Gunstore Opinion

[One_Jackal]

I can understand the shop wanting a deposit on the grips. Even though BikerRN is a loyal customer he might find the grips for $25 before they arrive. I doubt he would find ammo so much cheaper he would break his word or feel like he was being ripped off - so the was no problem ordering the ammo. The part I don't understand is why they couldn't take his CC info over the phone to secure the deposit. Demanding that he drive into the shop to place the deposit was a bit much. It's possible the shop employees just had a bad day. I would do business with them again.

 

[Hokkmike]

If you decide not to do business there that is fine but you only spite yourself.

 

[BeerSleeper]

My takeaway is the opposite here.

A customer so easily upset over such a trivial issue, and this store was able to retain such a customer for 25 years of repeat business?

If I had that kind of relationship with any kind of business, and over a 25 year period of dealing with them, my biggest complaint is prepaying on a special ordered item, I'd be well pleased.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Yep, seems like a tempest-in-a-teacup to me as well. The LGS owner is free to run his business with any (legal) set of policies. The customer is free to shop anywhere he chooses. The deposit wouldn't cover the cost of the item. Likely not even the return freight and/or restocking fees if the purchase didn't happen. I've got no problem with a customer having a little "skin in the game" on a special order request.

 

[GoWolfpack]

If I ran a gun store, and if I did transfers at all I'd charge more, because you make less money from that then on the sale of inventory.

Transfers are like free money to a gun store. File a piece of paper and make a phone call, then take money. No up front investment needed, no cash tied up in inventory, no storage space taken up with stock for weeks or months until it sells.


I just bought a Taurus 82 from J&G Sales for $150. With shipping and transfer fees I still strolled out with a new-to-me gun for under $200. The store that handled the transfer for me couldn't even come close to that price on something comparable. You don't want to do transfers, insist on a huge fee ($75 one pawn shop quoted me), I won't buy anything. Make your few bucks for virtually no work on a transfer, or make nothing.

 

[drsfmd]

Make your few bucks for virtually no work on a transfer, or make nothing.

Those few bucks don't pay the staff, keep the heat and lights on, generate cash flow for more inventory, pay the mortgage or feed the family.

Don't bemoan the loss of your LGS when you have this kind of attitude. Refusing to let them make a living is driving them out of business.

 

[Sam1911]

Transfers are like free money to a gun store.

That's one way to look at it if you aren't a dealer.

If you are, chances are you have a different view. If two pals walk into the store with a firearm and want to do a transfer, yeah, that's about the size of it.

But when the gun is being shipped in, things get to be more of a hassle. They have to store the gun, have to find and contact the buyer, or wait for a buyer to show up and claim it. There are plenty of times when boxes arrive in the mail with no mention of who the gun is for, or other critical info. So, eventually the buyer is found, or comes in mad that they didn't get a phone call. Then they have to run the NICS call, which the buyer may or may not pass. If the buyer doesn't pass, they have a gun on hand that isn't theirs, can't be given to the buyer, and (if the seller isn't an FFL dealer themselves) can't be shipped back where it came from. Or the buyer looks at the gun, finds some damage that wasn't disclosed, and refuses it. Now what?

To sort out any of these things takes more time, and possibly money to ship things back across the country, all the while dealing with a buyer who isn't actually their customer, but who will feel free to behave as though he/she is. (Being "always right" and such.)

Then there are the folks who want to transfer in firearms which you already have sitting on the shelf, because they think they'll save a few bucks, and who actually may end up paying more by the time their done, but who are just happy not to have had to pay your markup ... which keeps your lights on and employees paid. That one's just rude.

Yes, I do feel that a transfers are part of the business that an owner signs on for when they become an FFL. They should provide that service as it helps keep the whole gun community humming along. But it is NOT a "free money" deal that they should be grateful to get.

If you use a dealer for transfers, try to do your homework so it goes well, be patient and polite, and tell 'em thank you when it's done.

 

[GoWolfpack]

Those few bucks don't pay the staff, keep the heat and lights on, generate cash flow for more inventory, pay the mortgage or feed the family.

Don't bemoan the loss of your LGS when you have this kind of attitude. Refusing to let them make a living is driving them out of business.

So, given the choice between making $25 for a transfer and making nothing, the nothing is going to pay the staff, keep the heat on and feed the owner's family? $25 won't keep the lights on for long, but it comes closer than irritating me by saying you don't do transfers.

What happened to all the moaning about the tiny profit margins on new gun sales?

I love my LGS, but I've got to feed my family too. Let's take the case of the Ruger LCR. My favorite store is a Ruger dealer and sometimes has them in stock for $450ish. CDNN also has them, but for $350. I usually figure shipping and a transfer add $40 or so to the price of a gun online. I can order from CDNN and come out $50 better, and the store still made $25 on the transfer. I don't know if they would have made more or less selling me one from their stock, but I also know I wouldn't buy it for $450.

 

[CZguy]

One other thing to remember, is that you don't pay sales tax on a transfered gun that you bought on line.

 

[Sam1911]

One other thing to remember, is that you don't pay sales tax on a transfered gun that you bought on line.

Actually, what you pay is a state usage tax instead. You may skirt the law and not report it, but that's technically illegal. Some states are now requiring that a usage tax be collected if the purchased item came from out-of-state.

 

[porchdog]

Thought I would throw in another opinion. When I have ordered anything on line I have had to pay upfront with plastic. Could you have not offered the gun store a credit card number?

 

[the_hustleman]

That's one way to look at it if you aren't a dealer.

If you are, chances are you have a different view. If two pals walk into the store with a firearm and want to do a transfer, yeah, that's about the size of it.

But when the gun is being shipped in, things get to be more of a hassle. They have to store the gun, have to find and contact the buyer, or wait for a buyer to show up and claim it. There are plenty of times when boxes arrive in the mail with no mention of who the gun is for, or other critical info. So, eventually the buyer is found, or comes in mad that they didn't get a phone call. Then they have to run the NICS call, which the buyer may or may not pass. If the buyer doesn't pass, they have a gun on hand that isn't theirs, can't be given to the buyer, and (if the seller isn't an FFL dealer themselves) can't be shipped back where it came from. Or the buyer looks at the gun, finds some damage that wasn't disclosed, and refuses it. Now what?

To sort out any of these things takes more time, and possibly money to ship things back across the country, all the while dealing with a buyer who isn't actually their customer, but who will feel free to behave as though he/she is. (Being "always right" and such.)

Then there are the folks who want to transfer in firearms which you already have sitting on the shelf, because they think they'll save a few bucks, and who actually may end up paying more by the time their done, but who are just happy not to have had to pay your markup ... which keeps your lights on and employees paid. That one's just rude.

Yes, I do feel that a transfers are part of the business that an owner signs on for when they become an FFL. They should provide that service as it helps keep the whole gun community humming along. But it is NOT a "free money" deal that they should be grateful to get.

If you use a dealer for transfers, try to do your homework so it goes well, be patient and polite, and tell 'em thank you when it's done.

Well, if the gun stores would offer some decent prices we wouldn't have to do this.

I saw an lc9 for 420 in one, not including the 8% sales tax.

Yet I found it on buds for 340.

Factor in the 25 dollar transfer fee, I paid 365.

The online store has to pay employees, keep lights on as well.

Free market.

I don't feel sorry for anyone gouging prices.

It's a free market and they either get it right or get gone.



*swyped from the evo so excuse any typos*

 

[GoWolfpack]

I don't feel sorry for anyone gouging prices.

It's a free market and they either get it right or get gone.

There is no gouging in a free market. There is only a price someone will pay, or a price so high no one will pay.

 

[ErikO]

If doing an internet-based transfer, I'd suggest contacting the LGS before you offer them up as the FFL you're recieving the firearm through. That way you know how much they charge, they have an idea who 'belongs' to said firearm when it comes in and you can arrange for them to perhaps have some goodies on hand when you pick it up. That's exactly what I am doing with a lower reciever I have on lay-away with an internet dealer. I plan on having the LGS order in the parts kit and will pay for that before I come to get the lower when it arrives. They're ok with that, especially since I will be buying an ammo tim of .223 from them the same day.

Then again, this is a gun shop that I have visited and they recognize me when I come in. I haven't made any large purchases there but they are glad to have me as a repeat customer and they appreciate that I have sent a few folks their way that have purchased a few things as well. This shop's bread and butter is the level of gunsmithing that the owner does, he is very good, well priced and very efficient with his time.

 

[the_hustleman]

If doing an internet-based transfer, I'd suggest contacting the LGS before you offer them up as the FFL you're recieving the firearm through. That way you know how much they charge, they have an idea who 'belongs' to said firearm when it comes in and you can arrange for them to perhaps have some goodies on hand when you pick it up. That's exactly what I am doing with a lower reciever I have on lay-away with an internet dealer. I plan on having the LGS order in the parts kit and will pay for that before I come to get the lower when it arrives. They're ok with that, especially since I will be buying an ammo tim of .223 from them the same day.

Then again, this is a gun shop that I have visited and they recognize me when I come in. I haven't made any large purchases there but they are glad to have me as a repeat customer and they appreciate that I have sent a few folks their way that have purchased a few things as well. This shop's bread and butter is the level of gunsmithing that the owner does, he is very good, well priced and very efficient with his time.

What is thee online place that lets you put parts on layaway? Pm me if you'd like.

*swyped from the evo so excuse any typos*

 

[drsfmd]

$25 won't keep the lights on for long, but it comes closer than irritating me by saying you don't do transfers.

I'd rather not do transfers at all than to put up with the entitlement mentality of customers who think they have a right to $25 transfers when I have the same merchandise behind the counter for just a few bucks more. Do you have ANY concept of how many transfers would need to happen to pay the bills?

Markups in this business are in the range of 10-12% or so on new guns (I'm talking about street price, not MSRP). The $25 transfers are done as favors to good customers who are buying items that the shop doesn't have or can't get, not as an entitlement to PITA Internet shoppers who have no loyalty to you or your shop.

When your LGS is gone, why don't you try going to your local Dick's or Walmart and asking for a transfer? Truth is, you don't know how good you have it... and if you think you can do better, open your own shop. Fill it up with a couple million dollars worth of inventory, hire staff, pay outrageous insurance, a mortgage, taxes, and pray that there's enough left over at the end of the month to feed your family... THEN tell me if that $25 transfer is worth putting up with.

 

[Bubbles]

One other thing to remember, is that you don't pay sales tax on a transfered gun that you bought on line.

Four states now require FFL's to collect sales/use tax on transferred guns. I expect more to follow as legislatures realize that there aren't a whole lot of ways their constituents can argue against it, as speaking out against the law is advocating tax evasion.

 

[CZguy]

Actually, what you pay is a state usage tax instead. You may skirt the law and not report it, but that's technically illegal. Some states are now requiring that a usage tax be collected if the purchased item came from out-of-state.

I don't think that Missouri is one of those states yet. We're not real fast at making changes.

 

[Birch Knoll]

Personally, I'd be happy to do nothing but transfers all day long at $25 a pop. While certainly not "free money", transfers don't require me to tie up any capital in inventory costs. Taking that LC9 mentioned earlier, dealer cost is about $300, plus shipping to me. If I sell it for $340, my gross profit is less than $40. But I had to tie up $300 for however long in order to recover my money and make < $40.

With a transfer, on the other hand, it's $25 in my pocket right now, with no investment at all, no time spent showing the customer this gun and that; pure fee-for-service. I'll take that any day of the week.

 

[ShawnC]

Personally, I'd be happy to do nothing but transfers all day long at $25 a pop. While certainly not "free money", transfers don't require me to tie up any capital in inventory costs. Taking that LC9 mentioned earlier, dealer cost is about $300, plus shipping to me. If I sell it for $340, my gross profit is less than $40. But I had to tie up $300 for however long in order to recover my money and make < $40.

With a transfer, on the other hand, it's $25 in my pocket right now, with no investment at all, no time spent showing the customer this gun and that; pure fee-for-service. I'll take that any day of the week.

There's a place that just opened locally that's doing just that. Little or no inventory and almost all transfers, with a few other services. I'm going to stop by there and check them out here soon.

 

[drsfmd]

I don't think that Missouri is one of those states yet. We're not real fast at making changes.

Yes, Missouri is one of those states. They don't collect it at the point of sale, but you are obligated to pay it anyway:

http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/

Unlike sales tax, which requires a sale at retail in Missouri, use tax is imposed directly upon the person that stores, uses, or consumes tangible personal property in Missouri. Use tax does not apply if the purchase is from a Missouri retailer and subject to Missouri sales tax.

Missouri cannot require out-of-state companies that do not have nexus or a "direct connection" with the state to collect and remit use tax. If an out-of -state seller does not collect use tax from the purchaser, the purchaser is responsible for remitting the use tax to Missouri.

A seller not engaged in business is not required to collect Missouri tax but the purchaser in these instances is responsible for remitting use tax to Missouri. A purchaser is required to file a use tax return if the cumulative purchases subject to use tax exceed two thousand dollars in a calendar year.

 

[drsfmd]

There's a place that just opened locally that's doing just that. Little or no inventory and almost all transfers, with a few other services. I'm going to stop by there and check them out here soon.

That actually makes some sense. My objection is rooted in "customers" who come in and fondle the inventory, then want to transfer it in from somewhere else to try to save a couple of bucks.

 

[whetrock]

I gave up on my LGS as soon as they opened they have a very nice selection and store front however the prices are .... well a bit outlandish. I do most of my shopping online now ( with the exception of used guns ).

 

[tkaction]

I had a great relationship with a LGS and they even let me use my CCard to buy and ship to them. $10 transfer on everything. Boom! one day they said no more and charged $20 transfers. You are never "special" to anyone ....maybe to the wife Even though I would order several a month they didnt care. They started buying from Century themselves and stopped me from it. The old mosins and sks sat on the shelves for months. I was the only one who wanted them and rarely bought at their retail $s again. There should be loyalty but there isn't. Buy the best price no matter where.

 

[rori]

There is no way I would ever buy anything from them again!!!!!!!I have a real problem with stores that only want to sell the high dollar items but not the little stuff that is what really makes the world go around. I could understand if you had never done business with them before but as an established customer I would consider it a slap in the face and never talk to them or go thru their door again. I would also do all I could to smear their name. FRJ