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

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I pay the extra at my dealer because:

a) They know me by name there
b) I can touch and see what I'm thinking about buying
c) Buying directly from a person has a lot of positive side effects in the future (Customer loyalty? Repeat sales?)
d) And of course, a couple of the guys I know there are real knowledgeable. And one happens to have been in my unit in the Army. We BS, he makes the sale, I feel good knowing that I'm happy, so is he AND he gets a a commission for treating me good.
e) I CAN TAKE IT HOME RIGHT THEN AND THERE
 
Hi Guys-

Here are some real numbers from last week on a S&W 500 item#170231:

Almost Local Shop $1,150.00 Fees: $94.88 Total $1,244.88

Buds $1,196.00 Fees $48.00 Total $1,244.00

Internet Vendor $1,085.00 Fees $45.00 Total $1,130.00

Local Shop $1,266.00 Fees $104.45 Total $1,370.45


The fees include sales tax for local shops, transfer fees ($20) and shipping for internet shops, and credit card fee (3%) for Buds.

The almost local shop is about 1.5 hours away.

Bob
 
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Ah, went through this dilemma the other day.

FN SLP on sale through CDNN for $850 with free shipping.
Best price local gun store could do (with tax) was $937.

When I told local store this their response was they charge a 10% fee for orders from CDNN (instead of their $20 transfer fee) because CDNN is a wholesaler. Of course, I got the gun from CDNN and paid the $20 fee somewhere else.
 
No, sir it is not. Value buying is the nature of smart capitalism. For someone who's sole arbiter is "the bottom dollar" then such a person needs to shop at WalMart. All the time.
But many people recognize the value of the informed local merchant and a personal relationship. I have personally saved customers thousands of dollars pointing out the gun they want will not do what they think it will do, or repairing a gun for free that would otherwise have to be shipped back to the manufacturer at considerable expense. Shockingly not everyone is fully informed about firearms and is equipped to make a smart purchase that will satisfy his needs and his budget.
This is in addition to the good or special deals the merchant might slip to a good customer. My last one involved a LNIB Sig P238 for about $425 to a special customer.
People who don't recognize this end up paying more. "Billiger is tyer" as my grandfather used to say. Their "bottom dollar" approach is counterproductive both for them and for the local merchants who are, or should be, a source of reliable information.
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But how many times are you going to overcharge me (relative to the online dealer) before you offer me that sweetheart deal?

And how much more, do you think, a customer should have to pay for your expertese and personal relationship? $30 more, $50, $100, $200? If I can buy the exact same gun from an online dealer for $150 less, including the tax you'd charge me vs. the shipping/xfer fee, and you spend an 1/2 hour of your time giving me your "expert" advice, is that advice worth the $300/hr I'm paying on it? My lawyer doesn't charge me that much per hour for advice. As for your Walmart reference (I love the implication that anyone who shops at walmart is scum... how wonderfully elitist), let me us a non-gun example, since our walmarts don't sell guns... golf balls. I love golf, more than I love guns. If I had to choose between never again golfing and never again shooting recreationally, you'd find me on the links, not the range. Anyway, if I need golfballs, and I usually do (remember, I said I love golf, not that I'm that good at it ;) ), and the TaylorMade Burner TP's that I like are selling for $24/dozen for 12ct boxes, or $40 for 2 dozen in the 24ct box at Wally, and GolfUSA sells them for $30/dozen, guess where I'm going to go. I don't have an infinite amount of money, if I did I'd probably go to GolfUSA or GolfZilla (and I'd be playing TaylorMade Pentas or ProV1's :) ) If you don't like it, well I won't say what I think you should do with yourself. Now, if you want to send me a check for the difference, I'll show wherever you like.

Mike
 
You are a price buyer. You need to be shopping at Cabela's, WalMart, Sam's or some other Mart.
 
Bubba, so should I have gone with the original purchase plan gun at $530 OTD vs $340 OTD just to support a local business for the exact same gun?

(Note, the one I ended up buying there would have been about a 10% difference all said and done which is why I purchased it locally). I'm still planning to get the one I originally wanted, but won't feel bad about ordering it online now that I've made a large purchase from this store.
 
I'll shop wherever I want, thank you. Price is always a major consideration because I bust my butt for the little extra cash I have to spend. But if you read my previous posts, you'll see that I do place some value on the increased service available, if I feel the price is right. Will I pay $50 more (total, tax and fees included) to buy local and avoid the running around necessary to arrange a transfer? Usually, yes. It also depends on the attitude of the gun store folks. Contrary to what many think, not every gun store owner or employee is a bright ray of sunshine in the personality, knowledge or attitude department. Many are arrogant jerks who look down their noses at anyone unwilling to gladly pay whatever exorbitant price they duly decree their "expertise" is worth. We used to have a great GS in the area, friendly and patient service, good prices. I went in there the week of Christmas, and quite a long time since I had last visited. I got the very distinct impression that, since I was enquiring about a new pistol for CCW, but I did not have my PCW yet so couldn't buy on the spot, that they just didn't have any time or desire to help me. I also had voiced what turns out to be a misinformed statement about the willingness of the Johnson Cty sheriff to issue PCW's (moot not that Iowa is shall issue). Instead of patiently, politely and respectfully correcting me, he basically ridiculed me for my ignorance right out the chute. Forgive me for thinking that Johnson Cty, which had been basically no-issue for 2 decades, was suddenly issuing permits to anyone other than the sheriffs cronies. I left the store and I probably won't go back. In this case, I'll buy the Sig 229 I'm looking at from Scheel's, even though I'll probably end up paying MORE there. The guys at Scheel's are alway courteous and respectful.

Mike
 
Hi Mike I'm sorry I didn't answer before. SHOT is in two weeks and my time is not my own. I think you miss the point. I said it isn't a consumer question and it isn't a GunsAmerica question either. Like you said, as long as supply is available, the next guy will step up to get that 7% margin on guns because he has no overhead. You don't have to stamp your feet and say that you'll buy a gun where you want. This is America (well kinda still at least). Of course you are going to buy it where you can get it the cheapest. You'd be a fool not to. Supply and demand govern your ability to purchase the gun for the price you purchase it for. My point was that the industry itself is letting the dealers down by not limiting supply to FFL dealers who don't abide by pricing guidelines. Most manufacturers don't even have a "MAP" or minimum advertised price. And you can see the difference in perceived value by the consumer comparing a Gibson guitar to a name brand rifle. Everyone knows, when the buy a Les Paul in a guitar shop that they will not go online and find that guitar significantly cheaper. They have confidence in their purchase. Not so with guns, and it is the manufacturers' and distributors' faults, not the gun whores' or the consumers'.

And Mike. we are not dealing with theoretical people here. Everyone knows who is grandfathered in google so gets all of the traffic. There are a handful of dedicated online gun whores who are getting all the sales. And I can tell you, when I go to NRA donor events, and even NSSF conferences, I don't see any of them on any of the sponsor tables. Nor do I meet them in the crowd, nor do I hear their names. They are leeches on our industry and on our freedom, and the money that you are saving on the guns you choose to buy from them is blood money taken from the veins of your local stocking dealer.
 
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Why should the wholesaler or manufacturer be involved in artificially manipulating prices by controlling supply to the dealers they like vs the ones they don't? The wholesalers are doing what they ought to do, and that's selling guns to whatever dealer buys them, based on the quantity and price agreed upon by both parties. The wholesalers can and should sell the guns to any and all licensed FFL dealers. If one dealer does huge volume, then there isn't anything wrong with the wholesaler offering volume incentives. Then the dealer can sell the gun to you or I at whatever price he or she wants and it's up to us to decide who to by from and why.

What you want is to shut down internet dealers because they advertise prices that are lower than B&M shops are WILLING to sell for due to the internet dealers greater efficiency, volume and lower overhead. Well, too flippin' bad, I say. There isn't anything stopping Ma & Pa's Guns from launching into internet sales, too. If they can't find a way to compete unless there is price fixing in the market to kneecap their competitors, then IMO they ought to go under. This will make room for the next enterprising guy to come along and start a competitive business in the current market.

Mike
 
I seldom buy at brick and mortar stores anymore.

That may change, I have noticed the prices come down some at my LGS, into the almost-competitive-with-Buds range, and the FFL transfer fee went up to the point where it's about as much as the sales tax I'd pay on most guns.

That was always my habit:

If online price + shipping + transfer fee was at least $25 less than the LGS price + state sales tax, then I'd buy online.

Lately that's been closer to equal, so I'm willing to pay slightly more for the opportunity to inspect in person while browsing.
 
That may change, I have noticed the prices come down some at my LGS, into the almost-competitive-with-Buds range, and the FFL transfer fee went up to the point where it's about as much as the sales tax I'd pay on most guns.
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Sounds like your LGS are finally learning that the internet does exist. With the exception of one, my LGS are still living in the fantasy land of $700 WASRs
 
I prefer to buy locally whenever possible. If I know what I want, do not need to see the item in-person before I buy, do not need to ask questions about the item, then I will buy from whomever has the best price (usually online). I will NOT go to a local store to handle an item, pump to salesperson for info and THEN shop around for the best price. This personal policy of mine applies not only to firearms, but to any product in general. Having worked retail in the past, I am sensitive to the fact that having a brick-and-mortar building, employees and on-hand inventory all add to the cost of doing business. I frankly equate those that utilize a local business as a showroom, and then buy online for less as stealing; they have stolen the local's time and resources.

Recently however, I was looking to purchase an American Classic Commander. I did a price search on Gallery of Guns, and found that a local retailer had the item in-stock. Their price on Gallery of Guns was $40 more than an another FFL holder that is not a stocking dealer, but I was willing to pay this difference to buy an in-stock item that I could handle before buying. I went to the local dealer to purchase the pistol only to be told that their price on GoG only applied if I ordered the weapon through GoG. Their in-store price was $125 more! This I cannot understand as obviously they got their in-stock pistol from the same distributor, so why would they not sell me the in-stock item for the same price they offer online? If I wanted to order it, since they were already $40 more than ordering through another FFL, I would order it at the lower price. The dealer's price on the in-stock pistol was $75 ABOVE MSRP.
 
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Perhaps my price buying is influenced by the fact that literally all my local gun shops treat me like an ignoramus, even though I sometimes know more than they do about the guns they are selling.

I also don't appreciate down talking Wal-Mart buyers. Some of us must carefully spend every penny, which means not paying an extra dollar for the same loaf of bread. It is most certainly elitist to hold us in less esteem.
 
I also don't appreciate down talking Wal-Mart buyers. Some of us must carefully spend every penny, which means not paying an extra dollar for the same loaf of bread. It is most certainly elitist to hold us in less esteem.
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Smith buys at Wal-Mart and gets good value for his money.

Brown buys at "upscale" stores, pays top dollar . . . and looks down on Smith!

Thirty years later, Brown, too old to work and with no savings, demands Smith support him.

What's wrong with this picture?
 
Smith buys at Wal-Mart and gets good value for his money.

Brown buys at "upscale" stores, pays top dollar . . . and looks down on Smith!

Thirty years later, Brown, too old to work and with no savings, demands Smith support him.

What's wrong with this picture?
Click to expand...

More like:
Smith buys at WalMart and saves $15. His product breaks after 2 weeks of use and won't do what he bought it to do in the first place. Smith curses the manufacturer (in China) and WalMart for not warning him the product wouldn't do what he thought it would do.
Brown pays $20 more for a $500 item and gets exactly what he needs to do the job, plus some tips on making it easier.
Two weeks later Smith is running out to buy the item he REALLY needed to do what he wanted, resulting in time lost from work and family. Eventually his wife leaves him and he dies an alcoholic in the gutter, muttering curses against Sam Walton and the clerk, who now is working at Dick's selling 21ga shotguns (clerk is also dyslexic).
Brown has gone on to better things, spending more time shooting and less time worrying about underpriced goods sold by ignorant clerks.
 
Its been awhile since I've purchased a new firearm from a LGS. One LGS I WON'T buy from is Dick's !! Those sorry people are the worst in our area, BAR NONE. Their firearms are always $45 to $50 higher, no matter the make, and thats IF there is a salesperson available. In my part of town, within 10 - 15 miles, there used to be 3 major SGS's, been around for 50 years or more, some outfit bought them all out, DICK'S, and service? and availability left when they changed the name over the front doors. I now drive over 20 miles to give someone else the chance to have what I might want, even powder and reloading bullets, at least they don't raise the prices when they put something on sale! I'll continue buying from Midway and Brownell's before I'll darken Dick's doors! THWT !
 
They sell Maverick 88's for $300!
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Ouch! :uhoh:

I believe in helping small businesses but, if it was me I would
take the route that was the easiest on my wallet. Just being
honest here.
 
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.
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Too many shops that do this. When I go to a shop and the prices are at least reasonable, a lot of times its the people who make the difference for me. If they are nice to talk to, I go in there and always walk out with something, even if its a box or two of ammo.
 
More like:
Smith buys at WalMart and saves $15. His product breaks after 2 weeks of use and won't do what he bought it to do in the first place.
Click to expand...
More evidence that people who spend more than something's worth look down on those who save money. You see, people who shop at Wal-Mart aren't smart enough to make their own decisions about value, so liberals have to take away their right to make their own decisions.
 
I've never found anything online that I couldn't match or beat locally. Then, factor in FFL fees, sales tax (now mandatory in WA) and never being able to handle or see the gun in person before the purchase...no thanks. I'll stick to the local shops. Now if I were looking for a special piece that isn't easy to find, then I might think about it.
 
I guess I'm spoiled because my LGS will beat or at least meet any legit online price I bring in. They sell a ton of guns so they can be flexible.


One LGS I WON'T buy from is Dick's !!
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I don't consider Dick's a local gun shop. It's a bigbox retailer with teenagers working the gun counter. To me local gun shop means family owned business. But to the OP's point. I spend my money wisely, so I buy range ammo at walmart and my guns and accessories from the LGS.
 
Smith buys at WalMart and saves $15. His product breaks after 2 weeks of use and won't do what he bought it to do in the first place. Smith curses the manufacturer (in China) and WalMart for not warning him the product wouldn't do what he thought it would do.
Click to expand...

First of all, Walmart with let you return anything for a full refund if you have your receipt, no questions asked. Secondly, you're assuming that just because Walmart sells it, it must be cheap and poorly made. I used the example of golf balls. Rest assured that the balls I buy at walmart are the exact same balls you'd buy at the golf course for 50% more. Electronics? Walmart sells the same TV's as Best Buy, but for much less. Same product, lower cost, and that's precisely what we're talking about here. Not an inferior substitute, but the exact same product. The Glock 23 that you'd spend $599 for at your local shop might have come off the assembly line right after the one that I bought at Bud's for $475. The Sig P229 you spent $900 for might have consecutive serial number with as mine, but I shopped around online and only spent $749. $150 is a lot of money for me and most folks. So lets say the guns both have a bad extractor. So you go to your dealer who replaces it for free. I take mine to my gunsmith and he charges me $50 to fix it. I'm still net $100 ahead of you, I win. :D

Mike
 
Bubba613 said:
More like:
Smith buys at WalMart and saves $15. His product breaks after 2 weeks of use and won't do what he bought it to do in the first place. Smith curses the manufacturer (in China) and WalMart for not warning him the product wouldn't do what he thought it would do.
Brown pays $20 more for a $500 item and gets exactly what he needs to do the job, plus some tips on making it easier.
Two weeks later Smith is running out to buy the item he REALLY needed to do what he wanted, resulting in time lost from work and family. Eventually his wife leaves him and he dies an alcoholic in the gutter, muttering curses against Sam Walton and the clerk, who now is working at Dick's selling 21ga shotguns (clerk is also dyslexic).
Brown has gone on to better things, spending more time shooting and less time worrying about underpriced goods sold by ignorant clerks.
Click to expand...
Um, wow...

That's a lot of responsibility to accept. You know more about what any given consumer wants/needs than they do? Add to that the fact that you feel that they need to pay you a premium for your wealth of knowledge, and if they don't then they're a 'price buyer' and rank just above pond scum...

Maybe I'm misreading the tone of what you have written, and if so, I sincerely apologize, but otherwise I think it might be worth noting that there are plenty of folks that are capable of making intelligent decisions and choices without needing to pay someone else to think for us.
 
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