Gander mountain FAIL at gun smithing services

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

walking arsenal

Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2003
Messages
2,076
Location
Bemidji, MN
I have a Springfield 1911 A1 that has seen a lot of loving in it's day so I decided it was time for a tune up.

The barrel bushing had become loose, the slide stop/safety spring housing needed to be re-staked and I figured while I had it in I might as well get a new safety installed and have it refinished too.

We only have/had one gunsmith in the entire city and the Gander guy was it. He got my business and was pretty good. I dropped my gun off with him.

That was a month ago. Fast forward to today.

My wife asks me to pick up some snap caps so she can practice dry firing her handgun so I stop into our local gander mountain.

While browsing the racks the gunsmith stops me and tells me Gander corps is closing 90% of their gunsmith shops and his is one of them. He then hands me a pile of parts that used to be my 1911, no work done and a $75.00 bill for a bushing and safety!

:fire::cuss:

Now I have a non-functioning gun a no gunsmith to finish the job!

Gander was willing to send it out and sub-contract the work to someone else at my expense but I wasn't having any of that.
 
Nice. It looks like you'll have to send it out.

I just got some parts back from Chuck Rogers. He does great work and his prices are reasonable.
 
Don't they have a legal obligation to return your item either:

-No charge, original condition
-If charged for labor/parts, that labor, those parts are complete.

Why would I accept a vehicle back from a mechanic with the engine out and disassembled?
 
Xcgates

I think that's what they where trying to do by offering to send it out. But they wouldn't say who they where sending it to so I passed.
 
How close are you to the wi border? There's a place in central Wisconsin that is awesome. I always go to them instead of brokeback mountain. It's called ciminos in Merrill wi. Sorry to hear this. Tell them to cut you a check for the services and its unacceptable.
 
I would first contact the manager. You took the gun in there as an intact firearm, they should be required to return it the same way. If this doesn't work I would see the Clerk of Court to file a suit in small claims court.
 
I went to talk to them about working there as a gunsmith.

First thing I was told is that I had to contractually agree to do no gunsmith work outside of my employment with Gander Mountain.

Second thing, the starting wage was $10 an hour.

I didn't pursue the job any further.
 
This explains the conversation I had with an employee at my local Gander Mountain. I was asking some gunsmithing related questions, and the guy said there were changes in the works, and he wouldnt explain any further. He was very cryptic about it.

Personally speaking. I look to see both Gander Mountain and Cabelas either doing serious downsizing or going under in 2011. The stores are not doing well at all.
 
First thing I was told is that I had to contractually agree to do no gunsmith work outside of my employment with Gander Mountain.
Click to expand...

This is not that surprising. I think it is a stipulation anywhere gunsmiths are employed. It is also a stipulation for automotive techs working at a dealership or some other car fixin place.

Second thing, the starting wage was $10 an hour.
Click to expand...

Gunsmiths are underpaid even when they work for themselves for the level of skill and the attention to detail they must posess. Your not going to get paid much more at Wilson, Magna Port, or Cylinder and Slide. Gunsmiths are kind of dying out and they are being replaced with "armorers" who these days only have to replace modular parts like on a Glock or AR style rifle.

I am a full fledged graduate of Trinidad State Junior College in gunsmithing and there is no way I would be a full time gunsmith unless that is all I had for income.
 
I wouldnt care if gander mountain goes under. I've never tried to have work done, but in the Columbus, Ohio area the prices arent just a little high.....they are sometimes double.....seriously, double. I have sworn off even looking there just on the chance there might be a deal....cause there isn't.

Maybe the going out of business sale will bring their prices in line, LOL.
 
Onmilo said:
I went to talk to them about working there as a gunsmith.

First thing I was told is that I had to contractually agree to do no gunsmith work outside of my employment with Gander Mountain.

Second thing, the starting wage was $10 an hour.

I didn't pursue the job any further.
Click to expand...
10 they offered me nine about 1.5 - 2 years ago and that same little contractual obligation not to do any work out side of thier stores
 
I overheard the gunsmith at my local G.M. store telling his customers over the phone about what was happening. I could tell it was sort of bothering him because he wouldn't be able to finish the work he had started on some of their guns. He's a good gunsmith and an easy guy to talk with about repairs or mods you want done on your gun.

Later he told me that he had been working for G.M. for over 9 years and that they were now in the process of shutting down most of the stores gunsmithing departments (on what seemed to be relatively short notice), thus "streamlining" their operations by having all the work sent out to a regional repair facility. So much for hands-on service at your local store.
 
wriggly/Ohio Gun Guy and fellow shooters:
Stopping in the Cabela's south of Austin on Dec 31st, I noticed the two or so Yugo 24/47 Mausers in the rack. They looked excellent.

The price was about $399, and I told the young staffers at the entrance about my surprise. I described the price of such a Mauser at Samco (Miami), and their list price for an excellent 24/47 is usually about $220.

They looked a bit embarassed that a customer at Cabelas pays about $120 extra, plus local tax, compared to a shipped (with FFL fee) from Samco. These guys had no response-maybe only because they were on duty, or the news was from a much older guy.

As for Gander Mountain in Evansville, IN, in August '09 they bumped up their price for MN 44s about $50 in one day, in case you just missed the intro price.
Can't imagine what these stores would try to charge for a good Enfield #4.
 
Just curious but

I have a Springfield 1911 A1 that has seen a lot of loving in it's day so I decided it was time for a tune up.

The barrel bushing had become loose, the slide stop/safety spring housing needed to be re-staked and I figured while I had it in I might as well get a new safety installed and have it refinished too.
Click to expand...

Given SA gives a lifetime warranty (no questions asked) to their guns, whomever is the owner, why you didn't give them a call, as their CS is first class and, as, the barrel bushing may have been a possible reason/way for them to then send you a free shipping label and who knows how much of the rest of what you wanted they may have given you at a lower cost.. if any.

Might be want you want to try next.. As whatever they deem warranty or not, at least it will be dealt with in a professional way and a quick way, not this one month later crap..

Luck,


Ls
 
I agree that this ain't great, but it may signal the beginning of a return to the small independent local gun shop/smith. A guy working for himself won't be lorded over by bean-counting MBAs.

The big retailers have given us great prices, selection and convenience for years, but the beauty of being big is fading fast. With the Internet, Gunbroker, and a good local shop willing to do transfers, we may come out ahead.
Bob
 
Once Gander lets the 'smith go isn't he free to accept work on his own? Maybe he could contract with the gun owner to finish the work he started.
 
Once Gander lets the 'smith go isn't he free to accept work on his own? Maybe he could contract with the gun owner to finish the work he started.
Click to expand...
A Type 01 FFL is required if you go into business as a gunsmith. Unless the guy can get one at his house (which can range anywhere from absurdly easy to impossible, depending on his zoning), he probably can't afford to rent commercial, buy tools, etc.
 
Lonestar (Only guy in the galaxy who would dare give me the raspberry!)

That's exactly what I did after sending the nasty letter to gander. I e-mailed springfields custom guns department and asked what I SHOULD have done and if the would do it with the parts I have.

We'll see what they say.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
EBR's at Gander Mountain
Replies
18
Views
1K
PAshooter
P
sturmruger
  • Locked
Gander Mountain Gunsmiths, experiences???
Replies
10
Views
3K
OH25shooter
O
H
  • Locked
Gander Mountain's Peculiar Price Match Policy
Replies
18
Views
5K
misANTHrope
M
I
  • Locked
Clips at Gander Mountain?
Replies
20
Views
1K
moxie
M
L
  • Locked
Gander Mountain questions
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
AnthonyRSS
A
Back
Top