Gander Mountain Dissapointment

[Tubbs]

Went to Gander Mountain Saginaw last night to pick up some Opti oil. They were out of stock (again). Wanted to pick up some size 4 gamakatsu walleye hooks or octopus. Out of stock. Wanted to get some #5 gold Northland Baitfish blades. Out of Stock (for 6 weeks now). Wanted to get my reels filled. Out of stock on Trilene xl and XT 10lb. I did notice however - on my way out - that they had fully stocked racks of "Orange County Choppers" and "Monster Garage" shirts.

What's wrong with this picture?

[Gander Mt Guide]

Sounds like a fishing manager who needs to do a little more research on what's in demand. It's the dept. manager's responsibility to keep shelves stocked. I'd say next time in find him/her and let them know what's happening. Reemeber, there is a computer network that allows us to find On Hands at other Ganders. If there's one close to you, ask an associate to help you track stuff down at another store or have it shipped in for you.

My manager has some words of wisdom that I'm going to follow as well..."The day Gander starts selling Golf equipment, that's my last day." The OCC stuff is kinda "iffy" to me, but it's far from my call.

[Bean Counter.]

Was at a Gander here in Mn last week. Did not find what I had come to the store looking for, but purchased several other items.

At the checkout counter, the clerk asked "Did you find everything you were looking for?" I said "No".

That was the end of the conversation. No follow up response. I found that unsual to say the least.

[Bean Counter.]

Was at a Gander here in Mn last week. Did not find what I had come to the store looking for, but purchased several other items.

At the checkout counter, the clerk asked "Did you find everything you were looking for?" I said "No".

That was the end of the conversation. No follow up response. I found that unsual to say the least.

[Tubbs]

If the fishing dept. manager cannot see by looking at the empty rack that things are out of stock (for WEEKS!), then I think that the fishing manager needs to be replaced.

At least if the OCC was in camo it wouldn't be as far out of place. But seeing an OCC jacket with flames on the sleeves? What part of Hunt. Fish, Camp. does that fit in?

Anyway thanks for the reply.

[Gander Mt Guide]

Tubbs,

The motor oil I'll give you, if it's been out a while, then its easy to see. But individual peg hooks can go un-noticed, especially when the computer system doesn't do it's job and reorder (probally because there's backstock in the store room or there's a problem with On Hands). There's over 11,000 items in the fishing dept at a small store. Help the manager out a little and fill him in. If he/she knows what's missing they can "tap" another store who's not moving that item. Problem solved in less than a week.

There's no need to leave a store PO'd....talk to a manager about what's missing. ####, I write down stuff that guys are looking for and forward that to my manager. You'd be suprised what happens when a customer makes himself heard.

[Lance]

Tubbs:

Send me an e-mail, or call me. I have everything you want at my store.

Lance Valentine
lance@walleye-101.com
810-629-2291

[Lance]

Tubbs:

Send me an e-mail, or call me. I have everything you want at my store.

Lance Valentine
lance@walleye-101.com
810-629-2291

[perchjerker]

When i was a youngin working at a local Kmart while in high school, one of my jobs was to stock the shelves in the department I was working in.. If we didnt have something, I would write it down on a piece of paper and the manager would order it the next day.

Pretty simple concept LOL

[Tubbs]

Thanks Lance -

But I got the oil at Hoyles and the spinners and hooks at Franks. The fact is that I've been at the Saginaw store twice over the past three weeks to get my reels filled. Out of stock on Trilene - THAT CLOSE TO SAGINAW BAY???? How can a store be out of stock on Trilene for three weeks? For crying out loud - order some from Cabelas and get it done while you are waiting for a new supply!!! And if the fishing manager would simply look at the shelf where the Northland spinners are - those racks without them (almost no #5 spinners at all) would stick out like a sore thumb. Should be no need for the customer to say a thing - regardless if they have 11,000 items. Same thing for the rack with the gama hooks. It's naked! Like Perchjerker said - but maybe not in so many words - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that a rack of oil is empty or that shelves are bare. Don't get me wrong - I'd much rather shop at Gander than almost any other store, but when I see supply on hand low for weeks at a time, but a new shipment of Orange County Choppers shirts - it makes wonder where the company is heading.

[Tubbs]

Thanks Lance -

But I got the oil at Hoyles and the spinners and hooks at Franks. The fact is that I've been at the Saginaw store twice over the past three weeks to get my reels filled. Out of stock on Trilene - THAT CLOSE TO SAGINAW BAY???? How can a store be out of stock on Trilene for three weeks? For crying out loud - order some from Cabelas and get it done while you are waiting for a new supply!!! And if the fishing manager would simply look at the shelf where the Northland spinners are - those racks without them (almost no #5 spinners at all) would stick out like a sore thumb. Should be no need for the customer to say a thing - regardless if they have 11,000 items. Same thing for the rack with the gama hooks. It's naked! Like Perchjerker said - but maybe not in so many words - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that a rack of oil is empty or that shelves are bare. Don't get me wrong - I'd much rather shop at Gander than almost any other store, but when I see supply on hand low for weeks at a time, but a new shipment of Orange County Choppers shirts - it makes wonder where the company is heading.

[Gander Mt Guide]

With a computer system that automatically orders when a peg goes to zero, there's usually no need to do that. A major problem is vendor supply. With 70+ Ganders, each store is alloted a certain amount from one big order. Sometimes vendors can keep up with our demand..thus the "tapping" from stores who maybe are'nt selling an item as quickly as others.

[Gander Mt Guide]

With a computer system that automatically orders when a peg goes to zero, there's usually no need to do that. A major problem is vendor supply. With 70+ Ganders, each store is alloted a certain amount from one big order. Sometimes vendors can keep up with our demand..thus the "tapping" from stores who maybe are'nt selling an item as quickly as others.

[cranker2]

Tubbs,
I know of the scenario you've described all too often at the Gander in Merrillville, IN. It has gotten to the point were I will not give them my business unless I am in dire straits. I'd rather pay th extra couple bucks now and get it shipped from Cabelas. The common question "did you find everthying o.k.?" is anwsered with a "No" then the deer in the headlights look from the cashier who has absolutely no clue what your're talking about nods and continues to check you out. Can't remember once a cashier actually taking out a pen & paper to write it down.
The majority of the time once it is out of stock you can forget about it till next year. Went there early summer looking for worm bedding, sampo swivels, red octopus hooks, and 20/6 power pro and didn't find any of them. Went back last week to pick up a slide diver. Still no power pro, hooks, and only (1) pack of #3 sampos. Yet they do have a whole bank of registers that I have never, ever seen open. Good use of floor space. I honestly believe they know they are out of stock they just do not want(or do not have the authority) to re-order once it get's to a certian time of the year (even if that's 2 weeks after they stock it in May!). I can understand on some specialty items but terminal tackle and basic stuff shouldn't be one of them.

-cranker'

[cranker2]

Tubbs,
I know of the scenario you've described all too often at the Gander in Merrillville, IN. It has gotten to the point were I will not give them my business unless I am in dire straits. I'd rather pay th extra couple bucks now and get it shipped from Cabelas. The common question "did you find everthying o.k.?" is anwsered with a "No" then the deer in the headlights look from the cashier who has absolutely no clue what your're talking about nods and continues to check you out. Can't remember once a cashier actually taking out a pen & paper to write it down.
The majority of the time once it is out of stock you can forget about it till next year. Went there early summer looking for worm bedding, sampo swivels, red octopus hooks, and 20/6 power pro and didn't find any of them. Went back last week to pick up a slide diver. Still no power pro, hooks, and only (1) pack of #3 sampos. Yet they do have a whole bank of registers that I have never, ever seen open. Good use of floor space. I honestly believe they know they are out of stock they just do not want(or do not have the authority) to re-order once it get's to a certian time of the year (even if that's 2 weeks after they stock it in May!). I can understand on some specialty items but terminal tackle and basic stuff shouldn't be one of them.

-cranker'

[Gander Mt Guide]

Tubbs,

I promise you wont be seeing the Sr., Mikey, Jr. and Vinny Bobble Head dolls at Gander anytime soon.

[Gander Mt Guide]

Tubbs,

I promise you wont be seeing the Sr., Mikey, Jr. and Vinny Bobble Head dolls at Gander anytime soon.

[perchjerker]

I think the idea is to order before the peg goes to zero. ;)

just funnin with ya.

The Gander superstore they just opened up in Novi Mich has been great at re-stocking.

[perchjerker]

I think the idea is to order before the peg goes to zero. ;)

just funnin with ya.

The Gander superstore they just opened up in Novi Mich has been great at re-stocking.

[Tubbs]

You promise??? The day I see that will be the last day I go to Gander.

I asked the lady checking me out about the OCC stuff and what that had to do with hunting, fishing, or camping. Her response was that the chain just opened a store near the OCC headquarters in NY.

So they are selling them in Saginaw??? Man, I bet the store in New York is close to a McDonalds. Maybe they'll start selling Ronald McDonald shirts soon.

[Tubbs]

You promise??? The day I see that will be the last day I go to Gander.

I asked the lady checking me out about the OCC stuff and what that had to do with hunting, fishing, or camping. Her response was that the chain just opened a store near the OCC headquarters in NY.

So they are selling them in Saginaw??? Man, I bet the store in New York is close to a McDonalds. Maybe they'll start selling Ronald McDonald shirts soon.

[Tubbs]

Amen, Perchjerker

[Tubbs]

Amen, Perchjerker

[Gander Mt Guide]

1 word...Overhead. Who's going to sift through 11,000 items and decide which ones should be ordered at 5,4 or three? maybe you could PJ, you seem to have a ton of time on your hands!:D

[Gander Mt Guide]

1 word...Overhead. Who's going to sift through 11,000 items and decide which ones should be ordered at 5,4 or three? maybe you could PJ, you seem to have a ton of time on your hands!:D

[perchjerker]

Easy there boy.

Cabelas does.

I will just go there where I know where they will have it.

Since I "have the time" on my hands, it will be worth the extra drive time. At least I will get it without coming out of the store empty handed like I do at the other Gander I try to give my business to.

thanks

[perchjerker]

Easy there boy.

Cabelas does.

I will just go there where I know where they will have it.

Since I "have the time" on my hands, it will be worth the extra drive time. At least I will get it without coming out of the store empty handed like I do at the other Gander I try to give my business to.

thanks

[Greg Meyer]

Can you say; "Expanded too fast..."

I have been a GM customer since the good old days in Wilmot... I've seen them falter and now start to come back... But, the growth in the number of stores has taxed their ability to manage to beyond the break point.

I wish them luck... But, I don't have high expectations of their working it out. I do not get a good feel in their Batavia, IL store except in the gun dept... The fishing dept is not well staffed or managed. I asked about a particular brand of lure and got a "sheepish" look and then an admission; "I'm normally in X dept and don't know anything about fishing... sorry but all the fishing guys are off tonight..." What an answer...

[Greg Meyer]

Can you say; "Expanded too fast..."

I have been a GM customer since the good old days in Wilmot... I've seen them falter and now start to come back... But, the growth in the number of stores has taxed their ability to manage to beyond the break point.

I wish them luck... But, I don't have high expectations of their working it out. I do not get a good feel in their Batavia, IL store except in the gun dept... The fishing dept is not well staffed or managed. I asked about a particular brand of lure and got a "sheepish" look and then an admission; "I'm normally in X dept and don't know anything about fishing... sorry but all the fishing guys are off tonight..." What an answer...

[Gander Mt Guide]

Easy there lad, dont want you to waste all that time bickering.

Cabela's does only a fraction of the Retail business we do. And I might add, we're cheaper than them on most items, if not we match with double the difference on local competition. It's easy to keep 6 stores stocked, try 76.

I agree that we need to do a better job of keeping items on hand, all Gander asks is that you guys help us do it by making suggestions. the whole idea is to help you find stuff, not keep it from you.

[Gander Mt Guide]

Easy there lad, dont want you to waste all that time bickering.

Cabela's does only a fraction of the Retail business we do. And I might add, we're cheaper than them on most items, if not we match with double the difference on local competition. It's easy to keep 6 stores stocked, try 76.

I agree that we need to do a better job of keeping items on hand, all Gander asks is that you guys help us do it by making suggestions. the whole idea is to help you find stuff, not keep it from you.

[perchjerker]

Fair enough.

Next time Im there I will take my trust pen and paper like we did in the old days and do my own inventory.



;)

[perchjerker]

Fair enough.

Next time Im there I will take my trust pen and paper like we did in the old days and do my own inventory.



;)

[Gander Mt Guide]

hahahahaa......bring more than one sheet of paper!

[Gander Mt Guide]

hahahahaa......bring more than one sheet of paper!

[tubbs]

Give them a couple of weeks PJ - you'll probably be able to find lots of paper when they open their "back to school supplies" section. Should be somewhere behingd the OCC shirts, greeting cards,frozen food and ballet shoes.

[tubbs]

Give them a couple of weeks PJ - you'll probably be able to find lots of paper when they open their "back to school supplies" section. Should be somewhere behingd the OCC shirts, greeting cards,frozen food and ballet shoes.

[perchjerker]

Actually, Guide. I think most of the guys responding to this thread really want to see Gander improve and do business with them. Like I said, the new superstore in Novi Mi is great. I was in there the other day browsing through the spoons and the guy working there came over to me and asked me if was finding everything ok (which I was) them he tells me he just put of bunch of the Gander spoons on the clearance rack for .99 and help me look through them to find a few colors. I would never have seen them if he didnt point them out.

Turns out last Sunday those .99 spoons came through. They were the only thing catching fish!

[perchjerker]

Actually, Guide. I think most of the guys responding to this thread really want to see Gander improve and do business with them. Like I said, the new superstore in Novi Mi is great. I was in there the other day browsing through the spoons and the guy working there came over to me and asked me if was finding everything ok (which I was) them he tells me he just put of bunch of the Gander spoons on the clearance rack for .99 and help me look through them to find a few colors. I would never have seen them if he didnt point them out.

Turns out last Sunday those .99 spoons came through. They were the only thing catching fish!

[Tubbs]

I'm with PJ - Like I said earlier I'd much rather shop there than anywhere else. It's closer, the prices are better, and in general I have a pretty good experience every time that I go there. The "out of stock", issue however, does seem to be a chronic flaw of that store across the country. The only way to be at the top of the list is to make sure that the shelves are full and the customers are happy. And as far as your comment about when products should be reordered - 3, 4 or 5? The answer is they should be reordered so there is ALWAYS product there. The computer should be able to determine the demand by mining the transactions.

I will give Gander one word of warning. I have it from a fairly reliable source (who works for the company that underwrote their IPO)that Cabelas is exploring the idea of "neighborhood" stores - much smaller compared to the big ones - but just about the same size as Gander. In the sporting goods world, Cabalas has the potential to be a "WalMart". You already can probably figure out what that means.

I'm hopeful that someone at headquarters is watching this thread and can step to the plate.

I'll shut up now. Good luck and thanks.

[Tubbs]

I'm with PJ - Like I said earlier I'd much rather shop there than anywhere else. It's closer, the prices are better, and in general I have a pretty good experience every time that I go there. The "out of stock", issue however, does seem to be a chronic flaw of that store across the country. The only way to be at the top of the list is to make sure that the shelves are full and the customers are happy. And as far as your comment about when products should be reordered - 3, 4 or 5? The answer is they should be reordered so there is ALWAYS product there. The computer should be able to determine the demand by mining the transactions.

I will give Gander one word of warning. I have it from a fairly reliable source (who works for the company that underwrote their IPO)that Cabelas is exploring the idea of "neighborhood" stores - much smaller compared to the big ones - but just about the same size as Gander. In the sporting goods world, Cabalas has the potential to be a "WalMart". You already can probably figure out what that means.

I'm hopeful that someone at headquarters is watching this thread and can step to the plate.

I'll shut up now. Good luck and thanks.

[Gander Mt Guide]

Look for the new Gary Parsons and Keith Kavaicz lunch boxes!

[Gander Mt Guide]

Look for the new Gary Parsons and Keith Kavaicz lunch boxes!

[JAWS]

Here in the Twin Cities, it seems like this time of year the fishing department gets ignored completely. Now they are busy getting ready for hunting. I am almost to the point of not even going to Gander once opener is over. The things I cannot find at Gander I can find in stock at Fleet Farm or Galyans. Fleet Farm even keeps their fishing department completely stocked year round, which is really nice every year when I am looking through my tackle box in January and February to stock up on what I need once the water opens up.

If someone at Gander is paying attention, I fish until the water freezes, I ice fish all winter, and I start fishing again as soon as the water opens up. I start buying supplies for the next open water season as early as February.

Where I live Gander Mountain is the closest, but I drive by Fleet Farm and Galyans everyday. Sportsman Warehouse is only a short drive out of the way. Cabelas' is an hour drive away. Better yet I can mail order from Cabela's and if my order is more than $200.00 (which it commonly is) it is cheaper to pay shipping than sales tax.

Everytime the shelves are empty, the longer it will be before I stop again.

[JAWS]

Here in the Twin Cities, it seems like this time of year the fishing department gets ignored completely. Now they are busy getting ready for hunting. I am almost to the point of not even going to Gander once opener is over. The things I cannot find at Gander I can find in stock at Fleet Farm or Galyans. Fleet Farm even keeps their fishing department completely stocked year round, which is really nice every year when I am looking through my tackle box in January and February to stock up on what I need once the water opens up.

If someone at Gander is paying attention, I fish until the water freezes, I ice fish all winter, and I start fishing again as soon as the water opens up. I start buying supplies for the next open water season as early as February.

Where I live Gander Mountain is the closest, but I drive by Fleet Farm and Galyans everyday. Sportsman Warehouse is only a short drive out of the way. Cabelas' is an hour drive away. Better yet I can mail order from Cabela's and if my order is more than $200.00 (which it commonly is) it is cheaper to pay shipping than sales tax.

Everytime the shelves are empty, the longer it will be before I stop again.

[Terroreyes]

The Gander over here told me they only order once a year on alot of stuff and I've noticed that it's very true. I waited months last year to get a 3/8 yellow/white Northland spinner till someone was kind enough to tell me about their once a year ordering. I bought evey one, about 10, when they came in early this spring and haven't seen another since. Rapalas? Wiped out a good portion of their 5 & 7 shad raps on custom orders this spring. Still out, they just spread out the remaining ones to fill the gaps. 30# leader? Same story. Could go on and on. I still shop there more than any other store, but they've got alot to work on. Maybe take some of that discretion out of the store managers hands and have corporate wide policies instead????
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[Terroreyes]

The Gander over here told me they only order once a year on alot of stuff and I've noticed that it's very true. I waited months last year to get a 3/8 yellow/white Northland spinner till someone was kind enough to tell me about their once a year ordering. I bought evey one, about 10, when they came in early this spring and haven't seen another since. Rapalas? Wiped out a good portion of their 5 & 7 shad raps on custom orders this spring. Still out, they just spread out the remaining ones to fill the gaps. 30# leader? Same story. Could go on and on. I still shop there more than any other store, but they've got alot to work on. Maybe take some of that discretion out of the store managers hands and have corporate wide policies instead????
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[Gander Mt Guide]

WRONG...very very wrong. There is no 1 item that is ordered once a year and never reorded again if it's being bought. Gander may order X amount based on sales of the previous year plus what they expect to sell, if we sell more (and run out) we'll reorder. HERE's the IMPORTANT PART!

We can order until we're "blue in the face", but if a vendor is done with it's manufactuering or puts us on a wait list..what can Gander do? We sell things, not make them. Example...Frabill makes just so many Ranger XLT shantys, if we run out, we'll try to order more, if Frabill is out...we're out of luck...now it's OUR fault??

The last thing you want is for the corporate office to have to order everything...not that they cant, it would take wayyyyyyyy too long to get items to the stores. Store managers and dept managers have to be responsible for stocking...and believe me, availability is way better than it was a year or two ago.

[Gander Mt Guide]

WRONG...very very wrong. There is no 1 item that is ordered once a year and never reorded again if it's being bought. Gander may order X amount based on sales of the previous year plus what they expect to sell, if we sell more (and run out) we'll reorder. HERE's the IMPORTANT PART!

We can order until we're "blue in the face", but if a vendor is done with it's manufactuering or puts us on a wait list..what can Gander do? We sell things, not make them. Example...Frabill makes just so many Ranger XLT shantys, if we run out, we'll try to order more, if Frabill is out...we're out of luck...now it's OUR fault??

The last thing you want is for the corporate office to have to order everything...not that they cant, it would take wayyyyyyyy too long to get items to the stores. Store managers and dept managers have to be responsible for stocking...and believe me, availability is way better than it was a year or two ago.

[Tubbs]

The other local stores always seem to get the Northland spinners when they run out. I can even go to their website and order them directly. So, why then does Gander have such a hard time getting them? It doesn't seem to be a vendor problem, the problem seems to lie at the retail level.

[Tubbs]

The other local stores always seem to get the Northland spinners when they run out. I can even go to their website and order them directly. So, why then does Gander have such a hard time getting them? It doesn't seem to be a vendor problem, the problem seems to lie at the retail level.

[Gander Mt Guide]

Maybe the other stores dont sell as many as Gander? And some vendors will always have thier own stock for online or catalog orders that's seprate from stock sent to stores.

[Gander Mt Guide]

Maybe the other stores dont sell as many as Gander? And some vendors will always have thier own stock for online or catalog orders that's seprate from stock sent to stores.

[Tubbs]

Hey - here's a novel idea.....

IF YOU RUN OUT OF NORTHLAND SPINNERS AT GM, GO HERE AND ORDER SOME LIKE I JUST DID!

http://www.northlandtackle.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=314

[In fact they are cheaper than GM, (from what I remember), I don't see many in the store these days]

Hey Guide - quit sticking up for your store and trying to find some compelling reason to excuse their shoddy product selection - call headquarters and let them know they are getting flamed on WC and they can easily put a stop to it by getting the shelves stocked,

Thanks. Over and Out.

[Tubbs]

Hey - here's a novel idea.....

IF YOU RUN OUT OF NORTHLAND SPINNERS AT GM, GO HERE AND ORDER SOME LIKE I JUST DID!

http://www.northlandtackle.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=314

[In fact they are cheaper than GM, (from what I remember), I don't see many in the store these days]

Hey Guide - quit sticking up for your store and trying to find some compelling reason to excuse their shoddy product selection - call headquarters and let them know they are getting flamed on WC and they can easily put a stop to it by getting the shelves stocked,

Thanks. Over and Out.

[Rippin_Eyes]

Tubes, I'm sure if you email gander mt guide he can put you in touch with who you have to complain too. The management of the stores is the main issue. I have been to good stores and bad at Scheels, Cabelas, Gander, Galyans, and what have you. If you talk to the manager things will get taken care of. Some people that work at these stores don't share the same passion as you and I might have, but it is a job for them. I just got hired at the new store opening in Mankato in the hunting dept. and if I notice something I can assure you I will be complaining. It doesn't look good if you are out of this or that. If someone has a complaint or compliment I hope they let me know about it vs. coming on here ranting and raving. It is hard to take a claim seriously if someone just yaps and never takes the initative to correct the problem. I could complain all day long about the service I recived at Cabelas, or Scheels but if I don't tell the manager, what good did it do me???

[Rippin_Eyes]

Tubes, I'm sure if you email gander mt guide he can put you in touch with who you have to complain too. The management of the stores is the main issue. I have been to good stores and bad at Scheels, Cabelas, Gander, Galyans, and what have you. If you talk to the manager things will get taken care of. Some people that work at these stores don't share the same passion as you and I might have, but it is a job for them. I just got hired at the new store opening in Mankato in the hunting dept. and if I notice something I can assure you I will be complaining. It doesn't look good if you are out of this or that. If someone has a complaint or compliment I hope they let me know about it vs. coming on here ranting and raving. It is hard to take a claim seriously if someone just yaps and never takes the initative to correct the problem. I could complain all day long about the service I recived at Cabelas, or Scheels but if I don't tell the manager, what good did it do me???

[birddog]

Lots of replies, but I have to get in on this. I recently stopped by the Gander in Wayzata, MN. ready to spend $800 on a new rifle, a 270 short mag. I asked the gun guy if I could take a look at a couple of rifles in that caliber, He says to me, "why on earth would you want that caliber, there are better" These were the first words out of his mouth! I told him that is the cal. I want. He went into his ballistics shpeel, I let him know that I have researched this and I've made up my mind! He then told me "I would never buy that caliber", obviously a "know it all"! I told him he obviously didn't want to sell me this rifle today so I will go some were else and make the purchase! Only then did he realize I was serious about buying and changed his toon! After a few choice words for the dink, I walked out and havn't returned since!

And yes I can tell about them always being out of stock, I stopped by the St. Cloud Gander to rig my boat this spring. I needed to rig my boat with, rod holders and mounts, marine radio, anchor, rope, gps, graphs, ect. ect.! The only thing they had in stock was 1 of the graphs I wanted, I left and drove the 1 1/2 hours to cabelas, they had everything we needed and the fishing dept manager even walked around with us for a hour to make sure we got everything we needed! Now thats great! We spent 2,300 hundred that day, that would have been spent at gander If they would have had it in stock!!!!!!

BIRDDOG

[birddog]

Lots of replies, but I have to get in on this. I recently stopped by the Gander in Wayzata, MN. ready to spend $800 on a new rifle, a 270 short mag. I asked the gun guy if I could take a look at a couple of rifles in that caliber, He says to me, "why on earth would you want that caliber, there are better" These were the first words out of his mouth! I told him that is the cal. I want. He went into his ballistics shpeel, I let him know that I have researched this and I've made up my mind! He then told me "I would never buy that caliber", obviously a "know it all"! I told him he obviously didn't want to sell me this rifle today so I will go some were else and make the purchase! Only then did he realize I was serious about buying and changed his toon! After a few choice words for the dink, I walked out and havn't returned since!

And yes I can tell about them always being out of stock, I stopped by the St. Cloud Gander to rig my boat this spring. I needed to rig my boat with, rod holders and mounts, marine radio, anchor, rope, gps, graphs, ect. ect.! The only thing they had in stock was 1 of the graphs I wanted, I left and drove the 1 1/2 hours to cabelas, they had everything we needed and the fishing dept manager even walked around with us for a hour to make sure we got everything we needed! Now thats great! We spent 2,300 hundred that day, that would have been spent at gander If they would have had it in stock!!!!!!

BIRDDOG

[Sidge]

You know where this subject of always being out of stock on items needs to be brought up is at the annual stockholders meeting that GM holds once a year. I the stockholders knew what was happening can you imagine what would happen to the stock price! The stock symbol is GMTN and Yahoo even has a message board that shareholders can voice their opition about this stock and how the company is run. The web address is: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mb?s=GMTN

[Sidge]

You know where this subject of always being out of stock on items needs to be brought up is at the annual stockholders meeting that GM holds once a year. I the stockholders knew what was happening can you imagine what would happen to the stock price! The stock symbol is GMTN and Yahoo even has a message board that shareholders can voice their opition about this stock and how the company is run. The web address is: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mb?s=GMTN

[Terroreyes]

<WRONG...very very wrong. There is no 1 item that is ordered once a year and never reorded again if it's being bought. Gander may order X amount based on sales of the previous year plus what they expect to sell, if we sell more (and run out) we'll reorder.>

Ok then, if that's your theory, then why if they ran out of those spinners last year in July or so, did they not order more than 10 this year? They were out in early April, I believe, when I bought every one. Still none after almost 5 months? If the local guy down the street can restock all year from Northland, then why not a big retailer like Gander? What about Rapala? Big Gander Mtn. has no pull with them if the stock is gone? Besides glass shads, not one single Rap has been restocked since the spring. This I can guarantee you! Try to find a blue/white #5 shad rap there. You won't. Baby bass? None of those either. I bought them all in February and March. Berkely? No more Lightning Rods till next year. Best they could do was to unsuccessfully try and locate one at another store. Maybe your store or this one is different from the rest, but everything I've stated is 100% accurate.
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[Terroreyes]

<WRONG...very very wrong. There is no 1 item that is ordered once a year and never reorded again if it's being bought. Gander may order X amount based on sales of the previous year plus what they expect to sell, if we sell more (and run out) we'll reorder.>

Ok then, if that's your theory, then why if they ran out of those spinners last year in July or so, did they not order more than 10 this year? They were out in early April, I believe, when I bought every one. Still none after almost 5 months? If the local guy down the street can restock all year from Northland, then why not a big retailer like Gander? What about Rapala? Big Gander Mtn. has no pull with them if the stock is gone? Besides glass shads, not one single Rap has been restocked since the spring. This I can guarantee you! Try to find a blue/white #5 shad rap there. You won't. Baby bass? None of those either. I bought them all in February and March. Berkely? No more Lightning Rods till next year. Best they could do was to unsuccessfully try and locate one at another store. Maybe your store or this one is different from the rest, but everything I've stated is 100% accurate.
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[Shellback]

Maybe Gander preorders x number of items from a manufacturer or supplier for each years sales, when that number has been delivered, that's it for the year. I would think manufacturers make so many items each year, x number for large retailers, x number for distributers to smaller sporting goods, and maybe some as extra stock. Quite possibly they can't supply Gander with more products without shorting someone else.

[Shellback]

Maybe Gander preorders x number of items from a manufacturer or supplier for each years sales, when that number has been delivered, that's it for the year. I would think manufacturers make so many items each year, x number for large retailers, x number for distributers to smaller sporting goods, and maybe some as extra stock. Quite possibly they can't supply Gander with more products without shorting someone else.

[Terroreyes]

That's probably true, but it's Ganders responsibility to have some in the back, not every one on the shelves and that's it. That's probably because of space and inventory limitation, or whatever, but that's what seperates them from the Bass Pro's and Cabela's. Then again, Gander Mountain's are usually much closer than traveling across the state(s) to find a BP or Cabelas. Maybe someday someone will find the magic formula.
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[Terroreyes]

That's probably true, but it's Ganders responsibility to have some in the back, not every one on the shelves and that's it. That's probably because of space and inventory limitation, or whatever, but that's what seperates them from the Bass Pro's and Cabela's. Then again, Gander Mountain's are usually much closer than traveling across the state(s) to find a BP or Cabelas. Maybe someday someone will find the magic formula.
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[BigBass]

Funny, I was at the Maplewood, MN store and they did not have (any Brand) lindy rig sliding weight in the 1/4 ounce size? Also they where out of Single hook Stinger hooks - ya know for like Fireball Jigs. Went to Oakdale Fleet Farm and picked them both up for a little bit less money!

Didn't really put much thought into it - but I have ran into the problem at the Woodbury store also.

[BigBass]

Funny, I was at the Maplewood, MN store and they did not have (any Brand) lindy rig sliding weight in the 1/4 ounce size? Also they where out of Single hook Stinger hooks - ya know for like Fireball Jigs. Went to Oakdale Fleet Farm and picked them both up for a little bit less money!

Didn't really put much thought into it - but I have ran into the problem at the Woodbury store also.

[Terroreyes]

<Yet they do have a whole bank of registers that I have never, ever seen open. Good use of floor space.>

Wow! So it's not just here? There's 4 or 5 registers that are never open and just piled with crap ever since they've been here.

Pssssstttttt....... Have stuff in stock, a good selection, and you may just have enough customers to fill those lanes! You don't see too many closed lanes at Cabelas or BPS.
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[Terroreyes]

<Yet they do have a whole bank of registers that I have never, ever seen open. Good use of floor space.>

Wow! So it's not just here? There's 4 or 5 registers that are never open and just piled with crap ever since they've been here.

Pssssstttttt....... Have stuff in stock, a good selection, and you may just have enough customers to fill those lanes! You don't see too many closed lanes at Cabelas or BPS.
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[Sportdog]

I have no doubt that the complaints registered against GM are true and it sure sounds like they need to get it together. That being said, I have had excellent service from them including the gun department where I had a Remington rifle getting a factory safety alteration made through GM, the fishing department where the staff has always been very helpful, resonable pricing, and great seminars with Lance Valentine's Walleye 101 at the Lansing, MI store and the Big Water Fishing clinic at the Kalamazoo, MI store. I try to support the local bait & tackle stores but talk about no selection! I do understand that a local shop can't compete in pricing or selection but I wish that I could count the number of times I have went there at say 7:30 AM (Opening time) and had to wait for up to an hour and sometimes he would never show up. I guess that nothings perfect and all you can do is what you can do!

[Sportdog]

I have no doubt that the complaints registered against GM are true and it sure sounds like they need to get it together. That being said, I have had excellent service from them including the gun department where I had a Remington rifle getting a factory safety alteration made through GM, the fishing department where the staff has always been very helpful, resonable pricing, and great seminars with Lance Valentine's Walleye 101 at the Lansing, MI store and the Big Water Fishing clinic at the Kalamazoo, MI store. I try to support the local bait & tackle stores but talk about no selection! I do understand that a local shop can't compete in pricing or selection but I wish that I could count the number of times I have went there at say 7:30 AM (Opening time) and had to wait for up to an hour and sometimes he would never show up. I guess that nothings perfect and all you can do is what you can do!

[MikeMT]

Gander MT Guide;
I applaud you for taking the heat!I thought we were all here to help each other out and share our passion for fishing,but this thread is somewhat cruel!
My home is in Glendive Montana and it is a black hole for sporting good stores,especially fishing\tackle,I would give almost anything to have a Gander Mountain or any other major store in town.It is a sportsman paradise out here but the lack of people,good jobs,and money,cannot support a store such as yours.Though if you get tired of the attitudes there,move out here,and start your own business.You will definitely be appreciated and you may get lucky and even make a living!
Mike Gibbs

[MikeMT]

Gander MT Guide;
I applaud you for taking the heat!I thought we were all here to help each other out and share our passion for fishing,but this thread is somewhat cruel!
My home is in Glendive Montana and it is a black hole for sporting good stores,especially fishing\tackle,I would give almost anything to have a Gander Mountain or any other major store in town.It is a sportsman paradise out here but the lack of people,good jobs,and money,cannot support a store such as yours.Though if you get tired of the attitudes there,move out here,and start your own business.You will definitely be appreciated and you may get lucky and even make a living!
Mike Gibbs

[Ken Lay]

Accounts Payable had a valid point about the possibility of Gander not paying the previous invoices and being on credit hold so new product could be shipped. Stringing out suppliers is not limited to the retail fishing tackle business. Gander has done it for years. Suppliers just cut off the new shipments until Gander starts writing them a check on a timely manner. Why does Walleye Central let customers rake retailers over because of not ordering the product then WHEN plausible explanations get suggested they pick and choose what explanation they want YOU to hear?????????

Censoring the possible and plausible financial explanations is short sighted and petty. Walleye Central efforts to sanitize an unsanitary world is not appreciated. People need to hear ALL possible expanations to a problem NOt just the ones that are acceptable to WC.

[Ken Lay]

Accounts Payable had a valid point about the possibility of Gander not paying the previous invoices and being on credit hold so new product could be shipped. Stringing out suppliers is not limited to the retail fishing tackle business. Gander has done it for years. Suppliers just cut off the new shipments until Gander starts writing them a check on a timely manner. Why does Walleye Central let customers rake retailers over because of not ordering the product then WHEN plausible explanations get suggested they pick and choose what explanation they want YOU to hear?????????

Censoring the possible and plausible financial explanations is short sighted and petty. Walleye Central efforts to sanitize an unsanitary world is not appreciated. People need to hear ALL possible expanations to a problem NOt just the ones that are acceptable to WC.

[Ken Lay]

You can wait till Hades freezes over and if the wholesaler or Trilene direct doesn't get paid there will be NO 10 XT at the Saginaw Gander store. ZILCH NADA NOTHING. IT is as plain as the nose on your face, Gander is slow paying it's creditors and the result is starting to show up as empty spots on the shelves.

[Ken Lay]

You can wait till Hades freezes over and if the wholesaler or Trilene direct doesn't get paid there will be NO 10 XT at the Saginaw Gander store. ZILCH NADA NOTHING. IT is as plain as the nose on your face, Gander is slow paying it's creditors and the result is starting to show up as empty spots on the shelves.

[Stormsearch]

I remember the days that all we had was Dunham's. If you wanted something, you had to order by calling BassPro or Cabela's or GM. Then Sports Authority started opening stores. It was a step up, basically more junk but at least they had more basics. There were local bait stores that were great in certain selections, but before the internet you could only find out about them by word of mouth.

Then next came GM's. Not only was it a major step forward from the previous two stores, they usually had people working that new something about what they were selling. This was the first time I could actually look at something I wanted before purchasing.

Then obviously came the rest BassPro, Cabela's, Dick's, etc. People forget only 10 years ago, if you wanted something you had to order it. If there was something that I wanted say a specific spoon. Guess what, if they didn't have it, I ordered it. No big deal. The store lost a sale. If I'm expecting to pick up something required for a fishing trip, I'm not stopping at a store w/o calling ahead of time. Frank's is awesome about holding stuff for you, haven't done it with GM though.

Some of this whining reminds me of that commercial running on tv right now where everybody stands around the bathroom sink running and not doing anything about it. Then somebody walks by and simply turns it off. If you don't like something fix it, adjust, or try another avenue.

Yeah I don't like paying extra for shipping, but for my hobby, it is worth every penny to have something that I want.

[Stormsearch]

I remember the days that all we had was Dunham's. If you wanted something, you had to order by calling BassPro or Cabela's or GM. Then Sports Authority started opening stores. It was a step up, basically more junk but at least they had more basics. There were local bait stores that were great in certain selections, but before the internet you could only find out about them by word of mouth.

Then next came GM's. Not only was it a major step forward from the previous two stores, they usually had people working that new something about what they were selling. This was the first time I could actually look at something I wanted before purchasing.

Then obviously came the rest BassPro, Cabela's, Dick's, etc. People forget only 10 years ago, if you wanted something you had to order it. If there was something that I wanted say a specific spoon. Guess what, if they didn't have it, I ordered it. No big deal. The store lost a sale. If I'm expecting to pick up something required for a fishing trip, I'm not stopping at a store w/o calling ahead of time. Frank's is awesome about holding stuff for you, haven't done it with GM though.

Some of this whining reminds me of that commercial running on tv right now where everybody stands around the bathroom sink running and not doing anything about it. Then somebody walks by and simply turns it off. If you don't like something fix it, adjust, or try another avenue.

Yeah I don't like paying extra for shipping, but for my hobby, it is worth every penny to have something that I want.