Sad but this is why I've come to prefer online shopping!

[JFerg]

Got off work early and was heading back to my part of the world. Figured I'd stop by this very "reputable" gun shop on my way that's usually closed by the time I pass thru.
I walk in and was very impressed!!! Little cramped for space but nice and stocked to the hilt with firearms. Everything divided up by types, calibers, brands and sizes. I looked around a little while the 2 guys behind the counter helped customers. One of which had 3 ARs laid out for the customer to paw at while they chewed the fat about politics. When the other employee, an elderly gentleman, was done with his customer he asked if I'd like to look at anything. I asked to look at the M&P40 FS and a XDm .40. He pulls out the XDm and sets it on the counter. I pick it up, drop the mag, made sure it was clear then asked about the M&P. He informed me that store policy was that customers can only handle one gun at a time! Ok, I can understand that while I look down the counter at the 3 ARs getting the once over. Maybe its only for handguns or that guy isn't a customer. I check out the XDm and sit it back on the counter. He puts it away and sets the M&P on the counter. I clear it and notice the price tag. $499 without NS, less than $550 after tax. Not bad, I've seen em for less but not bad. I asked how much a model with night sights would run. He said they don't order any with NS because its "more economical" to add em aftermarket. Of course my next question was how much. $100-$150 depending on the sights, the gun, etc. Mmmm,ok. So as I'm standing there enjoying the feel of it in my and and checkinyg the trigger I ask "what do ya'll get for the LE model?" "Another $100 to $150."??? I looked at the salesman, "$100 to $150 MORE for a law enforcement model?" The answer, "that's generally where they run." I placed the firearm back on the counter and thanked him for his time and left.
I'm all about free enterprise and the market place but come on. It's pains me that the small Mom & Pop local gun shops are becoming a rarity but if this is what you get is it a wonder.
I know I shouldn't rant but it just seems to me, with the information available today to consumers, that firearm retailers like that are doing our cause and the industry as a whole a disservice.

[blujax01]

In addition to the never-bother-going-to Gander mountain we are blessed with a major independent as well as a couple of smaller shops. While I do enjoy visiting the small basement shop and drop a few bucks on accessories now and then, they cannot touch the big independent or on-line stores when it comes to the latest and greatest handguns.
It comes down to buying power. If Vance's (or Cabela's or Bass Pro) orders a thousand M&P40 LE's they're gonna get a package deal that Aumiller or Frontier cannot get when they order 2 or 3.

It's a Wal*Mart world and as to the little guy? He better find a niche or he will be bulldozed under.

[labworm]

My LGS is outright FANTASTIC

[RIDavid]

I would much rather give my LGS $30 more and know when I have a problem I just drive the 5 minutes and give him the gun. I could find cheaper prices in my state but my gas and time is more important than that.

[LVSteve]

Originally Posted by blujax01

In addition to the never-bother-going-to Gander mountain .....

Is that like the never-bother-going-to Bass Pro Shop we have because the prices are outrageous?

[RightArm]

If you're going to the package stores, you might as well buy on line. Package stores don't need your money. That said, I do buy my ammo from Academy istead of my LGS. I don't mind paying a higher price from my LGS, but my choices are usually limited to A or B. Sometimes it's A and B if I want to stock up just a little. They will order what I want as far as guns go, but they don't seem to realize, in order to get in the game, you have to grow a pair and buy some merch. I don't like to order on line, but I'm not going to drive all over Houston to find the parts and accesories I want. Well, they've got my gun business now, but I won't keep them in business. I can't afford to buy lots of guns.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by LVSteve

Is that like the never-bother-going-to Bass Pro Shop we have because the prices are outrageous?

Only good thing about BPS (Besides the nice restaurant) is they have a lot of guns and I can look them over and then order one from my LGS for a lot less. What's really bad is they all have trigger locks so you can never feel how the trigger is.

[mtelkhntr]

I wonder if those of us who buy online didn't create this mess in the first place. We initially went to the online stores for price over service so to compete with their price the LGS cut his margin and now that he isn't making as much he can only afford second grade help. With second grade help we surely can't expect a lot of GOOD service only lip service but then it didn't matter in the beginning so where does that leave us in the end? Lord help us all if this is what happened all because you know who invented the internet.

[Genetically Swiss]

Originally Posted by labworm

My LGS is outright FANTASTIC

Same here.

GS

[GKC]

There are three local shops I frequent, and they each have their pluses and minuses. It is interesting how far apart they can be on the same gun...and that one will be higher than the others on one gun, but lower than the others on a different gun. None of the three are consistently the highest or lowest overall. It means I have to go visit all three of them to see what they have.

I do like to buy from them when I can, because I like to look, feel, fondle, drool, and otherwise act like I know what I am looking for...online, I don't get to do that. I have bought a few guns online, when I couldn't get them locally, or when I wanted a gun that didn't have an extended warranty (like a Beretta) and I could get that from Gun Genie.

[Bekeart]

LGS (well actually 50 miles) has some unfriendly store prices.

Remington 870 police trade-ins In store today $325 / $350

These are the same ones he had a couple of months ago for $250 at local gun show.

His store price has been $325 / $350 before and after the gun show.

RIDICULOUS!

Pawn shop in same city sold me two for $200 each.

All prices plus tax.

Bekeart

[labworm]

Originally Posted by GKC

I do like to buy from them when I can, because I like to look, feel, fondle, drool, and otherwise act like I know what I am looking for...online, I don't get to do that. I have bought a few guns online, when I couldn't get them locally, or when I wanted a gun that didn't have an extended warranty (like a Beretta) and I could get that from Gun Genie.

The boys are going to love this paragraph

[Prof_Fate]

We have two local stores -one a small general sporting goods (fishing hunting reloading) that has a little bit of this and that. Key word is "little".
The other is a /guns store/. May have a scope or holster or target or ammo if you're lucky. They usually tell you they don't so go buy it elsewhere. A tad annoying and IMO they're losing sales. I guess they don't need the money though - everytime I've been in there (5 times I think, 3 times I bought a gun) they've been selling 2 or 3 guns to others at the same time as me. Insane really.
Got my XDm 5.25 out the door tax and all for 740, a used 686 snubbie for $575 and a MP15-22 (not the base model, not the top comp model either) for less than retail out the door. They don't haggle though.

As for inventory...OMG! When I was looking for my XD they put that (in 45..had to order in it 9mm), SW pro, glock, beretta, kahr and taurus out for me to fondle. Since I was shopping for a PPC/competition gun they also showed me a 686 6" new in the box (they have several in stock).
I went to look at a carry 9mm...they put 9 guns on the counter for me (at the same time - but then I am a customer) and the do walk away. Name it and they had it in some form. Ordering takes 2 to 3 days max. Makes comparing guns really nice.

When I was looking at my 686 they had 4 SW snubbies, all used, in stock.
I wanted a 30-30 lever and they had 4 pre-64 winchesters for $550-700.
Want a 1911? 15 easy in stock, if not more.
Garand? Sure.

Full auto uzi with suppressor? It's on the wall, $6,000.
BMG 50 cal? OK, didn't see one of them on the wall but they've sold 3 this year.

Mentioned when I was in for my 686 that my son shot a Ruger single six and liked it- they pulled one out (new) and a knock off I've seen in magazines ($199?) and put that on the counter too.

My wife wants a pistol...and I have a list of things I want that I'll never afford...but it's fun to go in and drool!!

[Arik]

Ive been to the big chain stores and unless we're talking about blowing Nagants out the door for $99 my LGS is almost always cheaper by $25-$100.

As for prices. Most stores have a middle man who gets inventory from companies XYZ. Its not always the same amount of weapons nor the same type. Every so often my LGS gets unbelievable sales. For instance ....

$350 for M&P 357
$499 FN, FNX45 tactical. (Threaded barrel, red dot) normally $1100

Sometimes its stuff that i dont care for...like Uberti 357 SA revolver $300
Some lever actions $350

You get the point. Meanwhile a store 5 miles down the road doesnt get this because they have a different middle man who doesnt have the access to the same stock.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[JFerg]

I'd much rather purchase locally at the small business owners too. I'm more than willing to throw a few extra dollars their way for the struggle. However, a certain amount of honesty, fairness and respect is expected. In this instance;
Customers are only allowed to handle one gun at a time? While the customer down the counter from me looks at 3 at once. I concede the fact he may have meant when showing handguns only one at a time and rifles are different. For better customer service that should have been specified if its the case. Firm, fair and consistent! That's my agencies un-official motto, it works for more than felons!
Unwilling to order a firearm with night sights even if the customer request it? Some model and brands it may be "more economical" for them to put em on aftermarket but isn't that for the customer to decide?
LE models, police models, blue guns, how ever you refer to em run $100-$150 more? Does Glock, SA, Sig, S&W, any manufacture charge MORE for LE models if offered? Considering I asked did he think I wouldn't know the difference?

For the record, I've never purchased a firearm from BPS, Academy or Cabelas. Rifles at Gander Mountain and Walmart, yeah I'm guilty!

But think of this experience if viewed thru the eyes of a first time gun buyer. Someone who researched, studied, trolled forums like this for information and advise. The would-be gun owner then walks into a LGS to have a salesman treat him differently than other customers, not give him/her an option in the purchase when asked and, either trough deceit or ignorance, blatantly lie about prices.
Every year we fight to keep our rights and change the mind of John Q. Public about firearms and their owners. We're not dealing with used cars here. We're dealing with what many believe is a "politically un-correct" product. I just think that, pricing aside, the LGS should make a conscious effort to be more mmmm.....accommodating? Diplomatic? Honest? After all, to some would-be gun owners, they may be the first or only contact with the firearm industry.
Just my thoughts....

[thndrchiken]

I prefer to buy locally, but for certain guns that are not readily available I have no problem buying online from reputable dealers and have them shipped to my lgs, so he still gets a cut from the transfer. I like to handle the item and inspect prior to paying so that I know what I am getting, particularly when buying used.

[Martimus]

While I would prefer buying at a local LGS, I'm finding that most carry certain "popular" weapons anymore and anything else has to be ordered.

Since I don't want the weapons that everyone else wants, my options become somewhat more limited.

[forresth]

the LGS have to order anything I want, so I don't get to fondle them in advance regardless. I might as well order them on-line.

[perrazi]

you guys are lucky to have a shop to go into. the nearest one to me is a 2hr. drive.

[desi2358]

Many local shops find themselves between a rock and a hard place.. they cannot buy guns at the same price as the big box stores or the online retailers...they have to pick and choose what to buy, try to compete by offering good customer service (but not being able to pay the best wages) and keep enough stock to get people in the store and hopefully buying....there are fewer and fewer local stores simply because they cannot compete when people want the big selection and the lowest price...and then people wonder why they aren't around any more!

[Babalooie]

I work in a Mom and Pop gun shop. The pay's lousy but the benefits are pretty nice. I can buy any gun I want for dealer cost and transfers are free.

I've spent hours with a potential customer showing them any gun in the display case. I try to keep the number of guns on the counter to a minimum, only so I can keep track of what's out of the cases.

The majority of our customers are polite, decent citizens and we enjoy chewing the fat and showing them "every gun in the store" if they're interested.

When a person unfamiliar with firearms comes in and asks for assistance, we're thrilled to help them. We also get the Macho Studs who know nothing about guns but refuse to admit it. It becomes a struggle to deal with them.

We are strictly hourly employees and receive no commission. This is good for the customer since we really don't have any financial prejudices against or for a particular firearm. I tell customers that I won't tell them what to buy, but rather help them choose the gun best suited for their needs. Many times we will recommend they go to a range that rents guns to make sure they are getting the right one for them. We also ask them to remember us when they decide to make a purchase, as a big box store or mega place may not provide the assistance that we provide.

I really like my job. The pay sucks but I get to spend the day talking to people about one of my favorite subjects - firearms. I get to meet many interesting people.

Sometimes a person will comment how nice we are. I simply tell them that we are as nice as they let us. In effect, we are their mirrors. If they treat us poorly, we tend to return the favor. If they're decent, respectful folks, we are the same. If they're rude and crude, we try to get them out of the store as soon as we can.

[photoman]

Originally Posted by Martimus

While I would prefer buying at a local LGS, I'm finding that most carry certain "popular" weapons anymore and anything else has to be ordered.

This, unfortunately, is the business model most LGS are going to. Just yesterday I was in a LGS and they made the comment that they are clearing out a whole section of products because "we can order this stuff instead of keeping stock in the store."

Well, ok. I can order "this stuff" too and get it a LOT faster than they can and a LOT cheaper than they can.

Oh well...

[Arik]

Well yea. If you have a store front you're only going to keep what sells. Why would you stock anything that takes up space and your money? I love CZs but my LGS doesnt stock them because when they do have a few it takes them years to sell. Not many people in my area buy CZs. 15 min drive to another GS and they have a very fast CZ rotation and stock quite a few models and calibers. Same with other guns. At my LGS a Colt, S&W or Sig 1911 fly off the shelf while all the rest just sit there. There is a Taurus 1911 thats been sitting there for something like 2 years. So why would they stock that? Just in case on the odd chance that one day someone will buy it? Why?

[Babalooie]

Originally Posted by Photoman44

This, unfortunately, is the business model most LGS are going to. Just yesterday I was in a LGS and they made the comment that they are clearing out a whole section of products because "we can order this stuff instead of keeping stock in the store."

Well, ok. I can order "this stuff" too and get it a LOT faster than they can and a LOT cheaper than they can.

Oh well...

Interesting. Where I work, we're increasing our inventory.

[GKC]

Originally Posted by labworm

The boys are going to love this paragraph

Sometimes things read better in my head, than when I go back and read it later...after I've already posted it, of course.