Gun Shop Loyalty

[Mark_Mark]

Here's the bottom line. If you throw me a bone, I will throw you one too.
I've scalped shops that didn't do their research or mismarked guns/accessories,
But i've also pointed out mismarked or misidentified guns and shown the shop what they were leaving on the table.
It depends on whether I think i'm a walking wallet to you, or a respected and loyal customer.
I'm Mark Mark's case,
I'd just nod,
And start looking for the deals. The terms have been set.

Good Point!

Expect nothing, No matter how much you spend. Shop for deals and just shut up about it.

Guess there are different types of Shop Loyalty

Loyalty to a Shop because of Good Deals!

 

[Old Dog]

I thought the thread was about pricing for used stuff at one's LGS.

Frankly, if my gun shop is trying to operate the same as Target, Kroger or the Cheesecake Factory, they're doing it wrong. Gonna set a firm price on used guns (and we all know how much dealers typically offer), accessories and holsters? And be happy if it sits there for months under the counter, on a shelf or in a bin? And you want to call me "entitled" for making a fair market value offer?

All I can add at this point (while casting a somewhat jaundiced eye at some members calling out others as being "entitled") is that I am happy that I do have a gun shop loyal to me as a customer.

I'm greeted by name coming in the door, told if there's fresh coffee brewed, asked about the missus and the dogs, occasionally called on my cell by one of the guys to alert me they just got a used piece in they think I'll want, and if so, give me first dibs on it, even had a mag thrown in when buying a new pistol, and more. I have received price "adjustments" on used and consignment pieces and conversely, got more than I expected on a couple trade-ins.

This is a shop that understands customers will be loyal to them if it's returned. I expect nothing from any retail business, but I note that trying to observe the Golden Rule in life often leads to unexpected rewards.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I thought the thread was about pricing for used stuff at one's LGS.

Frankly, if my gun shop is trying to operate the same as Target, Kroger or the Cheesecake Factory, they're doing it wrong. Gonna set a firm price on used guns (and we all know how much dealers typically offer), accessories and holsters? And be happy if it sits there for months under the counter, on a shelf or in a bin? And you want to call me "entitled" for making a fair market value offer?

All I can add at this point (while casting a somewhat jaundiced eye at some members calling out others as being "entitled") is that I am happy that I do have a gun shop loyal to me as a customer.

I'm greeted by name coming in the door, told if there's fresh coffee brewed, asked about the missus and the dogs, occasionally called on my cell by one of the guys to alert me they just got a used piece in they think I'll want, and if so, give me first dibs on it, even had a mag thrown in when buying a new pistol, and more. I have received price "adjustments" on used and consignment pieces and conversely, got more than I expected on a couple trade-ins.

This is a shop that understands customers will be loyal to them if it's returned. I expect nothing from any retail business, but I note that trying to observe the Golden Rule in life often leads to unexpected rewards.

Great write Up!

I buy 95% used gun if not more. And probably 99% consignment. Lots of Mom & Pop - Dad pass down - Shops here operated on consignment. Shops here charge 10%-20% for consignment

I have shopped at many Gun Stores in the PNW. Only Been here for 9years from the South, And they operate on a Montana, Yellow Stone Ranch attitude. I would almost call them modern day CowBoys. Very much Poker Face dealers with a bottle of gut rot whisky for a tasting. I very much think I’m out of my social element here. Still trying to figure it out.

 

[Ignition Override]

Either the “loyalty” is two-way, or the buyer can go directly to Gunbroker.

Why only ‘buy local’ if there is no incentive?

 

[Hunter 08]

Only a couple reasons for me to go to a gun store, mainly FFL transfer. Since I cannot have some items shipped directly to my house, I need to go to a gun shop. Another reason, easier for me to size up cases than trying to measure it out at home with hardly any reference points. Now that does not mean that I won't buy a case online, but only if I know the exact dimensions I want, or won't be available for a while.

Unless they are running a very good deal on some stuff, usually just buy online. Might not get the same day instant gratification, but I'll still have it. Advice is usually pretty solid from people at gun stores, since some of them are avid shooters than say those at the big box stores. But I won't expect them to give me a good deal or the best deal.

My only problem is I have to drive like 50 miles in either direction to hit them up, but that's what I get for living in the country.

 

[tarosean]

20 expensive guns in 1 year, can’t a brother get something off??? I have never got a dollar off anything there.

And if I buy one gun for more than you spent should I get preferable treatment over you?

 

[dogtown tom]

Good Point!

Expect nothing, No matter how much you spend. Shop for deals and just shut up about it.

Exactly opposite of what you wrote in your OP.



Followed by post 146:

20 expensive guns in 1 year, can’t a brother get something off??? "

Exactly opposite of what you wrote in the post above!


Thread title should be changed to "Entitled Gun Shop Customers" or "I Have a Spending Problem and it's the Gun Shops Fault"

 

[dogtown tom]

I thought the thread was about pricing for used stuff at one's LGS.

Frankly, if my gun shop is trying to operate the same as Target, Kroger or the Cheesecake Factory, they're doing it wrong.

I think every gun shop owner in America would love to have the success of those three companies. Good business practices are good business practices. Doesn't matter the product or service.

Gonna set a firm price on used guns (and we all know how much dealers typically offer), accessories and holsters?

Tell us that you've never been a gun dealer without using the words "I've never been a gun dealer".
It's not YOUR gun, It's the dealers inventory and you have absolutely no idea what he paid. Everyone assumes every gun in the case or on the rack has a huge profit built in. Sometimes a customer will bring in multiple guns to sell.....say a Glock 19, a 3" S&W Model 65 and a Colt All American 2000. Customer says "buy them all or none", he knows the dog. The dealer may price that Colt just to get it out of the shop. He'll make his profit on the Glock and the Model 65.
OR
It's a consignment gun and the consignor has set a firm price.

And be happy if it sits there for months under the counter, on a shelf or in a bin? And you want to call me "entitled" for making a fair market value offer?

No one wrote that.
Entitled" would be assuming you automatically get special treatment or privileges.

All I can add at this point (while casting a somewhat jaundiced eye at some members calling out others as being "entitled") is that I am happy that I do have a gun shop loyal to me as a customer.

I'm greeted by name coming in the door, told if there's fresh coffee brewed, asked about the missus and the dogs, occasionally called on my cell by one of the guys to alert me they just got a used piece in they think I'll want, and if so, give me first dibs on it, even had a mag thrown in when buying a new pistol, and more. I have received price "adjustments" on used and consignment pieces and conversely, got more than I expected on a couple trade-ins.

Thats good customer service. Nothing to do with loyalty to you, but sales techniques to make YOU want to return. Likely they do the same to every person who walks in the door.

This is a shop that understands customers will be loyal to them if it's returned. I expect nothing from any retail business, but I note that trying to observe the Golden Rule in life often leads to unexpected rewards.

Its a shop that understand good business practices. But you aren't like the OP, who expects his shop to automatically "wiggle" on pricing and believes they are specifically pricing guns to take advantage of him.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Gun shop loyalty...

People are loyal to businesses for a variety of reasons. Or not at all loyal, for a variety of reasons.

My opinion concerning the OP is that a business is in business in order to make money. In general, in the United State most businesses do NOT comport themselves on a haggling basis, like in some other countries. Car dealerships aside, how many businesses can any of us name that routinely do business like this?

Most businesses in this country work on a fixed price model, spiced up with the occasional sale or discount of some sort.

I would not go to my local gun shop expecting them to haggle over a price. Not even as a "loyal" customer who may have gotten a deal of some kind before. Doesn't mean I wouldn't ASK, mind you, it just means I wouldn't EXPECT it.

If I shop around and find a price spread on something I'm interested in, sure...I'll ask if they can match or something. If I'm a "loyal" customer, it's probably because their customer service and general demeanor in how they do business that's attracted my loyalty. I wouldn't expect my local gun shop to necessarily be able to match the prices of another business which does a higher volume of sales or has a lower overhead because they're an internet company instead of a brick-and-mortar store.

A $25 used holster I'm interested in? A decent leather holster that catches my eye is probably a good deal at $25, unless it's really torn up. It's most certainly a lot less than the same holster brand new. If the shop owner won't come down...well, big deal. Only he knows what he got it for in the first place and, whatever that was, he decided to see if he could re-sell it for $25. He can't go around selling EVERYTHING in his shop at less than sticker price unless, of course, he's intentionally marking them up in the first place so he can maintain whatever profit margin he's going for.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Either the “loyalty” is two-way, or the buyer can go directly to Gunbroker.

Why only ‘buy local’ if there is no incentive?

This is exactly right. I frequently buy guns and ammo from Lgs that I could get cheaper online. The x-bolt 6.8 Western I'm picking up this week is a prime example. I don't mind them making a little $ because I appreciate having them local when I need something quick. But they also appreciate the transfer fee when I do buy something online. Rural King and Academy could care less, so I usually only buy things there that are much lower priced or no one else has it.

 

[Archie]

All the gun shops I like are in other states or gone. Well, there are two left within driving distance. Both deal mostly with new stuff.

 

[Eutycus]

Our local gunshop is okay but they have close to nothing but ammo for us revolver and breakopen shotgun guys. I mean everyone isn't into semi automatics.