theboyscout
Member
Lots of shops popping out in central florida, how do you all find the best prices between all the shops? Any other ways other than driving to every single shop? Any favorite shops near the 32725, deltona florida area?
Best gun shop prices?
- Thread starter theboyscout
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Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
I always call ahead with what Im looking for to get pricing. Ask the name of who Im talking to,so when I get there they honor the price. Saves time but usually never money as I end up buying another that catches my eye while at the shop.
I like to check slickguns first and then call the local shops to see who has the best deal. Slickguns.com is now at guns.deals. that's a recent change. In any event, there will usually be an online store that is cheapest, but if it is within a reasonable margin, I like to support my LGS's. I personally have not found too many shops in your area with killer deals, Melbourne had a few, I think Shoot Straight has a location in Orlando, though they're not my favorite establishment
ColtPythonElite
Member
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- Jan 8, 2011
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- 10,477
AAA Gun & Pawn in Deland is a neat place to look at a lot of older guns. I believe the last time I was there an employee told me they had over 3000
Coyote3855
Member
Don't know about the shops in your area, but many here have their inventory online.
iwilc2
Member
MislMan
Member
Shoot Straight in Apopka has good prices on their firearms and a good selection. Talk with them and you should be able to get 10-15% discount. The store in Casselberry has a smaller selection but the same prices. Check online prices before you go to have an idea what the going rate is. Don't forget the shipping and FFL fee on firearms purchased online.
In these days of big box retailers going dark due to internet purchases we all have to consider the effects of our local LGS doing the same. They need to make a profit to stay in business. I do some checking on the internet to determine the online price plus shipping and transfer and weigh that against my favorite LGS that needs the business. I never ask them to match prices, I decide if the difference plus state sales tax will really make a huge difference in the life of my ownership of that gun. I am not wealthy, I just want to walk into my local LGS's knowing they will be there when I need bore cleaner etc. and I will be greeted with a smile. A hundred bucks is a hundred bucks but spread out over 10 or 20 years, is it a really big deal?
I am proud of the fact that over my lifetime I have only bought two guns from auction sites and both those guns were nearly impossible to find.
I am proud of the fact that over my lifetime I have only bought two guns from auction sites and both those guns were nearly impossible to find.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Rather than counting every last nickel & dime, I'd suggest finding a shop that has fair prices (don't go in there expecting Bud's prices or using that as a bargaining chip), develop a relationship with them and make that the place for your new gun purchases. The rewards will far outweigh saving a few bucks on your purchases. Of course, I check out used guns at every shop within driving distance.
I used to live about two hours from there but would make the trek every now and then. LOTS of great old guns!
forward observer
Member
If you know what you are looking for and it's easily described, you can try this
https://gunwatcher.com/Home
It looks at 1600 locations that have on-line sales, and it will include both fixed price listings plus auctions such as those on Gunbroker. It may even look at Armslist. It doesn't have a search by state though.
It will rank the items it finds from the lowest price to highest, with a link to each one.
Occasionally, when you click on the link, you may find that the item is out of stock at the origin store. This is caused by places like Bud's and
Kentucky Gun Co. who tend to leave out of stock items in their data base.
They don't take a commission or anything, so they may get their income from the big sellers.
Cheers
P.S. You can do an advanced search on Gunbroker by state, but of course this will only cover sellers who list on Gunbroker.
https://gunwatcher.com/Home
It looks at 1600 locations that have on-line sales, and it will include both fixed price listings plus auctions such as those on Gunbroker. It may even look at Armslist. It doesn't have a search by state though.
It will rank the items it finds from the lowest price to highest, with a link to each one.
Occasionally, when you click on the link, you may find that the item is out of stock at the origin store. This is caused by places like Bud's and
Kentucky Gun Co. who tend to leave out of stock items in their data base.
They don't take a commission or anything, so they may get their income from the big sellers.
Cheers
P.S. You can do an advanced search on Gunbroker by state, but of course this will only cover sellers who list on Gunbroker.
You raise a good point. Generally speaking, an LGS cannot go tor-to-toe with a Big Box store or On-line merchant on price. They have to differentiate themselves somehow. One way they can to that is by having a product mix that draws people in and which is readily accessible. One LGS near me has a website with a real-time inventory, so I can know before I go what they have and how much they want for it.
To stay in business, an LGS will have to do something to generate traffic through the store. An intriguing mix of products. Competitive (if not the lowest) prices. Robust on-line presence. Daily/Weekly specials to bring in a consistent traffic flow. All of these things and innovations people more imaginitive than I will figure out are going to be required.
One thing that seems to be sorely in need is an affordable gun shop managment software system - for those of you really old, something like a MAPICS system tailored for gun stores.
Speedo66
Member
Why stop there? If that's the case, do you also pay full retail on appliances, other sporting goods, automobiles, etc. to support all your local vendors?
I've only made a finite amount of money per year, first by salary, now by pension. If I followed your plan, while very admirable, I'd be down several thousands of dollars per year. My pension is fine, but I owe it my family to make it go as far as possible. I'd rather spend that hundred bucks on a grandkid.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
That's one way to look at it and the big reason why Walmart is such a huge success. I have never paid full retail for a firearm and I have bought A LOT of guns from gun shops. In two years I'll probably break 200 guns. Nobody is suggesting paying $800 for a gun you can find online for $500. What I am suggesting is that people pay $800 for a gun they can find for $779 online.
I can't walk into Walmart and buy primers, powder, brass, bullets, reloading dies, presses, shell-holders, tumblers, holsters, magazines or even .22's for that matter but I can do that at a local gun shop. Because if my local gun shops close, that's all that will be left, friggin' Walmart. Nor can I call them up and have them order a new gun without paying for it first. Or buy one without being escorted out the door like a criminal. Nor does the minimum wage clerk remember my name when I walk in the door. Nor can I depend on them to know their ass from a hole in the ground. Nor can I buy and transfer suppressors and SBR's there.
Supporting your local gun shop profits in ways unobtainable any other way. It's a pitiful existence indeed to only place value on the bottom line. Regardless of income level.
Sav .250
Member
You have to settle on a weapon first. Get a base line on it. Then shop. Never be in a hurry.
Speedo66
Member
[QUOTE="CraigC, post: 10533150, member: 2511 It's a pitiful existence indeed to only place value on the bottom line. Regardless of income level.[/QUOTE]
Don't you worry your little head about it, just keep buying your custom guns and going on your safaris. We pitiful people will be just fine.
Don't you worry your little head about it, just keep buying your custom guns and going on your safaris. We pitiful people will be just fine.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Hey man, your chip is showing! Try not to make too many assumptions, you know what happens when you do that.
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