Why is Gander Mountain so wishy washy on prices?

[nsl]

I know they are usually overpriced, but I have noticed certain guns are very reasonable compared to other places, if not cheaper.
Some guns may be $200 more at GM than online or other shops, and some may be $20 cheap at GM.
I've only bought 1 gun there, and I think it was a decent buy.

 

[Arik]

I think GM, Cabelas and Bass Pro are all overpriced compared to my local stores. They are always consistently higher. Besides that there really is no blue book on most used guns. Their price reflects what they payed and how much they need to make

 

[TenTea]

Your use of the term *wishy washy* is appreciated.

Seldom used anymore and it made me smile to hear (see) it.

Caveat emptor.

 

[labworm]

Last purchase I made at my LGS was July/14, Sig P238 Equinox.

The firearm cost me $489.99
DM Bullard cross draw leather holster 100.00
Sig 7 round Mag and 3 recoil springs 58.00

Total $647.00

I could have bought the firearm at GM for $749.00

 

[Aticus]

The difference in the price of used guns at the big box stores will depend on what the gun cost them. If the gun was taken in trade they may have more in it than if they bought it outright. Also the tag price may reflect the ability to offer a lower price and still make a profit.

As for new guns remember these big box stores have a larger overhead than the typical LGS so they're going to want a 30% or better profit on the gun. That all means a higher price. Support your LGS, you'll get better service and better knowledge.

If I ever learn to proof read my posts I won't have to edit them so often. ajor face plant!

 

[JohnSW]

but I have noticed certain guns are very reasonable compared to other places, if not cheaper.

I guess that's how they draw people into the store. They draw in you with some reasonable prices, and hope you won't notice the other higher prices.

 

[M29since14]

I think GM, Cabelas and Bass Pro are all overpriced compared to my local stores...

Their price reflects what they payed and how much they need to make.

I used to think that but lately I have seen what I considered some very fair prices at Cabela's - on certain things. They have a lot of stores and a lot of inventory. In addition to what they paid, and their desired profit margin, add how many pieces or similar pieces are in their inventory at that store and elsewhere within their chain, how long those items have been in inventory, and when/whether the various bigwigs who look at cash-flow and inventory levels decide it is time to shake things up a bit. If you keep your eyes on a certain item for any length of time, sometimes you will see a major adjustment, but you have to have the patience to "watch and wait."

When the adjustments come, I have never been able to divine with any certainty if Cabela's is actually attempting to be good at monitoring and managing all these obvious factors, or rather if sometimes they just appear to be doing it.

 

[Arik]

I doubt that I'd find anything there cheaper than my local stores unless someone just happened to make a mistake.

All that stuff has to fall into place!?!?! If they can beat $379 W. German Sig P220s, $315 for like new (bought never taken out of box) G22 with night sights, $350 and under S&W 36 with pinned barrels, $375 S&W 66, ...etc. ...etc ....IF they can beat that then I'll think about going there. These are the prices at just 2 of my local stores

 

[dougb1946]

Yet a lot of people still buy from them and that's fine with me. I do realize that they have a much larger overhead but I just do not want to pay their prices. Case in point. Last week I looked at the M&P 15 Sport. Gander Mountain price was $699 + 7.125% tax. Total cost would be $748.80. Bought the gun online for $529 at gunbuyer.co. free shipping, no tax etc. That's a savings of $219.80. That'll buy me a rifle case, cleaning kit and ammo. I like GM OK but I like myself better.
BTW. My FFL only charges $20 transfer fee so my total saving was $199.80.

May want to read the law-or not brag out loud. Use tax. You are supposed to get a form and send it and a check to MN dept of revenue on all major on line purchases.

http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/Forms_and_Instructions/sales_tax_booklet.pdf

​Use tax is the counterpart of sales tax. You owe use tax when Minnesota sales tax is not charged on taxable items you buy, whether you buy them in Minnesota or outside the stat

$529 + 7.125 plus lawyers fees, court costs, etc.

 

[kozmic]

I've bought a hand full of used guns and several new guns from GM. I believe I got a good deal on all. The last 2 were $400 for a 95% Colt Mustang Plus II, box, book and paperwork and 150 bucks for a near mint, uber-fun model 622.

I'm not a huge fan although I have defended them here repeatedly, but they are a realistic, viable player if you catch them at the right time.

As a disclaimer, I haven't purchased any gun there since they did a big remodel/expansion of their gun dept. and changed their sales philosophy. Bigger ain't always better!

 

[huthike]

Just found a sweet Bodyguard at GM for 350 with original box and loot [emoji4]. But they are overpriced on new stuff. Cabelas has better deals usually on used guns IMHO.


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[S&W Fan]

The one in my area is an interesting place. All their guns/stuff are at full retail, ammo prices stupid high. Lousy small selection of used guns. I go there just to have them do the required background checks on private sales ($20).

All the times I've been in GM you could roll a bowling ball through and not hit anyone except at the gun counter last Saturday-which was all people doing the paper work on private sales lol.

We have two Cabela's in the Denver area, I'm near the one on the south side of the metro area and actually have been getting really good ammo prices on 9mm, .38spl and .45acp. Almost bought a used 59 for $289 last weekend but had committed to the 64-3 I just got. I typically still give most of my money to the small local stores like the one where I found the 64.

 

[Brian41]

GM here has always been high on everything unless on sale. I got a tremendous price on a Columbia quad parka once out of season but seldom see much I'd buy.
I did buy a shotgun barrel there which didn't fit my gun. Since I waited too long before returning it they'd only give me store credit on it. I wound up using it on a Thompson Omega that was only slightly higher than my LGS had them for. The rest of the time I find their gun prices too high especially the rare older S&W revolvers I've found.
I attribute their pricing to be the markup they need to afford the building and it's prime location. I do see some there making purchases at their pricing so some must be fooled or else have more money to burn than me.
I have bought such things as a gun carrier for my quad when they were the only ones carrying them and didn't want to wait for an online purchase and shipping. I did find a helmet there too for a decent price so there are exceptions.

 

[vito]

The only thing I have looked at were new handguns. My local GM has a decent selection most of the time, but the prices are full list price. And their handgun ammo is always way overpriced compared to other places. Maybe they are OK with long guns, or used guns, or hunting ammo, but for me the only thing I actually buy at GM might be accessories such as a zippered handgun case.

 

[gdnagle]

David Hannum said it best "There's a sucker born every minute"

Then again if your happy that's all that matters what you pay. I've overpaid on some things I've had to have.

 

[Mydogmax]

May want to read the law-or not brag out loud. Use tax. You are supposed to get a form and send it and a check to MN dept of revenue on all major on line purchases.

http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/Forms_and_Instructions/sales_tax_booklet.pdf


$529 + 7.125 plus lawyers fees, court costs, etc.

There's always someone, isn't there.

 

[Mcwsky09]

You've got to have inflated prices in order to have weekly sales.
And having some below average prices is often referred to as loss leaders. Giving an exceptional price on very few selected items is a way that most retailers get you into the store where you are likely to also buy other items at inflated prices.