AOA and Kalibgrun

I've got nothing against Georgia Airguns. They seem to have a good reputation but operate a very small personalized service. If Kalibrgun wants a larger share of the US market they need a local distributor. Just having a handful of small retailers placing small inconsistent orders is not a good model for growth. If I were Kalibrgun seeking to expand my presence in the USA I would secure a large US based distributor that already has a network of retailers. Wait that sounds like what they just did!

PK

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Actually AOA had no dealer base because they are a dealer themselves. It is a conflict of interest for a distributor to sell into the same end use base as the dealers they supply. At the very least AOA should be forced to sell Kalibrguns at a "list price" a couple of hundred above the dealers they supply. AOA should be making their money off selling to the other dealers and providing parts/service, not selling to consumers. It is double dipping. 

Same thing happened with FX and AOA. It was great for both and not for the other dealers or consumers. When FX pulled the plug AOA stopped selling and servicing FX guns. This will wind up the same way at some point. The "distributor/retailer" model simply does not work. You are either one or the other. 

AOA has sold Kalibrguns for several years. So nothing new. I have always liked the cricket carbine. I went to order one from Charlie but since he didn't take a credit card or PayPal I didn't order it. I bought a Taipan instead and love it. Probably not a popular thing to say but I don't usually buy big purchases from AOA because of paying taxes. It can add a couple hundred bucks to a purchase. And in no way is that any slam toward AOA. 

....Charlie was super nice to me and totally not pushy at all, which I appreciate. He said when I am ready let him know and he will make sure I get the Kalibgrun I want.

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I just went to GEORGIA AirGuns and am in the process of making a purchase based on your recommendation. To me that's the most impact I can have on a small business--giving them business.

AOA is a good shop. Always get fast shipping, excellent service. 



I think this is just the evolution of business and this brand...

Although I'm not a fan of exclusive dealers, the world isn't perfect. 

I've bought from both AirGuns of Arizona and Georgia Air Guns.

While AirGuns of Arizona have been polite, the sales guys seem "quick" to keep things moving.

I've bought two guns from Charlie and have been VERY happy with his attention to his customers, at least to me. There's no pushing, no direction that you "should" go comments. He takes the time to set up your gun to "your" desires, the type of shooting that you will be doing. HE then provides a target with 5 or 6 (forgot !), targets with the different ammo and the different pellet speeds. You can exactly what he did, and then have a very good thought on what pellet to buy...no experimenting required.

While AirGuns of Arizona does take the time to shoot your gun, it is...just as an outside quality control check.

I (there's one small shop..!) always "try" to help the little guy shop before spending money at the big shops.

Mike

I like to support my small, local dealer. The problem is, the manufacturers send him products in dribs and drabs while the big dealers get rifles by the pallet load. That, to me, is quite unfair, Some of these big dealers I would not do business with. DO YOU HEAR THAT FX?