How Scheels handles the gun rush

[Rembrandt]

Stopped last night at Scheels to get a couple Dillon press items and saw how a big retailer is handling the rush on guns & ammo. (Des Moines)

Scheels stores are in huge multi-level open mall type areas where you wander from one specialized department to another. Since the sales personnel are out numbered and can't handle the swarms of buyers, they have barricaded the entire gun, ammo, and reloading section off with folding tables tipped on their sides...kinda like a fence with only one gate (entrance and exit). Only allowing a designated number of people into the area accompanied by a sales person.

The line outside this corralled area waiting for admittance had to be 20-to-25 people deep. You had to take a number and wait for someone to come out before the next person could go in with their store appointed chaperone. I'm sure they're concerned about having too many people crowded in a tight area as well.

I was rather impressed at how well and organized it was working, instead of resembling a Black Friday mad dash of people knocking each other down, this store was doing it right.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Weeds out the tire kickers too. For that reason alone it would be worth it in a high demand situation.

 

[Texas10mm]

We're supposed to have a Scheel's open about an hour away early next month. I've really been looking forward to going.

I hope this kungfu virus doesn't screw up the opening.

 

[earlthegoat2]

We're supposed to have a Scheel's open about an hour away early next month. I've really been looking forward to going.

I hope this kungFLU virus doesn't screw up the opening.

Fixt

 

[BSA1]

Weeds out the tire kickers too. For that reason alone it would be worth it in a high demand situation.

Except the tire kickers often don’t know what they want until they see it.

There is a business that sells guns also. Everything is shown on their website. Nothing is kept out to display cases. You pick a gun from the website and they go to a back room and bring it out to look at.

I have only been to the store once. Walked in and asked where were the guns. The employee told about their policy and wanted to know what one I wanted to look at. I told him that often I didn’t know what I wanted until I saw it. I left the store empty handed and they lost a potential new customer.

A good salesperson will size up the customer, dangle the bait and set the hook reeling the customer to the cash register. What is going on in this panic is not salesmanship.

 

[Howland937]

I sometimes know what I want, but WHICH one I want isn't always as simple. If I'm buying a handgun, I really don't prefer the display model. And if it's a rifle or shotgun, I'm not ashamed to ask to see 3 or 4 of the exact same gun and pick the one I like best.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ve considered the drive to Coralville to check availability of powder and primers at Scheels but having spent numerous weeks in the hospital over the years with my now 11 year old asthmatic son has me avoiding large crowds. While limiting shoppers in the department may be safer for employees, those lined up in formation probably aren’t 6-10’ apart. As I already have on hand what I need for a few years of shooting my risk tolerance is too low to make the trek.

I'm happy to hear they’re still open and being proactive in their approach for those who need or want supplies.

 

[Rembrandt]

Went back to Des Moines Scheels this afternoon for some more reloading items, they have now limited all traffic in and out of the store. The main entryway is marked off with masking tape every 10 ft to keep distance between customers. They are still accommodating shoppers but limit the number in the store. As one comes out....another can go in. Lady at the entry is telling everyone what calibers are sold out and what they still have in stock. Quite considerate of them to do this, saw at least a dozen people turn and leave when she announced the ammo they were in search of was sold out. All the employees are wearing latex gloves and polite.

Earlier I'd stopped by Brownells and the parking lot was filling up. Looked like a normal day inside the retail store, just more people. Wall that holds all the bulk ammo was cleaned out except for a few oddball calibers and some shotgun ammo. Another area still had a limited number of individual boxes of handgun and rifle ammo....but it was going fast.

 

[Rembrandt]

This what the shelves normally look like....

 

[RockRat64]

Hmm Scheels here in Colorado has a huge display and some not.

 

[Mars5l]

Man, kinda wish we had a place like that here in Florida

 

[Demi-human]

Ditto, said the Michigander...

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Ditto, said the Michigander...

Ditto+ says the guy in Kansas...

 

[Trey Veston]

Would never live in Iowa again no matter how many awesome gun shops they have - Says the guy in Idaho...

 

[bearcreek]

What is going on in this panic is not salesmanship.

Judging from the stock of most gun stores and online retailers these days, salesmanship isn't needed at the moment.

 

[MeanBean]

Due to the "Stay At Home" order here in Illinois, the Scheel's store in Springfield, Illinois will be closed until further notice. Despite the fact that they also serve as a firearm/ammo retailer.. I was kind of surprised, considering the Governor has declared LGS essential businesses and can remain open..

 

[loneviking]

The Scheels in Reno, Nevada is closed down. It’s good to know some of these stores are still open.

 

[mshootnit]

Except the tire kickers often don’t know what they want until they see it.

There is a business that sells guns also. Everything is shown on their website. Nothing is kept out to display cases. You pick a gun from the website and they go to a back room and bring it out to look at.

I have only been to the store once. Walked in and asked where were the guns. The employee told about their policy and wanted to know what one I wanted to look at. I told him that often I didn’t know what I wanted until I saw it. I left the store empty handed and they lost a potential new customer.

A good salesperson will size up the customer, dangle the bait and set the hook reeling the customer to the cash register. What is going on in this panic is not salesmanship.

At Scheels all the guns are out in the open and you can handle 10 times as many guns in a trip than you would at a behind the counter store.

 

[mshootnit]

I wonder if they have experienced a rush on the roller blades and 9 irons.