Gander Mountain - bankruptcy
- Thread starter jonnyB
- Start date
David0311
Store in Bemidji has excellent fishing dept--knowledgeable people--
Rest of the store is worthless--especially firearms --no deals --high prices on ammo ect.---and personal with little knowledge--
No were near quality selection of other big boxes or Reeds in Walker--JMO
Store in Bemidji has excellent fishing dept--knowledgeable people--
Rest of the store is worthless--especially firearms --no deals --high prices on ammo ect.---and personal with little knowledge--
No were near quality selection of other big boxes or Reeds in Walker--JMO
UplandHntr
Well-known member
They absolutely can compete. I think they are the largest gun dealer in the country.
They choose not to and are very mis managed
They choose not to and are very mis managed
I hate to see this kind of thing happen. I grew up shopping at Gander Mountain. Once they put all the guns behind the counter and started hiring high school and college kids, who just seem to want an in-store discount, it was only a matter of time. Even Cabelas seems to be going this route. I was in the Rogers, Mn location a couple of weeks ago, on the weekend, and it was dead. Not one sales person asked how I was or if I needed any help. Maybe I'm naive, but I still believe that good CS and knowledgeable sales people make a successful business and not just prices. Scheels here in Fargo dominates the market because of these practices.
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UplandHntr
Well-known member
Good CS and good prices is exactly how businesses are successful. People shop online not just for convenience, but so they don't have to deal with sales people. The prices are the same either online or in store. There are exceptions, but they usually mirror each other.
You don't need the lowest price just competitive prices. Quality CS does not have to come at a high price, just the right people, at the right price. Investing in the people that will help grow your business. That is what will separate you from your competitors. I think it all starts with management, but that's a whole different topic.
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David0311
Largest gun dealer in country---Hard to believe--how did you get that figure?
" They choose not to". ..What be profitable?
Largest gun dealer in country---Hard to believe--how did you get that figure?
" They choose not to". ..What be profitable?
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
With the prices they charge there is no way. I doubt they are even in the top 20.
A few years ago I was looking at a new slug gun and typed it into google. A list of places that had it for sale and their prices came up. Gander was the most expensive. Currently I am looking into a light 20 ga O/U and have done some research. Gander is $150 higher than Runnings. You can't figure out that you need to be more competitive on price in todays world where people can see multiple prices with a few mouse clicks?
I have also been on my own soft boycott of them due to their sponsorship of one of the worst of the TV hunte...uh.....shooters (in my opinion) I don't know if they still sponsor him or not but he is all about the size of the horns. the few times I do go in there, (gift card or looking for something I can't get somewhere else) I end up disappointed with the selection, prices, and customer service.
I have also been on my own soft boycott of them due to their sponsorship of one of the worst of the TV hunte...uh.....shooters (in my opinion) I don't know if they still sponsor him or not but he is all about the size of the horns. the few times I do go in there, (gift card or looking for something I can't get somewhere else) I end up disappointed with the selection, prices, and customer service.
We have a Dick's store here in Minneapolis - in my opinion, worse than Gander MT. Nothing but expensive clothing, golf and baseball products.
Maybe the small sporting goods store is the way of the future...
All the ones I have been to are stand alone stores. That is an expensive model and generally you need larger stores to make the stand alone approach work, like Cabela's or Bass Pro.
Academy makes it work with similar size stand alone stores, but they have a broader sports focus.
Cass
Academy makes it work with similar size stand alone stores, but they have a broader sports focus.
Cass
kick them up
Active member
Gun sales slowing, expanded and renovated too many stores are probably the main factors of the chapter filing. I worked in the field of asset recovery and bankruptcy on a commercial level for 13yrs. The worst part is the little vendors they are screwing over. This will put a stress on the smaller vendors possible causing a ripple bankruptcies. I saw this a lot when Sportsman's filed.
As far as Academy goes they are basically the Dollar General of the outdoors stores.
As far as Academy goes they are basically the Dollar General of the outdoors stores.
Ranger Rick
Member
We have a Gander Mountain here in the Wausau, WI area and it will be one to stay open. I wasn't real happy when they moved into town. What I feared happened; the small mom and pop shop I always went to was forced out of business. Same with local hardware store when Home Depot came in.
High gun prices aside, the Gander we had here at first was a good store and I went there for all of my fishing supplies. Then they moved into a newer, larger building. In my opinion foolish waste of expense to move into another building when the one they were in was less than 10 years old.
In the next phase they became a clothing store. Walk in the front door and you have to wade through the women's clothes to get back to the guns and ammo. I see more women shopping there than hunters/fishermen.
Cabelas is the same. Nothing but clothes and their gun offerings have shriveled. I have one on my route out to Iowa for the annual pheasant hunt, in Prairie du Chien. A couple years ago I needed ammo. Their selection was horrible, with only something like 2 choices for pheasant loads in the shot size I wanted.
High gun prices aside, the Gander we had here at first was a good store and I went there for all of my fishing supplies. Then they moved into a newer, larger building. In my opinion foolish waste of expense to move into another building when the one they were in was less than 10 years old.
In the next phase they became a clothing store. Walk in the front door and you have to wade through the women's clothes to get back to the guns and ammo. I see more women shopping there than hunters/fishermen.
Cabelas is the same. Nothing but clothes and their gun offerings have shriveled. I have one on my route out to Iowa for the annual pheasant hunt, in Prairie du Chien. A couple years ago I needed ammo. Their selection was horrible, with only something like 2 choices for pheasant loads in the shot size I wanted.
BRITTMAN
Well-known member
Gander Mountain does OK on clothing, shoes, boots, fishing equipment. Hunting clothing is fine if on sale.
Gander Mountain does poorly on most hunting equipment and guns. Level of inventory, cross-section / type of goods sold, etc... is simply lacking. There shell selection is poor and under-stocked.
In MN, Mills Fleet Farm has certainly upped the quality level of the outdoor goods they sell. Broader selection of quality products at lower prices ... Gander has to suffer.
Internet is so much easier to purchase any outdoor good if planning ahead. Many offer simple or free returns removing that barrier. Agree on any internet search, Gander (if they have it).
Area competition:
Gander Mountain did buy out Reeds in Brainerd, MN. Forcing them out of that area many years ago.
Gander Mountain does poorly on most hunting equipment and guns. Level of inventory, cross-section / type of goods sold, etc... is simply lacking. There shell selection is poor and under-stocked.
In MN, Mills Fleet Farm has certainly upped the quality level of the outdoor goods they sell. Broader selection of quality products at lower prices ... Gander has to suffer.
Internet is so much easier to purchase any outdoor good if planning ahead. Many offer simple or free returns removing that barrier. Agree on any internet search, Gander (if they have it).
Area competition:
Gander Mountain did buy out Reeds in Brainerd, MN. Forcing them out of that area many years ago.
UGUIDE
Active member
Not that surprising. They did a remodel a few years back and it left me scratching my head. Did not do much biz with them since.
Cabelas has been a very good partner in the outdoor business. Expertise and either product on hand or can get it very quick.
Cabelas visa does not hurt either.
Cabelas has been a very good partner in the outdoor business. Expertise and either product on hand or can get it very quick.
Cabelas visa does not hurt either.
Montana Husker
Banned
I just had Gander cancel a order of Cannon Downriggers, kept putting me off since Feb. 21, finally learned today they cancelled order. Offered nothing to resolve situation. I would urge folks to avoid buying from Gander if this is how they choose to do business, I will never buy from them.