Just watch this

[Goliath17]

I just feel like I needed to share this, it really got me. I for one always support my local store before I go other places. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgi9GTA3fk

[mrgoldfishybo]

Agreed. Everyone should support these new and small business' it will pay off in the long run. i mean if you're shopping there for years build friendships, meet new people and maybe get a good deal here and there.

[McNair]

They all started as small businesses and were successful. Those that aren't successful always want to blame those that were.

[Matt]

I agree with parts of this long-winded rant, and not others. Local businesses have to earn our business as well. You can't just start up a store and demand instant respect from everyone in the community. You can't solely rely on the local community to keep you alive, then phony pony at them when you fail. Is it our fault every time a local business fails?

I find that a lot of the failed retail establishments here in the past were reluctant to spend any money on marketing or advertising. When it comes to really important parts of their business, like their website for instance, they can't be bothered to spend a few thousand bucks (which is damn cheap for a store website). Any established business will tell you that you have to spend money to make money... And these "evil retailers" crazyNCman talks about have spent a huge butt-load of money on marketing. It's no coincidence they are doing well for themselves.

AONW is a great example of marketing savvy too. They have withstood the test of time, years later they are still open and still doing well. They don't have time to obsess about the "big 4 California stores," they are too busy growing their own business and making it better for all of us.

[Catch22]

Milsim players aren't helping the "sport"....

Dude is a tool.

Edit: go watch his video about AONW... Yeah, he's all about supporting the little shops

[Deleteplz]

crazyNCman is a tool that just wants views to make money off youtube. Nothing new with that video.

[Aforbit]

In some ways I agree with NCmans rant. I am 100% for helping small business! I am all for the little guy, however he talks about customer service and he is cussing at customers ? really? even if he was just going to your store to check out the AEG's the fact that he is going to your store and asking you for advice. Yeah he may not buy the AGE from you but chances are he will be in there are any type of gun work or to buy bb's from you, furthermore other customers see you cussing at a guy they are not going to want to buy from you.

According to the SBA, over 50% of small businesses fail in the first five years. I hate that NCman's business he worked for failed. I can't speak to their business strategy/model, but most folks will go for the lower price if you know that is going to happen as a business owner don't base your store on just selling AEG's. Offer other services. . Most of the Mom and pop shops down here offer both Paintball, Airsoft and smithing/gun repair and upgrades for both.


NCman talks about the selling out and Over-marketing are killing the sport but, why does anyone start a small business? To make money... then move the sport forward. Kurt Kobane said it best " As soon as you pick up your guitar and walk outside your house to play you're a sellout".

NCman also says the sport is being killed by the big 4 and whatnot, but I don't think so and for the most part it seems Airsoft in still in its infancy as compared to other "extreme" sports in America. I am seeing more and more venues offer Airsoft and paintball I feel both sports are gaining more and popularity as a sport America. I personally would love to see both sports in the X Games.

[Goliath17]

Yeah I also really don't like CrazyNCman, and yes he is a tool, but I do agree with the big message he's trying to say here, which to me is "support your local stores" which i've always done. Other things I really don't agree with like Milsim players and OPLCMSS are bad for the community. And he also didn't mention that "the big 4" started as small business's like everyone else. I just think the main message is what's important in this video.

[Catch22]

Yes, supporting the local shops is important, but there's nothing wrong with buying from Air Splat, AirsoftGI, Evike, or any other big store. Air Splat and Airsoft GI have always been supportive of Airsoft in the PNW. I don't see any reason to not be supportive of them. Those "big stores" took a chance on airsoft, when hardly anyone else in the US was selling AEG's. If everyone stops buying from the "big stores". Won't they go out of business? Won't all their workers be unemployed? What about all the hard work those owners put into their business?

I bought my first AEG from Airsplat 12 years ago and my last from AONW. I'll buy from whom I want, when I want and don't care what that fucktard (who's not even sure where Oregon is) has to say about it.

[Welshy McSheeplove]

It's worth noting that this dude says to buy local, and condones people buying Chinese made goods as long as they buy from a local store. At the same time, he just tore in to people who spend money on American made gear and accessories. So basically in his mind, China > USA.

I've had multiple conversations with the guy, legitimately trying to find out why he supports people buying ACM stuff from local stores but insults people who buy LBT, Tyr, etc, and they've all convinced me that this dude in a Youtube attention whore. Dude's a bleeding idiot.

He also doesn't understand capitalism, apparently. People choose were to spend their money. I've bought from AONW and sometimes it's cost me more than it would have if I had purchased from Evike or ASGI. I do it because I love their customer service, and I know their employees care about the PNW community. BUT, if their CS was shit, and their employees were idiots, I wouldn't buy from them. The same thing goes for Evike, who I never buy from because their CS sucks and their employees don't give a rat's a$$ about helping, so even though they're way cheaper I don't buy from them.

In this guy's mind, you don't have the choice to choose because a shitty local store or a good store that's out of state. If you don't buy local, you're "killing" airsoft. I'm sorry, but if a store is crap, I'm not going to give them money.

His stance on MilSim players is absolutely bonkers as well, considering that MilSim players and event hosts generally are those trying to get people to play at official fields, and not just holding a "war" in a very public place.