Jealous Local Gun Shops MOD PLS LOCK

[SgtLumpy]

...Logic would demand that a gunstore exists to serve the shooting sports...Hmmmm thinking about it this would seem to demand that a customer buys a gun at the store on occasion!

...services like transferring in guns you buy elsewhere I view as a customer courtesy. A customer is somebody that buys something from the store by definition....

In my world, a gun store, or any store, exists to make a profit. There's nothing evil or unethical about that. That's capitalism. I'm not too hip to the phrase "serving the shooting sports". They're simply choosing to try and profit from the shooting sports market. No different than if they chose to try and profit from selling pianos or banana straighteners or cellphones.

My version of this "logic" also suggests that the store manages to sell SOMETHING on occasion. And that occasion should be pretty regular in order for them to survive. No business can survive by hoping to sell one widget at a million dollar profit. Much more practical is to sell one million widgets at a one dollar profit.

ANYthing that store does for me is not a "courtesy" to me, especially when I'm handing them money to do it. On the contrary, I'm doing THEM the courtesy of spending my money there instead of somewhere else.

"I'll pay you a reasonable fee, 25 bucks or so, to facilitate a gun transfer"

""No, that's not good enough, you have to spend severall hundred dollars on a gun, and more than you would from the transfer seller. Because I'm local.""

That's a business I'm not interested in helping to "keep alive". I'm the one doing the "courtesy" of spending my transfer fee dollars there instead of somewhere else.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[turbo38gn]

I didn't read every post in this one, but I'll share my experience with my "main" LGS... He very rarely charges me anything for a transfer and I've done a bunch... I used to feel guilty, but now that I've bought about 50 plus guns from him in the last 3-4 years.... I am ok either way. I try to give him money when he doesn't want it... but he just says he'll get me next time... Now, I'm sure he doesn't do this for everyone, but the fact I have bought so many guns from him, no doubt, helps. I also always ask him when I see a gun I want, he doesn't have, if he can get it. Now as for price, he is always under mSRP for new guns, and used guns are usually fairly priced. I learned quickly, he marks up a reasonable amount and there is no need to grind him... he's the best in my area.... I hate to talk about how good he is, sometimes, I don't want to share my good fortune... he is the best!!

It's all about the relationship... and what you make of it. I respect him, I think he respects me.

 

[blujax01]

Composite Customer Based On Comments Here

So a "customer" who hints that the LGS is hiding ammo upstairs and "gouging" it for outrageous profit on the Internet and buys nothing from them because "they don't have anything that interests me" or "needs to sell at the same price as I can find on the Internet", and is absolutely certain the store is marking up a $300 gun another $100 comes in every other week, complains about prices and availability of firearms and ammo and then wants to use the store as a cheap way station for THE AWESOME DEAL!!! he got elsewhere. No doubt, when the gun comes in, he is very proud to show it off and announce to the whole place what a better deal someone else is giving him.

Yeah, I need a whole week's worth of guys like that...

 

[5Wire]

Fire that customer, if you want. No problem. Assuming all customers are like that is a great way to go out of business.

 

[blujax01]

Fire that customer, if you want. No problem. Assuming all customers are like that is a great way to go out of business.

No assumptions were stated nor implied. Identifying a person like that based on previous experience gives a store more time to help the paying customers. And trust me, we know who "you" are. We discuss "you" at length during our weekly meetings. Your shenanigans are legendary.

There is a certain level on the Jerk-O-Meter when your money simply isn't worth our time. The employees are in business to help folks, not to take a bunch of abuse from those who think that it is their right to act out.

 

[KevinCH]

You know, I don't see this is as complicated, nor does it have to be filled with drama. I moved to my present location, in another state, 6 years ago. I still have yet to find a dealer as good as the guy I dealt with "back home", but I have found a couple of them who won't gouge me. On any new gun, I'll give one or the other - or both - an opportunity to get me out-the-door for 5% or so over what an internet purchase would be, including a reasonable transfer fee (which I feel is $25, although I can do better). I have yet to buy a new gun off the internet, because I have always been able to accomplish that with a LGS. So when I find that used gun I'm looking for that I can't find locally, I'm not charged an unreasonable fee for the transfer. Any LGS is not going to stay in business by simply doing a few $25 transfers a day. They are going to have to sell guns, accessories, etc. at a price that allows a profit or close their doors. We, as consumers, need these folks or our internet purchases will become very difficult. I think it's smart to patronize the good LGS when we can.

 

[5Wire]

No assumptions were stated nor implied. Identifying a person like that based on previous experience gives a store more time to help the paying customers. And trust me, we know who "you" are. We discuss "you" at length during our weekly meetings. Your shenanigans are legendary.

There is a certain level on the Jerk-O-Meter when your money simply isn't worth our time. The employees are in business to help folks, not to take a bunch of abuse from those who think that it is their right to act out.

Mind your pronouns, please, otherwise I'll assume you're intentionally insulting me. Jerk-O-Meter works in two directions, fire the customer, fire the shop. That is, after all, the point of the thread.

 

[blujax01]

Mind your pronouns, please, otherwise I'll assume you're intentionally insulting me. Jerk-O-Meter works in two directions, fire the customer, fire the shop. That is, after all, the point of the thread.

Not meant to point to anyone in particular. That's why the quotation marks were placed around "you".

General You? I dunno...

And the blade does cut both ways. We go out of our way to help folks everyday. But there are those "One Percenters" that are present (admittedly on either side of the counter). That is to whom my comments were directed.

"You" know who "you" are.

 

[gm272gs]

Why not just apply for a Federal Firearms License? With the amount of guns you buy, you're practically a dealer already.

After you get your FFL, then you can do $10 transfers for everyone in your area (because the ATF&E does want it to be a "business" after all). This way, everyone wins, and you get all your guns shipped directly to you.

All you have to do is start filing monthly or quarterly taxes for your new business entity, and pay workman's compensation, and fill out various forms and send them in to various local and state offices once a month, and maybe upgrade your home security with cameras and some other doo-dads. Oh, you have to BE THERE all the time too, because you don't want the mail man to leave that Colt Python (that someone ordered and had sent to your FFL address) on your doorstep, when you're not there. Heck, it's easy.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Sorry doug, but your post doesn't fit me. I'm always right, just ask me. I'm not dishonest, I'm not trying to steal anything, and I know what I want, when I go gun shopping. I'm informed enough that I find a lot of guys behind the counter at shops, amusing or almost annoying. A merchant blowing hot air at me, is not helping his business. If I'm wanting a pre-war, 1905 4th change Target, don't be telling me I need your polymer 17 shot 9mm, instead. I'm a customer, if you won't serve me, and be reasonable, I'll walk. Somebody wants my business.

Why don't all of these so-called experts open their own gun shop?
It's easy, apply for an FFL, find a vacant building, fill it with furniture and inventory. Hire people to staff if and pay rent say $1000.00 a month. Then sit back, smile and make $25.00 on a gun a "customer" bought somewhere else. Maybe while your transfering a gun a nice "customer" bought somewhere else, a walkin, walks out because your busy with the nice "customer". You know he'll be back later, right! And the "customer" is griping about your gun being $10.00 more than the one he bought online.
God Bless America, God Bless the "Customer".

 

[Club Gun Fan]

That's a business I'm not interested in helping to "keep alive". I'm the one doing the "courtesy" of spending my transfer fee dollars there instead of somewhere else.

HUH?

 

[gm272gs]

A lot of stores (with a gunsmith) make a LOT more money cleaning guns than selling them, believe you me.

Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a huge markup on new firearms.

There is on the other hand, a lot of money in buying and selling used firearms. Many stores take in used guns for 50% of Blue Book and sell them for Blue Book. That's 100% markup, and selling them for Blue Book is often cheaper than what they're going for at auction. This insures that the store turns over used guns faster than anything else. A gun store simply cannot buy and sell a new gun for 100% markup. They are lucky to make 30%, and that's before paying for overhead. When you walk into a gun store and see an old Smith & Wesson going for Blue Book, you snatch it up and take photos of it to post in this Forum. They made a 100% markup on it, you got the gun you wanted for less than they're going for at auction, and everyone's happy. The difference is that you look at that gun and it makes your heart go pitter-patter, and the gun store looks at that gun and sees it as a commodity.

Transfers are no different. They still have to have you fill out a 4473. They still have to type in the information (or call it in). They still have to size you up and make sure you're not drunk or under the influence of drugs, or making a straw purchase for the buddy you brought with you. Since they have to pay staff and taxes, if they think that each of those transactions is worth making a little profit, then they're probably pretty smart business people.

 

[RobertJ.]

No complaints from my dealer. He knows most of the stuff I buy he just doesn't have for sale. He's happy to get the $20 for just doing a few minutes' worth of paperwork.

That's as it should be!

If a store offers the service, they should do it happily, or not at all. It would be like a hair salon that also offers nail service, but complains every time they have to do them!

 

[turbo38gn]

That's as it should be!

If a store offers the service, they should do it happily, or not at all. It would be like a hair salon that also offers nail service, but complains every time they have to do them!

Really!!!!! a nail salon...... I'm........... realllllllly...

 

[Knightrider03m]

I went to one shop that said that he would charge more for a transfer if he already sell a gun that I am ordering.

That was the last time I enter his shop.

Now I have a guy that would get a gun for me and charge me $25. He is a gunsmith and has an FFL so he doesn't care what gun I buy. In fact, the last gun that I bought online I had him do work on it before I sign the paperwork.

 

[Rastoff]

I spoke with one gun store owner about this who had an interesting take on it. He just said to give him a chance to get it for you first. If he couldn't match the price, then by all means order it on line. I don't think that's an unreasonable request.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

update

I am having so much trouble with one FFL that my shop will have to use the US mail to get the license to them and I just might make them sign for the letter. The seller and I have jumped through so many hoops that we could be a circus act.

Now I am purchasing another gun today and I am learning that the local shop is good at loosing these communications.

Who said, "I am feed up and I am not going to take it any more." Well, I am getting that feeling.

 

[Rastoff]

Why not just ship the firearm straight from the seller? A gun only needs to go to an FFL not from an FFL.

 

[LVSteve]

Why not just ship the firearm straight from the seller? A gun only needs to go to an FFL not from an FFL.

Maybe because his FFL refuses to receive guns from individuals.

 

[Rastoff]

Maybe because his FFL refuses to receive guns from individuals.

Was that stated earlier? I didn't look at all the older posts. If so, I retract my statement.

Of course that leads to anther question, why not just switch FFLs? Maybe on both ends.