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Lost a Sale to Bud's Tonight
Ricci Wright
Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
Customer comes in today and rents and shoots our Ruger LC9-S rental gun today. One of my guys spends time with the man going over several different small 9mm handguns discussing different options for holsters and ammo etc, maybe 20 minutes. Customer thanks us leaves and returns this evening wanting to know if we will match Bud's price which is exactly $12.00 over our cost so if he pays with a credit card we actually lose money on the deal. I explain we can't match the price and he thanks us and says he will order from Bud's. We will not receive any gun from Bud's and neither will most of the other shops in town. A lot of the guns folks order from Bud's are shipped directly from a distributors warehouse so Bud's doesn't have to have them in stock and has no overhead cost. Sports South and some other distributors ship for Buds but many have stopped due to pressure from small shops like us. I realize everybody wants a great deal but the shops have to make a living or there won't be any gun shops to receive transfers. And doesn't service and expertise count for something?
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I guess not to that guy..The fact y'all spent time iwth him should count for something...For $12 I would have went with the guy I know...JMHO.
Customer comes in today and rents and shoots our Ruger LC9-S rental gun today. One of my guys spends time with the man going over several different small 9mm handguns discussing different options for holsters and ammo etc, maybe 20 minutes. Customer thanks us leaves and returns this evening wanting to know if we will match Bud's price which is exactly $12.00 over our cost so if he pays with a credit card we actually lose money on the deal. I explain we can't match the price and he thanks us and says he will order from Bud's. We will not receive any gun from Bud's and neither will most of the other shops in town. A lot of the guns folks order from Bud's are shipped directly from a distributors warehouse so Bud's doesn't have to have them in stock and has no overhead cost. Sports South and some other distributors ship for Buds but many have stopped due to pressure from small shops like us. I realize everybody wants a great deal but the shops have to make a living or there won't be any gun shops to receive transfers. And doesn't service and expertise count for something?
That's your problem not his...welcome to the world of the internet..Try not to let this happen to you again! Look into what Buds is doing... There is a Boat Store up the street from me that sells in the store are will sell to you on line....Heres the deal, if you walk into the store and ask for a part,he has a higher price than on line...Example, my wifes pontoon boat bent a prop, and I went there to replace it..The owner said the one in the store was 500.00...but if I went home and ordered from their online store it would be much cheaper..to the tune of 200.00....a savings of 200.00, and I had to pick it up from the store when it came in....Wow, is that marketing?Look into this way of selling..[;)]
You found a woman with a boat?? [:D][:D]
[:D][:D]
And doesn't service and expertise count for something?
sure does. they the service and expertise from you, and got the gun from Bud's. [|)]
I have an FFL holder I use for all my transfers, a d whenever I am looking for a new firearm, I call him.
If he can get within $100.00 or 10% (depending upon value) of what I would pay at a large store, he gets the business.
I really wish more supposedly patriotic gun owners would support local mom and pop stores and realize it is worth a little extra to do that and buy American at the same time.
Brad Steele
side note, pwillie, what happened to the other 100 bucks on that prop.[:D]
btw, that S&W model 1913 that I posted about 3 weeks ago... now it's on the top shelf and they raised the price from $345 to $534.
Everyone should support local businesses as much as they can....especially on standard mess like an LC9 that has such a tiny mark up. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting a deal on things when I can....but $12....really???? I guess his time is worth a lot less than mine.
They are selling stuff they do now have in stock (as mentioned above).
added:
A couple of weeks ago, I got my hands on a pair of 38's. But, I'm still trying for a pair of 44's.[:D]
Most of our customers are regular folks. Many are repeat customers.
We price our guns as best as we can. People do not understand that most of the on line guys have almost no overhead. Hook up with Sport South, give some house wife a computer and pay her $7.25 an hour to work, don't pay anything in benefits AND, not a f***ing clue as to what they are selling.
Any one ever meet Bud? What a whore and trailer park trash.
And yes, I would say that to his face, no problem. He found a market, the people who don't give a rats * if the local dealer stays in business or not, as long as they get THEIR price.
Come on, please tell me, is $20 - 30.00 that important on a $800-1000.00 gun? Really?
WalMart has done a great job with selling the American people a bill of goods. Price over any kind of service. Most people don't have a clue as to what the over head is in a gun shop. If all you have is a computer and an inventory list from Sport South and RSR was doing it too, what are your costs? Do they pay any insurance ? Have to have storage ? People who can work with a customer and help them with questions ?
Father and son walk in.......father wants a Nikon scope. We have it for $199.99. He said that Gander Mountain has it for $179.99, would I match. I asked if he was going mount it or have Gander do it. He said Gander would mount and bore-sight for $30.00. I said, out policy is, if you buy the scope from us, mounting and bore sighting is FREE on most guns. Yeah he says, but the scope is cheaper at Gander. Then the kid speaks up and trys to tell his father that the price at Gander for the scope and mounting would be $209.99, here it would be $199.99, and we have to drive back to Gander. He couldn't grasp the math. The kid tells him to just buy from us. The old man starts in again about it is cheaper at Gander...........
A $30.00 charge from a BIG store, who doesn't give a f*** about any customer is better than FREE service from a small home town dealer.
A guy wanted a price today on a Glock 41 MOS. My standard question to the person is, " Are you shopping this around? I do my best to match prices, I love to dance, but only with my wife, so please tell me what you have found and I will do my best." He throws out a price from a shop about 28 miles away, that is $30.00 over my cost as a Glock stocking dealer. I ask how he is paying. He says with a credit card. That $30.00 then take a 2.8% credit card fee, the store grosses a huge $10.41. I told him that I could not match that price on a credit card, but would on cash. He left.
Question.......... If tomorrow you went to work and all you had to look forward was $10.41, would you even get out of bed???????
Wouldn't you be making $30 on the transfer for 10 minutes of "work" for doing the transfer? Sounds like a good deal to me. How much would you make on the gun if you had sold it to him?
Not to mention you'd be able to sell him ammo, holster, and a gun cleaning kit.
Sounds like you just swept money on out the door.
20 minutes with a cust.try spending an hour with a cust. and not able to close the deal. I am in the hvac bisiness and my sales staff lose 20 to 30% of sales due to price.I guess it is all part of doing business. I am guilty of doing what your cust. did. Every gun shop or show I go to, I have my phone ready to check a price. I mostly compare prices with GunBroker auctions.
side note, pwillie, what happened to the other 100 bucks on that prop.[:D]
Why my pocket of course...[:D][:D]
Why wouldn't you accept a transfer from Buds??
Wouldn't you be making $30 on the transfer for 10 minutes of "work" for doing the transfer? Sounds like a good deal to me. How much would you make on the gun if you had sold it to him?
Not to mention you'd be able to sell him ammo, holster, and a gun cleaning kit.
Sounds like you just swept money on out the door.
No, the people who deal with Buds and his kind, do not spent money at the local dealers. They get all their stuff off the inter net.
We do transfers. The people who are getting some gun that is used, collectible or neat, do buy ammo, cleaning kits and other items.
The guy who buys his Glock, Kimber, Benelli, SIG or what ever from place 'cause it is cheap, do not spend any money in the store.
Question.......... If tomorrow you went to work and all you had to look forward was $10.41, would you even get out of bed???????
I'd get a better job.
quote:Originally posted by 44pinshooter
Question.......... If tomorrow you went to work and all you had to look forward was $10.41, would you even get out of bed???????
I'd get a better job.
"Bang" ...bullseye
quote:Originally posted by rogue_rob
Why wouldn't you accept a transfer from Buds??
Wouldn't you be making $30 on the transfer for 10 minutes of "work" for doing the transfer? Sounds like a good deal to me. How much would you make on the gun if you had sold it to him?
Not to mention you'd be able to sell him ammo, holster, and a gun cleaning kit.
Sounds like you just swept money on out the door.
No, the people who deal with Buds and his kind, do not spent money at the local dealers. They get all their stuff off the inter net.
We do transfers. The people who are getting some gun that is used, collectible or neat, do buy ammo, cleaning kits and other items.
The guy who buys his Glock, Kimber, Benelli, SIG or what ever from place 'cause it is cheap, do not spend any money in the store.
I still wouldn't be throwing out money for a transfer.
There will always be the people that place price above service.
If you spread your legs for every sale you won't be in business long. Good customers know where to buy. You don't need the type that will cut your throat for 20 bucks.
$500 for a prop on a HOUSEBOAT??? How damn big is it? Must have either a big bronze propeller/screw, or a Stainless Steel prop...
Fish...son, you need toreadmy post!... I said pontoon boat,and yes it is stainless...[:o)]
I to am a Mom & Pop FFL, have been for 35 years. When we opened we had 6 Shops within 25 miles of us ,and still made a living. How, buy being competitive, offering layaways, and by just listening to what the customer wanted. The internet arrives and only 1 Shop is left. I could compete with the other Shops, but not with the internet. As a dealer our markups are usually just a little higher than on line and we have regular hours. Customers shop today by computer at their place of employment or on their smartphone. Yes, we do transfers for $35.00 plus state tax, and do approx 20 per month. The customer gets $35.00 worth of service(the transfer), and no instruction or pointers on the care, cleaning or disassembly.We did at one time offer this, but we sold very little ammo, holsters or other add ons, so we stopped. When the customer arrives, we present the shipping box and a box cutter, and watch their faces when it's the wrong caliber, color or model. Yes, the $700.00 a month in transfer fees is paying the lights and taxes.We do list used firearms on GB, and a few hard to get new models as well, and sell approx 30 per month Our FFL expires in 2017, and we will then make a decision.
Your doing the deal,and know your business..
I am sorry you lost a sale.
But in business its volume and the new generation is all into saving a buck. Selfish
Ros
I purchased an item from fleabay. Couple weeks later it arrived. Return address was ..........China.
They are selling stuff they do now have in stock (as mentioned above).
added:
A couple of weeks ago, I got my hands on a pair of 38's. But, I'm still trying for a pair of 44's.[:D]
Your too dam old for that sorta stuff LOL!
quote:Originally posted by 44pinshooter
quote:Originally posted by rogue_rob
Why wouldn't you accept a transfer from Buds??
Wouldn't you be making $30 on the transfer for 10 minutes of "work" for doing the transfer? Sounds like a good deal to me. How much would you make on the gun if you had sold it to him?
Not to mention you'd be able to sell him ammo, holster, and a gun cleaning kit.
Sounds like you just swept money on out the door.
No, the people who deal with Buds and his kind, do not spent money at the local dealers. They get all their stuff off the inter net.
We do transfers. The people who are getting some gun that is used, collectible or neat, do buy ammo, cleaning kits and other items.
The guy who buys his Glock, Kimber, Benelli, SIG or what ever from place 'cause it is cheap, do not spend any money in the store.
I still wouldn't be throwing out money for a transfer.
We do not turn away transfers.
They are a fair amount of our business.
Yes. $30.00 on a transfer is EASY money. We can not go and order a gun and sell it for a gross profit of $10.41.
Matching prices on the inter-net and doing transfers are 2 different things.
Taking a $30.00 transfer fee is easy, even when they pay with a credit card, it comes out to a gross of $29.16.
Ordering or taking a gun out of stock for $10.41 isn't good business.
Yes, we even do transfers from Buds, only, we warn the customer if their is problem with the gun, it is THEIR problem, not ours. Buds is a real pain to work with if there is problem with the gun.
You folks think gun retail sales is tough...you should have been in the fresh retail seafood business....I was never undersold,we used loss leaders,advertised cheap get you in the store prices and then switch (learned it from Sears) you to a higher priced item.
Wow, mighty dishonest. I prefer to treat people decently, but I realize I'm not going to get rich that way.
quote:Originally posted by pwillie
You folks think gun retail sales is tough...you should have been in the fresh retail seafood business....I was never undersold,we used loss leaders,advertised cheap get you in the store prices and then switch (learned it from Sears) you to a higher priced item.
Wow, mighty dishonest. I prefer to treat people decently, but I realize I'm not going to get rich that way.
Dishonest?....Why do you say that?...you do business with people very day that does worse than that...I didn't have a "gun" to their heads like the utility's do...They didn't have to buy anything from me,but they were convinced that I had what they wanted...That's ever day life!Thats business...
quote:Originally posted by pwillie
You folks think gun retail sales is tough...you should have been in the fresh retail seafood business....I was never undersold,we used loss leaders,advertised cheap get you in the store prices and then switch (learned it from Sears) you to a higher priced item.
Wow, mighty dishonest. I prefer to treat people decently, but I realize I'm not going to get rich that way.
I don't think the old "look at what ELSE we have" switch is dishonest. I'm a sucker for these things. I run off somewhere thinking THATS A DEAL....but something shiny catches my eye and next thing you know I've spent 4X what I meant to. Its not the seller's fault! I'm weak!!!!! [:D]
quote:Originally posted by rogue_rob
quote:Originally posted by 44pinshooter
quote:Originally posted by rogue_rob
Why wouldn't you accept a transfer from Buds??
Wouldn't you be making $30 on the transfer for 10 minutes of "work" for doing the transfer? Sounds like a good deal to me. How much would you make on the gun if you had sold it to him?
Not to mention you'd be able to sell him ammo, holster, and a gun cleaning kit.
Sounds like you just swept money on out the door.
No, the people who deal with Buds and his kind, do not spent money at the local dealers. They get all their stuff off the inter net.
We do transfers. The people who are getting some gun that is used, collectible or neat, do buy ammo, cleaning kits and other items.
The guy who buys his Glock, Kimber, Benelli, SIG or what ever from place 'cause it is cheap, do not spend any money in the store.
I still wouldn't be throwing out money for a transfer.
We do not turn away transfers.
They are a fair amount of our business.
Yes. $30.00 on a transfer is EASY money. We can not go and order a gun and sell it for a gross profit of $10.41.
Matching prices on the inter-net and doing transfers are 2 different things.
Taking a $30.00 transfer fee is easy, even when they pay with a credit card, it comes out to a gross of $29.16.
Ordering or taking a gun out of stock for $10.41 isn't good business.
Yes, we even do transfers from Buds, only, we warn the customer if their is problem with the gun, it is THEIR problem, not ours. Buds is a real pain to work with if there is problem with the gun.
The OP said they didn't accept guns from Buds. I wasn't talking about you.
As a matter of principle, I have never ever, ordered a cigar online. I like the characters and personality a cigar shop (or gun shop) has to offer.
I'm not sure what the answer is for guys like your customer. It's kind of ballsy to demand a price match, particularly when if you price match, you're actually selling it $40-60 cheaper because he's not paying any shipping or ffl transfer fees.
I think in the day and age of online sales, simply put, the. customer isn't always right.
There's a book called "the high price of cheap". Maybe put a copy next to your register for display...
Its funny to see someone say "I can get that for $_______ cheaper on line" and then ask the price of some rare thing they spot. When you say "I can get $______ for this on line" their tunes seem to change somewhat.
On readily available stuff, my local transfer FFL can often give me an out the door price below the auction price, before shipping and CC fees. He gets my business. But he can't get everything, and then he gets my transfer business. I also ship though him and consign with him. Works for both of us.