I will throw in my .02 again on this Gander Bashing… The St Cloud/Waite Park store must be an exception… they have an adequate fishing dept (for this areas lakes/rivers), a phenomenal Gun dept and an OK clothing dept. Do they carry everything under the sun ??? No. Nobody does except probably Cabelas 
I can appreciate a salesman who is honest …”they don’t work”…. 
I also am not above learning something new…
I’ll join the Gander Bashing Crowd. I remember how good the Fishing Department was when it was Holiday, and it was open 24 hours. When it was Burger Bros the had a good Skiing Department for a while. I will still go to Gander but only to buy advertised sale items. The closest store to me is Lakeville and Fleet Farm is right across the freeway, better prices and bigger selection.
I would join a Rapala Bashing Crowd. The prices have gotten outragous.
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When i’m looking for advice on a certain product or I am looking for something in particular, I visit Deans Tackle Box, Joe’s Sporting Goods & Thorne Bros. Service is everything to me when it comes to this type of stuff and these 3 companies have earned my business time and time again.
That pretty much says it all for me.
I’ve been done w/Gander for quite some time, for all the reasons mentioned. If I want a yuppie clothing store that carries a few fishing/hunting items to look legit, I go there. I’ve been at this game a long time and know what I’m looking for when I walk into a place–and they don’t have it. Fleetfarm in Antigo has a great fishing selection if I’m in need that day, otherwise Cabelas n Bfishntackle get all my $$
Just really glad to see I’m not the only one! Thought I was getting cranky in my old age… 
-Rev
I’ll join the Gander 
too. Although I see no significant difference between the service/selection between Gander and Cabelas. I think they both kinda suck at the same thing for the same reasons.
That being said… I will wander into Gander on a lunch break occassionally with no intent and be suprised by the closeout prices. Picked up a couple stradic’s cheap, lots of Flickers when they have em, and this year they had DT’s.
Correct me if I am wrong John, but having come from John’s neck of the woods,there are not near the options down there that we have in our neck of the woods. In my home town of 4000 people anything other than a hook,splitshot,or silver rapala was over a hour away.
Another Gander Bash, eh?
While I agree with most and purchase the majority of my fishing gear from Deanstacklebox.com and Fleet Farm, Gander in Woodbury see’s their share of my business – most of the time because I need something ‘now’ and the convenience of being close to home wins.
Don’t like how they do business – then don’t shop there; but don’t rag on them for not doing stuff your way. Would you rather they closed shop and you had to drive that much further?
Fishing stores and the sport itself don’t seem to be booming in popularity, so I just get frustrated seeing a bunch of fisherman complain about any fishing related store – period – no one’s forcing you to shop there. Just think if all the Gander’s closed up shop – then we’d have a whole slough of people bitching about how it’s getting harder and harder to find tackle locally.
Sorry for rambling – I’ll go back to eating my lunch now.
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Correct me if I am wrong John, but having come from John’s neck of the woods,there are not near the options down there that we have in our neck of the woods. In my home town of 4000 people anything other than a hook,splitshot,or silver rapala was over a hour away.
Yeah, that’s pretty much my world in Portage. I order what I can from Dean, but my issue stems from when I need stuff that should be a staple in a “Fishing and Hunting” store in a hurry. Dean is a master at fast delivery, but he can’t work miracles when I get off the lake at 7:00 and need to restock something for a trip the next morning.
Stock up and write it off as a business expense. Prior planning prevents urine poor performance
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Go to Fleet Farm, much better fishing department.
X3 – I had some time to kill near Eden Prairie last week while I was waiting to meet up with my gal so I figured I’d stop in and look for some some new colors of Hornets since the leadcore bite is starting to take off on the pond… I couldn’t find a Salmo section so asked a clerk and he said they quit carrying them because they don’t sell many Hornets but pointed out that they still have a section with chubby darters
My guess is that they probably really don’t sell many since people who fish a lot must go to other stores
The Gander Mgmt needs to read this thread.
If they did, they may understand why thier sales and profit s are what they are.
I can understand to some degree the staff not being as well informed as many on here as the majority are younger kids with very little expierence.
With that said, they could stock some of the more popular items that fisherman and women are looking for.
After reading all the negative somments about them, one might wonder how they even stay in business.
It’s all the same buzz as when Wal-Mart came to your local town. “I ain’ t spending my money there”. How many have run Wal-Mart out of there town?
Yep, no one
The internet just makes it easy for people to rant, and it makes some actually believe it is going to get results. It isn’t going to happen here or any other site, I guarantee you of that!
And I don’t have stock in Gander Mountain pug, just have a grasp on reality 
Its like any other business…. we stopped and ate in some popular fast food restaurants in Canada, in somewhat remote areas and if I thought every restaurant was run/kept the way these were, I would never be going back. But I am reasonable and know each store is run by individuals, not the same people across the board and am careful about lumping all together. The original post might have been better served naming the location and not the franchise as a whole… some good people may be trying to eek out a living at a store near you
You should all be carefull what you wish for ,if Gander went under maybe then all you would have is a Wal-mart to choose from
I agree with you John, since they have went to the big stores there fishing suplies just suck. I can never find what I am looking for anymore because they do not stock it. I also asked a rep there and he told me if it doesn’t sell fast enough they stop stocking it. They are no longer about supplying what fisherman ( or ladies) are looking for when it is not the common item they can make lots of money on. I have taken my business to dorns for most of my supplies. Great guys and they have the stuff that is not always flying off the shelves.
I really have no complaints with the Woodbury Gander. If they don’t have it, I just go to the next place here in town. Plenty of competition up here.
Seems most trips out there they have something I didn’t need but was a great deal. Mostly on cranks in that 3 for $10 range. Not crap either. Rapala DT’s and Bombers most of the time.
Love it when you are picking up a beater rod for $29 and it rings up at $9.99. “Hang on, I’m going to grab 3 more of those….” 
-J.
I boycotted Gander years ago and if anyone wants to know why just ask the jerk that calls himself a gunsmith in the Maple Grove store. Still makes me mad after all these years! I find myself keeping a list of stuff I need and then placing one big order online more than anything these days. If I go anywhere it’s to Marv’s Minnows for livebait, but that’s about it.
I shop at Gander a lot and in my opinion, I’m glad they are there. More options are better than less for the consumer. They may not have everything I want but I’m glad to have the option.
Must be why I do most of my shopping at small local shops Cabin Fever in Victoria, MN or just order Online thru http://www.basspro.com, incidentally John, your hooks are on special right now at Bass Pro http://www.basspro.com/Mustad-Slow-Death-Walleye-Hooks/product/10202663/-1572289 
They can close for all I care. Why do I care if it makes it more convenient for anyone else?
Anyway, there is a Gander in Eden Prairie, but I choose Fleet Farm in Lakeville, despite the distance. I get other things too, so don’t tell me about all that gas I am spending to get something that Gander won’t have.
Will I go back to Gander? I am sure there will be a time when it is most convenient, but in a pinch I have Dick’s if I want to get the “most popular” items. But when I need to stock up it is online or Fleet Farm.
My nephew has been complaining this year about them not carrying specific catfish gear. I just laugh.
Don’t worry everyone the Gander in Appleton is just as bad!
Gotta love the gunsmith there who drilled and tapped a scope on a guys rifle last year and asked for help at the range. Seems the gunsmith had tapped a screw all the way through the bolt of his new rifle!
I’ve had really good luck with the Gander in Wausau/Mosinee. Been pleased with the customer service as well. Keep up the good work Tom Keenan and crew!
Why is it, if people are so upset with Gander, that they won’t go there…that they have all kinds of stories about going there ???? It’ simple, just don’t go there !!! This thread, would be like me saying, because one guy is a dick on IDO, that everyone is ??? I guess I will take the blame on that one…
I will solve all your problems…. DON’T GO THERE !! Then you will have nothing to complain about… until the next place doesn’t kiss your butt or have your widget…
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This thread, would be like me saying, because one guy is a dick on IDO, that everyone is ???
No, it would be more like if IDO was a joke and a pain in the butt and everyone complained. At least for me, because I haven’t said anything about the service.
I wonder how many of you defending Gander contributed negative stuff about a certain place on a certain pool with new ownership? Oh I know it is different because Gander isn’t under new ownership. But my point is everyone is saying, if you don’t like it, don’t go there, stop posting about it, which is the same as that other thread.
Just remembered I have a gift card to Gander.
You never know, someone from Gander might actually read this thread and turn it around for all of us. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I’ve directed similar rants to almost every Gander (Brookfield) employee who’s ever set foot even near the fishing department.
I’ve been told several times that I can order something from their online store. Mt response is that if I’m going to buy online,I’ll buy from the cheapest reliable source. Gander ain’t that.
A couple employees told me that the majority of THEIR fishing purchases are online too.
After reading through all these posts, I came to a conclusion that you can make a carbon copy of the rant-then just insert a product and ANY company name, in any industry.
The root of the problem is a combination of a couple factors. First, and foremost, is the regulations that were placed on the banks. These companies had millions of dollars in lines of credit that enabled them to re-stock shelves and maintain a larger stocked inventory with a larger range of product. When the banking industry crashed, these lines of credit were called due. New lines of credit were given, but at a very substantial reduction. So most stores have reduced many things to keep their over-head down. Head count reductions, less variety of product, seasonal purchases and not restocking seasonal items. Also timing plays a huge role in this. The large box stores, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Gander,…. are negotiating their purchases for the March Spring sale right now. Those purchase orders and contracts are usually signed by the beginning of Aug. So, the purchasing agents are buying for a season that is 8 months away. Then they are looking at history reports of what sells to the masses – not the individual. Imagine what this is like for me as a Quantum & Gamakatsu Pro-Staff working in their stores, and they only carry a limmited variety of hooks. 16 to 20 hours of guys complaining about something they don’t understand.
Carrying cost – That is the actual cost to have a product on the shelf. When most product is purchased on credit, they pay interest. Commercial interest isn’t as cheap as a residential mortgage. Then factor in the cost of the “experience”. The facade of the store, the furnishings, employees, and all the things people enjoy walking around looking at. All has a cost and is accounted for in the cost of a product. If it doesn’t sell in a timely manor, it doesn’t generate revenue. Personally, I would love to find a discount store that doesn’t offer the frills. Simple box store, fair pricing, no mounts, no restaurant, no fancy facades.
Who really carries it all? I have never been in a store that has everything I need or want. I know I can go to Bass Pro and they’ll have the majority of it….at a premium price. Cabelas and Gander will be also have a reasonable amount of what I need…but not all of it. Then the local bait/tackle shops will have more specific items to a region or area, but again not everything I want.
I think 2 things need to happen as a solution. If you know Pro Staff’rs, ask them to include products that you want to see stocked. They should be including that information in their reports. That information is taken seriously when June/July negotiations begin. Second, find out who the purchasing agents are for the store you like and send them a letter. If you get fishing clubs or organizations that will endorse the need of certain products to be carried, they will see the value in turning that product over in a reasonable time frame at consider adding it. I get calls from sales agents regarding my March/April reports when I work at Bass Pro and Cabelas a lot. I know first hand how important this information is and how serious they review it.
Finally, how you spend your money is the most powerfull tool you have. With so many online options, you can pick and choose where and how you want to invest in the growth of other companies. The big box stores know they are competing with these lower over head type companies. If tends develop that show people (in general) are shopping elsewhere, a change must be made to stay in business.
Some good points Randy, but I’ll tell the salesman what I’m looking for and he/she can tell purchasing, I’d spend far to much time calling/writing stores that didn’t have what I was looking for.
I come to the conclusion that no store was going to have all of what I want, so I shop first at those stores that will have most of what I want, then work my way down the list.
Far as pros go, all that I’ve seen are more concerned with selling you what their store/sponsor is selling that asking you what you want.
But your right, we could make a carbon and just add the store/whatever of our choice, but the exchange of idea’s and thoughts are a part of forums like this, and while it may not change the world, some will find out that their thoughts on a store/whatever are the same or different than others and react accordingly.
Sometimes it’s nice to find out others think like or unlike you.
Al
Good points Randy.
I don’t dislike Gander because they don’t stock some items. I understand that some of the things I like to do aren’t “mainstream” and wouldn’t be a good seller for them. They’re in business.
What I object to is when they have something in their advertising or as a display model that they don’t stock. And that’s not conjecture on my part, I’ve had several Gander employees tell me that is how they do things. It’s a bait-and-switch, and I personally don’t like that. If I see something I’m interested in, I’m going to call ahead and save myself the trip.
Rootski
Just a slight disappointment to mention, but I just took a week trip to Wyoming to visit my niece and needed some small trout type spoons for stream and reservoir trout and I couldn’t find anything at the new GM, but good ol’ Fleet Farm in Winona had a very decent selection. On the other hand, one of the sales people at GM was a former Wyoming resident and guide and he did help me pick out a couple small Rapala’s for trolling the reservoirs. I did appreciate that a lot.
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