I am really curious. Is there any way to know what Smith and Wesson charges whole sellers who buy their guns? I am in the process of buying a new 686-SSR Pro Series and I would like to know what the mark up process is from factory-to-whole seller- to- retail dealer. The Smith web site list lists a suggested retail price but I am 100% sure that is WAY HIGHER than any retailer would actually charge. Maybe this is a secret more carefully guarded secret than the combination to the Fort Knox gold! Thanks for replies.
Back in the day when everybody and their brother had FFL's you could get the ffl price vs the sell to customer price from the wholesalers. My FFL gave me his password and I would look at the guns at the real wholsale price and my FFL would order it for me at his price. Those days are gone forever. The government by getting rid of the so called kitchen table dealers did nothing more than to drive up the end price to the consumer.I would suspect that an FFL ordering from one of the wholesalers would get a better price than the price listed to the general public-for instance Davidson's. If you look at their web site the price you see is NOT the price they sell to a dealer. It is the price the dealer charges you, plus his vig plus the shipping. So the dealer collects not only the "transfer fee" but also the mark up and the shipping-pretty good deal if you ask me-he has absolutely no capital cost whatsoever. That's why I preferr to buy used guns from indivisuals-much better bang for the buck.
A friend ordered a 686 Plus in 2.5 inch barrel today, yes with lock, today for $679. The factory lists the gun at $932. Quite a disparity there, and the dealer is still making money.
I, myself, bought a 442 no lock 3 weeks ago for $405.