Why don't people compartive shop?

It's called "impulse buying" and is something many big box stores count on and actually design their stores around it. Some folks don't care if the same gun is $40 cheaper somewhere else........to them $40 ain't worth the bother.

Impulse. They get a gift card and use part of it towards the gun. Personal preferences for a particular store or chain overrides the better price or prevents them from even wanting to take the time to investigate the other store. Laziness or ignorance to the fact that the others even carry them perhaps. Random thoughts.

Overall it would seem some people would be better off doing a little more comparing given what some of these stores charge for popular guns, but not everybody buys with lowest price as the primary consideration.

Most people are more comfortable with what they are familiar with. They've maybe been in Cabela's once or twice to buy fishing gear or a sleeping bag but never into a gunstore or gone to a gun show...

Why don't people comparative shop?

I can only speak for myself. I can't recall the last time I bought a new gun but will venture it was over 20 years ago when we owned the gun shop. Today, the guns I buy for the most part haven't been made in 20 or more years. Among the last two a Series 70 Colt Government chambered in 38 Super and a nice S&W Model 17-2. When I see a nice older gun I like I buy it if the price is right, matters not where it is.

As to buying a new gun without doing some shopping around? My best guess is impulse, that has been my observation anyway. There is also loyalty where a buyer is loyal to a certain local gun store but overall? Impulse.

Ron

I have a Cabela's Visa. When they put my favorite shotgun ammo on sale, with free shipping, I can beat Academy's price PLUS I then get that amount as points towards the next purchase. They do not have a store in my state so they do not charge me sales tax (and I know about the use tax part).

Otherwise, you can keep the Gander I have. I can't - even with a Christmas gift card - in good conscience, buy anything major there as their prices are stupid - and the Dick's we have went from great to even worse than Gander.

That said Cabela's, Gander, Scheel's and others have a GREAT selection............more than just about anyone else (which you pay for through inventory carrying costs) so it is a great place to "showroom".

1. I like to support local dealers if possible. 2. less hassle. 3. I have 4 different gun stores, 5 if I want to count Cabelas that are local. Out of the last 6 firearms I have bought spread between 3 of them. I have payed the same or a bit less than I have found online.

Unlike Gander, Cabela's does have some good sales on occasion. But comparison shopping takes work. You have to watch for sales, and know when a sale is actually a good price.

For example, Gander had a clearance sale on Red Army Standard 7.62x39. There "clearance" price was still $2.00 more per box than the standard price at Fleet Farm. I despise Gander.

Right now Cabela's has a Ruger 10/22 on sale for $199, and a Vortex Diamondback hp scope for 180.00. Good prices and only a couple of blocks from where I work. I like Cabela's.

Can't speak of Bass Pro as I've never been there, only bought a few things online.

The only gander close to me is in Florence Alabama and there prices seem so much higher than everywhere else. I usually support local gun shops.

Some folks don't care if the same gun is $40 cheaper somewhere else........to them $40 ain't worth the bother.

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Some folks, like my wife, have the opposite problem, I often have to point out to her that the gas to drive across town to save a $1.50 on something will eat up the savings, not to mention the time we'd waste doing so.

Time is money, I won't criticize anyone for getting what they want and can afford when the opportunity arises.

That is why I like gun shows, I surf the net for best prices on what I want and then hit the shows, I can usually equal or beat the on-line prices, especially after factoring in shipping and transfer fees.

Reloadron said:

Why don't people comparative shop?

I can only speak for myself. I can't recall the last time I bought a new gun but will venture it was over 20 years ago when we owned the gun shop. Ron

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My last NEW gun purchase was 1977, so I'm a little out of touch!

Some new buyers, only know one or two places to buy a gun. Gun shop or Cabela's. They know nothing of local small FFL's. Some people only buy one or two guns, so not worth shopping to save $50. Ignorance, mostly.

I like Academy, I really do. I buy many things from them. It irks me to buy a gun from them and they inform you that if you have a problem, do not bring that new gun back to the store. You have to deal with the manufacturer yourself without Academy's assistance.

Years ago when I actually liked going to Gander Mountain, if you had a problem with a new gun you could take it back to them for help. I've wondered if Cabelas is the same.

wally, I know what you mean. I know people that will spend several hours time and drive a long distance to save $5 because getting the best price is all that matters, regardless of what it costs you go get that price.

I do comparison shop, but I also keep in mind that my time has value as well. Driving down to a gun show in Dallas to get the best price is something of a false profit when fuel, wear & tear, and time are taken into consideration. That $40 gross better price nets me an actual loss after fuel, wear & tear, and entry fee (sometimes parking fee). The gun show will cost me at least 4 hours of my life, 2 hours being in traffic. I can get the task done locally in an hour or less.

That is why I like gun shows, I surf the net for best prices on what I want and then hit the shows, I can usually equal or beat the on-line prices, especially after factoring in shipping and transfer fees.

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The difference between shipping & transfer fees versus taxes, I find, is often a wash.

GEM:
You said that for some people, going to a gun show is "scary for some".

Unless they are from a foreign country such as the UK, where people are generally brain-washed against the US gun culture, how is a gun show scary?

Ignition Override said:

GEM:
You said that for some people, going to a gun show is "scary for some".

Unless they are from a foreign country such as the UK, where people are generally brain-washed against the US gun culture, how is a gun show scary?

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Continually having someone point a gun at you. I've been to one gun show. There wasn't anything at it worth buying, the prices were ridiculous, and I lost count of how many time I looked up and someone was pointing a gun at me.

Ignition Override said:

GEM:
You said that for some people, going to a gun show is "scary for some".

Unless they are from a foreign country such as the UK, where people are generally brain-washed against the US gun culture, how is a gun show scary?

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He's probably referring to the tendency many people have for being uncomfortable with something when they are unfamiliar. Most people dislike feeling out of their element, and a lot of people probably have no idea what a gun show really is or how it works or what is to be expected, maybe they don't know what things "should cost" at all, etc, and just feel better/less risky/more in their comfort zone to go to a big box national chain outdoor retailer they know and simply step over to the gun counter.

I have a Gander Mtn and a Cabela's near by, each about a forty minute drive from my house.

I have a mom and pop FFL within walking distance, another is less than a five minute drive, and a third about ten minutes away.

A Field and Stream retail store is opening up in a few months, but it'll also be in the forty plus minute drive range.

One of the closer FFLs has $10 transfers for CPL holders, $15 for non holders. That in and of itself is reason enough not to drive to the big box stores, since Buds will generally have the lowest price out of any of the big box, or brick and mortar stores in my area.

Comparative shopping starts online, but rarely ends in the major name retail stores.

What I don't understand is why it should matter to me where someone else chooses to spend their money?

I'm just glad there IS more than one place.

The majority of people are not "gun savvy" and barely know the basics of selecting and purchasing a firearm. That includes a lot of Law Enforcement. It's strange but true. The store that offers what is perceived to be a fair price to the purchaser will get the sale.

The educated buyer knows what he wants and sets a fair price that he percieves to be fair based on the market value, desire or need for this particular weapon and other factors. The research has been done by browsing the internet, sales papers and local stores.

In the end, both are happy.

Where I live we have three big box stores in close proximity. Bass, Gander and Cabela's (a touch of a drive). They all sell handguns.

However, you can go to Academy for many standard items - let's say you want a Glock or SW revolver - and save a bundle. Yet, folks are at the first three and buying such.

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Your preference towards Academy seem based solely on purchasing new handguns at retail level. I have found the Academy which is directly across from the street from Cableas closest to me to be totally underwhelming.

My wife and I are long time Cabelas customers. Frankly the superior quality of much of their merchandise and broad selection has us willing to spend a bit more. Since this is a gun forum I will limit my comments to gun merchandise.

I don't purchase any reloading items from retail stores. As a reloader there are too great of cost savings by not ordering from the Internet.

So this leaves occasional miscellaneous shooting supplies and factory ammunition with maybe slipping a gun purchase in somewhere. Cabelas offers sales several times a time which can be combined for great buys. For example Cableas sends me flyers regularly in the mail with coupon for $10.00 on purchase totaling $50.00. I hold onto the coupon until Cabelas runs factory ammo sale such as Hornady 15 or 20% off. We have a Cabelas Visa Card which earns points on purchases.

Often after using the discount coupon, Cabela reward points on top of the regular sale I have saved some serious big bucks. A couple of weeks ago as a reward to me in advance to a major surgery I was facing (along with very painful rehab) I knocked about $180.00 off of the price of a used handgun Cabelas had.

Several years ago on an impulse buy, buying 3 firearms and running up about $1200. Eventually all three were sold at a huge loss compared to what I paid since they were older firearms and used. Since then, I do a much better job researching a firearm to avoid buyer's remorse. Much of my research is to see how much is a good price. If I can order a gun online from Gallery of Guns and pay $400 but it is at Bass Pro for $630, I know which is a better buy and not based on impulse.

Ignition Override said:

GEM:
You said that for some people, going to a gun show is "scary for some".

Unless they are from a foreign country such as the UK, where people are generally brain-washed against the US gun culture, how is a gun show scary?

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My son was shot at a gun show.

I have never bought a gun from a major big box retailer and probably never will. It just is not my thing. Everyone has their favorites and many (I believe) are driven to buy from a retailer that will be impressive to their own private circle of friends.......

Win 73: My condolences to you.