Sir Aardvark
Member
What to stock? What to avoid?
This is simple - stock the stuff that sells. Stuff that sells are 1911's, Glocks, 870's, 10/22's, SIG's, H&K's, Mini-14's (here in California), S&W revolvers.
You must remember that stuff that sits in your display case is money that could be in your pocket, or money that you could be using in a better way.
The way I ran my shop was that I would order anything that people wanted; In California we have a 10 day wait on all firearm purchases so people had to wait anyways - they can't come in and buy something and take it home that day, so no impulse sales.
If someone just had to see a product that I could not show them I would tell them to go to my competitor and check it out (Turner's Outdoorsman), they have a large inventory and the most expensive prices around, too (it costs money to have a large inventory). They would see Turner's price of $150.00 more than the quote I gave them for the same item.
My prices were the cheapest that my customer's could find and my service was the absolute best that I could provide!
Make sure you have the basic supplies and accessories -ammo, cleaning kits, protective eyewear & ears, gun cases, targets.
I skipped the whole reloading thing and would only do that special order - it ties up a lot of money in product that does not move fast.
Also, Bianchi and Galco holsters are cheap enough to keep a few on hand and are good enough for the average shooter - I would special order any holster that my customer needed; for those who really cared about their holsters, I referred them to Milt Sparks.
How to encourage new shooters? How to discourage bad choices?
Tough one here.
How about a free cleaning kit or eye protection for the "entry-level" .22's.
Or, in collaboration with the local range, offer free lessons with the purchase of new guns if the person states he is new to the sport.
Bad choices - first of all, don't sell junk (Bryco, Jennings, etc.). It is the customer's choice to purchase what he pleases - you may counsel him on his choices, but in the end it is his choice.
How to make the PR atmosphere in my local area more favorable to the idea of a gun store in the community?
Don't open a gunshop in San Fransisco.
How to advertise? Where to advertise?
Word of mouth is the best way I have found. But ads in the Sports Section of the local paper would work, but are very expensive.
Locations to avoid? Locations to prefer?
I found that people come to you, so you don't need the high-profile corner shop on Main Street. Don't open a store in a ghetto or high crime area - not worth it.
Interaction with customers?
This is easy, too! You want their money so you kiss their ass. You listen to them and don't treat them like they are stupid or that they are wasting your time.
You give your customers the best service you possibley can at the lowest price you can deliver.
Features that the shop should have?
Features that are great are a huge inventory and plenty of staff to help the customers. These are also the biggest things that are going to drive costs up - a big inventory is expensive to maintain and it's hard to be competitive when your overhead is driving you out of business. Also, employee payroll is generally the biggest variable expense a company has - get rid of 2 employees and you'll find that you now have $80,000.00 more per year - you must decide that proper balance of staff versus customers that fits your actual needs.
Stuff I forgot to ask about?
You have to remember that you are actually running a business, not supporting your hobby. One of the best gunshops in Orange County, CA is Ade's Gunshop. He does not have much of an inventory, but he will order any item you want and his prices are about $100.00 to $200.00 less than any other gunshop in So. Cal. About the only way to get guns cheaper is to have your own FFL. His customer service is exemplary. His focus is almost entirely on guns - none of the foo-foo stuff that just sits on the store shelves.
I would love to have a shop that is stocked like an Emporium with everything under the sun, but my belief is that you need to be lean-and-mean and focus on the core of your business to be successful.
Oh yeah, have a spot for "Consignment Sales" - these are guns that other people own and are trying to get rid of, but you sell them and keep a % of the sales. It is a good way to get free inventory.
LOW PRICES & EXCELLENT SERVICE = SUCCESS!
This is simple - stock the stuff that sells. Stuff that sells are 1911's, Glocks, 870's, 10/22's, SIG's, H&K's, Mini-14's (here in California), S&W revolvers.
You must remember that stuff that sits in your display case is money that could be in your pocket, or money that you could be using in a better way.
The way I ran my shop was that I would order anything that people wanted; In California we have a 10 day wait on all firearm purchases so people had to wait anyways - they can't come in and buy something and take it home that day, so no impulse sales.
If someone just had to see a product that I could not show them I would tell them to go to my competitor and check it out (Turner's Outdoorsman), they have a large inventory and the most expensive prices around, too (it costs money to have a large inventory). They would see Turner's price of $150.00 more than the quote I gave them for the same item.
My prices were the cheapest that my customer's could find and my service was the absolute best that I could provide!
Make sure you have the basic supplies and accessories -ammo, cleaning kits, protective eyewear & ears, gun cases, targets.
I skipped the whole reloading thing and would only do that special order - it ties up a lot of money in product that does not move fast.
Also, Bianchi and Galco holsters are cheap enough to keep a few on hand and are good enough for the average shooter - I would special order any holster that my customer needed; for those who really cared about their holsters, I referred them to Milt Sparks.
How to encourage new shooters? How to discourage bad choices?
Tough one here.
How about a free cleaning kit or eye protection for the "entry-level" .22's.
Or, in collaboration with the local range, offer free lessons with the purchase of new guns if the person states he is new to the sport.
Bad choices - first of all, don't sell junk (Bryco, Jennings, etc.). It is the customer's choice to purchase what he pleases - you may counsel him on his choices, but in the end it is his choice.
How to make the PR atmosphere in my local area more favorable to the idea of a gun store in the community?
Don't open a gunshop in San Fransisco.
How to advertise? Where to advertise?
Word of mouth is the best way I have found. But ads in the Sports Section of the local paper would work, but are very expensive.
Locations to avoid? Locations to prefer?
I found that people come to you, so you don't need the high-profile corner shop on Main Street. Don't open a store in a ghetto or high crime area - not worth it.
Interaction with customers?
This is easy, too! You want their money so you kiss their ass. You listen to them and don't treat them like they are stupid or that they are wasting your time.
You give your customers the best service you possibley can at the lowest price you can deliver.
Features that the shop should have?
Features that are great are a huge inventory and plenty of staff to help the customers. These are also the biggest things that are going to drive costs up - a big inventory is expensive to maintain and it's hard to be competitive when your overhead is driving you out of business. Also, employee payroll is generally the biggest variable expense a company has - get rid of 2 employees and you'll find that you now have $80,000.00 more per year - you must decide that proper balance of staff versus customers that fits your actual needs.
Stuff I forgot to ask about?
You have to remember that you are actually running a business, not supporting your hobby. One of the best gunshops in Orange County, CA is Ade's Gunshop. He does not have much of an inventory, but he will order any item you want and his prices are about $100.00 to $200.00 less than any other gunshop in So. Cal. About the only way to get guns cheaper is to have your own FFL. His customer service is exemplary. His focus is almost entirely on guns - none of the foo-foo stuff that just sits on the store shelves.
I would love to have a shop that is stocked like an Emporium with everything under the sun, but my belief is that you need to be lean-and-mean and focus on the core of your business to be successful.
Oh yeah, have a spot for "Consignment Sales" - these are guns that other people own and are trying to get rid of, but you sell them and keep a % of the sales. It is a good way to get free inventory.
LOW PRICES & EXCELLENT SERVICE = SUCCESS!
