chicharrones
needs more ammo
That is exactly what we do. Since we sell only to a handful of states outside of Texas, it is not too difficult to do.
Why brick and morter are dying
- Thread starter ford8nr
- Start date
- Status
That is exactly what we do. Since we sell only to a handful of states outside of Texas, it is not too difficult to do.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Seeing that you are in Oregon (PDX), and you don't have sales tax, internet purchases aren't a worry. Of course, you have state income tax that takes care of that, correct?
That is correct, Oregon does not have a general sales tax. Most of our state revenue comes from income taxes and property taxes. Oregon is the 5th state I have lived in and I owned a business in Alabama which relies heavily on sales taxes at the state, county, and city level.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Guys, this is useful information but we're getting pretty far from the guns and gun stores track.
Let's just say that sales tax and use tax should cancel each other out as factors -- but they don't in real life as there is an enormous number of sales which happen on line for which no sale or use tax is collected. That might not be lawful, but it is a factor for a huge number of buyers. For now, the way things are currently.
And that's about all we really need to say about the sales/use tax question.
Let's just say that sales tax and use tax should cancel each other out as factors -- but they don't in real life as there is an enormous number of sales which happen on line for which no sale or use tax is collected. That might not be lawful, but it is a factor for a huge number of buyers. For now, the way things are currently.
And that's about all we really need to say about the sales/use tax question.
justice06rr
Member
I wouldn't agree that the brick-n-mortar stores are "dying"; they are probably not as busy or well-stocked as your favorite online source.
There are still plenty of gun stores and big box stores in my area (Academy, BassPro, Dicks, etc) along with the smaller gunshops.
Although you get the cheaper prices online along with the widest selection, you will not get to handle or try them on your firearm like you would in a brick & mortar store that has the item in stock. You may not get any Customer service online since it is just a click-n-buy system; there are no actual service reps that help you unless you call.
There are still plenty of gun stores and big box stores in my area (Academy, BassPro, Dicks, etc) along with the smaller gunshops.
Although you get the cheaper prices online along with the widest selection, you will not get to handle or try them on your firearm like you would in a brick & mortar store that has the item in stock. You may not get any Customer service online since it is just a click-n-buy system; there are no actual service reps that help you unless you call.
Pardon?
But hey the world wide web is a much better source of information than the local brick and mortar. If I want to know what round to buy for defense I'm going to look online for that info, I'm not going to ask the LGS who says that the higher the grain listed for a box of ammo the more powerful it is (same cartridge) and isn't sure if a LSWC is suitable for defense from a .38spl
Steel Horse Rider
Member
Definitely. Everything on the internet is true, right? I believe your handle is probably correct. A person has to use proper discernment to whatever information they are given.
Of course. But on the web you can find the right information. In some random THR (or any other forum or board) user's local area...you may or may not be able to find the right/correct/best information, no matter how good you are at determining the validity of what you find.
So I went to several big box and a couple local brick and mortars looking for three simple items.
Musket size percussion caps, LEE case lube, and Remington 40X cleaning solution.
NOT one had any of the three items in stock and all I got out of it was a nice ride and some wasted time and gasoline.
All three items were ordered online and while I have to eat the shipping I avoided the sales tax which, by the way, would have been less than the shipping,,,
Musket size percussion caps, LEE case lube, and Remington 40X cleaning solution.
NOT one had any of the three items in stock and all I got out of it was a nice ride and some wasted time and gasoline.
All three items were ordered online and while I have to eat the shipping I avoided the sales tax which, by the way, would have been less than the shipping,,,
You boyz need to look around a bit - methinks you may be hanging around the wrong brick and mortar stores (avoid those megastores).
Maybe you're just not lucky enough to have a good, small, shop with knowledgeable folks, or maybe you've been sucked in by the purty displays of Cabela's, Dick's, etc?
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
There's a little bit of truth to both views, however it is pretty easy to establish that at even a first rate local gun shop you're only getting the benefit of the wisdom and experiences of one guy (or at most a couple of guys), and you run all the risks that come with asking for input from one source. Especially the risk that that one earnest, helpful guy is half-a-bubble off plumb. (...ahem, or a dangerous nutjob!)
The really indisputable truth of "ask the internet" -- if done correctly and smartly -- is that you get the benefit of a LOT of enthusiasts' experiences and insights, and you evaluate the collective opinions and choose to digest the aggregate wisdom of a larger sample.
How many folks do we have come to THR and express odd beliefs, outlying results of tests, mistaken assumptions, misunderstood data, completely backward thinking about laws, physics, business, and who knows what else? Lots, right? Lots who cling to those assertions even in the face of correction, right? Lots of individual members who post something that the vast majority of the rest of the group says, "WOOOOAH, there...that ain't right!" Well, some of those guys work in (or OWN!) gun shops, and give out those off-kilter ideas to their customers every day.
The internet is riddled with crap, no doubt, and it isn't hard to get BAD info, but with a bit of care it also can work very much like the "Ask the Audience" thing on some of those game shows. The Audience is never wrong. It is a general and surprising factor of sociology that large groups tend to provide aggregate correct advice and understanding, and the forum format allows you to go a huge step further than simply polling, to wit: you also get the enormous benefit of hearing each member's supporting argument and to evaluate how much weight to give his/her opinion.
If I worked at a gun shop and had folks come ask me for advice on gun stuff regularly (beyond the very basics), I'd have some quality gun info forums queued up on the counter computer and show them how to search on those topics in relevant place to get the best information on the subject. Research beats my opinion (and yours, and his, and...) every time!
Nope. Try again.
But I don't "hang around" any brick and mortar store, so I'm just responding based on the ones I visit when going to an attached range or when I need to buy something locally/pick up a transfer.
Or I guess the "not lucky" portion covers it. Living three different places, haven't been lucky enough to even get close to going local for any information rather than going online.
Unless I need to replace my Glock's guide rods with metal so they don't melt.
Brick and mortar gun stores are no different from brick and mortar hardware stores, or pet stores, or any other retail outlet. Several things happen but ultimately the local stores struggle and fade out. Small grocery stores are a thing of the past as well. Sure we have what we think of as "small" stores like IGA, Piggly Wiggly, etc but those are actually part of a large buying group rather than being true independents. How many Ace Hardware stores are still around? I know they are still in business but they are being smothered by the big guys even though Ace is actually a large company. The local pet stores simply cannot compete with Petsmart, Petland, Petco and the internet so they go away.
These changes are here to stay. I can order dog food from Amazon and have it delivered to my house. I can go to Home Depot and they will have virtually everything I would need to build a house starting this afternoon.
If a local store of any kind wants to survive beyond the next few years then they need to offer services that cannot be had on the internet. If that is an indoor range, friendly KNOWLEDGEABLE staff, rare/exotic items or whatever. Simply trying to match price with Walmart will put you out of business. Trying to match inventory with Home Depot will put you out of business. Trying to match price and inventory with some internet company on Glock pistols, Ruger rifles, and Federal ammunition will put you out of business.
These changes are here to stay. I can order dog food from Amazon and have it delivered to my house. I can go to Home Depot and they will have virtually everything I would need to build a house starting this afternoon.
If a local store of any kind wants to survive beyond the next few years then they need to offer services that cannot be had on the internet. If that is an indoor range, friendly KNOWLEDGEABLE staff, rare/exotic items or whatever. Simply trying to match price with Walmart will put you out of business. Trying to match inventory with Home Depot will put you out of business. Trying to match price and inventory with some internet company on Glock pistols, Ruger rifles, and Federal ammunition will put you out of business.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
I don't know about your part of the world but here Ace Hardware is doing quite well. The one I frequent even has a gun section with a good selection of cleaning supplies, lubricants, and ammunition. There is another gun store in the same center that supports law enforcement and the AR crowd. The previous owner of that shop made enough money during the first 4 years of O that he retired to the mountains with a very large wad of cash in his pockets.
The other two local small stores I support seem to be doing okay as well. One is more pistol and AR oriented while my favorite deals in a wide range of warhorses, muzzle loaders, lever guns, reloading supplies, and all the accessories and support paraphernalia you might envision. Each is good for its own arena so I have little call to shop the box stores (and there are plenty here), the traveling gipsy gun shows, or the interwebs, and although I have purchased a number of Pedersoli black powder kits from Dixie Gun Works I purchase all of my powder, balls, caps, and reloading supplies locally. I have even made a few of my own flints from material garnered at an annual "primitives" show here in town. If you do not have such opportunities as these near you it must suck to be you....
The other two local small stores I support seem to be doing okay as well. One is more pistol and AR oriented while my favorite deals in a wide range of warhorses, muzzle loaders, lever guns, reloading supplies, and all the accessories and support paraphernalia you might envision. Each is good for its own arena so I have little call to shop the box stores (and there are plenty here), the traveling gipsy gun shows, or the interwebs, and although I have purchased a number of Pedersoli black powder kits from Dixie Gun Works I purchase all of my powder, balls, caps, and reloading supplies locally. I have even made a few of my own flints from material garnered at an annual "primitives" show here in town. If you do not have such opportunities as these near you it must suck to be you....
We are down to 2 Ace stores in an area with about 220k people. One that had been around all mu life closed earlier this year and none of the local Ace stores carry anything remotely related to firearms. Home Depot and Lowe's...on every corner.
- Status
