Gander Mountain

[HawgHunter]

Went to the new Gander mountain in Ashland this morning. My opinion is it's no BASS PRO SHOP. I think BASS PRO has better prices, better atmosphere and more selection. My opinion of course. Bass pro also sells they're hats and shirts dirt cheap. I figured since this was the grand opening they would have all kinds of shirts and hats for free I was there about 10:00 am and they had no XL shirts left. How much does it cost for a store to give out something that has THEIR name on it.....anyway the CEO came from Home Depot that might explain a little.
I think Bass Pro does it with more class. When I see a company being that cheap it's a real turn-off. Nothing really was on sale. Biggest deal were Zoom baits and Manns Stretchs for $1.99
Everything else was reg. price

[mantriumph]

Its all about the money,,,read the label first

[basstardo]

I went there on Friday. Don't think I'll go again. Didn't like it very much at all. The setup seemed more like a temporary thing at a convention center rather than a store like Bass Pro.

[WALT D.]

Well I'll tell you, as a rule I don't spend my money in the big box stores. I much rather support the mom and pops and the little guys that are trying to scrape out a living in the shadow of these giants. Right around the corner from Gander Mtn you've got a top notch Fishing and hunting retailer (Green Top) and I expect if you've been in there more than once they probably know you. Here in Tidewater we've got Randy over at the Bait Shack who usually beats the prices of those megastores, and there are other little guys still left out there who would appreciate a chance to make a living if we'd give them a chance.

Don't get me wrong I own some stuff from BPS, and Walmart, and Home Depot. My wife buys groceries from Food Lion and Sams Club, etc; and I know folks that make their living working at these places as well. I'm not knocking anyone. I just think we all need to look beyond the amusement park atmosphere, and huge marketing budgets of the super sellers and consider that we have neighbors, and friends, and folks that care about what we care about that own businesses we should support. I personally know at least a dozen guys that post on this very forum that own small businesses and are really struggling to stay afloat.

IMO price should not be the only factor; sure it matters, but what if you could buy a product from the little guy that gives you great service and remembers your name for the same price or nearly the same, shouldn't he have a shot? When all the little guys are gone we won't have anyone to blame but ourselves. We've already done it to the small hardware stores, the corner grocer is all but non existant, and Hunting and Fishing retailers are failing at an all time high.

I for one will try my very best to spend my money with the local small businesses while they still exist, and I would urge the rest to do the same.

Tight Lines,

Walt

[mantriumph]

Well I'll tell you, as a rule I don't spend my money in the big box stores. I much rather support the mom and pops and the little guys that are trying to scrape out a living in the shadow of these giants. Right around the corner from Gander Mtn you've got a top notch Fishing and hunting retailer (Green Top) and I expect if you've been in there more than once they probably know you. Here in Tidewater we've got Randy over at the Bait Shack who usually beats the prices of those megastores, and there are other little guys still left out there who would appreciate a chance to make a living if we'd give them a chance.

Don't get me wrong I own some stuff from BPS, and Walmart, and Home Depot. My wife buys groceries from Food Lion and Sams Club, etc; and I know folks that make their living working at these places as well. I'm not knocking anyone. I just think we all need to look beyond the amusement park atmosphere, and huge marketing budgets of the super sellers and consider that we have neighbors, and friends, and folks that care about what we care about that own businesses we should support. I personally know at least a dozen guys that post on this very forum that own small businesses and are really struggling to stay afloat.

IMO price should not be the only factor; sure it matters, but what if you could buy a product from the little guy that gives you great service and remembers your name for the same price or nearly the same, shouldn't he have a shot? When all the little guys are gone we won't have anyone to blame but ourselves. We've already done it to the small hardware stores, the corner grocer is all but non existant, and Hunting and Fishing retailers are failing at an all time high.

I for one will try my very best to spend my money with the local small businesses while they still exist, and I would urge the rest to do the same.

Tight Lines,

Walt

Very well said

[C.Salp]

IMO price should not be the only factor; sure it matters, but what if you could buy a product from the little guy that gives you great service and remembers your name for the same price or nearly the same, shouldn't he have a shot?

I agree very much with the sentiment, and how well it was articulated, but IMO this is about even more than this...

The specialized/niche product selections (and knowledge of products, as well as unique and institutional knowledge of local and regional fishing/hunting) at places like Green Top (that's been serving the region's sportsmen for decades) cannot be valued enough.

...as compared with the product/inventory at, say Bass Pro Shops or Gander Mountain [guided by some "six sigma" type's sales analysis?]

...and, heaven help anyone looking for anything remotely resembling reliable/well-grounded advice or guidance from Gander Mountain or Bass Pro Shops...

While on I-95N, I drove past the new Gander Mountain just a stone's throw from Green Top yesterday for the first time, and just shook my head. I really hope it does not happen, but if those clowns do take the "ultimate" toll on Green Top's business, it will be a very, very dark day for Virginia's hunters and fishermen.

- Chris

[Rockstar]

Stretches for $1.99? That's a hell of a deal. :beer:

[Digger]

Stretches for $1.99? That's a hell of a deal. :beer:

Probably the wrong color!!




The knowledge and personal service are paramount in the tackle business. What still amazes me about the BPS in Hampton. Is the lack of concentration on the surf scene; but that goes to show how much they care. So I always hit the locals first for my stuff and use them as a last resort(like shock I could no find on my path). Or a stop gap. Now since I work for Wal-mart if it is very main stream I will check there why doing my weekly shopping but that is usually just frustrating. Just cheap swivels and such. So it is the small Mom and Pop that supplies me.

[Moon]

I have read in our local paper the Richmond area will being getting a Cabela's soon. I live near I-95 in central NC and we were supposed to have Cabela's build a store in my area. Landowners could not agree to terms, so it was told they are going tp build in the Richmond area and Mebane area of NC.

[Tatmike]

I went to one in mooresville, nc recently to buy a knife advertised as on sale, they were out, no rain cks. Picked up some sinkers along with other stuff, they tried to charge me double what the sinkers were marked on the shelf, left all of it on the counter, probably will not go back.

[HawgHunter]

I have to agree with the Mom and Pop thing, but Green Top is not my favorite place, I have my opinions as to why, and I will keep them to myself...price shouldn't be the only thing...selection and variety, but no one likes to walk out feeling like they just got screwed, in today's world attitude matters, I don't know but does did Green Top ever have hats and shirts cheap on sale, crank baits for $3.99 I like staff that leave you alone until you need them, then when you do ask a question, they don't act like your a dumbass...

[HawgHunter]

so much for not feeling screwed

it's one thing to screw people, but being arrogant while screwing them is a whole new
feeling:D

[turfrooster]

As a former Greensboro Gander Mountain employee, I love the place. The prices always vary by the week. It isnt hard to find a great deal on fishin stuff.... Just like every place, it has its ups and downs...!!!!