I don't get buying guns online.

[AlexanderA]

Did anybody mention the convenience of the web after you get your C&R FFL? Oh my!

I find that C&R guns especially require personal inspection, since their condition can vary so widely. (And to collectors, condition is everything.) The mistake is to think that such guns are a commodity. They are not; each has to be evaluated individually.

I had a C&R license (and, later, a regular FFL) many years ago, and I found the utility of the C&R license to be limited.

Today, I find large gun shows to be far and away the best venues for my collecting. The vendors have to compete against each other. If some have prices that are too high, they don't make any sales.

 

[LocoGringo]

Because in your example, you seem to be assuming the prices are the same for online retailers as with local mom and pop shops. The local stores often can't come close to some deals I've found online, plus, in TN, I've got to pay 9.75% sales tax WITH a $10 NICS check. For your example, assuming the prices are the same, that comes out to a $550 gun being equal buying from local mom and pop versus buying online. However, if I'm buying a gun more than $550 (and that's most any gun I'm interested in buying) and the prices are equal, I come out ahead buying online.

I don't think you've done enough comparisons or haven't searched enough to find the good deals online. Plus, you're assuming every state's regulations, taxes and costs are the same.

 

[HRnightmare]

The vendors have to compete against each other. If some have prices that are too high, they don't make any sales.

With the exemption of one gun show nearly an hour away, I am pretty sure the sellers have a pre-show meeting and agree to jack up all of their prices together. Then during business hours most of them will stray a few $ from list price but not often and not much. Typically only the last few hours of the last day.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Well...deals are where you find them.

LGS are typically higher priced than the volume retailer. The volume retailer may not have what you want. Toss in taxes and that $55 in the hole for FFL transfer and shipping suddenly don't look all that bad.

I think people simply need to consider online purchasing as just another option to get something they want while shopping around.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Even with shipping and transfer fees I find prices online that my LGS can't match - I could run all over town or spend an hour on the phone (and have) when looking for a gun or I can just do what have proven to be the most cost effective way to research and buy guns.

That would be to buy them online. Actually I pay more to get a lot of my guns from the LGS. I do this to keep them in business 'cause they are local boys and run an excellent indoor range very close to home.

I have purchased a number of Colt Pocket Hammerless pistols and bought all of them online even though I know there are several locally. I did this because online I got a choice of hundreds of pistols, not 4 or 5. I can't put a price on that but we are talking much, much more savings than just shipping and transfer fees. Heck the local guys charged me $1 for the last transfer. Probably because I bought a new Beretta from them in November which I ordered and paid pretty much list price for.

VooDoo

 

[Panzerschwein]

I buy guns online because the LGS's here are not well stocked.

If you want a duck shotgun made in 1965 there are hundreds of those, but if it's something new and specific good luck. The closest place I can reasonably expect to find the actual gun I want in person is Cabelas or Bass Pro, both over two hours away. And those stores are always pricy, so I'm much better off finding the gun I want online and paying the little extra I need to get it, usually I still save money.

Now if I'm in an LGS and they've got the gun I want, sure I'd buy it for a good price but I just don't have much like this way. Same for gun shows. You can get almost any gun or ammunition type you want on the internet, often cheaper than in the LGS or at a show.

Just my experience with the stores in this area. I'd imagine in some places it isn't so bad.

 

[Warp]

The last two 'guns' I bought (both online) could not be had locally

 

[krimmie]

I searched a few shops locally and the best price I could find was $429+ tax t

 

[krimmie]

Most of my post is missing above. I bought a ruger sr9c for $379 free shipping, no tax, no credit card fee. So after my $25 FFL fee, I'm out the door for $404....saved $50 by buying online.