Bud's Gun Shop Prices Rising?

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J

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Anyone else notice that Bud's prices have risen faster than some of the other prominent online retailers? I used to use Bud's as the standard against which to measure others, but now I find that they're not that good for a lot of the same guns they used to be great for in terms of price.

It doesn't take much looking to find lower prices now. I know gas prices and metal prices are increasing, but it just seems like Bud's is increasing faster than other prominent online retailers. Anyone else notice that?
 
If you're talking about Bud's Gun's outside of Lexington, KY, I'm not real familiar with their prices. I do know, however, that at least one of their employees is a member here. Maybe you can do a search and track him down and ask.
 
I've been thinking that for a while too. Usually cheap but not as great.
 
I had occasion to check BudsGunshop.com, against Davidson's, and a local shop for the same item, and found that Buds was right in line with the other two sources.

The local shop was actually a little cheaper, which was not true last year, or earlier this year.
 
The last time I physically went to Buds it was awful - half the racks were empty, the prices were nothing special, and the employees were surlier than usual. I'll stick with Evans and Classic in Lexington from now on.
 
All of the prices have gone up but Bud's has risen faster than others. Last year Bud's was quite good, now they are no better than my local dealer (AND I get to pick the gun up as I pay for it with my local guy).
 
Was there the other day. Looked liked prices had gone up a little, but everything has. Most of the guns in stock were Savages. I think their selection has gone down hill. Tried to buy a few used guns. Didn't want to deal any. Acted as though they didn't care if they sold something or not. Left empty handed.:mad:
 
Didn't they have some deal a while back where they had to starting showing MAP?
 
i thought so to, the other day i looked at a price on there for a kimber pro tactical II and for the first time ever my local stor beat his price, and not just by a little either.
 
Hey guys,

A customer forwarded me this post concerned that we were getting some "bad press". I can tell you for sure that our profit margin has not changed in the past +/-2 years. Our profit margin on firearms is actually set (by computer) as a % of our current cost in each individual model ....so any website price increases would reflect the actual increase in our cost of that model only.

Also, we have had to migrate more of our low, low prices to the "Bud's Price" feature. We have brought a LOT of attention to ourselves from manufacturer's wanting us to adhere to their MAP (Minimum Advertised Price Policy)....so we are constantly having to deal with that annoying issue.

I think our prices are still among the lowest anywhere on the internet. Our business is still growing rapidly after +5 years, which further supports our pricing policies.

I never really wanted to be the cheapest on the internet.....just the best value....and I sincerely think we have achieved that. I had a local customer put this into perspective for me one time by asking if I thought $5 or $10 was a better value for lunch. I, of course, quickly said $5. Then he said $5 got you a Snickers Bar and $10 was Steak with Lobster all the trimmins'.....so the better value does not always mean the cheapest price.

With all that said....computers do make mistakes.....so please feel free to let me know if you see any prices that just seem out of line and I will be glad to look into those.

Thank you,

Rex
V.P.
BudsGunShop.com
 
Rex,

I've bought a few guns from you guys in the last year, and the transaction, even to a California resident like me through a local FFL, has always been flawless and hassle-free.

And those of us in California are grateful you guys have made the decision to keep selling guns to Californians despite the new 'licensee check' hassle.

again, thanks -

--Neill
San Francisco, CA
 
Buds does usually beat everyone else as far as I can tell, but Able Ammo came very close on the last rifle I purchased, and accepts credit cards w/o a 3% mark-up (it's in the price, I'm sure). I ended up purchasing there because I didn't feel like bothering with sending in a check. The OTD price was about $7 higher, but that will come back to me with the points I earn on the credit card. I also found their website to be more user friendly and the guy who answered the phone was a bit more knowledgeable and pleasant (although the guys at Buds are fine).

But again, I think Buds does set the standard on price on firearms and most accessories, too.
 
I think Bud's could use some more phone operators or what not. I ordered a gun from there and a gun from CDNN on the same day. I believe it was a Wednesday. Both guns were in stock at each place. I had the gun from CDNN on Monday at my FFL, and since he was an hour away I wanted to wait to pick up both at the same time (plus I didn't want to pay two background checks). By Wednesday, I was a little concerned so I called and was told it would ship Thursday. It didn't. Friday morning I called and was told it would ship that day. At 4:00PM my online status showed it still hadn't shipped, so I called again and was told it would ship Saturday. Well, it finally did, but I thought it was absurd that it took so long to process. I almost cancelled and bought locally, and have stayed local with my purchases since then. Trying to get in touch with anyone there was a complete hassel, phones always busy or not picked up. Price was great and product is awesome, I just didn't expect the gun to not ship for over a week and I especially did not like phone operators telling me "it will ship today" and it did not.
 
Last time I was in there I was trading off a SW 17. 85% gun, nice little .22.

I got offered $150 for it. New young guy waited on me, went into back to get price. I told him that was ridiculous. I took it to JR, he did same thing. I haven't been back since, although I've bought several guns there. JR knows me by name. If I go back, I'll look for Jim (tall skinny guy) he's great to deal with.
 
Remember also with in the last year They changed their pricing mode to INCLUDE shipping. Before they didn't. I think this was also to combat the manufacturers minimum pricing requirements. So you have to be sure to add shipping when comparing to other websites.
 
I have made a purchase from Buds, and would do so again. My problem is their stock of Kimbers is not that great, so I went to sporting arms site, I don't know why but their stock is 4 or 5 times greater.
 
I purchased an $800+ rifle from them a few months ago. The web site states that your purchase will be shipped in 3-7 working days. Mine took 9 days total to ship but that included a weekend. I felt no need to call and bother them when they had stated up front what was going to happen. Thier prices are pretty good in my book.....Plus I didn't have to pay the outragous 9.5% TN state sales tax. I will buy from them again....They have a great online selection.
 
I have bought 4 firearms this year from Buds...been quite satisifed. BTW Rex can I get a gift for the nice review. :)
Bill

RRA Tactical AR-15
Les Baer PII
Glock 10mm
Ruger SP101
 
I was watching an item and the price went up about $10. To me the funny part is that as I recally Buds says they do not charge shipping. Then you go look at buds auctions on gun broker and they are $20 less and $20 for shipping. Should ask them if they match prices than have them match their own price, and point out their policy of not charging shipping ;). Do I get the cheapskate loophole prize? Or just the normal dunce cap?
 
Last time I was in there I was trading off a SW 17. 85% gun, nice little .22.

I got offered $150 for it. New young guy waited on me, went into back to get price. I told him that was ridiculous. I took it to JR, he did same thing. I haven't been back since, although I've bought several guns there. JR knows me by name. If I go back, I'll look for Jim (tall skinny guy) he's great to deal with.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right to me, maybe $25 too low.

Most stores can only afford to pay around 50% of the expected selling price for used guns; out of that 50% they need to allow for overhead and unexpected repairs. It costs a store more to sell used than new.

If your 17 was really in 85% condition, it wouldn't be worth more than $300 or $350 at retail around here.
 
their prices seem to fluctuate, i bought a colt 1911 form them and it was the only one. when it was reordered and in the inventory again it had gone up $15. they still seem to have the best prices for items ive bought this year, ive picked up 4 pieces off them in the past 5 months.
 
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