BP retail store needs a lil imput
- Thread starter Hardy
- Start date
Joe the Redneck
New member
I had a retai; pet shop that had similar problems with wal mart.
Here is what we did.
We did stock the same items as WM. No. I didn't make a penny on them. The idea was that once I had you in my shop I could try to turn profit on other items.
The othere thing we did was stock more expensive item that Wally would not touch. This way we offered our customers a choice. If you want the basic models, here they are. But here are higher quality items for you to consider.
You won't get every sale in life. but you want people to think about you as their gun store. No one ows you a living. But if you give the customer top shelf service and great selection, they will always come to see what new at the shop.
Then just hope your shop doesn't end up under 3 feet of water, as my pet shop did.
Here is what we did.
We did stock the same items as WM. No. I didn't make a penny on them. The idea was that once I had you in my shop I could try to turn profit on other items.
The othere thing we did was stock more expensive item that Wally would not touch. This way we offered our customers a choice. If you want the basic models, here they are. But here are higher quality items for you to consider.
You won't get every sale in life. but you want people to think about you as their gun store. No one ows you a living. But if you give the customer top shelf service and great selection, they will always come to see what new at the shop.
Then just hope your shop doesn't end up under 3 feet of water, as my pet shop did.
Hardy
I have been tempted to get into this conversation and now the time may be right. I teach for the School of Business of saint Leo Univ. and have had a little marketing so as to keep myself from being a complete idiot.
Here is my take.
You can't compete with Cabela's because their product is mainstream, you can't match their volume, therefore it would be hard to beat them on prices. If you could find a source that allows you to buy the product at a reduced price, everyone would be doing it including Cabela's and the price would be even lower.
You might try to put together a "buyer's club" with a featured product each quarter. Find shops that because they are not near you are not your competition and then organize a bulk buy of one or two popular products.
I like Joe's recommendation to bring the customers in on a loss leader and then sell them the "stuff" that goes with it.
A technique that has kept hobby shops in business is employing folks who are sharp on the hobby. You can go and buy all of the crap you need to build and fly an RC plane on the Internet. But you can't buy the expertise that is available in a hobby shop assumng the shop is staffed by some knowledgable excentrics.
Hook up with some local groups which are into the product line such as re-enactment groups or hunting clubs.
Offer something that Cabela's has deliberately declined to touch such as customized/accurized,or otherwise fiddled with revolvers. (Cimmaron may be the model here). You may be able to offer the wares of local craftsmen. I am thnking, possible's bags, custom holsters, and such. I used to turn out a pretty good powder horn from the horn of the Guamanian "caribou" which was really a cross between a black angus and a water buffalo. Beautiful jet black horns that polished up like a highly shined shoe.
Sell good condition used stuff. Or sell a reliable supply of parts. Frames are exceedingly hard to come by.
I think a lot of guys (myself included) have to drive quite a distance to go shooting. Purchase of a revolver could come with range time if you have access to a range.
I wish you luck in the endeavor. Two factors are working against you as, I am sure, you well know.
1. You can get good advise and information very quickly on the internet.
2. You can get great prices at the "big box" stores.
I don't envy you.
I have been tempted to get into this conversation and now the time may be right. I teach for the School of Business of saint Leo Univ. and have had a little marketing so as to keep myself from being a complete idiot.
Here is my take.
You can't compete with Cabela's because their product is mainstream, you can't match their volume, therefore it would be hard to beat them on prices. If you could find a source that allows you to buy the product at a reduced price, everyone would be doing it including Cabela's and the price would be even lower.
You might try to put together a "buyer's club" with a featured product each quarter. Find shops that because they are not near you are not your competition and then organize a bulk buy of one or two popular products.
I like Joe's recommendation to bring the customers in on a loss leader and then sell them the "stuff" that goes with it.
A technique that has kept hobby shops in business is employing folks who are sharp on the hobby. You can go and buy all of the crap you need to build and fly an RC plane on the Internet. But you can't buy the expertise that is available in a hobby shop assumng the shop is staffed by some knowledgable excentrics.
Hook up with some local groups which are into the product line such as re-enactment groups or hunting clubs.
Offer something that Cabela's has deliberately declined to touch such as customized/accurized,or otherwise fiddled with revolvers. (Cimmaron may be the model here). You may be able to offer the wares of local craftsmen. I am thnking, possible's bags, custom holsters, and such. I used to turn out a pretty good powder horn from the horn of the Guamanian "caribou" which was really a cross between a black angus and a water buffalo. Beautiful jet black horns that polished up like a highly shined shoe.
Sell good condition used stuff. Or sell a reliable supply of parts. Frames are exceedingly hard to come by.
I think a lot of guys (myself included) have to drive quite a distance to go shooting. Purchase of a revolver could come with range time if you have access to a range.
I wish you luck in the endeavor. Two factors are working against you as, I am sure, you well know.
1. You can get good advise and information very quickly on the internet.
2. You can get great prices at the "big box" stores.
I don't envy you.
Last edited:
maillemaker
New member
Speaking of Walmart, I've all but quite shopping there.
As far as I'm concerned, they have become a "dollar store" selling cheap junk.
About all I buy there is ammunition, because Winchester is Winchester.
Steve
As far as I'm concerned, they have become a "dollar store" selling cheap junk.
About all I buy there is ammunition, because Winchester is Winchester.
Steve
Rifleman1776
New member
Why are some even trying. He has said this is a hobby not intended to make money.
I hope he enjoys his hobby of losing money.
I hope he enjoys his hobby of losing money.
Ok -- since 1990 my partner and I operate a real estate appraisal firm in an off ice that jumped the rent the same time appraisals quit coming in. Imagine that. I found a bldg just outside the Spartanburg,SC city limits that fronted a 4 lane hyw w/ shops all around and with no zoning I could do what I wanted. We still had a 6 mo's lease on present location and decided to rent this 600 sf space w/ central H/A and bath for 375 per month.
I was convinced by some fools that I could sell BP stuff and make money since the gov was going to get real strict on conventional weapons and too the big box stores were going to stop selling them. With a primitive knowledge I stocked up the store and my freind(20 year retired Navy) said he would run it just on small commission. Anyway, we now have our RE firm in there and a section for the gunshop. The gunshop is only responsible for power bill, sales tax, and merchandise. I no longer advertize. Now I think, with little overhead it can sustain--No it can't make much money but if it holds it own then what the heck? Anyway, since I'm doing appraisals, it has been Bill that complains about the Cabela box guns and that is why I looked into it and asked you. They do buy in bulk and from what I have been told (unless you want a short rem w/conversion cylinder or a high end expensive model) the guns from distributors are quote unquote better quality. (Tradition or Pietta Box) I Do not know. But I have some good stuff if yall want to help me out and buy
WBH
I was convinced by some fools that I could sell BP stuff and make money since the gov was going to get real strict on conventional weapons and too the big box stores were going to stop selling them. With a primitive knowledge I stocked up the store and my freind(20 year retired Navy) said he would run it just on small commission. Anyway, we now have our RE firm in there and a section for the gunshop. The gunshop is only responsible for power bill, sales tax, and merchandise. I no longer advertize. Now I think, with little overhead it can sustain--No it can't make much money but if it holds it own then what the heck? Anyway, since I'm doing appraisals, it has been Bill that complains about the Cabela box guns and that is why I looked into it and asked you. They do buy in bulk and from what I have been told (unless you want a short rem w/conversion cylinder or a high end expensive model) the guns from distributors are quote unquote better quality. (Tradition or Pietta Box) I Do not know. But I have some good stuff if yall want to help me out and buyWBH
HEY I got some good deals. I know I can't get nothing over you But got good deals on caps/ supplies/ Pietta guns/ Uberti guns/ Colt guns---some gotta go so better wipe the sleep from your eyes and come over here to get real great deals. Ask me about fluted pietta 44 w/Ivory grips. Do you want a JH Dance? ETC. bhardy360@aol.com. Now you will get a bargain
WBH
But got good deals on caps/ supplies/ Pietta guns/ Uberti guns/ Colt guns---some gotta go so better wipe the sleep from your eyes and come over here to get real great deals. Ask me about fluted pietta 44 w/Ivory grips. Do you want a JH Dance? ETC. bhardy360@aol.com. Now you will get a bargainWBH