I think I just got bait-and-switched at Gander Mountain

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

springmom

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
3,599
Location
Spring TX
If you click on this link:

http://gandermountain.shoplocal.com...ad&storeid=2480419&rapid=545364&pagenumber=16

you will see that the local Gander Mountain has Bersa .380's for $249. The ad specifies "compare to $299" which is their usual price for Bersas.

So, off I went, as I've been wanting to get another of these little guns. I waiting awhile (one clerk, three customers, these things happen) and eventually got a clerk to wait on me. I told him about the price in the ad. He said "I'd have to look...I didn't know that." He checked, looked at the picture, and said, "Oh, this is a stainless one. I don't think we have any of these." (It was actually the duo-tone, black slide, stainless base). He went into the back, and came back out a few minutes later. "No. We don't have any on sale."

He got out the all-black Bersa in the counter, and started to talk about how there was only two ounces difference between the two (the black one is supposedly the heavier). He then stated that he could not sell me that one for the sale price....it would be the regular price. I pointed to the ad with the "compare at $299" statement. I said, "this one IS $299, but you're telling me that IT is NOT on sale?"

"No, ma'am. See, the stainless ones, they're cheaper to make, that's why they're on sale."

"But this one is the regular price, it's a Bersa .380."

"Not on sale, ma'am."

I asked if he were getting any in; he was noncommittal, said he ought to be, since they're on sale and all....

When I got home I called the other Gander Mountain up on 290; asked about the Bersas on sale, specifically asking "do you have any of the ones on sale in stock?"

"I.......might......we have several Bersas......"

If I'd been buying a car this would have been considered a "bait and switch". I checked out the two Academy stores in my area; one was out of them entirely, and at the other, the clerk said they'd just gotten some in but they hadn't inventoried them yet.

On my way home, I went to Carter's Country, where I picked up an all-black Bersa .380 for $289. Which was about $20 cheaper than their duo-tone Bersa. Seems the duo-tones might not be "cheaper to make" after all. In one sense, it's a win-win....I support my local store, I got the gun I really wanted, GM loses a sale because they got greedy.

Still, I hate being treated badly by sales people, and I'm considering a letter to the Texas Attorney General. Certainly the manager of the store, and corporate, will hear about it.

And there's all the nice folks on THR that I can spread the word to.:p

Springmom
 
At least this guy doesn't know jack**** about the mfg process. At worse it is bait and switch. I used to see this all the time when I worked for a firearms disti. Someone would send out a flyer with a ridiculously low price on a gun. When you called to get one they would be "out of stock". Fact is they only had one in stock to begin with and they were just trying to get to to call so they could switch you. When people would call me to see if I could match their price I would say "sorry, I can't, but you should buy as many as you can get your hands on for that price". This would usually be followed by some comment like "well they are out of them" to which I would say "well you know, when I'm out of them, I sell them for 10% under that. I bet they told you no rainchecks, right?". This was usually followed by dead silence and then a chuckle. ;)
 
My advice is go to a regular gun shop and speak to a gun dealer. The fellow who owns or runs the place will be much more knowledgeable to the counter help at Gander Mountain or Sportsman's Treehouse, or where ever.

Then ask him to find you what you want. If he doesn't have it he'll order it for you (most will anyway).
 
Duo-tones do tend to be cheaper and I don't believe they are stainless but rather an alloy frame.

+1 That's the way my Sig 232 duotone is. Alloy frame with stainless slide.

Hey Springmom, have you ever tried the Sig 232? I think you would like it although it is significantly more bucks.
 
Don’t know how it is where your at, but here in Michigan it is law that a store has to provide rain checks on ad items that are out of stock during the period that the ad is in effect. Gander Mountain is probably like many big-box stored whose advertisements are done months in advance. In this situation you should have definitely talked to the manager as the sales clerk gave you bad service of misinformation, and it would also have give the manager the opportunity to keep you a satisfied customer. It’s usually the case that the lower level associates at such stores have no authority to do much more than give you the information that he did.

You might call that store and ask to speak to a manager. By going straight to the AG you aren’t giving the manager the chance to make it right by you. There’s probably no need to talk to the General Manager, as the manager on duty should be able to make the same call that the GM would make. I wouldn’t write him a letter at this point, and it would have been best if you took care of it when it all happened, but a manager should still be able to take care of you if you call them. That phone call could either save a lot of aggravation in having to type up the letter and wait, or it could just add to it depending on the response from the manager. If the manager doesn’t give you satisfaction, then a letter and call to corporate would be the next step. Get the letter certified. You’d be surprised how fast retail managers react when contacted by corporate about a dissatisfied customer.
 
At least they didn't order a gun in for you, have you wait 2 weeks for it to come in, and then find out its not the gun you ordered, but a model that's more expensive and has features that you didn't want.:cuss:


I don't shop at GM anymore.
 
Reminds me of the "from" or "as low as" prices. "Bersas as low as $249*" (*although we only have one at that price and it's a trade in, the other ones are $299 and up)
 
I think the duo-tone Bersa is nickel. I've given up on Gander because their prices and service are poor.
 
I gave up on GM after giving them a good 10 or so tries. I sincerely hope they go out of business for their lousy business practices.
 
I hate Gander. I only go there to handle the rifles they have before I get my local shop to order them. Im glad you found the one you wanted, and at your local gun shop; Bonus!
 
I have been bait-and-switched by gander mountain in guns as well. However, I do note the add says "while supplies last" which is what they will use to get out from under it.

I had an add that didn't say 'while supplies last' and made them give me a very similar gun taht was actually priced a little cheaper for the same price as the add item, but I regret not pushing the issue and demanding the one featured in the add, even if they had to rush order it
 
I agree Gander Mountain is overpriced. I bought an Uncle Mike's holster for $15. Later I went to MC Sports (both in MI) and it was $5 cheaper. Needless to say, I bought it and took the GM one back.

Gander Mountain is overpriced on everything. They have a nice selection of stuff and I do enjoy looking around there, but I don't buy very much from them anymore.

Don't even let me get started on Dick's...
 
I hate Gander. I only go there to handle the rifles they have before I get my local shop to order them. Im glad you found the one you wanted, and at your local gun shop; Bonus!
Click to expand...

Well, yes, it is a bonus. I was in line to pay for the gun at Carter's and I saw one of the young women who works there. Usually she's behind the counter, and has often checked me out for range time. Today she was in the office, but she saw me and hollered "HEY! How ya doin? Haven't you lost weight? You sure are looking good!"

Now, I ask you....who at a big box store is even going to remember you, let alone realize you've lost 10 pounds, ya know?

I have to tell one more on Gander, while I'm ragging on them. I went in the other day for something, walked through the gun section, and about choked. They have Mosins again. For $149 apiece. :what::what::what:

I bought a 91/30 there last year for $85. Glad I did!!!

It's too bad, really; when they first opened they were terrific, had awesome, knowledgable folks behind the counters, had good selections for good prices. Then they just systematically started screwing it up. You can still get good buys on things occasionally, and I have gotten other (non firearms) stuff there for decent prices. But their firearms, ammo, and reloading section... :barf::barf::barf:

Springmom
 
On my way home, I went to Carter's Country, where I picked up an all-black Bersa.
Click to expand...

I think this ended well for you. Personally, I'd much rather go to Carter's Country, pay a bit more, than go to a big box store staffed by non-enthusiasts. I wish we had the equivalent of Carter's in this part of the country.
 
When I decided to get my Bersa, GM had an ad advertising them for $249 also. I decided to call my local gunshop and they had the duotone for $219 regular price. So now I'm careful to check elsewhere before I go to get one of GM's "specials"
 
Still, I hate being treated badly by sales people, and I'm considering a letter to the Texas Attorney General. Certainly the manager of the store, and corporate, will hear about it.
Click to expand...
I strongly urge you to follow through with those complaints. Dunno about your state, but in my state if an ad offers a sale on something that the store doesn't have in stock, unless the ad specifically states "No Rain Checks," they have to give you a rain check.
 
My general experience with GM is the same. They opened one up near me, it was great. Prices were fair, albeit not low, and the folks behind the counter knew what they were talking about. Now they're 20% overpriced on everything and the counter folks don't know jack.
 
I think a follow thru might save someone else a similiar situation. Send out a few letters. If they have any brains at all you should at least get an apology.
 
Personally I think that price on a 380 Bersa is nuts considering Cabels was selling them for $220 at this winter and that wasn't a sale .

I would call Centerfire Systems and pick up a PA63 for $140 before I paid almost $300 for a Bersa the PA63's total after shipping and dealer fees would be under $200 .
 
I see nowhere in your message you tracked down the store manager.

Sorry but trusting a low paid cashier to tell you policy or figure a price error is a waste of time. They are low trained and they don't care if you buy or don't buy.

Theres a reason for a store manager and I use them quite a bit and always walk away satisfied if I correctly interpret sales brochures.

I've read all the horror stories with Gander Mountain on this and other sites.
They just built one in my area.

While like Bass Pro, Cabela's and the such they are not the Walmart of pricing, I've bought many things there with no problems and been highly satisfied.

I see low level help in retail as someone who takes my money and gives me a reciept, many times that being a problem. If you expect anything else out of them, you'll always be disapointed. If you run into someone who is really helpful, then that's just a plus.
 
With that flyer in hand, you should have easily either got that pistol at $249 or a raincheck. Always go to the boss when you are not satisfied. They will make it right cuz that's what they're paid to do, well that and herd the cats. As an aside, I can't believe that $249 for a Bersa is a "Hot Buy", Those things are really going up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Gander Mountain prices
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
JohnBT
J
H
  • Locked
Gander Mountain's Peculiar Price Match Policy
Replies
18
Views
5K
misANTHrope
M
T
  • Locked
Bersa Thunder .380 on sale at Gander!
Replies
12
Views
2K
Snowdog
Snowdog
P
  • Locked
Gander Moutain Marketing Deception
Replies
17
Views
1K
ReadyontheRight
R
Cavalier Knight
  • Locked
Gander Mountain Identity Theft
Replies
1
Views
730
Jorg Nysgerrig
J
Back
Top