First off, you must understand how, Bob, the owner, has this business setup. He is a sole proprietorship, one-man show with some family help (at least what I observed). He has no special big relationships with manufacturers or limited brand distributor. He acts as a general dealer on his own with some smithing/repairs from what I saw. He has ammo and Hoppe's cleaning supplies,
The shop is upstairs and kinda back from the street. If he didn't have out the sign board, one would miss it. After going up the stairs, it basically is a bathroom and the store. He had a limited selection compared to other stores I have been to in Montgomery County, but it was good for the size of his business. I am sure he could special order if you needed it (compliant with Maryland).
He handles each customer one at a time as they walk in with great personal care. Other customers must wait until he can help. Customers chatted and looked at the merchandise while waiting. He did help 2 at a time while each was filling out the ATF form 4473 or a family member was rebuilding a revolver and intermittently needed help.
For my situation, our family needed to sell some guns. I called a week ahead of time and after he was done with the customer in the store we chatted and exchanged basic information about the guns an prices using a pricing book. Then I came in, he examined the firearms, and offered me a reasonable price. By reasonable price, I mean around 70% (he has to make a profit also). Cosigning would have been higher, but take longer until sold. After agreeing on a price and personally handwriting out the sales slip, he offered cash or check. I choose check and went through quickly via mobile deposit using my phone. By the way, he has great handwriting as a former old school land surveyor!
Another benefit was the local county does not have extra rules/laws to follow. He didn't need to hold the guns for 21 days before providing payment, and could just put them on sale display immediately (after of course the required ATF dealer book and state "regulated firearm" entries). He has evening hours from 5-8 during the week and it was busy. Also street parking is free after 5pm! Normal 9-5 Saturday. A guy has got to rest on Sunday and Monday.
The best part was since it was his business he could make all the decisions and not yield to the greater store lead or boss. This also put him in a good position to buy used guns at a higher price then other stores. As a general dealer, his inventory is what he buys with some new probably from a distributor. He does not manufacture. I did not see class III stuff out or advertised.
Bob truly helped our family out by purchasing the firearms with a quick transaction at reasonable price. I am most thankful. read more