Online VS Local Shop?

[chris1977]

Ok so here is my dilemma. Any time I find a gun that I really like and am going to purchase I go check out my local shop. Now I know this shop is going to be a little higher than online since they need to do markups. The problem is then the tax is added on and end up paying $40 -$60 more than the online even with figuring in the FFL fee. Am I being cheap in not getting through them and just using them for the FFL service?

 

[togmaster]

How important to you is it to have a local gun shop? If you think it's nice having them around then support them.

 

[Bananabandit]

I buy online for convenience. Sorry NY gun shops. If I was elsewhere, wouldnt need online.

 

[chris1977]

Believe me I get that and that is why I posed the dilemma. I buy everything else from them. With money that is saved I am able to use towards more items there as well.

 

[Doc8404]

$40-60 isn't bad. When I was trying to buy a 642CT my local gun shop (now closed) couldn't come close.
I told them come within $75 of what I pay online and I would buy from them.
They told me they couldn't buy it for what I could at Bud's. Eventually bought a 442 on sale at Buds wicked cheap. And a 590. Of course the new FFL I was using (AX Taxtical) told me Bud's only sold second quality stuff that's why it was so cheap. LMAO.

 

[Ozmiander]

B&M Markup is one thing, but lots of NY dealers will sell a gun for HUNDREDS over what dealers in other states will. It's disgusting.

 

[chris1977]

The more I am thinking they did say that they would have to order it then gets marked up 20% if my memory serves me. So not like it is an in stock item.

 

[Criticalt]

The only gun shop within a reasonable distance from me is a 2a hating a-hole that only caters to LEO.
Sooooo, I buy everything over the border in PA.
To be honest this shop is very competitive if not cheaper than online in most cases.
Check out their prices
Tall Tales Sporting Goods: Product List

To answer you quetion, I think saving a little money on a gun, then spending the extra money at the shop is fine.

 

[Bob]

I walked into my LGS one day with a list of guns that I wanted to purchase, and the pricing that was available to me. Told them that if they could come close, I'd purchase them all from them. They said that they couldn't even get them for that price, and that I should take advantage of the pricing I originally had. I ended up having all the guns transferred through that LGS. They would have given me a discount (it was five guns) but I insisted on paying full price, and paying in cash. $125 cash for about ten minutes of paperwork was almost pure profit for them. They appreciated that just as much as if I had purchased the guns from them initially.

Try to build a good relationship with your LGS. Sometimes they value the money. Sometimes they value their time. Sometimes they value the simplicity. Find out what it is and try to work with them.

 

[stuck in ny]

B&M Markup is one thing, but lots of NY dealers will sell a gun for HUNDREDS over what dealers in other states will. It's disgusting.

Exacly, they sell a gun missing "features" for way more than the normal gun. And of course the 21 to buy a lower in conjuction with the ban is what feeds this kind of stupid mark up.

 

[chris1977]

I walked into my LGS one day with a list of guns that I wanted to purchase, and the pricing that was available to me. Told them that if they could come close, I'd purchase them all from them. They said that they couldn't even get them for that price, and that I should take advantage of the pricing I originally had. I ended up having all the guns transferred through that LGS. They would have given me a discount (it was five guns) but I insisted on paying full price, and paying in cash. $125 cash for about ten minutes of paperwork was almost pure profit for them. They appreciated that just as much as if I had purchased the guns from them initially.

Try to build a good relationship with your LGS. Sometimes they value the money. Sometimes they value their time. Sometimes they value the simplicity. Find out what it is and try to work with them.

Oh I agree. Went in to pick up an item and had a free gift that was given to me from the company and gave to them. Wasn't much but was something. I told them about an ammo purchase I had made and how much and they were shocked and said that was a good price and couldn't even touch it. I enjoy going there because it is a nice atmosphere as apposed to the big box store we have. Only been in a few times and as soon as I walk through the door always say hey Chris.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

The tax is what kills me. Nothing i can do.

I tell my customers to find it online. Add shipping. Credit card fees. Transfer fees and tell me what price it is and i will try and get as close as possible.

Last time i hit a gun. Somehow my common core math failed me. By the time i got it done i made $23. It was a $500 gun. I should have let him buy it and collected my $25 fee. And i would jot have been out the money for thegun waiting for ut to be picked up.

I sell primarily a black scary Guns. I have a pretty comprehensive list of items for a New York shop. ( I have access to much more than I have in stock. I only I try to stock only what sells. I've got a pretty good supply of really super nice hand guards in stock now, but at $150-$225 each they're not moving. But they sure are nice. ).

And I'm only a 500 square-foot shop.

Back when nobody could get things transferred, they weren't available for shipping to New York, I was transferring of them had them in stock and I was willing to ship. People just forget that service.

And for those so inclined, they can walk in, pay cash, and walk out and they do not have a trail. This is important to some people.

 

[Airborneguy]

I'll buy a gun from my locals when the price difference is only a few dollars. Unfortunately they're at a disadvantage because of the taxes that will inevitably be added on. My most local shop is a $40 transfer (actually there's a guy less than a mile from work but his transfer is $90!). If the taxes approach $40, plus the markup, then I'm better off buying online and I will. He doesn't mind because he told me that his relatively fair $40 transfer fee is about the profit he'd make on a gun anyway.

 

[Bob]

The tax is what kills me. Nothing i can do.

Tax. I never hold that against the retailer. That is, unless the guy pockets the money because he realized he cut too much fat. Yes, I did have that happen once.
I try like hell to avoid tax. I know it's mostly symbolic, but I hate like hell to fund a government that thinks nothing of stripping my rights under the cover of darkness.

 

[chris1977]

Tax. I never hold that against the retailer. That is, unless the guy pockets the money because he realized he cut too much fat. Yes, I did have that happen once.
I try like hell to avoid tax. I know it's mostly symbolic, but I hate like hell to fund a government that thinks nothing of stripping my rights under the cover of darkness.

I couldn't agree more. My thought was what I save on 2 firearms from the taxes I can spend in things like ammo and what not.

 

[MoMan]

I have never bought a gun online, just haven't had to. I have GREAT relationship with my LGS, I even work there occasionally when they go off to their shooting matches. The owners are in the shop, and are willing to work with anyone on price. I have heard them tell Folks; "That's a smokin' deal, ya' might want to jump on that", when someone comes in with an internet price. They understand what it costs them to keep the shop open, and are not going to give it away just to match an online price. They will try to help you out on pricing, but they are in business and have fixed coasts that drive pricing.

Having said all of that, they give GREAT SERVICE to their customers. Most recently, a couple of weeks ago, they sold a Browning rifle that they took in on trade. The Fella who bought the rifle was having a problem and brought it back in for service, they couldn't fix it in the shop so sent it off to Browning. The rifle came back with a repair tag of $289, the shop paid it, and called the customer to tell him his rifles came back. When the Fella came in to pick it up, he asked what was done and what he owed them. The shop owner explained what was done, and that there is no charge to him. Needless to say, they didn't make $289 on the original sale of the used rifle. THAT is what you get when you purchase from a local shop, pretty sure that's not going to happen in an online sale of a used firearm.

I get it that there are LGS that are real pricks. But if you find a LGS that is honest, fair, and treats their customers with respect... what is that worth to you?

For me, it's worth it to pay a couple of bucks more, to help them stay in business. Just think back to when there were smaller local stores and shops of all different types before WalMart came to be. Is there anyone one here who is over the age of 50 or so, who hasn't said more than once: I hate going to WalMart, I sure miss the days of being able to go the the local guys?

 

[Ozmiander]

IMO, unless a dealer is SWAMPED, it's worth telling a customer "Our price is X, our transfer fee is X, we'll do whichever you want." I just don't understand people who will turn down a $20-100 fee instead of their regular markup. You're kinda shooting yourself in the foot.

 

[Bob]

Having said all of that, they give GREAT SERVICE to their customers. Most recently, a couple of weeks ago, they sold a Browning rifle that they took in on trade. The Fella who bought the rifle was having a problem and brought it back in for service, they couldn't fix it in the shop so sent it off to Browning. The rifle came back with a repair tag of $289, the shop paid it, and called the customer to tell him his rifles came back. When the Fella came in to pick it up, he asked what was done and what he owed them. The shop owner explained what was done, and that there is no charge to him. Needless to say, they didn't make $289 on the original sale of the used rifle. THAT is what you get when you purchase from a local shop, pretty sure that's not going to happen in an online sale of a used firearm.

Customer service like that is what keeps customers loyal. Loyal customers are return customers. Return customers are what keeps them in business. That $289 will be made back over time.

 

[Phauxtoe]

I try to buy local, However then prices are Just different!
my last gun out the door was nearly $200 cheaper or about 25% cheaper.
plus there is no services involved.

so its ammo and crap...
but i try not to buy anything in NY, FUAC!

 

[I shoot from da hip]

Local shops don't have the inventory. I'd love to walk into a local gun shop and see/hold Kimbers, Sigs, etc. Every store around here has a small inventory and never what I'm interested in. Unfortunately, online has better prices and makes it pretty easily read specs and reviews. I think local gun shops are important to visit though to support them. They provide great services and are good if you are too anxious to wait for something to be delivered.

 

[MoMan]

I try to buy local, However then prices are Just different!
my last gun out the door was nearly $200 cheaper or about 25% cheaper.
plus there is no services involved.

so its ammo and crap...
but i try not to buy anything in NY, FUAC!

I get it! If your LGS is that far off, then no one can blame you for buying elsewhere. It's the guy who comes in and fingers EVERY handgun you have, then comes back in a week or two with his buddy to tell him how he loved the feel of this one, better than that one, then he bought it online because he saved $25! That is the guy that makes me crazy! He wanted to know which one felt better in his hand, so he takes advantage of the LGS, AND says he can't make up his mind right now, when you ask what does he think!

 

[chris1977]

Now that's just shitty. Hard to justify paying anywhere from say $50 and up on a higher value firearm when that said $50 can be used in store for other items in the LGS instead of giving it to the state. That is my thought process whether wrong or right.

 

[eagleridge357]

LGS is becoming a thing of the past. Just dig up some data and find out yourselves. Most LGS would shut the doors if they had to depend solely upon firearm sales. Their optional services are what keeps them afloat. I run a market research service in my area. I have found that within 50 miles of my FFL location (mine is online sales only) there are 11 LGS. 5 of them have drowned after being in business only 1-24 months, 3 have expanded into non-firearm sales and accessories to pay the bills, and 3 have cut back hours to part-time while their owners have decided to make the bulk of their income from other sources (not firearm related). The overhead of even the most efficient and frugal LGS is the knife in the proprietor's back. Of course you will find exceptional LGS owners and deals, but don't hold your breath while looking. Online dealers are working on a profit margin as good as or better than any LGS and are becoming the accepted way of doing business, thanks to the many safeguards that are in place to protect online buyers from fraudulent sellers. Therefore, you will benefit from developing a relationship with an online dealer for the firearms, and give the other non-firearm business to your favorite LGS dealer. The math is in your favor. If face to face buying is your thing, then stick with the LGS and suck up the money loss.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

When it comes to guns, I'd rather buy local and only buy online if I can't get the item on order through a local store. Yeah the online prices are usually better, but after shipping, transfer fees, waiting Etc. Its not always decisively so.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Sometimes gunbroker sells guns for less than i get em wholesale...up to $25 more than i can buy them for. Once shipping to me is figured im screwed.

 

[chris1977]

When it comes to guns, I'd rather buy local and only buy online if I can't get the item on order through a local store. Yeah the online prices are usually better, but after shipping, transfer fees, waiting Etc. Its not always decisively so.

Except when it's far cheaper and free shipping unless I opt for overnight fee or 2 day shipping. The free gets it to me in 2 days anyway.

 

[Podmonkey]

I would like to buy local and I am even willing to pay a slight premium to do so but rarley does an LGS have what I'm looking for. No one ever seems to have CZ P01s for example, and when I do see one its one with a manual safety. Last gun shop I pursued wanted 50 cents a round for PMC 55gr 5.56 and 60 cents for Lake City XM855! I can get it for less than half that online!

 

[Ozmiander]

I would like to buy local and I am even willing to pay a slight premium to do so but rarley does an LGS have what I'm looking for. No one ever seems to have CZ P01s for example, and when I do see one its one with a manual safety.

This is the real tragedy of local gun stores. No one in NY stocks CZs!

 

[Podmonkey]

This is the real tragedy of local gun stores. No one in NY stocks CZs!

No one in PA or TN either!

 

[BDSKJCHRIS]

i'm in albany, most of what i buy is online as most of the local shops are priced very high, (a certain group charges 50 bucks for a transfer), i buy in big chain stores when they have good deals. and i made the drive down to Bulletguy in tilson for my last transfer and i wish they were closer to me, for such a small shop the prices are great and they are good people. which is much more than i can say for a lot of shops up by me.