Should Gun Stores offer Military/LE Discounts?

[coloradokevin]

the only thing I hate worse than a cop is two of them mfers. and if you dont like my stance, well thats just tough

Wow. Well, clearly you haven't just judged an entire group of people based on one experience you've had. Surely the police serve no useful function, and are merely here to harrass you, eat doughnuts, and waste taxpayer money.

Way to jump right towards the derogatory statements; very "High Road" of you. But, what would I know, I'm just one of those "M-fers" you were speaking of?

I can't begin to imagine why the police department didn't get along with you, given that pleasant attitude and all. But, I still maintain my stance that a shop owner is well within their rights to offer a discount to whomever they want to!

 

[coloradokevin]

... darn internet thingy. First it wouldn't post, then it posts me four times. Mods, please delete the extras if you can, I can't seem to! Sorry!

 

[coloradokevin]

... duplicated (again)

 

[coloradokevin]

Duplicate (again). Mod, please delete.

 

[Dravur]

To the ones who think the military makes $51,000 a year, BULL, my son just returned from his 3rd tour in Iraq his yearly pay and I have his my pay statement for 2008 in my hand $21,453.76!!!!! Does he deserve a discount, don't know about that but he does not deserve to be insulted by misinformed yahoos who think he is getting rich serving his country!!!!
Sorry about blowing my stack but this one I could not let pass.

whooooaaaa nelly. I dont think anyone said that they are getting rich. I totally agree that they dont make a ton of money. That being said, your son chose to do what he is doing at the compensation level offered. I am betting no one held a gun to his head when he signed up.

As to the discounts. Any store can offer any discount it wants. If they want to offer a discount, then so be it. But, should a gun dealer be called greedy if he does not offer one? no way, Jose.

Cuz, here is the rub.... LE, Firemen, Soldiers, Cavemen, Tight rope walkers, etc are all citizens. Your job should not entitle you, or make you feel entitled to anything extra.

And that goes double for our congress critters.

 

[JohnBT]

Military pay charts are public information. Depending on how you calculate the average for all grades or if you count only enlisted grades plus bonus pay, etc., the usual average reported is almost always between $50k and $54k.

One more time, that's an AVERAGE. Nobody has said that's what they all make.

I looked it up. Here're the enlisted pay charts for 2007. Look at the big numbers that skew the average. For example, an E-8 with 20 years = 75,298.98

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/pay/2007Pay/blsalenl.htm

John

P.S. - " and if you dont like my stance, well thats just tough" Your stance? I don't like you.

 

[flrfh213]

if a person or business gives only a select few a discount that might be taken as a bribe but if all govmt personal get same discount then it is legal, at least the county that i work for said it was... lol, needs to be all or none....

 

[SHvar]

Most gunshops I know of offer these discounts. Also places that charge high prices such as law enforcement and security supply stores offer incredible discounts for LE officers on firearms, some almost half price. Years ago I saw a glock with night sights installed that was over $600, the same gun with my work ID was $300 if I was interested (I have a glock, I dont need another).

 

[stevelyn]

Nope. Discounts are a courtesy offered as thanks to different segments of a customer base.

They should in no way ever be required, and no military or LE of sound integrity should ever expect them.

I thought Uncle Sam gave soldiers the weapons they need.

Yeah, but he always kept wanting us to give them back.

 

[hadmanysons]

I'd have to say yes. But then again I'm biased.

 

[rscalzo]

Did anyone even bother to read the original question? SHOULD THEY GIVE?

No one said must give anything. For those that didn't bother to read any of the info posted, manufacturers give the dealer a set percentage off the dealer cost of the firearm. S&W, SIG and Glock to name a few. The discount isn't all that great.

On the other hand, the store is in business to make money. As the one in charge of purchasing among other areas, my orders to the shop were for 75 to more units of a firearm. Don't give me a good price at a discount, I'd be more than happy to go somewhere else. He can lose that sale along with the related items such as 100 additional magazines, leather, etc. when I buy ammo it is in 50K lots a few times a year. That's why I get a LE discount.

The guy walking in got ten percent off leather and LE items. That's maybe six dollars off of a off duty holster. Don't give the discount and the 55 thousand le employees go somewhere else. Maybe that's why the two leading le suppliers in my state stayed that way for so many years.

On the other hand, some of the smarter dealers worked better deals and did a nice business from LE areas. When it gets around a dealer makes better deals, having a new class of 50 walk into buy gear is worth the discount. Is the dealer going to do that kind of business from the one or two walk in's that will nickle and dime him on every item. doubt it.

So it comes down to give and discount or don't. the dealer is the one losing the business.

 

[Mags]

John BT do you know how long it would take to make E-8?
Most enlisted guys are E-5 and below if you are not married you will not get alowwances until after 3 years on average so in my opinion the first three years in the military yo do not make that much. That is from experience not a stupid website.

 

[divemedic]

True. When I enlisted, the pay for an E-1 was something like $650 a month, no allowances. Unless you were married, you didn't qualify for allowances. I know what the website is doing, they are adding $$ for the free barracks you get to live in, and the food you get. At best, I was a married E-5 with 6 years in, getting all sorts of allowances, and pay for arduous duty, etc, and I never broke $20K.

That still doesn't mean that I got to demand that a gun dealer (or anyone else) give me some of HIS money.

 

[Mags]

Again if I don't get a good deal I go somewhere else I don't see any thing wrong with it.