Frustrated by Local Gun Shop Prices

[w_houle]

I always try to use local gun shops for my gun purchases.

I used to believe that, but bring something in to see how much they'd buy it from you. Brought my Uberti Cattleman and the guy "Offered" me a firm $20. For what? For him to turn around and sell it for $350-$375? Its why I'd rather starve than to do that again.

 

[oneounceload]

If you take up the clerks time to handle your "next gun purchase," learning many things you did not know in the process and then go buy it online to save $10-$30 (don't forget to add shipping and FFL transfer fees) then you're a putz.

I hope you don't bring it into that shop expecting them to reassemble it for you for free after you foolishly take it apart.

AMEN to that!

 

[Enachos]

Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, NC is a perfect example of how local gun shops tend to jack prices up pretty high. They do have some good deals... but almost everything is priced a lot higher than other places. Check out there website hyattguns.com

 

[Lou McGopher]

If the local places aren't giving you a higher level of service, or offering better prices/guarantees/etc.... then why buy from them? I don't see the sense in supporting a less efficient, lower quality business model. If the local shop can't compete on price or selection, they better find something they can compete on that's important to buyers.

 

[leadcounsel]

If you use the dealer for the transfer he'll still make a small profit for almost zero work - most charge around $20 for an FFL transfer and that amounts to 5 minutes of paperwork, and another $10 for the background check.

And they'll get the hint that they don't have either the selection or prices to be competitive.

 

[oneounceload]

If you use the dealer for the transfer he'll still make a small profit for almost zero work - most charge around $20 for an FFL transfer and that amounts to 5 minutes of paperwork, and another $10 for the background check.

How do you figure no work? Mr. Murphy rears its ugly head more often than not, especially with gun transfers, incorrect paperwork snafus, customer decides to reject and wants to return the gun, paperwork kept for 20 years, if the gun is used, he has no knowledge of the gun's background (remember how mayors want to sue gun dealers?) - then there is liability, rent, wages, taxes, etc..........

 

[Patriotme]

If a local gun store is going to mark up their prices higher than their competitions then they better have great selection, amazing customer service and a hell of a knowledge base. I'll pay a little more to support a local store but I'm not bending over for them.
Here's an example. One local store/shooting range sells 9mm for about $5 more per box than Wal-Mart. Ok...they make most of their money from ammo sales and have to stay in business. The thing is the range has one register for the entire store and unless you go there during off hours there is always a line. A large number of light bulbs are out on the range and a number of the carriages don't work. I can go on and on about the lousy service from this establishment. They survive by being the only game in town. Sometimes that's good enough for a business but they've lost a lot of my money because lousy service drove me to buy my ammo online and at gunshows and to join a private range.

 

[Flash!]

I've been watching a new gun store that opened up a few miles from my house about a year ago..... when they first opened, their prices were ridiculously high even through the obama inflation..... but I guess they decided to start actually selling something because their prices have been dropping to more reasonable levels.... I'm actually seeing their inventory turnover more rapidly....

 

[oneounceload]

but I guess they decided to start actually selling something because their prices have been dropping to more reasonable levels

Or maybe their distributor lowered his prices as well, allowing them to keep their necessary margin while being able to offer their customers a better price???

 

[btg3]

Last couple of times I've been to the local shops, the fellow behind the counter wanted to bend my ear about his shooting exploits in anticipation of having his ego stroked. This happened in different shops, and of course, not the same fellow.

Gun shops can be very worthwhile, if they have professionals who seek to serve the customers. But the self-absorbed gun nuts need to find other work and save their drivel for around the water cooler... (or on internet forums, as in my case ).

 

[Frankl03]

I agree we should support local gun shops when possible. But I also really watch prices. This means most gun buying I do is done online. I do use local shops for service and transfers. I found a local shop very close by and he has good prices on gunsmith work. Example: he adjusted the trigger on a bolt rifle of mine for $25.00. Another shop in the area wanted $65 and another $125.00. So I use local shops when I can but I still compare prices.

 

[stickhauler]

The ammo prices were just ridiculous. Example…..Federal American Eagle 9mm fmj was priced at $18.99 per 50! Their 45 ammo prices were as bad. I never bothered to look at any other ammo they had…they lost me right away. They had a decent supply and that normally would be worth something but you have to at least be in the ballpark on price.

There is a Wal-Mart across the street and I bought 50 rd boxes of regular Federal 9mm for $9.57 and 100 rd boxes of WWB for $21.97 just a few weeks ago. I know a gun shop buys ammo at higher prices and needs to make more than a Wal-Mart, but these prices are crazy. Even Cabela’s isn’t this high…. they sell the same American eagle brand 9mm for $13.99 /50.

Comparing the cost of ammo for WallyWorld & Cabela's to the local gun shop is hardly a fair comparison, both examples are big box stores, and also sell on-line as opposed to the local guy who's buying for one location. And he sure ain't buying the volume of stock as either store would buy for a single location, let alone their entire corporate chain.

One question to consider though, if you buy a gun, or accessories from the big box guys that malfunction, how willing are they going to be to help you out? I'll admit buying from the big guys some, sure the prices are better, but the customer service sucks. When I visit my local gun shop, they actually know my name, and ask if they can help me, as opposed to the minimum wage dude at WallyWorld that I have to chase down to get ammo out of the locked case.

I bought a Metro Arms 1911 from my local place, and the rear sight set screw backed out of it, had I bought it at WallyWorld, their response would be to get in touch with the manufacturer to get a new one. My local gun shop went in the rear of the store, found the proper allen screw, and an extra wrench, brought it out and handed it to me and said no charge. The dude at Cabela's told me to buy a replacement sight from them, at double the price of them from on-line places, and said they'd install the over-priced replacement sight for me for the low cost of $80.00. I priced a similar sight from the local guys priced about $25.00 more than the on-line stores, and they'd install them for $20.00. Those guys earn my business every time I visit them.

 

[gc70]

I am generally happy with my local gun shops (about a half dozen I visit regularly), but I have learned where to go for particular items. Enachos mentioned Hyatt Guns in Charlotte - while their guns are overpriced, they have other merchandise which is fairly priced and other local stores don't stock. Each store seems to have a few things on which they beat the competition on price. Last week I bought some Sig magazines (not aftermarket) for $15 each at one of the stores; the best price I had found online was $30 each.

 

[billsnogo]

One question to consider though, if you buy a gun, or accessories from the big box guys that malfunction, how willing are they going to be to help you out? I'll admit buying from the big guys some, sure the prices are better, but the customer service sucks. When I visit my local gun shop, they actually know my name, and ask if they can help me, as opposed to the minimum wage dude at WallyWorld that I have to chase down to get ammo out of the locked case.

Not the case here. There is a well known local gun shop here, and gun prices are higher, not outrageous on all, but can be found for cheaper usually if you are willing to go to big box store (walfart, cabellas, Sometimes Dicks), and the big box stores customer service is better (not walfart though )

You may have to wait for ten minutes at the big box stores to get an available person, but when I get them, I usually get great advice, and love going back because of it. I find I just need to usually find the older gentlemen, great resources

Now at the big, well known gun shop, many times I have to wait for the employees to finish having a ten minute discussion between themselves before they feel like acknowledging you are right there staring at them. No thanks.....

Then there is another local gun shop, decent selection, good service, but at least 33% higher than where I can get elsewhere. If I NEED it now (have not needed it that bad yet), then that is the place, otherwise I will not even step in there.

Sorry, but it is my money, I work hard for it, so I expect to get a good price/service or it ain't leaving my pocket

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Support your local gunshop. Especially if there is a gunsmith poking around. Getting rarer nowdays. Let them know you would like to do business with them on a fairly regular basis as long as the prices are fair to you in the process. We understand that there is overhead. The price of keeping quality labor on hand is not cheap. Insurance and security and God only knows what the shopkeeper has to pay out to keep that shop open for business.
For the majority of gun businesses I have seen none resemble a gun show within their brick and mortar confines.
Life's hard as it is. I am grateful to have em around. Without them you will never secure a purchase. Some local governments would rather have it that way. To them no guns=safety. We know otherwise.
Help keep their doors open and start with an open mind and a good conversation with the business owner.

 

[Enachos]

gc70,

Have you seen there transfer fees? $30! That is much too high IMO. I can easily go to a pawns shop and pay $15. And their prices vary from in-shop buys to online purchases. Ammo is also about $5 higher and sometimes a buck or two more.

But I do agree that they have lots of accessories priced reasonably. And they do have a pretty big selection of everything. I just wish they had more of a holster variety. But hey, I guess that's where gun shows come into play

 

[bababooey32]

Ever try and get any "gun advice" at WalMart? (or any knowledgeable advice on any product for that matter)

WalMart is likely (well, actually I know they are) selling ammo for LESS than your local shop can BUY if for. There is no way the local shop can compete with that ... but lets see somebody at Walmart help you zero in a scope ...

I guess I don't understand your point. Like I said, support the business that best fills your needs (some combination of price, service and selection). If service is worth more to you than price, maybe a higher priced local shops with experts is for you. If price is paramount, maybe Wal-Mart is your store. If selection trumps all, maybe Cabelas or BPS. Each consumer has his/her priorities, and is willing to pay for thos priorities.

By going to Wal-Mart I might pay by sacrificing expertise and selection for price. At a local shop I pay more for ammo and guns, but get expertise and loyalty.

The overall point is that consumers should patronize the businesses that best fill their needs rather than supporting only "local" shops simply for the sake of keeping them in business. If they provide value, they won't be needing any charity customers.

 

[mgkdrgn]

By going to Wal-Mart I might pay by sacrificing expertise and selection for price. At a local shop I pay more for ammo and guns, but get expertise and loyalty.

Just hope that when you need that "expertise" that the local shop is still there. Lots of folks don't see anything but price, which is why you can't buy just about anything made in the USA. We've sold our soul to China for the "lowest price", and we are going to suffer for it in the long run.

 

[Isher]

Reminds me of the old restaurant adage

That you make your profit from the booze and not the food.

You need both, priced fairly,

If you expect to survive longterm.


isher

 

[gym]

Not every person who goes into business understands their market. Many ignore what goes on around them and suddenly find they are out of business. As a former small business owner in two service businesses, I have seen this over and over. Some folks think that because it is "their" business and they feel that they know more or have more to offer in the way of advice or instruction, that people will recognize this and pay more for it. Maybe at one time this logic may have worked, "although I doubt it". But now everything is price. If you can get it cheaper someplace else, and it's not inconvenient for you to do so, most will. Having a better atmosphere or nicer equipment, although pleasing to the eye, will not compensate for a low price for the same basic service or product. This is the world in which we live. Differences in quality or product will attract a different buyer, this is an added benefit, as long as the basic price structure is equal to the competition

 

[bababooey32]

Just hope that when you need that "expertise" that the local shop is still there.

If there is a demand for expertise, it will be there. That's how markets work.

We've sold our soul to China for the "lowest price", and we are going to suffer for it in the long run.

I'd love for you to describe how, precisely, we will suffer from pursuing manufacturing efficiency? Something being made in the USA has no economic advantage over the same thing being made in China. It may have an emotional advantage, but that is different. If you are willing to pay extra for something made in the USA for its own sake, that's your business. I prefer to maximize the efficiency of my dollars by looking for the best value (lowest price per unit of quality).

Going against the comparative advantage grain actually does nobody any good. Producers and consumers both lose when you artificially support the inefficient producers with your purchases. But hey...as long as it FEELS good, right?

 

[Gato Montés]

$30 too much for an FFL transfer? HA! Cheapest rate here is 75 bones, with the other place offering the service for 100.

Range rates? 15 dollars an hour.

I don't know what the rates for firearms are anymore (don't care to look), but three years ago I saw a nice 870 Marine Mag, used, for only a hundred over MSRP.

The service is pretty good, but not good enough at these prices.

 

[MrWesson]

I thought my local gun shop was expensive at about double ammo prices of walmart until I went back home and the local place there had 9mm blazer brass fmj for 29.99 for 50..:banghead: They also had small pistol primers at 1000/$89.99. The way I see it I would rather not even have these guys in business even for the slim hope someone reputable would come in their place. You would think that the gun business being so hot these days that competition would show up.

 

[MarkDozier]

There are pros and cons to booth sides here. If I want it now I can the few bucks extra. I usually compare between on-line and local prices. if I can save money I get it on-line but with shipping it is usaully a bigger order. like primers for example.. I save 50.00 bucks, including shipping and tax over what it would have cost me on poost with no tax.
On-line wins this time.
I support small business whenever possible eveni it is a bit more then Wal#$$#

 

[gym]

$75.00 for a transfer here in Vero Beach FL also. Kind of takes the wind outta your sales.