Ok, I just read all of the comments about SWO. As I currently work at one, I will try to dispel the inaccurate info I see.
First, yes, they did cancel the layaway program. It mostly had to do with the fact that people would put guns on layaway, and either never pick them up or cancel about 2/3s of the way thru the 90 day time frame. This does prevent a person who has cash on hand from buying a firearm that is the only one in the store but on layaway. I have suggested that people contact our corp. office to voice their opinion on this matter. (I have learned that when dealing with corp. people, the nicer you are the better your chances are at coming away with what you want). Also, the more people who call and say they would like the layaway program back, especially in these economic times, the better the chances they will reinstall the program.
Second, as mentioned before, we are at the mercy of our vendors for just about all of our stuff. Many people do not realize that manufacturers make their items in "runs". If they only make 500 of a particular item, and 500 are shipped out and then sold, there simply are no more items for a retailer to get until the next "run" is produced. This applies to most everything as machines need to be retooled to make the different items.
Third, the inventory issue is a multifacted one. Yes, corp. switched over to a new system and yes they are still trying to perfect it. But, if the stores do not have accurate inventory counts, they will not receive the merchandise from the warehouse. Case in point is primers. Our store just wasn't getting them and kept calling the warehouse to no avail. Well, came to find out that the computer said we had hundreds of them when in fact we didn't. We fixed the count and we are getting them with every week's truck (& our primers are now being counted weekly!!).
Fourth, about the bonus check referred to earlier. Each store does have a goal to make. Bonuses would depend on if you met or exceeded your goal. They were not as high as the person mentioned in the 3 years I have worked for them. Just like any other company, don't make the numbers, don't get a bonus!
Fifth, we at the store level send speical purchase requests to our buyers. In order to do a speical order, the amount has to be greater than $300 as we have a minimum dollar amount we must purchase from a vendor. If only 1 or 2 people ask for an item and it does not meet the minimum dollar amount requirement we cannot order it. I imagine that if 100 people were seeking the same item, they would more than likely pursue making it a regularly stocked item.
As for the comment on the predator supplies, only one store was a test market for it in the beginning. I found out that the Goodyear store had the wire stretchers, fleshing knives, tail strippers and so on. I called the hunting field mananger and told him our store could certainly sell those items (I belong to 2 varmint calling clubs & knew no one else in town had them) and within 2 weeks our store recevied the items. We sell just about every one of the previous mentioned items within a week of getting them in.
I will close with this: Granted some of the items given at the yearly party may not be the "best" of the returned stuff, but most of the items are brand new! We had new coolers, fishing rods & reels, gift cards for popular restaurants ect. I am sorry that you feel how you do but I do my best to insure the customers I deal with on a daily basis are taken care of and made to feel important. That is why they return and ask for me when they come in. I enjoy working with hunters and shooters and sharing my stories but I get miffed when someone has a bad day or bad experience and blames everyone associated with the company they are mad at. Hmmm.... punish the masses for the actions of a few.
Sorry this was so long but felt I had to try to set the record straight.