OK, I'm sure this has been discussed before, so I apologize upfront if it's redundant. I'm in the market for a few handguns from .22 - .45 cal. I've been to most of my LGS's here in IL (Crook County), as well as been looking on-line via Buds, Gallery of Guns, etc. Now I'm finding some sizeable price differences ordering online w/ffl transfer than buying direct. Now is ordering on-line saves me like $20 and the LGS is in that ballpark, I'll support the LGS as I think we all should do, however for example today I looked up a Beretta 92FS BLK, 9mm - Buds Price - $558, free shipping and my ffl charges $30 so $588 total. My LGS where I shoot most often wanted $744.97 for the exact same gun? That is a $156 difference! Is there something I'm missing here when ordering online from a Buds or other on-line retailers? Is it to good to be true? I have checked Gallery of guns a lot also and in some cases going through that site via LGS has been a better deal than Buds. What is your threshold if you are going to buy on-line vs LGS for price differences? $20,$30...$50....??? Sorry, not first time shotter here, just firt time on-line firearm purchaser.
Online ordering vs LGS? Feedback needed
- Thread starter grptelli
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Bubba - YUP, the higher priced Beretta from the LGS was all in, taxes, etc.
What got me is that he wanted to charge higher than MSRP for the gun. I want the LGS to make money, trust me I do, but I can't pass up an on-line deal where there is over $150 difference.
I know orderling on-line will always save me on the IL taxes.
What got me is that he wanted to charge higher than MSRP for the gun. I want the LGS to make money, trust me I do, but I can't pass up an on-line deal where there is over $150 difference.
I know orderling on-line will always save me on the IL taxes.
Dnaltrop
Member
My LGS charges 10% over his cost, his selection is small but I'm patient, and don't mind letting him order things in. Usually they have more good Consignments in his case than new guns. I just missed getting the Registered Magnum. 
Youngun' beat me to it with cash in hand.
Typically this means his prices already are close matches to Bud's, or what I'd pay after factoring the shipping in. Some guns he's been quite a bit UNDER the net prices.
Unless I'm saving $70-100 the extra effort isn't worth it to me, and my LGS is mostly a Repair shop, A full third of the store is the workshop, and visible from the sales floor, you can watch them work. That makes me feel good when I need service. Nothing Hidden.
No sales tax in Oregon to think about either.
The "new gun" gun store I go to has similar prices to my guy 5 blocks away, but I'd rather cultivate the relationship with the shop that might have to work on one of my 100 + year old .22's.
Youngun' beat me to it with cash in hand. Typically this means his prices already are close matches to Bud's, or what I'd pay after factoring the shipping in. Some guns he's been quite a bit UNDER the net prices.
Unless I'm saving $70-100 the extra effort isn't worth it to me, and my LGS is mostly a Repair shop, A full third of the store is the workshop, and visible from the sales floor, you can watch them work. That makes me feel good when I need service. Nothing Hidden.
No sales tax in Oregon to think about either.
The "new gun" gun store I go to has similar prices to my guy 5 blocks away, but I'd rather cultivate the relationship with the shop that might have to work on one of my 100 + year old .22's.
Dnaltrop
Member
Yes, So was I... Oregon is one of the handful of states without a "sales" tax.
No Tax to cheat on in the first place!
When I buy a gun online, It's the price + shipping+transfer fees at my FFL... nothing more.
It really screws me up when I'm visiting other states, Prices jump magically between the sticker and the register, and since It's illegal to pump your own gas here, I look like an idiot sitting in my car for 10 minutes till I remember. Never remember to figure it into the costs when someone elsewhere is price-checking a firearm.
No Tax to cheat on in the first place!
When I buy a gun online, It's the price + shipping+transfer fees at my FFL... nothing more.
It really screws me up when I'm visiting other states, Prices jump magically between the sticker and the register, and since It's illegal to pump your own gas here, I look like an idiot sitting in my car for 10 minutes till I remember. Never remember to figure it into the costs when someone elsewhere is price-checking a firearm.
writerinmo
Member
I just bought a Ruger P95 and a Phoenix Arms HP22A at my LGS for several reasons. Bud was sold out of them, the guys on Gunbroker wanted the same price for pawn shop guns that I paid new, so that sealed the deal. Walked out just a few bucks under $500 for the pair. Now I did just order a Saiga in 7.62x39 from Classic Arms for about the same reasons, no one around here has one, and none of the other online dealers could touch the price. Now I do have to factor the transfer fee in, an extra $25 for a total of $368.
22-rimfire
Member
I think you should make these decisions on a case by case basis. I like to and prefer to buy firearms at a LGS versus shipping from a place like Buds. In my area, the transfer fee is the great equalizer. Some want $40 plus $10 NICS check to do a transfer.
I personally can understand their perspective. I think the shops that charge the higher transfer fees simply would rather not bother with a transfer unless it is from a regular customer that they know. Guns are selling very well and some of the newly offered guns are selling well even at high prices. Gun shops are busy. I have been really "shocked" just how many people are sometimes at these shops on saturdays.
One shop in my area that I am aware of charges $25 including the NICS check. You can guess where my future transfers will be handled. My guess is that they believe they would not see any business from that particular customer without doing the transfer for cheap. They are probably right.
I personally can understand their perspective. I think the shops that charge the higher transfer fees simply would rather not bother with a transfer unless it is from a regular customer that they know. Guns are selling very well and some of the newly offered guns are selling well even at high prices. Gun shops are busy. I have been really "shocked" just how many people are sometimes at these shops on saturdays.
One shop in my area that I am aware of charges $25 including the NICS check. You can guess where my future transfers will be handled. My guess is that they believe they would not see any business from that particular customer without doing the transfer for cheap. They are probably right.
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