budsgunshop

[Full Metal Jacket]

Yes, they get good wholesale prices and pass on the savings.

No, their price is so cheap, they must be doing something illegal

what's the point of your poll? are you investigating bud's? their prices are cheap because they move a LOT of guns and get a cheaper volume discount than most.

i've never ordered from them, but i would based on good reviews i read.


one of my locals no longer will do FFL transfers from bud's because too many people were coming in to order guns from them and not buying what the shop had in stock. plus i believe the shop was jealous of how cheap bud's gets guns for. bud's will even sell guns under cost, in order to move slow sellers quickly. it evens out in the end with the volume discounts they get from fast sales.

 

[DasFriek]

Ive heard more good than bad about buds, And the bad i did hear no one lost money other than product mix ups.
I have to admit that if i did buy a gun online Buds would be where i started.
Maybe "TheGunSource.com" would be ok from what ive read.

I do admit who ever was speaking for Buds behalf on this board did Buds no favor's in the CS arena. http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/buds-gunshop-c212331.html?sort=datea&page=1

Im rather lucky as i have a high volume store local to me also and they dont even sell online, And thier prices meet or beat Buds alot.

http://vanceoutdoors.com/flyer/flyer.pdf

 

[Erik M]

I live local to them and have bought several used guns from them. They beat everyone prices. dealers bash them because they are jealous.

 

[SSN Vet]

I have wanted to purchase from Bud's on three occasions. Once the gun went out of stock, b4 I was ready to pull the trigger and twice I found the item NIB at a shop on Gunbroker.com or Guns America.com for less.

I use Buds as the benchmark for pricing every time.

I suspect that in their efforts to keep overhead low, they can't keep their web listings 100% accurate (i.e. the case of the 10 round mags) and can't dedicate the time to resolve complaints promptly. Heck, they can't even pick up the phone promptly, which is basic customer service 101.

They are what they are. Life is not risk free. Chances are on standard items that don't have multiple package configs and feature variations, you'll be in the 99%.

Be a knowledgeable consumer and you'll maximize your chances for a successful outcome.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I (and I'm a small FFL) had no problem with Buds ... and actually referred some of my clients to there when we were looking for a specific gun.

Then ... they started to "drop ship".

So, now they don't even have to incur the costs of receiving the inventory, logging in the inventory, logging out the inventory ... they push all that work off on me.

No wonder they can sell guns for less than I can BUY them for wholesale from my distributors (the same ones that drop ship for Buds, BTW)

I'll accept their transfers to keep my clients happy ... but sure as hell won't be "pushing" any more business their way.

When all your local FFL's are out of business, and you are wondering why .... look in the mirror.

 

[BBQLS1]

When I was beginning to play guitar, local shops would really set the screws to a newbie trying to get decent gear. The mail order companies really leveled the playing field. As a matter of fact, a guy on a local gun board had told me he paid $500 for some gear a year ago that would have cost him $300 if he had used mail order companies.

I do business locally when it's a fair price and the shop has good customer service, otherwise I'll go to buds and the like.

 

[ccsniper]

There is a thread on here that talks about bud's. I will let you find it.

 

[CoRoMo]

...he went on a tirade about Buds. He advised me to cancel the order and go to a legit dealer.

He's just jealous. If he can't come up with a better business plan than to attack those who are more successful than himself, he's a sad little man. I've bought a number of guns from Bud's and a few other online dealers like Able's, Impact, etc. I've also bought guns locally from dealers who were able to get guns that Bud's can't, and sell guns at prices that Bud's won't. If price is king, I'd say customer service is queen, and your dealer can't compete in either area.

 

[Pulsar]

wow after the way they talk to customers, I will never deal with Bud's.

 

[Flame Red]

Bud's is excellent. Even during the Obomination mad rush, when it was difficult to get hold of them, they went out of their way to do a special order for me which they could have easily ignored. They are the best!

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Bottom line, he can't compete with Bud's.

 

[ljnowell]

Yes, 1% may be very good statistically--unless you're in that 1%. Then, supposing you are in that 1%, instead of being helped by a professional company that you did business with, they label you as a "whiner" and dismiss your claim. When companies use or abuse their credibility to make up for a mistake on their part, that is wrong. Even if Buds did not make a mistake in the above case, their unprofessionalism in dealing with a dissatisfied customer does not speak well of their business model.

Everyone here has been at a large chain store at some point and seen an irate customer. Usually, that customer is being irrational and is probably at fault, but do you ever see a store manager yelling back at that person? No, because you want that person and his or her friends to continue doing business with you if at all possible. Now tell me how you would react if the manager of that store, in dealing with a customer, simply told them to stop whining and leave because their business really didn't matter in light of the fact that the company was still making money.

Even companies that are not known for being particularly ethical or generous with money will go out of their way to make customers happy--even if it means losing money. That's why Wal Mart has such a liberal return policy, and issues public apologies any time someone does something stupid while wearing their uniform. Customers go back there because they percieve that Wal Mart cares about their business.

In the case of the Bud's example mentioned above, a much better response would have been "We are sorry you are not satisfied with your experience. We are working to better serve customers all the time, and hope you will continue to do business with us" or something along those lines.

*I have not dealt with Buds, and I cannot speak as to their service. I am only making the point that it is unprofessional to react in the manner posted above, and that potential buyers should draw their own conclusions. As for the (rather biased) poll options, I do not think they are involved in anything illegal. They simply sell more guns and have a lower overhead than local stores that have to pay high rent on a store in a good location to sell guns...just like any other internet company.

As a former business owner, an Auto Repair shop, I can tell you that sometimes you just have to tell someone to get the heck out of your place and dont come back. Some people will never be happy and they are always the most vocal. Let your good work speak for itself and the others can go to, well, you know where.

I also notice you are the most vocal and havent even done business with buds, odd.

 

[lebowski]

I've bought 4 or 5 guns from buds with good results.

I'll admit their customer service isn't great in terms of getting a human on the phone, but I think they're just understaffed relative the volume they do, which is one of the reasons the prices are so low. I wouldn't equate lack of cust service with criminal activity.

IMO, your ffl is a sore loser and I'd find a new one.

 

[moonman16]

I've never had a problem dealing with Bud's.

 

[reloader-1]

I'm really good friends with my dealer - he won't deal with Buds because a customer came in and ordered a Remington something or the other for $1200. He called up Buds and placed the order, and then the customer changed his mind. He called back within 15 minutes and they wouldn't budge on the "restock fee" of 15%, which he had to eat for the sake of pleasing the customer.

He refuses to do transfers with Buds now - and when a gun arrives from them, he calls them up and has them pick up the gun at their expense and ship it elsewhere.

Their loss for the sorriest CS ever.

 

[MikeNice]

When I was beginning to play guitar, local shops would really set the screws to a newbie trying to get decent gear. The mail order companies really leveled the playing field. As a matter of fact, a guy on a local gun board had told me he paid $500 for some gear a year ago that would have cost him $300 if he had used mail order companies.

I do business locally when it's a fair price and the shop has good customer service, otherwise I'll go to buds and the like.

+1

When I first started playing guitar all of the local shops were trying to push the Fender Standard Strat and a Front Man amp for a combined price of $650. Then Sam Ash and Guitar Center started selling "beginer packs" for $250 with a Squier Srat and the same amplifier. It was a game changer across the board. A lot of locals that had been ripping people off or providing bad service disappeared.

The same thing is happening in the gun world. Shops that can not streamline or can not provide exceptional customer service will dissapear.

I decided to not shop at one local gun store because their service is not up to par. The owner is a great guy. However, he has two or three guys working for him that are not good with people. They act like they are less than interested in you being there. Plus they have no opinion on any gun.

I was asking about the TCP, LCP, and Bersa Thunder CC. I asked the guy which one he felt was the better gun. His reply, "They're all the same it is just a matter of prefrence. You know like Chevrolet or Ford everybody has an opinion."

I asked which one he preferred. His answer, "It doesn't matter what works for me. You have to figure out what works for you."

Me, "So, which one would you pick and why."

"I told you it doesn't matter what works for me. You got any more questions."

It felt a lot like :banghead:

I've done my research and figured out which three (or five) guns I really want and I will be buying them else where. Most likely I will buy them from Bud's and have them transferred by another store. I'm not going to pay $50 for a transfer when I can get it for $30 with tax and NICS fee.

Brick and mortar stores are going to really have to streamline, find a niche, nail their customer service and concentrate on "value adds."

I've read great things about Bud's, their prices are great, and I've had too many :banghead: and moments with local stores and shows. They will be geting my buisness untill I run across something I want that they don't carry.

 

[TexasGunbie]

Buds prices is the general standard for a good price.

When I buy a gun, I cross reference the price in Gunbroker and Buds.

I am not saying Buds is the cheapest, but they are generally fair in their pricing.

 

[dogtown tom]

mgkdrgn:...Then ... they started to "drop ship".
So, now they don't even have to incur the costs of receiving the inventory, logging in the inventory, logging out the inventory ... they push all that work off on me.

Huh? You would be doing the exact same paperwork whether it was shipped directly from Bud's or was drop shipped from another address. I think you're just a tad jealous.

I admire their business sense. "Drop shipping" saves them money, allowing them to keep their retail prices low.

...No wonder they can sell guns for less than I can BUY them for wholesale from my distributors (the same ones that drop ship for Buds, BTW)...

And what's stopping you from doing the same thing as Bud's? I'll bet if you sold 200 odd guns a day you would get a pretty good discount from the distributor as well........and they would be happy to drop ship for you because it doesn't cost them anything extra.

It's called capitalism. I love it.

lebowski:...I'll admit their customer service isn't great in terms of getting a human on the phone, but I think they're just understaffed relative the volume they do, which is one of the reasons the prices are so low.

+1

reloader-1 I'm really good friends with my dealer - he won't deal with Buds because a customer came in and ordered a Remington something or the other for $1200. He called up Buds and placed the order, and then the customer changed his mind. He called back within 15 minutes and they wouldn't budge on the "restock fee" of 15%, which he had to eat for the sake of pleasing the customer.

1. Bud's isn't the only retailer or distributor with a restocking fee.
2. Bud's restocking fee is clearly stated on their website:http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/conditions.php
3. Your dealer needs to rethink his business practices. GET A DEPOSIT FIRST!Wishy washy customers can bankrupt you in a hurry. "Hey Tom, can you get me a Springmasterimber 1911 with the kung fu grip?" If I can it doesn't get ordered until I have a deposit in hand.

MikeNice:...Brick and mortar stores are going to really have to streamline, find a niche, nail their customer service...

+1

 

[Bubbles]

3. Your dealer needs to rethink his business practices. GET A DEPOSIT FIRST!Wishy washy customers can bankrupt you in a hurry. "Hey Tom, can you get me a Springmasterimber 1911 with the kung fu grip?" If I can it doesn't get ordered until I have a deposit in hand.

Bingo. All special orders get paid up in full before ordering from the distributor - who also has a restocking fee. We do deposits on custom builds, and those aren't refundable either, and changing your mind halfway through the build is going to be very expensive. We are not your bank, and if you change your mind you pay for that distributor's restocking fee.

Bud's is using the WalMart business model - move a lot of product at a low markup. We can't compete with that model, so we do business in areas that Bud's doesn't and quite simply can't, and if the local shop was smart they'd make the switch as well.

 

[Rshooter]

I have bought from Bud's Gun shop before and my local dealer admits he cannot touch Bud's price on some guns because Bud's buys in bulk. I will buy local when they have something I want but I go to Bud's when they do not have it in stock.

 

[WardenWolf]

Bud's Gun Shop is legit. I haven't bought a gun from him, but I've bought other things, including a very nice Simmons scope.

 

[WC145]

I have bought several guns from Bud's - new, used, from their regular site and the Bud's Police Supply - always the best prices, never a problem, and the used guns I've bought look and shoot like new.

I still buy locally but mostly used. If it's a new gun, I check Bud's first.

 

[Jed Carter]

I'm lucky enough to live in Lexington KY and can do business FTF at their retail outlet. Any dealer that badmouths another has lost another sale IMO. Your dealer is your problem, if there is an alternate gunshop then I would use them instead. Just look at their Gunbroker and Ebay ratings, and they have sold over 300,000 items throught their web store. Buds rocks, so do all the local gun shops here in the Horse Capitol of the Word

 

[ElectrikKoolAid]

You know, I used to be all "let's support the local guy" too.

Then the Great Obama Panic of '08 hit and all these local shops started jacking the prices on everything, worst of all ammo. (I'm talking existing stock, not reorders.)

The shop I used to frequent was repricing ammo, charging minimum quantities for primers (at killer prices too), jacking the used guns up to near-new levels, etc.

They started adding policies like "100% deposit for waiting-list guns". (Yeah baby, the gravy train was rolling right along.)

Sure. Capitalism is all good. But it works both ways, and I remember the gouging and now that their shelves are stuffed with over-priced items, I don't feel the least bit sorry for them.

The local gun shops can choke on every last $60 box of .45 WWB or $650+ Glock 17 as far as I'm concerned. I'm done with them.

 

[tinygnat219]

I have to wonder how Buds does their drop shipping straight from the distributor?
I always thought that a dealer had to maintain bound books of all guns sold and that the guns had to be in possession of the dealer and properly logged in prior to being released. If they have an open relationship from their distributor where the gun is drop-shipped straight to a waiting FFL from the distributor, how is Buds properly maintaining their bound books?