Chat with the dealer(s) and they will work with you as some already have. Work with those that fit your style and requirements. Supply has been a royal PITA over the last few years. Sometimes I look like a hero when I have unobtanium to offer. Sometimes, not so much when my shipments gets bumped and another dealer gets theirs.
For me, keeping customers waiting for stuff is EXTREMELY expensive with ongoing admin and service. But timing is not always an exact science.....
The problem is all shops get alot of well intentioned enquiries... "If you had this or that, I would buy on the spot".
How often does that customer actually put money on the table and buy what they asked for? It only takes a few "oh well, catch you next time" before a shop gets turned off and all are affected. Why some stores request a deposit or payment at time of order. They simply can't bankroll some weird and bizarre item that may only get requested once a year and inventory they would loose their shirt trying to get rid of.
How many times does a customer confirm an order, take an invoice never to be heard from again? Because, the next call saved them a $1 BUT oh, how they squeal if the dealer doesn't full fill the order weeks later when they didn't get the deal they thought they would.
If you were a dealer, how would you feel to be asked to resolve a problem because a customer didn't do business with you, went down a disastrous path and now wants you to bail them out?
All above are based on MY real world experience... there are many more but you get the point.
It's a two way street. Healthy ongoing, profitable and enjoyable business happens when both parties make a positive transaction. Stores are not going to stock tens of thousands worth of "maybe's"... there simply isn't enough profit in shooting stuff. Look at how much WSS is scaling back on their shooting supplies. Those shelves are empty for reasons beyond US lack of supply.
When customers want "lowest prices, fastest delivery"... that type of company also narrows down the communities options. Look at what Walmart has done to the retail landscape. how many communities near a big box have any other retail left to offer even if you wanted to buy?
So Shooters in Canada have to be careful for what they wish for.
The vast majority of gun store business people are older and work in a way pre internet. They are usually not obsessed with the internet instant grat and mostly have crappy websites BUT they understand shooting (for the most part) and have seen alot of stuff come and go.
And those that have survived, can only do so by being competitive for price and service to their core customer base. When that business erodes and these stores close, you don't just loose a mom and pop, you loose sections of access to the market place and products.
You end up with big box selections, service and knowledge..... that gets real expensive in the long run especially if you want more then an SKS and a crate of surplus ammo.
Think about it....
Jerry
