[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ideal shop (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/5/2005 7:52:45 PM EDT
| What makes a gun shop ideal? What do you look for when shopping? Prices, selection? customer service, store knowledge, etc? I hope this isnt too vague, Iwould like to know what catches peoples eyes, and then keeps them coming back. Is a range the main reason you go there or is that secondary? |
Man my ideal shop would be the shit, but than agian it might not make any money, that and all you ARFCOM junkies would probably never leave  . but that would be ok with me. Ya know how when you walk into most gun stores the majority of what you see is "hunting" firearms with maybe a few AR's or M1A's or what ever mixed in. Well mine from a gun standpoint would be the exact opposite. Plus I'd have to have an indoor 300 yard range for winter tactical matches and stuff 
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Having employees that really do "know it all", instead of the ones that just think they do!  Unfortunately, a lot of things I would like in a good place would require a lot of employees, (mostly for supervision at a range), and would require a lot of insurance. Since most gunshops are like car dealers, and the business they get is through word of mouth or through a phonebook listing, etc. rather than driveby business, it would be nice if a shop had and outdoor range right next door and that arms companies or distributors would lend different gun models to the dealers so people could try before they buy. Of course, this would require a lot of employees to properly supervise, especially with first time gun buyers. The problem with the outdoor range thing is that they aren't able, for the most part, to be near the population centers, where most buyers reside. Serious gun purchasers will travel a lot further though. Some dealers/ranges won't allow you to use your own ammo and want you to buy their stuff, probably because idiots, in the past, have used stuff that damaged the range itself, but this still bugs me. It would be nice if they had a separate room to have frequent safety training seminars for people, and perhaps even have a "S&W handgun night" or something like that, where they would have a class and maybe even have a company representative come by and show how all their product work and how to dissassemble them, etc. I understand where dealers don't like to do transfers on new items, that they can get through the distributor they work with on a daily basis. It's sort of a slap in the face to a dealer for you to buy a common new gun model from someone else and then ask to have it transferred I guess. But a lot of dealers won't do transfers because they don't like the weapon you want transferred. And there's the circumstance where you find that elusive RRA lower in stock somewhere, but your dealer wants you to order it through him and wait months. A dealer that is willing to let you search for something that they don't have or can't get right now, and transfer it, would be a winner. Please do transfers at reasonable cost too. Please. If they did internet or catalog business, it would probably be a benefit, because they could better make a living of it by advertising, and in turn, they would be more likely to have, and successfully, and quickly sell, all sorts of accessories, and ammunition, etc. Right now, there are very few shops where you can even find Trijicon, Aimpoint, EOTECH, ARMS, Troy, Surefire, or other stuff in the store to physically look at before buying. A small, storefront only business, just can't stock much of this stuff. Low prices are nice, but a small shop with little buying power because of the low volume they deal in, just isn't going to get you the best prices on everything, and I think, most people are resigned to that. 
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An Ideal shop would have a range, (600 yds ideally, you could host XTC matches to bring in extra $$$). You could sell memberships to use the range to help offset the cost. It would also have a good selection of non Fuddgun type stuff, plus pistols, ammo, and tactical type stuff. Add in a decent smithing service and an internet sales setup, and I think you'd have a winner. (Oh, and if you need help, I will work for ammo/scope/parts.  )
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Jumping on the bandwagon. 1. A clean WELL LIT range. Lax enough to have fun, but managed enough that I don't feel unsafe at the hands of morons. 2. Reasonable transfers. I don't understand high transfer fees; Badger wants $50 for the $8 phone call. IF they manage to dupe anyone into paying it, the dupe will be forever sore over a measely $40, and will spend his $$ elsewhere. OTOH, if folks are already coming for the range, and you're fair on the tranfers, they are likely to pick up their other supplies from you. Mags Ammo Sights Holsters ......... I think your money is in accessories and consumables. When you get people buying consumables, they each trickle you a little coin at a constant rate. That's your key to breaking out of feast-and-famine entrepreneurship. Small cables into a lot of wallets. 3. Sell parts kits. As long as you're suffering through the licensing and insurance, might as well dabble in some importing. Buildable kits are sure-fire income. You only make $15-30 per kit depending on how nice the kits are when you open the crates, but THEY MOVE. Plus, they take marked up US parts, and screw sets, and rivet kits, and rxvrs with them. Worst case you can dump them for what you have into them, and some speculator will scoop the lot up and squeek them out, one at a time, for top dollar. Point is, I don't think you can hurt yourself on them. CAVEAT - Your business model should allow for you paying all operational costs for six months without dependance on grossing a thin fucking dime. If you cant swing that, then don't do it. Nothing sux more than over-extending yourself on beg-borrow-steal-promise credit and falling 2 inches short of success. My business failed twice and caught on the third time. None of it will be easy. You had better love the shit out of it now or you're going to hate it later. |
Thanks for the info. Quite alot to chew on. I have a full time job I wouldn't quit until I felt comfortable that the new business is stable. Im going to have to look more into a good location for a range. I might end up building something hinking.gif with I hope at least a 50 yd indoor range. My original thought was just a strip mall type deal and no range hing
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Besure to tell us when the grand opening is so all of us gun junkies from the board can stop by Of course, we may never leave ETA: if you can pullit a 50-75 yard indoor range would be the shit, especially one that you can shoot rifle in, and do matches in. |
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Isn't fletchers in Waukesha too? You'll want to be careful about competition. "Lax enough to have fun, but managed enough that I don't I don't understand high transfer fees; Badger wants $50 for the $8 phone call." Is it $50 for a transfer, or for the NICS ( free) call? Last time I was there they wanted $13 for the $8 state check. |
yeah, im careful. but competition is good. I've never been to fletchers. maybe I should check them out. I thought of just leasing an office and selling out of there and doing transfers for $15-20. How close is fletchers to downtown meno falls?
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I will :) I hope by summer its a go.
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All things have been experiences of mine thus the truth Things i hate: #1) When i ask about AR accessories Dont give the "oh we can order anything you want"..Yea, well so can i without your mark-up! #2) "44 special?..never heard of it"  #3) "Those are pre-ban thats why the AK 30rnders are $28 each" #4) $35-$50 Tranfer Fee's #5) Employees that have too much to say and know absolutely nothing at all. #6) Bipods but no adapters  #7) "You cant trust an AR Kit, you have to buy a complete firearm to be reliable" And last in this catagory #8) "People ask about those all the time, but we dont carry them." Things i look for: #1)Parts,Accessories,Basic Knowledge,Reasonably Priced Ammunition/Tranfers,Gear,On site knowledgable Gunsmith and OPTIONS many many options..and a goddamned bipod adaptor for my 4-rail #2) Free Coffee  |
great post, free coffee wouldn't be a problem. transfers would cost whatever I get charged. Im working on a plan to see how little I need to charge while keeping the business profitable.
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I am considering opening a small shop in Wisconsin Rapids. My thoughts are to try and establish a class III LE following, offer cheap $20 transfers for normal folks and perhaps become a DPMS, Glock, SIG, Beretta, and Colt dealer. In addition to weapons, perhaps carry AIMpoint, EOTEch, and tactical gear. I was thinking a small retail facility with limited hours (evenings/weekends) to start and see where it goes from there, but I could order anything for folks. This is just in the idea stage as of now. Those of you nearby - any suggestions or comments? Any interest from the ARFCOM crowd? Would it be worth my while to give er' a shot? Howls, Ice-Wolf |
| Something to add for those who want a retail location, ATMOSPHERE. If people feel that you don't want them there, or they're "bothereing" you buy being a customer, odds are they won't come back. Make sure they're treated well, and jave a good time, and they'll be back. Remember, 1 person you meet, has 4 or 5 freinds you haven't. |
Luckily there's only one gunsmith in the area who doesn't stock anything and no retail shops. The closest around my area that I have found is in Wausau an hour away. No AR stuff though.
You are absolutely correct. Customer service is how you win the war in business. I have owned several businesses and I have strived in each one to take very good care of my customers (and employees). The most notable of which was my Internet company which when I sold it had over 4000 customers. At the end of the 3 years, we had only lost 46 customers total - and most of them were through natural attrition (people moving, etc). I think I'd enjoy operating a good tactical weapon shop and lord knows my current "bread and butter" job is pretty mundane - so I could use a good challenge. Howls, Ice-Wolf |
| free coffee, $15 transfers, 50 yd range. knowledgable friendly staff. ok what about selection? plenty of hand guns. with a nice assortment of rifles and shotguns? and what kind of accessories, and how many calibers?I have basic knowledge. I think that is one of my weakpoints currently. what am I missing? |
A part time employee who is a gun nut and can come in every other weekend to help out, and I know just the guy Don't think yer missing to much else there. |
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thanks, Ill keep that in mind :) what kind of accessories though? any brand specific? outside of blackhawk for some things, Im not really dead set on any one company. well I also will sell nightforce :)
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I'd say specter (formerly CQB Solutions), Eagle, tactical tailor, HSGI. Of course YHM, Surefire and the like, knights stuff. The list goes on and on. There is a Wisconsin company that is making AR accessories as well. They stopped in and said hi but the thread is long lost i'm sure. |
I have relativly long list of bookmarked companies to carry. And am always open to suggestions.
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got back from the village office/zoning and building. I need a conditional use permit. It is $1,000 non-refundable. the steps are. 1.Consultation with staff 2.Submittal of Aplication/Payment of Fee 3.Staff Review and Recommendation 4.Plan Commission Determines if Public Hearing is Needed 5.Public Hearing/Plan Commission 6.Plan Commission Recomendation 7.Architectural Control Board Review and Recomendation 8.Village Board Action---either it's approved and doccuments recorded or denied and $1,000 down the drain. I bought a zonning map and was told I can build a firing range in either C1-4 (commercial) I1 (industrial parks) P1 (Parks :shrug: P2 (instutionalized schools hospitals etc) I saw a piece of land that is in a favorable location near some other stores but nothing else. and the nearest store is around 1,000 yds away. so after getting a good chunk of land I need to get an arctitech to draw up my business. and I need help with a business plan.. |
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If you have a range did you ever give full auto rentals a thought. Could sell a pile of ammo and we all know how much fun full auto is, but not many can justify the purchase. I rented one in Vegas, and I know there is a place in Winona, MN. As for a 50 or 75yd range it's use would be limited to pistols and some rifle sight in use. I can't see many rifle matches at 50 yds but thats just me. Oh ya, BEER and good looking woman serving it would also be nice!
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Wow. Sounds like a good start. Cant wait till you get it open. Oh, and I'll gladly work for minimum wage and/or ammo if you need a hand. . . . And Madison doesn't allow the sale of handguns. However, Verona, Middleton, Fitchberg, Oregon, and that tiny (4 city block) municipality with all the bars on it do. |
I think you are talking about Springfield Corners. Maybe??? |
Definatly giving thought to full auto. I'm shooting for a 50-100 yd range :)
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Thank you, I will kep you in mind :) plus Im trying my best to stay in Waukesha.
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Perfect size for doing CQB type matches, as long as the traps(assuming an indoor range) can take rifle rounds. |
thats part of my design plan. to have an indoor rifle range.
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Cool  Have you started working on the business plan yet? |
Im going to start that tomorrow, I did a little, but now need to focus on that. I think that is going to be several rough drafts, efore I get everything the way I like it. Im also looking at building design. And the public hearing is always on my mind now.
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the sooner you bring them, the sooner I can solve them.
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| For one, rifle bullet traps. A sneaky bastard sneaks in AP, and chews the plate sup, expensive to replace. Another dude comes in, fondles a gun, takes up 1/2 hour of your time, says "I can get this for $100 less somewhere else", or " No thanks, I'm just looking" then goes and orders it online ( couldn't fondle a picture of the gun). Then there are the arguers who think they're always right, like their "glock 9" takes 22LR ( cause it's cheaper). My favorite though, is a guy buys a gun, comes back a few days later and says "I don't like it, I'm returning it, give me back all of my money", then disputes CC bill etc. I'm sure others have good bad ideas. |