Kistler at Gander Mountain?

[Hoss05]

Is it true that Gander Mountains are going to start carrying Kistler rods? I have heard this a couple of times on other forums. I am considering getting my first Kistler and would love to go to my local Gander to check out which model is perfect for me.

Thanks!

[Lightninrod]

Welcome to Kistler Hoss! It's my understanding that some of them will have them. Hopefully, Trey will see this and answer.

Dan

[kistlero]

Hoss,

Yes, it is true. But the real question is when and where. I do not have any idea as of yet. The head buyer said he was going to put them is several stores in the South. I have yet to see an order. It could be this week or next year. Who knows.

I apologize on behalf of Gander Mountain for not carrying the hottest rod on the market. Ha Ha! Hopefully for everyones benefit, they will begin to carry our rods soon.

Thanks for asking,

Trey

[MNBASSER]

Go get um Trey, would love to see Kistler Rods up here in the north country!

[kistlero]

Guess What? You guessed it. We got an order from a store in Flint, MN this morning on the fax machine. We should ship it out today and the store should have it in less than a week. I hope this is a close locating for you. If not, tell your nearest store to call us up and order a few.

Trey

[hooksetters 1]

was that store in Flint MN or in Flint Michigan?

[kistlero]

Flint, MI


sorry for the type error

Trey

[bcbasser]

I went and talked to the Sales Manager at Gander Mountain in Lansing MI and he said that they don't have the market for the higher end rods. I will check the Kalamazoo Mi Gander sometime this week!!

[Bigbowfin]

As an independent dealer there was an advantage to carrying Kistler Rods; if they go into my local (Indiana) Gander Mountain I will not handle them since I choose to run my business per the stated terms and conditions.
I enjoy representing and selling products that can not be purchased at the big box stores and through catalogs. Seems like another case of the small guy getting passed over for the almighty buck.
I know, sour grapes. . .
Jack

[BobM]

I would love too see them in the Gander Mountain In Middletown NY!!

[kistlero]

Jack,

I accept your position and respect your opinion. Sorry to hear you feel that way my friend. Please do not group Kistler Rods with the other rod manufacturers by thinking we are just in it for the almighty buck. We have more than money at stake while our mission is much greater than making bigger and bigger profits for ourselves. I'm sure you have heard our goals to help reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Well, it takes money to do that.

We have committed (since day one) to staying out of the big Discounters like Academy, Bass Pros, Wal-MartÌs, Dick's and other marts ( and still do). For six years we have pushed hard to make it with only the small independents and for six years we have just scrapped by while waiting for these guys to support our commitment to them. Well, thanks to you and other dealers, including Cabelas, we have made a name for ourselves by providing the consumer a fine, innovative fishing rod. But not enough of these small independants have joined us in pushing out product which you can't find in the discounters.

I do not think being in your local Gander Mountain will hurt you but rather it will help expose the Kistler Rods name. Your customer will be loyal to you after he sees the rod in the big store for the first time; he just might go buy it from you when he is ready for the purchase. I have seen this happen time and time again. The same goes for catalogs.

I trust this reply is read and heard with a sense of one who really cares for his customer both wholesale and retail.

Respectfully,

Trey Kistler

[greens]

Just an update for everyone's information.

They are officially in stock at the Gander Mountain in Spring, TX near 1-45 and Cypresswood. I was there yesterday checking out some new reels and saw the big Kistler display in front of the St. Croix display.

Give your local one a call and see if they have them in yet.