Thread: Small Retailers Struggling/Under attack

Iv never had a credit card so i dont have a problem.

I visited a small gun store last week with an owner I've known for 25 years. they have not sold a firearm since February
normally they would have sold 10 shotguns during March and April. no rifles sold over the road. it's a fact of life, and if they go under, so be it. But they are the only gun store within 45 mins drive in any direction. is this the future? also interesting to hear that guncity is looking to expand into the central north island - I work with several real estate agents who are fielding inquiries

Anyone watch the TV news tonight?
Everyone is hurting.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Anyone watch the TV news tonight?
Everyone is hurting.

Yeeeup that is the truth right there!

Originally Posted by Manchester

I visited a small gun store last week with an owner I've known for 25 years. they have not sold a firearm since February
normally they would have sold 10 shotguns during March and April. no rifles sold over the road. it's a fact of life, and if they go under, so be it. But they are the only gun store within 45 mins drive in any direction. is this the future? also interesting to hear that guncity is looking to expand into the central north island - I work with several real estate agents who are fielding inquiries

Well I drove past Trev Terry/Hamills in Taupo on Friday and its all packed up and gone. So I guess GC see an opportunity in Taupo??

Originally Posted by XR500

Well I drove past Trev Terry/Hamills in Taupo on Friday and its all packed up and gone. So I guess GC see an opportunity in Taupo??

There's talk Sarin is starting up again.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

There's talk Sarin is starting up again.

I believe the demise of Hamills (Taupo) was brought about by the failure of Trev Terry Marine - receivership/bankrupt/whatever.
I hope Sarin can pick up some pieces.

Originally Posted by no1_49er

I believe the demise of Hamills (Taupo) was brought about by the failure of Trev Terry Marine - receivership/bankrupt/whatever.
I hope Sarin can pick up some pieces.

I've seen a bit on FB about Hammils building new store I maybe wrong though.

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

I've seen a bit on FB about Hammils building new store I maybe wrong though.

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I saw something like that as well, don't know him personally but they were always great to deal with online.

Taupo is the logical place for a hammils ...pretty sure I saw HQ in Rotorua....it is after all a trout gear firm at its heart....keep it small with limited staff in a owner operated shop and it SHOULD survive...rented premises and big staff will always struggle in hard times.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Taupo is the logical place for a hammils ...pretty sure I saw HQ in Rotorua....it is after all a trout gear firm at its heart....keep it small with limited staff in a owner operated shop and it SHOULD survive...rented premises and big staff will always struggle in hard times.

If they replicate the service that the Tauranga shop provides then hamills will do very well. Small, personal and always sell you the right item (not what’s necessarily on the shop shelf) They txt you when stuff comes in and nothing is ever a problem.

10/10 from me. I try and put all my business through them

Judging from the number of queries on this site about "bringing this or that in from overseas".... is it any wonder our independent Sports retailers are struggling ?
Yes... we pay a premium down here, and yes, I've been guilty of trading with China, and yes, some importers need to up their game on after sales service, and some on "pre sales service" as well. But the premium prices we pay at local retailers are because of our small population, the cost of retail leases, insurance, staffing, legal compliances etc etc... the list just goes on for them. And we as hunting store customers know all this, and know it well if your in business yourself.
I'm now happy to pay the price of being able to live in the best little hunting country on the Planet, and be able to roam unrestricted with a pack and rifle, hunt 7 days a week 365 days a year without charge or Big Game bag limits. Land tenure taken into account of course.
So all that just says.... support our retailers or lament their passing. It rests on our shoulders and Visa has nothing to do with it.
The cost of the gear pales into insignificance compared to the free hunting on offer.

Rant over, and hot barrels..... NIMROD

Originally Posted by omark

If they replicate the service that the Tauranga shop provides then hamills will do very well. Small, personal and always sell you the right item (not what’s necessarily on the shop shelf) They txt you when stuff comes in and nothing is ever a problem.

10/10 from me. I try and put all my business through them

And the same goes for Rivers To Ranges here in Hastings

Originally Posted by NIMROD

And the same goes for Rivers To Ranges here in Hastings

The Rangiora branch is excellent too.

Pity our H&F isn't as good as other branches, the Kaikoura one is good. I can visit our one in the lunch break now its across the carpark but don't as mostly they never have my size in anything.

My closest small retailer has firearms as a secondary income, that's how they have survived.