Planning on opening a gun shop...

[freakshow10mm]

I'll answer those questions above so you get an idea.

What does he look like? Age 30-45, clean look, cleanly dressed.
What is his income level?$75,000 annual or more
How many guns does he buy per year? Between 4-8.
How much ammunition does he buy? 2-5,000 rounds per month.
Does he reload? No, but is thinking about it, at least for the expensive rifle. Maybe handgun later.
Metallic or shotgun or both?NA
What calibers/gauges?NA
Does he have friends that shoot too?Several.
Does he hunt?Yes.
What game animals?Whitetail deer with a 30-30 his dad gave him. Buys a box or two a year.

 

[MamaMac]

A woman's perspective

A woman's perspective:
Must have great customer service! And sales staff that are prepared for and expecting newbies to the gun world. My hubby bought me my first pistol this year and it can be intimidating to enter a gun shop/range with jerks working the counter. Talk to your wife/girlfriend to get a woman's perspective. Hello!!! Clean. Bright. Organized. Maybe a kiosk- that can answer those FAQ that your new gun buyers WILL have. (This will also free up sales staff from answering the basic questions- while the customer can get a free 101 education). And East Cobb, Marietta really needs a great gun shop/range that doesn't have complete weirdos working there. (Nick's guns) In fact, if you made a trip to Nick's... then just do the complete opposite of everything they do and you will be on your way to a great shop. Best of luck with your venture.

 

[rmmoore]

If you are in a position to hire employees right away, hire someone who HAS A CLUE!!!!! That is the one personal pet-peeve of mine; people who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground trying to prove to me how smart they are. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT one of those that think they know everything, but for God's sake, make sure your staff knows the business that you're trying to compete in.

A good example: A gentleman has a very nice black powder single-action replica. He needs some powder so he goes to the "best" (best known) gun shop in town. Employee states (paraphrased but pretty close): "Well gee, we don't have any of that powder, but I have some really good "new" stuff that just came. It'll work just fine in that thing, no problem." Customer purchases this wonderful "new" powder, loads it up, and guess what, one pull of that smooth trigger and BOOM!!!!! His fine replica is now a good, multi-piece, mangled paperweight. The guy is lucky he didn't lose an eye, finger, or worse. That "new" powder was a HOT smokeless powder. I'm not sure, but I think there might be some "legal action" in the works. Big surprise huh?

Just make sure if your employees (or yourself) don't know the answer to a customer's question, they say I DON'T KNOW, rather than try to BS them with how smart they are (or THINK they are). It doesn't take long for ignorance to shine.

I overheard a conversation at that same "gun-store" mentioned above where the "experienced" behind-the-counter guy told a customer that he didn't think you could carry a 1911 cocked with the safety on !!!!!!!! Well, I mean come on, it's ONLY been done for what, almost a hundred years. So it MUST be impossible, right????? I wanted SOOO BAD to ask him if he'd ever heard of "cocked and locked". That's the kind of stuff that get's me HOT. Needless to say, my business interests are now served at their competitor.

Just a quick second "note"; while chatting and BS'ing with your new and regular customers IS important, just remember that the new (or old) face looking at the rifle rack or in the handgun case needs attention too. I've walked out of shops more than once because the sales guy was more interested in what his "buddy" did last weekend that showing me a firearm that I had cash to buy. Result? My cash was once again spent with his competition. I have no problem "waiting my turn", but business is business and should take priority over the personal stuff that we ALL, including me , do on the Company dime.

Just my .02