Goin’ great guns
Ammo, fishing tackle, camping gear also a brisk business at Tradin PostBy Vicki Johnson, outdoors@advertiser-tribune.com
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Fact Box
A continuing look at what's going well in Seneca County.
In addition to its local customer base, Mountain Man Tradin Post is weathering the economic recession well by providing customer service and by drawing customers from other parts of Ohio.
Gun and ammunition sales are booming.
"I know it's a record year for us in gun sales," said Jeff Harper, who co-owns the store with John Miller. "Ever since Christmas, it's just been phenomenal. As bad as the market's been, guns have been huge. I don't know where people are getting their money."
The store, on SR 53 north of US 224, sells outdoor gear such as fishing and archery supplies and camping gear in addition to guns.
There seem to be vehicles in the parking lot daily.
"The handguns are the biggest thing right now," Harper said.
And ammunition for them.
Harper said a customer from Kenton couldn't find any ammunition in his area.
"They're coming from all over to get ammo," he said. "We're getting people from as far south as Columbus and as far north as Toledo."
Mountain Man has been able to get shipments of ammunition during the current shortage when larger stores haven't been able to get it.
Harper isn't exactly sure why, but he has a good idea.
"We got a really good relationship with our suppliers and they're taking care of us this year," he said. "We don't turn any ammo down. We don't turn it away. We get it in."
Harper said customer service is an important aspect of the business and Mountain Man is charging about the same prices it was charging before ammunition became scarce.
"I think the biggest thing is a lot of our competitors are trying to price gouge and we aren't doing it," he said. "Even our suppliers are telling us we're selling too cheap.
"I think that's why our business is good," he said. "People will remember, after this is done, who gouged them. We don't want to get put in that category."
He said it's part of small-town business.
"Especially in a community like Tiffin," he said. "We're on a first-name basis with a lot of our customers."
One reason for the sales volume is what Harper called "the Obama factor" - or the current political climate.
People have a fear the administration is going to try to take away guns or put a large sales tax on ammunition.
In addition to new gun sales, Harper said this year has seen an increase in gun repair services such as re-bluing them, adding sights, mounting scopes and replacing parts.
"Some people are being more conservative and getting them repaired instead of buying new," he said. "I'd say we're up probably 75 percent on gun repair."
Harper said he has noticed an increase in customers using layaway plans, especially for the more expensive guns. People are finding it easier to pay for them a little bit at a time.
"We've always done it, but this year we've had to do it more," he said.
Another adjustment Harper made was to cut the store's promotional budget.
"We cut our advertising by 90 percent this year," he said.
But word-of-mouth advertising and the store's good reputation as a community supporter has taken up the slack.
Mountain Man is known among local outdoorsmen and women as being a good neighbor. Since it opened six years ago, the store has sponsored many youth activities and fundraising events for nonprofit organizations by providing money and services in the past.
Now, the store is acting as an outlet for gun raffle tickets to support Bettsville American Legion, Bascom Lions, Tiffin Elks and the local chapter of Boy Scouts of America. Three other raffles are pending.
"Organizations are still moving ahead, even as bad the recession is," Harper said. "A lot of going ahead with their raffles anyway."
For example, the Boy Scouts are raffling three Henry Golden Boy rifles worth $325 each to raise money to attend the national Jamboree.
Mountain Man handles not only guns, but other types of outdoor gear - including repairs.
"This guy had a $180 fishing rod and the place he bought it wouldn't stand behind it," Harper said. "So we did."
Fishing supply sales also have been good.
"Fishing's been strong," he said. "We're selling a lot of bait. We carry a decent selection of fishing poles."
In addition, the store sells outdoor cooking equipment such as cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens, tripods and grates.
And pre-1840 primitive camp gear is handled by Miller on his spring through fall rendezvous circuit.
"He sells it all on the road," Harper said.
One down item Harper noted is archery, but even that is looking up.
"We're starting to see archery pick up, but archery has been pretty lax," he said. "Everybody wants the guns right now."
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correction401
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07-08-09 9:43 PM
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First where has ROXIEGIRL been for the last 15 yrs.? Gun raffles are not something new. It is a GREAT fundraiser for organazations. Keep up the great work Jeff!!!!!
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TheFisherman
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07-08-09 8:13 PM
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I think it is wonderful news to hear of a buisness thinking of keeping costs down and not attempting to gouge the consumer for there own selfish greed. I hope this resinates with more business owners. Thanks Mountain Man for setting the tone.
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ROXIEGIRL
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07-08-09 11:20 AM
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OMG! Groups now raffle off guns? What is this world coming to? Just what we need, more guns.
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