LGS price vs Online

I buy my glocks locally. everything else that I like is too niche to even think about finding in a regular gun store.

Axis II said:

What’s the max $ you will pay at a LGS/retail over an online price?

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Zero.

My problem is I'm a picky gun buyer. I know exactly what I want, and if the gun store doesn't have exactly what I want, I don't want to compromise.

That said, sometimes, exactly what I want, is to walk into the store with a few hundred bucks, and no expectation but to walk out with something that caught my eye. Those are the days when the gun store wins.

Price generally doesn't play a factor in my decision making. Even in an online setting. If you have exactly what I want, I'll pay you exactly what you want.

I always buy from my favorite LGS if they have what I want or can order it. Thankfully, this LGS hasn't involved itself in the pricing seen online and at other shops.
They still sell at the same margin they always have. Unlike the other 6-7 LGS in this area that have raised prices far beyond their own costs.
Online is my second choice, only if I can't source it locally.

1942bull said:

I have used $50 to $75 as a basis. My LGS prices include the FFL fee. It charges $50 for the transfer fee for a online gun purchase and $35 for a person to person transfer. So I compare the online price + shipping + FFL fee to the LGS price. Usually the LGS price is so close to to the sum of that equation that I just buy from my LGS. Sometimes I use equation to bargain the LGS down. They do not want to lose a sale over a few bucks knocked off the price.

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Ouch. My LGS charges $10 for an FFL transfer. The shop across the street charges $15 and the "expensive" guy charges $20. Buying new, I use a couple different of out-of-state dealers in order to avoid paying sales tax in addition to the lower online prices. My LGS considers me a good customer because of the volume I sell on consignment, not the amount I purchase in the store.

Strictly a local buyer. At my one LGS/range last December I found a near mint Weatherby Mark XXII, Japanese made-$500, lowest price I have seen online-$900.

I frequent 2 gunshops. 1 has a shooting range and the other has an excellent gunsmith. They know me by name when I walk in. 95% of my gun and gun related purchases go through those 2 shops. I'd like them to stay open.

Add up CC fees, shipping, local dealer transfer fee, and the possibility of problems not reported from the online source and I avoid online sales unless it's something I can't find locally. And the ONLY time I buy a firearm online is from a bona fide FFL dealer never from an individual.

Axis II said:

What’s the max $ you will pay at a LGS/retail over an online price?

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Sort of depends. Last couple I bought it was cheaper to buy at the LGS then online once you add in shipping, tax and transfer fees.

WB

I can rarely find what I’m looking for locally... that plus the hours wasted at the local-chain LGS or Bass Pro waiting in line for a clerk, filling out state DROS-Fed 4473 forms, waiting in queue for mgr to approve paperwork, going to checkout line... then doing much of it all over again after 10 day wait... sucks.

Buy from GB or on line seller for at least 100 or more bucks less than LGS can order it for, send to my local ffl, make appointment, fill out forms while we chit chat about cool guns he gets in. Then I am back after 10 days and out the door.

I’d love to stay with the LGS, but if they don’t have it I can get it for less on line.

Stay safe.

A business should work hard to get your business.

Most of the time I buy guns used so someone else takes the big hit on depreciation. I don't really buy much that is off the shelf anymore.

My last four purchases-

Lone Peak bolt action only- Gun dealers around here do not stock them so I purchased through my FFL/gunsmith at a nice discount under MSRP

LMT MARS-L lower- Nobody around here has them in stock. Purchased online and sent to FFL.

Sporterized 1903- Gunshop had it on the used rack. I asked about it. They showed it to me then told me they would take $50 off the already low price. I guess nobody has interest in the non tacticool stuff anymore.

HK USP9c- Purchased it slightly used from a friend.

I almost never buy firearms online. I willingly pay extra (sometimes quite a bit more) for the convenience of being able to handle and inspect firearms at one of my local shops -- and not have to do extra paperwork. I have a good relationship with a couple local stores, and they will order from their distributors for me (if the desired gun is out there). I believe in supporting local businesses, and there's just not much I enjoy buying online anyway (except ammo).

I generally have rather eclectic tastes in firearms; lots are surplus, or otherwise used. I find something I'm interested in, dig around and try to find the best deal I can. If that's local, great. If not, online is usually having larger selection.

I bought a beater FEG Hi Power clone, that had been parkerized, for $200 online. I saw them in my local shop for $399. I picked up an LAPD Beretta 92FS online for $300, a CZ 75 pre-B for $300, a cosmetically challenged West German P226 for $300, etc; all online. I have never come across anything close local.