Gun shop ammo price

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braceyourself07

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Hey all,

There is a similar thread going where the OP asks if it's appropriate to tell your friend if you've overpaid for a gun. I didn't want to hijack the topic, but I have a similar question...

Where I live, there are only a couple of indoor handgun ranges with well equipped shops. Closest outdoor range is about two hours away unless you know someone who owns a few acres to shoot on. I've purchased most of my guns (mostly shooting .40S&W) at a local shop and have since become good friends with the guys there and I go to their range about once a week to stay proficient with my home defense pistol, plus I have recently begun to enjoy the sport of target shooting and have begun to participate in their tournaments. Their ammo is notably more expensive than Wally World and a friend of mine totally berated me for not finding the ultimate cheapest in ammo. I value the advice and relationship my wife and I have with the guys at the gun shop and occasionally when they get a big shipment in, they'll give me a case of ammo at cost. I know on the average I am paying more, but I also value the good will that comes from being a patron.

Anyone out there care to comment if they would be offended if a loyal customer started purchasing range ammo at a discount retailer or online? Is there much of a markup or overhead with ammo that they will miss the business done with them? I want to cut costs just like anyone else, but I tend to associate some extra value to purchasing ammo there and supporting the local guys rather than retail giants like Wally World.
 
Ask them if they are making any money off of ammo sales. I know the indoor range I shoot at make almost nithing off there ammo sales. They have it there for the guys like me that tend to forget there ammo at home. Explain to them what is going on.
I am a cigar smoker, I can get cigars off the net much cheaper then the local shop all day long. When I go to the cigar shop to smoke I always buy a few from them knowing I am paying more, but I feel it is the right thing to do. Yes 95% of my cigars come from webisites at a much cheaper price. The other 5% is from the over priced cigar shop but hay that is what you pay to beable to smoke a cigar inside when it is -20 outside.
 
In this day in age, its tough staying loyal to your LGS. I don't mind paying a little more for certain items at my LGS when its come to smaller purchases. For example, on Friday I went there and bought a bipod for my savage for $50. I could have went to basspro and got the same one for $40ish. Little things like that, I don't mind, but if it's a larger purchase and I'm saving a good chunk of cash, I'll by from someone else. Don't think for a second as a business they wouldnt do the same. I'm sure you won't be hurting anyones feelings.
 
There are price shoppers and there are value shoppers.
I am happy for the price shoppers to go elsewhere rather than boring me with stories about how they can get it .50 cents cheaper somewhere else. I don't want their business anyway.
That leaves value shoppers who understand that saving a dollar or two pales in comparison to the value of having a good relationship with a smart, professionally run local gun shop.
 
The problem I have around here(ft lauderdale) is finding a shop that is professional and knowledgeable. The only guy I have found that is knowledgeable is the rangemaster at the bass pro but he happens to be a competitive shooter. Prices at most gun stores forget it a m&p9 at bass pro is 579.99 the same gun at one of the gunshops was 719.99. Im sorry but I will never support the little guy if he doesn't even try to compete. If the gunshop has a good staff I will spend an extra 30-50 on a gun but not $140.
 
When you go to their range, do you pay their range fees? Do you buy other supplies? If so, you are supporting their business. If you buy your ammo at a "notably" less expensive price somewhere else, will that allow you to shoot more often at their place of business?

My feeling is that I have to work hard for my money, and I plan on enjoying it as much as I can. If going to Wally World (which I HATE) will allow me to buy more ammo because it's less expensive, that's where I'll go. Then I'll go give the local range their money so I can use their range. If that makes me an undesirable customer in their eyes, so be it. I bet they'll still take my range fees just the same.

braceyourself07 said:
Hey all,

There is a similar thread going where the OP asks if it's appropriate to tell your friend if you've overpaid for a gun. I didn't want to hijack the topic, but I have a similar question...

Where I live, there are only a couple of indoor handgun ranges with well equipped shops. Closest outdoor range is about two hours away unless you know someone who owns a few acres to shoot on. I've purchased most of my guns (mostly shooting .40S&W) at a local shop and have since become good friends with the guys there and I go to their range about once a week to stay proficient with my home defense pistol, plus I have recently begun to enjoy the sport of target shooting and have begun to participate in their tournaments. Their ammo is notably more expensive than Wally World and a friend of mine totally berated me for not finding the ultimate cheapest in ammo. I value the advice and relationship my wife and I have with the guys at the gun shop and occasionally when they get a big shipment in, they'll give me a case of ammo at cost. I know on the average I am paying more, but I also value the good will that comes from being a patron.

Anyone out there care to comment if they would be offended if a loyal customer started purchasing range ammo at a discount retailer or online? Is there much of a markup or overhead with ammo that they will miss the business done with them? I want to cut costs just like anyone else, but I tend to associate some extra value to purchasing ammo there and supporting the local guys rather than retail giants like Wally World.
Click to expand...
 
Unfortunately there aren't that many "smart professionally run" local gun shops. Most are now populated by condescending, smart alec "professionals".

In these shops you'd better not express an opinion contrary to their's either.
 
The local gun shop around here that has knowledgeable and friendly service has an indoor range in the same building, but the range has a different owner than the shop.

There's another indoor range on the way to the gun club I go to which I've never been to. I've bought a lot of their targets since they have a good price on 'midget' silhouettes. I bought some of their ammo back in the summer of 09 when it was hard to find bulk ammo or Walmart ammo. They don't seem to mind me buying their targets and never using their range.

I've been a very loyal customer at the bulk ammo store, but then it's hard to beat their price. Every time I've price checked online, well I would have had to get free shipping to save anything.
 
I say buy a box now and then. They don't have to know the details of your life. If it makes you feel better get put the Wally World ammo in their boxes.
 
First of all, thank you everyone for your insight. This has helped me make a decision on the matter that I don't feel remorseful (of myself spending too much money or in not "hurting any feelings" as well).

TH3180 said:
Ask them if they are making any money off of ammo sales. I know the indoor range I shoot at make almost nithing off there ammo sales. They have it there for the guys like me that tend to forget there ammo at home. Explain to them what is going on.
Click to expand...

When I went to the range this afternoon I asked and they said they have the same markup on all items in the store, including ammo.

wb_carpenter said:
The problem I have around here(ft lauderdale) is finding a shop that is professional and knowledgeable. The only guy I have found that is knowledgeable is the rangemaster at the bass pro but he happens to be a competitive shooter. Prices at most gun stores forget it a m&p9 at bass pro is 579.99 the same gun at one of the gunshops was 719.99. Im sorry but I will never support the little guy if he doesn't even try to compete. If the gunshop has a good staff I will spend an extra 30-50 on a gun but not $140.
Click to expand...

sig220mw said:
Unfortunately there aren't that many "smart professionally run" local gun shops. Most are now populated by condescending, smart alec "professionals".
In these shops you'd better not express an opinion contrary to their's either.
Click to expand...

Fortunately, I count myself blessed to have an LGS owned and staffed by friendly, knowledgeable people including the range officer. Many of whom are former military or LEO who have a heart for taking in a noob like me and giving some very sound advice in what to look for when choosing and training with a handgun (for defense and for target shooting).

When my favorite LGS range is closed, I go to the other popular indoor range in the area. They have a mix of people--one time there, I bumped the smart alec you describe. I just smiled and nodded to the discourse he was giving me on gun safety, caliber selection, and tactics. I knew I wasn't going to get a word in edge-wise, even though I've done my research and am putting in my range time. I know I have a lot yet to learn, but I can tell when someone likes to hear themselves talk! :banghead: I don't go there often anymore. However it's a bigger facility and they have more opportunities for a CWP class... so I may go there one last time :cool:

beardking said:
When you go to their range, do you pay their range fees? Do you buy other supplies? If so, you are supporting their business. If you buy your ammo at a "notably" less expensive price somewhere else, will that allow you to shoot more often at their place of business?
Click to expand...

Since I started shooting consistently, I joined them with a family membership... it gives my wife and me unlimited free range time (within reason of course) so I only pay for targets. Since we go once to a few times a week, over a year it pays for itself. It also lets me rent handguns and an 9mm AR-15 at 50% off to try in the range. Other than ammo, I've only purchased a few odd and end items like a range bag or some cleaning supplies (they give me some samples from time to time too). Even though I've paid a membership fee I don't feel that it would be fair not purchasing anything else from them. They spend a lot of time with us answering questions and dispensing wisdom among other things not related to guns n' ammo. In fact just this afternoon, my wife and I were window shopping for an eventual conceal carry weapon. One of the guys there spent almost an hour with us letting us handle various handguns and explaining every detail with enthusiasm. I feel like I've hit a pot of gold when it comes to having a trustworthy gun shop that will fulfill my family's needs.

So, I've decided to take a balanced consideration of loyalty and finances like Hanzo581 and wb_carpenter say... Obviously if I can find something at significant discount, I don't think they will be too disappointed if I don't purchase it from them. However, I think I will continue purchasing range ammo from them even if it's a little more expensive and feel good about it. They run specials every now and then. When the time is right, I'll just buy a case and hold out for a while ;)

Again thanks for all your insights!
 
That's a tough one; if I didn't have an outdoor rifle club 20mins away and two Wally's on the way home from work I'd be hard pressed to say pay ranges and their ammo are a bad way to go. I personally don't like indoor ranges and buy ammo in quantity so price is paramount, but again I feel fortunate to be able to have alternatives. Perhaps their prices are that much higher than elsewhere if they're willing to give it away from time to time, no?
 
Yeah, I think it works itself out somewhat. Right after I bought a case of 1000 rounds of .40S&W, I needed to get more range ammo for my wife (she has a Taurus Model 65 but shoots .38 special at the range). After a pause of thought, the guy said he would just give it to me at cost since I bought the other case just the day before.
 
Sort of a relevant story. I took my mother in law shooting and after I took her to the ammo floor at the place we shoot at for some defensive rounds for her .380

I find what she needs and go to check out, the lady says to my mother in law "need any target ammo?"

Then my mother in law said "No, we get that from Walmart".

The lady responded with "ah, well I guess we'll stay in business somehow".

Now my mother in law should have never said what she said but at least we use their range and we were buying something from them. This place is outrageous on prices, on Saturdays they have 10+ employees working, well I say working, if you count standing behind the counter shooting the breeze...if I were them I would trim some overhead and lower my prices, but as it stands, I'll continue to go to Walmart.
 
I am very fortunate and blessed to have a gun shop within less than a mile, and their prices are OK. They are usually a couple dollars higher on ammo per box, but I really don't pay much attention to it. If they have what I need, I buy it. The only times I have bought ammo elsewhere are when they don't have what I usually shoot, and then I have to go somewhere else. They're always very friendly, and I go in and shoot the breeze with them many afternoons. They know me by name there, and they are a local business. To me, that's worth the couple extra dollars I pay for that box of ammo or other accessory.
 
How about $30. for a box of 38spl LSWCHP? I don't think I am one of their big customers, just desperate for carry ammo.
 
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