Originally Posted by
nimrod177
This is tedious that every one slags off every rfd. I am sure that there are good and bad alike out there, easy answer vote with your feet. What some do not comprehend is the fact that nearly all rfd's are supplied by a SUPPLIER (mostly) or from the manufacturer. This is the bit that falls down. I was recently asked to get a price for a rifle (i will not provide names for commercial reasons) I phoned the supplier and was given the price to me plus vat and in no uncertain terms told that if i retailed it cheaper i would not be supplied with any more air rifles end of. For those that complain 20% is a good margin then fine, just remember that 20% is not on all guns, some are as little as %5. If an rfd sells 1 rifle in a day at 20% of a £100 rifle then £20 doesn't even cover the costs of his wages. 20% of £1000 gave him £200 but yesterday he made £20 so he was down on wages yesterday by say, based on minimum wage and an 8 hour day ish (time on the shop floor only)£40. So now we have £220 over two days sounds good. 2 days wages at £120 leaves £100 to cover all the overheads including non domestic rates, commercial rent, water, electric, another employees wages at minimum wage (oh sorry that's another £120 on wages alone) he is now running at a loss. Wouldn't it be nice if he sold a £1000 rifle every day, then he can afford to lower his prices a bit. Unfortunately he sells a lot more cheaper rifles like the hatsans and gammo's than the top end rifles. He is then told by the supplier that he has to sell them at such and such a price. But you as the public don't like this as you believe he is overcharging so buy from abroad, now he has lost another customer. Lets not get into the bit about, excuse me mate can you get in a £1000 rifle for me to buy. Yes sir, i can do that for you, will be a week. Ok. Phone up to tell customer said rifle is in to be told sorry mate found it cheaper or got one second hand now so don't need it. Even if he can return it to supplier he is still charged for postage etc. That's another £30 out of his day.
Really how many 2k rifles do you think get sold in a week or even a fortnight, trust me, not that many. Yesterday i sold 2 stoegers @ about £140 one second hand Co2 pistol at £43 and took a deposit on an air ranger, 3 tins of pellets. My boss will still have to pay the rent rates etc. I love this sport and will spend a considerable time with a customer explaining how the rifle works, setting up a scope, cleaning, safe ranges etc etc. In fact 2 hours yesterday and near emptied the rack of rifles for the customer to try out various rifles for feel etc. He didn't buy one but will be getting back to me in a few days. Hopefully he will, but it is a £240 rifle he is looking at. I make no deference between a customer buying a £100 rifle to a £2000 rifle, they will all get the same attention to detail and service. I know that not all rfds are this dedicated to selling air rifles but then it is my passion for them that got me taken on in the first place. Trust me gentlemen it is not always down to the rfd what the sale price is set at.