Buyers market..?

[PapaG]

Getting worse in Illinois. New Gov signed a bill establishing a gun dealer licensing law that duplicates the FFL at a cost of $1500 plus requiring digital records, videotaped transactions and annual employee training. Discriminatory in the fact that big box store pay about one fifth that fee. Some days FOID and CCW renewals are the bulk of the business, along with consignments. Our local high end trap/skeet/sporting shotgun oriented store just shut down after over fifty up and down years and we are a pretty big trap/skeet etc market.

 

[BearBrimstone]

I believe the shop that I used to go to has changed their business plans due to how the current gun market is. In the last year they have reduced the amount of their inventory that is gun related by close to 50% and have really started pushing the pawn shop side of the store. This change along with increasing their transfer fee for firearms has caused me to quit going there. Private sellers still haven't accepted the trend though. I would not be surprised if a good 60% of the used guns currently listed on my area's local gun sales site are listed at higher prices than the same gun can be bought brand new for online. HK p30's and p2000's especially make me laugh just about every time I see them listed now. So many private sellers that think they are still $700-$800 guns its almost sad.

 

[BigAppleRanch]

We have had a few close out here in NE Colorado, but I had a talk with my main LGS awhile ago, and all I could come up with is this. I have no problem, in fact I would rather buy from a small LGS versus buying online. I expect the prices I find at a small LGS to be higher than what I can find online, but IMO there is a limit to that. I would pay $50 - $100 more than online if I knew I was helping my LGS, but sometimes they get a little out of control. I had this talk with him when I bought my RPR actually. I found it online for $1,099, and he was a little upset because he'd had one on his shelf for months. The difference was, I told him, he wanted $1,450 for his. I think it's a give and take. We all like gun shops, and want them to stick around, but it's up to the gun shops to make a profit, but not take advantage of their customers.

 

[LRDGCO]

Not really. Sanders chose a really stupid name for his affiliation. Actually they are Social Democrats like the major parties in Europe. There is no interest in undoing capitalism, just regulating it. And the primary goals are social welfare programs like the ones most of us depend upon.

No. This is precisely the lie that Socialists tell in order to secure power. Socialism is fundamentally evil and it's goal is to use the excuse of "looking after people" to gain power for themselves. Socialism in all its guises must be confronted and stopped early.

 

[rpenmanparker]

We have had a few close out here in NE Colorado, but I had a talk with my main LGS awhile ago, and all I could come up with is this. I have no problem, in fact I would rather buy from a small LGS versus buying online. I expect the prices I find at a small LGS to be higher than what I can find online, but IMO there is a limit to that. I would pay $50 - $100 more than online if I knew I was helping my LGS, but sometimes they get a little out of control. I had this talk with him when I bought my RPR actually. I found it online for $1,099, and he was a little upset because he'd had one on his shelf for months. The difference was, I told him, he wanted $1,450 for his. I think it's a give and take. We all like gun shops, and want them to stick around, but it's up to the gun shops to make a profit, but not take advantage of their customers.

You are making the mistake of thinking it is the customers job to “help” the LGS. That is a perversion of the system. It is the customers job to help themselves. Paying more to “help” the store comes to no good. You have to have faith in capitalism being an efficient system. Do what is right for you. The store will do what it deems right for itself. What happens is what is best for the system. You can very well survive the absence of LGSs.

The good LGSs will learn to participate in internet commerce and thrive. Those that refuse to do this do not deserve to survive.

 

[rpenmanparker]

No. This is precisely the lie that Socialists tell in order to secure power. Socialism is fundamentally evil and it's goal is to use the excuse of "looking after people" to gain power for themselves. Socialism in all its guises must be confronted and stopped early.

Socialism, perhaps. Social welfare, not so much.

 

[TJx]

The biggest change I've seen since the post election glut of new guns is the used market (FTF especially) has finally come down to reality for the most part, it took over 2 years.

 

[DoubleMag]

''Getting worse in Illinois. New Gov signed a bill establishing a gun dealer...''

This fellow MUST have a balanced approach, a middle roader. ONLY acting this was due to local affairs. Given the opportunity he will side with full 2A activism over the alternative vue. And another thin....

Some here are not so easily fooled. It really is a rubber chicken said the duck. Birds of a feather flock, well....

 

[paulsj]

I guess it depends on the segment one is looking at. The guys at Doublegunshop.com say the prices relized at Morphy's were high. I thought that market went South years ago. What always amazes me is what old military stuff sells for. Some kind of Unertil scope sold for $3997 at that auction.
I suppose those interested in high prices for modern plastic stuff should vote for a Democrat in 2020. I don't own or want anything hi cap so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[Casefull]

You are making the mistake of thinking it is the customers job to “help” the LGS. That is a perversion of the system. It is the customers job to help themselves. Paying more to “help” the store comes to no good. You have to have faith in capitalism being an efficient system. Do what is right for you. The store will do what it deems right for itself. What happens is what is best for the system. You can very well survive the absence of LGSs.

The good LGSs will learn to participate in internet commerce and thrive. Those that refuse to do this do not deserve to survive.

You are correct in your statements about having faith in capitalism. How then can you support socialism in your other posts? It seems double minded to me. Most of our problems come from our welfare state. The left has purchased the votes of the lazy for a long time now. To use your terms welfare is a "perversion " of the system just as much as supporting an overpriced gun store is.

 

[rpenmanparker]

You are correct in your statements about having faith in capitalism. How then can you support socialism in your other posts? It seems double minded to me. Most of our problems come from our welfare state. The left has purchased the votes of the lazy for a long time now. To use your terms welfare is a "perversion " of the system just as much as supporting an overpriced gun store is.

This isn't the time or place for a detailed discussion of political/socioeconomic topics. I had written a long treatise in reply to you, but just deleted it. Next time we have coffee together we can work it all out.

 

[brennok]

The whole problem is that everyone is so price conscious (frugal) , that us gun buyers don't allow a local gun shop to make a living...they do so many little things without any fee, yet you are willing to save a few bucks buying on line...and then look for free help when you have a problem....pay it forward to your local shop....or it will be gone...save your pennies where you may....but don't complain when your local gun shop is gone....support woulda kept him alive... A few bucks won't break you to support the local guy.....

How much is a few bucks? My LGS is having a sale on all 9mm pistols this weekend which is 10% off. One of their examples is the HK VP9 for $589 or normal price $639. Meanwhile you can find these all day long for $499 including another LGS. Now on top of the $80 price difference tack on another $50 in taxes vs $30 in shipping and transfer fees, unless of course I want to use them for the transfer which is then $50 for the transfer.

I would love to support my LGS, but it isn't possible at these prices. The LGS prices are MSRP.

 

[mingo]

Nice to have a little free time and visit the local gun shop....walk in, have a good morning said to you and offered a free cup of coffee and nothing but kind words said. It's something one must never want to lose on a simple daily basis. Shops like that are everywhere for now. I visit mine and never leave anything other than glad I took the time.....look into your lonely phone.....have fun!

 

[exbrit49]

Was in my LGS a week ago (Northern Indiana) and was talking to an employee I know really well. I commented that it was very quiet, I was the only customer and there are usually 3 to 5 customers browsing. His quiet response was "Its been really slow for the past 6 months". I guess I was a little surprised as they have very fair prices on firearms and supplies. He went on to say that they had seen lots of business during the panic buying,but his feeling was that many were buying everything on the shelves then, and now have way too much and at higher prices.He also said that they are getting a lot of requests to sell guns on consignment from people that bought too many. Usually Mil Style, not much in the Revolver arena. I have a standing request with them, If any Colt, S &W or Dan Wessons come in to call me, which they have done in the past.. Seems the customer base is now the older shooters/regulars like me that come in for reloading supplies etc.
Hope it picks up for them as they are a great LGS, During the panic buying they kept me supplied with all my reloading supplies at my normal levels,They would call on the phone and ask what I needed! I really appreciated that and want to see them stay in business.
so to all the LGS that are seeing the slowdown, Hang in there!

 

[wally]

I swear every gun guy around says something about guns being an 'investment' all the time.

Everytime I hear that a little steam whistle goes off in my brain

Interesting exercise. Skip the Obama panic years (although it was a great time to be selling!). Look at your receipts from before 2008 and research the current selling price on Gunbroker, etc.

Then go to one of those on-line inflation calculators and enter the price you paid and the year to get the price in today's dollars.

Last time I did this stuff I bought pre-Obama was generally about 2-5% better than inflation, although ARs won't look good right now as its an incredible buyers market for them right now. I predict people who don't have all their AR wants and needs satisfied at the moment, will be regretting it sometime in the future, maybe real soon if 2020 goes badly.

 

[skeeterfogger]

The basic problem, I think, is that the gun market got used to a perpetual state of panic. (This was true at least for the Obama years.) Now, it can't seem to adjust to a return to the norm. This is made worse because the panics left an oversupply of product in their wake. People bought guns that normally wouldn't have, and now these same people want to unload them.

Be patient and the panics will return.

Yeah everytime the word gun, weapon or firearm came out of Obuttheads sphincter I was able to cash in on by case sales before next inventory came in and went up went up. Best gun and ammo saleswoman ever.

 

[Casefull]

This isn't the time or place for a detailed discussion of political/socioeconomic topics. I had written a long treatise in reply to you, but just deleted it. Next time we have coffee together we can work it all out.

I have done that a few times also. (That is deleting a long draft.) It's too bad we couldnt all meet at a coffee shop. It's easy to be misunderstood texting.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Yeah everytime the word gun, weapon or firearm came out of Obuttheads sphincter I was able to cash in on by case sales before next inventory came in and went up went up. Best gun and ammo saleswoman ever.

Is it impossible for you to show the respect due to a president of the United States? How does your resume stack up to his?

 

[skeeterfogger]

Don't give a damn what you think.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Don't give a damn what you think.

Well there you go.

 

[otisrush]

I think lots of people have very short memories. When there's a panic we can't imagine what it's like without a panic. And vice versa. 3+ years ago the criteria (at least for reloading supplies) was "Is it on the shelf right now?". If the answer was "Yes" - then it got bought. Now, it seems, there's all kinds of stuff to buy.

I attempt to be VERY disciplined regarding getting help from an LGS when I've actually used them for business. (i.e. I don't go ask for a favor with something I've bought online.) I very much look for reasons to patronize local stores - but there are limits. I went into one store and the guy was just foul and nasty.....complaining like crazy. I chatted him up re some powder and his prices were a good 30% higher than I could get other places. Although his prices were high, at least he was thoroughly unpleasant to speak with. ROFL. Sorry, bud, but I'm not going to help you out here.

On the other end of the spectrum, there's a local place that has great prices on bullets and other components. I recently had to do a transfer and, for the actual transfer, they're a little more than other places. But I love their reloading inventory and prices so much I was glad to give them the transfer business - even though they were high.

OR

 

[WVGunman]

I heard the same thing from a local shop that orders too much high $ tactical plastic. I also don’t understand how they can’t get items cheaper than I can find them. They wanted $550 for a $350 Ruger precision.22lr.

I'm amazed any LGS remain in business at all, given this. I went to my last guns how about five years ago, and walked out realizing that the Internet and gunbroker.com have made individual gun dealers obsolete. I saw absolutely nothing for sale there I couldn't have just ordered for less myself. (One exception: some machine guns. But that will always be a niche business.) That fact that so many LGS are still in business tells you the generation most into guns is just not very wired. Look for a lot of closures in the next few years, unless, as others have predicted, there is another scare and run on guns in general. It could happen, but it wouldn't be a GOOD thing.

 

[Sistema1927]

When I am buying it is a seller's market.

When I am selling it is a buyer's market.

Just saying.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

When I am buying it is a seller's market.

When I am selling it is a buyer's market.

Just saying.

And the price of gas always goes down the day after I fill up...

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

One of my local shops (Washington State) told me there is presently a glut of used guns. That sort of applies to this topic.

I wish I could find a glut of used guns anywhere in my area. Most, especially revolvers, seem to be over priced.

There's a nice looking Ruger Service Six but is too much based on advice from fellow High Road posters.

However, I did see a decent used Ruger P95 for what seems to be a good price