Opening a gun shop -- UPDATE: Two Years In!

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Well lit. Carry some reloading supplies: common powders and primers so that if I need a stop gap between online bulk orders I can come in. Cheap transfers: I think most people just don't want to feel like they are being ripped off. Cheap transfers get me in the door and keep me coming back. I rarely do a transfer and don't end up buying something else.
 
My LGS in Baton Rouge is a bunch of stuck up know it all's who have never heard of customer service. Take the cash and kiss my a$$, that's their motto. Now my local pawn shop does transfers for $15......all day long with a smile. He does thousands every year. He knows that $15 is better than no dollars, and those $15 transfers add up. Now who do you think is getting my money.....?
 
Broken Anvil said:
My LGS in Baton Rouge is a bunch of stuck up know it all's who have never heard of customer service. Take the cash and kiss my a$$, that's their motto. Now my local pawn shop does transfers for $15......all day long with a smile. He does thousands every year. He knows that $15 is better than no dollars, and those $15 transfers add up. Now who do you think is getting my money.....?
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$15/transfer as a side little business? Great.

$15/transfer for an LGS? Suicide.
 
$15/transfer as a side little business? Great.

$15/transfer for an LGS? Suicide.
Click to expand...

Ok, ok...we've got your opinion on that. Once or twice.

Somehow the shops that do these cheap transfers have not managed to kill themselves just yet, no matter how hard they try.

So let's consider that matter sufficiently explored, ok? Please?
 
Air boat maker got into guns here and opened a gun store - walked in and everything was nothing but black. plastic, milsurp, TACKYCOOL, and geared for the video game commando
There was NOTHING for the target shooter, no matter the discipline, no reloading, no target ammo

EVERYTHING was set around the folks shooting ARs in 22 to Barrets in 50, and the clerks ignored you unless you came in panting to touch a Keltec pump

Got crossed off my list to never go back to - nevermind their price were MSRP and HIGHER
 
Sam1911 said:
Ok, ok...we've got your opinion on that. Once or twice.

Somehow the shops that do these cheap transfers have not managed to kill themselves just yet, no matter how hard they try.

So let's consider that matter sufficiently explored, ok? Please?
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OK, fair enough.
 
Kynoch, actually I do. I had a accident nearly a year ago and am still incapacitated. Therapy every other day for roughly 8 hours per session. For 6 months I went 5 days a week for roughly 6 hours per session. Not as much idle time then. Trust me, I wish I did not have idle time. I would much rather be working and saving money than not working and using saved money.
 
My biggest wish is that you get amazingly wealthy selling guns to good folks, then decide to branch out and open a store in, oh, maybe Mobile Alabama, and hire me.

Other thoughts:
Customer service
Coffee and gun talks
A safety class and firing range
An old guy/curmudgeon, no gun shop is complete without one
An old dog or lazy cat laying around the place to add a little atmosphere
Competitive prices ( <---- notice that was last? I'll support a place that acts like I'm a valuable asset)
 
#1. A NICE SHOW ROOM!!
2. A nice selection of ammo


Hi I haven't read through all the posts but the biggest thing many small gun shops have that bother me is they tend to have really disshevled show rooms. The counters and show cases are pieced mealed together from items that were practically found in dumpsters.. I'm in AZ and I love to go to Scottsdale Gun Club. Mostly because of how nice everything is. First off its one of the largest gun shops I've ever seen, but all the shelving in the store matches and look very professional. Carpeted flooring with warm colors on the wall. It looks like a business, not a rented room with shelves with overpriced used pistols. Here is a link to Scottsdale Gun Club.

Don't mind all the inventory because they have a crazy ammount!!:D Here is a pretty cool link to see inside the shop, I really like how its set up!

https://www.google.com/maps?layer=c...t8tUMWvEKr1ygG15oH4BA&sqi=2&ved=0CH8Q2hQoADAA
 
/Users/Savannah/Desktop/small 4503.jpg
 
BearAz - very nice place they have there - those slat wall cubes and paneling are expensive, so that cost has to be in their prices somewhere. Looks like they have a great selection
 
Figure out a way to buy volume and make your profit in volume over mark up. The two most successful gun stores i know do that. Understandably this may force you to limit selection to some degree, at least in the beginning, but there is no better way to stand out than to have lower prices than the other guys.
 
Buds is my LGS and has been for 25 years. However, since Bud sold out I've been taking my business else where. It is a real brick and mortar building.

If I were opening a business, I'd work on customer service first, then volume. For the first 5 years, you won't make anything out of the business. Every nickel will get put back into the business. Your employees will live better than you and drive nicer cars than you. It's just the nature of starting a small business. Also, whatever you do, have a lawyer and a tax accountant. Don't do anything without checking with them first.
 
/Users/Savannah/Desktop/small 4503.jpg
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Funny, when someone posts a photo that's on their computer, they will actually see the photo when looking at THR. But, no one else in the world will.

Need to upload that photo to a website like photobucket.

BTW, Did that gunshop get started? I'll scan the posts to see.
 
Hello everyone, I Wanted to pop back in and thank everyone that provided there advice. I took all the advice and honestly kept it in my mind and used a lot of it this entire time. I have been up and running almost 2 years now and things are going great. I am now building a 25 lane indoor gun range and large showroom. Construction will start by years end. Here is a link to my gun shops Facebook page and if your ever in the area please stop by. Thanks, Ron with Volusia Top Gun

https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaTopGun?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaTopGun?ref=hl
 
Hey! GREAT to see you again, and to hear you've done well! PLEASE feel free to share anything at all that you've learned or experienced -- especially in the most insane couple of years to come down the road in a while.
 
Sam, thanks for the welcome back! I certainly have learned a ton in the last 2 years. I think the most requested feedback I saw here was to have a friendly staff. I had this at the top of my list when I started so I made certain I would not tolerate the "know it all" salesman on my staff.
I really wanted to target the female buyers as I saw a huge increase in women's interest in firearms in all the data I pulled. I was extremely fortunate to have found the most gun knowledgeable female staff around as well. I have one in particular that can run circles around most anyone I know with her knowledge. There all super friendly and if you saw the pictures there all very attractive and it really has helped set me apart. Its awesome to sit back and watch them throw men off with how knowledgeable they are.
There are so many firearms and ammo allocated these days that it seems nearly impossible for a little shop to make it. The distributors only give these few guns and ammo to there best buyers. There are just not that much of these allocated items to go around either. I consider myself very fortunate and was one of the few places that was able to keep ammo in stock for my customers.
If you or anyone has any questions I would love to do what I can to help.
 
I went to that shop when I was in Daytona! It is a great gun store with a huge selection of guns. I really liked how it was laid out. The person who helped me was very friendly and knew his stuff. Keep it up because we need more stores like this.
 
Pilotperk said:
There all super friendly and if you saw the pictures there all very attractive and it really has helped set me apart. Its awesome to sit back and watch them throw men off with how knowledgeable they are.
Click to expand...

*ahem*

Speaking of pictures...

:D

Seriously, I looked at your facebook link and checked out your website. It looks like you put a lot of thought and effort into this and I hope it continues to work out well for you!

I'm not a Florida resident...but if I find an excuse to travel your way (like another Disney trip), I'll be sure to stop by and support you with a purchase or two of something.
 
Ron, a congratulations for taking the big step and making what looks to have been a large substantial investment. May good things continue to come your way. The images in your links brought back some fond memories and I am pleased that you found much of the information and suggestions in this thread useful.

Like RetiredUSNChief I enjoyed the images and if I get down your way would love to visit your shop. Best wishes for continued success and again a heartfelt congratulations for taking the big steps in getting things going.

Ron

P.S. I also like your name! :)
 
Congratulations on making it work well during what must have been a rough stretch.
 
Congrats!

Here's something you might want to consider - joining the NSSF:

http://www.nssf.org/ranges/

They publish a list of member ranges that can be accessed on your smart phone. My wife and I frequently take little road trips and I always access that app to see if there's a neat place in the area.

They also offer help in Best Practices, range design, etc.

Just a thought
 
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