Local gun shops concerned this could happen to them?

[Gamecock]

LGS, a creation of government.

 

[BB57]

Well, there's no good market for used bicycles . . .

Depends on where you live. There's a guy in Arlington VA who owns a bicycle shop but also rents space in the county courthouse lot on weekends in the summer months. It's right next to the courthouse metro station. He does a risk business buying and selling used bicycles, has a very good selection and turns them over pretty quickly.

When my back said "enough road biking" he took my high mile but well maintained road bike in trade on a lightly used hybrid. Good deal for me, and a good deal for him.

 

[susieqz]

i sure wish we had a local guns store. i've never been in one.
the lumberyard sells guns but only new ones at full msrp.
i was thrilled to find a local source when i bot my first handgun, but i soon learned online that people were getting the same gun for $100 less.
now that i found a guy with a ffl, all my business goes online.
been lucky so far.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

We have several successful 'gun shops' in the area. They also operate shooting ranges, carry permit and general training including things like Ladies Marksmanship, Maintenance & Safety classes, gunsmith services... on and on... There's a wide array of gun related business beyond trying to go head-to-head with sellers on the Net over price.

When was the last time anyone heard GrabAGun whining it was unfair that brick and mortar gun shops had shooting ranges?

Every area is a bit different. What works in one county might not work well in another. But I'm not the least bit worried about business models that don't work failing-- that's what they're supposed to do.

 

[DumpStick]

......
...But I'm not the least bit worried about business models that don't work failing-- that's what they're supposed to do.

This, folks, is capitalism condensed into one sentence.

Bravo.

Too bad our gov't doesn't work this way.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Depends on where you live. There's a guy in Arlington VA who owns a bicycle shop but also rents space in the county courthouse lot on weekends in the summer months. It's right next to the courthouse metro station. He does a risk business buying and selling used bicycles, has a very good selection and turns them over pretty quickly.

When my back said "enough road biking" he took my high mile but well maintained road bike in trade on a lightly used hybrid. Good deal for me, and a good deal for him.

He'd starve around here . . .

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I've visited many LGS over the past ten years, and by far the usual reaction to walking in the store is a mixture of annoyance and suspicion, especially the smaller "mom & pop" stores. Frankly, it says a lot about our culture, negatively, that these stores manage to stay in business at all.

 

[Faulkner]

Fortunately or unfortunately the internet is the direction that the American consumer has pushed things. Many only care about price. Service is a secondary concern.

I can understand if you live in an area where gun shops don't exist or the selection is small.

Brick and mortar stores are already in trouble. Gander Mountain, Sears, JC Penny to name a few. It concerns me because as more stores close or go out of business, the consumer is creating a monopoly of internet sellers and big box stores that can compete with the internet. Our choices will be limited locally which will drive up prices. By not supporting small business, we will pay more later.

That's because poor service is becoming more the norm. Many young people are not taught common courtesy much less customer service (even though they seem to think they're worth 15 bucks an hour). I have and will pay extra to purchase locally that comes with good service.

 

[Arik]

A lot of folks find doing business with LGSs quite useful.

They have little knowledge about guns and rely on the counterperson for advice about guns, ammo, holsters and accessory purchases and want an ongoing mentor for problems and questions they may have pertaining to their purchases. They are uneasy with buying guns and ammo online and prefer to buy across a counter... or prefer to pay with cash. Or maybe they want a captive audience to bore with their life stories and yammer. On and on and on...

However, a lot of folks don't have use for these things. I don't. I'm not the least bit interested in paying for things that I'm not interested in. Nor am I interested in financially supporting some guy across the counter who is sick of dealing with his customers. Seems fair and reasonable to me.

Yes and no. While most of my purchases are on line a lot are from LGSs. There are certain things I won't buy online simply because I'm afraid it would be a waste of money. Guns for one thing. Especially new models. I liked the Sig 320 when it came out but upon handling one I didn't care for the grip size and angle. I can get used to it but at this point I have what I need so I didn't bother. Had I bought it online I would have wasted my money! And simply because it gives more options. To sales

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Yes and no. While most of my purchases are on line a lot are from LGSs. There are certain things I won't buy online simply because I'm afraid it would be a waste of money. Guns for one thing. Especially new models. I liked the Sig 320 when it came out but upon handling one I didn't care for the grip size and angle. I can get used to it but at this point I have what I need so I didn't bother. Had I bought it online I would have wasted my money! And simply because it gives more options. To sales

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I'll have either handled the firearm at the club or maybe go to one of the big box stores if it's a newer release I'm curious about. I don't want to impose on mom and pop stores for tire kicking exercises.

 

[yeti]

The American consumer has shown an overwhelming preference for purchasing goods online. Brick & mortar stores offering goods are dying and will continue to fade away one by one... because consumers want it that way.

Web sellers have minimal overhead costs compared to brick & mortars and embrace volume sales with low margins. Volume drives it.
Online customer service is minimal and most buyers understand the model now and are willing to trade that for the cost savings.
A sales tax advantage is another huge benefit driving buyers to web sellers.
Services will be the ones left standing in the brick & mortar retail arena. There will be fewer and fewer standard goods retailers available to us over time. Big box that offers an integrated online presence will still do well, I think.
Will the pendulum swing too far and consumers rethink it? We shall see, but I think this is the new norm.
I can tell you that manufacturers will regret it.

 

[Gamecock]

When I buy a gallon of milk online, I'll know the change is complete. Else, some things will be better bought online, others will be better purchased locally. The marketplace will sort it out.

I do wish we could get rid of GCA '68, and my gun order come directly to me. And if I don't like it, I can send it back insured with UPS for twenty bucks. Government continues to place artificial restraints on the marketplace.

 

[the ringo kid]

i sure wish we had a local guns store. i've never been in one.
the lumberyard sells guns but only new ones at full msrp.
i was thrilled to find a local source when i bot my first handgun, but i soon learned online that people were getting the same gun for $100 less.
now that i found a guy with a ffl, all my business goes online.
been lucky so far.

Ditto only--all the guns ive bought over the last 25 years--most are from a gun show-with few exceptions. The last on-line purchase--Bud's gun shop--about Aug 2016.