Should Gun Stores Be Allowed To Make A Profit?

[ugimports]

I was inspired to start this thread based on what I read a lot in these forums. Some feel that Gun Stores gouge and while I agree store's have higher prices, I do not believe it is to gouge. As others say time and time again you have the option of shopping where you wish. In light of all that I'd like to offer some visibility in to what some costs are involved in running a shop. These costs are not all inclusive and the number in fact is probably higher, but I made some assumptions and ran with that.

Let's assume an retail store of 1200 sq ft that is open 7 days a week for 10 hours per day, 365 days a year with 2 full time min wage employees + 1 owner.

Rent: $2400 / mo (@ $2/sqft)
Insurance: $300 / mo
2 minimum wage ($8 / hr) employees: $4800 / mo
Alarm System / Misc Office Expense: $500 / mo
Website, Internet, Telecom (ph/fax): $200 / mo

Total Monthly Expenses: $8200 / mo

Let's say the Gun Shop marks up items with a 10% markup. This means they need to do $80,000 / mo in sales JUST to pay expenses keeping 0 inventory. Keep this in mind when you harass gun store about their prices. My numbers here are conservative and based on some experience running my own small shop, part time. Realize my assumptions don't account for taxes that the company has to pay just to be in business and assumes the owner is making 0.

Also, shops don't always get stuffed shipped free if they are not doing high enough volume so keep that in mind too as those costs need to be passed on.

[pontiacpratt]

I'm unclear on the question... A business is to make a profit. Are you asking if they should be a non-profit organization? Or you asking should they be regulated to an "acceptable" profit margin? I vote they should make a profit and if they are asking to much then they will not get business.

[PolishMike]

Why would a business not be allowed to make a profit? Anyone who answers no is a communist

[dominic]

Of course they should be able to make a profit. The customer can always go somewhere else if they don't like the price, thats the incentive for the business to be competitive in the marketplace.

[CSACANNONEER]

Apparently some people here don't think so.

See here:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=278487

It seems to me that certain people feel that they should personally be able to dictate just how much profit, if any, a store can make.

[ugimports]

Apparently some people here don't think so.

See here:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=278487

It seems to me that certain people feel that they should personally be able to dictate just how much profit, if any, a store can make.

It was mainly a rhetorical question, but I wanted to give some perspective to those that think gun stores in Cali should be dirt cheap or should be able to easily be competitive to internet based pricing.

To one of the other posters, no this didn't have to do with gun stores being NPOs.

I've read numerous threads where folks complain and complain about pricing and why isn't it like factory direct, etc...

[Cokebottle]

I'm willing to pay for anything.
I'm willing to pay for availability and customer service.

If I walk into your shop, it's empty (or the employees outnumber the customers 3:2), but your staff won't give me the time of day because they're busy chit-chatting with other employees, screw them... your prices had better be good.

If I walk into your shop and ask for some ammo and I'm told that it's on order and to check back in a week.... screw that, I can order it online, cheaper, and I won't have to worry that the 2 cases you get "in a week" will sell before I can get there.

But I'm Mr. Instant Gratification. If I walk into your store with a hair up my butt to buy ammo, you have 4 cases available, and it's 10% or even 20% more than it's available online, you've got a sale.

If I walk in to do a PPT and I'm greeted without attitude, and with an employee eager to complete the transfer, when I'm looking to buy a new gun, even if you are 10% more than Turner's, you can bet that I'll be checking out your shop first.


Customer service and spare parts availability has a value, and that's a value that I'm willing to pay for.
But on parts availability, if I'm going to have to come back to pick it up, I may as well order it online and save a trip.
I do the same thing with motorcycle parts.

[chickenfried]

thread title
Should Gun Stores Be Allowed To Make A Profie? yes

poll title
Should Gun Stores make a Profit? That's up to the people that run it. If they're doing things right customers couldn't resist the store anymore than a deer could resist a salt lick.

[XYZ]

Since the 2nd amendment is the need for a well regulated militia for the security of a free state I think the government should provide rebate checks or offer tax credits to arm every American

[50BMGBOB]

I try to always get from a local shop as opposed to the internet/mail order. It is not just the guns that keep a local gun shop in bussiness. There are some things that I do get online, when the local price is way higher, but if it is close, I will pay more at the local shop instead. Will you can get some things through the mail, you can't get your guns that way.

[hollowpoint67]

its a business, if you arent in it to make a profit then what are u doing?

theres a difference between profit and ripping people off.

SO:

Yes they should be allowed to make a profit, but they should be aware of the market they are in and be available to match competitors and the internet.

[ChrisTKHarris]

As long as Obama stays out of it gun shops will try to make a PROFIT.

[CSACANNONEER]

As long as Obama stays out of it gun shops will try to make a PROFIT.

Too late! Many gun stores, across the country, have declared Obama to be their number one sales person of last year!

[ChrisTKHarris]

Too late! Many gun stores, across the country, have declared Obama to be their number one sales person of last year!

LOL yeah that's true I guess, he's using reverse psychology to get us to BUY guns out of fear.

[chrisw]

Yes gun stores should make a profit and yes, I want to keep as much of my hard earned $$$ as I can, so of course I'm going to try to find a good price. Sure, support your local business etc... but when I can buy a gun somewhere, have it shipped, pay a local FFL's fees AND it's still cheaper than the local store, why shouldn't I?

Sorry, that's business.