Gander Mountain – Utica

Most incompetent staff. Firearms were depleted, management useless. I would rather punch myself in the nuts than ever go there.

Great service. Some people have unrealistic expectations when buying a gun. It’s a decently extensive process especially for first time buyers so be patient when you have to wait, it’s a big deal to non gun people even though we gun people know what we want.

I went to this store to pick up one of the used guns there, I grabbed a number (87) and waiting for my turn. (It was on the number 84 when I got there)
It nearly took three hours for my turn, but I was too excited about getting the gun so I didn’t care too much once it was my turn. So it my turn, I tell the guy which gun I want, he got it ready and as we were filing paper work he noticed my license had an address change sticker on it (because I just moved) and he told me I had to have an updated ID to buy the gun. I later found out my ID was perfectly fine and that he was just mistaken but it was a three hour wait to have him make a mistake which was highly annoying, but since it was a mistake I gave it a second shot. The second time I decided to purchase a new pistol there and when it was my turn after about an hour long wait I show the guy which gun I wanted he goes back to get it, after about 20 minutes he finally comes out and said they were out of stock in every model, so I asked if I could just purchase the displayed model, he told me «that’s not usually an issue but because these are newer guns we can’t sell the models because people should know we have this gun in stock» and I said «but you don’t have this gun in stock» and I think he could tell at this point I was annoyed. He tried explaining how they could order it to the store but it would take 7 – 14 days and be a $ 25 charge if I wanted to, which I didn’t. If you ever want a good deal and decent service, do not buy a gun at Gander Mountain.

I have called here 4 times to figure out when the best time to get a bow adjusted would be. Every time they told me there was a bow tech available when there wasn’t. The one time they told me there was one available, I waited for over an hour to find out there wasn’t actually one even working. The staff is horrible and completely useless. They don’t know anything about anything. I wouldn’t ever go back to this store for anything archery-​related. If you’re looking for archery equipment or archery service, go to MORS Archery. They’re amazing!

I think I have figured out that gander mountains in general all must be trained to have poor customer service.
I found the employee by the guns to be very impolite and acted as though we were a bother to be in there. There were four of us in that day, all avid gun owners and we could have likely bought a few guns. Once we were dealt with like this, we passed and decided not to buy anything at all.
Maybe gander mountain could use some help with customer service, maybe a seminar or a training event would help.

The worst service I have been involved with in quite some time. 2 times in a row. I will NEVER shop at GM again.

Every time I go there, the employees just walk past me! No one ever ask if I need help or If I have any questions, I will not be back for a long time!!!

This is my year to invest in waterproof boots!
And wool socks!
So I strolled through Gander Mountain looking, asking & trying on several pairs & brands.
A very Knowledgeable young man, named Scott took a whole lot of time explaining:
brands
durability
sizing
reliability
I was even introduced too two brands I had never ever heard of:
Kamick & Keen
Nice Boot, Nice Construction, Nice Fit!
I also had wool socks questions, as I am not a fan of the prickly high over the calf ones.
Well of course Scott gave me a lesson & tour of the Merino Wool style socks
WOW!
Even in a mini crew length!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
So I went to cash out & the great service continued, Dawn a gal that was born happy waited on me very promptly & even offered a $ 10 savings for opening up a Gander Charge Card
I of course balked, how long will this take?
Less than 3 minutes sir!
Okay I’m in!
It did
I got it
and saved $ 10 on an $ 11 purchase!

Went in to buy a scope. thats it! I knew exactly which one I wanted but I still had to pull a number with those waiting to purchase firearms. I was 8 numbers away. No big deal, or so I thought… what I did not know was how grossly understaffed this establishment is. I went in the day before Christmas Eve, and one would expect extra staff on hand for the extreme retail season but no! 3 staff members? Maybe? Also the manager, who in the rare occurance that I was able to find him. no hunting experience would prove useful as this big game was nowhere to be found. has been said to wander the gun section, but is easily frightened by shopping hunters. Onto the staff themselves. now I understand selling guns, filling out the form 44 – 73, and calling the FBI NICS background check isnt the fastest task, as I worked selling firearms for years. But 45 minutes with a customer ringing him up and doing the above stated tasks? Unheard of! I have been waiting almost two hours now, and the numbers have moved from 20 to 24. Oh and 21 and 23 booked it before they were called.
As I waited, I decided I would check out their benchmade knife selection, as my fiancé lost hers. To my shock knived that I have seen for $ 75 – 80 at other local stores were well over $ 100 here! With these prices, you would think they would have more staff. Only 1 star because that is the minimum. I wish I could do less.

When I went in to purchase my pistol I stood in line for 1.5 hours, but, when I was helped the gentleman was so helpful I forgot about the long wait. He helped me choose my perfect pistol and exactly how to disassemble it. If I were to purchase another pistol, I would definitely go back to this Gander Mountian. All of his input on my S&W Sigma was certainly true. I love it.
Finding 9 mm ammo has always been a struggle for me here, but employees have directed me on where to go to obtain some in a hurry.

Vampires, tried to sell an old gun there they need to triple there profit on you? It’s a 1200 handgun they offered 350 what an insult. not only that I waited for 40 mins while a guy was helping someone who was under 18 who can’t even buy a handgun… Priorities? Not to mention the week before I was looking into a scope for my 308 and the guy behind the counter was absolutely no help. And I had to wait then too because they lost someone’s firearm wtf is wrong with that place? Poor guy he was really nice about it. I wouldn’t have been. Would have given this place a zero but it won’t let me. And last but not least the weekend they where given free stuff to the costumers I asked about it and the manager said only if you open a CC and I said I don’t need another credit card and he was rude from then on. I guess I’ll make the journey to bass pro

Thank you Thomas! My husband went in to purchase a pistol and the guy helping us took the time to show him other options which he thought might be a better fit for my husband! Instead of pushing another sale and getting us out quick he was looking out for another gun owner. Glad we were helped by him! He was knowledgeable, polite, and professional!

On Monday I went into the store to look for a .17HMR. I had no issue at that time, walked up to the counter and received friendly and courteous service. After looking at a rifle on Monday, Tuesday morning before work I took out my money. I had been looking forward to picking up my item all day. When I arrived Tuesday, There were (2) shoppers working with (I believe Aaron) looking at handguns, while Blair finished paperwork with a different customer. I wait for him to finish, and file away his paper. After he came from under the counter with more papers, he walked by me, smiled, nodded and began to sort through the papers. I asked him if I could get some help, and he told me to get a number. There was no one else looking for immediate service, but I complied. I brought the number to his desk, and he continued with his paperwork. I asked him if I could get some help, and he asked me what number I had. I told him I had 13, and he continued on with his paperwork. I then asked him which number he was on (he didn’t readily know), and after checking he said 11, and went back to his papers again. I then call out the numbers (MYSELF) to see if I was next, and of course I was. He then proceeded to tell me he had paperwork to get done, and it escalated quickly from there. I asked for the manager, and he called Eileen. I asked Eileen to help me instead. After I told her I wanted to buy the rifle, she said she is not allowed to sell/​touch guns. I asked if she can get me a new clerk. Through-​out this I have a continuing argument with Blair. Eileen then gets me another clerk, who also tells me that he cannot touch or sell guns either! Finally I get help from the other Gun counter clerk (I believe was Aaron, but I only took down Blair & Eileen’s name). I will never go back to this store!
Below is the store manager for when you run into problems.
Russ Becker.

What is up with this place? I waited in the gun area got a number 84, the display said 80 so I thought that’s not too long to wait. Wrong 40 min. later i’m still waiting so I had to go so I handled my ticket back to one of the staff. To my surprise that person didn’t even look at me. So I go to the counter to pay for the items that I did get. There was only one person ahead of me so I guessed that at least this should go quickly. Wrong again the woman in front of me was trying use a gift card that had already been used and girl on the other side was new so she had to call for help. But that’s not all the new lady couldn’t figure it out either. This place needs some help. Over an hour before I got out of the store. One side note their were more staff then customer.

Ultra-​long wait times at the firearms counter. You have to take a number, and there were always a dozen or more customers asking stupid questions about guns or ammo choices. These could be answered with a website search or some research before they got to the store. A few customers even asked to see multiple firearms, chatted up the only 2 counter guys about some bravado-​laden topics, showing off, etc… I had to go there for something that would literally take 15 minutes, instead I ended up wasting 1 hour 15 minutes waiting in line for 4 people to finish their transactions. The fact the store has a FN SCAR and Bushmaster ACR overpriced by nearly $ 1000 told me what I already knew.
The staff at Gander wasn’t very knowledgeable. The selection of products was abysmal and the prices were outrageously overpriced. They tried selling me their warranty/​protection plan, but honestly I wouldn’t trust them to clean or touch a .17 BB gun.
My advice: Do your research online ahead of time. They have some good deals and online discount coupons for some of their products, but most of their firearms and accessories are overpriced. Try to show up during non-​peak hours for the transfer.

Always fantastic service at the Gun counter! Knowledgeable and friendly.
Highly recommended.