I live in Wichita, KS, have lived in the immediate vicinity most of my life except for the 4 years I moved away (will be 30 in 8 days 
) so our area has always had wal mart in one way or another and ive seen how the store has changed for what I would consider the worse. Im somewhat partial to the place as I grew up with it in the smaller town (outside of wichita) I lived in, my best friends mother who just has a HS Education has worked there most of her life and has made a helluva living working her way up...however I cringe more and more everytime I go in there. I bet Sam Walton has to be rolling over in his grave as I dont believe what it has morphed into is what he envisioned.
Well for those of you that dont know much about Wichita, if you measure the population in what I would call the greater Metro area Id wager we are very close to 500,000 if not greater. So not a huge metropolis but big enough.
There are 6 Wal Marts in the city limits, you may be able to double or triple that store # if you include the ones within 60 miles of city limits.
All the ones in city limits used to sell guns. Now only one does. All the wal marts used to have a rather large ammo selection, now since all of the stores in town have done a sporting goods dept remodel and rearranged the counters (partially I believe so they dont have to staff someone there) the ammo selection has been cut back drastically. Since late Summer and this past fall not much is in stock (although I partially blame that on the ammo fear mongers).
Ive also noticed since they have done the remodel there is a very limited supply of anything gun related from cleaning kits, cleaning supplies, hunting clothing (There was hardly anything to choose from this year at all!) targets, you name it.
I went looking for some gloves and I dont recall even seeing any. I recall when I was younger and in high school that as the season rolled around the dept would be overflowing with the stuff and most of the general clothing was not that bad (ie upland vests, bibs etc).
Im still a guy who cant justify paying full retail on things mainly because I tend to be conservative with my money.
Are you guys noticing the same things in your area? I really dont understand it. Its like the people running the place are left wing extremists and have this OCD desire to be way too Politically correct. For God Sakes you cant even buy a toy gun or cap gun in the place anymore.
I know a lot of things boil down to dollars and cents, as maybe the area is not as profitable as others, but theres no way the area just becomes non profitable overnite, they have the buying power and distribution power to make anything virually profitable. I understand business's role is to make money but theres a fine line and I think they are starting to cross it with me.
Target used to have a sporting goods dept when i was a little kid - it has since vanished, K mart back in the day, I havent been in a Kmart in years but I doubt they have one either.
Im just going to have to turn to reloading and buying all of my stuff off the internet. The only thing I will buy from small local stores is used and new guns. Most of their ammo is a rip off and if I bought it at the prices they charged I wouldnt be able to afford to hunt or shoot.
Im just afraid if wal mart gets rid of the gun/ammo dept that there will be more people leave the shooting sports and hunting just like the disease of leasing and horn chasing has caused many to leave the sport of hunting.
I like more of us on the same side, theres safety in numbers when it comes to voting and sportsman related issues.
Have you noticed this where you live? Anyone have any explanation for why they are doing this?
I know me personally, as hard as it will be since the store is a mile away but I will try my damndest to never buy anything in the place again and switch to Target if Wal Mart quits selling ammo/hunting related sporting goods.
) so our area has always had wal mart in one way or another and ive seen how the store has changed for what I would consider the worse. Im somewhat partial to the place as I grew up with it in the smaller town (outside of wichita) I lived in, my best friends mother who just has a HS Education has worked there most of her life and has made a helluva living working her way up...however I cringe more and more everytime I go in there. I bet Sam Walton has to be rolling over in his grave as I dont believe what it has morphed into is what he envisioned.Well for those of you that dont know much about Wichita, if you measure the population in what I would call the greater Metro area Id wager we are very close to 500,000 if not greater. So not a huge metropolis but big enough.
There are 6 Wal Marts in the city limits, you may be able to double or triple that store # if you include the ones within 60 miles of city limits.
All the ones in city limits used to sell guns. Now only one does. All the wal marts used to have a rather large ammo selection, now since all of the stores in town have done a sporting goods dept remodel and rearranged the counters (partially I believe so they dont have to staff someone there) the ammo selection has been cut back drastically. Since late Summer and this past fall not much is in stock (although I partially blame that on the ammo fear mongers).
Ive also noticed since they have done the remodel there is a very limited supply of anything gun related from cleaning kits, cleaning supplies, hunting clothing (There was hardly anything to choose from this year at all!) targets, you name it.
I went looking for some gloves and I dont recall even seeing any. I recall when I was younger and in high school that as the season rolled around the dept would be overflowing with the stuff and most of the general clothing was not that bad (ie upland vests, bibs etc).
Im still a guy who cant justify paying full retail on things mainly because I tend to be conservative with my money.
Are you guys noticing the same things in your area? I really dont understand it. Its like the people running the place are left wing extremists and have this OCD desire to be way too Politically correct. For God Sakes you cant even buy a toy gun or cap gun in the place anymore.
I know a lot of things boil down to dollars and cents, as maybe the area is not as profitable as others, but theres no way the area just becomes non profitable overnite, they have the buying power and distribution power to make anything virually profitable. I understand business's role is to make money but theres a fine line and I think they are starting to cross it with me.
Target used to have a sporting goods dept when i was a little kid - it has since vanished, K mart back in the day, I havent been in a Kmart in years but I doubt they have one either.
Im just going to have to turn to reloading and buying all of my stuff off the internet. The only thing I will buy from small local stores is used and new guns. Most of their ammo is a rip off and if I bought it at the prices they charged I wouldnt be able to afford to hunt or shoot.
Im just afraid if wal mart gets rid of the gun/ammo dept that there will be more people leave the shooting sports and hunting just like the disease of leasing and horn chasing has caused many to leave the sport of hunting.
I like more of us on the same side, theres safety in numbers when it comes to voting and sportsman related issues.
Have you noticed this where you live? Anyone have any explanation for why they are doing this?
I know me personally, as hard as it will be since the store is a mile away but I will try my damndest to never buy anything in the place again and switch to Target if Wal Mart quits selling ammo/hunting related sporting goods.
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