Done buying from my

[old bear]

I always tried to support my local retailer, so from time to time I pay a LITTLE more for an item and I'm ok with that. What I resent is having my good nature taken of advantage of. My answer to being taken advantage of is simple. Cheat me once shame on you. Cheat me twice shame on me.

 

[nachogrande]

WHY (I) BUY FROM A LGS.

It's very infrequent, (prefer FTF & NO TAX) & almost always an older/used gun. It's for the I WANT IT NOW factor & am willing to pay a BIT more. Patience/homework/luck yields the best bargains for me. Ya don't see many guns for sale in the newspaper classifieds anymore, too bad. Let me sleep on it, and I'll come back tomorrow ='s someone else bought it!

 

[Skeet 028]

I just bought a Kimber 45 auto(4 inch) last night over the phone. I'll get it from the fellow on Sunday. I've been kinda dickering with him on it for over a year. I got it for what the local gun shop offered on trade...and he is going to buy another Kimber(rifle) from me. Yeah...I am going to treat him right. He's been trying to buy the rifle(300 Win Mag Classic Select) for a couple years. 14 rounds fired..2 elk taken. Don't think I need the rifle. I too like FTF deals.

 

[Peashooter67]

My local FFL I buy most of my guns from is usually or lower than the big box stores, so yes they can compete if they want to.

I bought a "what I considered a high end" 1911 in .45 acp that at C's that's tagged $1,199 plus tax and my lgs sold the same gun with a couple better features for a $100 less ordered not in store stock.

Ordered and sold me my CZ 455 trainer for the same price you find on line.

Find you a better lgs sir and have no regrets and don't look back.


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[LoboGunLeather]

For years I used a local dealer for transfers. I treated every one like I was receiving a personal favor. I would make arrangements to pick up a transfer at lunchtime, find out how many people were working in the store, and show up with lunch for the crew. Also purchased ammo, powder, bullets and other supplies on a regular basis. Every transaction was not only cordial, but usually fun for everyone. Couple of times I had a gun I wanted to sell, let them know about it, they would refer people to me, and if I made a sale I would take them 20% for the referral.

Now he is retiring and the shop is for sale (building and all). I only hope that he finds a good buyer!

 

[Peashooter67]

For years I used a local dealer for transfers. I treated every one like I was receiving a personal favor. I would make arrangements to pick up a transfer at lunchtime, find out how many people were working in the store, and show up with lunch for the crew. Also purchased ammo, powder, bullets and other supplies on a regular basis. Every transaction was not only cordial, but usually fun for everyone. Couple of times I had a gun I wanted to sell, let them know about it, they would refer people to me, and if I made a sale I would take them 20% for the referral.

Now he is retiring and the shop is for sale (building and all). I only hope that he finds a good buyer!

Why not you? What usually happens is they close because no one steps up and buys it.


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[pawngal]

You didn't agree on the price before he ordered it? That's the first thing I ask.

EXACTLY! That is what I said in the very first reply.
If you didn't ask, don't complain.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Why not you? What usually happens is they close because no one steps up and buys it.


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Why not me? I took early retirement from law enforcement in 1995, went into business for over 20 years, sold the business and retired again in 2015. Now it is 3 years later and I'm thinking about drawing on my retirement accounts for the first time. Why would I invest a half million or more for real estate and inventory, only to have another business to deal with? I won't always be plenty-nine years old and able to enjoy life!

 

[Peashooter67]

Go enjoy it. It's all good.

I'm in the middle of my first business and when done with this one I hope I'll be doing the same.


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[Watchdog]

Putting this as politely as I can: I can't imagine walking into my LGS and ordering a gun (any gun) without having looked at it several times on different websites, read some reviews if it's a new gun, handling one if possible, and without knowing the full OTD price (including tax). I can think of no earthly reason not to do all of those things.

Ditto for buying one on the spot. Tell me the full price before we walk to the cash register and I pull out my wallet.

 

[Bekeart]

Couple of weeks ago was in shop of "friendly dealer" for an incoming transfer.

We discussed how some prices have gone down.

He mentioned three on-line sellers who have prices below his cost.

It is no wonder that smaller dealers are going away.

Bekeart

 

[Kanewpadle]

You didn't agree on the price before he ordered it? That's the first thing I ask.

Most gun shops, if they're smart will require prepayment on special orders. If they don't, it's a good way to end up with a gun in the showcase that they don't need or want.

You never know if the buyer with change their mind or fail the background check.

So in most cases the buyer will know the price beforehand.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Couple of weeks ago was in shop of "friendly dealer" for an incoming transfer.

We discussed how some prices have gone down.

He mentioned three on-line sellers who have prices below his cost.

It is no wonder that smaller dealers are going away.

Bekeart

This is a problem with all small businesses across the nation.

Many online retailers order directly from the manufacturer or distributor and have the item drop shipped to you. No overhead. Very few employees. Less taxes. Etc......

The times are changing fast. If a business owner doesn't change too, they will get left behind.

There is no way that I would open or buy a gun shop today unless I could guarantee that I had an absolute captive market.

 

[Golddollar]

I don't think I have bought a gun from the dealer who does all of my transfers now, but for years that is where I bought my hunting license and a lot of other stuff here and there. Plus I think they get a charge out of seeing all the neat stuff I get in (not anything that would be competing with them.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have paid my LGS more than online shops or Academy or Bass Pro because: he will get me the exact model that I want, he will take it back if I do not like it for any reason, he will throw in some ammo to make up part of the difference in price, he knows what I have and what I like and will let me know when something interesting gets traded in. He is a nice guy and knows a lot more about firearms and my firearms than the guy at Academy.

 

[Maddmax]

Most gun shops, if they're smart will require prepayment on special orders. If they don't, it's a good way to end up with a gun in the showcase that they don't need or want.

You never know if the buyer with change their mind or fail the background check.

So in most cases the buyer will know the price beforehand.

I've got some great deals that way. One of my LGS is a hang-out for some very serious Glock Fan Boys. They require 1/3 down on orders from people that aren't old trusted regular customers along with a very generous week to pick it up. If you renege on the deal, you loose the deposit (it's all in writing and signed). Guy ordered a M&P PRO 9 and then backed out of it. I already had a M&P FS-9 and an M&P FS-45ACP. The "ordered" PRO had been sitting for over a week on the shelf collecting dust while other brands were zipping out the door. I got it for Dealer cost and the LGS threw in the guys lost deposit (being the long time customer I am), to really entice me. I pounced on it over the phone, took a road trip and had it with-in the hour. Got a M&P-9 Long and a Mid size 9 the same way over the years. Now they are more than holding their own. Lost my "super discount", but I do have the whole M&P-9 and M&P-45ACP line including the Shield and EZ-380. I do have other brands of handguns, I just seem to favor the S&W M&P's. Still no Glocks though...yet?

I do have a friendly rivalry going on with the Glock Fan boys down there, but it's all in fun.

 

[Ματθιας]

I didn't discuss my unhappiness with the store owner, but did a little research before buying. I saw it on Gunbroker for around about $480 with $30 shipping. I did a little more research after getting home with the gun and saw one place had it for $405 +$15 shipping.

I totally agree that it's my own fault for paying over the odds. I've knowingly paid over the odds in the past just to keep a good relationship with the owner. I don't want to be that guy that just uses him for his $25 transfer fees and never buy in store.

I have no idea what his profit was, but that was the last time I'm buying a new gun and having him order it from his distributor.

It's a business relationship, nothing more.

It appears, you thought you had an obligation to buy something from him, at retail, because you thought he was your friend and you're a nice guy. He's in business to make a profit and as you found out, he's not your friend, and simply sees you as an income source.

Save your money and "that guy."

 

[Watchdog]

Couple of weeks ago was in shop of "friendly dealer" for an incoming transfer. We discussed how some prices have gone down. He mentioned three on-line sellers who have prices below his cost.
It is no wonder that smaller dealers are going away.

Bekeart

I see a lot of online prices that are below LGS prices. But that's before shipping costs and transfer fee. Figuring those in, and there not much, if any, difference in price. If online prices are cheaper, they usually turn out not to be significantly lower...or not worth the time hassle and time spent communicating with the seller and sending funds.

I'll buy vintage guns online, but I've never bought current production stuff online.

I see people talking about $25 transfer fees. I've yet to find anyone around here who does them that cheap. I personally think transfer fees are a ripoff, anyway, whatever they cost. Charge anywhere from $25 to $75 transfer fee for 15 minutes worth of paperwork? C'mon.

 

[Ματθιας]

The pawn shop that does my transfers charges $16.05

Here's why I'll buy online. As an example, I can find a new CZ P09 for
BIN $363 + $35 Shipping and $16.06 for a total of $414.05.

The LGS had the same CZ at a sale price - no haggling - of $469.
$469 + 8% sales tax is $506.52

Why would I want to pay almost $100 just to buy locally?

AR lowers are another example. I can find them online for ~$40 shipped. Locally, they're $69-$89 + tax. Again, why would I pay more?

 

[M29since14]

Why would you order anything without first getting a price?

If I was really upset I'd go back to the dealer and (calmly) explain my thinking. Ask him if it was a fair deal. He will have his reasons. He might offer you a carrot of some sort. If not, maybe you will better understand his side of the counter.

I probably wouldn't do that. I'd be more likely to blame myself and just chalk it up to a lesson learned and to be more careful next time. My mistake, not his.