Think I am done with my local gun shop.

[Tackleberry41]

When I first moved here, it was the old man running the place. Nice guy, order anything you wanted for 10% over cost. Always eager to trade, fair deals. Very honest.

Well his son has taken over. Yea he did stuff that needed done, more guns, more storage. But the deals are gone, and he does not seem to have any issues selling you a screwed up gun.

I have passed up deals at places like Bass pro or online, give the business to my local shop so they stay open. Also sell gas, one of few places around here who sells mid grade for my hemi truck. But prices have been rising, trade values way down. I know they need to keep the doors open, pay bills, but jacked up prices on unsold inventory does not pay bills.

A black hawk convertible in the case, been there a while, but is missing the 45colt cylinder and he wants $500 for it. I do not remember paying much more for a new one from his dad. Or a pistol I traded and best he could do was $550, in the case for $850, or the price of a new one.

Was in yesterday, customer was back, with his jam-o-matic AR he bought there. Used in 300AAC, jammed with factory ammo. Was a trip back to the factory, came back, no change. I recommended different ammo, pistol gas system 16in barrel. Works...better. Now learns the bolt is messed up, some notch the rim catches on, won't eject most of the time. Owner showed him a bolt the customer could order that 'should' fix it. Or the Walther 22 he sold someone along with a brick of target ammo that won't cycle, happy to sell him ammo that 'might' work better. And then he took in a FN FAL trade, been wanting one a long time, not seen any for sale. Maybe he knew, maybe he didn't, its not a rifle but a parts kit. Only needs a new barrel whats the big deal? Plus cost of putting it in. His answer when I said something, not accusing just pointing it out, was 'sorry'. Would imagine he made a few bucks, low ball trade offer, full price in the rack. Well hope he enjoys the money, be last from me.

I have spent alot of money in that place in the last several years, alot. Stock up on ammo, he carries powder and primers, gas, sodas, and guns. Bought 5 guns since Thanksgiving. If that's the way its gonna be, just another chump to stick it to. Then I can buy ammo cheaper on the internet, other places to buy reloading supplies. Other gun shops and places to buy gas.

[JoeJames]

There was a new gun shop near me. A little out of the way, but I tried it out. Seemed to just cater to the fancy duck hunting trade, even though it was up in the hills: super expensive duck hunting clothing and gear. Also tried to just cater to younger shooters. They were not a bit friendly - shoot I might as well have been in one of those fancy "hiking" type stores in Little Rock. Went back by once after that. It shut down last year; just too fancy for most folks, I reckon.

[MrWolf]

I finally found one where the folks seem to really care. Told them I would rather order from them then online as long as they were in the same ballpark. Came back with a very reasonable cost. Win-Win. They do know their business. Hope they stick around a long time.

[dragon813gt]

If you aren’t happy w/ the service then move along. Not being rude it’s just as simple as that. I find the gun shop experience to be one of the worse when it comes to retail sales. Shop owners and employees are usually only interested in a few things and couldn’t care less if you like something else. They do not promote the gun community, which in itself is a joke because it’s anything but a community, in a positive way. There at good stores out there. But they are few and far between.

[Three44s]

Our best gun shop and gunsmith shut down after a long run. The owner and Smith was a little different at first and made me very upset right at first, say back in the early eighties.

I stayed away for a very long time and when I went back he remembered me and we got a long famously after that. He was a very good gunsmith and that is hard to find and just out the Guard, I think he had to hone his people skills.

As he neared retirement he tried to sell his business in it’s entirety but it just did not happen so he sold off his inventory, closed his doors and moved to his new home him and his built in Montana. The building sold eventually.

He was also a 10% guy but they were slow as molasses on placing orders. I tried and retried ordering through them but if it was on the shelf, you were were golden. He would sell me grips to try with the understanding that if I did not thrash the packaging I could return it.

The biggest problem with a business like that is how to balance your time?

How do you get your gun fixin’ and buildin’ done and service the public as they stream in?

I tell you how the good ones do such as the above gunsmith ...... they burn a lot of midnight oil to get the serious stuff done. That’s a lot of personal sacrifice that the public misses.

We have an up and coming younger gunsmith in another shop that has a lot of trade and that Smith is an employee and they keep him ensconced away from the counter, hopefully he stays happy and satisfied.

His father comes and shoots on our ranch from time to time and when the dad approached me I informed he would be most welcome as son was a very good gunsmith and I was “buttering” him (the father) because of that ...... Lol. You have to keep the good guys close don’t you?

Three44s

[OS OK]

If I were you, I'd tell this kid what you just posted.
That'll give you some peace of mind and might help to save a gun shop from closing...who knows? A word to the wise should be sufficient...right?

The same thing has happened to our local shop...the owner is currently passing it down to the thick brained son...they even moved into a new store with more room, that's a good choice.
But the Dad and I are friends and I don't get along with the son at all until recently...seems that the son has changed his attitude.
The Dad and I had a little talk about 5 months ago before the shop moved...seems that the Dad had a little talk with the thick head and it seems to be working well so far...the Dad is still there in the background so that may have some bearing on the kid.

I would prefer to support my local Maw & Paw shops of all varieties since I don't shop online...even though it cost a little more.
On line your a number and in town your a familiar face, I prefer the latter.

[Shawlerbrook]

Unfortunately around here small, local gun shops are far and few between. Many businesses have been ruined when a child takes over for a parent.

[popper]

Many businesses have been ruined when a child takes over for a parent 2-3 generations is the national average for any family business. Kids usually spoiled and just want the $ without working for it.

[bob208]

we get a new shop around here. it does not last long they cater to the at crowd. if you don't want rails and grips on everything they are lost.

[Tackleberry41]

I asked around, its a small town, everybody knows everybody. The shop has been in business since 1971. The son has lost a whole pile of long time customers. There used to be people drive several hours to come to the shop, not anymore. Law enforcement came from several counties, but since same deals as locally why drive here?

Its not just a guns, half is groceries, they make sandwiches, sell gas. And the old man catered to the local farmers, who were willing to pay the extra on diesel for the credit accounts, you know wait for the harvest, pay the bills. First thing son did was end that, yet same price on fuel. So they went else where.

The prices have been steadily creeping up, as trade value went down. I am not one of those customers who comes in, haggles for an hour trying to squeeze a holster, mags, etc out of you while driving the price down. If its a fair price I will pay it, no extras. I was in before Christmas, looking for my sons first gun. Had a brand new Mossberg 410 pump gun in the rack. Wait, why is it beat up? End of the barrel blueing beat off it, side of the receiver can see the aluminum in spots. Some kids had knocked over the rack, banged it up. But he still expected full retail price. He could have took the required loss, made me a deal, got rid of it. Nope full price, yea good luck with that. And its still in the rack. Guess waiting for that right chump to come along.

As for having a talk with him, yea about as pointless as explaining physics to my dog. Know the type. The phrase I heard more than once was 'a preacher and a snake'. I doubt he felt a moments remorse about screwing me on that rifle. Bet he cleared $300 easy on it. Basically what it cost me to get a barrel. Had he been the honest man he claims, one might expect 'well let me help with that'. Something to soften the blow at least better than 'sorry'. Yea well, considering how much I spend in that place, it will quickly be him thats sorry. Usually first of the month I get paid, I go drop easy $100 on ammo, powder, or start drooling over another gun. Its where I have been exclusively putting gas in my truck. How much gas do you think I put in a hemi 2500 4x4 truck in a month? Or even the sodas and beef jerky I walk out with just about every day with.

I bought a heritage 22 for Christmas, a Walther P1, RIA 22 automag, and FAL out of there in the last 60 days, plus a good $300 in ammo. That's over $2000. And had been looking at several other things. Tomorrow is payday, and would have filled my truck, some ammo, brick of primers. Other places to buy gas, ammo is everywhere on the internet. I was also the guy he asked about crazy old guns or odd ball reloading stuff. Guess he can just ask someone else.

[Winger Ed.]

Many businesses have been ruined when a child takes over for a parent.

The failure rate when the next generation takes over is real high in any family owned business.
The kids usually know their industry, but lack the ability or were never taught how to operate a business
and manage customer relations or money.

Having a rack full of guns for sale, and being a good gunsmith is great.
But it doesn't mean the shop will be profitable any more than buying a airplane makes you a pilot.

[fiberoptik]

People skills can be learned, but stupid is permanent!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[salpal48]

LGS"s will be a Thing of the past soon. too much overhead , No profit and a great deal of time . mostly for no profit. yes profit. most want to make a profit . not just cover expenses . but profit. . no one can compete with Big store that really Don't purchase the Items. most like Cabellas , bass pro , dicks only pay when they sell something . everything In the store is factory supplied. just like Home depot , Lowes , shoprite . they debit the mauufacture when Its sold. the guy who goes at it alone . is dead in the water before he opens the doors. this goes for guns to. When it's sold they pay. It is called Fulfillment Or open reciept I worked in This business foe Years .
everything You buy in a Large store from TV to Clothing to shoes are supplied by the manufacturer. Deducted from inventory when sold and paid.
the small guy sinks Thousands in the business and Is stuck with it when it does not move.
You will find out too late That this Is how it's done. Yes even all new firearms . if they don't sell They Go back to the manufacturer no one in Those store own anything

[RogerDat]

I think a lot of time the small businesses or even larger ones are a dream or passion of the founder. Next generation may share that or may not. I know multi generation machinists, best place to have a trailer built or repaired around here is run by two grandsons of the founder. They are proud of repairing trailers their grandfather built.

I think a whole lot of kids don't really bother to learn or are not taught to run the business. Parent may want them to work there but don't have them doing the books or ordering or other "management" stuff. Have seen it with some farms in the area. They end up leased to other farmers when management falls to the kids because the kid just doesn't know all the business ins and outs. They may be able to work the farm but not manage it.

I do a mix of online and local. I prefer local but not willing to take a beating on price if the cost is more than modest. I don't care about 50 cents on a 5 dollar item difference or even the extra $1.99 on a Lee Mold but an extra $50 above online price on a powder or primer order including shipping can push me to buy that online. Leaving local shop to get the odd pound of powder or replacement for a single 1k box of primers. I still drive 45 minutes to a shop because they have a good selection of powder, decent prices, and good staff. That shop is being run by the kids. I didn't do enough business when it was the fathers shop so can't say if better or worse but not bad now.

[Gray Fox]

My brother just had an experience with a local GS. He bought one of those European .22 autos that patterns itself after the Walther. He took it to the range and it literally looked like he fired a round of buckshot at 25 yards, with several good brands of ammo. He wen back to the shop and the guy told him that "Yeah, they had a lot of problems with the barrels in those first generation guns." The gun was new in box and "all sales are final". I suggested he call the US importer, which he did, and they sent him a paid FedEx label. They called him yesterday to tell him it was on the way back with a new barrel and to let them know if he had further problems. It would be nice to think they would have words with that dealer. GF

[Tackleberry41]

Its just greed and dishonesty. If his old man could run the place 30 years, offer such great deals, and still make a profit. Pretty sure the son can to. No he just figures gouging is the way to go, even more profits. Or so the theory goes. Yea you make more on fewer sales, but risk running off good customers.

It was like the 22 sellers during the panic, they would stake out Wal Mart buy every round, then double the price. Only problem was, nobody was buying. Could have charged triple, but 3x0=0. Now if they had gone reasonable, could have moved the ammo, and still made money, vs the gas of hauling it from gun show to gun show hoping chumps would buy.

So if you got a gun you gave $250 on trade, than jack it up to $500 or $30 less than a new one. And it sits, and sits, and sits, where is the profit? Or make a quick $100 actually selling it at $350, free up the shelf space for something else. Who here is gonna pay near retail for a black hawk that only shoots 45 ACP? He offered it to me at $450 recently, been on the shelf for a year already. It aint gonna sell at that price.

[cwlongshot]

With immaturity comes short sited ness... With maturity comes poor eyesite.

Either take the time to talk to him. (Likely a waste of air) or find another shop.

We here in the NE are lucky as we are gun shop rich. A new shop opened up last year and they are going GANG BUSTERS, why? Because the appreciate there customers and the owners are 50 ish years old.

CW

[rockrat]

You can get 45 colt cylinders now and then over on the Ruger forum. Its the 45 acp cylinders that are harder to find.

Me, I would offer him $400 out the door. You could settle for $400 and a box of ammo if you wished or split the sales tax and make it $380 + tax.

I would shoot more 45acp than colt

[Scorpion8]

.. if you don't want rails and grips on everything they are lost.

There's way too much of that, but it's the way of things today. I spend more time at the used rifle rack than the new because the guns were built with quality. One LGS only sells 10/22's in the rimfire category because "that's all anybody wants". What about a nice 552/572? Or Marlin 60? Give a guy some options.

[Tackleberry41]

You can get 45 colt cylinders now and then over on the Ruger forum. Its the 45 acp cylinders that are harder to find.

Me, I would offer him $400 out the door. You could settle for $400 and a box of ammo if you wished or split the sales tax and make it $380 + tax.

I would shoot more 45acp than colt

I already have a convertible, both cylinders, slightly longer barrel. I do sort of like the acp more than the colt. And any new gun money was spent to fix the last gun bought there.