OOPPPSS... MADE THE LOCAL GUN SHOP MAD!!

[LDBennett]

You know arrogant and rude is no way to treat any customer, no matter the business. Yes customers have crazy idea sometimes and they may have opinions you may not share but no business has the right to insult the customer and expect him to come back (I didn't!).

As for a reasonable profit, did I not say 33%? Is that not reasonable if the value to the seller is slightly discounted (by the book) for condition and a slight discount for an unusually and unpopular caliber (I said all that!).

Ripping off widows and the unknowing, and guys in dire straits is NOT the way to run a business and be at it for very long... Word gets around.

LDBennett

[al45lc]

Originally Posted by LDBennett

You know arrogant and rude is no way to treat any customer, no matter the business. Yes customers have crazy idea sometimes and they may have opinions you may not share but no business has the right to insult the customer and expect him to come back (I didn't!).

As for a reasonable profit, did I not say 33%? Is that not reasonable if the value to the seller is slightly discounted (by the book) for condition and a slight discount for an unusually and unpopular caliber (I said all that!).

Ripping off widows and the unknowing, and guys in dire straits is NOT the way to run a business and be at it for very long... Word gets around.

LDBennett

No, 33% is borderline. Again, it depends on the gun, if you have to sit on a gun for a while, even at a reasonable price because that make or model doesn't sell quickly, you must get more for it. Simple fact of economics, money costs money. Money that sits and doesn't garner profit actually becomes a loss, especially if that State charges taxes on inventory, one little item many forget. Insurance on a shop is also killer, they are often targeted by thieves. Insurance is especially bad if that shop has an indoor range, Major liability issues. Even without a range the chance of an inshop A.D. is high, and insurance companies know it.
As I said, many do not understand the overhead of a gunshop, especially a well stocked one.
As for rude or arrogant, that's people for you. I've been extremely polite and still had people treat me poorly because they couldn't get what they wanted for a gun. And the worst have been the ones who want retail prices for used firearms. One clown wanted $500.00 for a Remington 700 BDL (no scope!) with so much rust I had it booked at 60% finish! He just didn't understand, and he had a temper. Glad I'm out of retail!

[Double D]

I have a small business with low overhead. My way of thinking is to make a little money off of alot of customers rather than trying to make alot off of everyone that comes thru the door. Now, for that to work you have to have alot of customers. But you have to build trust and friendships and be honest and fair and word of mouth will be your best friend. When someone brings me a firearm, I look it up in my bluebook and depending on condition, I pay between 65-70% of bluebook value for the gun. I wouldnt be the least bit mad if someone wanted to pay someone more than I could pay them for their gun.
If you own a business and are rude to your customers, you dont deserve to be in business. Without the customer, your store is worthless.

[The_Rifleman]

That's beautiful! Good deal all around... well, almost all around.

[gun-nut]

Originally Posted by Double D

I have a small business with low overhead. My way of thinking is to make a little money off of alot of customers rather than trying to make alot off of everyone that comes thru the door. Now, for that to work you have to have alot of customers. But you have to build trust and friendships and be honest and fair and word of mouth will be your best friend. When someone brings me a firearm, I look it up in my bluebook and depending on condition, I pay between 65-70% of bluebook value for the gun. I wouldnt be the least bit mad if someone wanted to pay someone more than I could pay them for their gun.
If you own a business and are rude to your customers, you dont deserve to be in business. Without the customer, your store is worthless.

100% agreed

[CampingJosh]

I've missed out because I chose NOT to do this. I was in a shop when a guy was selling his Remington 552. Not a high-end gun at all. Anyway, the shop owner offered and paid $75 for it. I would have given the guy $100, but I figured that I'd give the shop owner $125 as a thank you for keeping the shop open.

Anyway, the guy sold it, then he left. I asked the shop owner what he was going to ask on it, and he told me that he didn't want to sell it. It was going home to his kids.

The shop owner was pretty rude, too, and he had less than 20 guns on the shelf, so I won't be back there. Apparently it's a hobby for him, because he sure doesn't like to sell guns!

[JLA]

Alot are that way CJ. many in my area select to cream of the crop for themselves and thier inside circle and leave the crap for everyone else. Its those shops that love to see the unknowing single mother come in to buy a gun. Theyll gladly sell her a lorcin L9 for 300 bucks and convince her its half off retail because they want to help her out.

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by JLA

Alot are that way CJ. many in my area select to cream of the crop for themselves and thier inside circle and leave the crap for everyone else. Its those shops that love to see the unknowing single mother come in to buy a gun. Theyll gladly sell her a lorcin L9 for 300 bucks and convince her its half off retail because they want to help her out.

Yeah, I hear you.

It was hardly the cream of the crop, though. It was an old 552 with about 80% of the finish and missing the deflector.

But yes, there are plenty who make their money on the shady side. They ought to know that word gets around.

[LDBennett]

Where I live there are no real gun stores. There are stores that have a few guns and can order anything until you try to buy a gun from them that they do not have on the shelf. It turns out most distributors of guns have a disdain for small shops like this and few will do business with them, unlike when I had an FFL some 20 years ago. So they have few gun in stock, and can only order from a few specific distributors who may or may not have the gun you want in stock. The whole effort of running one of these gun stores is a waste, as far as I can see.

The big gun stores within 75 miles usually have big prices but many guns both new and used. The one chain store within that distance has the rude and arrogant sales people.

And one of these little dealers was an out an out lier and passed the good stuff that came in used to his buddies in the inner circle. I quit doing business with him after buying several guns from him. He sold the business and his replacement is big into gun training but seems to know little about what he sells.

Most of my guns recently have been purchased from the big guy about 75 miles from home (near my daughter's home) because he has the guns I want. I have ordered from local transfer dealers but their selection of distributors is even smaller than the small local store front dealers. It is so frustrating to see a gun you want but the transfer dealer or small store front dealer can not get one he knows is at a distributor that will not sell him the gun. Then there is the CA handgun safety list limits..... DARN!

LDBennett

[gun runner]

That is a beautiful weapon you got there. I wish I had one but Im going to purchase a Savage .338 Lapua instead this month

[fuzebox40]

Originally Posted by Old Grump

My toy store dealer couldn't give a man what he wanted and didn't want to take it on consignment since he already had two walls in his little shop full of unsold guns. He points to another customer and says ask him. Deal was made. He did the paperwork for them at no charge and didn't make a penny on the deal. Both people happy and both keep their trade at my favorite toy store. Now you know why it's my favorite toy store.

Payin it forward!

[3/2 STA SS]

Great Deal...screw the ''shop''...I did the same thing with an 870 with a slug barrel and rifle sights,3" Mag. for $150.00....don't offer the guy $100.00 when I am standing there...

[muddober]

I am compelled to jump in here. I would never ever try to buy a gun out from under a gun shop I am standing in. What are some of you guys thinking like "screw the shop"??? The guy who owns the shop has provided the store front presence that brought the gun through the door in the first place. That shop owner pays rent, and utilities to provide that presence and most of you think it is ok to bid against him when a "good deal" walks through his door. To me that is very close to an act of theft making me understand why a shop owner might pull a gun on someone. It is his store, his deal and you do not have a right to take that opportunity away from him unless he allows you to. Now if they don't make a deal and you follow the guy out of the store that is different. But if you even hint to the owner of the gun that you have interest in it before it walks out the store you are in my opinion an interloper and garden veriaty theif, if you make any deal to even see the gun while you are in the store.

Same sort of thing but not as bad; guy goes to Wal-Mart buys a gun for $30.00 less than the gun shop then brings it to the gun shop when he has a problem because Wal-Mart wouldn't even let him back in the store with the gun without an escort.

Ron