How much are you willing to overpay

[wally]

Houston storefront dealers are generally very easy to beat with on-line prices + FFL transfer fee + shipping. But our gun shows (rarely more than three weeks without one) are very competitive with on-line prices (often a bit lower even) and no extra shipping or xfer fees, although sales tax usually more than makes up for it. I say I never overpay as any minor $5-20 difference in total cost is more than made up for by being able to inspect what I take home instead of being stuck with what was shipped. Although I never hesitate to hit a local dealer when they have a good deal, most recently Carter's had Ruger MkII target slabsides for $238 -- I saw the ad, called to confirm stock, had them hold it for me with my cc number, and drove there immediately after work. Used MkIIs at gun shows have rarely been below this and I've not seen a NIB MKII in probalby the last six months.

--wally.

 

[Zen21Tao]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am grad to see there are many online buyers that, like myself, see the benefits that come from also supporting local brick and mortor guns shops.

I have to agree with all you guys that mention the great deals that can be found in local gunstores on used gun but I have a different spin on that idea. I have come across some really great deals from a friend that always wants something new from our local gun stores (he doesn't buy online). In most cases he sells me something he had just bought new and hadn't even fired.

In fact, the following gun I bought from him all in like new condition still unfired (I was with the friend when he bought most of them new): a Sig P245 for $450, a Para Tac-4 LDA for $600, a Winchester 1300 Defender for $190, and an EMF Great Western II for $400.

I also had a different friend sell me a like new Springfield "Loaded" for $550 because he needed money for school.

In addition I have found other great consignment deals at our local gunstores. that is a big perk of living in a college town. Many graduate and then for some reason or another (parents don't like guns, moving to gun unfriendly states, etc) have to get rid of their guns before they leave.

I also have to completely agree with the statement that a gun collection that doesn't inlcude online purchases is very limited. I have many guns (such as my Smith and Wesson 610 10mm) I would probably never have found if I didn't also make online purchases.

 

[armedpolak]

i'm new to gun, but...

i got 4 out of 5 of my handguns at Guns and Knives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. It's a nice store. I'm always treated nicely. Guys know me by name. I always ask if they can do *better* on a gun price, and they always came back with $15 - $50 off.

Given the assault on the 2nd, I'm willing to buy a lot of guns at my local shop at not exactly the greatest price. I want to support them any ways I can. I would hate to see a gun store go out of business, so I drop (don't mean to brag, please don't take it that way) anywhere from $1000 to $1500 a month on guns/ammo/range time. Yea, I spend all I make on three things: living, Fiance , and guns the first and last being very related

I think I'm actually going to take a break, since we need a nice TV for the living room but we already agreed on getting a Glock 17 in March, so we can both shoot and enjoy it.

I hope you wan't take it as it I'm a snob. I just don't care too much for a $50 saving on a $1000 gun, if I want it, and my local shop has it, I'm getting it, period. I shot a handgun for the very first time 6 months ago. Since them, i fell in love (with guns), moved do gun friendly state, and in last 4 months here, i got 5 toys, and dropped about $5000 on the hobby so far, and somehow I don't see myself saving any money anytime soon

 

[-terry]

Well, ArmedPolak, if you get the Glock first, then get the TV, you'll be all set to shoot the TV when those darn conservative yakkers (e.g., O'Really (sic)) go on too long.

 

[10-Ring]

I seriously work at keeping my favorite guns shop open. I even pay extra if a gun I want is on sale at another shop But really, if I can save more than $100, I'll go else where

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Years ago when I bought my H&K USP45C, I wanted it in .45 and I wanted a stainless slide. At the time it seems everybody wanted them that way. Oh I found USPs everywhere but not USPCs. And if I did find one it was either blue slide or .40 caliber. Sometimes it was blue and .40, but you get the idea. Finally found one, but it was $759 which I thought was outrageous. Even Gander Mountain wanted less at $729, though their's was a .40. I was even told that .45s were about 40 bucks more than the other calibers, though I never really found out if it was true. I bought it; what the hell else was I gonna do? Seemed the only one of it's type in the world at the time. I didn't try online, though. So I guess I could say that I would spend about what, 7 or 8 bucks per hundred on what I really want from my gunshops. Meh, money well spent.

Most of my purchases are from gun shows. One in particular that comes to a trade center about 5 miles from me. All the dealers that I have bought from are from Michigan, but they are too remote from me to be a repeat customer at their establishment. That is until they are back at the show. They all say that show prices are their normal prices.

 

[wooderson]

With my friendliest local dealer, the only real difference is tax. He charges me a flat fee over cost that generally comes out to Bud's price + shipping + transfer.

I'd rather pay the tax and be able to go through him for service and advice than deal with someone out in the middle of nowhere. When you figure in the total cost of a gun (accessories, ammo over its lifetime), any local premium is going to amount to almost nothing.

 

[JohnKSa]

Depends on the shop.

I haven't bothered to stop and think about the actual amount I'd spend, but I like to support folks who do a good job.

My favorite gun shop owner has also helped me out on several occasions, so I like to help him out when I can. He just recently saved me a lot of time, hassle and money by helping me ship a gun and some ammo, so I ordered a gun I've been wanting from him. I could have found a wholesaler, bought it online cheap, and just paid him $15 to do the transfer, but instead I placed the order so he could make a few bucks on the deal besides.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I wont buy an milsurps from my local dealer....hes ridiculously priced on them. Today I saw a Mosin M44 priced at $139......I bought mine online for $60. Thats a hell of a markup.

Everything else....Im willing to pay what I consier a "convenience" fee for something in stocks....usually an extra $30 or so. Any more than that and I will order it and have it shipped to my buddy that has an FFL.

 

[jeepmor]

I have done both

and it just depends on my mood and the deal. I got a smoking deal on a .270Win for my wife this deer/elk season and could not pass it up. $200 for a tack driver wondergun. I have purchased another gun online, and a couple through a private dealer. And i've supported my local gun store with a purchase or two also.

The problem I have with the gun stores is that they barely even know what a 10mm is, let alone carry anything but a Glock if they have anything in stock. So I frequent the gunshops and call often, but typically, if I'm looking for a 10mm, I go online and miss the handling part.

So far so good, I could do worse. However, I've started looking for an AR15 and am quickly coming to the conclusion I don't know enough about them to make a fair judgement on condition other than the usual metal wear signs on any semiauto firearm. I can save significantly if I buy a used model, but new rifle may be the ticket for a first purchase to insure factory warranty.

Honestly, if I find one in a gunstore in my range, I'll grab it. If it's too high, I'll fondle it, inspect it, get a good feel, and then head home and hit the likes of gunbroker, auctionarms and the likes.

jeepmor

 

[psyopspec]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=121115

Further discourse on the issue.