Question for/about local gun stores hours

[mgmorden]

Thats actually not true.
There are more FFLs today than there were 5 years ago.

All those pawn shops he mentioned are FFL's too, and I'm seeing a lot of FFL's setup shop just to handle transfers. As a matter of fact I've bought a ton of guns online and never once have I set foot into a retail shop to have them transferred, and that's having used 4 different FFL's. Two were gunsmiths who did custom work out of their garages and just did transfers on the side. The other two were just guys who setup an FFL solely to offer the transfer service, and worked out of their home. ALL of them are courteous and treat the customer well though. Just a smile and a good attitude go a LONG ways.

The LGS's prices are what keep me from buying from them. Their "huff and gruff" attitude is what keeps me from even using them for transfers. Any shop that acts as if you're inconveniencing them and they're doing you a favor just by gracing you with their presence simply isn't going to be somewhere I'd patronize. Heck the very concept of the fervor around "supporting your local gun shop!" hype baffles me. Given the attitudes you encounter, most of those "local gun shops" that I've ever seen have been places I'd go out of my way to NOT support. They don't just have to match online prices for me to buy - they'd have to beat them by 10-15% before I would even consider putting up with the hassle.

 

[JAshley73]

Where is THIS Dick's at? NONE I have ever been in had anyone working there who knew anything about guns or fishing gear - and prices? on what? The bottom barrel quality cheap crap from Mossberg and the euro trash makers...........where is your Dicks so we can all make a trip to this mecca of gun sales

Louisville KY. Their prices may not be "The be-all end-all in low-low prices!" but they have proven to be competitive on a few items I've been shopping for. $1,400 for a Beretta A400 light/K.O. for example. There may be a cheaper option somewhere, but if so, I have not stumbled upon it. And no, price is not the only metric to my shopping

Their service has also left me surprised almost every time I've visited. Even a cashier asked before, "What kind of pistol do you have?" (The stores front cashier that is, not at the gun counter.) And at the gun counter of more than one location, I've received advice and instruction (yes, from actual shooters...) that has rivaled or even been superior to anything I've heard from any LGS so far. I've had more than one employee spend a few minutes with me shouldering guns, work on my form, and then suggest other retailers who might have better suited products. (Over/undercshotguns for instance.)

And back on point - their extended hours make all that possible for people like myself. I would much rather shop in person rather than online. I'd rather not get gouged on price, but I would rather pay a little more knowing that I will get good service. I do need for the store to be open a little later than 5pm to make it there. So far the local Dick's meets all those requirements. I will still try to make it to some LGS nearby, but for me, Dick's has earned every my business honestly.

 

[oneounceload]

Well, next time I am up that way I will have to go there, because the Dicks here SUCKS - they cut their guns and ammo section, added more airsoft "mall ninja" play crap

The good news is that your local pawn shop more than likely has much better hours than your LGS. For $25 or less, they will happily transfer any gun you buy online to you.

Not around here - the pawn shops charge 75-100 per transfer while the local FFL kitchen table guys charge $25

Hoping the LGS goes out of business is going to cost you "tire kickers" when you have no where to go touch and feel before buying, and then the Feds make EVERYTHING go through FFLs

 

[Rail Driver]

My favorite LGS is open on Sunday and closed on Monday - I've never had a problem getting in there (that's WHY he's open on sundays - and he's the only local shop open on sundays too)

 

[nofishbob]

Hoping the LGS goes out of business is going to cost you "tire kickers" when you have no where to go touch and feel before buying,

Hey! That's what gun shows are for!

And no guilt because you paid to get in!

Bob

 

[browningguy]

You're right. An LGS has no need of business from a price shopper like you. You want to buy stuff online and schedule it at your convenience? Wonderful. Enjoy.
No, my business has not been hurt in the slightest by Dick's Academy or whoever. It is hurt by cheaters who wont pay the use tax due on out of state items delivered in state.

That's the sort of atitude that keeps me well away from most of our LGS's. Also if you are open 8-5 M-S you'll probably never see me. One of the newer shops is open 10-7, they see me quite a bit after work, I just bought a new FNAR form them last week actually. One of the shops is open SUnday and closed Monday and Tuesday, they see me quite a lot also.

Sorry, shop owners may be offended but I am not taking a day off work to go the local gun store. If you think owning a store of any kind makes you your own boss, and the customers will do whatever you want, you just don't understand how the world works.

 

[Bubba613]

Goes both ways.
If customers think they are doing us a favor by coming in at 5 min til close, hanging around fondling guns for 45min and telling us how much cheaper Bud's sells them and then leaving without buying anything then we don't really need that business either.

 

[Shuler13]

Goes both ways.
If customers think they are doing us a favor by coming in at 5 min til close, hanging around fondling guns for 45min and telling us how much cheaper Bud's sells them and then leaving without buying anything then we don't really need that business either.

I see what you are saying, but every customer in the door is a chance for a sale. That's 45 minutes of opportunity for the shop to make an impression that a buyer would rather support over buds. If you aren't open when the customer can come in, you don't even have the opportunity.

 

[msrfrog]

Why such an attitude? I started this thread for some respectful adult connversation and never once bashed LGS. I just mentioned why it is difficult for me to shop there, and I would love to give them business. The ones around me seem to be great people. And I hate to break it to you but attitudes like yours gives all LGS a bad name. You seem to have a big shot attitude and take or leave it I don't need your business. Most good business models will tell you that you need to be respectful to your customers and aware of your competition. Neither of which you follow. I hope for your sake you have a backup plan

Your tone indicates that you are upset that people would buy from places with better prices, hours, and attitudes than yours. Only someone that was truly brothered would be so snarky when defending their own business practices. If you don't mind me asking what city is your store in? I see a potential great business oppurtunity

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

 

[ralphie98]

I can see the point the OP was making. LGS closest to me is closed on Sundays which I didn't know until I went to purchase my latest 1911. I stopped by to pick up a gun I had looked at a week before (on a Saturday) and they were closed. Because I had cash in hand and a big box was nearby I went there to see what I had. I ended up buying from the big box because they had what I wanted, prices were in line with the LGS and they happened to be open when I was shopping. I also have to agree with another poster who said that's what gun shows are for. I've bought 3 of my guns from shows and I always go on Sunday.

I also run into this issue with the range my dad has a membership at. They have some agreement with the surrounding farmers that there is no shooting on Sundays.

 

[TennJed]

Goes both ways.
If customers think they are doing us a favor by coming in at 5 min til close, hanging around fondling guns for 45min and telling us how much cheaper Bud's sells them and then leaving without buying anything then we don't really need that business either.

A good business practice would be to give him a reason to come back and buy something. I have never thought "I was doing someone a favor" when I walk in a business. You might not get every 5 mins to close customer to become your customer, but the most successfull business men will tell you you have to treat each one like they are. Attitude goes a long way with brick and mortar businesses

 

[beatledog7]

I always thought if you wanted to maximize your loyal customer base in any retail business, you did it by offering good assistance from knowledgeable staff, in-stock items customers want to buy at fair prices, and a generally pleasant atmosphere. Oh, and by being open for business when your customers can shop.

If I were running a specialty retail store, I'd be open 7am-9pm Monday-Saturday and by appointment on Sunday afternoons, at least until the pace of business proved something else would be better. While it is possible to waste labor and overhead dollars being open when there's no traffic, it's also true that you don't make sales when you're closed.

 

[Bubba613]

Yes. Small retail businesses need to be open 24/7 to accomodate customers with bizarre schedules. They need to stock every item manufactured for firearms. They need to post every item on their website. And they need to sell every item cheaper than the cheapest price posted anywhere else.
What a winning formula! It's easy!

 

[X-Rap]

Personally if I had a gun shop I would probably try and mirror the hours of a mom and pop liquor store, the one I go to runs from around noon to 8 pm. There is nothing wrong with setting hours to accommodate your customers. A cafe that wants to specialize in breakfast in a blue collar environment had better be up and running a couple hours before start time for the majority of their targeted clientele and they might close after the lunch hour. They also had better offer competitive prices and top notch service. Success requires doing multiple things well.

 

[aeriedad]

It should also be pointed out that not every LGS keeps the same hours. The one I frequent most is larger than most, but it's no big box store--just a private business with the staff and selection to stay busy enough to warrant the longer hours. They are open 10-7 M-Th, 10-8 Fri, 9-8 Sat and closed Sunday. Works pretty well for me. I can go there any weeknight I want to, though I suppose at least half my visits are on Saturday.

The primary downside is that their prices are a little high, though not obscene. I've bought five firearms there in the last year and a half, and none online. I have priced things out a couple of times to see what it would have cost to purchase from Buds or GB. With shipping and FFL transfer I would have saved about $50 once, $70+ on another. I figure the others were about the same, more or less. If I could save a bunch more than that online, I might do so, but I like supporting this business since their service and selection is generally worth the cost.

The only other "problem" with this store is that sometimes they are so busy they can't get to every customer that has a question quickly enough. Their Ladies Nights (Tue & Th) and Saturday afternoons are often like this. Saturdays when there is a gun show in town are particularly bad because everyone wants to try their new purchases at the indoor range. I've read reviews of customers who were very disappointed because the staff didn't have time for them, but I've had the same problem. A little patience and maturity goes a long way...

They have a website, but not an online inventory...Mostly just available services, range membership descriptions, calendar of classes, etc.

I guess the main point is that good service and customer-friendly hours are available outside of big box or online, but it's probably not common enough. With all the bashing going on in this thread, I figured another perspective might be useful.

 

[checkmyswag]

My local gun stores are open Tuesday through Saturday and not in the evenings. Guys who own them need to live their lives too. Fortunately they're close enough that I can get there after work.

 

[Owen Sparks]

The one advantage the local store will always have is that you can actually handle the product. People are much more likely to buy the "bird in the hand" especially when they can get it right then without waiting. This is the principle convienience stores operate on, the fact that you will pay a little more to get it now rather than drive across town to the big grocery store.

 

[Bobson]

Every LGS I've ever been in, without exception, spanning my entire life, I was met with one of two crappy attitudes from staff:

1) What are you doing here? Clearly you're not part of the clique of customers I recognize, and you're an obvious inconvenience to me...

2) Since I work in an LGS, and you're a customer, you must know significantly less than me about everything and anything related to firearms, hunting, and general outdoorsmen equipment.

Once in a great while, when I see a new LGS open, I'll test the waters, but so far, every LGS is the same. I don't know why I even waste my time. My local Sportsman's Warehouse has very competitive prices, a great selection, and staff that treat my entire family like we've been lifelong friends. Obviously some of their staff are more friendly than others, but by and large, we receive infinitely better service there than anywhere else.

 

[TennJed]

Yes. Small retail businesses need to be open 24/7 to accomodate customers with bizarre schedules. They need to stock every item manufactured for firearms. They need to post every item on their website. And they need to sell every item cheaper than the cheapest price posted anywhere else.
What a winning formula! It's easy!

No one here implied that. You are either upset that the competition is taking business from (in which case you might want to look at some of the suggestions postedhere) or your business is doing great and needs zero help (in which case I am puzzled as to why you keep posting in this thread)

 

[Ryanxia]

I'm lucky my LGS is open pretty much any time after 3pm. If you need to stop by on a Sunday or late Saturday night he'll usually open up.

 

[TennJed]

Personally if I had a gun shop I would probably try and mirror the hours of a mom and pop liquor store, the one I go to runs from around noon to 8 pm. There is nothing wrong with setting hours to accommodate your customers. A cafe that wants to specialize in breakfast in a blue collar environment had better be up and running a couple hours before start time for the majority of their targeted clientele and they might close after the lunch hour. They also had better offer competitive prices and top notch service. Success requires doing multiple things well.

I think that is a good suggestion. I work the hours I do because it gives me the best opportunity to provide for my family. If the local shops do not need anymore business then no suggestions are needed for them. However if someone would more business I think that would be a good suggestion to maybe look into

 

[aeriedad]

Every LGS I've ever been in, without exception, spanning my entire life, I was met with one of two crappy attitudes from staff:

1) What are you doing here? Clearly you're not part of the clique of customers I recognize, and you're an obvious inconvenience to me...

There is a LGS about halfway between my house and my favorite LGS. I stopped in to check it out about a year ago and got exactly this kind of attitude. Probably won't be back to visit that place.

2) Since I work in an LGS, and you're a customer, you must know significantly less than me about everything and anything related to firearms, hunting, and general outdoorsmen equipment.

I think most any place could be guilty of this from time to time, and it's not necessarily limited to gun stuff. I've seen it at Lowe's, and even the place I bought my daughter's flute too (still wish I had spent that $1100 at another music store instead--D'OH!). The LGS I visit most is probably no exception, but so far I have found that it's a case of the salesman just trying to gauge my level of experience rather than to be intentionally condescending. I'm willing to check my ego long enough to decide which one it is, and I can honestly say I've never felt disrespected there.

 

[happygeek]

Heck the very concept of the fervor around "supporting your local gun shop!" hype baffles me.

+1

I've been into computers for a lot longer than guns, but I have yet to see the "we should support the local computer store" on any computer forum I've ever hung out at. Never seen that idea in regards to my other hobbies of running, weightlifting, or reading either. Maybe it's because computer stores don't have the benefit of the 85 CCA (Computer Control Act) giving them a quasi-monopoly by requiring paying a 01 FCL (Federal Computer License holder) to get a new motherboard transferred to you?

At least one LGS around here is open 10:00 - 18:00 7 days a week. They seem to be doing a booming business, last time I bothered going there they were pretty packed. They're pretty competitive on bulk ammo prices. I felt kinda bad for wasting one of the worker's time asking what the price on their M95 Steyrs was. If they'd have made the price tags big enough to read from the customer side of the counter I could have just left after seeing the $250 tag instead of wasting the guy's time asking.

On a sidenote, why the assumption that people are "tire kickers"? Personally I don't go to Best Buy and look at computers before buying from Newegg, I just buy from Newegg. Heck, I think I've bought every computer in my life online, all without wasting a LCS's (Local Computer Store) time first. I've bought my last 4 guns the same way. The last time I did go to a LGS I was there maybe 5 min, looked at a few price tags, and left. Like I said, if they just made the tags on the guns large enough to see I wouldn't even have had to waste one of the employee's time.

This quasi-insult of calling someone a "price shopper" strikes me as odd too. I only have so much 'fun money' in the budget every month. If I pay too much for ammo or a M1895 Nagant or whatever then that's money I can't spend on used books on Amazon or going bowling or whatever.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

My LGS goes 9-6 Tue-Fri and 9-3 on Saturday.

 

[msrfrog]

Shopping at the box stores is better than online if you had to because it still supports the local economy. Keeps local people employed and tax revenue for your county. My choices are ....
1 LGS
2 box store
3 web