runawaygun762  |
I'm planning ahead to open a gun store when I retire, and this is a good place for suggestions. Besides strippers, beer in the water fountain, and free guns, what kind of stuff would my store need so people will call the place home? I already plan to have some furniture and a coffee pot and a couple vending machines so people can lounge and BS with each other. One thing I used to hate as a kid just starting to learn about guns is when the guys behind the counter would blow me off even when there were no other customers. Kids grow up and come back to buy guns. or they don't come back if you are a fuckhead to them. So, a small area so people can come in, relax, and talk about whatever (A live version of this site I guess), a mandate to any employees that everyone will be treated like our number one customer, a written, oral, and hands-on test involving firearms sold there for all employees to ensure they know what they're talking about, what else? I'd like a range out back with gun rentals, but that'll only happen after the store's been up and running for a bit. My plan as far as prices go is to price them just high enough to keep the store running with a little extra to put into expansion and savings. My primary goal is to put as many guns into the hands of American citizens as possible. Any thoughts? If you can't win their hearts and minds, then expose their hearts and minds to open oxygen. WHEN IN DOUBT, THIRTY OUT!!
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LLE
you get started, checkout what is involved, in the "range out back". Many times, depending on the venue, the requirements, inspection and licensing is much more complicated and expensive, than just for the store, itself.
runawaygun762
That's why I'm not planning for a range until later
LLE
the location of the store, it is a good idea to check whether that particular location would even PERMIT a range, whether indoor or outdoor.
runawaygun762
I know how all the zoning stuff works. The range is not on my mind right now. Forget about the range. There is no range. I hate ranges. I do have a range in my house. I think that's the smart way to say stove. It's an electric range. if you're still alive when I retire, I'll let you be my range master. We live real close to each other, so it won't be much of a drive for you.
LLE
consider 1500 miles close !!LOL
EricStanford
I lived in Freeport Maine for a couple of decades. Good friend there became that friend by running a gun shop just as you describe. I started going there just because i liked his sign (rustic, humorous, clever), went back just for the coffee and cookies...
...stopped going because it became a smoker's hangout and made me ill to go in the place.
One day in the town coffee shop (this was before it became the insane town it is today) Paul approached me and asked why i way not coming by for coffee...missed my weird humor...
i told him the smoke drove me nuts...
Long story short we made a free publicity news thing out of it. turned out he hated the smoke as well, i suggested he call the newspaper and tell them he was going to lead the business community in providing a smoke free environment...tv came out and interviewed us (at the time "guns" equaled "red neck chain smoker"...his business prospered...we both bought new Harley's and did some serious miles around Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, & Canada...
In his rural location, and in those times, he had a natural shooting range just out his door...bought tons of ammo and bought/exchanged dozens of weapons, and a LOT of gear...ear protection devices, loading stuff, on and on...
All this because he had a way with his customers, knew his product(s) and provided a comfortable place to jaw...
Zounds!!! your idea really brought back 'the good old days'...
I pray you do well: do not stray the course!
runawaygun762
I'm an ex-smoker and i think it's disgusting. But people who want to indulge should have an area for them. I don't know about the whole state of AZ, but I know in my area all businesses are non-smoking. I need to find out the exact wording of the law so I can have a nice covered area for smokers to lounge in. I'm trying to figure out a name for the store. My name is David and my wife's is Ashlee, so maybe A&D Guns. I thought about naming it "Two to the Chest and One to the Head Tactical Cool-guy Gear Store for High-speed, Low-drag, Air-cooled, Teflon-coated, Laser-guided Gunshop Commandos and Online Rambos", in honor of BenJB and NavySeal, but the tactical black business cards with rail systems and laser sights were too expensive.
samD
"Get 'em before you can't"
Guns For Sale, If it offends your weenie ass GO AWAY!
A real American Place
Real Americans Shop Here
A Real American Gun Sop, Women Welcome.
The Last American Gun Shop
A Gun Shop so you Can Protect & Serve
Just some idle thoughts.
ebear
Stickem Up Gunshop
runawaygun762
I am one of those who pick movies apart when they have flaws in gun related things. As anyone who has been around other gun owners can attest to, some people have a huge library of incorrect information, bad assumptions, terrible advice, and outright lies about gun related topics. If I have one of those customers who spouts erroneous information, should I correct him/her in the name of truth and education, or let them live the lie? Obviously if it's a gun shop commando who is disrupting other customers, it's an easy answer. but what if it's in the course of a normal conversation and the individual is sincere but wrong? Take a chance of losing business and correct them, or is the customer always right?
Schuyler
doesn't mean what most people interpret. The phrase means that the customer knows what the customer wants, therefore if you don't stock it, you don't make the sale. It doesn't mean you should put up with abuse. It just means that the customer is right about what he wants. IMO a gentle lead to the right answer on your part--perhaps a book on the subject you know has correct information--is preferable to allowing erroneous information to escalate.
undeniable
Back where I grew up we used to hang out in the back of the store where the owner had set up a 20X30 chicken wire cage where he plucked ducks and geese for $5.00 a pop. That was the B.S. spot, but it had no chairs. I don't think you should put a Starbucks in there but some old chairs by a woodstove with a coffee pot in a corner sounds good to me. Not sure where Palominas is exactly, only been in Az. for four years so I can't give you any thoughts on a name. I library of balsitics charts and plain old owners manuals would probably suffice in the information dept.
ebear
Do Ya Feel LUCKY? GUN Shop AND WHOREHOUSE?
DEMO
I would like to buy an old gun range. Out back we could have rentals. I could have indoor shooting too- there are companies that specialize in cookie cutter indoor ranges, complete with ventilation and lead removal. Inside I would have a handgun section, archery section, hunting weapons section and a black rifle section.
Next door I would have a cigar, tobbacco and liquor store. It would be non stop shopping.
During the hunting season we would have a guide service.
greasypaws
i could try out then buy a gun,smoke a cigar and drink whiskey while filling out the paperwork then go hunting with a guide and kill something then come back to camp and shack up with a whore for night!when do you open?
greasypaws
here is a name for a gunshop/smokeshop:The Smokin' Gun Bar And Brothel-liquor in front poker in the rear!
DEMO
Just need a divorce, loan and FFL
Snake
a good name for it. runawaygun's Big ol fucking gun and booze shop.
ebear
full-metal snatcherama
scudrunnernrh
Guns for rent, range, lounge, videos, good customer service, all +'s, what about an in house gunsmith, maybe one of those professional knife sharpening things so folks can get their knives sharpened? A good idea a local range had round here was a "ladies shoot free night" where all the ladies could shoot free of range/gun fees. it seemed to increase their business pretty good, maybe an in house competition or someting, best shooter gets a pic on the wall or something hell i dont know just ideas
runawaygun762
As for knife sharpening, I can't imagine an American man with a low enough self-esteem to allow another person to sharpen his knife for him. I do like the ladies shoot free thing. If I ever open a range, women are going to be my top priority, as mothers tend to have more influence on kids' morals than fathers do. Women and kids are the most important segment of our society in terms of public relations for the gun rights fight. People aren't surprised when a man says he shoots, but it's a different story when they hear, for instance, that a normal woman carries a gun to her kid's soccer match. Good suggestions.
spcCooper
hey you could have some progressive autoloaders for people to use like an arcade haha
runawaygun762
What is so funny? You put haha on everything. you know, they say, haha- um, pardon me, that laughter is haha, wow, sorry, contagious.HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Ah, that's better. Ha
spcCooper
well for one you cant here me laughing at this because i think its awesome ideal and second...... hell i dont know
LLE
the PC symbology for laughing out loud
Mr.spccooper: Consider yourself warned. No more HaHaHaHa,etc. From now on it is LOL. We are telling you nicely.
spcCooper
how about when you open your i will open a branch of it over here in mississippi these sons a bitches will love that shit. they would think they died an went to heaven HAHA
spcCooper
haha i mean lol i think i got it now
lol
lol
halol
lol
ok i got took a min but everyone is safe
LLE
Ditch the "halol". That's a city in India.
spcCooper
LOL
scudrunnernrh
about the knife thing, it would be along the lines of bringing in the customer that is new kinda thing, maybe there is some knife lover who cant get a edge on a knife, walks in, and leaves with a sharp knife and a new gun, consider all the walks of potential customers. I saw a guy at a gunshow who was doing nothing but sharpening knives, he was busy all day, if anything it would be more $$$ for the store. i've heard several comments that the ladies avoid gun stores/ranges because they feel outta place. a "comfortable" environment for all would be a big +, what about adding an archery section with a archery "specialist" to answer ?'s and assist people with that side of hunting, again, they might walk in for a bow with a 75 lb pull, and walk out with a rifle with a 5 lb pull, open options
ebear
you can hire Greasypaws to work behind the counter.......that'll bring in the ladies!!!!
scudrunnernrh
discounts for all gunslot members would be cool
runawaygun762
Archery, however, hell no. While archery is fun, I won't run a sporting goods store. Money spent on buying archery stock will be better spent buying CLASS 3 GOODNESS!!!
greasypaws
a gun/bow/liquor/smokeshop/shooting range!and the ladies love this big ol' cuddly man-bear!
ebear
some men too!!!grease you sexy-beast!!!!
scudrunnernrh
i can understand that, but they come in wanting a bow, walk out with a rifle........never know, it would bring more people in, oh yeah, and a parking lot that is worth a shit, even for those who drive dualies and crew cabs and stuff
runawaygun762
But only those with at least 200 points to show activity
ebear
a gun cleaning area.....thats wear you can shoot the shit and clean your weapon.
greasypaws
also for us northwesterners who dont like to travel!
scudrunnernrh
good idea ebear
scudrunnernrh
and ofcourse a website with actual pics of what you have in stock for those of us who cant read
ebear
a short phillapino man at the door we can slap on the way in and out.
samD
think that their are any tall pillapinos, oxymoron, like tall Mesican...
ebear
Sam you've got a point there........wear a hat so no one can see it!!!lolol
scudrunnernrh
i perfer short middle eastern to slap
undeniable
You open your store and I gurantee atleast three customers, if I have to drive them down there myself. The only time I usually go to that part of the state is if it's on fire, but for a gunstore like the one we're all dreaming up I'd gp down on my own.
scudrunnernrh
it would most certainly be known nationwide
scudrunnernrh
thats another thing, a catchy store name, not something lame like Tom's guns and more, but something cool, and advertising too. how about a bill board for a sign
runawaygun762
Maybe I'll call it My Favorite Gunstore. "Where are you going, honey?" "I'm going to My Favorite Gunstore, dear." "Well I want to go to My Favorite Gunstore, too. Junior doesn't really need a college fund, let's spend it at My Favorite Gunstore." "Sounds good, dear." That's a nice conversation for couples everywhere to have.
undeniable
All you could want and more Gun Store. More than just Guns. The buckin' bang store. Something Rangey. All shots, bullets, booze, and brauds. Valhalla Armory.
Thats all I got for now.