Author Topic: Wal-Mart to stop selling guns. (Read 5617 times)

coop2564 · « **on:** March 10, 2006, 06:52:50 AM »

Had a friend call this morning said his local wally world told him last night that 75% of wal-marts were discontinueing firearm sells, his store included. Anyone else heard this? :shock: :x

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:11:43 AM »

Yup, there are a couple long threads on it at RFC, same all over. Only the stores that have good firearms sales are going to still be selling them.

Tim

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126947

Norseman112 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2006, 09:37:41 AM »

Well I bet that news makes some sporting goods stores happy.

John

Moonlitin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2006, 10:14:12 AM »

The Wal-Mart that's only a couple of miles from my house is going to stop selling firearms. Fortunately for me, there is another store only 11 miles away that will continue to sell them.

I've purchased firearms from Wal-Mart in the past, and I have never had a problem with them. I've also purchased firearms from other stores who would match the everyday low, low Wal-Mart prices (even though they didn't like doing it).

I even think the "anti Wal-Mart" folks have benefited from Wal-Mart pricing because it forces other stores to be somewhat competitive.

I wonder how many stores will continue to sell firearms?

Moonlitin

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:59:38 AM »

I stop in the walmart in north myrtle beach yesterday and the saleman stated the same ,only walmart that will sell guns will be the stores that sell the most,some stores just don't sell enough he said.

bluebayou · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:00:33 PM »

Uh........no one's told us anything about it. Not that it would be surprising for WalMart to withhold info. I don't really think that I have anything to worry about in rural Oklahoma though. Even this time of the year I put my name on three or four 4473's per week.

handirifle · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:40:39 PM »

One more reason I'm glad I sold my Wal Mart stock. It's been on a steady decline for a while now.

Really ticked me off when they deserted CA. Been selling their stock ever since.

poncaguy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2006, 04:44:29 AM »

New Super WalMart opening in Ark City, KS will not be selling guns. Ponca City OK may stop as well, asked about ammo, he didn't know. My gun shop beats Wal Mart on guns, but he doesn't deal in ammo, hope it will still be available at Wally World.Shipping charges too high to get much on internet.

coldmold · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2006, 05:57:04 AM »

It would not matter to me if my local walmart quit because their sporting goods dept is really bad. They built a larger store and the sporting goods dept went way down hill. Also the only guy that knew anything there quit

nomosendero · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2006, 06:18:17 AM »

My wife in the past worked for Walmart Corporate in the Insurance Dept.,
up until 2-3 years ago they were self insured & I have worked with alot
of industrial accts. that make wiggets for Walmart & yes, they are changing. It started when Mr. Walton died but more so after the older
Corp. Man. people retired/left the company, the ones that remembered
who put them in the number 1 position, you the customer.
Now we have younger management people making decisions & like this
decision, I don't think they understand the big picture. It is logical to look
at items that are not moving well, but to drop guns in stores WILL cause a
ripple effect that will affect the store's profitability. I have noticed that stores in my area that sell alot of guns are creative, they have seminars
by famous Turkey Callers, Deer Hunters, & Safety Programs. In other words they are pro-active & actually market their sporting goods. I think
that the stores not selling alot of guns could have learned from those that
do.
Handirifle, I think your timing was good for selling your stock & we have
sold ours as well. I think we should send a signal & I am going to whether
others do or not. I will buy items from stores that still sell guns & I will not buy from those that don't. I believe this is better than not buying from them at all, some of these stores will be a few miles apart, & if the little
pencil-necked management people see the P&L numbers for the gun selling stores look better & the other stores look worse, the message will
be delivered.
JMT

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:00:23 AM »

The store I work at is #1 in gun sales in our district. At the end of the month we will not be selling guns. No reason given. I need to pay bills or I would quit. Will consider moving to another location like I can afford to move or the commute.

Happy birthday to me.

nomosendero · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:22:12 AM »

Sorry to hear that Daniel

If they are going by sales & your location has the best sales in your district, then logic would say that all stores in your district will quit selling guns and all those stores would be below their expected gun sales. Please let know later if this is the case, it will be interesting to see if other factors are at play.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:23:09 AM »

Happy birthday Daniel!!!....<><.... :grin:

Curt Dawson · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2006, 04:43:14 PM »

Stopped by the super wally world in NW OKC where I have been trying to order a Savage model 30 favorite take down model for the last month.The warehouse is out of them and they are not sure if they will get any in by early july when the do inventory and renovate the store.The sales person said that he is unsure if they will continue selling firearms but is doubtful.Just hope that I can get it before they shut it down.

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2006, 03:34:38 AM »

Thanks for the b day wish, I think one of the stores in the district will be selling guns but have yet to find out which one. Might be a drive but wating to see.

Moonlitin · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2006, 02:08:53 PM »

I decided to pick up a "Wal Mart Special" stainless Ruger 10/22 (wrong forum...I know...keep reading) before they stop selling them.

While I was there, the guy behind the counter asks me if I ever do any goose hunting. Then he points to what he called "a good deal" on some steel shot that he has "on clearance". It was Winchester Xpert Hi-Velocity Steel Shot, 12 gauge, 3 inch, 1550fps, 1 1/8 ounce, size "BB"...and it's marked down from $10 a box to $1.50. He took four boxes for himself and put them behind the counter, another customer took two boxes, I asked them both if they wanted any more...then I bought the last twenty boxes!

This is what I'm going to tell Mama when she sees that new rifle in the safe...Well dear, I spent $200 on steel shot for next goose season, and WalMart "gave me" a new stainless Ruger 10/22".

I'll let you guys know how that works for me!

You just gotta love Wal Mart!

Moonlitin

myarmor · « **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:08:48 PM »

Talked to ours today. They said they are going to stop selling too. :evil:

TrapperZach · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2006, 12:50:29 AM »

thats just great. there the only store within about 2 hours of me that sells guns or amo. every thing else has gone to archery only i like archery and all but its not the same as guns and now im gona haft to order amo and every thing. i got my first real gun from wall mart and a coup other since.

3006bluffhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2006, 03:28:05 AM »

Talked to a gal that heads the sporting goods at the super Wal....She has not heard nothing yet...Got kind of hot!!!!!She said they are only trouble to handle anyway.....Nice gal! not!Maybe thats why everything is small and medium no large & no XL in there hunting clothing.....Because that would be a bother to get us what we need.....I feel better now!

Airsporter · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2006, 01:06:50 PM »

Well, I guess that will about do it for me. I used to shop there because I could cruise the guns in sporting goods. Guess they younger generation has forgotten their roots. Wonder what Sam would say?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2006, 01:12:30 PM »

Not all Walmarts are giving up their guns, just those that don't sell many, those that have good firearms sales by whatever threshold they set, will continue to sell them.

Tim

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129772

jack19512 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2006, 02:48:48 AM »

Don't know if it is true or not but the manager of my Walmart told me 1000 stores would be involved.

Also don't know if it is true or not but a poster on another forum stated his Walmart was top seller of firearms in his area and his store was one that was not going to be selling firearms anymore.

So, I don't think anyone knows what is going to happen until it does. I hate to see this myself. I do think Walmart has been somewhat responsible for keeping the prices down in the local gun shops.

First Winchester and now Walmarts. I hope this trend doesn't continue.

lik2hunt · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2006, 03:17:39 AM »

The top 600 stores in gun sales will continue to sell guns. The others will be phased out of gun sales SLOOOOWLY. Most when they come up for remodel or a move. This could take years. The stores that are to stop selling guns will have their stock boosted in whatever their best sales are, i.e., fishing items, fitness, etc. after their remodel or move.
My particular local store is in the top 100 in the nation for gun sales and has been for several years, so I have nothing to worry about. Most of the outlying stores that are closer to the rural areas of the country are the ones that have the highest gun sales........no big surprise there.

All this info has come to me straight from the sporting goods manager here.

slayer · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2006, 01:41:19 PM »

I am going to call my local Wal Mart tommorow and see if they are on the list of nay or nay!! Thanks for posting this-Jack.

Cookiemann · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2006, 03:02:47 PM »

Found out today that my local(1mi. away) Wally is on the list to cut the firearms. I got on the Wally site and sent them an email. We will see if I get a response. I asked them which ones in my area would continue to sell firearms. There are probably a dozen within 30 miles of my home. I am fortunate to have some options. Hopefully there will be one closer rather than farther. I just hate to see this happening. It helps to keep the prices in check with Walmart as an option for us buyers. I know Gander Mountain is usually pretty close to Wally's prices and that may change if Walmart is no longer an option. We will see!

Cookiemann · « **Reply #25 on:** March 18, 2006, 04:31:57 PM »

Here is the email response that I received from Walmart. Talk about Customer Service. Same day response. That's pretty good.

Quote

At Wal-Mart, we strive to provide merchandise to meet consumer demand in a given community.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has made a business decision to remove firearms from approximately 1000 locations within the U.S. beginning March 6, 2006. This decision is based on diminished customer relevancy and demand within multiple markets.

As with all merchandise decisions that we make our decision to remove guns from Wal-Mart locations is simply based on the lack of customer demand for firearms in a given community. We will now be able to utilize our resources more effectively to provide customers with the merchandise that they wish to purchase -- and to discontinue merchandise that they show no interest in.

For a list of stores in your area that may still carry firearms please contact your local store and speak with a member of management.

Thank you,

Customer Relations

Cookieman

wtxbadger · « **Reply #26 on:** March 18, 2006, 04:33:47 PM »

Here is the response I received from Walmart this afternoon.

"Thank you for your message. At Wal-Mart, we strive to provide merchandise to meet consumer demand in a given community. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has made a business decision to remove firearms from approximately 1000 locations within the U.S. beginning March 6, 2006. This decision is based on diminished customer relevancy and demand within multiple markets. As with all merchandise decisions that we make our decision to remove guns from Wal-Mart locations is simply based on the lack of customer demand for firearms in a given community. We will now be able to utilize our resources more effectively to provide customers with the merchandise that they wish to purchase -- and to discontinue merchandise that they show no interest in. Thank you, Customer Relations For further correspondence regarding this issue, please reply to this email. ----Your Original Comments Were---- I have heard that Walmart will stop selling firearms in the near future. Is this true, and if so why has this decision been made? I have purchased several firearms from Walmart in the past and am concerned that if true this signals a change in the philosophy and beliefs of the founder of Walmart."

No real details on when, where, etc., but there it is.

wtxbadger

Cookiemann · « **Reply #27 on:** March 18, 2006, 04:38:43 PM »

Well, at least they kept us on the same page...No mixed messages like sometimes happens with H&R.
At least, I have something in writing to take to Wally tomorrow to see if I can find a local store that will still carry firearms.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 19, 2006, 03:07:11 AM »

I guess i happen to be one of the lucky ones , i have a MC Sports that sells guns right across the street from our local Walmart .

MC has had lower prices than Walmart from day one , they also sell ammo , optics and just about anything the hunter / shooter could need , the only down side is that they do not have reloading stuff ,

but their sales staff is very good and helpful .

We do have a very good gun show just about every month that fills that void though . :agree:

Cookiemann · « **Reply #29 on:** March 19, 2006, 03:56:27 AM »

That's great stimpylu32. Like I always say "If ya got it, Flaunt it". LOL
Really, we are all envious.