPS is probably fairly standard everywhere you go. I've been to the ones in Nashville, Atlanta and Myrtle Beach also...they are pretty much the same. I like the stores, they are clean, orderly, fairly good prices, a little on the tourist side, but they are OK. I really like them for fishing stuff, but they are OK with guns. I have purchased a Browning Buckmark from them at a fair price. I go into BPS to get a Starbucks coffee with my family and look at the fish - it's sort of a mini-vacation type thing...not the same as going to a gun store.

The Gander Mountain in West Knoxville is the only one I've been to. The stock is haphazard at best...things are often out-of-place and mis-priced. I have some awful war stories from their gun department. I've bought three guns from them and have had a Colt 1911 in there for repairs (which were not satisfactory...I'm being kind). I know one of their employees and he told me that they were one of the most "bleeped-up" stores he had ever seen and he doesn't understand how they stay in business. Their ammo prices are WAY higher than anyplace else, and their gun prices are usually very high also. So, after getting burned a few times, I shy away from them.

 

[Leonard]

I will and have driven an hour out of my way rather than deal with Gander Mountain. If I am going to pay retail or above retail as I have experienced with Gander I would rather spend my money in a small locally owned non chain store.

 

[JcMack]

There's a Cabelas 2 miles from me. It's been there 2 yrs. I used to get some really good gun deals there. Now it seems the gun dept. is the store main money maker. So used gun prices have been raised on a par with every other GS. The clothing quality is not bad so it must be made in the well to do neighborhoods in Bangladesh. I buy stuff off their on line catalog. The have sale items not in their sale paper. I have the stuff delivered to the store and pick it up there avoiding shipping charges. If the stuff ain't right or wrong size I hand it back and they send it back or put it on the rack. Gander Mt. and Bass Pro are half hour away.

 

[Hermann]

I shopped at Bass Pro and at Cabellas recently.
Be be honest, the salespeople there acted like they couldn't care less.
Knowledge about what they sell - No Way!

 

[Skeeziks]

If anyone is looking for a great dealer in central Florida, Ultimate Arms, on Combee Rd. in Lakeland is the place to go.

Thanks, Bud.... Do U have their address?

 

[Marksman]

I like to window shop in all three stores named but find the prices ealy hard to believe. My purchases are usually small gun cleaning items that I am out of. I buy other hunting and shooting items at stores like Meier, they put most of their hunting items on clearance once hunting season is over. I've purchased Mossy Oak camo for 50% off and $10.00 a bottle deer scent for $1-$2.00, gun cases and other items. I am always checking stores like that at season's end, they sometimes have ammo at good prices too.

 

[USAF385]

Gander Mtn. often has good prices on used guns. Ammo and new guns.. not so much. I have found quite a few good deals on used long guns especially. I don't know if the local staff doesn't care for or know much about long guns, but I'm surprised from time to time at some prices.

 

[dmar]

Gander Mtn. often has good prices on used guns. Ammo and new guns.. not so much. I have found quite a few good deals on used long guns especially. I don't know if the local staff doesn't care for or know much about long guns, but I'm surprised from time to time at some prices.

I agree with these comments. New guns and ammo prices are a joke at Gander, as is their prices on primers, shot, wads, etc. Used gun prices can be decent. I've even had them come down on their used gun prices. I really don't see how they sell any new guns, they must depend on people's ignorance of firearms pricing...

To me, Bass Pro Shops is not a great place to buy a gun, prices are not good on new guns, and they really don't have any used guns at the one I visit. I did buy a nice Browning SA-22 at Bass Pro, it was on sale, and was a good price (lowest I could find...). So, I guess you can watch the sales, and might be able to do ok. I do like to visit the BPS, cool place...

 

[ditrina]

They know absolutely nothing at my Gander Mtn. as well. I've lost count how many times in just this past year or so that I've had it happen to me.
They either don't know...or they think they do know, but they don't.

Where is this Gander Mtn.?? Jus' so I don't go there..

 

[Mule88]

Our Gander Mountain have rediculous prices, the Bass pro shop about 45 minutes further away is much better in my opinion.