Courtesy/Guilt of buying from the local store vs. online

[au01st]

I have been in the market for a 9mm. I had narrowed it down to a few different models. One particular model I was interested in was listed at $310 on Bud's. My local store said they could order that one for $490 + tax. After FFL fees and everything, I was looking at $340 online (including shipping and transfer fees) versus $530 at the store all said and done. I asked if the price was flexible at all since I could basically get it for 35% off, and was told no.

I ended up going with a different model since I wanted to be able to hold and get a feel for the different guns before spending the money. The model I went with I got for a roughly 10% difference in price versus online, a more acceptable number to support a local business, IMO.

Do yall ever feel bad about haggling over price or getting something shipped to your local store that you know they can get also? I want to support a local brick/mortar business, but this is the only gun store in town run by "gun people" (we have Walmart, Dick's, and Academy) and Walmart and Dick's don't sell pistols so I'm wondering if they charge a bit more playing on people like me? (They sell Maverick 88's for $300!) I don't mind stores making a profit, but if the guy at the counter is telling me that the online price I quoted + ffl fee is less than his cost, I really just wonder how he can stay in business.

 

[trickyasafox]

It might have a lot to do with their distributors- Places like Buds order in such bulk they get better per unit pricing than most smaller shops. A few years ago by me, I had a shop that was great for surplus, ok for other stuff and a great glock dealer. He did the most volume in the area, and so he always had the best pricing. He has since retired, and the surplus store has taken up the slack.

Their profit margin between them ordering and you ordering and doing a transfer might actually be pretty close.

 

[sansone]

my regular customers will call and ask me to match a price they see online. Almost always I can match it or get really close. If I can't my gratitude is expressed for giving me the chance to make the sale. Without local FFL's to do transfers there can be no online gun sales and most buyers understand that. There is no guilt if you give your local FFL the chance to match price, and as a bonus he might stay in business to help you again in the future

 

[au01st]

Yeah, I've never bought anything there so I really chose them since they've been there longer than I've lived here, and probably will be there if I ever want something special. I purchased my S&W SD9 there to hopefully build some good will. Transaction was with the store owner and was very smooth. I don't think I'll be a "regular" per say, but I'd like to avoid having the reputation of the guy who buys EVERYTHING online, as I like supporting local stores. I still might get the one I was looking at from Bud's, and I know I won't feel guilty about transferring now that I've dropped a chunk of change at the store.

He might be a Glock dealer, or fan. Two handgun cases, one was Glock, the other was everything else...

 

[jkulysses]

I give them a chance and will pay a little more to keep my money local but I'm talking like I make pay $30 more to get it local. Now way I'd pay much more than that because that money could be spent on ammo and a holster. I also don't feel much obligation to my local gun shops anyway because none of them have anything good and it's always overpriced. To make matters worse all but one of them are very rude people you just feel unwelcome. The other one they are very nice and sometimes have good used stuff. What you need to do is find somebody that works out of their house with an FFL. I've gotten some good deals this way through my grandpas neighbor.

 

[FROGO207]

I also wonder about this. It may be volume purchasing power at Bud's or that the LGS is not going to allow a low ball price to be accepted. I went that route a couple of times here and then made a point of getting the LGS to transfer in a few while I remarking that a 60% markup on my purchases ($1100 range) was a bit steep and I would just keep buying on the NET as they would obviously not be able to compete. The fifth time this happened the local store asked if they could try to quote me a price next time I wanted to order a new gun. I indeed let them give a quote and what do you know, they were $60 under my best deal on the NET. Now they give me good prices when I ask, wonder if they thought I had "sucker" tattooed on my forehead or something.:banghead: At least they eventually got smart enough to keep my business for now.

 

[danprkr]

I NEVER feel guilty about buying on price assuming the product is equal. That's the free market at work, and a great American ideal to be applied at EVERY opportunity.

Conversely when selling I NEVER feel guilty for getting everything I can. Same reason.

 

[potmetal]

Local gun shops have to order through distributors, like Davison's or Zander's. I don't know how Walmart or Academy does it, but I used to work at a gun shop years ago. We looked up some guns in our catalogs, went to a Walmart, and found the same guns selling at our wholesale price. I feel for local gun stores trying to compete with the big guys. We would remind people that you can't get the services we offered, or bring in your old gun and do some trading, at a Walmart.

 

[au01st]

Yup, the service was a factor. Owner offers personal lifetime guarantee. If they can't fix it, they'll ship it back on their dime until I am satisfied (so I was told, hopefully never have to use it).

 

[Avenger29]

or getting something shipped to your local store that you know they can get also?

Absolutely not. Most of my local gun stores seem to think that MSRP +10% is a reasonable price to charge, and that MSRP is a "Sale" price.

You shouldn't feel guilty about not letting yourself get ripped off. Besides, you are still throwing them a pretty good bone by paying for a transfer, anyway...they aren't doing it for free. Matter of fact, it should be less hassle for them because they aren't having to maintain it in inventory and worry if it'll sell or not...

 

[sansone]

if local FFL's were to ask MSRP+10% they would not sell a single gun. If they ripped-off the locals there would only be one sale.

 

[John_galt]

I recently moved. Was looking for a new gun at a local store and the price was close to +20% of online. I asked him how much room he had on the price. He said not much, I ket it go. His shop his prices. Then I asked what he did for FFL transfers, he obviously knew exactly why I was asking. Answer $15. He doesn't really know me I hadn't bought a gun from him yet. He may find a little room on prices once he sees me order stuff sent to him for transfer, I wouldn't blame him. On the other hand he;s got a pretty good price on transfers and doesn't seem to mind doing them. No guilt go with the best price. Didn't even seem to bother him. WHen I left he told me to let him know anytime I needed a transfer done.

 

[Sgt_R]

I don't expect small shops to be able to match every deal I find online, but if they can get close enough, I do prefer to give my money to local businesses. 'Close enough,' for me, usually means within about 10% (pre-tax).

That said, I do a LOT of my shopping online. The selection is better, and usually the prices are too.

R

 

[Mr.Davis]

I don't feel guilty about buying online. Their profit margin is better on FFL transfers than on many of the guns they sell, all without tying up inventory dollars.

I recently had a pistol shipped to an FFL and they sold me a $30 transfer plus two hard-to-find and expensive magazines. They netted a good sale off me that day without selling a gun.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Do yall ever feel bad about haggling over price or getting something shipped to your local store that you know they can get also?

I'm a broke full time student. I don't have the funds to let things like feelings get in the way of me saving money. Maybe when I get out of school and have a little bigger cash flow to work with I'll feel differently, but I doubt it.
Why would I pay $50 more for something just because it's from a local gun shop? That will buy 1K primers and a pound of powder.
There's a store in Little Rock I've tried to buy from, but they just won't budge on price. I was looking at a Ruger Blackhawk and they had $499 on it. I told them if they could get me out the door for $500 I'd buy right then and there, cash. They said no. I went about five miles away and got the identical gun for $449. That's $485 OTD. Didn't feel bad at all. If it had been online I wouldn't have felt any worse. And I love the gunshop that I went to first. The guys are awesome and they'll talk to you all day. I usually buy components from them, just so I'm not the guy who hangs around and never buys anything.

 

[au01st]

I'm a broke full time student. I don't have the funds to let things like feelings get in the way of me saving money. Maybe when I get out of school and have a little bigger cash flow to work with I'll feel differently, but I doubt it.

Well that was me at this time last year. I graduated in May and finally got a great job in November. Combining that with money from some relatives for Christmas, the money was not the issue (in fact, the gun I went with cost more than the one I had wanted to order online).


Thank you all for the insight in the thread. I will not have any reserves about ordering online in the future if the store can't come close.

 

[LawScholar]

I do not feel guilty, for two main reasons.

1.) I am a believer in free-market capitalism. Any way a business can bring me the product cheaper, while also providing acceptable service and an ethical business model, I am comfortable with.

2.) Almost every time I have gone into a gun store, I get attitude, as though I am wasting their time, even if I am genuinely interested in spending money. I don't care for that.

 

[Erik M]

Sometimes its worth paying shipping just to avoid the people and the flawed information they are overly willing to share. I only shop at mom and pops stores if not online. The only chain store I ever visit is the huge Bass Pro in Sevierville TN, but that is usually only for holiday/vacation shopping and at most I might buy a couple boxes of ammo I dont normally see online. First place I saw the Winchester cowboy action loads was there last year.

 

[gbran]

I like to support my small local gun stores. I usually overpay to do it, at least when the price difference isn't too drastic.

 

[oneounceload]

Places like Bud's do not necessarily always have the item in stock - but they have it ordered and shipped so they save on inventory carrying costs. Small shops may times have to buy certain products in order to get the popular ones - and those at their cash with inventory costs. A lot of folks think they are saving money when they buy online and the difference is $50 or so - but when you factor shipping and transfer fees, it isn't always the better deal. Sometimes it is. Let the shop know where they stand, but remember- as someone said - if you put the local shop out of business, getting your online transfer done might get to be more difficult and expensive

You shouldn't feel guilty about not letting yourself get ripped off.

No such thing if two parties willingly enter into a sales agreement

 

[au01st]

Yeah, as I stated, after taxes, shipping, and any fees, there was a $190 difference, about 35% all said and done.


I looked and there are a few people around here with FFL so maybe that will be an option to avoid the store.

 

[Bubba613]

How many threads has there been on this topic or related?

I frequently beat Bud's prices head to head. The difference comes in a state with 9.25% sales tax and people look at "out the door" prices, without realizing they have to pay a "use" tax on their out of state purchase, which is rarely enforced. So in my mind people here buy from Bud's so they can jack the state out of their sales tax. For that reason I won't do transfers from Bud's and generally won't do it if the sole purpose is to save a couple of dollars.

 

[Beyond_Perfection]

I try to buy at the range I go to.
Price is within 10-15% of the local stores or online.
If they do not have it they will order it for me $25 over cost or $10 just for transfer.
Place is great to me treat me well on every visit and that means a lot to me and customer service is also important to me.

 

[goon]

I always try to buy locally at my "favorite" dealer if possible. Usually I try to find ammo locally but often the price is wildly crazy. When I can save $50 per 500 or thousand rounds after shipping by buying online, I make my money count.
That extra $50 puts more ammunition through my rifle or gives me more magazines.

 

[au01st]

How many threads has there been on this topic or related?

I don't know, why don't you do a search and tell me? Most of the ones I found were complaining about Walmart vs. local prices.