TexasCHLforum.com

Abraham wrote:Many of us aren't FB users, so you won't see our comments.

I am a FB user, have posted on their site several times and you won't see mine either. I think they delete the ones that they don't like.

sooperdooper wrote:I checked out their facebook page and there was a lot of activity I posted the picture of the sign as well as commented. Soon after they released a snipit about their policy. It has really stirred up the nest. Hopefully they see the light.

Not likely. I suspect that the management team is true Lib and they would allow the chain to fold before giving in to allowing concealed carry in their stores.

We haven't been back since the signs went up. Checking their parking lot, I don't see a noticeable difference

Cedar Park Dad wrote:

chasfm11 wrote:

extremist wrote:

nitrogen wrote:I dont think Aldi owns sprouts.

AFAIK, its owned and operated out of AZ.

Last time I visited the ALDI locally, they were not posted! If their ground beef and bacon is decent, I will shop there!

I shop at Aldi's in Keller. Good Bacon and Good Ground beef

Good milk, eggs and house brand products. The drawback to their produce department is they sell a lot of BULK packaging of stuff, which is not so good for a family of 2

But, They do not post. Neither does Kroger/Albertsons/Tom Thumb in Keller. Sprouts is going to regret this decision in Keller, where there is LOTS of competition and LOTS of CHL holders.

James

I sure hope that you are right. I believe that I've cost them 10 regular customers including us. Many of our family members and friends started shopping there because we recommended Sprouts. It took almost no time at all to reverse that recommendation. At the end of the day, however, we will have to have a real impact on their bottom line if there is any hope of a decision reversal. Even if a handful of stores see a sales drop, I doubt that it is going to make the signs come down.

They will only regret it if the loss is noticable and can be tracked to why. Letters and comments are helpful in explaining the why, so keep it up.

I personally hand delivered (unarmed) a letter to a local manager, sent a snail mail one to the AZ corporate office and joined the many Facebook posters. Other than continuing to talk to others and discourage them from shopping with Sprouts, I'm not sure what else is possible. I agree that a volume of similar actions may help but it is going to take a volume.

extremist wrote:

nitrogen wrote:I dont think Aldi owns sprouts.

AFAIK, its owned and operated out of AZ.

Last time I visited the ALDI locally, they were not posted! If their ground beef and bacon is decent, I will shop there!

I shop at Aldi's in Keller. Good Bacon and Good Ground beef

Good milk, eggs and house brand products. The drawback to their produce department is they sell a lot of BULK packaging of stuff, which is not so good for a family of 2

But, They do not post. Neither does Kroger/Albertsons/Tom Thumb in Keller. Sprouts is going to regret this decision in Keller, where there is LOTS of competition and LOTS of CHL holders.

James

I sure hope that you are right. I believe that I've cost them 10 regular customers including us. Many of our family members and friends started shopping there because we recommended Sprouts. It took almost no time at all to reverse that recommendation. At the end of the day, however, we will have to have a real impact on their bottom line if there is any hope of a decision reversal. Even if a handful of stores see a sales drop, I doubt that it is going to make the signs come down.

Dreamer42 wrote:I know some of you would boycott any business that posts such a notice, but it is my opinion that I would continue to shop there until/if they post a proper 30-06 sign. The existing sign is meaningless, so I'll walk right on in. They very well may be anti-2A, but legally they have not demonstrated they can keep me out. I would not send any kind of letter until they do post the proper sign. Why wake a sleeping dog?

Dreamer42

I was just there to try go get the name of the manager for my letter. I looked at the sign. While I didn't get out my ruler to measure the 1" letter height, everything about the sign that I saw appears to be compliant and, therefore, it IS a legal sign. It appears that they did their homework. I would never carry past that sign and left my gun in the car.

Dragonfighter wrote:

chasfm11 wrote: Sometimes we sell ourselves short. There are a lot of people buying guns who do not yet have their CHL. I personally know of at least 5. We also are a respected part of our individual communities and many people who might never own a gun can be influenced to not do business with a store that is willing to undermine our right to self-defense.

This would be a good point for someone's letter to make.

It the past, a political action like yours might have gone unnoticed by many. But this is the age of social media and such political statements are quickly shared. The impact will not just be with all of the CHL holders who see your sign but also with their families and friends who share their values. Given increased competition in places like Flower Mound, is it really a good business policy to drive away customers, and everyone that they are connected to digitally?

Bolton Strid wrote:

rotor wrote: Most stores can't afford a 2% drop in business, the percentage of chl holders in Texas.

You are definitely on to something there - the fact of the matter is that the actual profit margin of grocery stores is very low - 1% to 2%, MAYBE 3% if they run a real tight operation. Yes, a drop in business will get their attention.

The other point to be made is that the information about Sprouts decision to post their stores is being disseminated via "social media" - the means by which CHL holders communicate with like minded people. Can Sprouts really handle the possibility that the information "goes viral" and impacts all gun owners, not just CHLs?

Sometimes we sell ourselves short. There are a lot of people buying guns who do not yet have their CHL. I personally know of at least 5. We also are a respected part of our individual communities and many people who might never own a gun can be influenced to not do business with a store that is willing to undermine our right to self-defense.

My wife just confirmed that the Sprouts store in Flower Mound is posted. They will be getting a letter to their local manager and to the corporate office detailing their loss of our business. The timing is curious as a Central Market, just down the street from Sprouts in FM will soon open. The business loss is easy to confirm to them when there is a viable alternative so close.

My letters will remind them that they are making a political decision - and that this is Texas and not NY were it might have been better received.

On a personal note, I have to wonder if the publicity about Starbucks played any role in the Sprouts decision.