Wal-Mart

[BruceP]

Mac, I didn't think your post sounded harsh at all so no sweat. I'll be the first to admit I sometimes have a problem getting whats in my head to come out the way I mean it when speaking. When I'm typing it's even worse. I do also agree that we need as many converts as we can get however we can get them.
Now as to my thought about the above post by dread. Folks I have never bought a firearm at Walmart and I can understand walking someone who just bought a gun out of the store. Maybe even to their car. But, when they tell me I have to leave right now and can not even place the firearm in my car and return to the store, they better hope I just bought something I can not buy elsewhere for any price with in reason, because if not I would be asking them to escort me back to the store for my refund. I would rather pay more to buy from someone who believes in my rights than to get a deal from someone who does not.
BruceP

[Mac11700]

Bruce-P:

I really don't think we can fix everybody :wink:  no matter what we do.The only thing I would do is talk to the store manager and try to get in touch with the regional one as well. I had to do it in Illinois when they wanted me to show my F.O.I.D card to buy ammo....I didn't do it then and had a-lot of trouble convincing them that it wasn't necessary to do it,but finally won out.Sometimes they come up with the most stupidest rules to think of...

Mac

[LibertyShip]

I've never bought a gun at El Wal Mart and probably won't.  I have a couple of good, independent store front gun stores and they always give me good, fair prices.  Maybe not as cheap as Wal Mart, but I like to do what I can to keep them in business.  They were there for me before Wal Mart and will be there in case the Million Soccor Moms one day convince Wal Mart not to sell guns. Wal Mart might sell guns today, but it answers to a board who answers to shareholders who, generally, dont' give a damn about our rights.  The more independent FFL's there are, the harder it is for the enemy to choke off our supplies.

Besides, the last time I tried to buy .45-70 ammo at Wal Mart, the gun guy denied that such a thing existed and kept pushing .45 ACP across the counter at me.  When I tried to explain that the .45-70 was longer with a rimmed rather than a rimless case (I had to explain that), the light bulb appeared over his head and he came back with a box of .45 Colt.  He absolutely denied that such a rifle cartrtidge as the .45-70 existed.  It almost got confrontational.  To make matters worse, a browsing customer got into the discussion and took his side!!!!  I finally left and drove the extra two miles to my local gun store.

[Scotsman1886]

I feel mixxed feelings about the Wally World thing.
I have 3 Handi's I got at gunshops,(45-70..243+223).
I just ordered a 22lr from Wally World just to see how it worked.

I'll see how I feel after I have it.

[Badnews Bob]

I feel sorry for some of you guys around here they gather up the boxes and whatnot while you fill out the yellow sheet, when your done they call it in take your money and you walk out with your new purchase 10 mins or less usualy, Just did it yesterday for a new pistol, Still won't do it at wallys place.  Also rumor mill has it that wallys guns are not top shelf items that they get sent the dregs. Not diffrent guns just not top notch eighther

[MSP Ret]

HI BNB, I heard that rumor also about Wal-Mart getting second rate guns. Did some checking, they (and you) get what you order. If Walmart orders a lesser model designation (Standard vs. Deluxe) thats what you get. But all models are equal from dealer to dealer. As far as a lesser quality of the same model (the dregs) not so. Walmart orders from the same distributor as many other dealers (SportsSouth). When an order is placed the next gun is taken out of stock to fill the order. It doesn't matter if the next order for the little inexpensive H&R Sportster .22 LR is ordered by "Safari International Gun Room" and sold for $165.00 or Wal-Mart and sold for $103.62 (what I paid for my .22 Mag plus 5% tax last week), the next gun in stock from the distributor is sent out.  The guns are the same, it's the service that stinks, took me over a hour just to pick mine up and they forgot to have me sign a state form!!)....<><.... :shock:

[Badnews Bob]

Rumors are usauly just that rumors, I certinly don't know how they do it. I am just a humble consumer if you will. :-D I spent to much time in the military to put much faith in rumors, more like I'll belive it when I see it sort.

[Big Blue]

I went to Walmart today, and asked to see their order book. They do have decent prices. Basic Handi rifles for $184.00, and the synthetic Handis are $194.00. Half down, the rest when you pick it up. These guns list at Sports South, Inc. for $265.00, and $275.00 respectivly. That's a 30% discount.
Don

[MSP Ret]

Big Blue, Not that I'm a know it all, as a matter of fact many times I'm a know nothing, just ask my wife. BUT, the prices you see at Sports South Distributors are "SSSRP" which means "Sports South Suggested Retail Price". Just something to show the customer!!  They sell them to FFL holders for much less. As an example, Wal-Mart buys all thier H&R guns  from Sports South wholesale and then retails them to you. My new .22 Mag Sportster lists at Sports South for $146.52, it  just cost me $103.62 plus tax from Wal-Mart and they got it from SportsSouth and made money on the deal!! Don't let those SSSRP's fool you...<><.... :grin:

[Big Blue]

MSP Ret,
  Just like a new car sticker price, Sports South suggested retail, is something to ignore. It does however give you a good idea of what the guns will go for, if you know the discount on them.
Don

[BamBams]

Now if you had come in to my small gun shop:

1) You've gotten all the free coffee you could drink.
2) Donuts are usually available also - for free.
3) You'd have probably made a couple lifetime friends.
4) I'd have called "Bruce" (owner of Sportsouth) and even put ya on the phone with him.
5) You could sit and watch hunting/shooting videos while your background check goes through.
6) We'd have given you a free sample of "FP-10"
7) You could get one copy of all our gun manufacture catalogs.
You'd have been encouraged to join our local 2nd Amendment organization.
9) You could get the scoop on any local shooting range.
10) You'd have left with a smile.  :lol:

Our Motto:  "Excellent Service - Reasonable Prices"

[MSP Ret]

BamBams, I would much rather go to a small local dealer. I grew up buying guns from local guys who had FFL's and sold out of their basement shops and all. However our wonderful liberal leaders have decided that to many terrorists buy guns from good local guys who keep all their record books up to date and personally know their customers(). As a result of this most local dealers around here have closed up, to much paperwork and harassment. A Trooper I knew of in Maine used to have an FFL and sold guns out of his home, I was told (by those that KNOW) that those wonderful guys from ATF harassed him so much he gave it up. The ATF monkeys said they knew all cops are gun nuts and sell illegally, even though everytime they went to his home and checked the books, and they did it much more "regularly" than they did it to other dealers, the books were all in order. They way I look at it who better to be a gun dealer that a Trooper or Police Officer who knows and understands guns as well as they know criminals. Bad guy, wanted guy comes in to buy a gun they arrest him!!.  What a world we live in, up is down, good is bad. I wish I could go back in time and go to a small local gunshop, they are few and far between now, at least around here....<><....

[scruffy]

Hey BamBam, can you open a branch in central Iowa.? Please?  

later,
scruffy

[handirifle]

I have 3 dealers within 10 miles of me.  One is a good source for reloading stuff, but he flat out charges suggested list for everything.  the next is a "friend" and he has given me good deals but they are hit and miss.  The third can match Wal Marts "cutthroat" prices.  I know how Wal mart gets their prices but I do not think it applies to guns.  Most dealers get them for the same price, just have a higher mark-up.  I guess they need it to survive.  Funny thing is all stores used to think that way till Sam Walton decided he could make more money in volume sales.

I wonder which idea will prove out in the long run, Hmmmmm?
I don't begrudge Wal Mart for how they operate.  He is just someone that came up with a better sales mousetrap.  Believe me if those suppliers don't want to sell through Wal mart, they don't have to, but they want high volume sales too.

Take a look at the marketing tools used by Home depot or Lowes.  Same idea, trust me.  I read a book written by the guy that started Home Depot.  It's eith move on or die.  Maybe gunshops should stop whinning and learn how to better market the stuff.

Funny how one shop (little guy) can sell it for $199 and the next guy HAS TO HAVE $275 to stay in business.  by the way, both of these are storefront shops and have been in their same locations MANY years.

I buy from dealers whenever I feel they are giving me a fair deal. If not I wont.

[handirifle]

I say nothing wrong with buying from either as long as we support both and both are willing to support us.  Wal Mart has a hunting show on the outdoor channel and is very vocal about it's support.  Even here in Kalifornia, where they do not currently sell guns, they will be by the fall again.

[raggeldy]

Yesterday I decided I needed to get a rossi .357 single shot. First gun shop salesman was A real A**Hole (wanted to charge an extra $50 because I told him where one was in stock after he told me his regular dealer didnt stock them) then proceded to tell me I didnt realy need that what i needed was a 336 marlin they had in stock ect.  Second dealer seemed lost when I asked him if he would order one for me, no prob on the order just couldnt tell me within 30 or 40 dollars what it would cost. So...I tried walmart no prob 10 min later its orderd $18 refundable deposit they call when its  in. I  belive they will to have frends localy who have had much the same experience I had with the local gun shops so went to walmart. Dont know about your local walmarts  but I have 2 localy who have mostly shooters and hunters on staf in sporting goods, they seem to genuanly want to satisfy customers. Havve witnesed and been involved with helping answer customers questions several times. So u decide am I unlucky to have poor local gun shops or lucky tohave itseems unusaly good service at my local walmarts.  By theway im in south west missouri strong hunting shooting community here mabey that has someto do with the diffrence. The manager walking you out with the gun or not selling ammo for the gun as Ihave heard some practice isnt something that happens here you buy the gun buy the ammo and go with it, seems to be local management decissions

[patm41]

I wont buy any fire arm related product from Walmart... I go to my local dealer ,,where they know me by name , have a pot of coffee there for me.
and get the respect i deserve for spending my money with my dealer..

[Haywire Haywood]

The last time I tried to buy .45-70 ammo at Wal Mart, the gun guy denied that such a thing existed and kept pushing .45 ACP across the counter at me.  When I tried to explain that the .45-70 was longer with a rimmed rather than a rimless case (I had to explain that), the light bulb appeared over his head and he came back with a box of .45 Colt.  He absolutely denied that such a rifle cartrtidge as the .45-70 existed.  It almost got confrontational.  To make matters worse, a browsing customer got into the discussion and took his side!!!!  I finally left and drove the extra two miles to my local gun store.

I would have driven straight to a local gun shop, bought a box of Rem or Win 45-70 even if it wasn't exactly what I was looking for and gone back to that guy.
I went to Wally world a couple years ago and asked the guy in the blue vest if they carried any Bipods.  He looked at me like a monkey doing a math problem.  He had absolutely no clue what I was talking about and to put the frosting on the cake, his little blue vest had a patch sewn on that said "Certified Sports Expert".  
In good humor, I said "Doesn't that patch say "Certified Sports Expert"?  And you don't know what a bipod is?  You're fired.  Go ahead and clock out now."  As I turned to walk away, his mouth dropped open to garage door size proportions, and he managed to studder "Excuse me sir, who are you again?"  I expained to him that I was just yanking his chain.  I left with a grin from ear to ear and bought a Harris from the local gunshop.

Ian

[MSP Ret]

HH, That was a great line to the "Blue vested wonder", I wish I was there to see the look on his face. In my area Wal-Mart only seems to hire only know-nothings and gun haters to work in that section of the store- ....<><.... :grin:

[DislocatedOkie]

Well, the local Wal-Mart here has a mix of know nothings and good ol' boys.  There are two of 4 people I have seen in there that seem to know what they are doing and can at least carry on an intelligent conversation regarding guns and hunting.  One of the other two blue-vested-wonders is the master of the blank look, and the other handed me a box of Federal bulk .22LR ammo when I told him I was looking for 20 Gauge slugs...

There is another retail chain here called Bi-Mart that is 180° the other way!  I went in there looking for some specific types of ammo to shoot-in a new-to-me Ruger MK2. I walk up to the counter, and there is a blue-haired old lady behind the counter.  I rolled my eyes quietly (my wife swears she can hear it when I roll my eyes), and start scanning the shelves behind the counter.  She sees me and asks if she can help.  I tell her I need ot pick up a variety of 22LR ammo to find out what a new pistol likes.  She asks what kind of pistol, and I tell her it is a Ruger Mk2... "Oh, mine has the 10" bull barrel and really shoots the Remington Target ammo weel.  You should try it, and try some of this one..." all the while setting up boxes of ammo on the counter!  After about an hour of conversation with her, it turns out that she and her huisband hunt most of Eastern Oregon and have for years.  Also, this particular store send their employees to "camp "every other year...a week long group outing where they fish, shoot and generally play with all of the sporting goods items they sell!  If you have not been to camp, you will not be allowed to work alone in SG!  I have been back in there several times since, and have yet to find anyone who has mastered the blank look, or cannot at tthe very least find the SG lead who can answer my questions.

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I was impressed!  Also, any of you local folks, this is the Bi-Mart on 4TH Plain, East of SR-503, and the blue-haired-lady is named Sherry (I hope she don't read this and make the connection  )

  --DislocatedOkie