What do you want/need?..... opinions needed!....

[STOGIE]

I've been givin a kind of assignment and I'm turning to you guys for your opinions... in a kind of brainstorming kinda thread....

What would you like to see offered by your local Gun Shop that they don't offer already?
...and/or...
What kind of services does your favorite gun shop offer that you haven't seen at any other shops around?

and any other service ideas that you think would help in boosting business?

Thanks in advance!

[agalindo]

Bullets, lead, plated, FMJ, etc.. Not loaded ammo but just the bullets.

[tigertonytigger]

I dont know about you all but I have 3 or 4 local gun shops that are just little family run places in my area. The only complaint I have it the customer service. Everyone that works in these stores knows all about guns but they have no selling experience at all and almost all of them are A$$H@le$. Just one time I would like to walk in and feel welcome and be treated like a customer and all that. Other then that I have never put much thought into what else they could do.

[speedracer211]

Originally Posted by agalindo

Bullets, lead, plated, FMJ, etc.. Not loaded ammo but just the bullets.

Yup. A better selection of reloading stuff. Some simple things like extra depriming pins, reasonably priced flip top ammo boxes.

[STOGIE]

I'd like to see of course more products; accessories, ammo, guns of all kinds (but that goes without saying), Basic gunsmith classes for the beginners, IDPA, IPSC & USPSA training sessions, self defense scenario lessons, maybe an outreach and education classes for children and parents together and promoting the NRA in a family atmosphere, Question & answer sessions with local, state, and National representatives, an intranet keyosk for customers to surf the shop's website for orders/ideas to free up some of the staff for face to face service.

[Niner4Tango]

Ammo. Not empty shelves, but ammo

Oh, and Cuban cigars.

[jj79]

a good selection of holsters from various makers would be nice....

also, a good target selection. i.e., not just 100 yd sight-in targets, or b-27 silhouettes...

[VanPelt]

somebody willing to talk to me about reloading. Interested, but just don't have a clue where to start. I know I'm not the only one. Maybe a "reloading class for dummies".

Youth guns. It's been soooo much easier to go to the gun range since I bought my 8 year old a youth bolt action 22.

[Synapse]

More accessories for a wider array of weapons. More firearms in stock (in general). More trade ins (kind of out of their control), more consignment weapons, etc. The local place (ok, well, not so local but its not that far of a drive) offers a wide array of free rentals if you buy at least a box of ammo. Better than paying $10-15 to rent a firearm to see if you like it PLUS the ammo, they'll let you try out just about anything. Heck, I wanted to try out a Stoeger Cougar and they didn't have one as a rental and the guy grabbed a new one and put everything in the rental area and handed it to me with a box of 9mm with a smile.

Now that's service! I understand most places can't do this though...but it'd be nice if you bought a common firearm if they had accessories for it. Going into a place with 20+ XD's in stock and not a SINGLE magazine is a little annoying.

[Heavy]

Knife sharpening service. I personally don't need it...I am kind of a freak about keeping a sharp edge on my blades but that would be a nice service to offer people.

Picture this...Guy walks in off the street, guy behind the counter strikes up a conversation and at some point it goes to knives.

He asks the customer, what kind of knife do you carry?

Customer answers. Been carrying this Benchmade for some time. He pulls it out.

Would you like us to throw an edge on that while we talk? No charge...

Wow...sure thanks!


Now you tell me...would that customer tell that story to his buddies? Darn right he will...

Be sure you have someone who really knows how to sharpen by the way...If you screw up that customers knife he will tell that story to. (And yes my services are available...)


One other thing. I hate walking into a gun store and feeling like I just walked into some good old boys club.

Like the music stops and everyone turns and just stares.

How about no matter what everyone is greeted and asked if they could be helped.