Opening a gun shop -- UPDATE: Two Years In!

[BullfrogKen]

Awesome. Good for you and thanks for the update!

 

[bannockburn]

Going from what I can see on your Facebook page, your store looks fantastic. Here's to many more years of successful firearms (along with all the other accessories, ammo, etc. that go with it), business.

 

[nugun55]

Didn't know the place was that close to me. I'll have to stop in and check it out.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Congrats!

There all super friendly and if you saw the pictures there all very attractive and it really has helped set me apart.

Yes, they are. Probably a HUGE factor in your traffic.

 

[Kynoch]

My LGS in Baton Rouge is a bunch of stuck up know it all's who have never heard of customer service. Take the cash and kiss my a$$, that's their motto. Now my local pawn shop does transfers for $15......all day long with a smile. He does thousands every year. He knows that $15 is better than no dollars, and those $15 transfers add up. Now who do you think is getting my money.....?

It's interesting how people talk about $15.00 yet they never seem to exist in the real world...

 

[Kynoch]

Do you not realize they are a brick and mortar shop with a range? It's not some empty warehouse stacked with boxes of guns...

What?

 

[zerobarrier]

Looks very nice. I would definitely shop there. I wish you all the best and hope you are doing good business for years to come, from the looks of it you probably will. Looks like you have a great selection to, plus the pretty faces never hurt.

 

[justice06rr]

Wow, how did I miss your shop?

When did you open?

I'm in the Central FL area but I frequent Daytona beach every few months (Bike week, beach trips, etc). I will definitely swing by the next time I'm in your area.

Glad to see you are doing well. Keep up the good work.

 

[Potatohead]

How about offering X hours of range time per year, free, if you're shooting a gun you bought from here (the shop you own)?



That's all I got.

 

[aarondhgraham]

How about offering X hours of range time per year, free, if you're shooting a gun you bought from here (the shop you own)?

That's a great idea,,,
It doesn't have to be very many hours,,,
Just enough to get familiar with their new investment.

You could even restrict it to the first 15 days after the purchase.

Another service that brings business to your door,,,
Advertise the fact that you will ship handguns through the USPS.

My LGS does this for only $10.00 plus his normal transfer fee of $20.00,,,
He swears this is one of his best "get them in the door" services.

Aarond

.

 

[Potatohead]

Ive been swishing the "open a firing range" idea around in my head for awhile. To at least pay for the land.

 

[earlthegoat2]

How has it been dealing with the ATF?

That has always been my No 1 concern with possessing an FFL.

 

[jim243]

Went on your facebook page, NICE SHOP, a really nice job you did with it.

Best of luck and wishes.
Jim

 

[happygeek]

It's interesting how people talk about $15.00 yet they never seem to exist in the real world...

Sam, actually 17 times in this one thread.

Make that 18 ...

Do you not realize they are a brick and mortar shop with a range? It's not some empty warehouse stacked with boxes of guns...

What?

What he means is that Bud's Gun Shop is a local gun store. Heck, J&G Sales where I've bought a few of my C&Rs directly from is also a LGS. I buy used books on Amazon from mom & pop stores all over America. The Internet isn't some magical place where goods drop from the sky, all it's really doing is making searching easier and allowing the customer to buy from almost any store, regardless of location.

Getting way off topic, but the fact you even need a transfer is rather silly. In 1967 the OP could have sold to customers directly regardless of location.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Zombie thread.


I keeeed. I keeeed. Congratulations on your shop. Your staff is very easy on the eyes. We've a gunsmithing student who finishes next semester who is very easy on the eyes.

 

[zerobarrier]

Ive been swishing the "open a firing range" idea around in my head for awhile. To at least pay for the land.

You and me both. I have 25 acres down the road from my house that I have been thinking about making a nice range. Problem is that it is expensive, I would have to get a bulldozer and level out a lot of it. Insurance is expensive. Also building the structures and upkeep of them and mowing the grass. But I would love a 1000yd range plus a pistol area with ar500 steel everywhere.

 

[TennJed]

It's interesting how people talk about $15.00 yet they never seem to exist in the real world...

why are you so jealous of people that pay $15 for transfers? It obviously bothers you. Some business do it and get customers from it. Some customers become loyal to their FFL because of it. I have bought 16 guns from buds in the last 2 years. All done with the same FFL @ $15 a pop (he actually gave me one free for my birthday).

In return I have bought 5 of his in stock guns and all my SD ammo from him. Also a primers and powder when it comes in.

Sorry it bothers you, but such is life

 

[Potatohead]

Insurance is expensive

I wonder how much?

 

[Reloadron]

For the curious. When we had the shop during the 90s we charged $10 for transfers. I forget what insurance cost us back then, the finance was more Kathy's job.

However, a good old friend of mine owns and operates Northfield Gun located in Northfield, Ohio. For regular customers (those who actually spend money in his business) he runs transfers for around $15 to $20, others run $30.

While Jim turns a good living his business is well established. All in all with insurance, business phone lines, electric, gas for heat, security systems and so on the cost is about $230 a day to keep the doors open including the rent. It's a large shop and at last count about 1,000 assorted long guns available. He began with a single unit in the strip mall and over 30 years or so has expanded to 3 units, knocking walls out along the way.

While owning and operating a gun shop can be fun it also includes plenty of hard work and time invested. There is plenty of overhead involved.

Jim would be the first to tell you if there was enough demand, he would be content to do nothing but run transfers all day long. Even hire someone to do it.

Ron

 

[Pilotperk]

Hi guys and gals! Things are still going great down in FL. I am onto a new project and would like to get your thoughts on my addition.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/08/21/flordia-gun-range-given-green-light-to-seved-alcohol-food/

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/22/us/florida-shooting-range-restaurant-alcohol-feat/index.html

Please read at least one of the articles fully before reacting to the title. Id love to answer any questions. Bonus offer, (if legal by Mods, please delete if not) anyone coming to the Daytona Area that posted in this thread can come by get some free range time.

 

[Red Wind]

I read both articles. We have been running a thread about your new venture since Saturday! See that here.

The next time I'm in Daytona I'll drop in and see you. Free range time sounds nice! Then head to the new 19th hole.

Congratulations on your success. It takes daring and guts to do what you've done since 2012.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Hi guys and gals! Things are still going great down in FL. I am onto a new project and would like to get your thoughts on my addition.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/08/21/flordia-gun-range-given-green-light-to-seved-alcohol-food/

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/22/us/florida-shooting-range-restaurant-alcohol-feat/index.html

Please read at least one of the articles fully before reacting to the title. Id love to answer any questions. Bonus offer, (if legal by Mods, please delete if not) anyone coming to the Daytona Area that posted in this thread can come by get some free range time.

Well, this kinda blows, actually.

Not the idea...the fact that I was just in Daytona yesterday after a 2 hour trip down from Kings Bay, GA where I'm providing engineering support for a job. Buddy and I decided we wanted to visit a restaurant right next to the speedway and try out their Antelope burgers...only to find out they were closed when their website said they were open on Sundays.

If we'd have known about this, and it had been open by now, we'd have checked it out. Heck, we'd have at least located it for a future trip.

 

[oneounceload]

Good luck with it! I'm just about an hour West of you; used to go out to Flagler for weekend mini vacations; will need to remember and stop in next time.

Personally, I see no reason about gun ranges and food/drink sales being so controversial.