I want to support my local shop but......

[Deltaboy1984]

I use my Local shop for 90% of my business. I do buy holsters, pocket knives, ect from E-bay, Amazon ect.

Wal-Mart gets most of my ammo business because the Local Shop can't compete on price or variety.

My shop charges $50.00 on Transfers. Plus my shop does 60 days same as cash with 30% down.

My Shop is Downings Guns and Family Treasures in Cleburne TX!

 

[c5_nc]

I think there are examples that go both ways. While the mad rush for guns has skewed things a little bit as of late, generally Gun Shows should offer good enough prices that it is somewhat difficult to order online and save much. If its a common item, most vendors at a show will be in the ballpark, or they would not waste there money buying a booth. I think I have bought around 20 guns so far this year. 2 from Local Dealers, 3 from Local Dealers via Gunbroker (two of our local dealers list there), 1 from a Gun Show, 2 Face to Face from individuals, and other 10 or so online from Buds and individuals. We have a $10 local transfer shop. The sad thing is transfers are so cheap even if you could find a place locally like Bud's the transfer is cheaper than sales tax.

On the flip side I have looked into getting a FFL for a weekend/transfer + hobby business and talking to other people I can see why its difficult. I have heard that often Bud's is cheaper than wholesale distributors on some items (Handguns often). I know Walmart is cheaper than Buds on rifles/shotguns and happy to custom order those for you, so maybe they are cheaper also. I heard from dealers on another board locally that buying Glocks through wholesale houses their cost is $405-420. Makes $499 not that bad. I can buy them from police supplier or direct from glock for $399 though. I know a small dealer ordering from Century Arms (AK stuff) there cost is more wholesale than what Classicarms sells for (ClassicArms buys from Century but has special pricing for $1m+ yearly). Its got to be a tough business.

 

[chuckusaret]

I would like to support the local gun shops, but to me a $50 or more in savings is well worth waiting a few days. Most of the shops in my area of Florida have outrageous prices and most of all piss poor attitudes toward the customers. But worst yet are the sales people that spout pure BS about their products in an attempt to get you to buy. Case in point, I wanted to buy some .223 but the clerk stated they were out but, he had some 5.56 military loads that were better. I tried to explain to him the pressure difference in the two rounds and his come back was, "All guns of today can handle either round safely", which is not a true statement.... I'll wait for the UPS truck.

 

[BullpupBen]

I buy locally if its within $100 or so of what i buy on line. I figure thats about $60 for shipping and transfer and $40 or so to support local business. But if its much higher than that, I just feel like I'm getting ripped off and will take my business elsewhere.
For example, I found a Savage 11G online for $415. I called my favorite local store (actually the only one run by polite people) and asked what it would be for me to get the gun from him, telling him I would buy it if he could get the price down to $550. he calls me a few days later and says I could get it from him for $569. I said no thank you and hung up the phone, because honestly that is just way too much of a difference for me to deal with.
If the local stores wont lower their prices they wont get my business, and honestly its just plain better for us consumers in the long run. With less money spent on a single gun purchase more money can be spent on ammo or other guns, and that means more money going to the firearm manufacturers' who give money to help our RKBA.

 

[chuckusaret]

I support the shop that treats me the most decently and has competitive prices.

Not me. The customer is always right and if I am not treated as the customer should be, I go elsewhere.

I presently buy from a bait and tackle shop that treats steady customers very good with $10 transfers, real discounts on all weapons and ammo. My wife mentioned to the owner several months ago that she was in the market for a LCP. Yesterday he called and said he just got one in and would hold it for me. The going price for an LCP in my area is $375 to $400 plus 6.5 % tax and $30 to $50 xfer fee. My price out the door was $378.50 with a 100 rounds of ammo(2 boxes)There is no .380 FMJ or JHP to be had elsewhere and if there is they want $23-$30 per 50 round box. This guys primary business is deep sea fishing gear, rigged baits etc. He presently limits his gun sales to a very small group of steady customers and treats us as paying customers should be treated.