Gander Mountain

Went in to buy two kayaks and hiking boots. Went to check out the boots first. First thing I noticed was the shoes require an employee to go into the back and get them. I waited for half an hour for am employee to show up. Went to find employees. Only two guys behind gun section and we’re chit chatting about machine guns with one customer.
I go back to shoe section to wait. Surely an employee will walk nearby. Decide to finalize it down to 3 shoes I would like in meantime. An employee (man) actually comes and stands near us putting merchandise in a bin but looks at us then just leaves.
He doesn’t say a word. Doesn’t ask if I want to try anything on. Just walks away while pulling out his phone and texting.
I give up. I can’t get any help in the store. Customer service is the worst in Valdosta from what I have heard but I came to check it out several times anyway. The rumors are true. There may be one or two people occasionally who smile but no one wants to deal with you when they HAVE to in order to sell the product (shoe section for example… and kayaks).
I tell my wife I’ll get my boots from somewhere else. I still go and check out the kayaks. On my way to that side only employees I see are two at the cash register and no one is checking out. They are just talking to one another.
I get to the kayak section. Have a decent deal on Kayaks and I have to get an employee to get the kayak. I walk around looking for a store employee. NOWHERE to be found. Only at the cash register. I wait. Must be in back room. I’m in Gander for over an hour. 30 minutes a piece looking over near shoes and then kayak and tent area. No one says a word to me.
I go grab a tarp and pair of hiking socks and leave. I went across the street and bought us two kayaks and two pairs of boots/​shoes at Academy.
Now I know why Gander has such a bad reputation in Valdosta with those who have been a few times.
I even asked my wife if I should tell cashier to track someone down. She said no and don’t give these guys any of your money. Crap store. So we left. I always try to maintain a good attitude even with bad customer service. I still bought items while I was there but after having been there several times now it has been sorry service each time. If I have a question about anything I better have my phone to do my own research.
I got a bracket for my truck, two pairs of shoes, two kayaks, camping gear, fishing rod, water bottle, knife at Academy for around $ 1,500 after tax. And I was greeted by several employees while I was walking throughout the store asking if they could help me.
Until something changes I will never set foot inside of Gander again. Store has great potential but crappy management and employees. Academy is a far superior store with much better prices especially on firearms.

Big box outdoor store with big box type service. One of the largest gun selections in the state but the guys behind the counter seem to have very limited knowledge of the guns and an attitude that does not make me want to buy from them. I prefer the customer service and knowledge that I can only find at a smaller local gun store. As far as the rest of the store they have a great selection of accessories, clothing, boots, fishing, camping, etc…

Large selection of firearms, ammunition (when available), clothing, etc. However their prices seem higher than than average.

If you like Under Armour, Columbia and Noth Face clothing, they have huge inventory here at good prices. Abundantly staffed with friendly employees who all have headsets and mic to call other departments for you to find what you need.

We definitely needed this shop in Valdosta. All we had was small gun shops. This place has a huge selection of camping/​hiking supplies that I really don’t need… yet it is impossible for me to come here and not buy anything! There gun selection is the largest in Valdosta. I have yet to buy a gun here because I am partial to T3 Outdoors, but they have a lot of great guns. They also have a large used gun section as well.
If you are going camping or hunting you need to stop in here.

This place is awesome! This is just the type of store Valdosta needed! I have been here a few times and every tome I come the staff is very friendly and are eager to answer my questions. They have a huge selection on camping and outdoor stuff and of course a very nice gun section!