Black Friday is now over...... I want your thoughts.

I look at these sales but there is nothing I need. The reality is quality products aren't going to be discounted much as the sales volumes are small compared to most of the stuff that's flogged during this week. Gun sales this week are the same as gun sales for any other time of the year.
 
My strategy this BF season was based on my interpretation of the world, specifically that we are in the midst of massive inflation and product shortages that have no end in sight. This is driving the new and used purchase price of a lot of items way, way up, and I think the trend will continue. Combined with inflation, this is making holding onto cash a money-losing proposition more than it's been since probably the 1930s.

I watched carefully for sales on items I was interested in and knew the regular street price. When an item became available at a price I felt was not likely to be available in the next 9 months, and enough of a discount from street pricing that the cost of purchasing it and deciding to sell it later would not be substantial, I bought it (sometimes in multiple quantity).

This strategy isn't markedly different from the past. But the biggest difference this year was the 'rising tide' of inflation and shortage that made buying now more appealing than ever.
 
There's plenty of fake sales out there for Black Friday.

I literally watched a pair of boots go UP by $15 on Black Friday at Mark's Work Wearhouse (owned by Canadian Tire).

The boots normally sell for $60.
But for Black Friday; they were $75, marked down from $100.
 
adamg said:
My strategy this BF season was based on my interpretation of the world, specifically that we are in the midst of massive inflation and product shortages that have no end in sight. This is driving the new and used purchase price of a lot of items way, way up, and I think the trend will continue. Combined with inflation, this is making holding onto cash a money-losing proposition more than it's been since probably the 1930s.

I watched carefully for sales on items I was interested in and knew the regular street price. When an item became available at a price I felt was not likely to be available in the next 9 months, and enough of a discount from street pricing that the cost of purchasing it and deciding to sell it later would not be substantial, I bought it (sometimes in multiple quantity).

This strategy isn't markedly different from the past. But the biggest difference this year was the 'rising tide' of inflation and shortage that made buying now more appealing than ever.
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You forgot to mention the ease with which people can get credit. Our debt levels are off the chart, and I believe THAT will be our final undoing, when the government comes in to "ease our burden". Remember the phrase "you'll own nothing, and love it!"
 
Not much really tickled my fancy this year. I bought some Zenni prescription glasses for backup and some odds and ends, but no guns, ammo, glass, etc. I know what I want and not willing to buy something for the sake of a good deal, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for the things I do want (including a few items from Wolverine) and if they are in stock when I'm ready to buy I'll go for it.

Also, supply chain and just supply in general really crapped the bed this year. Not the fault of vendors waiting on deliveries, but it does have an impact when all you can really get are some Turkish shotguns and Chinese pistols.
 
Somerset Bar said:
You forgot to mention the ease with which people can get credit. Our debt levels are off the chart, and I believe THAT will be our final undoing, when the government comes in to "ease our burden". Remember the phrase "you'll own nothing, and love it!"
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1% interest rate on massive mortages that, even at 1%, are only feasible for payback by assuming indefinite inflation in housing prices - to me the only way forward is to devalue the currency by printing money. There's no way they can increase interest rates without bankrupting something like 30% of homeowners, which is not a tenable move by the government. Printing money, however, solves every problem they have created and will get them reelected.

All of which is to say: I don't like cash right now.
 
Personally never have been all that impressed with Black Friday sales, not for what interests me anyway, if I were into Nike, clothes or purses, maybe, but from what i have witnessed in the firearms and hunting industry the sales are not all that tempting (Mark up margins likley the cause), possibly if i was after one particular items wanting badly, but it usealy takes quick key board trigger finger in most cases to only be disappointed on out of stock item! all to save maybe 10-15%.

I am always on the hunt for different firearms, not necessarily new but I have a long bucket list slowly aquiring, used is fine, since covid and ellection shortages , Rifle and shooting supplies are through the roof, I am into lever actions and what you could have bought for $950 in 2019 are now $1150 (people are paying it though so!)even the used market is crazy $1200 for a used 44 mag marlin lol! The only thing I stay stocked up on and plan on buying is reloading supplies,I stock up around prior to USA ellections learning my lessons .

Retailers are not to blame with prices and lack of product, we are victims of the US and their gun cultures, paranoia and hoarding !

Canadian retailers and enthusiasts are missing out on some possibilities through other avenues, promoting such things as shotgun only hunting season's, straight wall cartridge season's and black powder muzzle loader season's, would create a new breed of hunters and an other pile of sales for guns and gear , some provinces have moved to one or two seasons, but the majority is rifle and bow only.
 
Got 10% off a tikka, I was happy about that. I do wish that I was able to make it in to your shop on Tuesday but I ended up busy cutting up my deer. Your deals on foxpro products were amazing!

I think it’s been a tough couple years for retailers and consumers alike. Between shortages and increasing prices meeting unemployment or simply less work for some trades.. Deals are nice but not at all a priority at the moment for me personally.

Having said that though, I did buy a couple Zulu pieces from John. :)

PS.. Bring in some cosmoline and fence post augers with extensions please.
 
I was looking for reloading supplies, the places that had them weren't on sale or the shipping cost killed it. So many shortages of things in general. Sales aside, I could find item A at one website, but item B only at another. Never together, and shipping costs made it next to pointless to buy that way. Some things I have some passing interest in, like a ruger wrangler, weren't on any better sales than any other time of the year.

I did buy from MDT, but to be fair to them and you, I doubt I'd buy the chassis at the regular retail price anyway. It's kind of a novelty thing for me.
 
black friday aka unloading old ass stock at normal prices with discount. The amount of impatient people and constantly asking where is my order is staggering. Black friday is the worst ####ing time of the year and customers get stupider and fall for the same tricks.
 
Honestly I think people are under a lot of stress lately. money is getting tighter, housing, food, gas are more expensive, commutes with terrible drivers are getting longer. People go home to their loved ones and social media makes them want the latest and greatest. I feel people are just on short fuses. Not to mention people wanting to steal my property……..liberals
 
my thoughts?
I worked for one of BC's premier sports fishing shops for a few years and then took a position with another larger outfit as retail marketting and purchasing agent. I was responsible for purchasing and pricing and also purchasing and pricing specifically for the "expected" sales that the retail industry has annually, black friday being one of them. The Vancouver Boat Show fishing booths were always a huge challenge and something i was glad to put behind me.

But Black Friday specifially.... I never understood why Canadian's need to adopt american retail models but they have and now the consumer "expects" their favorite retailer to have store shelf stocked with everything at 70% off LOL
My bosses at the fishin tackle shop in my first gig refused to have Boxing Day or Black Friday sales and we were simply closed those days. However , that store was well known for the 2 times a year when they put on week long sales with all the reps from the many companies involved.

Personally, I think with covid causing lost revenue for nearly 2 years now coupled with supply chain issues, the consumer is asking wayyyy to much to expect every retailer to take part in the money loser that is Black Friday.
I respect any business who simply closes their doors on black friday but many have developed a business model that "depends" on it now so it's a tough one either way.
 
Retailers (not just gun related) selling an item for 249 all year then on black friday selling the same item for 289 "on sale" from 329 is the kind of things that make me not trust retailers. I take even less trust when that item actuall goes to 329 until boxing day it goes "on sale" again for 289. I just expect retailers to not play me for a fool
 
Anything for 'sale' this year is still basically +20 points over 12-18 months ago.. sure it's a short term reduction/deduction, but overall all of the retailers have been forced to significantly jack prices. Last year I bought 2000rnds Winchester 9mm for less than $550 - this year that same stock was $770+.

As for shopping at Wolverine, a short number of years back I bought was supposed to be a 'new' in box SA firearm, only for it to show up clearly used, obviously dirty, slight wear on the mag lips and so on - have never bought another firearm from Wolverine since then. Money isn't everything - even on Black Friday.
 
Bought some B&T parts with no discount and plus shipping. Price is always the way much cheaper than buying from US via importer.

Waiting for shipment...

Hobby is hobby, buy whenever you are comfortable with the price over expectation







Wolverine .303 said:
So I'll be honest, hunting season all the way through winter is basically my favourite time of year. BUT, Black Friday and Christmas are my least favourite things about this time and I'll tell ya why.

My view coming from the side of things as someone whom works within retail, be it firearms or anything else is a little more shall we say blunt. It is one of the most toxic times of the year, and without going into details some interactions can be outright preposterous for no reason..... Not all mind you, we have some we speak to daily, weekly, monthly, old and new alike we have some pretty amazing customers. But this time of year brings out the worst in some.

My view as a regular guy looking to buy something cheap....I don't. I rarely buy things I don't need I'm a simple living style of person. Pretty sure the last thing I bought ( that wasn't some silly cheap $100.00 gun that comes through the door ) was a TV 4x years ago because ours finally died.. I don't really sale shop, if I need something I buy it.

Sometimes something comes up and I'm like, "dang, that's a good deal...." and I'll buy something. But I don't actively shop for deals on things I don't need. Anyways those are my views...

For anyone who was looking around this past week, what did you think?

Were sales up to your "standards"?

What do you expect from firearms retailers on Black Friday?

I am not going to go into the intricacies of working within the realm of the firearms industry, but let me tell you it is like no other. Don't get me wrong either this is not some "whah whah whining thread" I am genuinely curious as to what people's expectations are here.

Electronics, clothing, and other more "heavily-consumed" items are not even close to the same as firearms. Margins, deliveries, distributors, everything is totally different so trying to compare it may turn out to be very disappointing.

Let me know I would like to hear it.. And please keep in mind, this isn't strictly about Wolverine's sales or promotions. I am asking you a general question about the entirety of the Black Friday week you have just experienced within the firearms industry.
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There was some good deals, not much though. I didn't buy anything. I am the guy retailers hate and love. I research the product i want, learn the prices and wait for a good deal. Then head to the store, buy it go home. I waste little time in the store, sales reps find a guy that knows what he wants. I also don't like being upsold etc. I politely decline anything. Or i purchase online and wait for the delivery truck.
 
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