Independent Shooting Stores

[Dean2]

I am sorry to see WS going out of business, I bought a lot of stuff there over the years. That said, I have also tried very hard to support the small independent stores over the years, even being willing to pay higher prices to shop there.

WE have some GREAT independent retailers in Alberta, Prophet River and Clay REALLY show how it should be done, and he is not so small any more because of it. There is also Pud and his staff at Bashaw Sports, Phil and his staff at P&D, Fly's in High River, Bartons in GP and then a bunch out of province like Ellwood Epps, X-Reload, and Raynershine.

All that is great, but a word of advice to some of the smaller stores still struggling to survive. In a lot of cases your service SUCKS. I have been in one store three times in the last few months. The older lady at the till usually says good morning can I help you. The guy that is usually there says nothing and is very hard to engage in conversation. I can usually talk to just about anyone so to not be able to get much out of him, even about hunting, fishing or his new lab, makes it seem like he just isn't much interested in talking to clients. I have never seen him talk to any other client in the place either, though in the times I have been there I have only ever sen two people in the place.

When I was in there yesterday I asked for three relatively high dollar, high margin items. Not one of them was in stock and neither of these people showed any interest or made any offer to order in what I was looking for. This is a pretty small store so they are going to be limited in stock, everyone understands this, but if they are only going to sell what they actually have they are severely limiting their market. While I am all for supporting the little guy, some of them need to be doing far more to earn that support.

So the point of this thread, I made my thoughts known in the form of a couple of questions about ordering things in etc and a suggestion. I was very polite. They didn't disagree or offer even an alternate point of view. They just shook their shoulders, I got the clear sense they could have cared less. Amazing how many people get into retail that have no experience and don't even like customers. Makes you wonder what they are thinking.

Long and short, I am going to make sure I concentrate my support where it stands the most likelihood of helping an independent survive.

[elkhunter11]

I support the independents as much as possible, mostly Prophet River, and Bashaw Sports.Prophet River definitely sets the standard for customer service, and although the staff has changed at Bashaw, they still do fairly well in that regard as well..

[CMichaud]

Let me guess....is this store north of Edmonton?

[SamSteele]

I've picked up a couple rifles from Prophet River and Bashaw in the past. Both were good to deal with. My issue is that I like to shoulder them and look them over prior to purchasing, which means being there in person so I need to drive an hour or two in order to do so.

I ended up getting quite a few from Wholesale as a) it was never busy on the south side in Edmonton b) I had a Wild Card so I got a bit of a discount and c) it was close enough I could go there in person and check them out.

SS

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by CMichaud

Let me guess....is this store north of Edmonton?

Good guess. I didn't name them because I am not trying to do them any harm. Actually kind of hope they read some of this stuff and learn from it. I just thought they were the perfect example of why so many small businesses just never manage to make it even good enough to get by, let alone prosper. Doing it right really is very easy, the young girl working at the landfill where I dropped off some recycle/reuse stuff on my way to the sports store would make a great addition to any small business. She really understood friendly and helpful customer service and she is working for a monopoly.

[Don_Parsons]

I support many of our local businesses threw out Western Canada when I can, not skilled enough to do the on-line thing yet.

It is unfortunate that Wholesale Sports is shutting down as it "kinda" keeps everyone on a level playing field.

My shopping needs are limited to what each out-let has, it keeps things simple I guess.
If I need something that is hard to access, I make my 1 phone call or text to the dude thats in the loop with everything and anything as he's business is knowing who to contact regarding all things.

And once in a blue moon he touches base with me when something special shows up. That way we all benefit at what's going on.

Local fellow on top of that.

Find that person, give him or her the majority of your business and work with them at all costs.
Its like a business partner that is really a good life long friend.

I'm out-going and cover a wide area in the DISC idea, some days I'm 1 of the acronyms, other days I might be 2 or all 4. LOL.

I see folks at the shooting range or camping that have this or that, most of what they found comes from on-line shopping.
If I want something like that I hold up to research it out and find out more questions before buying.
I'm on month 4 of planning a mid price optic scope right now, maybe this winter I'll give it a try once the review stuff is sorted.

Local is good in my world, lucky to of found a friend that takes care of everything in my return to the firearms world.

Don

[2000victory]

Both small and big business are in business and operate on the same premise...stock and supply what sells...not something that gonna sit on the shelf forever..they all need to make a profit to stay in business to serve their customers in hopes they will come back again and become a repeat customer. If they were to stock one off rare or pricey items that don't sell then they too will have to close their doors. Everyone has cost of living and living expenses...paid by profit of their endeavor , not one customers whim or wish whom they never did business with before and probably will never see again.
Simple math
Fact of life

[double gun]

I wish Bob would reopen trail firearms.....

[BobNewton]

The last time I was in that store, I was in the middle of purchasing a firearm. The phone rang, he stopped mid sentence, walked away and started a whole conversation with whoever was in the other side. Can't remember what t was about, but not a emergency of any kind. I gave it about 5-10 minutes of awkwardly standing there for him to take my money.

I just left. Never did go back. It's a pet peave of mine I guess. Standing face to face to face with a man and some guy in the phone took immediate priority over me and my sale.

[Gifted Intuitive]

Can you name independent shooting stores in Alberta that have been put out of business by the RCMP Firearms Program ?

The owners are charged, the stores are closed, inventory is confiscated, and then taxpayer money ,our money, is used to undertake lengthy court trials that put the owners out of business.

K & D Implements is the latest victim. Can you name other firearms businesses that have been a victim of the Canada Firearms Program ?

[Newellknik]

I never had a bad experience at WSS Calgary mostly because
I've been here 30 yrs and only bought one gun there . Also I won't
Stand in line which makes me a bad Costco customer .
My career had me 50 plus years in and around sporting goods retail .
I am definitely for the small guy . I like to shop but the last few years
when I am ready to buy i go to High River ( Flys etc.) . They are always
willing to bring a gun in for you .Udo is in there pitching .
I just add that historically gun counter attendants generally have marginal
personality combined with questionable personal hygiene.
And who hasn't had the Bass pro experience , how can you have 9 guns
In a flyer and not have one in stock ! And now that they own Cabelas
you can be abused twice with only 20 minute travelling time .
Also I like the guys at Shawnessy Can tire and lord knows they have
enough guns ....but hardly a small independent.

[Parker Hale]

If we're giving a shout out to small independent gun shops then I have to put one in for Pro-Line in Calgary. I have dealt with them several times over the years and have always been happy.

[Homesteader]

Originally Posted by double gun

I wish Bob would reopen trail firearms.....

All hail Bob. There's a man that knew his customers, and how to take care of them!

[bobinthesky]

I go to Cabela's in Calgary quite a bit because I'm in the neighborhood a lot so it's easy to just stop by but I rarely buy anything there except 12 gauge shells when they're on sale. Most of what they have at the gun counter doesn't interest me much such as Cabela branded scopes and brand name budget guns.
I purchased a lot of stuff from Wholesale Sports over the years and I'm sad to see them go, I think that's a huge loss to sportsmen despite the fact that so many people like to bash the store, I never had any major issues with them.
My "go to" store is close to where I live and that's Fly's Etc, the entire staff is great and the guys at the gun counter have been in the retail business a long time. They're knowledgeable, friendly and quick to offer ordering things they don't have in stock for you. It's a pleasure doing business there!