Family Firearms Sales in COS

[ffsales]

Chad, I'm happy to see your explanation of the situation. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out.

I understand very well the difficulties of retail and small business, good job making it work.

Part of the excitement of getting a new firearm for me is finding a good deal. I do like to find the best price when possible, it's part of the hunt. I understand that I'm typically going to pay more from the local places and that's valuable to me. It's more justifiable when they have a unique item I'm not familiar with and they can teach me about it or add something of value to the experience. But on an everyday item that can be found easily at any number of outlets, a regular old Springfield Loaded 1911, I don't think paying more for a used one than most stores have new ones for makes sense. Unless it's coming with the worlds best cup of coffee or a hilarious joke it's the same as any other out there. If the consumer is taking more time to scour the market than the retailer then the retailer is going to have a tough time.

I've noticed your stores Armslist ads and they trend towards the very high end of prices out there. A companies internet presence will often determine whether I take the extra step to visit their brick and mortar store. I hope your store does have the jokes and coffee to make the prices worthwhile but the prices online and in the store outweighed the other factors and helped form my poor impression.

I'm impressed you came and laid out your thoughts here, thanks for taking the time to do it.

haha good jokes and coffee if you ask! We had one review of a guy scolding us for joking and having fun. I kid you not! Can't please everyone! I have noticed a trend with people on Facebook groups and forums and they are more price conscience. We don't compete well based solely on price. That's not our market, never will be. No brick and mortar store can compete with online prices. Our niche is having hard to get items, tons of quality and cool AR parts, friendly and knowledgeable staff, the best, low drag, customer service around, and we will cut up and joke once we get to know you! :-) Once we really get to know you, you will be part of the jabbing going on as well haha

[theGinsue]

COAR family, I've been monitoring this thread and would like to thank everyone participating here for remaining respectful in their posts. Too often, both here at COAR15 and elsewhere, we see these types of discussions turn hateful and nasty. I'm very appreciative that we're able to keep this conversation civil and exchange our ideas and opinions respectfully. Good job everone.

I can easily see both sides of this issue. Firearms retailers have to make money or face going out of business and consumers always want the best deal they can find, particularly in todays uncertain economic climate.

As a consumer, I'm willing to adjust my out of pocket margin a bit based on how I'm treated by the retailer. I'm friends with the owners of two Colorado Springs firearms retailers (nether of which are related to Family Firearms) These friendships go back to before either owner opened their stores. One of these retailers has always treated me well as a consumer (no special discounts, just good respectful interaction). This business will continue to see my wallet open for them. The other business, which I provided several hours of pro-bono IT assistance to when they opened and I gave a full tanned elk hide to them to enhance their decor, offered to sell me a used 1911 for more than I bought a new one (same make/model) elsewhere (this price was offered by the owner, not an employee). I've known that owner for more than 25 years and to say that I was hurt by this is an understatement. While I'll maintain my friendship with the owner, this business will never see another dollar from me.

In the end it's about respect. If the retailer is respectful to me I will reward them with my business. Similarly, if I'm respectful to the business I expect them to recipicate, even if it isn't something that lowers the cost of the item(s) I'm looking to purchase. What I'm seeing in this thread is both consumers and retailer showing each other respect. THIS is the COAR & American way!

[ffsales]

COAR family, I've been monitoring this thread and would like to thank everyone participating here for remaining respectful in their posts. Too often, both here at COAR15 and elsewhere, we see these types of discussions turn hateful and nasty. I'm very appreciative that we're able to keep this conversation civil and exchange our ideas and opinions respectfully. Good job everone.

I can easily see both sides of this issue. Firearms retailers have to make money or face going out of business and consumers always want the best deal they can find, particularly in todays uncertain economic climate.

As a consumer, I'm willing to adjust my out of pocket margin a bit based on how I'm treated by the retailer. I'm friends with the owners of two Colorado Springs firearms retailers (nether of which are related to Family Firearms) These friendships go back to before either owner opened their stores. One of these retailers has always treated me well as a consumer (no special discounts, just good respectful interaction). This business will continue to see my wallet open for them. The other business, which I provided several hours of pro-bono IT assistance to when they opened and I gave a full tanned elk hide to them to enhance their decor, offered to sell me a used 1911 for more than I bought a new one (same make/model) elsewhere (this price was offered by the owner, not an employee). I've known that owner for more than 25 years and to say that I was hurt by this is an understatement. While I'll maintain my friendship with the owner, this business will never see another dollar from me.

In the end it's about respect. If the retailer is respectful to me I will reward them with my business. Similarly, if I'm respectful to the business I expect them to recipicate, even if it isn't something that lowers the cost of the item(s) I'm looking to purchase. What I'm seeing in this thread is both consumers and retailer showing each other respect. THIS is the COAR & American way!

I agree, this seems like a legit group of people! Very refreshing to see online! Gun people are some of the nicest folks I have met! Thanks for allowing me to post!

[ray1970]

And hats off to the owner for having the balls to chime in. Can't say I would do the same in his shoes for fear of being publicly lynched.

[sroz]

Thanks for your reply! I didn't write that section very clearly. We paid less than a new one costs us. At least that is the plan! Sometimes we make a mistake, but this one is priced right. We just appear to be upside down in it because another online dealer is selling new ones below cost... We also have more room to negotiate on pre-owned guns as our margins are a little better.

Thanks for clarifying, Chad. A lot of people don't realize how difficult the business can be. I know one who does business out of his home and gun shows. Even with a 10% mark-up due to lower overhead, the online shops still can offer lower pricing.

[ffsales]

Thanks for clarifying, Chad. A lot of people don't realize how difficult the business can be. I know one who does business out of his home and gun shows. Even with a 10% mark-up due to lower overhead, the online shops still can offer lower pricing.

Exactly, they have the buying power and lower overhead. We should be able to get better cost once we grow more and get into more programs.

[rtr]

I had never been to this store until today when meeting someone for a transfer there. I was impressed with their selection of not only firearms but AR and Glock parts and accessories.

[rtr]

I went to Family Firearms today in search of a wrench that would fit the barrel nut on my Ruger Precision rimfire. While they don’t offer one for sale they said they had one they use for gunsmithjng and would be happy to loosen the nut (which I had spent hours trying to remove) for me. I had to go back home and get the gun, when I returned they removed the nut for me for free. Incredibly generous of them. While I was there I noticed they had lots of cool guns like a CZ Shadow 2, Sig MPXs, and th new Ruger Precison Magnum (didn’t ask which caliber). I’ll definitely be back, thanks guys.

[CS1983]

I've been using them for transfers. Out of state shipments cost 40ish dollars. Person to person 20.50 all in. Not bad I suppose. As rtr mentioned, a lot of stuff to look at while waiting for the Stasi to do their thing.

[encorehunter]

I went in today while waiting for am MRI. I was just looking, but never spoke to any of the employees. I did hear them working with a few customers, they were very respectful and were not rude to the gentleman trying to trade in a Hipoint. It is not my type of gun store, as I like my older stuff.