Tom,
in post 26 I was discussing a LGS I deal with, brick and mortar store, inventory, set hours, deals in new, used, special order..
he would rather sell a gun he has than do a transfer..
he has competitive prices..
case in point, a Para gi expert stainless..
buds had it for 585 with free shipping, No tax.. through another dealer (no storefront, no inventory, website showing distributors stock) I can get transfers for 15, so its 600 OTD...this dealer has no problems doing transfers and is happy doing them..
LGS had it for 600, + 5 backgrd chk, + 42 tax.. so its about 50 bux more..
it starts to add up on a more expensive item..
But he had it in stock, and we both can't help that at a brick and mortar I have to pay sales tax.. I still dealt with him as I thought price was good..and I want him to stay in business
each business has its niche..no problems about that.. for hard to find items, I'll go with the no storefront, no inventory,web based as they tend to do better follow up on backordered items than the LGS..
case in point..22 conversion for 1911.. put in a ask to be notified when in stock again request at small non stocking dealer, and told LGS to put one on backorder for me at same time 11 months ago.. each time I went in LGS I asked about it.. I got a email from non stocking dealer it was available..last week.. told him to order it..
went to LGS and told them I found one..price about the same within 20 bux from both places, but service was better at one..
for things I want to pick up and hold, feel to see it it meets my needs, the LGS if within 75 +/- diffrence OTD.. for used LGS for special order on accessories, LGS gets them for 10% over cost.. can't be more fair than that..
granted items are goods, but the fact that someone stocks them, offers accessories on hand, has new and used items, offers lay away, and gunsmith services, and competitive prices is more a service, so I'll pay more for that..
for a purely I have held the item before, and know what I want, don't need after sale service, the dealer who has no stock and does a lot of transfers is the cheapest way to go..
I've done both..
still anytime I want something new, I'll ask the LGS what is there price on it first..
lots of times they can match the interworld, other times not so..
for items from the interworld or online auctions, I'll use the other non stocking dealer..
the LGS is usually closed on weekends as they travel for shows.. so you never know what they have come across in trades..