How much loyalty do you feel you owe Your Gunshop?

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While I have known many great gun store clerks, I know of no other line of work that attracts ans many maladjusted weirdos. Don't know why.
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You should try working in the publishing and entertainment industries. I've worked with people like Jesse James from televisions "Monster Garage." I've worked with some fine people in my industry, like former Hells Angels president Sonny Barger and chopper builder Billy Lane, but I've worked with many more "maladjusted weirdos," the most maladjusted of which has to be Mr. James. He is one seriously disturbed and confused young man.
 
Loyalty

I've only bought 2 guns (so far). The first a 1947 Hi-Standard, HD-Military, which I love. Last week I went in and asked them to look for a .22 rifle. Same ammo, and should be fun, and State range doesn't allow centerfire rifles. Today I took my recently 21 yr old son there to take his written test for a RI pistol permit. While he was testing, I slapped my AMEX down on a slightly, if ever, used Norinco AK-47, $310.00 out the door. I'm guessing I wouldn't have found either of those at Wal-Mart.
 
The answer to "How much loyalty do you feel you owe Your Gunshop?" is a resounding NONE!

Value(max)=Price(min)+Service+Warranty+Intangible

In other words I give my dollars to the guys who maximize total value received...

Everyone either consciously or subconsciously evaluate the above equation everytime they make a purchase. The 1st three variables are easily quantified it's that last one that throws the wrench into the works and is the reason some folks will pay $100 more to a local shop rather than buy the exact same product at Walmart.

The value one assigns to intangible is very, very subjective and varies according to each person's wants and needs.
 
...just remember that when the local guys go out of business, the big guys' prices will go up, to probably more than what the small guy was selling for.
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I'm envisioning a future--maybe ten years from now--when all the independents who carry S&W 500's, Bushmasters, Barrett's, and other demonized guns are out of business. And the big chains won't carry them.
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I was sure we'd just had this conversation, so I did a search.

Yup, it was in May: I wrote:

Why cry for the mom-and-pop gun store? The mom-and-pop grocery is gone: they couldn't compete. The mom-and-pop record stores have been replaced by Amazon and Best Buy. Something is lost and something is gained. It's the nature of the evolution of the market.

Yeah, the market. People vote with their feet, and with their dollars. High overhead, poor management and low buying power may make small gun shops unable to compete on many products. I'd be pretty stupid to pay more to support a store that isn't smart enough to find their niche -- a niche not being served by the megamart, with its selection of fifteen different hunting guns.

The mom-and-pop hardware store in my area seems to be doing fine, with two Home Depot stores withing 20 minutes' drive. Why? They carry stuff the big store doesn't; they bend pipe to order; they rent power tools by the hour or the day; and they have people that know what they are talking about.

The market is always right. If the big stores "drive the little guy out of business" by selling the same goods for a better price, that's life.

If the big stores were to then stop selling what we need, guess what? That's called a "market opportunity" -- one that will be exploited by some savvy new gun store owner, who will open a "EBRs-and-CCWs-R-Us" and make a killing, being the only shop in town like that.

To ask people to act against their economic interests is a losing proposition, and doomed to fail.

Mom-and-pop gun shops need to evolve or die. The good ones will, and we don't need the bad ones.
 
Box stores, in many cases, get their product direct from the manufacturer.

Smaller stores go through distributors.

Some manufacturers will require a store to carry so much of their product line, that it becomes impossible to continue to carry any of that product.

Some stores can offer some niche items or a service, which is to their advantage.
 
local gun store

We have one in Memphis,Guns and Ammo.
I am not at all loyal to them as they charge 50 bucks for a transfer fee,and have heard employees that I know ,know better tell customers to buy the ar types in stock that nothin is coming thru the pipeline because of the War etc.
alot of that stuff has rust on them they been there so long.
But,I shop there LC.308 - 200bucks a 1000,LC.223 same price,slings and mags as well.
They have Ruger mini fo-teen 20rd mags for 34 or 36 bucks in stock,
I git frustrated with them but they are 10 min away.
Heard all kinds of comments there and at Classic Arms out in Cordova.
Try and be loyal and I would lose bigtime,it is definatley a money game.
I bought 5 cases of ammo from G&A in the last yr and a few real quick items right before last Christmas .
But pawn shops and the internet are taking more and more as I learn to use the internet.
Several have gone away from here closed up as well.
East Park Hardware was a Sat. tradition with me,place up in Frayser call ed ARRENDALE ARMS closed a while back .
I didnt do a lot of business with them ,it was nice and cozy.
Found Brighton Arms a while back and loved that place even tho all the surplus .308 was indian .Reasonable prices.
Range UAS has a few firearms and will order any thing you want and will do a transfer for 20 bucks,plus I like the Liberty Bar&Grill inside.
I am fairly loyal to that place. It is definately a 2 way street.Save your self some grief and money .
Your money should be as important to you as it is to them if not more so.
Oh and my aquaintence of The Gun Exchange in Olive Branch ,MS has some real good prices and is a little thin on ammo.Bought 2 rifles from him last year for Christmas presents both were 10/22s,save a bundle and was out the door in less than 10 min. We can buy long guns down there with out a state ffl transfer and the sales tax is 7.25% versus 9.whatever here.
His name is Jeff and is a real honest ,trys hard and has a good attitude.
I plan on buying more from him.
Told him to carry some surplus tyupe of ammo. But I like to get the best deal I can . Shop around can burn up time and money espcially with 2.50$ a gal of gas. Dayum
 
I'm wondering why I haven't heard back from doublenaughtspy about his double standard. He didn't seem to think I was justified in begrudging a gun shop/range's "shoot here - buy here" policy, but then whined about "scrooges" who are too greedy for their own good... I asked him to explain the double standard, but two pages later...nothin'. :rolleyes:

-Jeffrey
 
I'm wondering why I haven't heard back from doublenaughtspy about his double standard. He didn't seem to think I was justified in begrudging a gun shop/range's "shoot here - buy here" policy, but then whined about "scrooges" who are too greedy for their own good... I asked him to explain the double standard, but two pages later...nothin'.
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Never complain, never explain.

My local guy stocks very few decent handguns. he caters more to the rifle crowd. His handguns are mostly cheap new stuff or really old stuff.

My deal with him is that I order/buy one or two guns a year at near MSRP and he does all my FFL used gun transfers (2-3/year) free. It might be worth a try at your local place. It's not really his fault that his handgun prices are high. The small guys are at a disadvantage because they pay a lot more for guns usually. I could almost have got my Buckmark for less on Gunbroker than my dealer can order it one at a time from his distributor. I paid $50 extra and he did 3 transfers free already this year.
 
I need someone to receieve all the guns I buy here at THR, so every time I am in his store to receive a transfer, I also buy something, even if it is just a box of shells for the gun.

I also shop his store for glass and other stuff. If i don't support him, there will be no one there to receieve my stuff. Besides, I am a business owner and tend to support "the local guy" over the big guys antday, as long as the price for doing so isn't outrageous. He does need to make a living, as long as he doesn't make his WHOLE living from me... ;)
 
I do favor buying from the local gun shop whenever possible. I visit a number of gun shops, so the $ gets spread around anyway. I rarely visit a gun shop and buy absolutely nothing unless they aren't pleasant. I have gone into the small gun shops and felt out of place because I was not part of the clingons that hang out there. So, I go elsewhere where they provide the service I seek.

My problem with some local gun shops is that they have hours that suit them and not the working customer. You think I'm going to take off work to go to a gun shop? No way!

We are "blessed" in my area to have several fairly large shops that sell a wide variety of guns. Not many used guns though. They are pretty competitive with the gun show pricing overall and provide better service consistantly. So, I do most of my business with them except for the collector stuff.
 
If the big chain store or Internet store offers something for signifigantly cheaper than the local gun store, you can always ask the local store if they can lower the price a bit even if they can't match it dollar for dollar. Maybe it'll be low enough that your wallet can handle the difference and you'd still be supporting the small guy.

There aren't really any big chain gun stores here to my knowledge. I usually browse the Internet for ammo and shop the local store for guns since they markup the accessories. Then again, maybe I'm too lazy to drive further and explore the other places. It'd be great if one of those big vast Internet stores had a physical location here. It's hard to carry "one of everything" if you're a small outfit.
 
This thread poses an interesting philosophical question: what exactly is a "local" gunshop? If I live 1.5 miles from Bill's Gun Shop and 1.5 miles from Gander Mountain, why is one more "local" than the other? And why is it more important to support the good people earning their living at one shop but not support the good people earning their living at the other?

This is why I try to spread my business around as much as possible. I like the range at Bill's and shooting leagues there, so whenever possible I buy stuff from them if it isn't unreasonably priced because I don't want them to go out of business. I end up buying a lot accessories like holsters and magazines there, but have only bought one gun. But what if the big chains went out of business? Gander Mountain has fallen on some hard times this year. If they go under, that will provide more business for BS namby-pamby, PETA-loving, handgun-hating hippy places like Bill's Sporting Goods (the chain, not Bill's Guns, my "local" shop). What if Sportsman's Warehouse went out of business? I just bought a Thompson Center 50-caliber Hawkins percussion muzzle loader there for $469. The same gun at Gander Mountain was $569, and they didn't have any in stock. I needed the gun right away because it was a gift for my son and I'm going to see him this weekend. Thank God for the "local" chain store, and I'll gladly support them as long as they sell quality products at a decent price and provide good service.
 
How much loyalty do you feel you owe Your Gunshop

None.
I have three home owned and owner operated gunstores in my town.

Shop #1- Owner's wife decided to lecture me on why customers cannot request a used gun be field stripped for examination prior to purchase. Having purchased multiple guns at their place, as well as accessories, I knew this was not their policy. I did have enough sense to choose my battles. I took my business elsewhere. I prefer not to be lectured like a child by anyone, regardless of the reason. I hated to quit their business, as they have a great selection of used and custom Colts, as well as a lot of older S&W wheelguns, but I guess I'm just a hardheaded curmudgeon. After two years, I occasionally feel the urge to stop as I drive by, but I refuse.

Shop #2- Again, multiple gun purchases, and a member of their range. I ordered a several guns and had them do transfers for me at $25 a pop. Then, I decided to order two guns and save on shipping and transfer costs since I wanted both guns. They came in the same box. I picked them up at the same taime. I filled out one yellow sheet. I paid $50, the total of two transfer fees. I have not bought another gun from them, or done another transfer through them. I still use their indoor range, although I now buy my ammo a Wal-Mart, unless Wal-Mart does not carry what I want. They still try to sell me guns, and I kindly remind them of the time I questioned a $50 fee for a single phone call. Yes, I know they had to fill out a multiple purchase sheet, and make an additional log entry. So what? did they want my business or not?

Shop #3- They just don't seem to carry much of what I want. 15 different Glocks, 10 different Sigs and 20 different Rugers don't do much for me. Oh, they have the latest information on Colt going out of business though.

Lately, my gun money has been going to two pawn shops who see the gun business as secondary to their loan business. They price by the Blue Book, and know how to judge the condition of a gun. They don't mind if I want to field strip a semi-auto pistol, do March's checkout on a revolver, or transfer two guns at once. I don't even dicker prices with them. I have also met a couple of well heeled gunnies shopping there. Go figure..... So far, this year, they have sent me home with eight "new to me" guns.

Matt Payne, I agree with you wholeheartedly.
 
none

i have yet to find a gun shop that is worth any loyalty. Mostly I get a lot of misinformation. Had one guy tell me that a 357 mag was not much more powerful than a 38 sp. I shop for price.
 
My 2 cents...

I have three local gunshops ( Lock's + Mike&Kates + Abington ) and two local indoor ranges ( Britts + Classic Pistol ) within ten miles of my home. The gunshops are true mom & pop stores...and due to the fact they don't have large budgets, new guns are few and pricey...and used guns are plentiful and prices vary depending on condition. The two ranges also carry new and used ( consignment ) firearms. If I see something I want...I buy it...without feeling like I did the other guys wrong.
But as I mentioned in another thread...the one range just changed owners and have a policy about buying and shooting their ammo only. Since the first time they pulled this on me...I haven't been back. The other ranges' owner is a real jerk, doesn't give anyone, except maybe the LEOs that shoot there, the time of day. Doesn't bother me, I not there to be his friend...just use his range. Bought used guns off of both in the past...and would again if it suits me. But loyalty...ya gotta earn. :evil:
 
If a range requires you to shoot only their ammunition, it may be that their insurance will only cover ammunition from a "known source", or only factory loads, etc. I know this to be true for some ranges. Sure, they see a benefit because you have to buy ammo from them, but selling ammo isn't necessarily the only thing putting the rule in place.

I try to buy things from my local store. If the price is close, I would give it to the local guy. I don't have a lot of gun money anyway, so I need to make it go as far as I can. I won't get gouged on something just so I can give my money to the local guy. I do buy .357 magnum ammo and Gold Dots from the local guy, because I get .357 at similar prices and a better selection, and I can get the Gold Dots 50 to a box. I buy some ammo at Walmart because I can get a better deal for the same stuff there.
 
None at ALL.

If they have something I want and the price is reasonable I buy it. If not I look elsewhere.

They are NOT my friends they are in business to make money.

Sometimes they are nice and say hi, other times they act like they dont know me.

JMHO YMMV
 
i've been working the last month or so for Ken at wild west guns on saturdays. now that i've seen bottom lines and i know what kind of profit margins they have to obtain to keep the doors open, i have a different opinion about how a lot of gunstores stay in business.

for starters, WWG is not just a gunshop. they are gunsmiths with the ability to do darn near anything to a gun. most of their employees are the machinists and gunsmiths. those working the front greeting customers also do the shipping. inventory is routinely perused to try and get the guns that have been there for a while moved and sold. if no walk in customers are interested, the gun eventualy goes to be sold in online auctions.

i won't go into what exact profit margins are obtained, but i can say that they are often less than any other dealer. ken visits just about all the gunstores in anchorage and he knows what prices others have.

so when a potential customer walks in, picks up a remington 870, says 'the guys across town say they'll sell it for $50 less because they offer a military discount, can you match that?' the response usually is rolled eyes and a 'No'.

not every price you see on a gun is haggable. on used guns there usually is more room to wheel and deal. but with all the new guns in the shelves, it isnt worth the time to deal with a customer that doesnt want to pay the listed price when it is already the lowest price in town.

now. theres another thing to consider when choosing a place to buy a gun. is it just a gunshop? do they offer gunsmithing? do they guarantee their work? are they authorized by the manufacturer?
sure, you can buy that gun from another store for $50 less. but you won't be able to take it back to them for warranty work because they arent authorized to work on them.

would i shop elsewhere for a gun? no. and thats not me kissing up. i've been getting good deals since long before i started working there.
 
In Northern VA, there wasn't a dealer that I loved but there were several I was willing to frequent and a couple that I'd only visit with gritted teeth. Here in the DFW area, I've got a handful of good folks within a 30min drive from my house and all of 'em deserve my business. They are just good folk, and I'm surprisingly loyal to 'em.
 
Absolutely none for any of the local stores. Not when they ask me to pay MSRP and so graciously offer to give me ~40% on my trade that I bought from them in the first place.

One of the local shops actually inflates his factory ammo prices over MSRP.

But he allows his "Range Members" a discount.......

Nope I will buy my ammo where I can find it the cheapest as well as my guns.

A freind who has a small basically a catalog shop does a pretty decent business. He can't beat Wal-Mart but I am loyal to his shop and give him my money every chance I get.
 
Value(max)=Price(min)+Service+Warranty+Intangible
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+1

Excellent analysis. Over the years, I have tended to spread my purchases around. Some local stores, some "big" stores, and some internet purchases. I like to shop around and compare prices. Unfortunately, there have been some instances where I didn't do this, only to later find out that I overpaid by as much as 25%.
 
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