Forum suggestion for customers and local shops

[donut]

This might be a somewhat crazy idea but I bet everyone would win if there was enough "buy in". I imagine representatives from a few shops here and there monitor these message boards. What I was thinking if there was a forum or header for folks to post what they're looking for and casting it out where a representative from local gun shops could respond in the affirmative if they have something available or on the shelf. Whenever I go shopping I usually open the phonebook and start dialing because I know exactly what I'm looking for. Why not cast a larger net? I would think it would be great for business and customer interaction. I think it would be cool to be able to post a "hey does anyone out there have a USP in 50 BMG on hand?" And see if any local shops respond, then say great, I'll be out to check it out on Friday. I'd like to think that if this happened and the word got out more shops would be eager to join and throw their hat into the ring also. It seems like a good way to tap customers from possibly outside the area. At the end of the day, the customer can get what he or she wants and the LGS can increase sales and customer base.

[allingeneral]

I like this idea (sorry it took so long to respond). I'll give it some thought. Anyone have thoughts on a good way to implement this and get some traction with local gun shops so that it will work? I don't want to create it, then get no traffic on it.

[OakRidgeStars]

This reminds me of the old junk yarde "Hoot 'n Holler" lines from years ago. You would call or visit a junk yarde looking for a specific part and if they didn't have it, they would grab the special phone tied to all the other yardes and ask if anyone had it.

Of course, the modern day equivalent of that is a email distribution list.

A simple method of doing this would involve each gun shop "subscribing" to the distribution list to be notified by a broadcast email. This could be very useful or very annoying. And obviously needs much more thought, but it's a start.

[Palladin]

Isn't this the way the Davidson networks are already set up? I just call my local guy and he says I'll have it tomorrow or the next day. Piece of cake!

Just key your Zip Code and how far you can travel into the find a retailer, and blammo... there you go. 113 retailers within 100 miles of me... dang I wish I had more money.

http://www.galleryofguns.com/about/history.aspx

[OakRidgeStars]

I forgot about Davidson's Gun Genie network http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx

My local shop uses them too.