Online "discount" gun dealers

[surveyor]

What do you like or not like about them? Do you buy from them? Why or why not?

what I like about on line..
easy to see what best cost would be in a perfect world, usually no tax and free shipping..

do I buy from them..
not usually as my tastes are more used than new
I prefer to see and handle what I'm going to buy
I prefer to deal with my LGS as the service is a lot more personal
I like having a lay away program available to me
my LGS is pretty competitive to price, but the thing that puts them over is the sales tax.. so its not a level playing field..

If my LGS is within 75+/- of the online price (OTD) I'll go with them
it makes it harder on some of the upper end models close to !K though..(think kind of like a sliding scale.. higer price gold cup I'm willing to allow more than a kel tec)

I have got some great deals, fair deals and ok deals with the LGS but that's ok it all evens out..

to some, its price only...
to others its fair price and good service..

when i'm looking for something new, yes I check the online merchants, get a price..
but I also ask my LGS what they can get it for as well..(cash and carry only)

 

[gfpd707]

discount??
add shipping
add transfer

Want a discount
Get your Class 3 FFL
a Collector of Curio's and Relics and buy from the distributors.
there's a discount.

My shop charges $25 transfer and no shipping charges from buds. Meanwhile he has the same gun in the display case and is asking msrp. I like supporting the locals and do but i am not going to pay way to much.

 

[mrcooper]

I never buy from my LGS the owner is a real JERK

 

[walt629]

I shop on line

I shop on line to get a better idea about what price I should expect when I go to the gun shop. The local shop I deal with will do everything they can to get me the gun I want at 'near' the same price. They are straight up front that their goal is to maintain customer satisfaction but at the same time they are in it to make a profit.

Their deal is, they will get me the gun I want for the cost of the FFL transaction plus 10 to 15% of the cost of the gun depending on what they have to go through to get it to me plus shipping cost and insurance.

Sounds like the same deal I'd get from the online guy but they will take a gun in trade on the new purchase, whereas the online guy won't. So if I want to trade up and the gun is online somewhere, I can do it without the hassle of having to sell my trade in myself or put it into consignment.

Plus I have the relationship with the gun shop and that in itself goes a long way when needed.

 

[Bloggerguy]

Another reason for people to purchase online. Gun store owners think they can say and do whatever they want. They cant do it. They WILL go out of business if they have that way of thinking. Its a hobby shop. Not a grocery store....

Online purchases are smoother. No problems most of the time and nobody trying to change your mind.

Once again my .02

 

[Shadow 7D]

You can get long guns on a C&R via USPS just not handguns, and yeah, when you are looking at buying them and shipping starting at $50, it's kinda a wash with them, or some of them.

 

[35Rem]

In todays world (what's the gas price today?) I have to make every penny count. New guns, I do buy online. I've bought used guns online, too, as some things you just don't find locally.

 

[DeepSouth]

I had a pretty good deal worked out with my guy. I would find the best price I could online and he would normally match it, if he did I bought it from him even though with the addition of taxes I normally spent a little more. If he couldn't match it or at least come close he would transfer one for me.

He old me once I seemed to always get a good deal but he still made more money selling me one than transferring one, he charged me $10 for a transfer most others he charged $20. Unfortunately he changed jobs and the guy that took his place seems to be a lot quicker to "just do a transfer" I guess he doesn't want the hassle of ordering and everything.

In short I would rather do business with the local guys but if will save 75+ dollars then that's kind of the cut off for me and they normally seem to understand where I'm at and appreciate the fact that I would rather buy from them.

 

[trex1310]

As a general rule I buy locally. Price is never the deciding
factor. I will buy online if my LGS doesn't have or doesn't want
to order something. The LGS will then handle the transfer. I only
do business with one LGS. The other stores seem to be owned by
complete jerks. If you want to lose my business, insult my intelligence.
I also don't like the gun store owner that is trying to emulate one of
the Mongol Motorcycle Club members. Long hair, tats everywhere,
leather vest and a 1911 in a holster doesn't impress me at all.

 

[writerinmo]

I buy to get the best deal. My name isn't Rockefeller, I don't have money to spend frivolously. But I just bought a few guns and ended up buying two of them from an LGS for the simple reason that his prices ended up costing me less than buying online. I was looking for a Ruger P95. Bud's had them for $319 with free shipping. Factor in the $20 transfer, $339, no sales tax. No one in my area had one. Finally hit JW Firearms to check with them, they had the Ruger for the exact same $319 everyday price. As I was purchasing that one, I spotted the Phoenix Arms HP22A that I have been looking for which is sold out all over as well. $149...

Well, those two left with me, the total was just under $500 all said and done.

The next day however, I did order a Saiga in 7.62x39 from Classic Arms, as they just beat the pants off everyone else at $312 (Until the day after that I saw them in Centerfire's catalog for $299.) Ordered it late Friday, they took the money out of my bank account on Monday and shipped it, Thursday I went to my local FFL and picked it up, $25 for a "facilitated sale".

Online, I can find out whether a supplier has what I am looking for. Locally I either spend a lot of time driving around, or emailing or calling them and asking if they have it. Sometimes they have one, but won't hold it till you get there and you risk someone else buying it and making the trip for nothing.

A GOOD LGS is hard to find unless you've already spent a bucketload of cash with them, you don't get any special treatment.

 

[wojownik]

I'll leave the names out ...

LGS #1 - tacticool staff pretty much ignores potential customers that are either (a) not regulars and/or (b) tacticool. Tends to price at or above MSRP, selection is heavy on black rifles and HK pistols, and not much else. Very high FFL transfer fees for the area, and actively discourages transfers (one of the staff actually said the tired statement that "if we don't have it, you don't want it").

LGS #2 - good ole' boy staff, very quirky, pretty opinionated, especially if you ask about a gun he doesn't have in stock, or doesn't like. Not much new stuff, but a fair amount on consignment at OK prices. Shop is a real mess though - disorganized, cluttered - like a army surplus shop after an earthquake. Friendly about doing transfers, but can also be disorganized during the transaction.

LGS#3 - staff with very professional demeanor, friendly but businesslike. Good selection of handguns (well rounded, for anyone from the cowboy action shooter to the IDPA/IPSC crowd). Well organized store. Good selection of accessories. Experienced gunsmiths on staff (including a manufacturer-certified armorers), at reasonable labor and parts rates. Friendly and very smooth FFL transfers.

LGS#1 and #2 soured me on the whole idea of local shops. LGS#3 brought me back home.

Though LGS#3 is quite a bit out of my way, they have become my one-stop shop for all manner of accessories and services. Though a lot of my purchases have been either transfers, they have gotten my business for the transfer, for the leather, and for a fair amount of a bit of maintenance services. Example: When I transferred a Sig p6 online though them, I ended up picking up a holster, having the sights replaced, and tuning it up.

In fact - and maybe this is the punch line - he's probably made a lot more money from me in services than he ever would in margin on firearms purchases.

 

[TennJed]

As a general rule I buy locally. Price is never the deciding
factor. I will buy online if my LGS doesn't have or doesn't want
to order something. The LGS will then handle the transfer. I only
do business with one LGS. The other stores seem to be owned by
complete jerks. If you want to lose my business, insult my intelligence.
I also don't like the gun store owner that is trying to emulate one of
the Mongol Motorcycle Club members. Long hair, tats everywhere,
leather vest and a 1911 in a holster doesn't impress me at all.

Just curious, did the long hair guy insult you or is it just his looks? Everyone has their own standards and I am not questioning yours, but I have come across too many of people in gun stores who are either uneducated on firearms, sleazy salesmen, or they insult my intelligence.

If I can find one who is knows his stuff, is honest, and actual tries to help I would be more than happy to support him (or her) regardless of looks.

 

[Teachu2]

I located a transfer FFL locally who charges $25 and is open when I need him. He did nearly 2000 transfers last year. The LGS's charge $100+ on transfers from another dealer, and are at or close to msrp on new guns. If they would meet me halfway, they'd get my business. When it costs 20% more to buy from the local dealer, who has to order it after I pay for it - well, I feel kinda stupid rewarding such behavior.

I'd be more understanding if they stocked the guns, or even would order one in on approval, but they provide the same level of service I get from Bud's - almost. They seem to be a bit slower...

I used to fly radio-controlled model airplanes. Seemed like every time I wanted to make a major purchase, it had to be ordered - and at a higher cost than I could order it myself, and with a longer wait. About fifteen years ago, a local guy took over a losing hobby shop and immediately cut the prices to at or below mail-order. It didn't take long for his business to explode - he owned the market here for ~8 years, and made very good money doing it. He got maximum discounts from his distributors because he was selling a large yearly volume, and so his profit margin was adequate. His philosophy was that he'd rather make a small profit than loose a sale. He sold the place and the new owner tried to charge more - he lost his investment.

Gun stores cannot survive just selling guns. The profit is in the accessories, range time, trade-ins, and consignments.

 

[olafhardtB]

One good reason to buy on line is you can find used stuff that you can't find at your LGS. You might have a Savage 22/20 model 24,or a pre 64 model 94 in 25/35 or a colt doubie action 32/20 etc but I can't count on it. I can find them on the internet in a few minutes. But I can't lay it away. I would like to be able to find it on the internet, pay a deposit and layaway fee, get it ordered, pay it out, pay the transfer fee and pick it up. I would like point out that a lot of people who post here don't know squat about running a store including me.

 

[Davek1977]

I have purchased guns both ways...in fact my two purchases were one of each. I didn't feel shameful or dirty ordering a Doublestar AR from Bud's, when the locals hadn't even heard of the company. My last purchase was a Ruger SR9C last week. I priced it at Buds and a few other online shops. I walked through the local gun show last weekend, looking for the rare deal. The gun show prices were at least $50 higher than Buds. I was almost resigned to ordering from Buds when the local shop tagged their SR9C at $470, and the cheapest at the show was nearly $450. However, I checked Runnings Farm and Fleet...located just across the street more or less from my house....and found it at $429....Buds was cheaper, but would have fallen within 5 dollars after transfer fees, and by purchasing then and there, I wouldn't have to wait. When the local guys attempt at being competitive, instead of flat out ripping a guy off, its much easier to do business with them. When they apparently feel they need to make almost $100 more on the same gun as their competition, be it local or online, its not hard to decide where I'm shopping. I'm a reasonable guy, but won't pay unreasonable prices just to say I got it locally

 

[o Unforgiven o]

Not all of us have a LGS to shop at in the first place. I don't believe there is a single gun shop within 15 miles of me that stocks any guns at all, save for the small selection of used stuff. So the way I see it, if it has to be ordered I might as well be the one to order it, and save a good amount of money at the same time. Consequently, I have only ever bought guns online, specifically from Bud's.

 

[Elkins45]

Truthfully most of my gun purchases in the last 10+ years have happened at the fairly regular gun shows we have in Lexington or Louisville. National Gun Day is going on right now in Louisville and the only reason I'm not there today is because I didn't get home until very late yesterday from an out of state meeting.

I've bought a couple of guns from Bud's but I picked them up at the Lexington store. I'm about to find out how hard it is to find an LGS to accept an online transfer for the first time because a bunch of guys on the Accurate Reloading forum have found an importer to bring some left-handed Zastava Mausers into the country. Unfortunately the importer is in Las Vegas so I'll need to find someone local who will do the transfer.

 

[PRM]

I've had good experiences with internet sales on both guns and ammo. Finding an FFL to do a transfer is no issue either {For transfers, Gun Broker has a buyer's tab. Follow the links and it will show you everyone by zip code who will do it and what they charge.}. Our local LGS(s) are pretty much staffed by opinionated, arrogant jerks, and are grossly over priced on their stock. The deciding incident for me was when I ordered a new firearm and it came in defective. The owners son became upset and irate when I would not accept it, stating he had shot a lot of loose guns (defective - breach loader that had excessive play on lock up) in his time (21 year old) and I should take it and be happy. I haven't made a purchase at one in over five years now.


Bottom line:

1. I haven't missed doing business with them.

2. They obviously haven't missed me since they are still in business.

3. We both seem to be happy.

 

[LiquidTension]

I haven't bought anything online in many years. There are several local shops with reasonable prices and ever since PSA opened up a retail store I can get new guns at internet prices locally.

 

[walt629]

Having read what is already posted here, I've come up with a couple of question for those that purchase on line.

How do you know the gun you're buying will fit your needs? Did you go to the local shop, handle the weapon, get the answers, then buy on line? or are you buying with the hopes that it will fit your grip, have the smooth operation you think it will, etc.?

If you are doing that, aren't you cheating the LGS of the profit from the effort they put into selling you the gun you seek? They get you the information and then you go on line to buy it cheaper without considering the services that were just provided to you would be part of the purchase price they are offering the gun for.

I have a hard time buying anything without at least holding it in my hand first. Obviously some will say they have a friend or a range buddy that had what they wanted so they went on line...... and so on.

But the majority of us would see a gun in a magazine and say I want that. As soon as you step foot into a LGS and use any of their services we are adding to the overhead that they need to cover and therefore adding to the cost of the guns they have to offer.

Is anyone taking that into consideration in the discussion?

 

[jrdolall]

I will buy new guns from online retailers but probably not a used one as I know many people get rid of guns for a good reason. I will buy used because I can look at the actual gun. With NIB I dont see the real advantage of holding the gun.
Retailers, including LGS stores, absolutely must realize that their business model needs to change if they want to thrive. I have several LGS to choose from within 30 miles from me and all are different. One of the smaller ones, actually a pawn shop, had 5 Mosin Nagants on the shelf last week. All were in medium to poor shape and he had from $159-$229 on them. I am thinking $79 for a couple of these and I would strip down the wood but he would not budge. Said they are getting hard to find. The same shop I bought two used 9MM pistols a couple of months ago because he did a package deal.
The nicer shop near me NEVER has what I am looking for. S&W bodyguard revolver? Not in but coming later today. He got in S&W Bodyguard in .380 Semi and tried to get me to buy it. I had the money in my pocket to buy a Ruger 9mm compact, ?SR9c?, because he had a sign with a good deal. We just sold the last one. I need a magazine for a Browning Buckmark. Be in next week. I need a box of 6.5x 55 shells for a Swedish Mauser. We usually carry them but are out. These are all actual events in the past couple of months. Last week I bought a 10/22 mag that he actually had in stock and he charged $32. I can buy it online for $20 but I wanted it right then.
You might want to call the stockholders of Sears, Blockbuster, Waldenbooks, Circuit City and a lot of other brick and mortar major chains and ask them how they feel about the internet. Gun stores will either adapt by offering services that the online guys cannot offer, as many people have stated, or they will continue to struggle with losing sales. They need to use the advantages THEY have and convince customers that it is worth $50 to buy from them.
$500 in sales at 10% margin is $50. $2000 in sales at 5% is $100. $10,000 in sales at 0% is $0 and $0 in sales at 50% is $0. You dont always have to be the cheapest but you must be competitive. Hi Point 9mm for $139 is no profit but if the guy buys a couple of boxes of ammo and an extra mag then maybe you make $15 and sell him a holster?

 

[AABEN]

Most gun stores overcharge. Most of them don't have anything other than the most mainstream of selections. Just like all trade goods, firearms are going digital; if you can't offer the same gun for the price of their online quote, shipping, and a transfer fee, you'll be left in the dust.

While I don't mind spending a few extra dollars to support local business, it needs to be just a few, not a lot, and the business should deserve it, which means nice people, good selection, and no BS from the gun store I choose to patronize. If your price is 100 dollars above what I can get online, or you don't have what I want, or you are anything but polite and supportive of what I want to get/do/buy, then online I go.

A gun dealer needs to make 35% on what ever he sales to make a living and to keep his doors open this the lease he cam make. Do you discount your labor?

 

[JoeMal]

Here we go again......this has been beaten to death 10 times in the last month

Most gun stores overcharge. Most of them don't have anything other than the most mainstream of selections. Just like all trade goods, firearms are going digital; if you can't offer the same gun for the price of their online quote, shipping, and a transfer fee, you'll be left in the dust.

While I don't mind spending a few extra dollars to support local business, it needs to be just a few, not a lot, and the business should deserve it, which means nice people, good selection, and no BS from the gun store I choose to patronize. If your price is 100 dollars above what I can get online, or you don't have what I want, or you are anything but polite and supportive of what I want to get/do/buy, then online I go.

Couldn't have said it better myself

Local shops are overpriced, their staff is terrible, their service is terrible (unless you're a good 'ol boy that hangs out there all day), and their selection is terrible. Plus you pay taxes.

When I can buy a gun for $100 less online, get exactly what I want without waiting, and pay a $25 transfer instead of $50 in taxes....which do you think I'm going to do?

 

[35Rem]

instead of $50 in taxes

Don't expect this luxury to last much longer. States are already cracking down on internet sales tax "losses".

 

[FourTeeFive]

From your FAQ:

Q: Do you have a store?

A: No, not currently. This isn’t my full-time gig although I hope to have a store eventually.

So I'm confused. You're an internet dealer complaining about internet sales?

I'm not that far from your location, but hadn't heard of you. Since you don't have a store I'm not sure what you offer that I don't get from the various gun dealers in the area.