Gun shop guy...

[mikegideon]

Well to tie into that Mike, how long do you think they'd stay in business if they sell nothing because of their high prices? Just how valuable is that shelf space when you're closing up shop?

What they're really making is repeat customers. Guys who come in there to buy one thing and may walk out with 3 things.....guys who will recommend that shop to their friends, neighbors, and coworkers as a good place to go for a fair deal.

I come in for a couple PMags and I see a reasonably priced Glock, I just might be taking home that Glock. And vice versa. I walk in and see a $600+ Glock and $26 mags, chances are I won't be back there and I will tell everyone I know why.

How did we get into gun pricing? If they don't sell guns, they're toast. I don't care if their trinket prices are high.

[mikegideon]

I'm tin foil hat guy. And that is when I am on either side of the counter.

Your best story doesn't even involve a gun. You know... junk fry

[MacGyver]

Your best story doesn't even involve a gun. You know... junk fry

It's such a good story that I retell it. Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

[mikegideon]

It's such a good story that I retell it. Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

One of my all time favorites!

[gjohnsoniv]

It's such a good story that I retell it. Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Care to explain?

[scoutfsu]

How did we get into gun pricing? If they don't sell guns, they're toast. I don't care if their trinket prices are high.

They go hand in hand IMO. When I buy a pistol, I want more than 2-3 mags. Maybe a holster, maybe a light, maybe cleaning products, etc.

It's hard to sell guns if no one will go into your store because you're so overpriced on everything and/or have rude sales people.

[strickj]

Adapt or die applies to gun shops, too.

There's one shop in 'Nooga that has adapted to compete with online and large chains. They are thriving.

There's several shops in 'Nooga that have gone belly up by not adapting. Personal service does not support high prices, low selection and bar stool sitters these days.

Care to explain?

[pcrc11]

Since 99% of us all fall into at least one if not more of the OP's categories it sounds to me like it is time for him to find a new line of business and or hobby. Just curious, I wonder which category he falls into when he goes gun shopping.

[Chucktshoes]

Hehe, that was fun as hell.

[Ramjo]

I'm a little bit of every one of these except mall ninja...I don't tell people how to do their hobby.

[orientalexpress]

This was mostly tongue and cheek guys but it seems one or two of you are butt hurt over it. If we're slow I don't mind BSing with customers but their are a few "regulars" that never buy anything that want to look at 15 guns and expect to be treated like their royalty because they come in 3 times a week even though they never buy anything, especially when the shop is packed. How many of you are going to be pissed because you can't get help because either someone is ranting about Obama, or is wasting time looking at a desert eagle. Like I said its different when it's slow. I have a regular that's an older gentleman has never bought one thing and i know hes not going to,he comes in once a week and I BS with him. But we have a bit of an understanding, that if we get busy then I need to assist the customers that might potentially buy something.

As far as what guy I am. I'm not elitist. I don't carry nighthawk or les Baer or an lwrc. I carry a glock and a colt. I'm a big research guy Ive pretty much made up my mind before I've set foot in a shop. I happen to work for someone that prices items like pmags affordably also, if you're paying 14.20 for pmags online you're paying too much. But there are mags that are high ie if we pay $35 for mag and sell for about $41 I don't feel like thats an unreasonable profit. Yes $40 is a lot for a mag but we're not going to sell it for a loss. That's really besides the point I'm not the owner/operator so that above my head.

As far as gun pricing just because Jim bob cooters cousin or (insert gun shop) can get it for you at half what we're selling it for I just tell them that's a good deal and you should take them up on it. Maybe they really can, maybe they're just BSing to try and get a better deal I have no way of knowing. That being said I have a hard time believing that when they tell me they can buy a new colt 6920 for $800 when dealer cost on them is typically more than that. I don't set the prices im not the owner/operator so it's really out of my hands.

As far as Internet sales I'm not against them. Sometimes there's things you just can't buy locally. My issue is the people that want to come in and fondle them and then go home and order it or whatever. That's a bit disingenuous to me. That's like test driving a Corvette then driving over to Kentucky to buy it because their sales tax is lower. That's probably not the best example but you get the point.

As a customer, myself I don't like being hovered over while I'm looking at things. Maybe some of you guys like it. If you ask me if I need help I'll say not thanks or yes I'm looking for..... If I say no I don't want you following me around like I'm going to steal something. If I need help or have a question I'll ask. But that's just me.

[orientalexpress]

I never understood all the whining about internet competition.

Some of the biggest internet competition comes from companies like Bud's Gun Shop, Kentucky Gun Company, etc. Last I checked, many of them were brick and motor gun shops before they started selling via the internet. Who's fault is it that other shops weren't/aren't smart enough to follow the curve?

In today technological environment, if you're concerned about making money and at least attempting to keep up with competition, you better be utilizing the internet.

For places like budsgunshop they were a bit misleading. Sure they have some great deals. The other side they used to advertise things on theyre website at a certain price and they may not have carried that gun at that price in a year. The price is still there so people come in and are like you can buy it from buds for x but they're out of stock and the price is likely to go up. I don't know if they still do that or not.

[Chucktshoes]

As far as Internet sales I'm not against them. Sometimes there's things you just can't buy locally. My issue is the people that want to come in and fondle them and then go home and order it or whatever. That's a bit disingenuous to me. That's like test driving a Corvette then driving over to Kentucky to buy it because their sales tax is lower. That's probably not the best example but you get the point.

"Showrooming" is becoming a major problem across many retail markets. It was one of the issues associated with the death of Circuit City. Retailers everywhere are having to learn how to adapt to prevent becoming the showrooms for folks like Amazon and New Egg.

[Caster]

I used to really put forth the effort to buy from "Brick and Mortar" stores but I just can't hack the BS. I'll hunt a gun or something her or at a gunshow. Other than that, I buy from a Aluminum and wood store with rubber tires. {david's trailer}

[Guest ThePunisher]

I believe the $26 Pmags are probably the result of having to buy X amount of Pmags to get the price down to $14 or $15. Most shops can't afford to order large inventories. The old saying that it takes money to make money is true. The larger shops will have better and more accessories.

Edited August 26, 2012 by ThePunisher

[gjohnsoniv]

Hehe, that was fun as hell.

Good work! Might have been stupid but you stopped the guy. Also thanks StrickJ.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Can buy many accessories sight-unseen. Don't need to inspect the contents before buying a box of name-brand primers. Maybe neurotic but never bought a gun without being able to handle the merchandise. Not that I'm swooft enough to detect gun issues but it would be hard to buy one sight-unseen. Sometimes will think I want a gun pretty bad until after handling or close inspection, then change mind.

I rarely go to a gun store. Try to avoid impulse buying with a general policy not to buy the first day I see something. Odds are I might bother a salesperson then say thanks and walk, then come back next month and do the same. Might "waste" a salesman's time multiple times before deciding to buy something. Not that I expect em to talk for more than a minute or whatever. Sometimes will hang around browsing for an hour or two, trying to decide whether to buy a gun I already looked at. If I get the feeling I'm unwelcome just hanging not bothering anybody, maybe leave before making up my mind.

For whatever reason local stores don't often stock whatever I happen to be looking for, so it can take awhile to see something I want at the right price local, but ain't no hurry.

Speaking of good schmoozing environment, Wersi is a long-established German electronic musical instrument manufacturer. Reading their brochures back in the 1970's showed a big picture of their main studio showroom in Germany. A big room with all these shiny big organs placed here and there, comfy couches and chairs around the showroom. In the center of the showroom a big fully-equipped circular bar. Betcha those guys had pretty good success wining and dining upper-scale clientele then selling em a fine shiny monstrous electronic organ after a few drinks. Guess it might be a tad politically incorrect to run a combination gun store and posh bar in TN, though.

[Chucktshoes]

Can buy many accessories sight-unseen. Don't need to inspect the contents before buying a box of name-brand primers. Maybe neurotic but never bought a gun without being able to handle the merchandise. Not that I'm swooft enough to detect gun issues but it would be hard to buy one sight-unseen. Sometimes will think I want a gun pretty bad until after handling or close inspection, then change mind.

I rarely go to a gun store. Try to avoid impulse buying with a general policy not to buy the first day I see something. Odds are I might bother a salesperson then say thanks and walk, then come back next month and do the same. Might "waste" a salesman's time multiple times before deciding to buy something. Not that I expect em to talk for more than a minute or whatever. Sometimes will hang around browsing for an hour or two, trying to decide whether to buy a gun I already looked at. If I get the feeling I'm unwelcome just hanging not bothering anybody, maybe leave before making up my mind.

For whatever reason local stores don't often stock whatever I happen to be looking for, so it can take awhile to see something I want at the right price local, but ain't no hurry.

Speaking of good schmoozing environment, Wersi is a long-established German electronic musical instrument manufacturer. Reading their brochures back in the 1970's showed a big picture of their main studio showroom in Germany. A big room with all these shiny big organs placed here and there, comfy couches and chairs around the showroom. In the center of the showroom a big fully-equipped circular bar. Betcha those guys had pretty good success wining and dining upper-scale clientele then selling em a fine shiny monstrous electronic organ after a few drinks. Guess it might be a tad politically incorrect to run a combination gun store and posh bar in TN, though.

Throw in a humidor and make it 21+ for the ATF trifecta.

[scoutfsu]

"Showrooming" is becoming a major problem across many retail markets. It was one of the issues associated with the death of Circuit City. Retailers everywhere are having to learn how to adapt to prevent becoming the showrooms for folks like Amazon and New Egg.

I think it is a byproduct of inflated pricing. As the internet grew and online shopping exploded, stores could no long rely on selling their wares at the prices they had listed. Why would I go into Best Buy and buy an item that is priced 30% over competitors?

I think a lot of people would like to support their local businesses, even if it costs them more. I know I like to shop local in my town even though I could drive down to Bartlett and save more. But just like my give, there has to be some give on the store owners side. I think a lot of gun shops price themselves out of business. And it's not by a little.... example: I can get a new Glock for $400, call it $430 after shipping/FFL. I can get that same Glock for $600+ and then pay tax on it at the LGS, call it $650. Why would I do that? Lets say that LGS had the Glock for $500ish....I would pay that. I think most people would pay that.....we just don't like to be blatantly slapped in the face with such a price difference. The same goes for all the accessories. Sure, I'll pay more to keep you in business.....right up until I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. Then I'm gone.

I'll pay more for better customer service.

I'll pay more for knowledgeable help.

I'll pay more to help keep a good shop/person in business.

I won't pay more for condescension, rude attitudes, and price gouging.

This was mostly tongue and cheek guys but it seems one or two of you are butt hurt over it.

I happen to work for someone that prices items like pmags affordably also, if you're paying 14.20 for pmags online you're paying too much. But there are mags that are high ie if we pay $35 for mag and sell for about $41 I don't feel like thats an unreasonable profit. Yes $40 is a lot for a mag but we're not going to sell it for a loss. That's really besides the point I'm not the owner/operator so that above my head.

I don't think anyone is butthurt....more just disappointed in the actions and futures of LGS's.

My $14 PMag was an example. I can't remember the last time I paid over $11. And I agree with you about the $35/41 mag. It is when a place sells a $35 mag for $50 that I get annoyed. It's when they sell a $35 mag for $60 that I won't go back in there.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

"Showrooming" is becoming a major problem across many retail markets. It was one of the issues associated with the death of Circuit City. Retailers everywhere are having to learn how to adapt to prevent becoming the showrooms for folks like Amazon and New Egg.

Its been thataway for local music stores since the 1970's. Before the internet it still was a problem. Back then learn about new gear from magazines, go check out the gear at the retail-plus-20-percent local emporium, then order from Sam Ash, Rhythm City, or the handful of other high-volume big-city discounting music stores. Save big.

On electronics Best Buy's competition might not be Amazon or New Egg. Last week was looking for a small bluetooth keyboard for an android pad. Best Buy has its internet thang together enough that they can half-way reliably tell an internet customer whether an an item is in stock local. Walmart didn't have many bluetooth keyboards listed online but the Walmart internet isn't well-run and often a store will have items not online or vice-versa. So anyway I was planning to check Walmart first but got busy, so just ran by Best Buy and got the item. So then a couple days later finally got by Walmart, and the local walmart had the same item I bought at Best Buy, for $20 cheaper. But the item wasn't even listed on the Wally-World webpage. So if Walmart can get its internet act together and raise selection a little bit, then Best Buy won't have to worry about Amazon undercutting them. Walmart will undercut them both!

[gjohnsoniv]

Throw in a humidor and make it 21+ for the ATF trifecta.

You might be on to something there. Or maybe a tobacco/gun store...

[Chucktshoes]

I keep talking about opening a gun shop in the hood that sells nothing but Cobras, Jimminez and Hi-Points, a selection of menthol cigs like Kools and Newports and 40's. I think it would be a winner.

[gjohnsoniv]

It probably would be. Don't forget the occasional AK and maybe a Lorcin or something.

[dlm37015]

if i had a job i didnt like i would quit life is too short

i see 1000s of people every year i try to take time for each one

the story they have for me might not mean anything for me but might be very important to them

and you never get to old to learn something

[timcar86]

^^^

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