Gander mountain FAIL at gun smithing services
- Thread starter walking arsenal
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Bubbles
Member
Because while plenty of folks like to work on guns, they 1) don't know how to run a business, 2) don't have the startup capital (we dropped $15k on shop equipment the first year), and 3) don't want to deal with the ATF.
Try the local Better business bureau, I have had great sucess with them on several occasions with largge companys. They go right to the top. I had the Vice president of a major chain call me, and she took care of my problem right away. It worked very fast both times, one was a 57 inch tv, just make sure you get the right BBB for your area, they hate to have bad things online because they realize that many people now check first before buying things, especially products over a few dollars. It's worth a shot.
vikinggirl
Member
I may be one of the few who had a positive experience with GM. Had to replace the bolt lock cover on my mini-14 and there was an inconvenient scope mount that was in my way, which had been put on by someone else. Could not find the proper wrench to remove it, so drove to GM since it was late on a Saturday afternoon. Waited in line and handed the stock over, thinking I'd get it back in a few days. Nope, the smith told me to wait a moment (I thought he was just going to write up a check-in ticket) and returned later with the mount disassembled in a ziplock bag.
He had even cleaned up the gun and handed it over - no charge! I was more than willing to pay for the convenience and appreciated that he was busy, yet took the time to do a quick simple job on the spot.
He had even cleaned up the gun and handed it over - no charge! I was more than willing to pay for the convenience and appreciated that he was busy, yet took the time to do a quick simple job on the spot.
walking arsenal
Member
I can add one too.
When I first got my 1911, the same one I'm having problems with now, I took it in to the Gander in Duluth MN. A gunsmith by the name of Charlie Mc Phail (sp?) took my gun and told me he'd call me when it was done. I expected a bill for the repair but when I came back he just said "Here you go, it works now." I broke it down when I got home and found he had adjusted the extractor, the ejector AND had given it a trigger job!!!
I was floored!
Next time I went in for some work, he was gone. Probably provided too good customer service.
When I first got my 1911, the same one I'm having problems with now, I took it in to the Gander in Duluth MN. A gunsmith by the name of Charlie Mc Phail (sp?) took my gun and told me he'd call me when it was done. I expected a bill for the repair but when I came back he just said "Here you go, it works now." I broke it down when I got home and found he had adjusted the extractor, the ejector AND had given it a trigger job!!!
I was floored!
Next time I went in for some work, he was gone. Probably provided too good customer service.
DenaliPark
member
Contact J&S Custom Guns in Lakeville MN, 952-435-7147....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!
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.
DenaliPark
member
I wouldn't spend my money on anything gun related at Gander Mt, I actually saw Gander(Blaine MN)selling Ruger KP345PR pistols for $150.00 over average retail($600.00 +)...
walking arsenal
Member
Denali, Justify that a bit for me. Why should I spend my money on their services as opposed to sending it to Springfield? What do you like about them?
walking arsenal
Member
Update:
I got an E-mail back from the store manager today. Apparently my E-mail to the top got handed all the way back down to the poor guy and from there corporate policy got back into play.
He made the same offer the gunsmith made. That is, to send my gun out which I declined.
He also said I could return the parts I ordered which I think I am going to do.
Then, I will send the gun to Springfield.
I got an E-mail back from the store manager today. Apparently my E-mail to the top got handed all the way back down to the poor guy and from there corporate policy got back into play.
He made the same offer the gunsmith made. That is, to send my gun out which I declined.
He also said I could return the parts I ordered which I think I am going to do.
Then, I will send the gun to Springfield.
TheGrimReaper
Member
Have you been to a Gander Mountain lately? I think/wander if they are going under? I would not be surprised at all.
walking arsenal
Member
Yeah. About 4 days ago. That's when I started this thread.
I don't know if they are going under but their gun smithing is.
I don't know if they are going under but their gun smithing is.
Sergeant Sabre
Member
Does your district court have a small claims division? Make a small claim. Once they get served with the paperwork I think they will realize that taking care of you will cost less than dealing with the small claim.
walking arsenal
Member
Update:
I talked to a rep at Springfield yesterday who was very sympathetic to my problem.
They sent me a shipping label and I boxed my gun up and shipped it off just a while ago.
We'll see what comes of it.
I talked to a rep at Springfield yesterday who was very sympathetic to my problem.
They sent me a shipping label and I boxed my gun up and shipped it off just a while ago.
We'll see what comes of it.
I managed to get some clarification about what is going on with GM. They are shutting down many of their gunsmith sections and going to a "regional" system. Apparently there will be 17 regional gunsmith centers for their stores. Any store can accept work, but it will be sent to one of those centers for the actual work to be done. The only work performed at the remainder of stores will be mounting/boresighting of scopes.
I am not privy to which 17 stores will be the regional centers, except knowing that Paducah, KY is the one in my region. This info is NOT from corporate or the Manager of GS services, but from a 'smith who chose to stay on in retail after his position was eliminated. Take it with a grain of salt, I would say.
I am not privy to which 17 stores will be the regional centers, except knowing that Paducah, KY is the one in my region. This info is NOT from corporate or the Manager of GS services, but from a 'smith who chose to stay on in retail after his position was eliminated. Take it with a grain of salt, I would say.
walking arsenal
Member
It's true. I was shown a list of ones that where staying open. The one here is in Hermantown Minnesota.
oneounceload
member
The new store here in FL (open about 2-3 years) just shut down their "parts replacers" - the last thing they were, were gunsmiths.......
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