Re: SHWW Group
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blurry6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mike,
Some follow-up thoughts,... now that I've had a couple beers
I'd only ask that you just make sure it worth your while. If you do negotiate an AI distribution deal, GREAT(!), but a high-quality "me to" copy of their accessories will be fine,... just make sure you're getting a good margin - you want to 'grow' your inventory so you need cash-flow.
I think the Samurai's ideas are pretty good - they're out of the norm. Tripods are catching fire,... a high-quality, fast, solid sling is something I'm looking for,... I'll be your first customer! I'd just like someone around here to actually have some of the more exotic tactical shooting stuff in stock. Some of the modular stocks with adjustable EVERYTHING are becoming really popular. Magazines, low-rings (high-quality) are always in need. High-quality cans with a QD,... offer to handle ATF/Paperwork for the customer and you'll sell them easily. You could cater to long-range, tactical, precision shooters, or even "Snipers"
...I hope the overlords didn't read that,... In any case, you get my drift. I'm serious about finding a good sling, let me know what you recommend. Best of luck!
Ryan </div></div>
Glad to hear my gameplan for HCA mirrors a lot of the thoughts on here! As for the stuff you and one or two other people mentioned...
I'm in contact with the folks at AI. Not sure if I'm going to be selling their stocks but I'm trying to get their magazines in inventory. As you said its all about cashflow and I'll sell a lot more accessories than I will complete rifles up front.
As far as a good quality sling goes, I was REALLY impressed with the blueforce gear slings at SHOT show. They have good margins and are a USA made company which was a big seller for me.
Somebody mentioned Kestrel and I'm glad they did. I talked to them at SHOT as well and they are a very awesome company and I already have their dealer packet ready to fill out and get some in inventory. They tried to sell me their new megaphones as well... I might just pick one up and give it out as an award at a shoot to the 'QUIETEST' RO! (I don't think JTP or JLR will get that award! lol)
Shooting mats and bags + all nylon gear will be coming from a couple different manufacturers. Gallati is a solid company and makes great gear that I'll be selling. US Peacekeepers had some quality gear at SHOT that I'm interested in as well (trying to stick with American made companies, not entirely possible but its going well so far).
Tripods: Hadn't even thought about them. I have a dealer packet ready to go into the ATLAS bipod folks whom I also met at SHOT show. Will look more into the tripod gig when I get closer to opening up.
Databooks, I've thought hard on these. Though until I actually have a 'brick n mortor' store I'm not sure it'll work. You can order these pretty easily direct from both Impact and Storm tactical and I'm not sure what kind of margins I would be able to get on these. I'll check into it for you guys as well!
Barrels: I'm looking very hard at barrels from Rock Creek. Though if anybody on here would like to open up other suggestions on manufacturers that are more dealer oriented vs. customer direct I'm all ears!
Stocks: I was really impressed with the McCree Stocks at SHOT. There is this company MDT who is making the TAC21 stock. The link only shows it for a R700 SA but they have them in LA as well. MSRP will be around $700usd. What do you guys think? I got to handle this thing at SHOT and was impressed. Not sure how much real world experience they have but the guy indicated they'd been selling like crazy to LEO up there in Canada.
http://www.mdttac.com/products.html
As far as suppressors I'm definitely going to be selling these in the future. I have a connection that can get me a minimum order of any brand/type of suppressor I want so I won't have to deal specifically with one manufacturer on my initial order (IE: 10 suppressor minimum, but I can pick and choose what 10 I want). I'm not sure if putting all the paperwork into a Class 3 SOT license will pay off until I open up a store front however. This one is up in the air right now.
As far as optics goes, I tried very hard to get Vortex on board. But right now they aren't doing anymore online dealers. You have to have a storefront and be XX amount of miles away from an existing dealer. I'm looking at Sightron, Weaver, and Bushnell for their tactical lines. Margins are going to be tough on these but if there's a demand I'll get 'em for you guys. Most of my optics I'll be selling are going to be the red-dots and pistol holographic sights.
Overall I'm very excited to get this thing rolling for you guys. It's been a LONG time in the making and it's very close (hopefully) to kicking off. Only thing that MIGHT hold it up right now will be the results of my MRI on my shoulder this week (old bullriding accident). I'm on state insurance right now and will be leaving my job as soon as HCA has its grand opening, but will delay that opening if surgery is required before I get off insurance.
Mike