Are Online Retailers Killing Local Gun Stores? Should We Care?

[Perplexed]

And don’t forget local sales taxes, especially on pricey firearms and pretty much anything else you can buy online out of state. That tax can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars... or more. Something that figures often into hard-earned purchases, I bet.

 

[xseler]

If you only buy online, you should lose your right to ***** about the pot-holes in front of the empty businesses. From a lifetime retail person.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

A life time retail person knows the importance of satisfying the requirements of the customer. If one doesn't, another will. The average LGS is such a low volume operation, they try to boost margins by increased prices. That usually requires carrying high inventory. Most LGS just do not have that level of capital.

They need to provide some service to make up for the higher prices. Maybe simple gun smithing services, cerakoting, optic mounting, etc. (at very low cost).

Then if they can't make a go of it, it's time to look at another type of business.

 

[SoonerP226]

And don’t forget local sales taxes, especially on pricey firearms and pretty much anything else you can buy online out of state. That tax can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars... or more. Something that figures often into hard-earned purchases, I bet.

If you're buying from an online retailer, there's a line on your Oklahoma income tax form where you're supposed to rat yourself out.

 

[SoonerP226]

If you only buy online, you should lose your right to ***** about the pot-holes in front of the empty businesses. From a lifetime retail person.

BS. I pay fuel taxes, property taxes, and income taxes that should be paying to fill those potholes.

If you don't want me to buy online, give me a reason to shop locally, and I don't mean protectionist regulations.

 

[dennishoddy]

A life time retail person knows the importance of satisfying the requirements of the customer. If one doesn't, another will. The average LGS is such a low volume operation, they try to boost margins by increased prices. That usually requires carrying high inventory. Most LGS just do not have that level of capital.

They need to provide some service to make up for the higher prices. Maybe simple gun smithing services, cerakoting, optic mounting, etc. (at very low cost).

Then if they can't make a go of it, it's time to look at another type of business.

Your exactly right for no technology stores. When folks can view a thousand gun store prices in seconds, why would they buy from a higher priced B&M store?

There are folks out there that are newbs to the gun buying experience that B&M stores rely on because they offer hands on and advice for the new gun owner which is sometimes great info and in other cases terrible because the counter person needs to sell a gun to make a commission.
We have a thread on here about stupid things you’ve heard a the gun counter and I can assure you the opposite with comments from the other side of the counter produce some really dumb comments to sell a gun to someone that is not correct for them. I’ve cringed more than once when overhearing a conversation between a customer and client.
There is error on both sides of this fence, but if the B&M gun stores don’t get tech savvy and keep costs at market value they won’t have a future is the bottom line.

 

[doctorjj]

BS. I pay fuel taxes, property taxes, and income taxes that should be paying to fill those potholes.

If you don't want me to buy online, give me a reason to shop locally, and I don't mean protectionist regulations.

My store regularly has prices cheaper than what people transfer guns in for. They don’t even ask or look. They just buy online and have it shipped. We can see ther invoice and they end up paying more than if they would have just walked in and bought the one on the shelf. That’s not always the case but it sure is a lot of times.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

It's hard to imagine that any local store in small town OK could have prices below sites such as gunbuyer or grabagun. To make a success of that, their operating costs would have to be very low.

The added service of helping a potential new shooter choose their first gun would certainly be of value, but how many options could they be able to show, or would it be just what the store owner likes, and carries as inventory.

I know of one successful store in NE Oklahoma and their success has come from diversification into archery and heavy in fishing supplies.

It is a tough business and takes an owner with a fair amount of marketing knowledge, and a good level of capital helps also.

 

[mightymouse]

Of course the 'Net is hurting the LGS. Some "on-line retailers" do not have to keep much in inventory--they simply drop ship guns from wholesalers directly to the receiving FFL. It's a great business model if your idea of service is low prices.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

So, the real question for us should be, what do we want from a LGS, and are we willing to pay more for that, and can a local store actually provide that?