ultimentra wrote:This may or may not be related, but I went up to phoenix recently, and there is now an airsoft/gear store in the Mills Mall. Its called "Heroes", its a small combination surplus/airsoft store where they have anything from springers up to an ICS EGLM. They actually had a decent selection of stuff there, even accessories. Though, they were incredibly overpriced. 300 dollars for an AGM StG44, 60 bucks per shell for an ICS 40mm, and 60 bucks for an airsoft brand AK rail mount, yea I don't think so. And I knew 3x more about airsoft and the guns themselves than the guy working the counter. One of the customers there even commented that I should be working there.
Of course you have to assume that there is going to be a some price manipulation in a store thats in the mills mall, but anyone who knows anything about airsoft that went into that store would be able to verbally dance circles around the employees, and probably wouldn't buy very much unless they were able to bargain a decent deal with the store owner, because the only products that had prices that could compete with the likes of ASGI and evike was their tactical gear and boots.
What should be taken from this wall of text? Avoid these guys' mistakes. Make sure that when people like me, scott, kiley, and 99% of everyone on TAC walk into to the store the first thing they think of the employees when they start asking about products is not "these guys have no idea what they're talking about". If you have a friendly and knowledgeable staff, the prices take a back seat.
There is without a doubt value in your statements. I back most of it 100%. I do want to point out that price carries more weight then you think. I have offered items at cost+shipping through RGT to several groups (team mates, event co-attendees, and even some groups on TAC) and have had many quotes declined outright because they (the knowledgeable ones) could save $5 online. I am of the opinion that airsofters are a thrifty lot for the most part and if they can save a dollar they will. In fact I would venture as much as to say that they (the knowledgeable ones) would most likely limit their local purchases to impulse buys or small parts (full circle back to Scotts anecdote that the money is in the aftermarket bits and doo-dads).
Its an interesting topic of conversation for sure, and the answers are as myriad as the players. I just wanted to relate my own experience since I often have had to sell at a loss just to keep the business local. In the interest of full disclosure I also have sour grapes with asgi on the topic since they often violate MAP pricing, an act that would cost us small time resellers to lose our privileges with distributors. They get special tier pricing or get overlooked for discipline based on volume.
Before you plunk any money down I'd highly encourage your dad to make a trip up to Tempe and see the owner of gearbox airsoft and ask how he makes ends meet. The community there is much larger then here and he often has to scratch to keep the margins intact long enough to reach the better months of the year.
I'm not say do it, I'm not say don't do it. I'm just saying my opinion is that a "airsoft store" with no other gimmick, like a field or a exclusive line to a rare brand name, won't turn much of a profit.
