WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CC HOLSTER?

[getoff]

i carry every day no matter what. if my belts on, so's my gun. Glock 17, or 34 rides OWB at work in a Raven Concealment. IWB is Multiholsters.com. when off work its always IWB. if i have to, my 442 rides in a Galco horsehide pocket holster. the people who get a permit and don't carry often or at all, confuse and confound me. their decision, not mine.

 

[getoff]

So true...............

a thought...........

Add a few bucks to a gun's price....... and spend 15-20 minutes with the "new" customer...... helping him/her find the "type" of holster/belt needed.....on line............. and place the order on his card (maybe ship to your shop)......

make a happy customer for life.....next gun, ammo, targets...... on and on!

Make sure he understands that most active shooters/carriers have more than one holster.....

or box of holsters...

 

[Brian41]

Do you actually carry?
Do you carry the same gun all the time?
Do you carry every day?
What kind of holster/ carry device do you prefer?
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HOLSTERS??

I do carry
No I use different guns
Yes I always carry where legal and in my house.
I have all types of holsters from pocket carry, OWB, IWB, Pancake holsters, shoulder holsters depending on the use
I've bought them in LGS when available, online from makers or retailers and custom made ones

 

[senecaap]

1. Yes
2. No, revolvers and autos
3. Yes
4. Milt Sparks Summer Special, Black Hills Leather IWB
5. From the maker and the internet

 

[Co mtn man]

Do you actually carry?
Do you carry the same gun all the time?
Do you carry every day?
What kind of holster/ carry device do you prefer?
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HOLSTERS??

Yes .
No.
I carry every day I can.
IWB hybrid, leather/ kydex
WhiteHat holsters

 

[jtpur]

I carry every day. I have a variety of holsters for a variety of guns. I sometimes pocket carry without a holster. Yeah I know some of you are appalled...be appalled then. I just bought a nifty ankle rig for a Ruger LCS9. I carry every day but not the same gun nor in the same holster no in the same location. Depends on where Im going. The manner of dress, often dictated by what I carry often dictated by analyzing the potential threat of where I am going based on a whole bunch of things. Time of day, location, mode of transportation, type of retail place, etc. Yeah maybe I overthink it but I try to be aware of my surroundings and try to avoid dangerous places as much as possible.

 

[rednichols]

If a gun store had 100,000 different holsters in stock, odds are they still wouldn't have what the next customer is looking for.

Holsters are a nightmare to stock in my opinion.

That's kind of true, of course. But it can be done. First a shop would want to 'know' their customers; in this case the OP has identified concealed carry customers. Second, the popular pistols; my own customers only buy 1911, SIG, and Glock; but a review of forums over the years turns up SW Shields etc. Third, though lefties can be as much as 20% of a population, sales are more like 5%; so just don't stock them. Fourth, special orders is a big part of the retailer I work for, and it can be for a shop; that would require a company policy to seek out special orders by the sales force.

This would all be quite worthwhile because a shop owner's margin on holsters etc. is not less than 40% and can be more if they make a real go of holsters; whereas the margin on pistols is far, far less. The add-on sales of holsters, ammo, cases, glasses, hearing protectors, shooting gloves, etc. adds more to the bottom line than the pistols can. Many customers don't want to bother doing the ordering themselves, nor handling the warranty issues involved if something goes awry.

Which brings us 'round to the attitude of the sales force. Manage them or they'll manage you. And the flip side is that, in case of a products liability suit, the shop owner is now not only in the queue for selling the pistol and the ammo, but also for selling the holster (which is classified as PPE [personal protective equipment] like body armour).

 

[Kanewpadle]

No disrespect, but you gents need to know what's it's really like in the retail world.

Major companies that make holsters don't care about the little guy. They want their products in nation wide big box stores.

If you know anything about small gun shops then you know there isn't much profit in selling new guns. The profit is made on used guns, accessories, and services such as gunsmithing.

So, why would a gunshop spend several hundred or a few thousand for a minimum buy-in from a holster maker? And the holster companies don't always let you pick and choose which holsters you buy. You have to buy at least one of each.

Kimber is a great example. They make a so so product. They require dealers to buy direct from them. No middle man. But you must meet a minimum buy-in. And then when you try to reorder the guns you sold they tell you that it will take several months to fill your order. Why? They're too busy resupplying big box stores. It's the very reason a few area gun shops have stopped carrying Kimber.

 

[radar1972]

Yes
No
Yes
Either Simply Rugged Cuda when carrying OWB or Desantis Nemesis when carrying in pocket.
All purchased online.

 

[rednichols]

No disrespect, but you gents need to know what's it's really like in the retail world.

Major companies that make holsters don't care about the little guy. They want their products in nation wide big box stores.

If you know anything about small gun shops then you know there isn't much profit in selling new guns. The profit is made on used guns, accessories, and services such as gunsmithing.

So, why would a gunshop spend several hundred or a few thousand for a minimum buy-in from a holster maker? And the holster companies don't always let you pick and choose which holsters you buy. You have to buy at least one of each.

Kimber is a great example. They make a so so product. They require dealers to buy direct from them. No middle man. But you must meet a minimum buy-in. And then when you try to reorder the guns you sold they tell you that it will take several months to fill your order. Why? They're too busy resupplying big box stores. It's the very reason a few area gun shops have stopped carrying Kimber.

And none taken. But if one can't pony up "several hundred or a few thousand bucks" to be in the holster business, then the problem has been identified. Hell, I could come up with that much cash without reselling the items! And have.

At Bianchi we fought this issue from day one and John actually 'invented' the stocking holster dealer. Before his company ALL holster sales were made to order, by Heiser and Lawrence and Myres. Those companies have been gone a LONG time.

I do know about retail at the coal face, and work for a major retailer that operates with the mantra " full, clean and tidy". We're kicking our competitors because they don't have the resources to be 'full'; that is, plenty of product on the shelf. Because if it's not on the shelf, and we can't get the customer over to another of our stores for it (or vice versa) there is no sale. Simple strategy.

Cash is king for a small retailer, and cash flow dominates every decision. Agreed the big box stores have risen above all that. Yet, to have the breadth and depth of range in those higher profit margin products (I won't call them accessories; rather 'add-on sales') a shop MUST pony up the cash and be in stock.

We know that few shops have the cash to do this. Which is why the manufacturers MUST focus on those retailers who not only can be in stock, but can pay their bills in 30; or better yet take the discount for paying in 10.

I know of one major holster manufacturer that's rated mighty low by D&B. That only happens when the company is also having cash flow troubles. Because dealers are paying in 60 and 90.

 

[Tom Beavert]

Lobo

We're loosing a good guy, at least he's retiring, Ray, at lobo gun leather says he is selling. I hope the new guys are as good.
Good luck Ray
tb

 

[Kanewpadle]

And none taken. But if one can't pony up "several hundred or a few thousand bucks" to be in the holster business, then the problem has been identified. Hell, I could come up with that much cash without reselling the items! And have.

At Bianchi we fought this issue from day one and John actually 'invented' the stocking holster dealer. Before his company ALL holster sales were made to order, by Heiser and Lawrence and Myres. Those companies have been gone a LONG time.

I do know about retail at the coal face, and work for a major retailer that operates with the mantra " full, clean and tidy". We're kicking our competitors because they don't have the resources to be 'full'; that is, plenty of product on the shelf. Because if it's not on the shelf, and we can't get the customer over to another of our stores for it (or vice versa) there is no sale. Simple strategy.

Cash is king for a small retailer, and cash flow dominates every decision. Agreed the big box stores have risen above all that. Yet, to have the breadth and depth of range in those higher profit margin products (I won't call them accessories; rather 'add-on sales') a shop MUST pony up the cash and be in stock.

We know that few shops have the cash to do this. Which is why the manufacturers MUST focus on those retailers who not only can be in stock, but can pay their bills in 30; or better yet take the discount for paying in 10.

I know of one major holster manufacturer that's rated mighty low by D&B. That only happens when the company is also having cash flow troubles. Because dealers are paying in 60 and 90.

A few thoughts.

It is absolutely unreasonable to expect a private gun shop owner to stock one of every holster. Left hand, right hand, leather, kydex, pancake, paddle, belt, and so on. It doesn't make good business sense to tie up that kind of money not to mention retail space.

If holster makers are suffering cash flow problems because of past due payments/slow to pay dealers, that's their fault. You cut those people off day and/or make them for up front.

Part of the problem is customers. They want what they want and they want it now! They expect all gun shops to stock one of every gun, holster, or other add ons. Might as well put a bunch of $500 dollar bills in the showcase.

I buy my holsters on line from a custom maker. He has low overhead and very little money tied up in product sitting on the shelf collecting dust. Almost everything else I buy gun related in purchased at a local mom and pop gun shop. If they don't stock it then they order it while I wait patiently.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Couple of local gun shops have had some of the same holsters hanging on the wall for years...........it always amazes me that someone will spend several hundred dollars..... or more...... on a gun and will only spend $25 or $40 on a holster......... and buy their belt a Walmart!!!!!!

 

[Bro. Dave]

Do you actually carry? Yes, I do

Do you carry the same gun all the time? No, I have a couple that I alternate from time to time. About 85% of the time lately it has been an H&K VP9

Do you carry every day? Absolutely, including to church. Especially to church when you read about how often crazy folk looking for notoriety and an easy target shoot up places of worship.

What kind of holster/ carry device do you prefer? Hybrid IWB 99% of the time.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HOLSTERS?? Tommy Theis in Arkansas.

 

[Valmet]

Yes I carry.
No I do not carry the same gun all of the time BUT it is ALWAYS 1 of 2 (Glock 19 or S&W 442 Airweight)
Yes I carry all of the time.
Lately it has been Alien Gear IWB cloak-tucks that I ordered directly from AG (they have a promo- any 2 for $50+shipping). In the past I've used White Hat IWBs ordered directly from WH but they're pricier and honestly I like the AGs better.

 

[rednichols]

A few thoughts.

It is absolutely unreasonable to expect a private gun shop owner to stock one of every holster. Left hand, right hand, leather, kydex, pancake, paddle, belt, and so on. It doesn't make good business sense to tie up that kind of money not to mention retail space.

If holster makers are suffering cash flow problems because of past due payments/slow to pay dealers, that's their fault. You cut those people off day and/or make them for up front.

Part of the problem is customers. They want what they want and they want it now! They expect all gun shops to stock one of every gun, holster, or other add ons. Might as well put a bunch of $500 dollar bills in the showcase.

I buy my holsters on line from a custom maker. He has low overhead and very little money tied up in product sitting on the shelf collecting dust. Almost everything else I buy gun related in purchased at a local mom and pop gun shop. If they don't stock it then they order it while I wait patiently.

I agree with most of that . Back to the OPs problem, of holsters not being a larger part of sales, if it were my problem I'd expect my best solution given limited cash flow, would be to (1) choose a narrow range of best sellers such as a pancake and an IWB, (2) buy them in right hand plain unless mine is an LEO shop, (3) buy 1911, Glock, SIG, M&P, B92 only.

Then I would try to get with a holster brand that my competitors didn't carry. That might be easier than one thinks if they aren't good at being in stock, either.

Then I would want to give my guys a reason to make sure every pistol buyer that I carry holsters for, is offered an opportunity to check out my holster range.

In my own retail experience, I discovered early that this reach for the add-on sale is actually good customer service. That's because of the number of customers who hadn't thought of all they needed, or didn't realise that it didn't all come in a 'kit', or even ' I didn't know your shop sells that'.

Pistols need holsters, the darned things are almost useless without them. Of course for a long time, pistols have been sold in plastic carry cases which makes the need for a holster 'not obvious'.

 

[Roady]

Good Stuff-Thanx

 

[Roady]

thanx very educational

 

[Roady]

THIS IS VERY HELPFUL IN MY DECISION-THANX

 

[Don 73]

Do you actually carry? Yes
Do you carry the same gun all the time? Yes a S&W 9c
Do you carry every day? Yes
What kind of holster/ carry device do you prefer? IWB or OWB yaqui slide type - kydex
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HOLSTERS?? From Zero9 holsters, a coworkers business

I have mentioned Zero9 a few times because a friend of mine owns the company, makes the holsters himself, has a huge local following, gives LEO/Military & First Responders a Discount and makes a quality product that, as I have shown, can be modified within minutes from IWB to OWB.

My Zero9 gear