Do they think we're idiots?!

[Rafsob]

My favorite gun store is a very small one. If I want to order a gun, I go there. And a couple times they've had what I want in stock. I like the place and the people there so much, I'm willing to buy the gun from there that I could get for $20 cheaper at the big box store that you can't go and BS about guns, and hunting, and cars, and family, and whatever.

I'll pay that $20 every time to hang out with the people and thoroughly enjoy the time in the store.

And I find that the smaller store owner that I show loyalty to will occaisionally reward me, like with a 4 inch model 10 that isn't the prettiest on the outside, but runs like new for $100 out the door.

I have the same setup. I like the store and people there and will pay the little extra to support them. They will give me a break on many guns have bought. It is worth it to do business with someone that takes my interests at heart!!!

 

[ERay]

I used to work at a small gun shop. We would price guns at about $50.00 over cost on a new $500.00 gun. Some trader would wander in and ask if we could take $25.00 less. If we agreed, he would then pull out a $200 gun he had bought from another dealer for $300 and want a $300 trade in off the discounted price. Then he would usually leave mad if we declined his offer. On the other hand we had regular customers would came in every couple of weeks and bought guns at asking price. I got to know them and began offering them a small discount or throwing in a box of ammo with every purchase. In the end they wound up with a better deal than the hagglers and I ended up with a better group of customers. I am about to open a new gunshop and plan to price guns at 20% above cost and remain firm on my price. If customers think you can purchase a building, pay taxes,pay utilities, insurance, and pay interest on inventory for less than 20% then they can buy online and I will do transfers for $25.00 or they can shop elsewhere. Most people understand this. The key is to be able to explain it to them NICELY.

 

[Robinett_11B]

Re: Tyrod

"it's just business"

The first quote implies that normally you're a nice guy but now that money is involved the "nice guy" has turned into Mr Hyde. At the end of the day, you're the one that has to live with yourself. Could you honestly take advantage of the little old lady that is selling her dear departed husband's 45cal Luger. Knowing you could give her thousands and in turn sell for possibly millions. If you consider youself a nice guy then be intellectually consistant and be a nice guy with your financial matters.

I don't think it's so black and white...that; either you're a nice guy or you make a profit. I wouldn't "take advantage of the little old lady"...but what if, instead of being 'that little old lady', it's a random pawn shop (as with the poster a few responses down)? I just think making a profit doesn't mean you're a 'Mr. Hyde' by default. I know you weren't necessarily saying that, but the inference could be drawn...especially with the little old lady scenario.

"Don't do business with family

I enjoy doing business with my family. It allows me to pass on the good fortune I've experienced to people I love. The inverse of that is that, I've experienced a net gain in my financial endeavors and I'm so greedy that I'm not willing to give a discount to anyone.

Sorry, but I don't exactly understand...are you saying that getting things for good deals, then selling for profit, would make you expect to deal with your family the same way? Seems like simply making a profit on private sales (even regularly) shouldn't stop you from giving your family a good deal...whether you're passing on a good deal you got or even taking a bit of a loss. That's how I see it anyways...but again, I don't regularly make a profit. I take a loss more often times than not (usually because I'm in "need" of the next S&W!)....but also because I'm just not one to usually overprice my guns.

I'm not saying you're not entitled to profit. Furthermore, I'm not saying you're not entitled to windfall profit. What I am saying is be honest and forthright so that these little things don't keep you awake at night or come to bother you much more later in life.

This all presumes you have a functioning conscience. If you don't, never mind.

I understand that and agree 100%. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

 

[ElKabong]

Buying a new gun is like buying a new car now, a little research will show you the "invoice" price. There are dealers who price base model Glocks at $699 and wait for a sucker to wander in.

You're business model sounds very fair, and the key is how you explain it.
But, when the little old lady walks in with a $1000 Colt, do you offer her $950 for it?
If you can live with $50 on new guns, what about used?
Does you're need to profit take precedence over her need to eat and pay utilities?

A lot of dealers/pawn brokers chastise buyers for being cheap skates, but don't blink when offering someone $300 for $1000 gun they don't know anything about.

If I ever get a tattoo, maybe it should be "caveat emptor"

I used to work at a small gun shop. We would price guns at about $50.00 over cost on a new $500.00 gun. Some trader would wander in and ask if we could take $25.00 less. If we agreed, he would then pull out a $200 gun he had bought from another dealer for $300 and want a $300 trade in off the discounted price. Then he would usually leave mad if we declined his offer. On the other hand we had regular customers would came in every couple of weeks and bought guns at asking price. I got to know them and began offering them a small discount or throwing in a box of ammo with every purchase. In the end they wound up with a better deal than the hagglers and I ended up with a better group of customers. I am about to open a new gunshop and plan to price guns at 20% above cost and remain firm on my price. If customers think you can purchase a building, pay taxes,pay utilities, insurance, and pay interest on inventory for less than 20% then they can buy online and I will do transfers for $25.00 or they can shop elsewhere. Most people understand this. The key is to be able to explain it to them NICELY.

 

[jspick]

I think there is a big difference between a pawn shop which charges rediculas interest on items being pawned and buying items for resale at a fraction of the wholesale value and a gun shop that runs on a tighter budget with smaller, but real world profit margins. We have both here.

John

 

[sirrduke2010]

Price versus Customer Service. There was a huge Gun Dealer in California that went out of business. He was a wholesaler and a distributor. The salesmen in there were often rude to the customers but not many walked out without something in their hands. In there price was more important than Customer Service. The customers didn't like the abrupt attitude of the sales people but everything was about price. They probably lost some customers but the store didn't care they were writing up orders as fast as they could right. There is a price for customer service and there are many that don't want to pay to have good customer service. There are some that do. If I was to choose which is more important these days with the majority of people it is price. Ideally the person should have good customer service and price but in the real world it doesn't matter to a large number of people whether there is good customer service as long as they got the price. If you want good customer service a lot of the time you may have to pay a little more. I have seen internet competitors with huge reputations and great prices but if you have a question or problem they aren't available for that.

Some stores built on Customer Service are more expensive like Nordstroms. They have some of the most expensive prices, they carry many of the more expensive brands. They will give you a customer service shopper to work with you to buy the look that you want and/or need for business. There is always a person around to help you. Their mark down store that carries items that don't sell is busy without but there is no individual attention.

At the end of the day the decision comes down are you going to buy a widget from store A with people to help and explain stuff or are you going to go to store B where there are no persons there to explain anything but the price is less. There are many that do the AB which is they go to store A to pick their brains and off to store B to buy the stuff but never realizing that if store A goes out of business they won't be able to get information about the product anymore but people don't care. I remember the people my friend told me about that would do the store A routine and then drive 20 miles by car to Store B and safe a dollar. I think they spent more in gas and their time but many don't see their time as being worth much. "Best Buy" Black Fridays are the perfect example of people camping out 2 days in advance to get half off on a product which may be retail $140 and be listed at $70. In reality they would have made more at minimum wage working 8 hours days than they saved by buying the product.

Ideally the store should have both but the reality is if you save good on price it can cost you in service, support, and help when buying a product.

 

[quinn]

I think I'da peeled off the $575 and bot the gun, My 686 snubbie with combats is one of my most favorites. $575 is what I paid... and haven't regretted it fur one second. But, that's jess me, I guess...

 

[ERay]

Buying a new gun is like buying a new car now, a little research will show you the "invoice" price. There are dealers who price base model Glocks at $699 and wait for a sucker to wander in.

You're business model sounds very fair, and the key is how you explain it.
But, when the little old lady walks in with a $1000 Colt, do you offer her $950 for it?
If you can live with $50 on new guns, what about used?
Does you're need to profit take precedence over her need to eat and pay utilities?

A lot of dealers/pawn brokers chastise buyers for being cheap skates, but don't blink when offering someone $300 for $1000 gun they don't know anything about.

If I ever get a tattoo, maybe it should be "caveat emptor"

Actually for the little old lady with the $1,000.00 Colt you would need to buy it for $800.00 to make your 20% profit. If you buy it for $950.00 something will probably be wrong with it or the little old lady stole it someplace and you will lose your profit on the next 4 Colts. You want to be fair but at the same time you have to consider this as a business. I bought a group of 5 " Saturday Night Specials " from a little old lady one time for about 50% more than they were worth. Ended up losing about $150.00 but I slept good knowing that I paid her what she thought they were worth and had helped her out. Sometimes you have to quit being a businessman and be a human being.

 

[Tyrod]

I don't think it's so black and white...that; either you're a nice guy or you make a profit. I wouldn't "take advantage of the little old lady"...but what if, instead of being 'that little old lady', it's a random pawn shop (as with the poster a few responses down)? I just think making a profit doesn't mean you're a 'Mr. Hyde' by default. I know you weren't necessarily saying that, but the inference could be drawn...especially with the little old lady scenario.

No where did I say nice guys can't make a profit.

Sorry, but I don't exactly understand...are you saying that getting things for good deals, then selling for profit, would make you expect to deal with your family the same way? Seems like simply making a profit on private sales (even regularly) shouldn't stop you from giving your family a good deal...whether you're passing on a good deal you got or even taking a bit of a loss. That's how I see it anyways...but again, I don't regularly make a profit. I take a loss more often times than not (usually because I'm in "need" of the next S&W!)....but also because I'm just not one to usually overprice my guns.

I don't understand this statement at all. But, I'll further clarify. I used to build and sell computers on the side. There was a time when I could earn a few dollars a month by doing this. Unfortunately, not any more. I sold quite a few computers to family member at cost. Sometimes for free.

 

[Old Corp]

As I've stated before, my 'retirement job' is a 3 day a week gig at the largest GS in my area.
We have been crazy-busy all this past Fall and especially here at Christmas.
There really are days that I remember why I did not choose retail as a career. I am not a skilled salesman - I'm a knowledgeable gun-guy, and very used to dealing with people. That's all.
It does get fairly exhausting dealing with what seems like an endless stream of 'tire kickers' and 'let-me-see-that-and-also-about-14-others' sorts who give me a very reliable impression that they have NO plans to buy anything. In essence, they are using the store for entertainment purposes only.
The 'urban youths' that come in in groups are great for this. We have 'black guns' laid out on tables and they can be entertained handling them for long periods of time. Then the phones come out and pictures taken.
Couple that with the next few customers that are rankled that a certain model gun has shown up in Shotgun News for a whole $40 less, and well, let's just say it can be a bit trying.

Thank goodness there is a base of great, reliable, sane customers that I really enjoy getting to visit with most days.

 

[Triggernosis]

... the largest GS in my area.
....

Where might that be, Corp? PM me if you wish.