Ok I see your point on the ''gun oriented'' but sure. I have those 4 as well as a new one 'old guns' and the other one, although not necessarily a gun shop is Robertson comp. From my understanding they build what you want.
Another Epps in Southern Ontario ??
- Thread starter blueflash
- Start date
Ok I see your point on the ''gun oriented'' but sure. I have those 4 as well as a new one 'old guns' and the other one, although not necessarily a gun shop is Robertson comp. From my understanding they build what you want.
Epps is a great store for sure.. they just need to double the size of the building to open up some breathing room. Any yes, open a couple more locations too.. maybee one beside Bass Pro shop, in order to drive them out of business (horrible prices on anything gun related and poor selection)
Could it be that the firearms industry in Canada is making a comeback after all these years of govornment repression?
Could it be that the firearms industry in Canada is making a comeback after all these years of govornment repression?
While Epps is my #1 go to store (I live less than an hour away 
) don't forget Al Simmons in Hamilton. Yes, you can't beat the prices and selectioin at Epps... but for a shorter drive from SW Ontario... and good service from knowledgeable staff... it is a good store. RIP Harley.
) don't forget Al Simmons in Hamilton. Yes, you can't beat the prices and selectioin at Epps... but for a shorter drive from SW Ontario... and good service from knowledgeable staff... it is a good store. RIP Harley.
I love going to epps for the huge selection and cheap prices, but I'm not so sure on the service. I once ordered a Timney trigger for my Vanguard there and after two months of waiting was told it hadn't even been ordered.
I've always had top notch service at Gobles from a knowledgeable staff. They are typically a 100 dollars more on guns but any entry level negotiator can get out of that pretty fast.
The only reason I ever go to shooters is to visit the lovely young lady behind the counter with the healthy set of *lungs*. She really knows her stuff and is usually a great help, unfortunately shes the only one.
I've always had top notch service at Gobles from a knowledgeable staff. They are typically a 100 dollars more on guns but any entry level negotiator can get out of that pretty fast.
The only reason I ever go to shooters is to visit the lovely young lady behind the counter with the healthy set of *lungs*. She really knows her stuff and is usually a great help, unfortunately shes the only one.
Bringing Epps further down south is a great idea, except with some fundamental flaws. Service depends on the people behind the counter, the guys currently at Epps can't be in two stores at once, so now the owners take a chance with new employees, and how they handle customers. Bringing a store further south will also increase their cost of running a business....rent goes up, build costs of making a proper gun room and many more things; so the price of goods will begin to reflect that....now it may not become worth it for the customer to go to a 'southern Epps' and people will continue to go to Orillia. So then why bother opening up the second store and breaking a good thing. Epps does what it does because of where the store is and the people there....and besides no matter how long the drive, it's worth it to get away from the city, clear your head and just enjoy the experience.
just my 2c
just my 2c
My biggest problem with all of the gun shops in Southern Ontario, like Shooters Choice, The LOL Gun Center, Triggers and Bows, is that they either have ridiculous prices, or they have a very poor selection of guns. I like Triggers and Bows, but I don't know how many times I have asked to see something, and I get a "we can order it in for you"....That just does'nt cut it becaues I like to handle and shoulder a $1000 gun before I order it and pay for it. Even Gobles, is a much larger store, but you always get the same old "we can order it in for you" speech, and when I hear that I just leave. Then I check out the website at Epps, and they have 6 different models of what I'm looking for. I say to myself, why is'nt there a real gun shop like Epps down here with all of these people around here that spend money on guns. Lebaron's often has a great selection of guns, and good prices also, but they don't sell handguns, and sometimes there customer service is hit or miss, so I usually try to avoid that place. I have'nt ever been out to Al Simmons, but I have compared there prices online, and there has'nt been any deals that ever inspired me to drive out there.
Oh well, I guess untill a really good gun shop like Epps opens up here in S.W. Ontario, I will have to continue to buy online and have my stuff delivered, just like my last handgun that I'm still waiting for delivery, but if Epps would of been less than a 45 minute drive, then they would have been on the recieving end of $900, that I spent on my last handgun because there price was similar to the best price that I could find online. All of the Local gunshops were $150 more of a mark up on the gun, so they did'nt get my business. I don't think that any local gunshops even had it in stock, but they would of "ordered it in for me".
Oh well, I guess untill a really good gun shop like Epps opens up here in S.W. Ontario, I will have to continue to buy online and have my stuff delivered, just like my last handgun that I'm still waiting for delivery, but if Epps would of been less than a 45 minute drive, then they would have been on the recieving end of $900, that I spent on my last handgun because there price was similar to the best price that I could find online. All of the Local gunshops were $150 more of a mark up on the gun, so they did'nt get my business. I don't think that any local gunshops even had it in stock, but they would of "ordered it in for me".
I ordered a left hand 22-250 savage from gobles 3 years ago. I called every 3 months for 2 years. I'm still waiting. If I want a gun I call around the local shops to see if they have it. Go handle it say I can get it for ### from epps will you beat it or at least match it? If not I got home knowing I want the gun order it and pay the shipping cost.
chev.
chev.
+1 for Hamilton.
Though I have no problem with Al Simmons their pricing can be high. I recieved good knowledgable service when I was there. I have bought a few guns from them because I like to support local dealers. I hate being hosed! The store hours also leave something to be desired.
Fishing world only sells hunting rifles and that isn't really my thing. And the selection on accessories is extremly limited.
Though I have no problem with Al Simmons their pricing can be high. I recieved good knowledgable service when I was there. I have bought a few guns from them because I like to support local dealers. I hate being hosed! The store hours also leave something to be desired.
Fishing world only sells hunting rifles and that isn't really my thing. And the selection on accessories is extremly limited.
I think this post hits the nail on the head. Even with one store, people are noticing the customer service dip at times due to their continued growth. These points along with the number of items they ship, I think the next best solution is a better website. I think a better website could allow the guys at Epps and customers do things like track orders, to ensure orders get placed. I said I'd help out with this and my friend and I have been working on something for a few months now.
Nothing is better than handling a firearm in person, but barring that, what would an awesome Epps website be like? Which are the best firearm sites on the net today?
Best online sites. I would say Brownells, Midway USA and Natchez are pretty decent. Midway won't ship here as far as I know, but it is great for looking up parts.
In Canada I like Wholesale Sports.
I agree that for more than guns in stock Epps could have a lot better site.
In Canada I like Wholesale Sports.
I agree that for more than guns in stock Epps could have a lot better site.
Well I’ve spent a lot of time/money at shooters choice and them seeing your face around helps ... i have not had the best of luck at Epps. when i go there somewhat nice to talk to and to help out but iv tried to call in and get some pic's sent of used guns and they never get back to ya i have called 5-6 time over the course of 2 weeks for a pic and haven’t heard nothing other then he's getting to it...well that was 2 months ago... so for me shooters is the first choice triggers and bows would be the 2nd.... as far as gobles in London there a mess.. There shop in tillisonburg is a friendly place but there London store you could stand around for 30 min before anyone wants to help..
That being said Epps in this (Kitchener waterloo) area would be nice i wouldn’t need to call in for pics they would be close enough lol
cheers!
That being said Epps in this (Kitchener waterloo) area would be nice i wouldn’t need to call in for pics they would be close enough lol
cheers!
I'm really happy to see this thread is still active, since I posted the first statements and gave my opinion I am happy to see that many people agree, and of course some people don't, but thats the beauty of debating.
After reading the entire thread on the subject, I have wieghed in all of the options and still believe that the best place for another full service, firearms, and hunting related store would be in the Kitchener/Cambridge/Guelph area, because of the large amount of population in the area, and because the fairly decent traffic also, and the easy access to Toronto, Hamilton, and London.
Yes there are other gun shops in Southern Ontario such as, Gobles guns, Shooters Choice, The Gun Center, Triggers and Bows, and Al Simmons. I have been to all of these stores, and none of them can compare with the prices and selection of Ellwood Epps. Service is a different story because there is good service at most of those gun shops, but price and selection is always the #1 reason why people buy from a specific store. I really like Triggers and Bows in the little Town of Burford, Ontario, but I am not going to spend $800 on a Savage rifle, when I can get the exact same rifle at Epps for $650. Its only about $25 for shipping or I don't mind spending the extra $40-$50 in gas and make a day trip out of going up there to buy it and bring it home. I don't mind spending $50 more to buy locally from some good guys, but I can't justify spending anything extra. This is just one example, but I know there are lots of people who are in the same situation.
Its really annoying living in the most populated area of Canada, and having to drive around from shop to shop or call around from shop to shop because you are looking for a particular model of gun, and everyone is so eager to order it in for you, at a stupid high price, when Epps has 3 of what you want, at the cheapest price in Ontario, in a little place thats 2 1/2 hours up North....Go figure.
You guys up in the Orillia area have no idea how lucky you are to have one shop that you can go to, to find nearly everything you want at the cheapest prices around. Unfortunately, I live in Southern Ontario and I am so sick of the "we can order it for you" line, that I hardly ever go to a gun shop anymore, and I do almost all of my purchases online through a CGN dealer, because if someone is going to have to order a gun in for me, I might as well try to find the cheapest place around, instead of getting gouged.
After reading the entire thread on the subject, I have wieghed in all of the options and still believe that the best place for another full service, firearms, and hunting related store would be in the Kitchener/Cambridge/Guelph area, because of the large amount of population in the area, and because the fairly decent traffic also, and the easy access to Toronto, Hamilton, and London.
Yes there are other gun shops in Southern Ontario such as, Gobles guns, Shooters Choice, The Gun Center, Triggers and Bows, and Al Simmons. I have been to all of these stores, and none of them can compare with the prices and selection of Ellwood Epps. Service is a different story because there is good service at most of those gun shops, but price and selection is always the #1 reason why people buy from a specific store. I really like Triggers and Bows in the little Town of Burford, Ontario, but I am not going to spend $800 on a Savage rifle, when I can get the exact same rifle at Epps for $650. Its only about $25 for shipping or I don't mind spending the extra $40-$50 in gas and make a day trip out of going up there to buy it and bring it home. I don't mind spending $50 more to buy locally from some good guys, but I can't justify spending anything extra. This is just one example, but I know there are lots of people who are in the same situation.
Its really annoying living in the most populated area of Canada, and having to drive around from shop to shop or call around from shop to shop because you are looking for a particular model of gun, and everyone is so eager to order it in for you, at a stupid high price, when Epps has 3 of what you want, at the cheapest price in Ontario, in a little place thats 2 1/2 hours up North....Go figure.
You guys up in the Orillia area have no idea how lucky you are to have one shop that you can go to, to find nearly everything you want at the cheapest prices around. Unfortunately, I live in Southern Ontario and I am so sick of the "we can order it for you" line, that I hardly ever go to a gun shop anymore, and I do almost all of my purchases online through a CGN dealer, because if someone is going to have to order a gun in for me, I might as well try to find the cheapest place around, instead of getting gouged.
I was at Shooters Choice last weekend because I am getting into reloading, and I needed to pick up a few odd items that I don't have yet. I left the store in about 5 minutes laughing at the prices. Everything was on average 25% or more expensive than Lebaron's, and I can't stand Lebaron's service, so I just ordered my stuff online again. I love Triggers and Bows for the friendly guys working there, but they have hardly nothing in stock and everything must get ordered in, and they just can't compete with Epps prices either, and the last time I went to gobles, I was in the market for a new .22LR pistol, and they did'nt have a single Browning Buckmark, Ruger, or S&W .22LR pistol in stock..WTF? Those are the most popular .22LR pistols on the market, and they had none? I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but seriously there is no real gun shop in Southern Ontario with a good selection and competitive prices.....One just does'nt exist...Lets just be honest here.
And it's extremely frustrating for those of us unlucky enough to live in Ottawa, where there's absolutely no reason to drive around three spots, LeBaron, Sail and Activities Sports (sp? name?) because they don't carry it (and if it's handguns you want, forget it) and They will NOT order it for you, not even from their own Head Office (in the case of LeBaron.)
