Is Brownells doing ok?

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wecsoger
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Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by wecsoger »

Just something I've observed, and a chance for us to ponder...

Brownells has ramped up their online presence and I've been getting two emails a day on products, sales, etc.

I don't mind, that's what email filters are for and I go through the folder at my convenience

They are also doing very aggressive sales on a a regular, almost weekly basis, like 10% off and free shipping

I thought that was interesting, but I'm current on tools and parts. Checked and also found that it applies to several brands of firearms.

So I ordered one to my local dealer, a Keltec RDB* if you must. 10% and free shipping? Srsly?

Anyway to the point, I've seen this in stores before, push, push sales as much as possible, profits low for now and hoping that repeat business later on will make up for it.

And try to keep you head above water for now

Comments, criticisms, suggestions?

*really wanted an IWI Tavor, but when I can get the same thing, with more features at /half/ the price, I couldn't pass it up
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vancelw
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by vancelw »

It's not just Brownell's.
Sales have slowed after the long glut. All the online retailers are emailing "sales" 2 or 3 times a day.
To the point where some have lost my business.
If you have a true sale, let me know. But I have begun unsubscribing to many. It has turned to SPAM
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AJMD429
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by AJMD429 »

I hope so, as their catalogs were like the Playboy Magazine of my youth; I'd hate to see them fade from the scene.

But....

1. Although there are more guns/owners, since it is more 'mainstream', most gun owners just buy and shoot 'stock' guns and don't modify them much.

2. Guns are better and cheaper (maybe not as elegant or well-fitted, but that is not really what the majority of gun owners care about - they just want good function at a good price), so it is less likely they need repair or modification, and in the rare event one is a lemon, the consumer just buys a different one to replace it with.

3. Those who DO improve, modify, customize, and build firearms now have the internet, so don't have to rely on a middle-nan, even at the 'wholesale' level, because they can find and access obscure parts and so-on via Amazon.com, or the manufacturer's own websites.

Brownell's strength when I was a kid was not just lots of parts in one place, but you could always speak to someone there who seemed like he used to go shooting with Bill Jordan, or worked in John Moses Browning's shop as a kid, and could tell you everything you needed to know about a particular part, a repair, or a quirk or pitfall to avoid.

THAT may be what they can cultivate going forward, but even that expertise is much more available with the internet.
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Nate Kiowa Jones »

Guns and gun relate sales are down everywhere. They plummeted after POTUS election. It's call the trump slump.
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GunnyMack
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by GunnyMack »

They have quite a large retail store now, a trucker buddy of mine stops there occasionally. From what he said the store has just about the whole catalog on display.
Ya gotta admit- Odumbo was the world's greatest gun salesmen!!
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vancelw
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by vancelw »

And Billary were in 2nd place.

I said something like that once and had a guy get livid mad at me. He had no clue what I meant.
But the revival of gun sales started under Bill, increased under Obummer, and peaked when Killary threw her (witch's) hat into the ring.
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marlinman93
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by marlinman93 »

Must just be you. I've had a business account with them for decades, and they're not bugging me.
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crs
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by crs »

Yes, it must be the pox that the Hildabeast put on Vance.
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Paladin
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Paladin »

marlinman93 wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:03 pm Must just be you. I've had a business account with them for decades, and they're not bugging me.
"Same here"
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Griff
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Griff »

There's a maxim in sales circles... when sales are down-trending, "buy high, sell low and make it up on the volume"... surefire way to increase sales... and go out of business.
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vancelw
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by vancelw »

Paladin wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:44 pm
marlinman93 wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:03 pm Must just be you. I've had a business account with them for decades, and they're not bugging me.
"Same here"
They know who has it and who doesn't.
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shane-vs-wilson
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by shane-vs-wilson »

MIDWAY USA, will really load your inbox up if you let them!!!
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GunnyMack
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by GunnyMack »

Midway is almost as bad as Northern tools but neither are as bad as Palmetto State Armory- I swear sometimes 3 or 4 emails a day from them!
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COSteve
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by COSteve »

Done
Last edited by COSteve on Sun May 30, 2021 4:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bill in Oregon
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Brownell's waited far too long to catch up with the threat from Potterfield's Midway. Try as they might to defend their old position, they have lost a good part of it.
What continues to hurt them is how easy it is to navigate Midway's Web site vs. their own. I find it a nightmare.
That said, I wish them well. They offer a lot more specialized product than Midway.
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marlinman93
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by marlinman93 »

shane-vs-wilson wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 10:48 pm MIDWAY USA, will really load your inbox up if you let them!!!
Ain't that the truth! I have an account there also, and I get a couple email notices a day from Midway. Usually don't even open them.
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Griff
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Griff »

The only emails I get from any of 'em are confirmations of ny orders and shipping notices. On their first sales email, I right click, check the "junk" box, and answer "y" when asked to confirm that I want to "Block Sender"! No more problem.
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Rube Burrows
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Rube Burrows »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Mon Feb 25, 2019 9:23 am Brownell's waited far too long to catch up with the threat from Potterfield's Midway. Try as they might to defend their old position, they have lost a good part of it.
What continues to hurt them is how easy it is to navigate Midway's Web site vs. their own. I find it a nightmare.
That said, I wish them well. They offer a lot more specialized product than Midway.

Midway is the one I usually try first but I go between them and Brownells. Whoever has the best deal at the time or part/tool the other one don’t carry.
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marlinman93
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by marlinman93 »

Griff wrote: Mon Feb 25, 2019 12:56 pm The only emails I get from any of 'em are confirmations of ny orders and shipping notices. On their first sales email, I right click, check the "junk" box, and answer "y" when asked to confirm that I want to "Block Sender"! No more problem.
My email system wont allow shipping notices if I block the sender for other junk mail. Once blocked I can never get their notice until I unblock them.
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Rusty
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by Rusty »

Gee, I feel left out. I've had an account with Brownells for 20 years and I don't get anything. Maybe I need to buy something. I hear that now besides their gunsmithing tools which they always have a lifetime warranty on, they are selling ammo, guns, and prepper supplies.
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vancelw
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Re: Is Brownells doing ok?

Post by vancelw »

Rusty wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:38 am Gee, I feel left out. I've had an account with Brownells for 20 years and I don't get anything. Maybe I need to buy something. I hear that now besides their gunsmithing tools which they always have a lifetime warranty on, they are selling ammo, guns, and prepper supplies.
I don't think their prices are all that great, but they do have things that other dealers don't stock.
Like the Howa barreled mini action in 6.5 Grendel they had on sale when I just happened to be looking for it.
What's funny, is since this thread started, my 3 a day emails have dwindled.
I often wonder if Microsoft and Google throttle gun related business.
I get emails from ammunition sellers that often end up in the Junk folder. Though it may be the sheer volume that gets them labeled that wy.
"Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one less scoundrel in the world." - Thomas Carlyle
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