I live in an area that is not known for good gun shops (central Illinois) but where do people get such good prices on firearms. I read here and other places about people purchasing firearms for prices that I can not even come close to finding locally or on the internet. Are these people making this stuff up or what?
Where do people get these prices
- Thread starter gfpd707
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Carter
Member
Depends on who you know, where you look, where you live, etc etc etc. One person I know is friends with a dealer and gets AMAZING deals on firearms. The smaller shops around me are pretty decently priced, but if I go in to Charlotte the gun shops there say a glock is an $800 gun and their $700 price tag is a steal.
Online will usually get you a great price. A place like budsgunshop.com is somewhere to start. That is assuming your local dealer doesn't rob you with a high transfer fee.
Online will usually get you a great price. A place like budsgunshop.com is somewhere to start. That is assuming your local dealer doesn't rob you with a high transfer fee.
Iron Sight
Member
for new might try Gallery of Guns
FROGO207
Member
A fair number of my "good deals" were from people that were down on their luck and wanted to sell a firearm NOW. I would offer to buy at the same price as a retail store would offer for a used firearm and they usually said yes. Now to tell you, I am known locally as someone that deals fairly and will buy from you if the firearm is legal and not stolen. Don't resell many though.
I have been known to sell one back to the previous owner if their situation changes. Other good deals were at a gun shop or pawn shop and the owner did not do his homework and did not know what they had. I do not feel bad if they are dumb about it. I will help a new guy a couple of times and after that they should catch on to pricing or they will not stay in the business for long.
I have been known to sell one back to the previous owner if their situation changes. Other good deals were at a gun shop or pawn shop and the owner did not do his homework and did not know what they had. I do not feel bad if they are dumb about it. I will help a new guy a couple of times and after that they should catch on to pricing or they will not stay in the business for long.
earlthegoat2
Member
Where I got my best deals were when I worked at a shop and I bought them at cost plus tax. I only buy used so that made for some screaming deals.
FROGO207
Member
Sorry double post
jcwit
member
Shadow 7D
Member
First you find a low overhead dealer, get to know him, and find that he operated on a 10% margin, so he orders the gun from the distributor, and charges you his cost + 10% and shipping. So all told you end up paying 15 for USPS flatrate box, and 30-50 dollars, for a gun that a brick and mortar has to sell at a high price to pay the electric bill and rent and the counter monkeys paycheck.
find a dealer that will do transfers and buy guns online. here are some good wholesalers that list prices on their sites:
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/
http://www.classicarms.us/
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/
http://www.classicarms.us/
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I get my "good deal's" from my pusher, who just so happens to be my boss
in a family owned and operated sporting goods store~!
in a family owned and operated sporting goods store~!
hey_poolboy
Member
I don't know how "central" you are, but if you're in the greater Peoria area I can give you a couple better than average recommendations. I've done business with one shop in particular for years, and can only think of once or twice that they could have been beaten by an online dealer by the time you add shipping and FFL fees. There are a couple others that can have hit and miss good deals on certain guns.
MMCSRET
Member
I don't live in Il., but I find that having a few hundred dollars in my wallet at all times will help. I've found good deals in lumber yards, feed stores, auto dealerships, truck stops; just about anywhere there are people. Listen and ask, have cash at hand. I like ftf deals with no 4473 involved.
22-rimfire
Member
To take advantage of "deals", you first have to be able to recognize a deal when you see it. Secondly, you need to have the cash on hand. I think keeping some in your wallet for impulse good deals is a great approach. Third, you have to make the effort to find the deals. It takes time.
Visiting a certain gun shop several times a week to check "what's new" is a great thing if you have the time. Plus you likely end up spending more money because you are putting yourself in a "buy position" frequently even if it is only ammo that you might need in a month or so. But eventually I tire of such activities and it becomes more of a random event, sort of like winning a lottery.
Visiting a certain gun shop several times a week to check "what's new" is a great thing if you have the time. Plus you likely end up spending more money because you are putting yourself in a "buy position" frequently even if it is only ammo that you might need in a month or so. But eventually I tire of such activities and it becomes more of a random event, sort of like winning a lottery.
Smokey Joe
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What I'd like to know...
is how THIS can be managed:
For me, and I think most of us, having a few hundred dollars to carry around just in case one spots a great deal on one's hobby, would be a pipe dream!
(No emoticon for a wry smile)
is how THIS can be managed:
What with kids, mortgage, college loans, the car always needing "something," the price of gasoline going through the roof, buying groceries--You know, the little odds-and-ends expenses of life--the only people I know who could possibly manage this are the very few for whom "a few hundred dollars" is pocket change, and people in that tax bracket don't deal in the common firearms the rest of us buy and sell, they take their private jet to Monaco to buy mint Purdeys and Winchester 21's.
For me, and I think most of us, having a few hundred dollars to carry around just in case one spots a great deal on one's hobby, would be a pipe dream!
(No emoticon for a wry smile)
Smokey, not everyone is dirt floor poor during this economic time.
I never carry cash for reasons such as I can't cancel cash if I lose my wallet. But, I always have enough play money that I could buy something if the deal was right, either by using the ATM or paying with plastic (debit, never credit cards). Good deals aren't only to be had by people standing behind the truck stop bathrooms peddling goods from their trench coats.
Oh, and I don't have a private Jet. It's still being built
I never carry cash for reasons such as I can't cancel cash if I lose my wallet. But, I always have enough play money that I could buy something if the deal was right, either by using the ATM or paying with plastic (debit, never credit cards). Good deals aren't only to be had by people standing behind the truck stop bathrooms peddling goods from their trench coats.
Oh, and I don't have a private Jet. It's still being built
Solid, quality firearms are just fine -- working guns, not safe queens. No need for the high-end stuff.
"Fun money" is tougher to lay hold to at certain stages of life. If you don't have a good system that optimizes your finances, do check out Dave Ramsey or Crown.org which have proved successful in my family for the past 30 years.
And thanks to those who posted some some excellent gun links in this thread.
jcwit
member
Smokey, I've raised my kids, paid my house off, drive only paid for cars, newest one is 8 years old but looks new, and am now retired or disabled, depending on how you wish to look at it. I live very frugally, and save what I can, its amazing on how little one can live on if they wish to save money.
Moral to the above Cash is still King.
Moral to the above Cash is still King.
MMCSRET
Member
I'm retired and living on two small pensions, my wife is handicapped and I do all the cooking and most of the house cleaning. We have two vehicles that together are worth less than 20K. I learned a long time ago not to spread myself too thin; no boats, 4 wheelers, air planes, skiing or any other of all the money eating hobbys I see people making payments on. I quit making payments on anything but a home mortgage 25 years ago. That way I have the time and ready cash to indulge my hobby; guns; I have never spent more than 600$ on a gun but I have some desirable pieces simply by being ready at the right place at the right time. It takes patience and preparation and above all, attitude.
22-rimfire
Member
Smokey Joe, I understand. Many of us are in that position as well. But, if you don't have the cash, you have to depend on layaways (where they exist) which is okay, but you still have to come up with the cash in fairly short order.
Maintaining a cash fund is a good approach. You just have to work at it and keep dropping money into that envelope for when the need comes up. That need could be anything from a gun, fixing the car, or paying auto insurance because you ran a little short. But a fund is sound practice. Some people call the totally uncommited cash reserves "mad money" which for me tends to be the couple of hundred in my wallet. It is not enough for most guns I seek.
The experts say you should maintain in cash or liquid assets of at least 3-months of your basic monthly living expense. That is easier said than done.
Remo223
member
Finding a good deal take A LOT of time. it may not even be worth it once you count all the time you have invested. I'm constantly looking and checking prices. you have to be obsessed with it. And the previous poster that mentioned having a wad of cash at all times it correct. There's a lot of people that do that just in case. people are more likely to give you a smoking hot deal if they can have the cold hard cash RIGHT NOW.
You don't have to be rich to keep a balance in your bank account and you don't have to be rich to maintain a balance in your wallet. What you do need to have the THE BRAINS TO NOT BLOW IT ON STUPID CRAP.
Maintaining a balance of 500 does not cost you anymore than maintaining a balance of 5 dollars. Money in equals money out.
You don't have to be rich to keep a balance in your bank account and you don't have to be rich to maintain a balance in your wallet. What you do need to have the THE BRAINS TO NOT BLOW IT ON STUPID CRAP.
Maintaining a balance of 500 does not cost you anymore than maintaining a balance of 5 dollars. Money in equals money out.
stonecutter2
Member
I've found that following the "pay yourself first" rule is great. With each paycheck, take $10 out of each check (if paid twice a month, that's $20). Keep that money aside only for a specific goal (i.e. pocket change for the right firearm). Only in EXTREME dire need tap into that fund - the money will grow, although it may take awhile. Eventually you will end up with enough to play with - or maybe keep around longer and watch it keep growing
Just make longer term plans, make a change that's not financially difficult, and the money will grow.
stonecutter2
Member
I've found it's the money in part that people aren't focusing on - setting the goal to squirrel away a little at a time is really all it takes.
Remo223
member
I've found its just plain old self control. People can't quit spending until they're out of money. If you have such poor self control that you can't stop spending before you HAVE TO STOP spending, then you will ALWAYS be broke no matter how much money you make.
But even more importantly, when you don't have the sense to control yourself, you will NEVER find a good deal on anything no matter how much money you happen to have in your pocket at the moment.
Finding a good deal means waiting for a good deal.
hey_poolboy
Member
It seems as though the OP has left the building. Just in case you check back in I'll tell you about the prices I get. I went to my favorite GS today and found a Kel-tec pf-9 NIB for $219, a p-11 for $249, and an RIA compact tactical 1911 for $429. Not ALL of them are tremendous deals, but I just looked on Bud's and GB and couldn't beat a single price after shipping and FFL fees.
That's why I love my LGS.
That's why I love my LGS.
sonick808
Member
is Smiley's still there on Ireland Grove Rd ? They always did me fair, or ordered for me, or would even do FFL transfers even if they had the same gun
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