Gander Mountain Chuckle...

[soloban]

The Gander Mountain here in Hunstville is the same way. I think Corporate-wise they have realized that they can't compete with Cabella's, Bass Pro, MidwayUSA, etc... when it comes to reloading and gun accessories. The one here in town used to have 3 or 4 isles of reloading equipment, now they have half of an isle of a half height shelf. Pretty pathetic and with the exception of their powders and primers, EVERY thing is about 25% or more above what you would pay online. They shuffled their store around so it is clear that all they really care about is clothing.

 

[gahunter12]

I also worked at Bass Pro Shops back in the mid to late 90's. Like Dueling1911s said it can get crazy behind the gun counter. That was back when we had to call in every background check and the wait could be up to 3 days. Then we had the best thing going with no where near the number of LGS as we do now. We would always have a guy on the register at the gun counter. He would be the phone guy for the day also. Bass Pro has also become a joke. I refuse to go in there for anything gun or ammo related. I use my LGS for that or the WEB.

 

[langenc]

Last GM I was in was just W of Knoxville, TN.

Nice well stocked reloading area. Prices?? Older gentlemen seemed to know their inventory when I asked where a couple of items were located.

 

[FROGO207]

Well the GM executives are really smarter than you folks think IMHO. They were smart enough to know NOT to build a store here in Maine as we would never stand for let alone set foot in any type of ripoff joint. The local Dicks had to adjust their pricing policy here to compete with the Cabellas and LL Bean stores in Freeport.

 

[Dueling1911s]

yall gotta remember how huge the reloading world is. its impossible to carry enough to satisfy everyone need. just think of how many brands of presses exist. and then each brand has multiple models. then throw in dies in every caliber from each manufacturer. plus tumblers, case trimmers, shell holder, etc. and 50 bajillion different types of bullets. its impossible to cover it all

not to mention reloading supplies like to walk out the door too. i cant even count how many empty die boxes i've found. only components i buy local is powder and primers due to hazmat fees for shipping.

and to add a full time secretary for the counter would be another 80 hours for the dept. the cost of the extra man power will be passed along to the consumer increasing prices.

all the big box stores have lousy prices because of their size. the bigger you get the more overhead costs. just paying the electricity bill for a bass, gander or cabelas must be astronomical. not to mention the insurance. plus you have corporate employees and distribution centers to pay for. dont forget all those nice pretty animal mounts on the walls and the giant fish tanks. the cost of all that stuff gets passed along to the consumer. thats one of many reasons why LGS have better prices usually.

in the end, i buy all my reloading gear and supplies online minus powder and primers. midway almost always has online coupons running which will cover most of shipping. no sales tax for tx residents either