Yesterday my wife and I decided to visit the Gander Mountain in Springfield IL. We live just inside Illinois from St. Louis and normally visit the Cabelas in Hazelwood MO. It was about an hour and a half drive, but we wanted to go somewhere different. When we pulled in the lot, there were only about 20 cars in the lot on a 75 degree Saturday afternoon. Not a good sign. The store was clean and organized well, but WOW are their prices high! Their gun prices were right in line with other gun stores, Cabelas included, but EVERYTHING else was much more expensive. They had a "hot buy" on 100 rd packs of 45ACP...for $69.99 and a 50 rd box of Federal 38 special for $32.99! Federal and Winchester sporting clay 12 gauges shells for $13.99 a box. It wasn't just ammo either. I briefly looked at magazines. A single M&P 40 15 round mag was $49.99. Thats more than directly from the S&W website! Hunting boots and clothes were just as high. Needless to say I didn't purchase anything. We were in the store maybe 30 minutes. Their associates were very polite and the store was very clean. I told my wife I feel sorry for the people of Springfield IL because this seems like their only "outfitter" type store. We did find a great steak place to eat dinner at and my filet was great! Well worth the trip even though we didn't purchase any gun goodies. Has anybody else noticed their prices? Wonder if it was just this store...?
Gander Mountain
- Thread starter 158Grain
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ogilvyspecial
Member
I have a Gander Mtn less than 5 miles away and while I do go there on a regular
basis, I haven't been in the ammo section, other than walking through, for
years now. I don't even bother looking at the guns there either.
The gun & ammo prices that I had seen there in the past,
were, well, just insane as far as I was concerned......
basis, I haven't been in the ammo section, other than walking through, for
years now. I don't even bother looking at the guns there either.
The gun & ammo prices that I had seen there in the past,
were, well, just insane as far as I was concerned......
What was the steak place? You should have driven another 65 miles North, big gunshow here this weekend.
Brian41
Member
I've found their prices high on most everything. I have picked up a few items there as it was convenient and they had what I wanted.
I have got some good deals on clearance items end of season though like 75% off a quad parka once. Those sales are hit or miss and you have to be there at the right time.
I don't make a special trip but since they're close to my doctor and dentist I sometimes stop in to look for deals.
I have got some good deals on clearance items end of season though like 75% off a quad parka once. Those sales are hit or miss and you have to be there at the right time.
I don't make a special trip but since they're close to my doctor and dentist I sometimes stop in to look for deals.
scooter123
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IMO Gander Mountain won't be in business much longer. There was a time when their prices were reasonable if slightly high, however today their prices are stupid high. I used to like to go their because they have a good selection of items but I don't even bother stopping in when driving past one because their prices are an insult. Really, 32.99 for a 50 round box of 45ACP American Eagle FMJ ? I can get the same ammo 5 miles down the road at Walmart for 18.97 and if Walmart is empty a local range keeps a great stock on hand at only 22.99 per box.
ogilvyspecial
Member
I've thought that for some time now, but keep hoping they'll be around when I need them.
I just came in from "re-luring" the area around my live-trap with Raccoon
"Moonshine" & fish oil, both, in addition to the live trap, purchased at GM.
A few days ago I painted the front sight of a M438 with Lure & Jig paint purchased at GM.
About an hour ago I went out and pulled the SD card on my back-yard trail cam
and walked past two "Trophy Rocks" (mineral blocks), also purchased at GM.
For me they serve a useful purpose for a number of
items that would be harder to find, locally, otherwise.
My local GM has looked like it is running on fumes for a couple of years. I like having it there if I need something, but I usually only buy stuff on sale. Their guns are way too expensive for my blood.
The usual ratio of staff to customers looks to be about 3-to-1, down to 2-to-1 during the xmas season.
The usual ratio of staff to customers looks to be about 3-to-1, down to 2-to-1 during the xmas season.
chud333
Member
Cabelas, Gander Mtn., Bass pro shops, Dick's sporting goods, are all within an hours drive but i can't afford ammo or guns at these places. It is nice the selection on clothing and footwear they carry. And like Ogy said, the other (little) things they carry are a convienience as they cannot be found unless ordered online. But they do sell some guns and ammo or they would'nt carry these items i guess. I'd hate to see them go out of business regardless. They all provide a niche for someone at one time or
another.
Chuck
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the gander mountain in ashland,va.just nosedived out of business...i'm sure due to their sky high prices...a private sporting goods store (greentops) that has been in business since 1947 took over the former gander mtn.location
I was surprised at the high prices when I first went to GM and they did have a very good selection. However I do not go there often and the last time, the selection was limited. The store closest to me has a simulated firing booth and it is expensive.
Linejudgemick
Member
There is a Gander Mountain, Cabelas and an Academy just opened in my area Friday (11/9). I receive emails from Gander, but went to Academy and bought a Taurus TCP at their every day price. It was the same price that Gander sent in an email flier as their "Thanksgiving Holiday Sale" price. I would say Gander Mountain is "expensive", Cabelas is "moderately high" and Academy is the "least expensive". Within my own experience and comparison shopping anyway.
Moonman
Member
You guys mean "GOUGER MOUNTAIN"?
Texas Star
US Veteran
Academy is the only one really near me and their prices are good, but the selection is VERY limited. WalMart may be cheaper, but I'm afraid to shop there for reasons that I probably can't give here. Let's just say that I don't feel it's a safe environment.
The only private gun shops near me are pretty high, on average, one specializing largely in collectors guns and located near a pricey university in a very affluent suburb.
One of the three close gun stores is the Beretta Gallery. They aren't cheap, either, but they do have a remarkable selection for the truly wealthy buyer.
Gun shows seem the best place to shop for guns, and retail stores with unrealistic prices are just driving themselves out of business. Alas, their prices also drive up prices at shows, and Online sellers are another problem in raising prices. Some of the bidders there must be nuts.
OP
158Grain
Member
The Cabelas in Hazelwood MO that I shop at frequently has really fair prices on ammo. If I need bulk WWB, Wally World here I come. But if I want new hollow points or something different I can usually find it at Cabelas for a fair price. There is a Farm & Home not even 5 blocks from my house that sells ammo also, at slightly higher prices. I was shocked to see everything at GM high. I could understand a few types of items being "inflated": ammo, fishing reels, work boots etc, but not everything. I really wanted a soda before we left but was afraid I would have $10 less in my wallet.
stlr_dude
Member
Yep, the Gander Mountain here is pretty high on their prices. Cabela's just opened a store less than a mile away from them, and I figured it would put Gander out of business. They Immediately remodled the store and made a "Gun World" expanding their gun and ammo section tremendously. I shop both stores, especially when they have good sells.
I refuse to shop or support Wal-Mart in any way.
I refuse to shop or support Wal-Mart in any way.
Local GM is very high, local Cabela's is moderately high, and local WalMart is a little high. The local small business gun shops prices match WalMart. I find internet ammo cheaper, but one must consider shipping costs and no tax. Usually if one purchases enough ammo, shipping costs are offset, compared to local prices. I will never buy ammo from GM. I did fine a great deal there on a Mossberg 500a and a S&W 22a a few years ago.
158Grain, just around the corner from Gander Mountain in Springfield Il is Scheels Sports{way bigger than Gander, they have a Ferris Wheel inside} who are loaded with guns and have a decent "Fine" gun room as well as many other items. Slightly south of the junction of I72 and I 55 in the industrial park on the east side of 55 is Bullet Express range and gun store{locally owned and operated seven days a week} and it is a first rate place to buy, trade, shoot and enjoy our hobby. You picked the worst spot in Springfield to hunt guns and acc. I should tell you I always stop at both places when ever I am in the area and I found great deals at both . All my best, Joe.
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OP
158Grain
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Hillbilly77
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The local Gander Mt. had a used 642 Airweight priced HIGHER than a brand new one that sat in the case about 18" away.
Just amazing.
Just amazing.
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Joewisc
US Veteran
No sense banging on GM. Like most big-box retailers they have lots of overhead and are typically higher than pawn shops, LGS and smaller outlets. You can save buying on-line but when you add in shipping and other fees, it's often a wash. Nothing like a face-to-face transaction.
JamesArthur60
US Veteran
Ammo at my local GM has always been high. But, speaking of ammo, I was just on Cabela's website to purchase 223. A month ago I bought it on line for $6.99. It's now $8.99 for the same ammo. Something is amiss with ammo. 
Viss
Member
Primers and powder at Cabelas are reasonable enough, but Ganders' prices on reloading components are astronomical.
DWalt
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I have quit going to both Cabelas' and Bass Pro because their prices are way too high on just about everything. I'm pretty much purchasing 100% from internet and gun shows right now. There is a very good ammo source located about a mile from me, it carries an excellent inventory stock and prices are almost as good as the internet sellers.
I'm the "small guy LGS". I don't have a showroom and am not open to the public... but I do sell quite a few guns online and to people I know. I don't have an "inventory" but I do tell people to goto GM and feel out what they want, then deduct at least $100 for MY price.
But they do have a good selection of guns (and inflated price as stated above).
But they do have a good selection of guns (and inflated price as stated above).
Shooting Padre
US Veteran
In my neck of the woods, Gander Mt. is where we go to look at the guns we eventually order somewhere else.
mad220860
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Gander mountain will go out of business! They cannot be running much revenue over there cost to operate. In all the times I've been there people just look at guns and don't buy! Much less there outrageous prices! They all buy from the same distributers,there reason for higher prices over the years is due to slow sales that are tanking fast. Only a matter of time
158 Grain, Worst place in town to shop. Scheel's much better on prices just east down I-72. Better place to eat is Longhorn SteakHouse almost across the street from Texas Roadhouse. But as long as you had a goood time it doesn't really matter.Bullet Express is nice, They also have an underground rifle range. 50yds, IIRC.
LouisianaJoe
Member
My brother made a comment that tells it all.
The difference in customers leaving Academy and GM is that the customers leaving Academy are carrying bags.
The difference in customers leaving Academy and GM is that the customers leaving Academy are carrying bags.
charlie sherrill
Member
Junior and I went to GM and Academy a couple of weeks ago. We went to GM first. When we got to Academy I asked him if he noticed anything different. He said "yea, the people coming out of Academy are carrying stuff they bought." You can find some decent deals at GM if you have a coupon or items are on sale. Unfortunately the sale items usually bring an item back down to what it is selling for somewhere else. GM usually builds in the "high rent district." When Momma comes out of her gated community to buy something for Daddy she doesn't know what it's worth and buys it anyway. It's usually Daddy's money she's spending anyway.
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