Opening a gun shop -- UPDATE: Two Years In!
- Thread starter Pilotperk
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Kynoch
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I realize that PART of the operation is bricks/mortar but that a HUGE PART is Internet.
So Bud's is a brick and mortar store located in OH? I have never bought from them online but have looked through the site.
Sounds to me like a LGS that figured out a good sales plan and is kicking a lot of other LGS butts. Just about every decent sized LGS I see now has a website so why do they complain about Bud's business plan? Might want to try and emulate the plan rather than fight it.
Kynoch
member
Bud's is hardly an LGS anymore.
Yes, they were an LGS that opened a mailorder business. But an LGS? Hardly.
The OP did not ask for input on opening-up a Internet/mailorder business.
oneounceload
member
OH means OverHead, not Ohio
Bud's also doesn't stock a lot of the items, but has them dropped shipped when you place an order - that helps keep inventory carrying costs low, many other companies do the same thing, Walmart comes to mind
It allows them to keep prices a little lower than the small guy so folks buy from them. Personally, I give my local guy the Bud's price - if he can beat it (and he has EVERY time)then I buy from him. I always ask him which way makes him more money without going over my max amount
Some of you might want to try that with your local LGS - you might be surprised
Bud's also doesn't stock a lot of the items, but has them dropped shipped when you place an order - that helps keep inventory carrying costs low, many other companies do the same thing, Walmart comes to mind
It allows them to keep prices a little lower than the small guy so folks buy from them. Personally, I give my local guy the Bud's price - if he can beat it (and he has EVERY time)then I buy from him. I always ask him which way makes him more money without going over my max amount
Some of you might want to try that with your local LGS - you might be surprised
kcshooter
Member
I'm usually surprised by how much Bud's can beat my LGS's bottom dollar, unfortunately.
CommanderCrusty
Member
Opening a new range?
How about clean freakin' bathrooms that won't embarass my wife, and polite, knowledgable staff that won't say stupid things like, "Those Berettas have that old style thumb dohickey on them. I don't know why ANYONE would want a safety on a pistol!"
I can think of three gun ranges I used to go to that had filthy bathrooms. My wife would go with me once, then never again. A new range opened with clean bathrooms. Suddenly my wife wants to join the .22 women's league.
Me, I won't buy a gun from an idiot, even if I know I want it. I just can't bring myself to spend a half hour with some bogus "gun expert" while we do all the paperwork.
How about clean freakin' bathrooms that won't embarass my wife, and polite, knowledgable staff that won't say stupid things like, "Those Berettas have that old style thumb dohickey on them. I don't know why ANYONE would want a safety on a pistol!"
I can think of three gun ranges I used to go to that had filthy bathrooms. My wife would go with me once, then never again. A new range opened with clean bathrooms. Suddenly my wife wants to join the .22 women's league.
Me, I won't buy a gun from an idiot, even if I know I want it. I just can't bring myself to spend a half hour with some bogus "gun expert" while we do all the paperwork.
Kynoch
member
That's neat in theory and all, but the price Bud's charges (including shipping) is just about the same a LGS will pay from a distributor like Davidson's.
Smokin Gator
Member
"I can think of three gun ranges I used to go to that had filthy bathrooms. My wife would go with me once, then never again. A new range opened with clean bathrooms. Suddenly my wife wants to join the .22 women's league."
I think this is one thing that a lot of businesses overlook and neglect. I'm no neat freak, but a lot of places have bathrooms that are just thrashed. They need to be checked on more often. Most women are going to be really freaked out going into a restroom like that, let alone porta potties out at some outdoor ranges. It's something that a lot of people don't think about, but I'd bet some businesses and organizations would be surprised by how much the opinion of some possible customers is affected by the condition of the bathrooms they find, especially if they are trying to draw in the women.
Some people may laugh, but I really think it's a bigger issue with some people than many realize. Mark
I think this is one thing that a lot of businesses overlook and neglect. I'm no neat freak, but a lot of places have bathrooms that are just thrashed. They need to be checked on more often. Most women are going to be really freaked out going into a restroom like that, let alone porta potties out at some outdoor ranges. It's something that a lot of people don't think about, but I'd bet some businesses and organizations would be surprised by how much the opinion of some possible customers is affected by the condition of the bathrooms they find, especially if they are trying to draw in the women.
Some people may laugh, but I really think it's a bigger issue with some people than many realize. Mark
oneounceload
member
That would be WRONG.....my LGS is a VERY small hole in the wall guy, but he handles LEO stuff, Class III/Title II stuff, and everything else - he uses the same distributor as Walmart, gets a good deal, passes it on, and gets my business - I give him the option and so far - in the last three deals, he has offered me a better deal going through him than making the 25 bucks for the transfer - and that is including shipping and taxes
Kynoch
member
If you honestly think your "VERY small hole in the wall" LGS gets the same pricing from distributors as Wal*Mart or Bud's then you're simply naive. That's just not happening.
Further, some years ago Wal*Mart made it a documented corporate policy to remove the distributor level. In other words if they couldn't buy directly from a manufacturer then they weren't going to carry the product. And that makes sense because I'm sure Wal*Mart sells more gun than any independent wholesale distributor in the USA. This policy can be Googled if you have any questions.
Now it's possible that Wal*Mart breaks its rules when it comes to guns for the sake of trying to insulate itself from lawsuits by upholding the distributor chain but I rather doubt that's the case.
http://thegunwarehouse.com/
You never let facts get in the way of your opinion do you?
Take a trip its a nice non-existent shop.
Kynoch
member
Bud's is hardly a LGS anymore and a physical building doesn't change that fact. Particularly in this context of this discussion when an actual LGS is trying to compete with the likes of Bud's and Wal*Mart.
That's the facts.
JohnBT
Member
To the OP, I suggest you also stock fishing gear suited to your location. I didn't check, is there any fishing near you? It will add some cash flow during the summer and at Christmas when folks buy gifts.
Bud's looks like a local gun store to me, just a little smaller than some.
Bud's looks like a local gun store to me, just a little smaller than some.
larryh1108
Member
Seriously?
A local gun shop is a brick and mortar building where you can drive to and purchase guns and supplies. Bud's is as much a local gun shop as any other in America except they are successful and expanded. You can still drive there and look at their selection and buy whatever you need. Just because they figured out how to become a mega-store does not take away from the fact that they were and still are a local gun shop. I don't see how you can claim otherwise. If they aren't a LGS, then why not? Facts are facts.
It seems a few people refuse to accept that Buds ia an LGS that expanded into this new, untried venue called "the internet". If they have an unfair advantage then it is in their marketing and distribution channel. 3 of the LGS I frequent also sell their guns on "the internet" so I guess they are no longer LGS? Maybe the OP should take a look at the truly successful stores and see how many have actual storefronts and how many are on-line only. Maybe using the internet is not a bad thing for an LGS. Best Buy is steadily wilting as they complain about Amazon.
As far as fishing supplies you then venture into what I would call a true Sporting Goods store which is probably what you will need to be in order to survive. I can think of only one store in my area that ONLY carries guns. The rest are either full blown sporting goods stores or some sort of hybrid that may specialize in guns but carries a lot of other items.
As far as fishing supplies you then venture into what I would call a true Sporting Goods store which is probably what you will need to be in order to survive. I can think of only one store in my area that ONLY carries guns. The rest are either full blown sporting goods stores or some sort of hybrid that may specialize in guns but carries a lot of other items.
I have a know it all, "young guy", everyone calls him the know it all, 'even at the gun shows 3 towns away". He says things like, I won't compete with buds, buy it there. I am the best gunsmith, He is not even a gunsmith, and his prices are rediculous. I don't even go in there anymore other than to see the "real gunsmith" he partnered up with". "which I can't figure out".
So it goes to show you that even the rude overpriced stores make a living in this economy. I gave him a half dozen ideas , which he put into effect soon after and never even said thank you. I know someone dumped at least half a million dollars in there, because he was on his way to bankruptcy, now he just bought out another store. I don't understand how anyone could loan or give him money.
So it goes to show you that even the rude overpriced stores make a living in this economy. I gave him a half dozen ideas , which he put into effect soon after and never even said thank you. I know someone dumped at least half a million dollars in there, because he was on his way to bankruptcy, now he just bought out another store. I don't understand how anyone could loan or give him money.
ShadowsEye
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People seem to get really caught up in the technicality of things don't they. Bud's is hardly a local gun shop anymore. Is absolutely true, they sell thousands of guns all over the nation, and comparing them to a single shop owner/operator business is foolish.
Where a local shop can have it over internet businesses is in their used guns and in-house gun smithing operation.
Where a local shop can have it over internet businesses is in their used guns and in-house gun smithing operation.
Why are some comparing a local gun store to buds. It's like comparing a diner to McDonalds. they are in another league, you can't replicate Buds, and you wouldn't want to. What made buds was a series of things that will never happen again. they were in the proper place at a time when all of this internet gun stuff was new. That's no longer true. It would cost tens of millions of dollars and relationships forged while the industry was forming, you can't go back in time and copy that. Buds is unique to itself. They are good to use as a reference, that's what I use them for. I won't buy anything that I can't touch and look at. That's just me, i would never buy a car that way either, I have in the past, and if it was a car I had owned 6 of before before, I would tell my leasing guy to order me another one without seeing it. But I knew if I didn't like it for any reason, he would take it back and get me somehing else. "that's how many cars I moved for him". So he wanted me to be happy. But 99% of the time, no way, especially with guns, some guns just are not right somehow, it may be the slide or the sights or just the way it feels, I could never say just send me one or those, and be comfortable that the guy didn't dop mine loading it in the truck, or sit on it or some stupid thing that always seems to happen when leaving things to chance.
Plus I hate to wait, I will call a ten times if something is late.I ask for a time, it can be any time they pick, but that is the time we agreed on. i don't want to hear why it's late, when you promise me I will have it on monday before noon. Don't send it on Wed. Or no one will be there to sign for it.
I will cancel my order, and have many times. People promise things that they can't deliver, the word promise begins to mean nothing, as in, I give you my word. I don't care why it's not here only that it's not here. so much for that.
Recentlly I called a gun store, "big one" 60 miles round trip, they had the gun I wanted, it was there being unpacked, I made sure it would be ready when I arrived, explaining it was 2 1/2 hours out of my way, "no problem sir". Got there and they tell me they aren't going to get around to unpacking it for another day or 2. It's right behind that wall and you can't enter it in your book while I wait, after driving 120 miles back and forth, and you telling me it will be ready to go. Last time they ever see me or anyone I know, "shoot straight", I will only buy at the shows from them, where they drop their pants to kill the competition, never drive to any of their locations. Everything was overpriced, $1500 for Kimber cdp ultras, plus tax an 35 call in. They are supposed to be a low price , high quality operation. Not any more , 500 for an lc9, $350 for lcp, where are the deals. Another huge store beautiful, but bad selection of guns at the top of the range. I am not buying a 600 dollar Glock 26 or a 500 dollar Shield. The show prices are completely different, $259 for a 357 taurus 5 shot, in stainless,250 for the lcp, but it's like winn dixie or Wallmart, you better know your prices going in. One item may be 30% less and the others are 20 % more.
And how come no matter what we buy for our guns, cars, and homes, is worth nothing to the next guy, I understand taste, but "everything you added has no value, the night sights, laser, grips, nothing is worth anything extra. So I asked for all that stuff back on a trade. The guy was not happy, he said I can't do that, Why not, you just said it's worthless to you.So give me back the laser, I will put the original grips on and we can proceed. No way, lol
Plus I hate to wait, I will call a ten times if something is late.I ask for a time, it can be any time they pick, but that is the time we agreed on. i don't want to hear why it's late, when you promise me I will have it on monday before noon. Don't send it on Wed. Or no one will be there to sign for it.
I will cancel my order, and have many times. People promise things that they can't deliver, the word promise begins to mean nothing, as in, I give you my word. I don't care why it's not here only that it's not here. so much for that.
Recentlly I called a gun store, "big one" 60 miles round trip, they had the gun I wanted, it was there being unpacked, I made sure it would be ready when I arrived, explaining it was 2 1/2 hours out of my way, "no problem sir". Got there and they tell me they aren't going to get around to unpacking it for another day or 2. It's right behind that wall and you can't enter it in your book while I wait, after driving 120 miles back and forth, and you telling me it will be ready to go. Last time they ever see me or anyone I know, "shoot straight", I will only buy at the shows from them, where they drop their pants to kill the competition, never drive to any of their locations. Everything was overpriced, $1500 for Kimber cdp ultras, plus tax an 35 call in. They are supposed to be a low price , high quality operation. Not any more , 500 for an lc9, $350 for lcp, where are the deals. Another huge store beautiful, but bad selection of guns at the top of the range. I am not buying a 600 dollar Glock 26 or a 500 dollar Shield. The show prices are completely different, $259 for a 357 taurus 5 shot, in stainless,250 for the lcp, but it's like winn dixie or Wallmart, you better know your prices going in. One item may be 30% less and the others are 20 % more.
And how come no matter what we buy for our guns, cars, and homes, is worth nothing to the next guy, I understand taste, but "everything you added has no value, the night sights, laser, grips, nothing is worth anything extra. So I asked for all that stuff back on a trade. The guy was not happy, he said I can't do that, Why not, you just said it's worthless to you.So give me back the laser, I will put the original grips on and we can proceed. No way, lol
Hammerhead6814
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Just stock AR-15 and AK gear. That's all Cabelas, Snapshots, Show Me Shooters, every gun store I've ever been in carries these days. It must be selling well.
Kynoch
member
Naw. Bud's befits from lower costs through their volume buying. They also can get guns from manufacturers when LGSs cannot. Hardly a fair comparison.
Kynoch
member
The distribution chain must be getting stripped away in the gun world if manufacturers are drop shipping for Bud's.
Given it a year or two or three and Ruger will allow you to order directly, cutting Bud's out of the loop as well...
ShadowsEye
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Not impossible, but I don't think it's likely. Unless Ruger decides to become the SOLE seller for their products, they have an obligation to not sell anything for less than MSRP, which isn't very competitive.
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