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• knitepoet Senior Member Posts: 21,283 Senior Member

  March 2019 #2

  less offensive to the soccer moms and millenials, their apparent target demographic now
  

  Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates, Rule #37: There is no “overkill”. There is only “open fire” and “I need to reload”.
  
  
  

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• coolgunguy Senior Member Posts: 6,611 Senior Member

  March 2019 #3

  knitepoet said:

  less offensive to the soccer moms and millenials, their apparent target demographic now
  

  We were never their target demographic.  We were an afterthought, or at least that's how it seemed to me.  Honestly, the next thing I buy from that place will be the first thing (at least for me personally... the boy has sasquatch feet and we've had some luck finding shoes for him there) I buy from that place, so they never lost me as a customer.  Their AR15 ploy always struck me as nothing more than virtue signaling, as I can't remember ever having seen an AR - or any other EBR for that matter - behind the gun counter.  The fact that all their guns are (at least locally) behind the counter, that the hunting area was at the back of the store, almost hidden, and that their prices (again, locally) were the highest of any of the "big box" sporting goods stores told me all I needed to know about them. 

  "Bipartisan" usually means that a bigger than normal deception is happening.
  George Carlin

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• jbp-ohio Senior Member Posts: 10,192 Senior Member

  March 2019 #4

  I know the reasoning. They have the Field & Stream stores to sell actual outdoor gear. Still can't deny that they K-marted themselves and just try to pretend it didn't happen.

  "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson

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• CHIRO1989 Senior Member Posts: 12,829 Senior Member

  March 2019 edited March 2019 #5

  coolgunguy said:

  knitepoet said:

  less offensive to the soccer moms and millenials, their apparent target demographic now
  

  We were never their target demographic.  We were an afterthought, or at least that's how it seemed to me.  Honestly, the next thing I buy from that place will be the first thing (at least for me personally... the boy has sasquatch feet and we've had some luck finding shoes for him there) I buy from that place, so they never lost me as a customer.  Their AR15 ploy always struck me as nothing more than virtue signaling, as I can't remember ever having seen an AR - or any other EBR for that matter - behind the gun counter.  The fact that all their guns are (at least locally) behind the counter, that the hunting area was at the back of the store, almost hidden, and that their prices (again, locally) were the highest of any of the "big box" sporting goods stores told me all I needed to know about them. 

  Check https://www.sierra.com/ and https://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/
  
  I have some Nephews in size 15 and size 18, they have some good luck there

  I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11

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• Buford Senior Member Posts: 6,713 Senior Member

  March 2019 #6

  alphasigmookie said:

  Clubhouse

    a penny pinching gun nut
  

  
  Didn't they share their guns and ammo at the SE shoot?  Penny pinching gun nut can't say that I know any.
  

  Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.

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• Jermanator Senior Member Posts: 16,131 Senior Member

  March 2019 #7

  Bargain hunters is a better characterization. Cheaper guns and ammo means we can afford more guns and ammo to shoot!
  

  Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

  -Thomas Paine

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• jbp-ohio Senior Member Posts: 10,192 Senior Member

  March 2019 #8

  Probably the only thing I ever really wanted from Dick's was the Remington SP's they had on Black Friday sales......... maybe Rural King will take over

  "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson

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• Bigslug Senior Member Posts: 8,335 Senior Member

  March 2019 #9

  Having been on the sales side of the counter, in the People's Republic of California no less, there's a couple of problems I see with gun sales in a "Generic Sporting Goods" environment:
  
  1.  It's almost always going to be subject to a corporate mindset of "how much of it can we turn around and how fast?"  The product lines universally end up being mostly basic transportation models.  I would even go so far as to say that this kind of business perpetuates the CRAP Remingtons have become - they sell to people who ONLY want it cheap, and their wares are being sold by people who either don't care or aren't allowed to.
  
  2.  Gun sales requires employees with knowledge and more than a couple brain cells to rub together - to not only help the customer properly, but to not screw up the paperwork that could cost the shop their FFL.  The profit margins are such in dedicated gun stores that it's hard to pay folks who can manage that what they're worth.  In a chain of box stores where you pretty much HAVE to pay a starting gun guy about the same as a sneaker salesman, and have him selling low end stuff he has no enthusiasm for. . .it's tough to keep 'em.
  
  3.  The above specialized knowledge might dictate that you need to have two tiers of staff - gun capable and not - to cover all shifts you're open.  Rumor is that Wal Mart quit selling guns in CA because some aisle-mopper was asked to help at sporting goods, who then scanned a long gun, sold, and released it with no state or federal paperwork done whatsoever.
  
  In short, there's no passion for the business in that kind of environment.

  WWJMBD?
  
  "Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee

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• coolgunguy Senior Member Posts: 6,611 Senior Member

  March 2019 #10

  Bigslug said:

  Having been on the sales side of the counter, in the People's Republic of California no less, there's a couple of problems I see with gun sales in a "Generic Sporting Goods" environment:
  
  1.  It's almost always going to be subject to a corporate mindset of "how much of it can we turn around and how fast?"  The product lines universally end up being mostly basic transportation models.  I would even go so far as to say that this kind of business perpetuates the CRAP Remingtons have become - they sell to people who ONLY want it cheap, and their wares are being sold by people who either don't care or aren't allowed to.
  
  2.  Gun sales requires employees with knowledge and more than a couple brain cells to rub together - to not only help the customer properly, but to not screw up the paperwork that could cost the shop their FFL.  The profit margins are such in dedicated gun stores that it's hard to pay folks who can manage that what they're worth.  In a chain of box stores where you pretty much HAVE to pay a starting gun guy about the same as a sneaker salesman, and have him selling low end stuff he has no enthusiasm for. . .it's tough to keep 'em.
  
  3.  The above specialized knowledge might dictate that you need to have two tiers of staff - gun capable and not - to cover all shifts you're open.  Rumor is that Wal Mart quit selling guns in CA because some aisle-mopper was asked to help at sporting goods, who then scanned a long gun, sold, and released it with no state or federal paperwork done whatsoever.
  
  In short, there's no passion for the business in that kind of environment.

  This.  For "Big Box" stores to make it, they have to sell LOTS of whatever it is they sell.  That's kind of the point, and part of the reason why folks like them.  Volume means discounts, and folks LIKE discounts. 
  
  Dick's operated differently around here, though.  Is almost like the gun counter was a store within a store.  Their prices were 30% - 50% higher than even Gander Mountain, (who was basically the "Eddie Bauer" of our area... an upscale clothing store for folks who liked the outdoors look, but who were unlikely to actually GO outdoors unless it was walk THROUGH the outdoors on their way to the Range Rover for a grueling 32 minute drive to a nearby wine tasting.) At least GM had selection... Dick's had... well, dick.
  
  
  

  "Bipartisan" usually means that a bigger than normal deception is happening.
  George Carlin

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• sgtrock21 Senior Member Posts: 1,933 Senior Member

  March 2019 #11

  coolgunguy said:

  Bigslug said:

  Having been on the sales side of the counter, in the People's Republic of California no less, there's a couple of problems I see with gun sales in a "Generic Sporting Goods" environment:
  
  1.  It's almost always going to be subject to a corporate mindset of "how much of it can we turn around and how fast?"  The product lines universally end up being mostly basic transportation models.  I would even go so far as to say that this kind of business perpetuates the CRAP Remingtons have become - they sell to people who ONLY want it cheap, and their wares are being sold by people who either don't care or aren't allowed to.
  
  2.  Gun sales requires employees with knowledge and more than a couple brain cells to rub together - to not only help the customer properly, but to not screw up the paperwork that could cost the shop their FFL.  The profit margins are such in dedicated gun stores that it's hard to pay folks who can manage that what they're worth.  In a chain of box stores where you pretty much HAVE to pay a starting gun guy about the same as a sneaker salesman, and have him selling low end stuff he has no enthusiasm for. . .it's tough to keep 'em.
  
  3.  The above specialized knowledge might dictate that you need to have two tiers of staff - gun capable and not - to cover all shifts you're open.  Rumor is that Wal Mart quit selling guns in CA because some aisle-mopper was asked to help at sporting goods, who then scanned a long gun, sold, and released it with no state or federal paperwork done whatsoever.
  
  In short, there's no passion for the business in that kind of environment.

  This.  For "Big Box" stores to make it, they have to sell LOTS of whatever it is they sell.  That's kind of the point, and part of the reason why folks like them.  Volume means discounts, and folks LIKE discounts. 
  
  Dick's operated differently around here, though.  Is almost like the gun counter was a store within a store.  Their prices were 30% - 50% higher than even Gander Mountain, (who was basically the "Eddie Bauer" of our area... an upscale clothing store for folks who liked the outdoors look, but who were unlikely to actually GO outdoors unless it was walk THROUGH the outdoors on their way to the Range Rover for a grueling 32 minute drive to a nearby wine tasting.) At least GM had selection... Dick's had... well, dick.
  
  
  

  
  We have a DSG. I have never visited it. Why? It occupies the building of the long gone GI Joes. They were a popular regional chain that had a good selection of automobile parts, sporting goods, camping gear, hunting and fishing gear, guns and ammo, and even some military surplus at good prices. They had a beautiful H&R replica 1863 Springfield short (foraging) .58 cal percussion rifle hanging on the wall for $160. I had to have it. The clerk gave me an unrequired ATM form 4473 to fill out. WTH. I had nothing to hide. While I was doing that the clerk informed me of the "5 day waiting period"! I explained the 5 day waiting period was required for fixed ammunition handguns and all non-fixed ammunition guns were exempt from that and the 4473. He replied "Sorry. It's a city ordinance". I wadded up the 4473 and tossed it in the trash on my way out. I headed across town to 'Guncrafters' a local gun store to see if they had one or could order one for me. I was passing city hall on the way so stopped at the police department. I asked the receptionist about the ordinance. She replied. "Not that I'm aware of," called someone and asked if they had a few minutes. She walked me to the City DA's office. I asked him about the ordinance and he replied "absolutely not". I drove to the gun store and they had the rifle in stock! They matched GI Joes price and I also purchased a Lee Minie bullet mold and 2 tins of percussion caps. I paid and walked out the door with everything. I am fairly forgiving but vowed never to walk through GI Joes doors again. Dick's has the same doors so I don't even have to worry about their anti-gun BS.   

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• Gila Posts: 1,828 Senior Member

  March 2019 #12

  I just found out that DSG dropped $150,000,000.00 in sales over the past year.  I suppose that's why they're advertising so much on TV now, which costs them even more.
  

  No good deed goes unpunished...
  

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• Varmintmist Senior Member Posts: 7,435 Senior Member

  March 2019 #13

  Dont know about other areas, but the Dicks here had (last time I was in there) a outdoor hunting dept every bit as large as the jockstrap, ball sports gear, and weights combined. Losing them as a firearms seller isnt a big deal because unless it was discounted deeply, the LGS had better prices and more firearms. Camo, turkey chairs and deer stands they had more of.
  

  It's boring, and your lack of creativity knows no bounds.

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• sgtrock21 Senior Member Posts: 1,933 Senior Member

  March 2019 #14

  Gila said:

  I just found out that DSG dropped $150,000,000.00 in sales over the past year.  I suppose that's why they're advertising so much on TV now, which costs them even more.
  

  
  I have never figured out why businesses that are circling the drain tend to triple their spending on advertising!

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• terminator012 Senior Member Posts: 3,929 Senior Member

  April 2019 #15

  alphasigmookie said:

  Far from circling the drain. Seem to be doing just fine according to their public financial statements. Company worth 3.6B, made $300M profit last year. Good profit margins. 
  
  https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/DKS?p=DKS&.tsrc=fin-srch
  

  Guess that's good sense son is a manager at the local one. It is what it is. Reading negative post, which favor some of my own thoughts are taken with a grain of salt. Hope for his sake they continue to profit. 

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• Make_My_Day Senior Member Posts: 7,739 Senior Member

  April 2019 #16

  coolgunguy said:

  Honestly, the next thing I buy from that place will be the first thing (at least for me personally... the boy has sasquatch feet and we've had some luck finding shoes for him there) I buy from that place, so they never lost me as a customer.........

  I wear size 13EEE shoes. I have a couple of sources for all types of shoes including athletic, if you're interested.
  

  JOE MCCARTHY WAS RIGHT:
  

  THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE NEW COMMUNISTS!

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• zorba Senior Member Posts: 23,845 Senior Member

  April 2019 #17

  How about stilettos?
  

  -Zorba, "The Veiled Male"
  
  "If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
  

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