Are Online Retailers Killing Local Gun Stores? Should We Care?

BDinPutnam

BDinPutnam

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I don't think you understand how capitalism works.

If you've figured out the secret sauce here, open up a shop and run all those other fuckers out of business.

Hell you're close enough to me location-wise; what you've described here I sure as shit would shop at.
 
Marine Cpl

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BDinPutnam said:
I don't think you understand how capitalism works.

If you've figured out the secret sauce here, open up a shop and run all those other fuckers out of business.

Hell you're close enough to me location-wise; what you've described here I sure as shit would shop at.
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I'm not opening anything. You open it.
 
Catskillkid

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Phauxtoe said:
i always try to buy from local Brick and Mortar as much as possible otherwise they go away!
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That's the way I look at it too. If/When the mom and pop LGS goes away then our options here in NY get even more limited. Gander Outdoors in Kingston is relatively close to me but otherwise that's the only other place where I could possibly buy guns/ammo that's not a local shop. I keep hearing about people getting their own FFLs essentially for personal use and not for business, and while I admit I've never looked into it myself, I can imagine that must be a time consuming process to get and probably puts you even more under the government microscope.
 
Marine Cpl

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I think I know exactly how capitalism works. Supply and demand. If you don't have it and the demand is there, people will buy it from whoever has it. That's why those Gold Dots and other rounds I mentioned are sold out often online.

And that's why nobody buys ammo at the store. Because they don't have it other than 20 Rd boxes. Who the hell buys 20 Rd boxes of FMJ for practice. Everyone I know buys them by the case.
 
Exonautic

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Wraith said:
Since this thread started I’ve been debating more and more about applying for my FFL 1. 3-4 handguns alone make it worth it.
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keep in mind the insurance you have to carry, the invasive nature of the atf, the fact that in most places now kitchen table ffl's are a no go, and that you actually have to have intent to do business.
 
Wraith

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Exonautic said:
keep in mind the insurance you have to carry, the invasive nature of the atf, the fact that in most places now kitchen table ffl's are a no go, and that you actually have to have intent to do business.
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Thats do-able if they consider a transfer-only or small sale quantity acceptable. I’m not looking for the business myself

Robin said:
First you have to take a course in Arrogant Prickery.
Robin
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I’m certain you can find something in my post history.
 
GoodGuywitha9mm

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I have bought 1 gun from the local Gun Store. The rest were online. I also like to kick the tires so to speak, so I will on occasion visit a LGS to get a hands on test for fit, weight, and action, then buy it online.

I have sufficient ammo stock for all my calibers (+ HP for each if applicable) and wait for good prices only to buy, period.

I realize by not shopping at the LGS it precipitates raising their prices, and maybe eventually even put them under, but BLUF it all comes down to MY $$$.

I said 9 Handguns ago I didn't need any more... and now Long Guns / Shotguns are my new "I want that!" obsession!
 
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Modean

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I gave my local shop a swing at my latest purchase. His “best” price was $100 over what it will cost me online, including the transfer fee. Sorry, that’s just too much of a savings to ignore.
 
Justincase

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Modean said:
I gave my local shop a swing at my latest purchase. His “best” price was $100 over what it will cost me online, including the transfer fee. Sorry, that’s just too much of a savings to ignore.
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Yeah. $100 Is too much depending on the price of the gun and how many times I've been in there fondling stuff without buying anything significant. My next purchase will definitely be online. In store is $1069 + tax. Online is $835 plus $8 shipping and $20 transfer. No brainer on this one. That's a $300 difference, and is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.
 
Eddie Gunks

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Exonautic said:
keep in mind the insurance you have to carry, the invasive nature of the atf, the fact that in most places now kitchen table ffl's are a no go, and that you actually have to have intent to do business.
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Not really true. Yes. You have to be “in business”. just do not say you are doing it for personal stuff.

You do bit have to have insurance. The atf barrly shows up. And when they do they only eanna know where the guns are or where they went.
 
Tinman

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I know a lot of you don’t like The Buffalo Gun Center but I have a good relationship with most of them. There is a couple of people there I won’t even talk to. You have to admit that they have just about anything you could ask for and usually in stock. Prices are a little high but the do give a 3 year warranty on new guns and a 1 year on used. At least it is a great place to get a feel for what you want and then buy on line. I try to buy locally unless the price difference is just to great. So far they have treated me well.
 
tc556guy

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livingston said:
Are Online Retailers Killing Local Gun Stores? Should We Care?
online vs. local

Unfortunately, the LGS doesn’t always work out that way. Local gun stores that became accustomed to being the only show in town have allowed monopolization to cause paralysis. Charging MSRP or more for guns or double the fair price for accessories over the course of years exposed a vulnerability for local shops, and arguably even created the “monster” that is the low-overhead, Internet-based market.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/02/15/local-gun-stores/
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The on-line market causes people to expect to pay wholesale prices as their final retail price. Local gun stors cannot compete with the thin profit margin, low overhead places like Buds or Grabagun.
As for the "fair" price of anything, see what I just wrote. People have come to expect that the "fair" retail price is the wholesale price.
 
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