Distributors with no min purchase?

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alaskan9974

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I just got my FFL, I don't want to stock a large amount and have to finance in the store. I would prefer to stock a small quantity of common sellers and just order whatever is cheapest online.

From what I have seen sometimes Bud's, Gundeals etc. is cheaper then some distributors if you don't have large volume purchases. Any other FFL's have recommendations on who to use that doesn't require large volume or require a min. quantity to stock?

I have been telling customers to do the legwork and order whatever they find online for the cheapest price, and just tell them what the transfer fee will be.
 
Most of the major distributors don't have a minimum buy in. Most also have free shipping at a certain order amount.
You will not start to see pricing breaks until you are spending $100k or more a year from one distributor, and even that is only going to be a few percent. There biggest savings come from buying package deals (buy 10 of the same gun get one free, etc) and buying groups. Buying groups and manufacturer direct purchases will get you the best pricing, but you would need to prove revenue in the millions/year for them to even consider doing business with you, and you need to commit to large bulk buys.
Welcome to modern retail.
 
Add Ellett brothers to your possible list. I had a kitchen table FFL back in the 80s, Ron Shirk's, RSR and others mentioned here I used. This was back when you used Shotgun News and distributor flyers...........
 
Texas10mm said:
If you're finding that Bud's is cheaper than distributors then you really need to ask why you're trying to open a gun store.

Bud's will sell to anyone. Why would you expect someone to pay more at your store for the same thing?
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Because it is rural Alaska.

Their other option is to buy a plane ticket to civilization to buy something, vs paying me to order one and having it mailed in.
 
If you had posted a couple of months ago I would have directed you to L.M. Burney. They are going out of business and had some good prices. I got a couple of Bergaras very reasonable, but their guns are gone. They are clearing out ammo and accessories now.

One thing that you will find out is some distributors will not sell to you unless you have a store front. I don't understand why with so many companies selling online now, but it is their loss.
 
George P said:
Add Ellett brothers to your possible list. I had a kitchen table FFL back in the 80s, Ron Shirk's, RSR and others mentioned here I used. This was back when you used Shotgun News and distributor flyers...........
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Out of business I believe.
 
alaskan9974 said:
Because it is rural Alaska.

Their other option is to buy a plane ticket to civilization to buy something, vs paying me to order one and having it mailed in.
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You know your market better than me. I wish you luck in a very tough business.

On a side note I STOLE a used Howa 1500 .338 Win Mag from N. Alabama Dealer because he couldn't move it. With all the Moose, Elk and Large Bears in our area I can't imagine why. He said the previous owner complained of recoil. I have noticed it's a bit more than my .243 Win.
 
Captcurt said:
If you had posted a couple of months ago I would have directed you to L.M. Burney. They are going out of business and had some good prices. I got a couple of Bergaras very reasonable, but their guns are gone. They are clearing out ammo and accessories now.

One thing that you will find out is some distributors will not sell to you unless you have a store front. I don't understand why with so many companies selling online now, but it is their loss.
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Darn. Have a store front but it’s not firearm focused, and not willing to drop more then a few $k on inventory.

Ordered a few run of the mill 12ga/22/bolt actions and I’ll see what happens.

Thanks for the replies. Listed my FFL with a few big retailers so at least I will get my FFL payment back with just a few transfers.
 
I used Zanders most of the time, $500 for free shipping I think it was.

Checkout CSSI Chattanoga Shooting Supplies.

For AR stuff, look at Anderson, Aero, New Frontier Armory, and finally unbrandedAR.com.

Another option is to combine orders if there is another FFL nearby.

Had my FFI for 15 years until May 1 of 2019.

Sidenote.....check out FFLsonly website, its strictly FFLs and a great source of info
 
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