What do YOU want in your local gun store?

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Have a parts bin behind the counter with spare small bits, so you can do no-charge field repairs, and you will win many customers. My local shops both do, and I return their courtesy with frequent patronage.
 
-Have a gun tool library. Boresighters, left-handed-whatzit tools, AR-15 sight adjusters, etc.
Best. Idea. Ever!
For that matter, let me use your bench & vise. Apartment dwellers don't have room for their own reloading bench, fire safe, and dedicated "gun room". Having access to tools at the shop would get me in and spending money more often.

I agree on having knowledgeable female staff. The owner of a large local shop we frequent has [tiny] hands the same size as MrsBFD's, and had some great advice on what to try out.

I experienced a great used gun + range tactic today.
This local shop will let you shoot their used handguns on their range with their ammo. No range fee, but if you don't buy, there is a $20 cleaning fee.
We were sure to buy this gun assuming it didn't malfunction ... but I admit that the $20 cleaning fee was probably a subconscious factor in the shop's favor.

Also the staff being willing to admit "I don't know" is a plus. I can respect honesty, but I also will never return if I detect guessing.

Also, I'd be willing to use your reloads on your range, assuming the liability issue was covered.
 
you could always run thr in the background and use tthat to answer questions.
 
For that matter, let me use your bench & vise. Apartment dwellers don't have room for their own reloading bench, fire safe, and dedicated "gun room". Having access to tools at the shop would get me in and spending money more often.
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This is a recipe for disaster.

Simple advice is fine to give, but allowing people to use your tools is crazy. Because the work is done in your shop, you are liable for any damage that may occur. Plus the work that may have gone to your gunsmith, because of a customers lack of space to do the work themselves, would bring in some income. That is guaranteed income, not theoretical income that might happen because someone is spending more time in the store.

As a gunsmith, I don't like other people using my tools, unless I know them really well. It is not that I am selfish, but do you know what happens when someone runs a file over hardened metal? It ruins the file, which is more money out of pocket that will not be recoverable. And that has happened to me too more than once.

I have always kept most of my tools in the back room where I did the gunsmithing (next to the other equipment) and only kept a complete set of screwdrivers and allen/Torx wrenches behind the counter. If a job needed more than that, I would give a quote and write the customer up if they wanted.
 
1) Staff who is willing to recommend items that aren't new, i.e. willing to say "Check out that police trade-in revolver"

2) Staff willing to take potential customers shooting and let them decide for themselves

3) A range and some trade-in guns to allow for 1) and 2)

4) Staff who know about what's on the market right now, and the real advantages and disadvantages, beyond the "Glock torture tests."

They put a Glock in salt water for six years and...and...
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5) Staff who doesn't spread misinformation. I think there should be a strict policy about staff chatter about guns. This may seem counterintuitive, but I hear lots of Joe Blow customers in gun stores spouting off about gun rumors or whatnot (45 vs 9mm for example) and then the staff confirm it, making it "Fact" in Joe Blow's mind.
 
Organize by intended use

I always wanted to see a gun store that organized the firearms by intended use. Skeet guns here, IPSC pistols there, centerfire hunting rifles over there...you get the idea. I think such an arrangement would result in more gun sales for that store as people getting into shooting would have a high level of confidence that the store knows what they're selling.
 
Okay, some problems.

#1. Allowing people to use my tools/reloading supplies in the store.

HELL NO. The liability involved is insane. I like the idea of selling both tools and reloading supplies, but I can't let people mess around in stuff like that in the shop. It's a nightmare waiting to happen.

#2. Good prices...okay...

I'm going to offer a FAIR PRICE, everyone wants everything at bottom dollar. I'm in this to make money, at the same time as to promote shooting and firearms.

A business is run by having repeat customers, if I jack prices up to high - you might buy once and never come back. If I charge to low, you'll come back but I'll be out of business. I have to turn a profit to keep growing and keep the business alive.

So I'll charge what I think is reasonable. If you think it's unreasonable, you have the right to go somewhere else.

I feel the urge to draw a hard line on this.

I know you guys don't mean anything by it, but I'm not going to LOOSE money(and breaking even is just as bad) on this business.

I'll do the best I can to get you the best prices, it's simple economics to find a good balance between making enough to grow and keeping the customer happy.

#3. Used Guns.

I'll really have to look into this, I currently have no problem buying/trading/selling for them. It all depends on crunching numbers to see how profitable it is for me.

#4. Food shop.

I'll have to look into county/state laws on this. But something smaller is better, drinks and some basic munchies may work out just fine.

#5. Pro-RKBA Literature.

Absolutely. I want Boston T. Party, Matthew Bracken, John Ross, Jeff Cooper, etc in there.

#6. Free CCW class.

I dunno about this. Some people buying pistols already have a CCW, so what do they get? It may be to much of a hassle. If I can find a location that a small range can be built on it, I may just offer CCW and not even bother giving it free. This will require some thinking and debating.

#7. Cheap FFL transactions.

Around here, they generally go for about $25. On an FFL transfer, I don't get anything except liability. The ATF will come down on ME if the transfer goes south. Perhaps $15 is do-able to keep people coming through the store. Nothing lower than that.

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I just had a few minutes to say a couple of things.

Keep the it coming, help me define the idea.
 
How about having customers volunteer a certain number of hours per week in exchange for a discount? It would work especially well if there's a range that requires upkeep.

Or, maybe a volunteer could hold a free lecture once-a-month about a topic they are an expert at, like reloading for example -- or any gun/rkba topic -- in exchange for a discount. You would benefit by getting people into the shop who would likely buy stuff and the volunteer/lecturer would get 15% off. This also benefits the community by educating people and giving them a forum to share their knowledge.
 
I'd like for my local gunshops to start carrying Armalite products, I want an Armalite AR-10 A4 SPR baaaaaad :).
 
Here is my list some may find it to be repetitive of what has been said before.

*Staff that comes from the gun culture not the retail culture
*A good selection of guns and ammo
*Surplus stuff, mainly the cheap nagents and such
*Don't stock guns that you don't sell ammo for (used guns might be the exception)
*Staff that is ok with saying "I am not sure let me look it up for you"
*The willingness to let people browse without having a sales guy follow them around
*Always have a good and new answer to several key questions
*Whats the best HD gun for $500?
*Whats new on the shelf?
*Whats something unlike anything else
*Find an additional niche maybe your the only one who carries more than Uncle Mike's Holsters, maybe you have a whole section devoted to female shooters, but something that makes you different than a sporting goods store.
*How about a TV with the outdoor channel or DVD's of shooting gallery/ American shooter/ cowboys/ down range TV/ you get the idea.
 
Most important to me are knowledgeable and respectful staff. A rude employee is enought to make me never go to a certain store again and in the past I have gone to more expensive places because I would rather support them.
 
1911 parts. I can't tell you how irritating it is to need something as simple as a recoil spring and not have it available at my local gun shops.
 
I don't mean that no gun shops here carry used, I just meant that the clerks often steer customers toward flashy newer guns when they'd often be suited better with a used one.

I guess I could expand that to say "Staff that's helpful and willing to work with the customer rather than recommend the priciest item out of hand."
 
Put more than one revolver in the case. I went to 3 gun stores and a pawn shop to attempt to buy a NAA in .22 Mag. No luck, and no one offered to order me one! I had $400 in my pocket.
 
The high lead and chemical content of most gun stores might make opening a food section very difficult legally.
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There's a gunstore in Tulsa, Oklahoma that has a deli in the back. The sandwhiches from the deli aren't any better than the service in the gun store but I have eaten there and I have bought a gun there - neither was great and neither was really bad either.

The other things I want in a gun shop is just to be there. Follow the rules and the laws to the t so that you will be there when I want something.

Provide fair prices. You don't have to beat the online shops but you shouldn't be uncaring about the costs of buying a gun and the sacrifices I make when buying from you. Make some money but leave me some, too.

You don't have to carry everything or have what I want in stock. Have a couple in expensive high-end options in handguns and rifles and have a couple low end guns in stock, too. That way if I really want to carry something home today, I have a choice. If you don't have what I want, no problem. I know you'd order it for me with a smile.

If I just feel the need to talk about guns sometimes, let me hang out; talk to me. If you're too busy, I'll understand if you tell me when your slow day is or even simply say, "Hey, I'm pretty busy right now. Browse for a while and I'll talk to you when things slow down." Heck, maybe I'll spend money while I wait. Or maybe I won't have time to wait and I'll come back when we both have more time.

When I ask about a product, feel free to give me your advice and even to suggest the product you have in stock over something I may want to order - if the in-stock product will do the job for me just as well. If, after your suggestion, I still want the product I had in mind when I came in the door, then order it for me.

If you're losing money because you have to pay up to 3.5% surcharge when I pay with my credit card, don't be afraid to tell me. I'll pay the 3.5% or I'll write you a check (which you won't mind taking because we'll have a long history of business together) or I'll stop by the bank on my way in and get some cash.



If you do all those things in your store, you'll be very much like the store I frequent in the small town in which I live, and you'll be busy, and you'll be successful.
 
First thing, Reloading- Just powder and primers. Everybody knows we all order our bullets and brass and hardware online to make every penny squeak. The hazmat for powder and primers makes this the one place a shop can beat online in reloading gear. I don't order powder 20+ lbs at a time so I can't make online pay. Trying to make up for the bath they are taking on the rest of the reloading gear makes it pricier than it should be at local shops. So I reload ONLY with the few powders the one Wallyworld that sells reloading stuff carries.

Leave the stuff WalMart carries to Walmart. Carry the rifles and pistols I CAN'T get elsewear. Surplus stuff. Good solid used stuff (like Sig P6's, Makarovs, CZ-52's, FN hi-powers. Skip the basic 30-30 winchesters and remington bird shotguns. Enjoy the advantages of the flexibility in what you carry that the chains can't duplicate. Above all, be willing to ORDER (pre-paid of course) anything for customers, but with a smaller mark-up. After all, you aren't having to lay out for it or have it sitting on the shelf tying up capitol for months.

John
 
A test range is top of the list. There are no places in my neck of thewoods to test guns before you buy, and that REEEAAALLY bugs me.

Also, good surplus rifles, such as SKS', Enfields, Mausers. The only such guns stocked with 60 miles are Mosin-Nagants.
 
I always thought it would be cool to open up 'Matt's A.T.F. Store' as in alcohol tobacco and firearms(notice the tobacco shop seperating the two). It would sell three of my favorite things, fine liquor/beer, good cigars/pipe tobacco and most important, guns.

I'm just thinking it wouldn't go over so well if all three were directly connected, so maybe a strip mall format would be preferable with seperate storefronts.
 
I haven't read the entire thread, but I'll give you my two cents.
I've been on both sides of the counter. Unfortunately my employer was going through a nasty divorce when I came on board. While he juggled assets, firearms ordered for customers came in late, if at all.
Be completely honest with the customer, good or bad. Allow no gun culture mythology in the shop. Fact, not myth. I don't care about YOUR personal preference, will the item in question fulfill the customers needs.
New shooters will return if they have a positive experience. Attitude can be everything.
I'll give you a recent example. I call around the local gunstores, looking for a couple of boxes of .44 Special Silvertips. One shop, the employee has the attitude that I am stealing a few moments from his life and he doesn't appreciate it, but he grudgingly checks the shelves for a few moments. This is the shop where I heard one of the employees rattling on about whatever ethnic group you were not. So happens I have folks in my extended family representing the entire American melting pot, and I don't appreciate ignorance.
The shop I ended up buying from did not have any of the requested ammo in stock, but the salesman took the time to check with one of their distributors and apparently added my ammo to a shipment. They called me back when it came in the next day. When I arrived at the shop they were all busy but as soon as one of the guys was freed up he asked if he could help. Turns out he was the same guy who took my order (Very squared away, well spoken, member of an ethnic minority). I took the time to find and thank the owner for providing good service and gave the employee a pat on the back.
Guess which shop is getting my repeat business?
My hobby is firearms. I've recently bought two handguns and will soon be buying another handgun and two rifles. I've also decided to start reloading.
If possible, offer layaway. I know you can get screwed on this but it might be worth the risk. That customer you turned away because he was a struggling college kid who needed to buy in payments may bring in his rich buddies and will enter the work force himself, hopefully bringing his business to you.
I appreciate a clean, organized place of business with honest, squared away staff. Good luck to you Sir.
 
-Have a gun tool library. Boresighters, left-handed-whatzit tools, AR-15 sight adjusters, etc.
Best. Idea. Ever!
For that matter, let me use your bench & vise. Apartment dwellers don't have room for their own reloading bench, fire safe, and dedicated "gun room". Having access to tools at the shop would get me in and spending money more often.
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What you're looking for is a gun club, not a gun shop. Though a gun shop with room may provide facilities to a gun club. The important difference is that reloading and gun repairs should be done by people who own the tools. In a gun club, you're part owner.
 
What's with the layaway? You're asking the gunshop owner to carry your wishlist for you. Use an online store's wishlist for that. Use your cookie jar as your layaway.
 
It seems the consensus is that people want customer service, cheap prices, a willingness to order things that are not in stock, organized and offer things like layaway and if youd on't have a gunsmith on staff, have one come in once a week or so to pick up the items that need repair.

The problem is that people also don't realize the cost involved. I don't care if your Walmart or "Mom and Pop's Guns".... you can never sell as cheap as customers can get on the internet. If you do, you will out of business because you can't pay your lease. You can not stock every model gun in the world someone might want, it costs to much in capital. Please explain why I should spend $500,000 on inventory to make less than 2% profit after expenses? I can put the money in bonds and make more than that guaranteed!

And you can never lend tools that the "business" owns or that are stored in the business. The liability is outrageous, and one good lawsuit will shut you down, no matter the waivers you have them sign... besides the insurance company that provides your business insurance will drop you.

Understand your market and what kind of customer base you are trying to please.... Hunters? Trap Shooters? Self Defense? Reloaders? Mall Ninjas? Decide which ones you can accommodate in the space you have available... that does not drain your budget. 5,000 sq ft. might seem enough, but realize what kind of sales you would need to just break even. Include all costs, such as inventory, rent, staff, utilities, advertising, insurance, enough $$ to pay your bills, etc. Decide on a realistic salary, and price accordingly. Realize that every item you stock, you must lay out capitol for... you won't get a line of credit from any distributors until you prove able to repay.... and at most you will get 60 days before you it must be repaid in full.
 
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