What do you look for in a local gun store?

R

remiglockoholic

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 4, 2010
212
0
#1
Hello All,

A few buddies and myself have decided to pursue selling firearms on a larger scale then just selling to other friendsm, and I've come to you guys for some input especially from our "West Valley AZ" memebers since i'll likely be opening here in goodyear. What ever you can storm up I'm willing to hear it and hell you might even see it come to reality become tax season next year.

Thanks
 
#3
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

I always thought a nice addition to a gun store would be a service to clean. I clean more than I shoot but there are people out there that don't have time to clean. I wanted to open a store in the future and I figured a great way to spend the day is to shoot, clean guns, and talk guns with others. Just a thought...it might be that something extra that sets you apart.
 
#4
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Me? Guns, mostly. I don't expect much else. Customer service and a lack of attitude are welcome surprises.
 
#5
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

One key I think is to offer your store is a simple but basic layout. I love a store the is clean and not junk piled with stuff.

Limit the crap guns. All the cheap brands, do not sale them. I would ask you to deal is quality firearms at the best prices you can handle.

Rifles, its real simple to sale them. Put them in a open rack with firing pins removed cabled down to the rack and let customers handle them.

Just some ideas

John
 
#6
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Helpful positive attitude. If you start getting a crowd of old men who gather there everyday to drink coffee and scowl at new customers - kick their ass out the door.
 
#7
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Product knowledge, reasonable prices, and the guy behind the counter not being a DB. </div></div>

+1 on This!!!! That is my major problems.
 
#8
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kilo7788</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Product knowledge, reasonable prices, and the guy behind the counter not being a DB. </div></div>

+1 on This!!!! That is my major problems. </div></div>

I agree with this. I've been to a few gun stores where the people behind the counter clueless jackasses. My prefered store employs two gunsmiths. I'm not sure if this is an option but it is very handy. Good luck with your plan! I hope it all works out.
 
#9
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

I would think there is some competition in your area, what do the other gun shops not offer?

I know price point is a top motivator to buy from certain dealers, nobody likes paying more than they have to.

We had a local dealer that did a lot of business, but he only averaged around 7% on gross sales, he still made a very good living from a part time store. Volume does work if you can stay in business long enough to build a customer base.

Good luck with your plans!
 
#10
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A few buddies and myself have decided to pursue selling firearms on a larger scale then just selling to other friendsm</div></div>
The first thing you are going to need is a lawyer. Never go into a business with "a few buddies" if you intend to remain friends with them. A good lawyer will draw up articles of incorporation to make sure that each individual's expectations are committed to paper for future reference.

I'm an old man. I have seen numerous groups of "buddies" start businesses. Not one single instance has ever worked out the way they invisioned. 90% are not even on speaking terms anymore.

So, do what you want, but as Kelly Bundy once said, "to be forewarned is to have four arms."
 
#12
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Get rid of this mindset.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-RemiG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What's to life, if you don't piss atleast one person off on your road to success...?

A.O.R.G.S "Against Old Rich Guy Shooters"</div></div>

Piss off a customer and it will effect you. I don't suppose anyone made it selling to young poor guy shooters.
 
#13
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Inventory, Inventory, and Inventory. I can look at pictures on the internet all day but when I go looking at the store I have money in my pocket and don't want to look at more catalogs when I get there.

Good prices and fair trades. People don't want to hear why your shit is worth retail and their shit is worthless.

Keep the place to seal the deal away from the browser area. People don't want the rest of the store know what they are buying or how much they are spending.
 
#14
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Act like you actually want my money . My 2 favorite gun shops treat me like an old friend when I walk in and my favorite shop has never failed to thank me for my business . If your too busy to help or act like your doing me the favor by selling me a gun or piece of equipment I am more than happy to move on and find somewhere else to buy it . I vote with my wallet when it comes to gun shops
wink.gif
 
#15
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

A cheap transfer fee
Clean and organized
Good lighting (have seen too many shops with bad lighting)
Knowledge of inventory

Good luck!
 
#16
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

No gun snobs.

The big 'black' store in this area (many of the workers are on this site so I'll skip the name but everybody in this area know) has a bad reputation for being gun snobs and unwilling to talk to people who aren't police/operators. They push Glocks like their going out of style not that there is something wrong with Glocks but if you don't have a Glock or a USO scope you're not worth the air you breathe.

They once told me my 1911s (Kimber and Para) were cheap POS that was going to break after 1000 shots.

There is another gun shop on 287 that is jam packed with inventory from the 40s and the owner is also a smith but he's an asshole to your face and refuses to work on anything that isn't a Winchester.
 
#17
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Have a good selection of guns. This means having more than a couple of 270's and a 30-06 and the rest are pistols and AR based guns.

Most of the gun shops in the Tampa bay area have a ton of black guns and a few rifles.

Don't be afraid to keep varmint rifles on hand.

Used guns sell very well and the profit margin can be higher than new guns.

Let the customers handle the guns if you are not in a high crime area.

Sell reloading supplies if your start up budget allows.

My favorite shop is First Stop in Rapid City SD (605)341-5211

If you want to see what I think is a real gun store, make the trip up there.
 
#18
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

A good range and reasonably priced ammo. If you have a gunsmith don't let him accept orders if he is 30 days behind. If there are long delays due to quality workmanship/materials communicate it up front and deliver on the deadline. If you are going to provide training find someone with a strong resume and practical expectations.

The rest is just inventory and knowledge of it as it applies to all retail businesses.
 
#19
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Well in business you will always piss someone off so I think that comes with the territory(HOPEFULLY not customers but it happens), and I most certainly am and will probably forever be "against old <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">RICH</span></span> guy shooters"(it's sort of a inside joke)to kind of reflect back on the comment someone made in regards to "old men collecting in the shop" I've seen first hand it's usually the old rich guys who participate in this type of behavior of over inflicting or scolding others with their opinion when it's not warranted.

I'll be honest, try my best to be cheaper than the other guys and have a relaxed but safety guidelines enforced kind of establishment.
 
#20
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

Thanks all for the suggestions, i have a list of ideas that i'll plug n play with and run it by all parties involved. As far as getting a lawyer involved that's all within our checklist but that's the less interesting stuff that most people don't care to talk about.
 
#21
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-RemiG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks all for the suggestions, i have a list of ideas that i'll plug n play with and run it by all parties involved. As far as getting a lawyer involved that's all within our checklist but that's the less interesting stuff that most people don't care to talk about. </div></div>


Someone mentioned it above...a really nice range....indoor/outdoor would be nice.

Find at least one really good looking babe who knows and loves guns....that will bring in lots of customers. I took a girlfriend to a store in Ft. Lauderdale Fla. with a range just to shoot her Dad's old 38. She loved it and got a bunch of her girlfriends to come shoot one night a month. The store rents them so you can try them out. they ended up selling every one of those ladies pistols.
 
#22
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike Casselton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have a good selection of guns. This means having more than a couple of 270's and a 30-06 and the rest are pistols and AR based guns.

Most of the gun shops in the Tampa bay area have a ton of black guns and a few rifles.

Don't be afraid to keep varmint rifles on hand.

Used guns sell very well and the profit margin can be higher than new guns.

Let the customers handle the guns if you are not in a high crime area.

Sell reloading supplies if your start up budget allows.

My favorite shop is First Stop in Rapid City SD (605)341-5211

If you want to see what I think is a real gun store, make the trip up there. </div></div>

First Stop in Rapid is a hell of a place, it embodies all of the aforementioned things with the exception of a range....or hot chicks....
 
#23
Re: What do you look for in a local gun store?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Marc O</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A few buddies and myself have decided to pursue selling firearms on a larger scale then just selling to other friendsm</div></div>
The first thing you are going to need is a lawyer. Never go into a business with "a few buddies" if you intend to remain friends with them. A good lawyer will draw up articles of incorporation to make sure that each individual's expectations are committed to paper for future reference.

I'm an old man. I have seen numerous groups of "buddies" start businesses. Not one single instance has ever worked out the way they invisioned. 90% are not even on speaking terms anymore.

So, do what you want, but as Kelly Bundy once said, "to be forewarned is to have four arms."
</div></div>
He's got a very valid point.
This may sound negative but most partnerships don't stay together or one day disolve. One partner can't keep his pants on and then goes thru a nasty divorce and you have a nasty litigation to go thru..
I hope this NEVER happens to you but being prepared for the "What if" will help you in the long run.
Protect all parties investment.

Now back to recommending what I like to see in a gun shop.
Good quality rifles/pistols/shotguns/ammo/reloading supplies/good prices/friendly environment/no stuffy egos.
Someone that orders what you want (If you consent to buy)and lets you know that it has arrived promptly.
Atleast one very talented gun smith always tweaking the firearms to perfection.

Not all areas can support all types of gun shops.
Big citys can support a larger variety of shooters but the same large variety gun shop cannot survive in a smaller community unless you have deep pockets and form a reputation (which takes a long time).

You will have to make an assesment of what the shooters want in you area.
Some areas will be just plain average hunters.
Some areas will primarily be pistols and will love to have an indoor range.
Mold your gun shop to fit the shooters in your area... Give them what they want and make it inviting for them to spend their money in your establishment.
Live on a tight budget for a while and only buy what you know you need to survive and make do with what you have as long as you can. As time goes on and money slowly starts to pay off your initial investment then you can grow your budget and then maybe add certain things that could improve your customers experience.
If you live fairly tight on the budget and you don't go into that much debt then you can possibly succeed at your adventure.
I hope you do well with your soon to be gun shop.
I wish you success.
....SmokeRolls
 
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