How do local Gun shops stay open?

Jakerson9

Jakerson9

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near 36.1n, 80.3w (W-S,NC)
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I went to my favorite local gun store today to buy a firearm, and I left without one. Their prices used to be reasonable...they used to be very fair: They were charging maybe $25 or $50 more than Buds and I was very happy to support them. Yesterday I looked at four or five pistols that were each priced $150 - $300 more than Buds. It looks like their new practice is to price their used firearms around $75-100 over online pricing. Accessories were crazy high too. Id pay a local shop $40 +tax for a magazine that would go for 29.99 online, but 49.99 for that same mag seems like Gander and Hyatt type prices, not the lical guys.

And the employees that I really liked for their great customer service and knowledge... those people were gone. I listened to an employee telling a customer that a 40SW from an 18" barreled Keltec had ballistics just like a "Winchester 30-30 or 7.62x39 from an AK... what? REALLY???

Im starting to think that the only two ways to become a millionairre as the owner of a local gun shop is to start with ten million, or to win the lottery. How do local guys compete?

And I think the days are numbered at what used to be my favorite lgs.
 
I am still hitting up Fuquay Gun and Gold or Carolina Gun Runners. They have been my go to gun shops for years now. They seem to have held their prices steady and their customer service has always been excellent. Those are the only places I buy guns anymore.
 
Elenaidan said:
I am still hitting up Fuquay Gun and Gold
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I'm lucky that this is my LGS. I'll agree their gun prices seem pretty stable, but I've noticed that accessories are going up while the on-line prices go down. Especially true for mags; for our benchmark G17 mag they used to be 8-10% higher than on-line which isn't bad for being able to grab it when you need it. Now they're 40% higher than on-line. I realize that mag prices are going down because of the non-panic and they would want to sell their older inventory at the old prices, but I swear the prices have actually gone UP since the election.

No gun shop ever sells ammo well priced. I really want to see a LGS have a "outdoorlimited.com" style store stuck on it where you can buy ammo in large quantities at low prices, but I suspect that the margins are so thin they couldn't afford to keep it staffed.
 
Yep innerwebs killed most if not all brick and mortar camera stores as well. No way to compete with someone who sells 50 or 100 times more than you can.
The distributer is part of the problem, it is easier to send one shipment with 30 items in it than 30 shipments with one item. They don't really care about customer service they're just looking at the numbers.
 
The local guy can't compete with the big chains. Only thing he can do is offer good customer service. Many gun shops lack this ability.
Most gun guys are not people oriented individuals.
One of my lgs is a prime example. They have their loyal base but with the help he has running the show it is going to be hard for him to draw new customers.
It used to be a great place for a "deal" now the economy is getting tougher and the prices continue to climb to make up for the lack of numbers.
It's not easy and you must strike a balance.
 
Tailhunter said:
The local guy can't compete with the big chains. Only thing he can do is offer good customer service. Many gun shops lack this ability.
Most gun guys are not people oriented individuals.
One of my lgs is a prime example. They have their loyal base but with the help he has running the show it is going to be hard for him to draw new customers.
It used to be a great place for a "deal" now the economy is getting tougher and the prices continue to climb to make up for the lack of numbers.
It's not easy and you must strike a balance.
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From what I have seen, the big chains like Cabellas and Field and Stream price at or close to MSRP. That is always much higher than the prices at Bill Gun Rack. Often times more than $100 higher.
 
fishgutzy said:
From what I have seen, the big chains like Cabellas and Field and Stream price at or close to MSRP. That is always much higher than the prices at Bill Gun Rack. Often times more than $100 higher.
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Bill's is a great place to find a deal. Especially on used guns.
The people he has now are friendly. Sandra is always polite and has been in the buisness for a long time.
 
Maybe they have adopted a barter system? Make them an offer that's equally absurd as their ask and see where you wind up.
 
I've often assumed that those high priced gun shops make their money on new and ignorant customers, along with a few that don't care what they pay, as long as they get the instant gratification of getting what they want now.

I feel I'm fortunate that both of my local shops are pretty good. Anderson at Liberty Guns in Hillsborough has always treated me well, and seems to have good pricing on most of his guns.

Mace Sports used to have a reputation for less than stellar customer service, but in the last year they've become much better and I've had a good experience with every visit.
 
I can tell you what my issue is.

Everyone wants it now, they want it for damn near free. I marked the CZ455's at 12% over cost + shipping. I had one of the members here on this site in a PM turn down the deal over $8.

$8 damn dollars!!

the brick stores have inventory the longer it sits, the more cost can be added to help move product.
 
I stopped in to my LGS, Frontline in Pickens, SC last Thursday and my heart just stopped - the walls and display cases were absolutely bare, only three firearms that I could count.

I asked if they had sold out of everything and was told no, they had just packed up all their inventory for a gun show in Aiken and whatever was left over would be back in the shop by Tuesday. Whew, I could breathe again.

I then asked if they had any AR-10s in inventory that just maybe could come back unsold.

The guy behind the counter said he didn't think so but directed me to their website. He says it shows much (but not all) of their physical inventory, but also shows the inventory of their distributors, but only the in-stock and available for immediate shipment items. Orders placed are usually in the store in 2-4 business days. Prices shown reflect a 6% markup over the FFL's cost with no transfer fees. That is a fair markup and I can't begrudge anyone from making an honest living. Hey, I'm a nice guy but even I won't work for free. They can do 6% because they take zero risk on the transaction. They don't tie up any working capital and don't have to mark it down below cost if it sits on the shelf too long.

There is a guy who found out where they moved his cheese.
 
+1 for Backwoods Bang Shop. I live in SC and with shipping($15) and transfer($10) he still beats the price of all the LGS near me. Jerek gets all my business and all my friends!
 
Shooterb said:
Backwoods Bang shop at the shows kills everyone else on deals. No having a brick and motar shop allows for better pricing. No over head to speak of.
Just getting to his table is biggest problem.
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No doubt about it. It is very rare to go by Jerek's table and not see somebody filling out paperwork.
 
JBoyette said:
I can tell you what my issue is.

Everyone wants it now, they want it for damn near free. I marked the CZ455's at 12% over cost + shipping. I had one of the members here on this site in a PM turn down the deal over $8.

$8 damn dollars!!

the brick stores have inventory the longer it sits, the more cost can be added to help move product.
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Well dang it John! You refused to give me a pants down hug.:rolleyes:
 
Yea one of my LGS is way over priced on everything yet their parking lot always have people in it.

My other LGS is geared more toward the traditional hunter and reloader which the reloading portion is good for me for the most part.
 
Elenaidan said:
Well dang it John! You refused to give me a pants down hug.:rolleyes:
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I can attest...between John, Chad, and Don...it's hard to tell who is he best...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Tailhunter said:
Most gun guys are not people oriented individuals.
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And they burn out quickly. They're weary of people kicking the tires, wanna hold it, ask a bunch of questions, and then order from grab-a-gun and want this guy to transfer it to them for $15.
What they fail to grasp is because of their social inabilities, arrogance and/or disinterest with the customer..they drove that customer away. Why pay extra for service when there is none?
They are their own worst enemy. The last type of personality you need in a retail environment regardless if he owns the place or not.

If I can buy a 9mm online for $499 free shipping/no tax, and my local guy is $50+tax higher, but are great people to be around, who do ya think I'm gonna shop? That's right. I'm gonna walk out the door of my local guy with a new 9mm.

It's the service, stupid.
 
How do local Gun shops stay open?
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Well, that is easy, the money maker is in the Back Room.

Flameflow.png
 
Ive often wondered the same thing about the store here in Kannapolis. I cant image how hard it is to stock a few of the bajillion accessories for firearms.
 
Shooterb said:
Backwoods Bang shop at the shows kills everyone else on deals. No having a brick and motar shop allows for better pricing. No over head to speak of.
Just getting to his table is biggest problem.
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Tobrooks said:
+1 for Backwoods Bang Shop. I live in SC and with shipping($15) and transfer($10) he still beats the price of all the LGS near me. Jerek gets all my business and all my friends!
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LizardKing said:
No doubt about it. It is very rare to go by Jerek's table and not see somebody filling out paperwork.
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draco88 said:
I've been that guy a few times, so has my wife lol.
Jerek is damn near unbeatable.
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I certainly appreciate the compliments guys. Thank you for the support. It is appreciated.
 
All brick and mortar retail is going through this right now.

The other day I needed a very specific type of audio recorder. Guitar center had one in stock about 5 miles away, for the same price as having it overnighted to my door step. Buying it online also meant I didn't have to drive into town, didn't have to listen to the guy at the counter try and upsell me on something different that doesn't meet my use case, and I've only got to wait an additional day to get it.

I bought it on Amazon.
 
Jakerson9 said:
I went to my favorite local gun store today to buy a firearm, and I left without one. Their prices used to be reasonable...they used to be very fair: They were charging maybe $25 or $50 more than Buds and I was very happy to support them. Yesterday I looked at four or five pistols that were each priced $150 - $300 more than Buds. It looks like their new practice is to price their used firearms around $75-100 over online pricing. Accessories were crazy high too. Id pay a local shop $40 +tax for a magazine that would go for 29.99 online, but 49.99 for that same mag seems like Gander and Hyatt type prices, not the lical guys.

And the employees that I really liked for their great customer service and knowledge... those people were gone. I listened to an employee telling a customer that a 40SW from an 18" barreled Keltec had ballistics just like a "Winchester 30-30 or 7.62x39 from an AK... what? REALLY???

Im starting to think that the only two ways to become a millionairre as the owner of a local gun shop is to start with ten million, or to win the lottery. How do local guys compete?

And I think the days are numbered at what used to be my favorite lgs.
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I bet i know the shop you speak of
 
FlatFender said:
All brick and mortar retail is going through this right now.

The other day I needed a very specific type of audio recorder. Guitar center had one in stock about 5 miles away, for the same price as having it overnighted to my door step. Buying it online also meant I didn't have to drive into town, didn't have to listen to the guy at the counter try and upsell me on something different that doesn't meet my use case, and I've only got to wait an additional day to get it.

I bought it on Amazon.
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And we are one baby step away from another local store going bye-bye. Isn't there a value in the music world to having a local source for some things? Is there no value to seeing, fondling and hearing certain items? We are heading towards fewer choices and less leverage. And eventually rising prices. And we are doing it to ourselves. :(
 
CZfool68 said:
And we are one baby step away from another local store going bye-bye. Isn't there a value in the music world to having a local source for some things? Is there no value to seeing, fondling and hearing certain items? We are heading towards fewer choices and less leverage. And eventually rising prices. And we are doing it to ourselves. :(
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I've been in retail for nearly 15 years, and now, more than ever, customer service is king.

I buy all my bicycle stuff from the local bike store located in a basement downtown, because they're knowledgeable and awesome.

I buy my audio equipment online because the guys at the counter at the music store are usually high, uninterested, and act like I'm bothering them by asking them to ring me up.
 
Lucky13bullets said:
This.

How many people come in my shop every day and want to make me an offer or want a discount

I wonder if the do the same at Walmart or Home Depot

And don't even get me started about the ones that don't want to pay the tax
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I actually know someone who does haggle with Walmart, home depot, lowes etc. few times I been to there with him it was actually embarrassing lol
 
Over the years I have been very blessed with good sales staff at local shops. They are just like me, working to make a living, feed their kids, pay their mortgages, car payments, and house repairs. If a local shop has something I want in the shop and they have an established relationship with me, I will always buy from them. If it is not in stock I will try to see if they can get it. Most of the time I have already found it on line and cheaper, so I know about how much it will be before I get there, but that was never the point.

Supporting my local shops are important to me. It may mean I have to forgo an extra cup of coffee or two, but on a personal level it is more important for me that they remain in my community. These are our brothers in arms. I will support them when I can.

These businesses are important to our local gun community. Without them we loose presence, solidarity, a place to have our needs tended to by our local community, and most importantly...... the ability to expose the firearms/2A stances to those around us. When we fail to support our local Brick and Mortar mom and pop shops, we are putting the local growth potential for our constitutional right at the lowest priority. If we do not have growth, we have attrition, and that leads to demise.

Ok I'm done bitchin now.
 
Customer service is it for me. I purchases firearms at local stores, transfers are just a pain in the ass for me. I hate having to pay hazmat fees, so I will purchase powder and primers from a local store, will miss Lucky 13. Going to need to find another local store for that stuff. I do not like any of the big box stores.
 
AR10ShooterinNC said:
I hate having to pay hazmat fees, so I will purchase powder and primers from a local store, will miss Lucky 13. Going to need to find another local store for that stuff.
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You can still buy all that from @Lucky13bullets and not pay hazmat. He's shutting down the casting business and storefront, but still doing all the powder, primers and other stuff. He'll either ship, or you pick up at this house a couple miles from the store location.

ETA: that's per Don's post here: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/whats-happening-at-lucky13.6038/#post-100122

And more info here: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...-happening-at-lucky13.6038/page-2#post-100475
 
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BigWaylon said:
You can still buy all that from @Lucky13bullets and not pay hazmat. He's shutting down the casting business and storefront, but still doing all the powder, primers and other stuff. He'll either ship, or you pick up at this house a couple miles from the store location.

ETA: that's per Don's post here: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/whats-happening-at-lucky13.6038/#post-100122

And more info here: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...-happening-at-lucky13.6038/page-2#post-100475
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That is good to hear.....
 
FlatFender said:
I've been in retail for nearly 15 years, and now, more than ever, customer service is king.

I buy all my bicycle stuff from the local bike store located in a basement downtown, because they're knowledgeable and awesome.

I buy my audio equipment online because the guys at the counter at the music store are usually high, uninterested, and act like I'm bothering them by asking them to ring me up.
Click to expand...

Ha, music guys high? No way man.
 
Elenaidan said:
Over the years I have been very blessed with good sales staff at local shops. They are just like me, working to make a living, feed their kids, pay their mortgages, car payments, and house repairs. If a local shop has something I want in the shop and they have an established relationship with me, I will always buy from them. If it is not in stock I will try to see if they can get it. Most of the time I have already found it on line and cheaper, so I know about how much it will be before I get there, but that was never the point.

Supporting my local shops are important to me. It may mean I have to forgo an extra cup of coffee or two, but on a personal level it is more important for me that they remain in my community. These are our brothers in arms. I will support them when I can.

These businesses are important to our local gun community. Without them we loose presence, solidarity, a place to have our needs tended to by our local community, and most importantly...... the ability to expose the firearms/2A stances to those around us. When we fail to support our local Brick and Mortar mom and pop shops, we are putting the local growth potential for our constitutional right at the lowest priority. If we do not have growth, we have attrition, and that leads to demise.

Ok I'm done bitchin now.
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This times 100. In X number of years when there are about 10 guys you can buy guns and gun related goods from online how many choices do you think you are going to have in your purchasing? It is going to be a numbers game, and if your favorite toy is a niche player good luck seeing or fondling one. Or getting one. And when the players get greatly reduced to a small handful of companies how easy do you think it will be for either a State or the Feds to control them? The companies will of course want to 'work with' all legal authorities, cough, cough. Oh you need us to give you our hard drives? Sure. Oh you want us to keep a database for you? Sure. Oh, you want to make people fill out 10 forms and give three references for a box of 10mm! What the heck, why not?

We're all going to have to buy Ruger American's with 10 round magazines and smart technology. :eek:
 
My local shop is also a pawn broker. I think they make their money by flipping $5 tool boxes and $9 chainsaws. :) They have a good selection and will come down a little on sticker price if you ask politely. Good guys and gals all around.

CHRIS
 
I do a mix of local and online.
Some stores, as been mentioned, have bad customer service from some of the employees - it does push people away.

Also, with the customer service and employees who are rude etc - put a dang price on your goods. If you actually priced them I, and others, wouldnt have to ask you a bunch of questions each time I come in. That wastes my time and it also aggravates you too. Vicious cycle and all that.
 
CZfool68 said:
And we are one baby step away from another local store going bye-bye. Isn't there a value in the music world to having a local source for some things? Is there no value to seeing, fondling and hearing certain items? We are heading towards fewer choices and less leverage. And eventually rising prices. And we are doing it to ourselves. :(
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Funny thing:
When I was playing in a band and whatnot, we'd all bitch endlessly about how Guitar Center had come in and drove all the good mom and pop music shops out of business! They'd hire min wage dipshit kids to work, and basically used their buying power to undercut all the little guys.

It's sorta like worrying about Walmart going out of business when nobody has drove more people out of businesss than Walmart

I agree and see your point, but it's interesting if you think about it.
 
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