Everybody wants a piece of the frenzy

[bigcatonhd]

There's a little police supply store near my office that just started selling used guns a couple of months ago. I stopped by when he put out his first shipment of police department trade-ins, all from Mauldin, SC and all Hi-Point 9mm. He had a decent price at $100 each. They sold out real quick. I told him if he got any Smiths or Glocks, etc to call me. His wife called earlier in the week and said she had just put out the latest shipment but she didn't know what they were. When I went in she handed me a packing list (with prices I might add) where they bought the shipment from the Greenville, SC PD. She said it might help to see what they had before I started looking. I immediately saw SW40VE and SW9VE on the list. When I asked to see them (my tight wad son is looking for a deal on a 9VE) I almosted choked. The SW9VE and SW40VE they had just paid $165 each for were marked $399.95. I respectfully told her what I could buy a new one for and I appreciated her time. She seemed unfazed and said that's what the "Blue Book" said and that's what they were gonna get. I'll bet they'll be there for a while.
bigcat

 

[lovemy686]

It never ceases to amaze me how some gun shop owners mark prices up so high. The close gun shop has prices so high, I would never DREAM of buying from them.

 

[cshoff]

Are you sure there was a PD who was using High-Point pistols? I've never heard of one.

As far as the price on the used Sigma's, what a joke.

 

[WoodyUSSLUCE]

I paid $300 for my SW40VE brand new with a total of 4- 14 round magazines after the rebate so that is definitely high for a used gun !

 

[fredj338]

I'm sorry, I'm calling gunshop BS on Hi-points as LEA weapons! Maybe rent a mall cop, but not an honest to God LEA.

 

[Jim H]

Originally posted by lovemy686:
It never ceases to amaze me how some gun shop owners mark prices up so high.

Gun stores are not in business to give you the best deal of the century! If you were trying to feed your family by selling guns, you would price them as high as you could.
If you think their asking price is unreasonable, remember why it is called an "asking" price - make them an offer!

The worst they could do is say NO, and not sell the gun today. The best they could do is say YES and you would have a new gun from a local store.

 

[84CJ]

I have a local shop that sells to me at cost. And when he ocasionally gets police trade ins or local trades that will allow him to make a decent profiet I wont even ask him to sell me one until he has had them a while and they are no longer selling. If they can get that price for them I guess thats good for them. I would be hurt if I were you and done a lot of buisiness with that shop. Keep an eye on them they will get cheaper if they dont sell and he needs to free up some cash to restock his inventory. My friend usually offers his good customers a real deal on trade ins to recover some of his money quick then marks the rest up to maximize profit. Just buisiness.

 

[walkin' trails]

I made the mistake once of telling an employee of a local gun shop I could order the exact rifle I was inquiring about at a sporting goods chain store for about a hundred less that what he was quoting me. I left as he was yelling at me something to the effect of not supporting local businesses. I guess one thing to consider is that the small stores can't get the same whole sale prices on guns that the large distributors receive, but you can tell when someone marks something up way over reasonable.

As far as HiPoints as LE trade-ins, they were probably confinscated firearms as I can't think of any agency that would issue them, either. One cop shop in my area recently had a vintage RG .357 magnum revolver on their shelf (minus cylinder latch). The price was probably twice as high as it sold for new. Since they only take used firearms from departments in trade, and not from individuals, I figured it probably came from an evidence locker when the department acquired new weapons.

 

[James NM]

I stopped by when he put out his first shipment of police department trade-ins, all from Mauldin, SC and all Hi-Point 9mm

Wonder what they used for backup guns - Lorcin 380 or Jennings 22?

 

[ronterry]

James you read my mind! I was thinking the same thing. I could see them carring Bryco 380's as bugs

I would rather take my chances with 45 Supers in a stock Glock 21 before I carried a Hi-Point!!!

I have a Bryco 380 in my safe (Waiting for a local buy back, so I take the old lady out for a nice dinner!), and you can drop a 9mm bullet straight threw the barrel! I think it only had 200rd threw it btw! Bought it way back in '92 or so!!! POS -enough said!

 

[n4zov]

When I buy something, I could care less what the seller paid for his merchandise. The only thing I about is the price to me. If he can make 200% profit, that is fine with me as long as what I pay is reasonable.

 

[Firehouse]

A Hi-Point as a primary gun? I know it's a hypothetical, but that would be a real mickey mouse department. Even Barney Fife carried a Colt

!!!

 

[torrejon224]

Might have meant Hi-Powers" but I doubt that at $100 a pop. I doubt even a mall cop would carry a hi-point!!

 

[bigcatonhd]

Wow...seems like I'm taking a little heat for posting what I thought was just a little story about some WAY over priced used guns. FWIW, Mauldin, SC is a very small town. There were at least 15 of the Hi-Points on the shelf and they were stamped. I didn't make an offer on the (over priced)9VE because I personally wasn't in the market...I was looking for my son. I'm all for supporting the local Mom and Pop shops as long as they don't try to retire off of me.

 

[flash60601]

You shouldn't have to be taking heat on this one - - just reporting the facts is the whole deal.

The discussion over business practices of a shop is fair, but please, folks, let's don't shoot the messenger.

Flash

 

[GatorFarmer]

Originally posted by bigcatonhd:
Wow...seems like I'm taking a little heat for posting what I thought was just a little story about some WAY over priced used guns. FWIW, Mauldin, SC is a very small town. There were at least 15 of the Hi-Points on the shelf and they were stamped. I didn't make an offer on the (over priced)9VE because I personally wasn't in the market...I was looking for my son. I'm all for supporting the local Mom and Pop shops as long as they don't try to retire off of me.

The Hi Points were stamped with PD markings showing that they were official issue and not "property markings" showing that they were confiscated? I'd pay 100 bucks for a Hi Point that had PD markings for simple novelty.

 

[S&W1006]

I agree about gunshops pricing merchandise to high. I am sure some people pay the price but I am usually insulted by high prices. My favorite gunshop keeps all their prices reasonable. I picked up my M&P 40 for $429 with 4 15 round mags. I found it on the rack next to another M&P 40 for $529. I asked him why the price difference and he said mine was the last of a special promotion from S&W. He said he couldn't even buy them for that price anymore. He could have marked it up with the other M&P's and no one would have been wiser but he didn't. That is why I continue to do business with his store. Now on the other side of the coin there is a pawn shop I go to that sells new and used firearms and his prices are always high but I went in with a friend of the owner and if you pull him aside he is flexible. Bottom line I just can't do business with someone with high unflexible prices.

 

[RDak]

The gouging for the S&W pistols in the OP are just another reason for me to be HAPPY I have an honest cop friend who happens to have an FFL!

 

[zenbiker]

I get great treatment from my local gun shop and certainly don't begrudge them a profit. I have taken pistols back to them and they fire them on the range and make things right.
I am sure that those of you that own small businesses understand that the shops are not there to lose money or break even.
Just my two cents!

 

[84CJ]

No heat intended on my part bc. And I certainly wont support a shop that is way out of line. I know Mauldin but didnt want to think they would even have High Points. lol Is there Police force expendable Or maybe they just dont care to shoot back

The shop I normally buy from wont even sell a High Point.

Sorry we are actually talking about the SW's.Like I said in my first post check back later and see if the price goes down. Or shop some where else. I seldom go back or ask for discounts The best offer up front normally gets my buisiness.