Well if anyone is interested we could have a cup of cofee and talk about it, pm me if you think you may have an interest. I don't need to make money off it for a while, but eventually it would be nice. If we could pay the bills and grow slow it just could work. My theory is to just cover the rent with the guns, then add services, like instruction and accesories and things like duracoating. A little at a time, getting the nra certifications and being able to do the licensing and training classes as it all goes together. A lot of people want to learn to shoot that I talk to, but can't take weeks or even weekend trips to do it. 1&2 day courses with the use of a nearby range , may be a big selling point.
There are 2 stores that did this similar style between a year and a year and a half ago, both started out with 6-10 guns, I'm not making this up. Now they have expanded into much larger volume operations. Keeping low overhead and adding services that cater to the younger tactical crowd, and old timers who want to get the best price. One guy does all the shows now, I bought a gun from him when he worked out of a bay, i think he was paying a few hundred a month rent. Now he's a dealer for several high end names. Also supressors and class 3 stuff. Guys wrere driving up from miami to save $25-50 dollars on a gun.I know his philosopy was to sell a few guns at first, mybe making 50 dollars a gun, That was more than paying his bills, 1 phone line and a desk with a few safes. now he's a sig and kimber dealer amoung the glocks and a couple shotguns and AR, type weapons. It turned out ok for him in a year, so I know that it can be done,My wife had gone with me, and commented, he dosen't have much of a personality, but I bet you he is going to make money, the other one did it very similar, but he also started adding services, training ccw licenses, he also grew out of his little place and now is doing quite well. We only had the Fudds up here until then, guys who didn't want to carry this or that only what they liked. I spome to one recentlly, but he even told me, I'll get it for you but I don't like that stuff. No blk rifles or glocks in the store. Just his taste, more revolvers and he did have rugers, but that was it. To me carry what sells, I don't have to love it to sell it. I wouldn't sell junk but if people want something and you refuse to carry it because you don't like tacticle "black rifles ak's Glocks, M&P's " well to me why be in business. The future is training and education also. They want to buy a shotgun but don't know which one to get or what to do with it. The days of the clerk saying, "this baby is what you need, just point it and pull the trigger" are gone. Folks want more knowledge before they committ. You need a web presense a strong relationship with the forums and updating your stock and specials, so folks know you have what they want. Waiting to be found will put you out of business. The stores that are dying in my area, just don't advertise, they don't go on the shooting forums, no website, your supposed to somehow find them. those days are over. you can have a bay and a phone and a cable modem and do a million in sales if you market it right.
But sitting around and not knowing that there are stores selling the same guns for a hundred less a mile awaw is just stupid. And it's like the gambler who keeps losing and bets more so he can win it back. I had to show my gun store that his "od" glocks were worth money if he advertised them and 650.00 was just way too much for a Glock 23 that cost you 415.00, when the guy down the road is selling 10 at a time for 475.00. I'm being serious, the guys who are turning over product, know their pricing. And know their competition. And also should know that people shop everything now days before they even set foot in the store.And they are going to test you. Why is this better than that. You better have answers or you will lose the client.
Anyway enough rambling, Let me know if any of you guys want to go for coffee, or lunch and just toss it around, nothing in stone.
George
