Online "discount" gun dealers

[callenlee]

I've done both

I'm fairly new to the hobby but I've purchased both online and locally. I did my first purchase online, found a great local guy to do the transfer. He answered all of my questions about the gun and local ranges. We talked about another gun I wanted to buy a few months down the road and I was willing to buy because he got close to online with price which was good enough for me. As others have said, if the price is close I don't mind paying a bit extra for the gun and sales tax to support the local guys. The purchase didn't work out as he never responded to my messages when I was ready to purchase again.

My second two purchases were a Mosin 91/30 from a shop in town and then a CZ82 from a shop about forty minutes down the road. Both were great and I'd have no problem buying from them again.

My fourth purchase is a Ruger SR22 pistol from Buds. They had a good price on it, had it in stock, and they offered the layaway option.

Any future purchases I will probably try with the local guy who did my first transfer. Even though we had some communication issues with my planned purchase a few months ago, the way he handled things with my first transfer has earned him first crack at my business.

 

[Sam Cade]

I see Green Top's used gun selection is down to 13 pages. Sales are still booming it seems.

My god, look at the prices!!

CZ 82 9X18
3-3/4
BLUE
VG
349.99

A hundred bucks higher than I have ever seen.

RUSSIAN 1895 7.62 X 38
45
BLUE
G
249.99

More than a hundred bucks higher than I have ever seen.

 

[happygeek]

^ no kidding.

Last month I got a CZ 82 (VG condition) with 2 mags, holster, cleaning rod, & lanyard for $240 to my front door from Wideners. I got my M1895 Nagant in excellent condition from Aim Surplus last summer for $150 to my front door.

Aimsurplus and Classic Arms currently have CZ 82s for sale in VG to Excellent condition with 2 mags & a holster for $220. AIM still has M1895s for $110 (or $120 hand pick), not to mention J&G has them for $100 even.

If I could buy every gun the way I bought my last 3 (M1895, CZ 82, Yugo SKS) I'd be very happy. Unfortunately there's no license for that I'm aware of.

Edit to add:
I would think $250 for a 1895 is a typo or something, if it didn't specify "Russian 1895 7.62x38", and it's only in good condition. You can literally buy two M1895s from J&G for that price and pay the shipping to your front door. Maybe it's a pre-WWI "privates model" 1895 they're selling at that price?

 

[TenRingGuns.com]

Yes, I'll do my best to offer the best price locally via matching or beating the price.
The place in Bellevue?...more like sticker cardiac arrest.

 

[JohnBT]

"My god, look at the prices!!"

Wait for a sale. Convenience costs money and hand picking your own gun and having a selection to choose from is a convenience.

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill? I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

 

[Teachu2]

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill? I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

Speaking strictly for myself, I want to get what I'm paying for. If I do all the research into what I want, make my own informed decision, and walk into the shop/range where I pay $175/year membership to order a gun they don't stock - well, I've already made my contribution to their overhead. I will be using 10 minutes of a clerk's time and providing them with cash up front so they aren't tying up their money. That's not much service - certainly no more than Bud's - yet they want full MSRP vs Bud's ~20% discount. And Bud's will usually get it to me faster.

The shop/range could have all my business if they met me halfway to Bud's price. They'd rather walk the business. I don't take it personally, and I hope they don't either, but my last gun from Buds was free (paid for completely from what I'd saved on the rest).

OTOH, I took the wife there a couple of weeks ago to hold a few. They were out of Ruger LC9s, but pulled one out of the waiting period guns for her to get a feel for. I ordered one from them - and we're still waiting, even though they're $50 higher than Bud's, and Bud's has them in stock....

 

[ForumSurfer]

Why do so many people always focus on money first?

Because I like my money? I like to make my money work for me? I focus on the product, figure out the going average fair price and try to get what I want within that range.

Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill?

That's going a little far fetched. I try to avoid fast food, but I've dined off of the dollar menu many times. No sense wasting money when I don't need to. I also take advantage of lunch specials. I'll also move my gym membership around when someplace else becomes cheaper and it meets my needs.

I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

Why on earth do I want to pay a high premium for no good reason? If it costs $750 at store A and $860 at store B, store B can't possibly provide enough customer service to make up for the difference. If I can get it within 15% difference, I'll buy local. But once we start talking about a %25 or greater difference, that's just to much of my money that can be used for other things like accessories, ammo, food, doctor bills, gas or whatever.

 

[Scimmia]

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill?

Would you avoid the dollar menu and pay $2.50 off the regular menu for the exact same thing simply because it's the dollar menu? Is it the stigma of ordering off the dreaded dollar menu that's the problem here?

You're looking at over twice the price for that Nagant revolver for the exact same thing! Around here, a typical pistol will be 30%-40% higher than I can buy it online. Your analogy doesn't hold up when we're talking about the exact same product unless you simply look down on people who don't like to overpay.

 

[CZguy]

"My god, look at the prices!!"

Wait for a sale. Convenience costs money and hand picking your own gun and having a selection to choose from is a convenience.

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill? I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

Well I guess that it had to happen sooner or later. JohnBT I've read your posts for a long time and find myself agreeing with the vast majority of them. But your logic in this post escapes me. I just can't see any reason to waste money, or really much of anything for that matter.

 

[mdauben]

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill? I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

I think it comes down to the fact that some people see absolutly no value to their LGS. If all you care about is the actual gun itself, then its silly to pay more for it at the LGS. Personally, I put some (indeterminate) value on my LGS. They have a nice indoor range that would not be there without the retail buisness to help support it. They have actual, physical guns that I can handle and get a feel for, and they can often provide "instant gratification" for my latest "must have" gun or accessory.

Now, for all those reasons I'm willing to pay a little more for a gun at my LGS than I might be able to get, on-line. Money is one of my criteria, but not the only one like it is for some people. I'm not going to let them gouge me for full MSRP, but I'll pay a few bucks extra for all those other benefits.

 

[TITAN308]

I don't think people want to focus on the price. But if your LGS is socially deficient then what else matters? The price that is what.

Customer Service and building rapport is all a LGS has over an online dealer. They blow that one thing then what else are they good for?

 

[Davek1977]

I'm not a "starving grad student" myself....but I also don't live in some alternate reality where money is of no concern. Gas is nearly $4.00, and so is milk. Maybe your in a position where such things don't affect your day to day choices, but the fact is, a LOT of us out there ARE affected by such things, and in order to maintain the lifestyle we choose to live, sometimes cost is most definitely a factor in our decision-making. I'm not starving, and I'm not worried about keeping the roof over my head, but I also don't blow my nose with $5 bills or otherwise throw money away needlessly. I totally and completely do NOT understand why some people are compelled to pay more for an identical item thats cheaper elsewhere, if economics are of any concern.

 

[Redlg155]

I would say that just about everyone here supports the concept of the local gun store. You can't buy online without a dealer willing to accept the weapon and do the paperwork. We all draw the line when we feel that we are being taken advantage of or when the service does not merit a premium in the form of higher prices.

You could be filthy rich and not deal with your local dealer because of poor service or prices. In fact, most of the people that I know who are financially well off are also extremely frugal in some areas.

 

[TenRingGuns.com]

It's great to save money but that one customers who wants to nickel and dime you to death over $5 dollars is a major pain. I think a better questions is what's a "reasonable" price with also taking into consideration service, locality, etc.

This is a great discussion guys/gals, one that a lot of people will be able to learn from. I know I have.

If you've contributed here, I'll be happy to give you a discount on your next purchase.

 

[CZguy]

It's great to save money but that one customers who wants to nickel and dime you to death over $5 dollars is a major pain. I think a better questions is what's a "reasonable" price with also taking into consideration service, locality, etc.

A reasonable price to me is the lowest, it's really just that simple. Someone who is fairly advanced in the shooting sports has absolutely no need of "service". Many new people may need things explained to them, or shipped for them but quite a few of us don't.

The two local dealers that I deal with know me by sight, and when I ask for their best price on a gun, they both know that it's a cash price and we don't need to quibble over the last five dollars. They both understand that I have cash with me and that a quick sale with a smaller profit is better than having it sit on the shelf for six months.

Not all dealers do this, that why I patronize these two.

 

[Davek1977]

I tend to agree with CZ. Other than possibly gunsmith services...which a good deal of ffls DO NOT provide, there's nothing...short of actually being able to sell firearms....that the local shop can do for me that I can't do myself. This mysterious "service" constantly referred to has never materialized for me, regardless of where I bought the gun. While I may not be today's "typical" gun owner, I either know what I want or have a darn good idea before I ever alk in the store. I've polled my friends, done the research online, and basically just need someone to put the gun in my hands. In that regard, there's no reason an online purchase can't be as satisfying as a LGS purchase or a "Big Box" purchase. I don't need...and in many cases do not WANT...my hand held during the "shopping" phase. By buying from the LGS, I'm basically paying for services I don't need....aid in selection, recommendations, etc. Bud's doesn't push their personal favorite brand on me regardless of what I've stated I'm looking for. I don't get rants either in favor or against certain guns based on one clerk's opinions. Instead, i can read multiple reviews from customers to see how the CONSENSUS feel about that particular gun. To me, an online purchase not only saves money, but eliminates the hand-holding and being treated as though I'm buying my first gun, instead of my 20th. In some people's case, the LGS may be a Godsend, giving you knowledge and insight you may have not had previously. For others, though, its an exercise in frustration and redundancy, and a general waste of time. How and where one purchases depends on a variety of factors, cost being but one.

 

[tarosean]

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill? I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

So take that dollar menu item and and 5 bucks to it.. Would you be happier paying 6 bucks or 1 dollar for the exact same thing? what about charging full retail at Goodwill?


With that said thou..
Ive never purchased a gun off an online discounter. Nor likely ever will... I generally only look for specific guns most of which haven't been in production for some time.

 

[WinThePennant]

I just bought two Glocks (26 and 19) at a LGS.

Why?

Because he's old school cool, and the LGS is the backbone of the 2nd Amendment. Once gun commerce is consolidated in the hands of a few, it will be much easier to regulate and tax the business out of existence.

 

[JohnBT]

I never eat at the drive-thru or inside for that matter because I don't like the food. My question was about 'Always eating off the dollar menu at the drive-thru?'. Emphasis on always, as in do you always do things the absolutely least expensive way?

I've mail ordered a few guns, but only for a new Cooper 57 Custom Classic, a used Nylon 76 and the surplus P210. The transactions went smoothly.

Speaking of old guns that are out of production, the only gun on the Green Top list that caught my eye was the 28 ga. Superposed.

BROWNING SUPERPOSED 28 28 BLUE E 5,799.99 SALE 4,799.99

If I can get my mother's taxes finished before the ball games start I might go look at it. What's driving me nuts (for the 5th year in a row) is adding up the medical deductions for her nursing home care and 8 months of assisted living/nursing and hospital care for my father and all the incidential medical expenses.

GO RAMS.

How fitting is it that Norfolk State's center is named O'Quinn?

 

[mgmorden]

Why do so many people always focus on money first? Do you always eat off the dollar menu at the drive-thru and shop for clothes at Goodwill? I suppose I was a starving grad student once, but that all ended in 1973.

False comparison. The food off the dollar menu sucks and the clothes at Goodwill typically do too (not to mention being used).

Compare to guns: if I buy a Ruger SR9 from Buds it's not going to be of any lower quality or craftmanship than the same exact gun purchased at a LGS. No matter how much money I might have, I will never needlessly throw it away. The money saved by buying online means I can buy and own more guns, and shoot them more (or simply use that money elsewhere in my life.

We're not talking about paying for quality or not - we're talking about buying identical items at better prices.

The simple fact of the matter is that people focus on money so much because it is the paramount item of importance in the free market model.

 

[ForumSurfer]

It's great to save money but that one customers who wants to nickel and dime you to death over $5 dollars is a major pain. I think a better questions is what's a "reasonable" price with also taking into consideration service, locality, etc.

This is a great discussion guys/gals, one that a lot of people will be able to learn from. I know I have.

If you've contributed here, I'll be happy to give you a discount on your next purchase.

If I buy from you, I'm not supporting MY LGS

I don't argue over $5.

The lowest price isn't the best price for me.

For a good shop with great people that recognize me (if by face, name is a bonus)...I'll pay a little extra, within reason that is.

 

[drsfmd]

when I ask for their best price on a gun, they both know that it's a cash price and we don't need to quibble over the last five dollars. They both understand that I have cash with me and that a quick sale with a smaller profit is better than having it sit on the shelf for six months.

Not all dealers do this, that why I patronize these two.

But you are quibbiling... the best price I have is the price on the tag. If I wanted to sell it for less, I would have put a lower price on the tag.

 

[ForumSurfer]

But you are quibbiling... the best price I have is the price on the tag. If I wanted to sell it for less, I would have put a lower price on the tag.

People are a little strange. I've sold a bunch of used guns online. I've put them at my rock bottom price and it takes forever to sell them. I get a bunch of emails offering less money. I can take that ad down, relist it at a higher price, negotiate to a price higher than my rock bottom price and sell it in just a day or two. I can see where that same sort of craziness happens in retail.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

People are a little strange. I've sold a bunch of used guns online. I've put them at my rock bottom price and it takes forever to sell them. I get a bunch of emails offering less money. I can take that ad down, relist it at a higher price, negotiate to a price higher than my rock bottom price and sell it in just a day or two. I can see where that same sort of craziness happens in retail.

I have experienced that too. I don't really care for the negotiation process so I tend to list my "rock bottom" as my asking price when trying to sell items and get few takers. I seem to get more luck by asking for a higher price, then doing some negotiations until the final price is lower than my asking, even if the figure is higher than my bottom line.

 

[Bammac]

I put up with higher prices from one of my LGS's because I like to support a local business that has good people. I understand they have overhead, etc. that puts them at a disadvantage, and in one case I can deal with it.

The other LGS has better prices, but has a know-it-all, ex-everything, blowhard Gump as a staffer. I am the customer- You are not doing ME a favor- . Sell it to someone who' buyin.

That said, times are hard for some of us, and it should be kept in mind that even $50.00 in savings has great meaning to them.