Would you support?

[Hatterasguy]

Yes absolutly. I support local business whenever I can and if it costs me more I'm happy to pay it.

I refuse to even go in a Walfart let alone shop at one.

 

[HoosierQ]

For me the point is rather moot in that I don't think I have ever seen a gun I was after that was cheaper at a big box store. The closest thing was I bought a GP100, back when they were new, from Galyans...Hoosiers remember Galyans. Dick's bought them out...stamped them out really. Galyans was a local place, not unlike a Gander...not quite as big. Originally they sold only outdoor sports and lots and lots of guns. They they moved into baseball gloves and golf clubs and all that. So Galyans is the closest thing to a big box store I have ever purchases from. At that time, let's say 1988 or so, they had competitive prices on most guns.

Gander, the only big box store around here that sells guns, is always MSRP and seldom talk deal.

 

[buck460XVR]

I guess I'm lucky. My local small town gun shop sells guns cheaper than the big franchise stores and will generally match online gun prices when it comes to new guns. With used guns, if you know their value, you can do quite well also.

As to choosing them over big box, well it isnt a secret that many of those big box stores have inferior products AND do not stand behind the items they sell..

Regardless if what many think, unless a manufacturer produces a specific model or product line for the chain, the products @ the big box stores are exactly the same as those at the local mom and pops. Since most new products are covered by a manufacturers warranty, the store itself has nuttin' to do with it. Since the big box stores have a larger inventory, if you are a into wood, you will have more to choose from. That said, I still prefer the ambiance of a small town gun shop and get a kick outta the old farts like me that sit and have coffee on Saturday mornings, having the owner of the place refer to me by my first name, and having them call me by phone when they get a trade in that they think I may be interested in. Most of these small town shops have no problem with a customer buying a new gun online and getting a small fee for taking delivery and doing the paperwork. Many times this small fee is more than they make on the same new gun they have in stock.

$20 or $30, I don't mind giving if the product is there and it's a matter of convenience. More than that, I shop elsewhere.

 

[AKElroy]

I would not support a business model that is not competitive in whatever they sell. It seems to me that with on-line clearing houses & big chain sellers, that mom & pop vendors must adapt by venturing in to areas that address a different market niche.

CHL classes, indoor ranges, gun rentals, outfitting, safety courses, reloading sales & seminars, competitive shooting event coordination & promotion, gunsmithing, expert advice, etc.. I could think of others, but basically they need to cater to those areas untouched by the big retailers & online sellers to be successful. Service must be OVER THE TOP.

If all they offer is take a number gun & ammo sales, then I am going with price every time.

 

[TexasBill]

I always try to give my business to a local retailer, whether it's a big box or a small gun shop. I also have a weird quirk: If I spend some time looking at a specific store but wind up not buying the gun that day, I will go back to the store (and the salesperson, if possible) to buy the gun if I change my mind. Yes, I will pay extra, within reason, especially to the smaller dealer, but I have found, in almost every case, the price I paid locally was not that much higher than I would have paid for mail-order, when all the extras are added in. I have even found local prices to be better than online prices now and then.

My Dad taught me that if you live in a community, you should trade in that community. It's a good rule to live by.

 

[GRIZ22]

In my area the local gun shop usually has a better price on guns to start with. The big stores may beat the LGS with some sale items but generally their gun prices are higher. The LGS also usually has a better selection and is more receptive to specail order something. This also includes accessories and reloading equipment and supplies.

The only thing I see the big stores regularly beat the price of the LGS is ammo.

 

[boatme99]

You bet! If I pay a bit more for a gun now and then, they usually make up for it by good discounts on other stuff like ammo, clothes, cleaning supplies, and what not. I'll support locals over box stores whenever I can.

 

[Tenacious B]

The two guns I've purchased so far ("only 2?" I'm a noob, so cut me some slack) both came from the local shop and both were more expensive than big box or online.

One of them was 10% more than the big box, but the local shop actually had it on hand. I don't mind paying 10% to have the one I can see and hold today rather than wait and hope they ship a good one.

The other one was about 25% more than purchase price online. Again, it was on hand, I could chose the one I wanted, and when you factor in shipping and FFL the cost was a wash.

I don't mind this at all since the local shop has excellent service and real knowledge about what they carry. And they sort of specialize in old military rifles, which are my favorite. Their ammo prices are pretty high though, so most of my rounds come from the big box (I usually do get some from the local when I'm there though, big box is a lot closer as well).


IMHO both types of store have their place. Sometimes I just want to swipe my card and get a product, other times I want some service/advice/first hand info and that is definitely worth paying for.

As someone else said, if I spend a bunch of time fondling a gun in the local shop, if I decide to get it I like to get it from them since letting me check it out first is a service that has value.

 

[FROGO207]

Unless it is going to be twice the price or similar I will give the LGS my business then the next step is online auctions. I have used both. I however haven't found a firearm in a big box store that was a real deal so no purchases there yet. Closest thing is reloadin' stuff from Cabellas. The more hands the cash can go through before it leaves town is the best way for us all.

 

[tack]

I buy from my local gun shop when I can. They offer more than opinions. They provide information, expertise and a gunsmith. They have told me to "try Wallyworld" when they were out of 45ACP, and to buy targets elsewhere when they think the price is too high. The staff of my local gun shop is not perfect. They made mistakes. They remain the place I start.
Tack

 

[jakemccoy]

My first and only experience with buying a gun online was a big hassle. So, I'll buy from a local store if the price difference is less than $150 and if I like the store.

 

[tigeroldlone]

I allways buy from the same store good price allways. Also He will find anything that I want and get me a great deal.

 

[2RCO]

Local guy often has better deals anyway so I don't often have to worry about it. In the event the Big Box was a few bucks cheaper (say $50 on a $500 gun) I'd still support my local dealer. If the difference is ridiculous (say $100 on a $500 gun) then it's survival of the cheapest. I like to help other folks when I can but if they are to stay in business they have to at least try and be in line price wise.

 

[MinnMooney]

Yes and No

I buy quite a bit of my reloading supplies locally (small mom & pop operation) and pay 10% - 20% more than if I order it through one of the on-line suppliers (even with shipping and HazMat).

Guns are a different matter altogether. Example : I can purchase an $1100 rifle (retail price) for $750-$800 from several excellent on-line stores but my local wants his cost ($825) + 10% ($82.50) + shipping to his store ($29) + sales tax ($62) = $998.50

That's a $250-$300 premium over what I can get it for. Obviously, he has no say or profit in the sales tax but that's only $62 of the $250-$300. Way too much extra just to say that I'm supporting my local dealer. I'd rather save some cash and go on an elk hunt rather than send my dealer on that elk hunt.

 

[navyretired 1]

The Big box stores post a much higher profit that the small stores because they can dictate how much they'll pay to the manufacturer. While the poor local guy has to shop around and pay a premium price, shipping, and handling to get the same gun from a stocking/wholesale outlet.
I personally have a problem with the big box stores driving the little guy into the ground.
Most small shops operate cause they love the guns and the sport. They barely get by while providing much better service. I get guns shipped all the time to the local gun shop and they don't add on all those costs, but I know some shops do, one of our local shops is call the "gun NAZI" because of the way he treats customers.
I'm getting off the subject there but now the point. The big box stores have to business statements: drive the competion out of business and maximise profits.
So I vote with my money, I use lay-away instead of take-a-number and wait for some gun idiot to say just as my numbers up "going to lunch or cig. break, or home.

 

[thorazine]

Have you or would you purchase a higher priced firearm from a local dealer over a big box store, or large online shop? With the intent to support a local small business.

Perhaps...

But there is a limit to the increase in price,

$25.00 - $40.00 depending on the level of service and my happy meter.

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

There are two issues Leafy.

1. Am I saving money?
2. Is it in my best interest to support the local dealer?

On the first point, it is really a case by case basis, but overall in my research you will not save much buying the gun online. If you have a friend who does transfers cheap you may save a couple percentage points, but mostly it is just sales tax you save. If you spend your time trying to find that gun another $20 cheaper you may save money, but what is your time worth? If your answer is nothing, I'd otherwise be playing video games in my pajama pants with pop tarts (I saw Dane Cook last night and he had a joke about this), then by all means, try to beat the dealer over the head for $30 and take your business elsewhere, if price is your only concern.

But... and this is a huge but.

Ask yourself if you want to be able to buy guns in ten years and who you think will be there to sell you guns if Barack Hussein gets in for a second term.

When Slick Willy got his second term he unleashed the "assault weapons" ban, and instituted the NICs check. The latter made us go from roughly 300,000 FFL dealers in the country to around 50k today. All those guys doing transfer from their garages and listing guns for sale online for 5% above cost hemorrhaged right out of the system.

So here we are all these years later, and there is always a churn of gun dealers who get their FFL and try to undercut people online, but ask yourself, are these guys going to be here when the next round of legislation comes. Who is going to stand tall and jump through whatever hoops the government sets up for the dealers? Is it going to be the fly by night who appears to be getting you the gun $50 cheaper (though as above he probably isn't)?

I think it is going to be the local stocking gun dealer who will be selling guns, and giving the next generation a place to buy guns. Do they make 20% sometimes off of a gun? Even 25% on high demand guns? Yes. But you know what, Best Buy makes 40% off of your TV and video camera, and the movie theater makes several hundred percent off of your movie ticket, and Starbucks makes more than 75% off of your cup of coffee. Gun dealers won't survive if they don't make a healthy profit, just like every other business.

I didn't mention the big box stores, but it goes the same for them. Since Brady (and since Sam died), even Wal-Mart, our stalwart supposedly right wing friend has let us down. the Wal-Mart across the street from Remington doesn't sell guns. I see many that don't even sell Ammo. Until recently when the profit became irresistible, you couldn't go into a Bass Pro or Cabelas and buy an AR.

I want gun dealers to survive. They are the only ones who deserve the profit that someone is going to make off of us buying guns. It is not altruistic to support your local gun dealer. It is self serving. If you want to be able to buy guns in ten years, support your local dealer.

 

[Kimber45acp]

Going in to a store with a mindset of "supporting" it is a recipe for disaster, disappointment, and no fun. Look for the best deals at your local gun store. W-mart is only good for getting a less expensive 870 and or Rem/Ruger .22 semi auto, and maybe a box of 9mm.

Anyone else find it ironic and insulting that "Target" doesn't sell firearms? The marketplace is definitely less masculine than it used to be. When it comes to big box stores, go out of your way NOT to patronize extremely anti gun stores like target and sears.

 

[X-Rap]

I have seen customers walk away from a counter in a sporting goods store that had the owners name on it for $10.00 after they made the crap comment to the salesman that brand X big box had them cheaper. It makes me want to kick them in the teeth.
They will spend more on the gas to drive to the big box than by from the local.
When you make your purchase try to consider what the local guy does for the community and as has been posted, who will be there selling guns when the big stores corporate decides its not popular anymore.
I know private stores that sponsor youth shooting and athletic teams and spend a lot in the community, this is also not unheard of with companies like Sportsman's Warehouse but they are held by corporate strings despite what the local management would like to do.

 

[jmortimer]

I like the "local store" - it costs a little more but it has over 2,000 guns to look at. It's not "little" but it is "local"

 

[NinjaFeint]

There are local stores in my area that are considerably cheaper than the Cabela's and Dick's of the world. They are also as low or lower than the online prices especially considering the shipping and transfer.

I would probably pay a little more if I liked the local shop and they were higher in price. I just haven't had to yet.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I frequent some of the smaller brick and mortar shops even though they are sometimes a little more expensive. It always comes down to friendliness, overall knowledge of products, and how well they stand by their products. I will pay a small premium for excellent customer service. If you ever have a problem with a purchase that extra expense will quickly redeem itself.

On the other hand, I will NOT frequent a small local deal purely because they are local. And there are a few that I will refuse to shop at regardless of price. If I am knowingly lied to or treated rudely by sales staff I will stop doing business with that establishment no matter how inconvenient that may be. I make exceptions to this policy only when the management makes extraordinary efforts to win me back as a customer. I refuse to reward bad business practices with my patronage.

edit to add:
I read the response about dealers who mark down products for the gun show circuit relative to their normal stocking price. This isn't always a case of squeezing the customer. Gun shows are scheduled well in advance and dealer can EXPECT to move a certain amount of inventory, esp ammo. This allows the dealer to purchase larger lots of inventory for the show than they normally would to stock the shop. Larger lot means lower unit cost. A competitive and honest dealer will pass on some of these savings to attract more customers. Also gun shows are frequently used as a means of clearing out excess inventory.

 

[cornman]

Of course. Unless the local shop were jerks and/or gouging.

 

[mcdonl]

No way. I have to beg, borrow and steal to save up every penny I have. I ALWAYS buy guns based on price first. IT is my hobby, and I have a hobby that requires you spend a ton of money so I have to save every penny possible.

Small businesses need to find a way to set themselves apart from big box stores AND sell for the same price.

Yes, customer service is important but it is not something that is tangible for me. I never buy new guns, and when I do they are guns that have lifetime warranties so I have no need for a dealer after the purchase.

 

[X-Rap]

No offense intended mcdonl but small locally owned shops are the essence of our hobby. When we only support the big stores or online companies we put ourselves at the mercy of corporate bosses who can pull the rug out at any moment. (look at WalMart who has quit selling all handguns and many stores don't carry ammo or long guns anymore)
If you local guys are ripping you off then that's a whole other deal but I hope we all look at the shipping, transfer, and other fees when we see the bottom line.