Wal-Mart

[mio]

I was just in Kentucky for thier early muzzleloader season and when I stopped at Wal-Mart I was shocked to see only 3 muzzleloaders as thier entire gun selection. When I brought it up with my Aunt who works there she told me that Wal-Mart is just selling off thier inventory in all stores and then will no longer carry guns.
I had heard that they were going to quit in some locations but had not heard that they would stop at all stores. The "local" (60 miles to nearest one) that i have checked (3) all have the normal full selections.
Does anybody know if its by location or if its all stores and is there a boycott?

 

[Hanzo581]

By location, I was told it is based on overall firearm sales, only strong firearm sales stores will be keeping them in stock

 

[Lambo119]

I was told by the local Walmart sporting goods Mgr. exactly what Hanzo581 stated. On a side note he stated that they (my local store)were going to stop handling the pyrodex or 777 because of the storage problems.???

 

[Crosshair]

Yea, most WM stores don't sell enough BP to make it worthwhile to have on hand.

 

[FrankG]

most wm stores in my county (alameda county, SF bay area california) no longer even sell ammo. I have to go to another county to get ammo.

 

[Erinyes]

Well, my local Wal-Marts still have guns. One of them even has a Mini-14. Plenty of BP stuff, too, but I never really take the time to peruse it.

 

[MCgunner]

I've never seen a black powder gun at a Walmart. Our local store dropped the firearms. The lady says "we're a coastal sales store, we sell fishing supplies". How that keeps 'em from selling guns escapes me. We got plenty of ducks and geese down here, too. I rather think slow sales of firearms is the reason.

 

[dfaugh]

My bet is that they'll continue to sell in some places, IF THERE'S ENOUGH DEMAND/PROFIT. One of Wal-marts marketing strengths is demographic positioning. For example, there's 3 fairly close to me, one right nearby by and 2 about 20 minutes in different directions (and actually more if you wanna drive just a bit further, but I'v never been to those stores). They are in 3 different suburbs, one lower-middle class, one firmly middle class, and one higher-middle/moderately affluent area.

And they carry different merchandise in each store. Yes, some of the "basic" stuff is the same, but clothing for example will vary more than a bit. AND, prices are also different from store to store, again not on the usual stuff (especially stuff they advertise alot), but on certain products.

 

[CornCod]

I had a mostly good experiance at a Wal-Mart yesterday. I went to a local gun show and saw a Henry lever-action .22 for $260. I almost bought the piece. Then I remembered that I saw the same gun for $220 at Wal-Mart and went over to Wally World and bought one. I got it home and discovered that that the rear sight was terribly askew; looked like a chimpanzee had done a number on it with a hammer. I took it back to Wal-mart and they said they would return it to the factory for repair. I should have it back in 30 days or so.

I was treated pretty well. I am one of those people who have reservations about Wal-Mart's monopolistic practices and the terrible social costs of the destruction of small family-owned businesses. However, I gotta admit I was treated well.

 

[FrogClan]

My bet is that they'll continue to sell in some places, IF THERE'S ENOUGH DEMAND/PROFIT.

Yep -- that's it in a nutshell. You can't blame WalMart, or any merchant, for making good business decisions. If the local trade in guns doesn't justify carrying the inventory they just won't do it. Its not like they are opposed to guns or anything.

Our local WalMart has actually expanded their gun selection. Its a seasonal thing... this time of year it spills over a bit as deer season opens, etc. And there is always two or three of the new-fashioned muzzleloaders in the rack, and a handful of the gadgets to support them as long as you like .50 cal.

And (tip to the shopper here) if you don't see what you want on the rack, ask the clerk to see the special order catalog that is kept under the sporting goods counter. You can get that gun mail-ordered direct to the store.... they pay shipping, you pick it up at the store for the regular WalMart price. I've bought a gun this way (Lyman Great Plains Rifle) as well as a couple of shotgun barrels.

 

[Redlg155]

I have 3 Walmarts in my area. The one at Panama City Beach got rid of their gun section while the other two kept theirs.

What I am curious about is the fact that the Walmarts in my area are phasing out their layaway program due to what they state as...

“Demand for layaway service has declined steadily as consumers turn to other options, such as online shopping, gift cards and no-cost credit alternatives,” said Pat Curran, executive vice president, store operations, Wal-Mart Stores Division.

I would think that this policy would result to an even further decrease in guns sales due a large percentage of gun sales and ALL special orders are automatically placed on layaway with the 50% deposit. I'm sure Wal-mart will find a way to let you special order without the layaway program, but a lot of folks buy guns from Wal-Mart because they can't afford to shuck out $500 at one time.

Hopefully the dealers will take note of this and offer their own in house layaway programs. Not many dealers in my area advertise such a program.

 

[MD_Willington]

Demand is still high enough in my area that they stock rifles, shotguns and black powder rifles and supplies, last time I looked they had ~ a handfull of BP rifles, they were also selling 100 rnd 9mm & .40 S&W white box like it was going out of style.

 

[dispatch55126]

Someone earlier said it, supply/demand. If you live near an urban city or suburbia, then its sporting goods section will be geared to soccer balls and fishing. Depending on where you live, a Wal-Mart can either be a nice store or a trailer trash magnet. The last thing you want is a big gun display in a "family" store while you're trying to fit shin pads on the son of an Excursion driver. Conversely, a Wal-Mart in the country can be as nice and useful as a Fleet Farm. Bear in mind too that the way our cities and suburbs are growing, today's country is tomorrows golf course.

 

[rockstar.esq]

One Wally world down the street sells not only six different blackpowder rifles but also sells a host of reloading supplies. Conversely the Wally World the next town over doesn't even sell shot shells let alone guns of any kind. The closest they get is paintball!

 

[GreyMauser]

The largest Walmart in the Fort Myers area still stocks some firearms, and has at least one "associate" who knows guns. Last time I was in there, in August, they still had a Winchester Model 70 in stock, but it was the last and least- a push feed plastic and potmetal WSSM.

Their on-line search program shows close to 500 bolt action models that can be special ordered in the stores, if you can find the right store. They seem to keep the site current, as I couldn't locate any listings for Winchester. Lots of Remington, Howa and CZ though. Even a Steyr Mannlicher for $1900.

 

[MrDig]

I was at My local Walmart last night and was told by the Mgr that Walmart will sell firearms, but not in certain "Urban" or "Metro" areas. I can got to the Walmart in one suburb (Brooklyn Park MN) and there are no guns, but in another (Blaine MN.) there are. Worse yet I can go to a Sporting goods store a few miles away, (Gander Mountain in Maple Grove), and get a gun. Or even another Department store, (Mills Fleet Farm in Brooklyn Park) that is less than 1/4 of a mile from the Walmart.
This is a result of Caving in to anti's that think if you don't sell guns people won't commit crimes with them.
The city of Minneapolis does not allow Firearms sales due to restrictive zoning laws. The zoning laws are clearly a failed expeiment in gun control and yet they stick.
I Say Boycott Walmart for this ridiculous and inconsistent policy.

 

[Lonestar]

Another thing I'm understanding is that if your Wal-mart does not have a rifle/shotgun displays anymore, does not necessarly mean they will not sell you a rifle. You can go up to the sporting goods counter and ask if you can still order a rifle through their catalog. Some Walmarts will still order you a rifle or a shotgun, and you just come back a few days later to pick them up. I think you can also do it online at; http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=170080&fromPageCatId=4155&catNavId=4155

This is definately not happening in certain urban areas but most of the suburban and rural Walmarts that stopped displaying guns, are still selling guns.

 

[GeoW]

Guess we can't have our cake and eat it too. How many on this thread have bitched about Walmart putting the local gun shop owners out of business?
My local Walmart got out of the gun sales business a year ago. Local small shops prices went even higher than before. Lucky for me I'm an old fart and am more into selling than buying at this point.

GeoW

 

[elric]

There is a new Walmart being built along my route to work. I'm real curious to see if they put a gun counter into a brand new store, given this trend of reducing the number of stores that sell firearms.

 

[ChromDome]

I live in NW Arkansas not very far from the center of the WM Universe. I have worked for WM vendors in the past and one of my relatives is currently in management with WM.

WM inventories their stores based on "traits". They will tailor the inventory of the store to the local population and tourist base. Like the earlier response in this thread that mentiond the store being a "coastal store", that means the store will carry more items associated with water sports. I'm sure their sporting goods and toy sections carried things like dive masks and fins. I do not believe there is any liberal conspiracy at work in relation to them selling firearms, if anything it is good sound conservative business practices at work. Every day they look at the sales of every single item in their stores...if it's not selling fast enough, the move it out and put something else in it's place.

Those stores that are in more rural areas where hunting is popular will continue to sell firearms and hunting supplies. Those stores located in large urban areas probably won't.

WM is the best in the world at figuring out how to maximize profitabilty per sq foot. You'd be stunned to know the amount of money they invest into understanding consumer behavior and store merchandising.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Out here in the Pacific NW we have a chain of stores by the name of Bi-Mart. Kind of like Wal-Mart only on a smaller scale. They are employee owned after the emplyees bought them out after the owners at time was going to liquidate them and close the stores. Anyway they have a lot more guns, ammo and firearm related items than any Wal-Mart in the Portland, OR urban area. They have great weekly specials on firearms and related items. I buy from them as often as I can when they have what I need or want. They have firearms, ammo, & accessories on sale in their sales flyers each week. Neadless to say I buy from them whenever possible and their items match my needs. Their sale prices on ammo are about the best in the area. One example this week is 5 pk of 12 or 20 ga Remington slugs or buckshot, 2 pk's for $5.00. A good price if yiou ask me.

 

[gezzer]

Don't like Wal-Mart don't shop there. That is the American way.

One who is SICK of Wal-Mart posts.

 

[MyRoad]

I've only gone to WM a handful of times. The last time I went, all the guns were gone. So I went to a Big5 Sporting Goods to see what they had, and when talking to the manager about whether they would stock more guns now that the competition was diminished, they told me that WalMart pulled the guns from that store because the employees kept screwing up the paperwork on the sales, and they were going to lose their FFL. I can't verify that, but it wouldn't surprise me. They could be pulling the guns for lots of reasons that they might be embarrassed to admit and we'll never know.

 

[aspen1964]

I was a little happier person before Walmart existed in my world...sums it up... if they die someday...I wouldn't be the least bit sad...

 

[garrett1955]

F*ck Wal-Mart. When I go into wal mart I get walmart rage, much like someone would get road rage. I have stopped going in there, and will not give my money to them.


sometimes it is great to go people watching in the parking lot. walmart brings out the best in society...