Gunstore prices can vary a huge amount from gunstore to gunstore. I went a somewhat local gunstore today and was shocked at the prices of almost every gun in the store (new and used). I saw a few used guns that were close to normal asking price for other gun store but mostly it was WAY out of wack! I don't get it either because the guy that runs the shop is a nice guy but his prices are crazy.
I went in with three handguns I have been thinking about selling or trading, there was a huge sign on the front of the building that said "WE BUY GUNS" but when I asked him if he could work a trade or a sale, he said that he wasn't buying any guns at this time because the economy has been so bad lately. That is news to me because another shop in the area claims that bussiness is booming.
He would even consider buying or trading my guns, he just wanted to sell his guns for incredibly high cash prices. I can understand why he isn't selling many guns.
I don't shop for guns at Wal-Mart ever. All I buy at Wal-Mart is 9mm, .22lr and 12ga shells. Most of the time I don't even buy .22lr and 12ga shells from there because another local sporting goods store has them cheaper. I don't like going in to WM but a few times a year I will stock up on 9mm Win White box. I think I may spend $300 total a year a WM. I will drop $300 or more in one day a gunstore that has a gun I want.
The thing gunstores have over WM is that they carry handguns and the sell used guns. WM may be able to sell ammo and some guns cheaper but if someone wants to work a trade in, they have to go to a gunstore. Gunstores that don't take trades or ones that won't buy your used guns (at ANY price) are cutting their own throats! I have no remorse for dealers like that, they want to be able to sell their guns and ammo for twice the price of WM but they refuse to give the extra services that go along with their premium prices. I would pay their higher prices on some items if it meant that I could sell my used guns for cash or trade value on some other item they are selling. I don't understand what they are thinking.
I know several guys that spend a large percentage of their income on buying and trading guns. They will buy a Glock for $600 and a few weeks later sell or trade it back to a gunstore for half what they paid and then they will use that $300 in trade on buying a $600 H&K. It will go on and on like this for months and years with a shop making many times more money this way than if they just refused to do trades or buy used guns. I have seen people walk out of a gunstore smiling because they got a new gun even though it cost them a $600 pistol and $300 cash for a $500 un.
It is funny but everyone wins that way. If the customer is happy, then I don't see the problem. These shops that don't want to mess with used guns and trades will get their wish because soon they won't have to mess with ANY customers at all.
I don't see gun stores closeing up now that Wal-Mart is in town. I see gunstores closing because they can't compeat with a better gunstore in town.