Gun-shop etiquette

[blackspyder]

When I bought my PT-111 I intended to buy from Buds for $333 since the local price is $400+ and even with transfer fees I didnt think I could beat that price. So, i stopped in the sporting goods store not too far from my house and asked if he would be willing to do the transfer. The Conversation went something like this:

Me: Do you do firearms transfers? If so, what's the cost?

LGS: Yes. Don't know right off hand, haven't done one in a while. What are you looking to buy?

Me: Taurus PT-111  

LGS: Whats the Price?

Me: $333, Free shipping.

LGS: Let me see what I can do price wise..

He pulled the catalog, found the gun and commenced to figure out his markup, shipping and taxes.

LGS: I can do $380 Out the Door and have it here in 2 days. You want me to call to see what our Transfer rate is?

Me: Nah, you take Debit right?

I might have saved some money if I'd used Buds but I dont think it would have arrived there as quickly (actually took 3 days) and I dont think he would have opened the store just for me that day either. He was supposed to be closed on the 3rd day but he came in and opened up just to recieve the gun then called me, at 11 AM, to tell me it had arrived and wanted to know if I was available to come pick it up that day. Customer Service goes a long ways in my book.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I think Davek1977 hit the nail on the head. I've worked retail, but I worked for a National Chain so it was a littler different. I had people come in all the time and tell me they could get something cheaper elsewhere. I'll admit, sometimes it annoyed me, but I had no say in the prices and I could not haggle with them, nor would 1 sale make or break the store and it certainly wouldn't have helped me personally. Perhaps if I worked at a store that gave me leeway to haggle and I worked on commission, it would have been different. (there is a good question, how many gun stores pay their workers commission?)

As far as an LGS goes, I myself am not the type who would say "I can get a better price elsewhere". However, I think a good business who has some wiggle room SHOULD like me to at least come up to them and make an offer instead of walking out and giving them NO CHANCE to sell me something. I think it is possible to both care about your own wallet and care about keeping an LGS in business, if that LGS is worth keeping in business.

Weird concept huh? Customers want to get the best deal that they can and dealers want to get as much money as they can. This is what supply and demand Capitalism is all about.

 

[Wes B]

I am picky about where I buy. I do check online prices and will ask what they can get something for.
One store tried marking the price up 55% the average online price and they even overcharged what they themselves quoted selling the gun for on Gallery of Guns. I haven't been back there since.
I don't go back to shops that try to sell me what they think I should buy. Or, that try to talk me out the the gun I want and try to sell me a "better one" for two to three times the price.
I don't go back to places that spout inane drivel. In one place I asked about a P22 with a threaded barrel so I could get a silencer only to be told that silencers are illegal. Haven't been back there yet either.

If prices aren't listed I won't ask, buy, or go back.

I like:
Personable people.
Someone who isn't going to bust my chops about what guns, calibers, or actions I am interested in. (that day)
A place where I can Lookie Loo and not get pressured to buy.
I pay attention to how they treat other customers, and how they talk about people that aren't around.
I like people who are honest with their opinions. And people that listen to mine, even when mine are different.

In these places I pay more than the going internet price. I figure if they are within $100 that covers S&H and the transfer fee, and I get it that day. I am a bit impatient and somedays will pay more if it is what I really have to have.

I don't dicker on prices, but I am honest on what $$ I have to spend and what I want. Usually this means I go back in a month or two when I have the $$. Once in a while I get a deal, once I got a Rem 870 and an SKS for the price of one and half the price of the other.

But mostly, if the store goes to the trouble to treat me, and others, decently I don't have a problem spending a bit more. I like mom and pop stores. I like seeing other family's in the store with someone helping a Dad find his kid a new rifle.

By no means do I have cash to burn; but, I would rather spend it with someone I think is a decent person than someone I wouldn't trust to get me a glass of water.

 

[wankerjake]

I got over buying guns from gun shops for a few years now. I can place a "want to buy" add on backpage or a local forum and get much better prices than any dealer can give me. Of course they are used, but I check them over before buying and quality manufacturers back up their product. SOOO much cheaper than retail. I buy a lot of guns because I get them half price. Picked up a Win 94 in good shape just the other day for $250...I'm happy

 

[BlkHawk73]

Wow, I guess I'm lucky to have shops that I frequent that I'm loyal to and not jumping from shop to shop to shop to save a few bucks. be a good customer and they treat you as such. I'm not going to insult the owner with "so and so's cheap" garbage. If you know it's less there, BUY IT THERE! If a few bucks is oh so important, maybe a new hobby is in order!

 

[WayBeau]

I ask what the best they can do is. USUALLY, I've done my research and know what I can get it for elsewhere. If they're comparable, I'll buy from them. If not, I get it somewhere else. Ordering online has a degree of uncertainty, so peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks for me.

 

[bakerloo]

I don't haggle over price. I either pay what they're asking or I don't buy it. i used to own a business that had to compete when the internet marketplace was born. It was tough and I don't wish that on any LGS.

My LGS (part of a big outdoor store) sells at retail prices. They employ friendly and knowlegeable people in every department (hunting, fishing, bike shop, paddle shop, ski shop) and those folks deserve to make a fair wage. Thet are no pimple faced min. wage kids working there. Plus, when I want something on Sunday afternoon, they are open.

A LGS can't keep the doors open by handling guns that people buy from the online shops and PPT's. I want my my LGS to be there when I need something.

 

[The Real Wyatt]

I prefer to purchase locally if at all possible.
I live within an hours drive from a very large gunshop that does a huge in-state business as well as a lot of internet business, consequently they have fairly good prices.

Let's say I'm going to purchase a certain revolver today. The very large gunshop has it listed for $520.00. I walk in to my local gunshop and they have the same revolver in their display case for $650.00.

I will say to the owner. "I'm going to buy that revolver today. I can either buy it from you or I can drive for an hour and buy it from the very large gunshop for $520.00. I realize it's gonna cost me some time and gas money to buy it elsewhere. What can you do for me?"

Almost all the time my local shop owner and I can get together on price and I buy locally. Every once in a while, he just can't do it.

 

[CajunBass]

When I go to a gun store these days, I'm not usually looking for something specific. I'll just see something that catches my eye and get interested in it. I stop by my local shop often enough that I've got a pretty good idea of what they'll be asking for something right off the bat. (Now, I'm talking used guns, I hardly ever look at a new one.) I've also got a pretty good idea of what a "reasonable offer" is too. They have a price on the tag. I'll usually make an offer lower than I think they'll take. They'll come back with a counteroffer. If I want the gun bad enough, I'll take it. If not, "Thanks, I'll keep looking."

I do look at things like Gunbroker to get an idea of what certain guns are either going for, or even what people are asking. Both are good things to know.