The local Toys R US of guns in Charlotte.

[Carter]

The other day I was heading to a concert/festival type event in the middle of downtown Charlotte, NC and like a true gun addict I stopped by the local gun store nearby before hand to hold the rifle I'll probably never get, the FN 2000, because I'll probably find something a little cheaper and more practical. Nevertheless, its my dream rifle. The store's name is Hyatt's gun and coin, and they have the largest selection outside of a gun show that I've seen.

While walking to the back of the store I noticed Ruger mini-14's priced at $899 and up, Ak's that I've gotten new in box from Royal Tiger Imports for around $340 to $370 being priced at $899, and so on with other rifles. I asked to see the FN 2000 and drooled over it for a few minutes and amazed by the weight (first time handling it). My gf pointed out it was priced at $2700. I looked back at the salesman and wondered why would you sale the same rifle for $600 more than anyone else.

We ended up striking up a conversation about how I wouldn't be able to buy it for quite some time since I just ordered an XCR a week ago. They asked who I ordered it from and I told them the name of my usual gun shop a little closer to home. And the conversation went like this:

-Salesmen: "OOOOOOOOO" In a you're an idiot and just made a big mistake kind of way.
-My gf: "Well we would of thought about buying from here but your stuff is way too overpriced" In her usual graceful yet condescending tone.
-Salesmen: "Yeah but our store isn't a mom and pop shop, we're the largest independent gun store in the country and have an amazing in house gunsmith. What are you gonna do if/when your rifle breaks?" And for the record my usual shop does have a gunsmith.
-Me staring at the two salesmen "Send it to the manufacturer under warranty."

After that they stopped talking to me, and none of the other salesman offered to help me except for the safe and coin guys tucked away from the rest of the store. It really ticked me off to hear people in their 30's and 40's booing a store just because they offer cheaper prices and not having any facts to back up their distaste for them. IMHO, if you have useful facts on why not to buy from a certain shop please share with the class, if not at least be mature in your criticism.

So my actual question would be: Does several hundred dollars over price, plus a 15% restocking fee, buy you anything better at Hyatt's? Such as an additional in house warranty? I know Impactguns.com does that, but I haven't heard of it anywhere else, and I'm sure they would of mentioned it as a selling point.

 

[HunterBear71]

The inflated prices pay for the salaries of the 'helpful' sales staff.

 

[.22M.R.F.]

Carter

You have made a valid point that has caused me to not visit their store often or converse with them set up at the Charlotte gun Shows. There was a time when Larry & Terry and Bill were very personable sales folks but they have chosen to become too big and important for my taste. Are you acquainted with the old "Builders Hardware" located near up-town Charlotte? That was another enjoyable place to visit and I had to drive 50 miles to get there. Just proves "Change" is not always good. I believe Terry got out of the business.

 

[Gouranga]

LOL, I had been considering heading over there think I may stick to mine. If it makes you feel better, there is one Gastonia, I think it is Carolina Hunter or something. It is a little hole in the wall, best prices around, and for as small a shop as it is, great selection. The guys there are country but they were very helpful, and just good folks.

First hundgun I ever got was from there (S&W M&P 40) was $50 less than anywhere else I looked.

 

[Carter]

Sadly, being 21 my experience with tool shops is mostly limited to Lowes and Home Depot. I was probably never going to buy from Hyatt due to their prices but after that incident I'll keep my business where I'm remembered and get good deals. My usual gun shop has ordered from distributors and transfered the rifle into my name (saving me money) when trading in guns, keeps their prices below MSRP considerably, will order any type of weapon you want, and has that good old southern hospitality (as I get older I come to appreciate it and the South more...even as much as me going from Democrat to approaching libertarian).

However I will never buy ammo in bulk from any gun shop. God bless sportsmansguide.com and their prices.

 

[Carter]

Accidental repost of comment.***

Thanks Gouranga. I'll check them out.

The shop I usually go to is Eagle Guns in Concord. They are a little pricey on pistols (closer to MSRP-still no where near as bad as Hyatt), but I only own rifles and shotguns currently, so it works out just fine. If you want to handle a rifle that you can't find anywhere else Hyatt is a good place to go due to their selection, but thats it. They have a good selection of Sigs and AR's, an ACR, FN 2000, Thompsons, a lot of M1 carbines, and a lot of ak's.

 

[Walkalong]

We have a shop like that in town, albeit smaller. They have a lot of stuff there to put your hands on with plenty of folks to help (some of which are pretty knowledgeable) and their stuff is priced accordingly. Not super high, but higher than you can get if you shop around or order it. Many people are willing to pay the higher price to see it, touch it, and get help from a real person. They will be in business for a long time.

Sounds like the shop you were at is a bit worse than these guys though.

 

[danprkr]

Just keep voting with your $s and they'll either get the hint or dry up an go away. Actually that's not always true. There is a market segment out there that equates high price with prestige. To heck with them - let them have their outlet, and you go to your place and hang onto your money.

 

[bannockburn]

Carter

Sounds like a rather self-inflated sales staff, to go along with their over inflated prices. When I was in retail and commission sales, one of the things I never did was talk trash about the competition or their product. Treat every customer exactly the same way you would want to be treated, if you were the customer.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // If you want to check out a particular firearm there is no better, more complete inventory locally, they boast 4000 firearms.

I bought my 442 no lock there for less than Buds price with lock, but only after some stiff bargining. No locks are/were hard to find.

The know it all salesman seems to prevail because they push sell what is in stock.

At a different store last night, I had a GS salesman telling me my whole defensive mind set was flawed because I wanted an IWB leather holster that actually snapped over and around my belt instead of the $15.00 nylon clip holster he had chosen. Grab the gun and pull hard enough and remove the whole holster.
I even told him it was suggested by my LEO father and he basically said citizens don't need as good of gear as LEOs and anyone reduced to grappling has no skill.
He also seemed to think all real men wear shoulder holsters.(like him).

Yes Hyatt is high but so is city realestate, I get my best deals in Fort Mill or Lancaster.

 

[Carter]

Yes Hyatt is high but so is city realestate

True, but their store location isn't exactly prime real estate. There are run down buildings all around it. And when you move in massive bulk like they do you can afford to give a competitive edge in pricing over the mom and pop store, IMO. Because aren't the mom and pop stores supposed to be higher priced than large inventory stores...thus explaining the rise of walmart and the fall of Main st. businesses.

I did not bother to tell him about staying on my feet for 1 1/2 min. when attacked by 8-10 men ( I don't think they could all get to me). If you think that is a short amount of time try it, seemed like at least ten min.

and he basically said citizens don't need as good of gear as LEOs and anyone reduced to grappling has no skill.

Bravo Sir. I believe grappling is one of the most useful fighting techniques to learn. After years of wrestling and trying out boxing, then more time using it against drunks, friends/associates in "sanctioned" fights, and teaching my friends I pride myself on my ability to put down every boxer I've been challenged by. Though I still feel bad about dislocating my friends spinal disk...but anywho. Anyone who says grappling involves no skill is an idiot and I would have laughed in his face.
If I ever met you I'd probably buy you a drink for taking on that many people and lasting that long.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // No argument here Hyatts is high and not down town.

I was helping out a friend, not saying I have great skill, just loyalty, size and determination.

Not something I'd ever want to repeat, we both got out with no broken bones. I wish he could have run faster to begin with, I would not have had to go back.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Hyatt's does a LOT of business....with women, first time buyers and those new to firearms. Essentially anyone that's nervous about making a purchase and has an inclination to trust the staff.

 

[easyg]

There's a great little gun store in Pineville.
Real friendly folks and good prices too.
It is small, but they make the most of their space.

And there's always Shooter's Express in Mt. Holly/Belmont...
There prices are a little better than Hyatt's, but the sales staff are much more easy going and less predatory than the guys at Hyatt's.

 

[Maj Dad]

Hyatt's had a big display at the NRA Annual Meeting & ran shuttles to their shop from the center - gotta pay for all that... I will say the folks I talked to were pleasant and friendly, but I wasn't looking to buy anything.

 

[Hatterasguy]

We have a shop like that in my city. I can't even stand going inside anymore they are so overpriced.

What pisses me off is that they are in bed with LWRC and LWRC are morons for staying in bed with them. They mark all of their rifles way up past MSRP, so no one buys them.


Sorry I'll buy something else before paying $600 over retail on a rifle.

 

[Ben86]

Big stores usually have Big prices so I usually go to a small store for smaller prices. My local gun store is small but they can order anything I want, have the best prices around and are very friendly, patient and helpful. They also have an in house gunsmith and offer a life time warranty. I have no need to shop at a big box store where I'm just another number. Sometimes I go there just to handle some gun I want to buy in the future, but I order from my favorite store.

 

[gc70]

Hyatt's is a great place to 'window shop' but I won't handle their guns because I know I am not going to buy one at their inflated prices. They do have lots of accessories in stock and the prices on those items are generally not too bad. I gave up on their gunsmithing department after Woody swore up and down that Colt had never made a particular part, which I promptly ordered from Midway when I got home.

 

[1911Tuner]

You actually went into the heart of Charlotte...on purpose?

Yeah...and yer a brave lad, ya are.

If you get up to Lexington, try The Gun Store on Highway 8, accessible from business 85 or US 52. You can also try Spartan Arms on NC 47, accessible from I-85 at 47 and Cotton Grove Road.

They're the sort of gun stores that make ya wanna hang around and shoot the breeze.

 

[gc70]

You actually went into the heart of Charlotte...on purpose?

Yeah...and yer a brave lad, ya are.

It's hard to avoid the heart of Charlotte when I work at the corner of Trade and Tryon. If I get back to town early on a Friday, I sometimes stop at Hyatt's on the way home from the airport.

After I get a new firing pin stop installed, I want to stop by and let you look at my 9mm Colt. The old FPS is too small and allowed the extractor to clock, producing the strangest jam I've seen in a while. I also want to talk about dogs - it has been too long since there was the pitter-patter of paws around my house.

 

[Cel]

I'm personally a fan of Ed's Gun Shop in Vass, NC. Drove from over an hour a way to get to it and they were about 15 minutes from closing when I got there. The shop owner was patient with me as I made my purchase decision which was after closing time. Didn't rush me out the door or anything. Prices are great too.

Carter, by the way, I read where you were interested in a FN2000. They have one for sale at a great price. I can't afford it but someone can.

http://www.edsgunshop.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3306

It's the 3rd from the bottom.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors// I've been thinking about stopping in Lexington/Winston Salem gun shops, glad of the recommendation. Have you milked them dry of 870 Wingmasters? I just missed a 1950(first year) in 12ga.///Lookin for 1976 20 or 28ga also.

I'm glad someone mentioned Pineville gun shop, Sam has sold me several firearms/ accessories. They also do great repairs/ modifications.

Did you notice Hyatts transfer fees?

 

[Carter]

Carter, by the way, I read where you were interested in a FN2000. They have one for sale at a great price. I can't afford it but someone can.

Cel--Where were you when I was spending that much on an XCR two weeks ago!?!? ALKDSFJASLDK...oh well. I'll have it one day. Besides...my XCR should more than suffice.

Did you notice Hyatts transfer fees?

$52 per firearm.

Charlotte isn't too bad of a city. You just have to be aware of who is around you, not look like an easy target, and know what areas to stay away from. Just like any other city.

 

[Cel]

Carter~LOL! Sorry about that. I must have disappeared for a while. Congrats on the XCR, though!

 

[Carter]

Carter~LOL! Sorry about that. I must have disappeared for a while. Congrats on the XCR, though!

Thank you sir. Now do 20 Hail Mary's and w/e as punishment. Lol, jk.
I'll keep that place in mind next time I make a purchase.