Budsgunshop
- Thread starter CZsp01
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Kentucky Jelly
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2008
- Messages
- 128
Buds is a local shop for some of us. With how busy they usually are the customer service is great in person. The phone is ringing non stop while I am there.
captain awesome
Member
I was kind of displeased when they changed their browsing options. how you could see all of a certain caliber, narrow it further by brand, or type...... I purchased 3 guns because of the way they had their site set up. I used to visit it on a daily basis, now I rarely do.
While I agree with supporting local stores. For firearms its anywhere from 200-300$ less. So I at least buy my accessories at a local store(Not bass pro), I can understand the 10-20$ higher price, its more realistic with smaller items.
I took the facebook advice and response was quick, although the response is what I would find on there page.
It's pointless calling for order information, its the same info you can find on buds. A person wont even talk to you about order info, lol.
I took the facebook advice and response was quick, although the response is what I would find on there page.
It's pointless calling for order information, its the same info you can find on buds. A person wont even talk to you about order info, lol.
dogtown tom
Member
Yes.
There is no law that prohibits drop shipping. The distributor is licensed just like Bud's is.
Customer orders gun from Bud's, Bud's checks inventory at distributor closest to customer and has distributor ship directly to customers FFL of choice.
Pretty darn efficient way of doing business.
rellascout
member
As I have stated many times before. It all depends on what you order. People constantly confuse the 2 very different business models that Buds is running.
On the one hand they have a retail store and run that like any other brick and mortar. When people go to the local store and see people answering the phone I doubt they are talking to people calling about website orders. They have a seperate group of people taking those calls.
On the other hand they have an internet drop ship based business. Their website is nothing more than a shell database which pulls info from their distributors. This IMHO is not realtime. Its like calling the Best Buy about your bestbuy.com order. You are not routed to the local store. They are seperate businesses running under the same name. Best Buy does a better job of linking the 2 businesses than Buds does but they are also a lot bigger with more resources.
This is where the rubber meets the road. Something might show "IN STOCK" on their website and not be in the store.It might show "IN STOCK" on their site but not really be "IN STOCK" at the distributor. If the data is accurate it seems like they process orders quickly for instock items.
When the data is wrong is when there are delays. They are also very poor at answering the phone. Their online chat systems during business hours seems pretty good but they really do not answer the phone and tell you as much upfront.
They are volume dealer and IMHO do not have the time to deal with people one on one. You sort of get what you pay for in terms of customer service. They are like the Walmart of guns. You have sacrificed customer service and individual attention for price. Only you can determine if you made a good choice.
That said my order which was placed yesterday at 7:27 PM was shipped today to my FFL at 2:00. This order was placed with a credit card and was shipped to an FFL they already had on file.
On the one hand they have a retail store and run that like any other brick and mortar. When people go to the local store and see people answering the phone I doubt they are talking to people calling about website orders. They have a seperate group of people taking those calls.
On the other hand they have an internet drop ship based business. Their website is nothing more than a shell database which pulls info from their distributors. This IMHO is not realtime. Its like calling the Best Buy about your bestbuy.com order. You are not routed to the local store. They are seperate businesses running under the same name. Best Buy does a better job of linking the 2 businesses than Buds does but they are also a lot bigger with more resources.
This is where the rubber meets the road. Something might show "IN STOCK" on their website and not be in the store.It might show "IN STOCK" on their site but not really be "IN STOCK" at the distributor. If the data is accurate it seems like they process orders quickly for instock items.
When the data is wrong is when there are delays. They are also very poor at answering the phone. Their online chat systems during business hours seems pretty good but they really do not answer the phone and tell you as much upfront.
They are volume dealer and IMHO do not have the time to deal with people one on one. You sort of get what you pay for in terms of customer service. They are like the Walmart of guns. You have sacrificed customer service and individual attention for price. Only you can determine if you made a good choice.
That said my order which was placed yesterday at 7:27 PM was shipped today to my FFL at 2:00. This order was placed with a credit card and was shipped to an FFL they already had on file.
Lazyshooter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2011
- Messages
- 70
I bought a gun from them last October, I think it only took 2 days to ship.
Hanzo581
Member
I also try to do this, however sometimes online sources beat my local shops by well over a hundred dollars, and I just can't justify throwing away that kind of money.
I have a shop near me where the people are super friendly and helpful BUT take for instance this.
http://www.bobsnorfolk.com/sig556-classic-556mm-nato-inch-barrel-adjustable-stock-mini-p-20624.html
I bought this EXACT rifle from Buds for $971 shipped, would you buy it at your local shop?
If BestBuy does a better job linking their orders between the website and in store pick up stuff I think I might cry with Buds...
Anyway, my experience with buds was 2business days to ship... my buddy ordered the same pistol when he saw mine, took 5days ship... Unfortunately it's all about their supply, where things are and their order volume.
Buds won't rip you off... and they're generally faster than anything else I've dealt with.
Anyway, my experience with buds was 2business days to ship... my buddy ordered the same pistol when he saw mine, took 5days ship... Unfortunately it's all about their supply, where things are and their order volume.
Buds won't rip you off... and they're generally faster than anything else I've dealt with.
I would be happy to support my local shop....IF they had anything that I was looking for. Mostly it's Hi Points and a few other low end guns.
Jon Coppenbarger
Member
As buds is getting better known I have started to get more and more guns in from them for tranfers. recieved one today. I do not mind doing them as I believe it lets folks who do not know about us into the shop and it lets them become a future cust.
rellascout
member
That is a great mindset I wish other FFLS would adpot. Everytime someone does a transfer is a chance to get a new customer. I am amazed that more dealers do not view it this way. The local guy getting a gun is a perfect time to tell him about what you offer your pricing and sell ammo and accessories.
moonman16
Member
A smaller shop doing transfers would do well to supply the customers with optional items or services from gun-smithing to holsters. Ammo, sights, holsters, targets, gun cases, cleaning supplies, tools, reloading supplies, reloading or gun safety classes, hunting items from knives to tents, make yourself a market.
The best thing a small shop can LEARN IS GREAT CUSTOMER PERSONAL SERVICE. Make that customer return for whatever service or information you can supply them with because they're a friend not just a customer in line.
The best thing a small shop can LEARN IS GREAT CUSTOMER PERSONAL SERVICE. Make that customer return for whatever service or information you can supply them with because they're a friend not just a customer in line.
marlin.357
Member
Placed the order on a Wednesday about 2pm, the gun shipped the same day, and was received by my FFL on Friday morning.
I believe my FFL makes more money from transfers from Bud's and other online sources than selling from his stock, he doesn't have to lay out his own money (or borrow) to stock the shelves. I think it is a win-win!
I believe my FFL makes more money from transfers from Bud's and other online sources than selling from his stock, he doesn't have to lay out his own money (or borrow) to stock the shelves. I think it is a win-win!
Just make sure you match up the part number on Buds to manufacture part number. Trust the manfacture part number more than the picture and description. I recently ordered a FNP-40 with 14rd mags. On Buds, the part number was for a FNP-40 with 10rd mags but Buds description shows it's 14rd. I emailed Buds and they said it's the 14 rounds. I placed the order and a distributor dropped shipped it to my FFL. I went to pick it up and it was the 10rd version. Called Buds and it took 30 mins to get a live person on the phone. He send out a return call tag and after about 10 emails/30 days later. I was able to get a SIG P250 as a replacement for a significant discount. Good thing I wasn't in a hurry. My previous order for a S&W MP15MOE went flawless and I got the rifle in less than 4 days. It's really a hit or miss with them.
K0ZZZ
Member
Ordered Thursday late afternoon, shipped with tracking # on Friday, due to arrive on Tuesday.
If your local shop is wanting hundreds more for the same gun from Bud's, you REALLY need a new shop. That's called robbery. Seriously, there's NO reason at all, there's that large of a difference unless your dealer is that greedy. If so, I certainly doesn't deserve the $25 for a transfer either.
So have them order it! Just as you order from Bud's, the dealer can order from their supplier. Either way it's not in-hand prior to the 4473.
Reading such threads on forum after forum, it seems there's very few GOOD shops out there anymore. Guess having a bunch within driving distance here is a rarity compared to the rest of the country.
So have them order it! Just as you order from Bud's, the dealer can order from their supplier. Either way it's not in-hand prior to the 4473.
Reading such threads on forum after forum, it seems there's very few GOOD shops out there anymore. Guess having a bunch within driving distance here is a rarity compared to the rest of the country.
In the past I've talked to a couple of shops about ordering guns and they didn't seem to know how to get even something as simple as a Springfield Loaded. I don't think they work with the right suppliers. If I'm going to order something like a DW, I might as well get it from Bud's, at least they know what I'm talking about. Seriously, when I've asked around here about Kimbers or Springfields, I get weird looks and "nothing like that ever sells".
BoilerUP
Member
Took me more than a week from order placement to shipped right after the first of this year.
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