a great gunshop is closing :(

[bsg]

If a store goes out of business, there's probably a pretty good reason for it. Plain and simple.

actually, you're right. there are plenty of good reasons why a business could fail that linger around and sometimes infect most every business. yet, there are businesses that go under and those that don't. as I Swan mentioned (post #41), a business must keep and take care of a loyalty base of customers whose relationships with the business have protected the business from all types of bad weather.

it takes time to build up a group of loyal customers that will come to you every time they need or want something that you offer. every customer should be treated as if that customer is the 'deciding factor' as to whether the business will survive vs going under. that's how you build a loyal customer base and that's how you keep it. every customer/client is special and the way to convey that is to give good service at reasonable cost.

there are no guarantees in business and a company would be fortunate and wise to have planned in advance on how to survive during times of financial loss. all companies must plan on losing money in the beginning of operation, but the need to survive while losing money can come at any time.

there are other relationships that a company has besides that with the customer which affects it's success and survival. this includes everyone from suppliers to the landlord, if the company has a brick and mortar location. these relationships have to be attended to and cultivated in a responsible manner, or the results can be disastrous to the company. even if you love your work, running a business ain't all that easy. it's the cost to be the boss.

[SuperSet]

Honestly, with the explosive growth of places like BudsGunShop online, free marketplace boards like this and home-based FFLs, I'm always left scratching my head when someone wants to open a gun shop.

[bsg]

Honestly, with the explosive growth of places like BudsGunShop online, free marketplace boards like this and home-based FFLs, I'm always left scratching my head when someone wants to open a gun shop.

i can only surmise that the fat edge goes to the online vendor ftw.

[Deadon]

Honestly, with the explosive growth of places like BudsGunShop online, free marketplace boards like this and home-based FFLs, I'm always left scratching my head when someone wants to open a gun shop.

THINK about how much money was made during the panic, AR's Handguns ammo ect. Stores were cleaned out! Those stores that were high priced had lots of stock. Why? They didnt sell much but during the panic this worked to their advantage.

Im blown away that a place like TDS that was cleared out during the panic is in this much trouble. To me this screams bad management.

[I Swan]

Honestly, with the explosive growth of places like BudsGunShop online, free marketplace boards like this and home-based FFLs, I'm always left scratching my head when someone wants to open a gun shop.

A lot of guns are still sold to a segment of the market that is afraid of the internet and has always bought from a brick and mortar and sees no reason to change. Many people are also impulsive and immature. And many need the reassurance of talking to an "expert" at a gun shop and wants to finger the display guns before purchase.

I need brick and mortar shops because my main interest is out of production older and off list guns and I prowl for them constantly. When I move out of state I'll be able to buy more of that type off stuff on Gunbroker without roster issues. Also I'm good at finding deals at shops if they were posted online a much greater potential market is competing against me.

If buying standard in production guns you can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to check and compare online what is best price and possibly have the gun shipped in to the cheapest transfer dealer I can find.

[Merc1138]

A lot of guns are still sold to a segment of the market that is afraid of the internet and has always bought from a brick and mortar and sees no reason to change. Many people are also impulsive and immature. And many need the reassurance of talking to an "expert" at a gun shop and wants to finger the display guns before purchase.

I need brick and mortar shops because my main interest is out of production older and off list guns and I prowl for them constantly. When I move out of state I'll be able to buy more of that type off stuff on Gunbroker without roster issues. Also I'm good at finding deals at shops if they were posted online a much greater potential market is competing against me.

If buying standard in production guns you can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to check and compare online what is best price and possibly have the gun shipped in to the cheapest transfer dealer I can find.

Not to mention, how are you going to get a feel for the gun if you buy it sight unseen? If you already know how a glock feels in your hand it's no big deal, but if you want to check out the trigger on a pistol that isn't a generic off the shelf duty/carry gun? See if a higher end shotgun actually fits you?

[I Swan]

True and the brick and mortar shop just has to hope he doesn't get showroomed.

[bsg]

A lot of guns are still sold to a segment of the market that is afraid of the internet and has always bought from a brick and mortar and sees no reason to change. Many people are also impulsive and immature. And many need the reassurance of talking to an "expert" at a gun shop and wants to finger the display guns before purchase.

I need brick and mortar shops because my main interest is out of production older and off list guns and I prowl for them constantly. When I move out of state I'll be able to buy more of that type off stuff on Gunbroker without roster issues. Also I'm good at finding deals at shops if they were posted online a much greater potential market is competing against me.

If buying standard in production guns you can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to check and compare online what is best price and possibly have the gun shipped in to the cheapest transfer dealer I can find.

all good points. most all of my gun purchases are early variants of current production guns or guns that are out of production altogether. the out of state internet site is not typically where i search to find guns on my short-list.

[Merc1138]

True and the brick and mortar shop just has to hope he doesn't get showroomed.

That's where good business practices come into play. Price is going to be a factor but as long as the difference isn't massive, customer service goes a long way. Unfortunately customer service is probably the number one thing lacking in the average gun shop(even a place with nice employees can have someone suddenly start talking out of their rear, turning customers away).

Being the shop that charges $150 for a transfer doesn't work either when you can find another place that'll do it for $50 or less.

[I Swan]

I could care less usually, I need a good price, not to get my azz kissed. But only to a point, I won't be disrespected for any price savings. I don't showroom but I know people that will. Many gun shops or hobby type businesses have owners and employees that are socially inept.

[Steel Panda]

TDS in San Diego charges $75 for a transfer and will not accept from an individual. I had to go to another shop in the Miramar area that charges $40 for a transfer and DOES accept from an individual.

[I Swan]

That not accepting ship in crap from a non FFL really pisses me off. ATF and DOJ have enough laws that I don't need a FFL adding more. This type stuff can and does case me to shift my business elsewhere.

[GoatLovin]

Wow sad news. I purchased my first firearm from TDS back in '08.

[NYT]

was just at sac black rifle and overheard people talking about the reasons why TDS was closing. seems they had similar issues as we with TDS over the years.

[Mitch]

Yep. I saw that yelp on a NYC gun store that pretty much sells only to LEO, and apparently it's the ONLY store around. I think that's what's happening here.

Wat?

Here in Central OC gun shops are thriving and new ones keep opening up.