Buds

S&W was a far better choice to begin with

Guess Ruger is raising their prices in the new year - like most makers do. Or maybe the distributor Bud's uses has done that

Who is Buds?

Buy from somewhere else if you don't like their price. It is a free market economy. If people aren't buying they will lower their prices. It's a self correcting system.

You can also try Jet.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...dVuvpA&usg=AFQjCNG-nLv0ShCOyfS7VNztwSvsB9B1ng

I have never tried Jet, but they seem to get a good rap elsewhere on-line.

Bud's

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...fZbSsA&usg=AFQjCNHX9X8u5UIQ0B8pSeZpGV3t15LEhg

I have purchased via Bud's at least 6 times with narry a problem. Ship to my local FFL.

I have had dealings with Shooters in Jacksonville, FL with good service.

http://www.shootersjax.com/

CDNN Sports is good especially a good source for magazines. They buy in bulk so don't hesitate if you see something you like....it may be gone.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...5qUlCA&usg=AFQjCNEfyHL4EdsPkNJulJwT1Jr7OwtXQg

Cheaper Than Dirt has possibilities. Their inventory is pretty strong and prices seem competitive.
I haven't used them yet though.

For S&W magazines, XGrips, UPLULA and other odds and ends I like:
GregCoteLLC.com
Outstanding Service!!

I bought my last S&W M&P 9Pro and Walther P99AS from Buds and my M&P 40c from Code4sales because they stocked them with night sights and a third mgazine.

I always take the cash price and send a personal check and wait for clearance 10 days or so and they email notice of clearance and shipping or if I am more in a hurry do a certified check and fast mail service.

Better yet, do a face to face and buy locally. No tax, no shipping, no insurance, no background check, no FFL transfer fee.

Gotta shop around. Always buy the insurance on shipping. If you trust your transfer FFL you can allow them to inspect your purchase upon delivery for acceptance or rejection. They can at least look for gross cosmetics or broken parts easily visible.

DA

Buy from somewhere else if you don't like their price. It is a free market economy. If people aren't buying they will lower their prices. It's a self correcting system.

Click to expand...

I don't recall anyone clamoring that we storm the walls and demand that they lower the price, effectively toppling our free market economy. All I have seen here is a discussion about a trend, which is a perfectly valid topic of interest. It gets a bit tiring having the "Go elsewhere if you don't like it!!?!?!" speech every time someone mentions prices.

Yes, they are free to raise their price. Yes, customers are free to shop elsewhere. However, customers are also free to discuss prices, comment on them, and (GASP): even suggest other places where the item may be purchased cheaper, as part of making that wonderful free market economy work.

As a matter of fact, to do that: CheaperThanDirt has them listed for $530. Currently out of stock, but keep watching to see when they come in.

mgmorden said:

I don't recall anyone clamoring that we storm the walls and demand that they lower the price, effectively toppling our free market economy.

Click to expand...

Funny, I don't either.

Everything else you said agrees with my post...except I'm tired of the complaining. Your dollar is worth less. Shipping costs are up. Government regulations are up. Cost to do business is up. Therefore things are going to cost more. It doesn't need to be hashed out every time a price is raised.

Bud's (and others) prices vary on demand. When a certain type of gun gets put on the site and then the shelves emptied immediately, the demand is high and the next batch the price goes up. When the item sits idle on the shelves for awhile, then demand is down and its price eventually goes down. Supply and demand in the market works. Not always to the customer's advantage but it does work. When people won't pay the asking price for a certain item that is too high in their opinion, the seller has the option of holding it forever at that price or reducing the price to reduce inventory and move product. Costs are up all over, but there is a tipping point. Product that doesn't move, doesn't generate income. My 2 cents worth (which is going up to 3 cents next month).