orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,709
Sounds a lot like where we used to live in IL.
God Bless Texas. See my post yesterday on a great local shop (Sporting Arms in Lewisville)
Frustrated by Local Gun Shop Prices
- Thread starter Niel4
- Start date
- Status
God Bless Texas. See my post yesterday on a great local shop (Sporting Arms in Lewisville)
MD_Willington
Member
Take your money elsewhere if you can.. simple enough.
chuckusaret
member
I believe prices vary by city and state. I bumped Hyatt's prices against West Palm Beach Fl prices, Hyatt's is cheaper on every handgun than most of our dealer prices.
DERGLOCKINMEISTER
Member
And when Wal Mart decides that it just isn't worth the liability to carry firearms/ammo, what then ? I don't know about your local gunshop , but my local shop is a bit more expensive on the purchase end , but they are always there to help me out with a problem or a favor when I need one . I don't buy every round from them but I sure patronize them enough to let them know I am a loyal customer .
Uncle Mike
Member
That's OK....buy your firearms on-line, give Walmart your business, snot and cry around because the local guy is higher than a Multi-Billion dollar chain store, why, you don't care about the guy running the small shop, you don't care that he was the only game in town until wally world came around, hell, you darkened his door almost every day, didn't you?
Then the big chain stores, and the internet came about, promising great savings, and away you went....BUT, when you have a problem, or you want to fondle a firearm like a $2 hoe before you go off and buy it from some internet site....where do you go, yeah, that's right, the mom and pop local gun store!
Oh, please mister small shop owner, my gun is broken, can you fix it, wow, where did you get this....Oh, I got a smokin; deal off the internet...well, send it back to them, have them repair it, or service it or return it, call you up with progress reports on your gun...see if the internet guy will see to it the item is correctly packed so UPS or FedEx won't refuse it.
Most people think only as far as their wallet will let them!
We do NOT do ANY internet transfers! Period! Policy around here is, if you want to get it from the internet guy, have him hold your hand!
AND...the dealer that does the cheap transfer, what is he thinking... do 4 $25 transfers today, you made $100...but if they would not do these transfers, and the internet guy close up, then the dealer would get the sale, I bet he would make more than $100 on 4 sales, huh?!? Greed!
Thing is, these guys often have little overhead, so they can afford to sell for 10% or even 5%....but when you need something, now what?
It's like buying chinese, everybody bitches and complains about American jobs disappearing, but buy foreign made items as hard and fast as they can...
Ok...rant over, how'd I do? lol hehehehe
Then the big chain stores, and the internet came about, promising great savings, and away you went....BUT, when you have a problem, or you want to fondle a firearm like a $2 hoe before you go off and buy it from some internet site....where do you go, yeah, that's right, the mom and pop local gun store!
Oh, please mister small shop owner, my gun is broken, can you fix it, wow, where did you get this....Oh, I got a smokin; deal off the internet...well, send it back to them, have them repair it, or service it or return it, call you up with progress reports on your gun...see if the internet guy will see to it the item is correctly packed so UPS or FedEx won't refuse it.
Most people think only as far as their wallet will let them!
We do NOT do ANY internet transfers! Period! Policy around here is, if you want to get it from the internet guy, have him hold your hand!
AND...the dealer that does the cheap transfer, what is he thinking... do 4 $25 transfers today, you made $100...but if they would not do these transfers, and the internet guy close up, then the dealer would get the sale, I bet he would make more than $100 on 4 sales, huh?!? Greed!
Thing is, these guys often have little overhead, so they can afford to sell for 10% or even 5%....but when you need something, now what?
It's like buying chinese, everybody bitches and complains about American jobs disappearing, but buy foreign made items as hard and fast as they can...
Ok...rant over, how'd I do? lol hehehehe
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Arkady
Member
If you use the local shop to handle guns and make up your mind before ordering off of the internet, expect to get kicked out. And rightly so. If their prices are so bad that you wouldn't do business with them, then don't go there. Ever. For any reason.
It's one thing if you occasionally find a screaming deal on something, and have it transferred locally, but it's another matter entirely if you're simply taking advantage of the dealer's inventory so that you can make up your mind. His guns cost more because he is keeping them on hand for people like you to see and handle. He isn't psychic, and doesn't know what is going to sell on any given day. 'Just in Time' inventory is fantastic from an efficiency standpoint, but doesn't work in this industry (or any other retail gig, really). Your overhead does not go down just because you ordered a few rifles that turned out to be less popular than you expected.
I bet most of you would be surprised how much it costs the local guys to stay in operation each month. Rent costs more for retail space, his employees aren't there for free, and insurance is a mean, mean racket.
It's one thing if you occasionally find a screaming deal on something, and have it transferred locally, but it's another matter entirely if you're simply taking advantage of the dealer's inventory so that you can make up your mind. His guns cost more because he is keeping them on hand for people like you to see and handle. He isn't psychic, and doesn't know what is going to sell on any given day. 'Just in Time' inventory is fantastic from an efficiency standpoint, but doesn't work in this industry (or any other retail gig, really). Your overhead does not go down just because you ordered a few rifles that turned out to be less popular than you expected.
I bet most of you would be surprised how much it costs the local guys to stay in operation each month. Rent costs more for retail space, his employees aren't there for free, and insurance is a mean, mean racket.
Arkady, you speak the truth. We did the service business 26 years and finally had to throw in the towel. Workman's comp, insurance and state/fed regulations/fees finally did us in. I can imagine what the liability insurance is on firearms/ammo sales are. We shop local when we can.
kwelz
Member
I can understand LGS having slightly higher prices. It can not be avoided at times. Sadly my favorite shop is out of hand. The owner refuses to live in reality. Prices are non negotiable and still set at Panic prices. Colt 6920s in the 1500 Range, 6940s are $1900. Kimbers well above norm, etc, etc. The Employees hate it, the customers are sick of it. But the Owner would rather the products rot on the shelf than he get 1 penny less than HE thinks they are worth.
iiibdsiil
Member
I was just at a shop in the Tampa Bay area, most of the prices seemed about $100 over MSRP. There might be some room for negotiating, so maybe I could have gotten it down to MSRP and still been over paying.
The worst part was they seemed like nice people. You WANT to support someone like that but I can't justify it without a reach around at least.
The worst part was they seemed like nice people. You WANT to support someone like that but I can't justify it without a reach around at least.
In principal buying from a Mom and Pop store is a nice thing to do even if you pay a little more. But Having been shoved around over the years by people who don't want to pay for service or help, I can say that I pretty much go wherever I can get the product cheapest. As long as It's the same product, I work too hard staying afloat to give away money for no real reason. I don't know how it is in other states, but here in FL, business's turn over every few years, so the likelihood of me having a long term relationship with the store is slim at best. And on top of that they really don't go out of their way for you. Back in NY, although having the reputation for being a bunch of "cold fish", I found the reverse to be true. Your business owner was around for 20 years or more, and so was your neighbor. This may just be Globalization taking over, but it's all price now. I just paid $75 to have a rifle sent up, and $75-$100.00 was the rate from every guy I called, so where am I benefiting from giving my local gun shop extra money because they have expenses. My club had 50 thousand a month in expenses, but the customers didn't care about my bills they wanted the cheapest price. The few that cared would not have kept us in business, so it's a losing battle. We need fundamental change to our value system before things change back to the way they should be.
There is a film called “Collapse”, that is just an interview with a very smart guy, who explains what is really happening now, but it’s getting off topic , so I guess I am saying that there is no more “local”, it’s all global now. Relationships are not what they should be and loyalty is at a new low, so I wouldn’t expect support from people who are themselves struggling to stay afloat.
There is a film called “Collapse”, that is just an interview with a very smart guy, who explains what is really happening now, but it’s getting off topic , so I guess I am saying that there is no more “local”, it’s all global now. Relationships are not what they should be and loyalty is at a new low, so I wouldn’t expect support from people who are themselves struggling to stay afloat.
Blackbeard
Member
High volume dealers will always have better prices on the same goods over low volume dealers. It's the nature of the business. For a low volume dealer to survive he must offer something that sets his goods apart from that of the big dealer, such as personalized service, advice, etc. AND that service must be something his customers value enough to pay the higher prices.
It's nice to deal with someone who knows my name, but it's not worth an extra $200. $25 maybe.
It's nice to deal with someone who knows my name, but it's not worth an extra $200. $25 maybe.
I have practically no loyalty to any shop anymore, not even the one I used to work at. If they have what I want at the best price, I buy it there. But I travel enough that I can compare and find the best deal between about six different gun stores, especially on ammo, so that's what I usually do.
And I buy a lot of ammo online in bulk when I can afford it.
About the only thing I will HAVE to buy locally will be caps and blackpowder for my 1858 when it shows up. But even then, I doubt I'll beat $4.92 for 100 caps and $16 for a can of FFFG.
FWIW, it's not that I don't prefer to patronize a local shop. If I can get what I want around the same price then it's worth it to support them. It's good for the future of gun ownership to support local gun shops. But it's also stupid to pay way too much for something. I can find "fair" prices by spending five minutes on the internet and so can they. There is no reason to drastically overcharge on things AND it's counterproductive for them - because I will find out. I KNOW what the things I want to buy should cost and I'm not willing to be screwed. Just because I'm the customer doesn't mean I have to just stand there and take whatever deal is offered.
And I buy a lot of ammo online in bulk when I can afford it.
About the only thing I will HAVE to buy locally will be caps and blackpowder for my 1858 when it shows up. But even then, I doubt I'll beat $4.92 for 100 caps and $16 for a can of FFFG.
FWIW, it's not that I don't prefer to patronize a local shop. If I can get what I want around the same price then it's worth it to support them. It's good for the future of gun ownership to support local gun shops. But it's also stupid to pay way too much for something. I can find "fair" prices by spending five minutes on the internet and so can they. There is no reason to drastically overcharge on things AND it's counterproductive for them - because I will find out. I KNOW what the things I want to buy should cost and I'm not willing to be screwed. Just because I'm the customer doesn't mean I have to just stand there and take whatever deal is offered.
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TEDDY
Member
ammo
about time to start reloading.a Lee turret,dies powder measure,mold and pot
will go under $200.because ammo is not going to get cheaper.the comodity market is where the prices start. china is buying the brass,lead,another materials for its industries. 
about time to start reloading.a Lee turret,dies powder measure,mold and pot
will go under $200.because ammo is not going to get cheaper.the comodity market is where the prices start. china is buying the brass,lead,another materials for its industries.
The fly in the ointment is this:
If the small shops go out of business because everyone is buying from the "big boys" like Wal-Mart & Academy Sports who can beat small shop prices, what are you gonna do when you need to do an FFL transfer for your latest online purchase? None of the "big boys" will let you order guns online from the distributor of your choice and do the FFL transfer for you like most gunshops will.
Some folks on this thread are already feeling the first results of this. They're paying exorbitant rates for FFL transfers. As more and more small shops are driven out of business it's going to get worse.
hometheaterman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 1,115
I used to be in favor of supporting local shops even if I had to pay a little more. However, after having a problem with a gun the first time and taking it back there I got horrible customer service. I said I probably wouldn't buy from them again however, when it came to getting a rifle they had a used one just like I wanted at the price I wanted. I couldn't find one anywhere else locally so I bought it from them. I also got a scope at the time. It was overpriced but I got them talked down on the whole setup so it was a decent price. I ended up having issues with the scope a couple months down the road and horrible service. They told me they would send the scope into Leupold and didn't say anything about me having to pay shipping or anything else. Just said they would take care of it and it would be back in 2 weeks. A month or so later I finally got it back. I had to call them constantly as they never called to offer me any updates. When it came back in they tried to charge me $10 shipping. It didn't cost near $10 to ship that and when I dealt with Leupold later they covered the shipping charges. I explained how I didn't think I should have to pay that and after them insisting I would have to I told them that it was fine I would pay it but I'd never shop their again. I then had the owner start cussing me out telling me he hoped I never did shop there again.
I realized after that that you really don't get any better service unless you find a good gun shop and you get worse at that one along with prices on ammo that are way higher and prices on guns that are also way higher. No point in spending a extra $100 or $150 only to get cussed out by the owner. I honestly can say I've gotten better service from Wal Mart than I have at that store.
I had a buddy also deal with another gun shop that told them the same thing about how he had gotten better service at Wal Mart. He had a problem with a new gun he bought right out of the box and they tried to charge him $35 shipping for sending it back to the factory. He finally got them to cover it.
I've found 2 gun shops I like. One doesn't have all that much stuff other than reloading stuff and I think some of the stuff the gunsmith/owner has told me has been bs. Then again the work he has done for me has been decent. Their prices are also decent but they don't have a lot. I like this shop and will buy from them if I'm in that area and they have what I need. The problem is they are a little over an hour from me.
I've found another one I used to like. The guys are friendly although I find that often I ask them questions they don't know the answer to about guns. However, at least they tell you they don't know about that type of gun or what not. Some guys know about one kind while others there know about another. The gunsmith there hasn't impressed me however and I had him install sling studs one time which he installed off center. I just haven't been impressed with the gun smith but it's a decent store. The ammo used to be a dollar or two more than Wal Mart which I was fine paying to help the local guys out. However, recently it's gotten crazy high. I'm not paying $23 for a box of 30-06 ammo they sell for $14 at Wal Mart. Nor am I paying the $42 or $43 they wanted for 9mm ammo that's $22 at Wal Mart. Those prices are crazy and I don't see why anyone would pay that.
If it's just a few dollars more I like supporting local guys but for double the price they can forget having me as a customer.
I realized after that that you really don't get any better service unless you find a good gun shop and you get worse at that one along with prices on ammo that are way higher and prices on guns that are also way higher. No point in spending a extra $100 or $150 only to get cussed out by the owner. I honestly can say I've gotten better service from Wal Mart than I have at that store.
I had a buddy also deal with another gun shop that told them the same thing about how he had gotten better service at Wal Mart. He had a problem with a new gun he bought right out of the box and they tried to charge him $35 shipping for sending it back to the factory. He finally got them to cover it.
I've found 2 gun shops I like. One doesn't have all that much stuff other than reloading stuff and I think some of the stuff the gunsmith/owner has told me has been bs. Then again the work he has done for me has been decent. Their prices are also decent but they don't have a lot. I like this shop and will buy from them if I'm in that area and they have what I need. The problem is they are a little over an hour from me.
I've found another one I used to like. The guys are friendly although I find that often I ask them questions they don't know the answer to about guns. However, at least they tell you they don't know about that type of gun or what not. Some guys know about one kind while others there know about another. The gunsmith there hasn't impressed me however and I had him install sling studs one time which he installed off center. I just haven't been impressed with the gun smith but it's a decent store. The ammo used to be a dollar or two more than Wal Mart which I was fine paying to help the local guys out. However, recently it's gotten crazy high. I'm not paying $23 for a box of 30-06 ammo they sell for $14 at Wal Mart. Nor am I paying the $42 or $43 they wanted for 9mm ammo that's $22 at Wal Mart. Those prices are crazy and I don't see why anyone would pay that.
If it's just a few dollars more I like supporting local guys but for double the price they can forget having me as a customer.
iiibdsiil
Member
I was just in another gun shop today...
I walked in, there were no guns on the shelves. I asked if they were at the gun show? Nope. I asked if they were closed? Nope. The lady told me it's a lot of work to take all those guns out of the safe.
Didn't even get to check the high prices!
I walked in, there were no guns on the shelves. I asked if they were at the gun show? Nope. I asked if they were closed? Nope. The lady told me it's a lot of work to take all those guns out of the safe.
Didn't even get to check the high prices!
Along with that, it shouldn't cost anything to send some a gun back. Most companies I've dealt with have given me a return authorization and a pre-paid shipping label. A gun store will get the same deal if they are the ones sending something back for repair. I would also have a problem paying shipping on a repair - because once I've bought it, I figure I've already paid for it.
Jaybird78
Member
***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).***
Let me enlighten you. If all of the U.S. jobs go overseas then people that had those jobs don't earn money. In turn they don't spend, because they are now on government welfare which you pay for. GET IT
Do I buy all American products? No, good luck on that one. If you can buy AMERICAN, please do.
On another note. My closest local shop charges $48 for a transfer. I just found a LOCAL hardware store that will do $15 rifle and $20 handgun.
Let me enlighten you. If all of the U.S. jobs go overseas then people that had those jobs don't earn money. In turn they don't spend, because they are now on government welfare which you pay for. GET IT
Do I buy all American products? No, good luck on that one. If you can buy AMERICAN, please do.
On another note. My closest local shop charges $48 for a transfer. I just found a LOCAL hardware store that will do $15 rifle and $20 handgun.
sheepdog
Member
"This line of reasoning makes no sense at all. If you are a consumer of firearms products, why do you care what the nature of the business is that you are buying from? If the "big boys" have better prices and selection, and good service then that is an advantage to you, the consumer. If the local shop has better prices and selection and good service, then that is an advantage to you the consumer. Why would you pay extra JUST because it is a small shop? Why would you suffer a smaller selection just to keep a small shop in business?
In order for either to stay in business it must provide value to the customer: price, selection ,service. As consumers, we should go to the shop that accomplishes all three the best (or to the one that fills our particular need the best).
Not liking Wal-Mart just for the sake of it is insane.
As to the ammo prices, the shop will adjust if no one is buying. But if people are buying, they are filling someone's need at a price agreeable to both parties. "
...good example of shoot-from-the-hip didn't read the post reply...never mentioned Wal-Mart...clearly explained why I'd pay extra...you go ahead and buy where it's cheapest...try to get Wal-Mart to mount a scope...or get you some grips...or a spare magazine...or any other thing than what THEY decide to carry...they'll carry your holsters??? They'll do transfers??? What did Wal-Mart do when they decided it was a liability to carry handguns...and Sports Authority??? You go shop for the cheapest deal and you'll squeal like a pig when the range/gunshop goes under...or you can't get a transfer...or can't trade in a gun anymore...can't buy a handgun local...can't buy the rifle/shotgun you want 'cause there's noone who carrys it...then we'll hear you yap about "insane"...like I said, either you support the local stores, or you put up with whatever ANY big chain does or doesn't carry and whatever price they, having strangled the competition(with your blessing) want to charge you....THAT's supply and demand for you....
In order for either to stay in business it must provide value to the customer: price, selection ,service. As consumers, we should go to the shop that accomplishes all three the best (or to the one that fills our particular need the best).
Not liking Wal-Mart just for the sake of it is insane.
As to the ammo prices, the shop will adjust if no one is buying. But if people are buying, they are filling someone's need at a price agreeable to both parties. "
...good example of shoot-from-the-hip didn't read the post reply...never mentioned Wal-Mart...clearly explained why I'd pay extra...you go ahead and buy where it's cheapest...try to get Wal-Mart to mount a scope...or get you some grips...or a spare magazine...or any other thing than what THEY decide to carry...they'll carry your holsters??? They'll do transfers??? What did Wal-Mart do when they decided it was a liability to carry handguns...and Sports Authority??? You go shop for the cheapest deal and you'll squeal like a pig when the range/gunshop goes under...or you can't get a transfer...or can't trade in a gun anymore...can't buy a handgun local...can't buy the rifle/shotgun you want 'cause there's noone who carrys it...then we'll hear you yap about "insane"...like I said, either you support the local stores, or you put up with whatever ANY big chain does or doesn't carry and whatever price they, having strangled the competition(with your blessing) want to charge you....THAT's supply and demand for you....
oneounceload
member
I agree with UncleMike's rant 100%
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.” - Aldo Gucci
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.” - Aldo Gucci
03Shadowbob
Member
You need to get on Florida Shooters network. $75 for a transfer in FL? I got some swamp land for sale.
Snakum
Member
I tried to get info from Hyatts over the phone on three different purchases this Summer and Fall. They couldn't be bothered. Downright rude two of those times. So Colfax Guns and Ammo and The Gun Rack made about $4000 off me in six months.
I take my business where I'm treated like a customer who has a choice. Sometimes I'll even pay a little bit more because they've bent over backwards for me. But I won't buy so much as a scope mount at Gander. How in the #$%^ do they stay in business with rifles and shotguns running roughly 15 - 20% higher than anyone else?
mgkdrgn
Member
Because they are not making their real $ on gun sales. Profit margin on new guns is somewhere between jack and squat.
sheepdog
Member
...where the locals buy ten from a wholesaler who bought 150 and marked 'em up...Wallyworld ordered 5000 from the factory...cut every corner on features/quality that they could, and paid no markup to middle man...of course they can sell them cheaper....and a few gunsmiths have told me they don't want to work on Wal-Mart direct-ordered guns...too many problems...gunshops usually make most of their gun money on trades...buy low, sell high...that's capitalism...just like we offer low and sell high in our FTF deals...and it's wrong for them to do it? I don't think so...
...remember guns at Sears...Western Auto...JC Penney...Montgomery Ward, Speigel...? The big companies will drop us like a hot potato...if the little guys are out of business then...where will we be??? Just the other day my local did something for me he didn't have to do...wouldn't charge me for it...I bought some CLP-just to show him I appreciated his care and concern for me...I can remember when America did business that way...and it was good...
...remember guns at Sears...Western Auto...JC Penney...Montgomery Ward, Speigel...? The big companies will drop us like a hot potato...if the little guys are out of business then...where will we be??? Just the other day my local did something for me he didn't have to do...wouldn't charge me for it...I bought some CLP-just to show him I appreciated his care and concern for me...I can remember when America did business that way...and it was good...
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