runco

Gun pricing can be simple or complex, but it all begins with the business model philosphy with the mangement of the gun store. The business model can be cost driven (inventory cost, over-head, + margin) more of a local gun store approach, or the business model can be market price based. Price the gun at the perfect point that is the highest price possible before the majority of the uninformed customers walk, this is a box store approach. In some cases the gun manufacturors contracturally require retailers to sell items at a certain price. In many cases the buying power of the local gun store retailer is at a disadvantage. Examle a local gun store may have to buy from a middle man, a wholeseller, where as the larger box stores buy directly from the manufacturor like the wholesaler does so their margins are the best of both worlds (wholesaler markup plus retailer markup), and many times the box store takes additional advantage by knowing the general public would prefer to buy from someone like Academy vs. Bob's Guns down the street due to Academy is not going anywhere any time soon, and Bob's Guns may be Jim's Guns next week or simply closed a year from now. Bob or Jim might make $60 on that handgun, but Academy may make closer to $100 on the same gun. If the box stores used both their buying power and minimal margin, all local gun stores would have no choice but to close, aka the Walmart model. In addition, as a former gun store owner, I have seen, have used, and have witnessed many gun businesses that use the business models of: Gun store may believe it will have more buyers that will not shop around, but are more apt to impulse buy, they tend to have higher prices. Local gun store may assume most buyers will expect some type of negotiation, then they may want to price higher in order to make people feel good about the purchase price, i.e. we will pay your sales tax, your fee, or maybe knock off a $1 on the ammo, etc. If a local gun store has no competition within a reasonable distance, then they may tend to have higher prices. Its rare to find that local gun store that prefers low margins and high volume. We as consumers would think this would be the best business model, it sounds great, and should work. Walmart has ruined us in that sense. Outside the hard core gun lovers like here on this forum, I suspect the general uninformed public that wants a gun, will not compare pricing on serious scale like I do, they usually focus their energy on just wanting "a gun" and they are unsure or uneducated on what is best for them. They walk in, look around, and usually buy what a buddy has at work or what they have seen on TV. Retailers prey on these type gulable uninformed buyers. Its the bread and butter of the business. The hard core guys will find the niche retailer for their fixes. When I ran my gun store, I did try the high volume thing on guns, but marked up the ammo, magazines, and other accessories up as much as possible. The guns were the draw card, the icing was the accessories. The hard core bought guns from me, but nothing else. I had a lot of repeat business from the hard core, but I sure wasn't making anything. The general public bought a gun and buggy full of accessories. It paid the rent, paid the employees, and allowed me to expand my inventory. For every gun I sold, there was 1 hard core guy, the other 9 were the general public. I imagine its probably more like 20:1 today, considering how the gun market is sizziling hot. Just my 2 cents.

Something smells rotton. Check the gun out very carefully, look for obvious problems. Make sure you have a bill of sale. Anyone who has access to the internet or walmart (thumb through gun digest in the books) can determine this gun to be a $500-$600 gun, plus those extra clips can be $25-$40 each. Desperation maybe, but $300, hmmm.

Been at work could not respond to this post: Unfortunately, I am just a man, and can not live up to these biblical standards, that is why I needed Grace. Its been a life changing event for me even since I accepted His grace. I never did post my opinion, only those comments of someone else. There is nothing "I" can say, and what value would be if I did?

No, I was born a sinner, and was condemed to spiritual death. But was given the free pardon of sin when I repented. Only 1 man in mankind history was able to follow the laws.

I have stayed out of this thread long enough. Leviticus 18: 22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Enough said! If you want to disagree, converse with the Author. He is available 24/7 + eternity.

Excellent, thank you JohnC for posting. I am a little more informed today.

I'm afraid if I took my wife it's kinda like two went to the range but only one came back. I am not sure I would be the one that returns.

Have you entered http://www.sigsauer.com/TeamSig/Sweepstakes.aspx

Even a blind squrrel will find a nut regarding the ACLU and some of my rights they fought for. If my remarks stir the pot, then I guess I accomplished something. Meaning your convictions may be at play one way or another.

This is what is wrong with people, they have lost the morale apptitude or guts to stand up for what is right! If you do not stand up for what is right, who will. If you do not know what is right, maybe you should do some soul searching.

Hypothetically speaking, and I know Tenn. Law would trump dept policy and county policy, etc. could the Marion Sheriff dept have issued a memo. request, or something to the DMV, stating for any new residenses requesting a new change of address for the HCP, they want a new background check to confirm who just moved in? When I was in the business 20 years ago, I ran up against local county "policies" quite offten that were in direct conflict of what I understood of TN Law. Before the internet, I often frequented the local library to read and photocopy Tenn Annotated books, pages, and etc. just to debunk the locals. I even went as far as using their county local newspaper editoral page to point out differences. I received a lot of heat, but I knew I was right. In the end, I had a 50/50 success rate in changes. Never did go the lawsuit route. Though my issue was different than this thread, it was the old method of Tenn. handgun background check. Many differences and methods county by county back then. It was most definitely a good ole boy network so to speak.

Blizard of 93 in Knoxville had the same effect. Channel 10 ran a story on the number of December births of 1993, and what a significant increase there was. No electric power = Love

I thought I recall he was upset about the Superbowl ad and how it was betrayed. I thought this appearance was a kinda of pay back, a settling of the score so to speak. I don't think you will see him on the campaign trail or anything.

Agree, Beretta 92 Sig 226 G17

What are the demographics cross section of people in the urban areas vs. the rural area. Do you reckon this has anything to do with it! Why do people want to leave the urban areas for the suberbs?

EASTWOOD: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Save a little for Mitt. (APPLAUSE) I know what you are thinking. You are thinking, what's a movie tradesman doing out here? You know they are all left wingers out there, left of Lenin. At least that is what people think. That is not really the case. There are a lot of conservative people, a lot of moderate people, Republicans, Democrats, in Hollywood. It is just that the conservative people by the nature of the word itself play closer to the vest. They do not go around hot dogging it. (APPLAUSE) So -- but they are there, believe me, they are there. I just think, in fact, some of them around town, I saw John Voigt, a lot of people around. (APPLAUSE) John's here, an academy award winner. A terrific guy. These people are all like-minded, like all of us. So I -- so I've got Mr. Obama sitting here. And he's -- I was going to ask him a couple of questions. But -- you know about -- I remember three and a half years ago, when Mr. Obama won the election. And though I was not a big supporter, I was watching that night when he was having that thing and they were talking about hope and change and they were talking about, yes we can, and it was dark outdoors, and it was nice, and people were lighting candles. They were saying, I just thought, this was great. Everybody is trying, Oprah was crying. I was even crying. And then finally -- and I haven't cried that hard since I found out that there is 23 million unemployed people in this country. (APPLAUSE) Now that is something to cry for because that is a disgrace, a national disgrace, and we haven't done enough, obviously -- this administration hasn't done enough to cure that. Whenever interest they have is not strong enough, and I think possibly now it may be time for somebody else to come along and solve the problem. (APPLAUSE) So, Mr. President, how do you handle promises that you have made when you were running for election, and how do you handle them? I mean, what do you say to people? Do you just -- you know -- I know -- people were wondering -- you don't -- handle that OK. Well, I know even people in your own party were very disappointed when you didn't close Gitmo. And I thought, well closing Gitmo -- why close that, we spent so much money on it. But, I thought maybe as an excuse -- what do you mean shut up? (LAUGHTER) OK, I thought maybe it was just because somebody had the stupid idea of trying terrorists in downtown New York City. (APPLAUSE) I've got to to hand it to you. I have to give credit where credit is due. You did finally overrule that finally. And that's -- now we are moving onward. I know you were against the war in Iraq, and that's okay. But you thought the war in Afghanistan was OK. You know, I mean -- you thought that was something worth doing. We didn't check with the Russians to see how did it -- they did there for 10 years. (APPLAUSE) But we did it, and it is something to be thought about, and I think that, when we get to maybe -- I think you've mentioned something about having a target date for bringing everybody home. You gave that target date, and I think Mr. Romney asked the only sensible question, you know, he says, ``Why are you giving the date out now? Why don't you just bring them home tomorrow morning?'' (APPLAUSE) And I thought -- I thought, yeah -- I am not going to shut up, it is my turn. (LAUGHTER) So anyway, we're going to have -- we're going to have to have a little chat about that. And then, I just wondered, all these promises -- I wondered about when the -- what do you want me to tell Romney? I can't tell him to do that. I can't tell him to do that to himself. (APPLAUSE) You're crazy, you're absolutely crazy. You're getting as bad as Biden. (APPLAUSE) Of course we all now Biden is the intellect of the Democratic party. (LAUGHTER) Kind of a grin with a body behind it. (LAUGHTER) But I just think that there is so much to be done, and I think that Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan are two guys that can come along. See, I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to the president, anyway. (APPLAUSE) I think attorneys are so busy -- you know they're always taught to argue everything, and always weight everything -- weigh both sides... MORE (INSERT ZACH) XXX I think attorneys are so busy -- you know they're always taught to argue everything, always weigh everything, weigh both sides. EASTWOOD: They are always devil's advocating this and bifurcating this and bifurcating that. You know all that stuff. But, I think it is maybe time -- what do you think -- for maybe a businessman. How about that? (APPLAUSE) A stellar businessman. Quote, unquote, ``a stellar businessman.'' And I think it's that time. And I think if you just step aside and Mr. Romney can kind of take over. You can maybe still use a plane. (APPLAUSE) Though maybe a smaller one. Not that big gas guzzler you are going around to colleges and talking about student loans and stuff like that. (APPLAUSE) You are an -- an ecological man. Why would you want to drive that around? OK, well anyway. All right, I'm sorry. I can't do that to myself either. (APPLAUSE) I would just like to say something, ladies and gentlemen. Something that I think is very important. It is that, you, we -- we own this country. (APPLAUSE) We -- we own it. It is not you owning it, and not politicians owning it. Politicians are employees of ours. (APPLAUSE) And -- so -- they are just going to come around and beg for votes every few years. It is the same old deal. But I just think it is important that you realize , that you're the best in the world. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican or whether you're libertarian or whatever, you are the best. And we should not ever forget that. And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let them go. (APPLAUSE) Okay, just remember that. And I'm speaking out for everybody out there. It doesn't hurt, we don't have to be (AUDIENCE MEMBER): (inaudible) (LAUGHTER) I do not say that word anymore. Well, maybe one last time. (LAUGHTER) We don't have to be -- what I'm saying, we do not have to be metal (ph) masochists and vote for somebody that we don't really even want in office just because they seem to be nice guys or maybe not so nice guys, if you look at some of the recent ads going out there, I don't know. (APPLAUSE) But OK. You want to make my day? (APPLAUSE) All right. I started, you finish it. Go ahead. AUDIENCE: Make my day! EASTWOOD: Thank you. Thank you very much.

I shot a kid in the belly when I was kid on purpose accident, drew blood, and entered his skin! I guess I would be a felon in California!

Congrats, my wife and I celebrated 10 years too in May. We went back to our honeymoon destination (Maui) and brought the 3 kids. What a trip, we certainly didn't make any honey this time with our sons 8, 7 and 3 years old.

Here is my 3rd son with our cat last winter: http://

Best .40 Cal for zombie killing? Mine! Sig P229 & Glock 22.

That is Good! She is right though!

I am not promoting which party to vote, but I know if you are a supportive of Planned Parenthood, you will vote democratatic, if you are supportive of ACLU you vote democratatic, if you vote for same sex unions, you vote democratatic. I can continue, but I think that is enough said. The republican party is not a saint either, but at least I can identify who I am not voting for. I can never vote for any public offical that is a confessed member of that D party, on a national, state or local platform. My church does not promote any party, but the teachings of my church makes it an easy choice for me. I vote with my convictions, not my wallet.

I have gave some serious thought about the serial number thing over time, pondering why people do this. I have concluded three reasons: Reason 1: An opportunist could report your gun in possession as stolen to local authorities motivated by either to mess with you, or could devise a plan to attempt some type of recovery. It just might work unless you have a documentation to prove date, place or from whom you purchased the firearm from. Reason 2: You have purchased a used firearm, and you know this gun is either HOT, or could be HOT or you really do not know, and do not want to know. You conceal its number so the original owner will not find his firearm because you will be out the money you paid because you did not record or have evidence where you acquired your gun from, or you do not want someone to run the number to see if its HOT if they have access the NCIC or its equilvalent. Reason 3: Its none of your business, its off the grid kinda of thing, but likely due to either #1 or #2 above. I for one, for each SKS rifle I see either here on this site, Arm Listing, Gun Listing, etc, and that I can make out the serial number, I check them against my list of serial numbers from the guns I had stolen 20 years ago.

I am for sure the bargain guy. As a former gun shop owner, orientalexpress did hit on the head. I remember these type guys. As a owner, I actually enjoyed the comradre. An empty gun shop, has no personality. My shop was full, sometimes too full with these bar stool nail/keg sitters. Yes, I provided bar stools. These poor old guys legs got tired from standing too long. Now from a owner's perspective, this was appreciated and encouraged. I guess from the $9 per hour clerk point of view, he has better things to do, like hmmm, stand around, act like he knows more than you do type of attitude. I assume these stereotype people pays his pay check. I guess I am old school in retail, treat everyone like a customer with no complaints. If customer complains, either fix it, or understand the complaint and try to accomodate the best they can. My 2 cents!

When the U.S. came off the gold standard on August 15, 1971 is when the US dollar began free floating, and has never been right sense, see a brief history here: http://en.wikipedia....i/Gold_standard. The U.S. dollar really has significantly gone south in the past 5 years (not due to supply/demand of gold, but due to national debt). This can be proven by simply ploting in a line bar type graph using another stable country's currency that has not increased its national debt, say a strong economony like Japan. Take Yen and compare it to the past 5 to 10 years of selling price of gold (in Yen), and see for yourself. The Yen shows a tremendous differt type curve than the US Dollar. It does have slight creep of gold cost, but nothing like the US or say Euro charts. If supply and demand is the main driver of gold prices, and gold is a global commodity, then this debunks that explanation. Don't get me wrong, there is some supply and demand influences, but its not the key driver, countries economies are, mainly its debt. The U.S. dollar problem is highly tied to U.S. Debt, and to some small degree negative trade balances. If there was no debt, and the trillions of printed money could be called back in say what has printed since 1971, in theory the $30 per ounce of gold could return. However, who else in the world could afford U.S. goods though? I am no economonist, but I am hollar born east tennessean mountain common sense guy who can read sumtimes