Should Gun Stores offer Military/LE Discounts?

[Dravur]

I voted no,

I have the highest respect for our military and our LE.

But, when they walk into a store, they are citizens, just like you and I.

 

[Lou McGopher]

If I owned a gun shop, my LEO discount would be to include a box of donuts.

 

[ShadyScott999]

Only if they want to.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

No.
I already help buy them all their work toys and pay them. Why give them a discount for toys?

 

[Mags]

Quote "No.
I already help buy them all their work toys and pay them. Why give them a discount for toys?"

LOL I love that one "I Pay taxes spiel" One day I went to Subway for lunch in uniform and a guy walked up to me and asked how i liked that sandwich his tax dollars bought for me. I asked him how he likes his freedom I fought for? He shut up and kept walking. Everyone acts like because the military is funded by tax dollars as if we don't work or something. many commanders feel we should work harder and longer just for the fact that we owe that to the American public as we are public servants to a point.

 

[ilbob]

If it was me, I would be offering discounts to whomever I felt would generate enough extra sales to make it worth while.

 

[Erik]

A seller should be able to offer whatever promotions they feel inclined to offer. They should not have too. Conversely, they should not be unable to offer them. It is their business, literally.

 

[coyotehitman]

If I owned a gun shop, my LEO discount would be to include a box of donuts.

Steve......I didn't know you posted here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95qZtwJNjxk

LOL

 

[divemedic]

The OP with this poll is being a little misleading. Actually, a lot misleading.

The discussion that prompted this was started in another thread, where he said that any gun store that doesn't give a LE/Military discount was a "money grubbing jerk"

I pointed out "If you get a discount, be grateful, and if not, don't demand one. You call 90% of gun dealers money grabbing jerks because they won't take $20 out of their pocket and give it to you, in the form of a discount."

The OP then got huffy, and started this poll. To more accurately phrase the question, the poll should have been:

Should gun stores be required to give military/LE a discount?
-yes, I put my life on the line
- yes, I deserve it
- not if the dealer doesn't want to
- no, everyone should pay the same

 

[Mags]

Hey Diver medic if you read my first post under this thread you would see where i admitted that i got a little out of hand in the other thread. Oh and by the way here is my post you are talking about. I do not know how i am misleading especially if you read the first post under this thread.

My post in the other thread:
Hey DHJenkins, Maybe you should read the first post of a thread before you start complaining. I just asked asked a question and by the way I do have a sense of entitlement I'm very upset alot of gun dealers do not give Military Discounts I go to Iraq and back and I can get a cheeseburger at carls jr 20 percent off but I will be lucky if i can negotiate 20 bucks of a 900 dollar gun purchase. In my opinion 90 percent of Gun Dealers are money grubbing jerks. Thats Right 9 outta 10!

There you go I'm not trying to conceal who i am or what i believe i started this thread to see how other people felt and what they believe. I'm sorry I didn't think of every poll option I tell you what next time I set up a poll i will consult you first. I find it amusing how many people start on the offensive when i ask if people who put their life on the line deserve a discount. Another thing I don't understand if I decide not to shop at your buisness beacuse you will not give me a break why does that make you mad? I am the consumer and i have just as much right to chose where I shop as you as a buisness owner have to give discounts or not. I never implied the discount should be mandatory or state law or anything like that. But I am more likely to continue to frequent a shop that gives me a discount than not. The shop I frequent most gives me a price 5 percent above cost they make about 50-60 off of me instead of 100-150 they're happy and i am happy and therefore I spread the word that they take care of military folks. And in turn surprise surprise military memebrs frequent that store and purchase more from them. Good lord I didn't even go to buisness school and i know if you give a customer a break he will come back and who knows maybe he will bring his buddies. Word of mouth is a great percentage of most advertisement.

 

[JohnBT]

"In my opinion 90 percent of Gun Dealers are money grubbing jerks."

You've obviously met a completely different bunch than I have during the past 50 years. Maybe you just rub 'em the wrong way.

Deserve a discount?

That's a different question than "...offer a discount."

Discounts are voluntary. Anybody who thinks they should get an automatic discount for one reason or another from a privately owned business is a needy whiner. A discount is a bonus; a gift the shop owner decides to make or not make.

I like discounts. If I get one, great. If I don't, that's fine too. It never hurts to ask, but I've never gotten upset if they don't participate in some program or other (NRA room rate discounts, AAA, double off coupons on Thursdays, whatever.)

The last new gun I bought had a $675 tag. When he was ringing it up, the owner knocked it down to $633. I thought it was nice of him to say that he would work with me on the price. Sometimes he can, and sometimes he can't. I think the secret is that I always let him decide and don't push it.

John

 

[kirklandkie]

i said yes but in review i'd change that to military only, some of the guys in the lower ranks with families are eligible for food stamps. if they go to buy a weapon they should get every bit they can out of their dollar.

-kirk

 

[Mags]

Not to mention Kirkland being in the military you are not allowed welfare or food stamps.

 

[kyo]

mine does. They choose to. I don't think it should be mandatory. Don't departments give LEO issued firearms anyway?

 

[flrfh213]

i would say any government id would work and also a NRA discount and or bulk buying more so for the bulk buying. yes dept gives service weapons but word of mouth has local (in my area) leo driving 150 miles to a specific shop to buy personal/back up weapons, but it should be up to each shop.... NOT government regulated!!!!

 

[thorazine]

Yes.

Granted the law enforcement official lets me sound the siren in his or her cruiser. =)

If they allowed me to go on a ride along and did the repeater -- extra discount would apply.


For anyone who hasn't seen the movie -- repeater is briefly explained,

http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Movies/Super-Troopers-5730.html

 

[john1911]

Why shouldn't a private business give a discount to whomever they want?

Personally, I'm looking for a gun store that gives a "fat, balding, middle-aged man" discount. Hey, I can dream can't I?

 

[divemedic]

Exactly my point. If they give one great, but you don't "deserve" any kind of gift because you volunteered, or because you are underpaid. Everyone in this country has a sense of entitlement to everyone else's goods and services, but complain when they are asked to work for less themselves.

 

[earplug]

When I can use there ranges

I'm retired US Army.
Citizens support the LEO and military with our taxes and they get many benefits.
The NRA gives odles of money to law enforcement.
When I shoot, the majority are military or LEO's.
In my area the average none government worker can't afford to shoot.

 

[cdb1097]

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.

 

[logical]

How about we charge them full MSRP but let them put it on their credit card without the 3% fee?

 

[crazy-mp]

Gun store owners should give discounts to regular customers first. Just because someone has a job where they carry a gun does not entitle that person to a discount.

As an MP (Military Police) in the Army, and in the NRA would I get a triple discount?

If I am a good customer and I get a discount that would make me happier, not just because of what my job is/was. Mandatory no, but am I going to get mad if a owner gives one, no its that persons business, they can run it any way they see fit.

In the town where I live there is a gun store that is run by a judge and a police officer (conflict of interest?) if you go in there as a citizen expect to pay more than you would if you were a police officer or in the military.

 

[akodo]

I voted no. I think it's a nice gesture and all, and no doubt they would be deserving of it, but alot of police agencies will tell their police to steer clear of buying anything from anybody that gives LEO's a discount. I had the chief of police of my local jurisdiction, come to my restaurant one time and I gave him a discount without him asking for it, he told me that he would tell his officers not to frequent my restaurant anymore if I continued to give discounts to his officers.

This is a very slippery slope.

You can start honestly enough (free coffee for instance) and then the next merchant down the line feels he needs to do the same thing just to have equal amount of police presense, as seeing uniformed cops go in and out makes robbery less likely.

Also, it is an easy way for a crooked institution to get their claws in. Start by giving free coffee, then free pie, then free meals, and then after a few months of free meals start asking them to do thinks like run license plates. Maybe back it up with the suggestion you felt forced to give them free meals or they'd not look after your restraunt equally.

Telling cops to stear clear of placings giving free coffee to cops or a few percentage off to cops is a way to avoid future problems.

 

[209]

Heck, I get a discount at Holiday Inns!

If Holiday Inn wants to give me one, it's their business.

Likewise, any other businessman can give a discount to whomever he wants. Some gun store owner wants to give someone a discount because they're a senior citizen, or an LEO, or in the military, a long-legged blonde in a bikini or whatever other criteria he wants to use, it's his business.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

Discounts

I finally made it thru the four pages of this,and it is'nt locked.When I voted,I understood the poll to be for pvt/individual firearms.
As a vet I don't feel like I'm entitled to discount,dealers choice,active military[my store ] I would try to be as helpful as possible.Case in point,Randal knives[I think] puts orders for our troops over us if being deployed overseas.
Law Enforcement, have preference in other ways,laws making it more serious to shoot one of them than civilian.But no heavier penalties for them breaking the law. I know I'm offending here and will go no farther.
Overall ,It's the owners/companies choice,We got s&w's attention did'nt we?We can boycott whatever we as citizens want to.
One final comment,Regular customerswill be treated well;thats why their Regular/Repeat customers.Their is'nt much leway anymore.