Supporting Local Gun Shops - How Much Are You Willing to Pay?

[4651feeder]

How does one know the Xtra $ they are willing to spend at the LGS for same product isn't the result of poor business practice on the part of the LGS ?

 

[Loganwildman]

What are most LGS's charging for an FFL tranfser these days? For myself, I use a 20% rule unless that puts me in the $100 + range, then I lower the percentage of difference. I am sympathetic to the local stores because I had an IT consulting business for many years and use to build computers. I finally quit and just spec'd computers from Dell etc because I couldn't touch their warranty or price. I know their pain. However, I am also a consumer that has a fixed income (unless I choose to work 2 jobs) and everything has gone up at a higher percentage then my income, so I have to price shop in order to afford things.

 

[63PGP]

If I have something I'm looking for I always ask if the local store if they can get it from their distributor, even if I can get it online. If they can, I'll buy it locally. The specific store has always quoted a fair price.

 

[bsmithg19]

My FFL's are happy to make the $30 off my transfer. It doesn't cost them a penny more to do my transfer since they're already there, it's 100% profit.

 

[Lushamania]

If you believe in supporting local small business, how much are you willing to pay for that?

Well, I just paid $300 for an annual range pass at my local firearm shop. I'm sure the profit margin for them on such an item is huge, so, yeah, I went pretty far to support my local shop. The staff there have been amazing to my girlfriend and I and that's even selling them short. They've shown to me they value their customers and I, in turn, value them; they have earned my loyalty and my continued business.

 

[gregkl]

Once again, I am an outlier as I shop almost exclusively online. Local stores are a last resort to me. For most EVERYTHING.

I suppose for guns it might be different if I had a local gun store but if they didn't provide some kind of value over online, then they wouldn't get my business anyway.

I'm over going to local businesses with limited inventories, lack of knowledge and sub par customer service just to pay a premium.

 

[1nderbeard]

Yeah if your LGS marks up everything crazy beyond normal and provides zero other value I wouldn't go there either. There used to be a LGS near me, and all I got for going in was a scowl. I didn't go there much.

 

[Joniki]

I can't remember the last time I bought anything on-line. I had five gun shops within 10 miles of me. The one I frequented most often went out of business a few years ago. One of the other stores moved into that shop and I have been going there recently.

 

[shadow64]

I always give my lgs a chance by asking for their price on a purchase if they can come close to the price I will buy it from them ($75). I will tell them the price of it online usually they say to buy it because they can’t sell it for that price. They get the transfer $ at least.

 

[shadow64]

Yeah if your LGS marks up everything crazy beyond normal and provides zero other value I wouldn't go there either. There used to be a LGS near me, and all I got for going in was a scowl. I didn't go there much.

Yes I think I have been there also !

 

[gregkl]

I always give my lgs a chance by asking for their price on a purchase if they can come close to the price I will buy it from them ($75). I will tell them the price of it online usually they say to buy it because they can’t sell it for that price. They get the transfer $ at least.

I do the same thing with the shop that processes my form. They say the same thing. They make money off the transfer. And I usually buy something while I'm there.

 

[Winamac]

I try my very best to support my LGS. One of them is actually a very good friend of mine and has been for 30+ years. Thing is...I am not really into new stuff. Which they get SOME of the old good stuff but not a lot. I get a lot through GunBroker and ship it to them for transfer. So that is how I try and support them when I cannot buy from them.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

I'm all for supporting my lgs, and I usually do. But here recently they've been charging inappropriately high prices. When they're no longer loyal to me, then I'm no longer loyal to them.

 

[Leadeye]

I like visiting and have a good relationship with my LGS, that said most of what we do is GB transfers. I understand that they stock what most customers want to buy, it's a business. The market for old firearms is limited.

 

[9mmfan]

Almost my big (gun) purches have been from local gun shops. My last purchase was via Gunbroker from a shop on South Carolina, simply because no in our area had it.

 

[Airtevron1]

Depends, is LGS an arse? Then I buy online. If they are cool and appreciate my business in a real way, I may throw them a bone, but not to the tune of hubdreds.
Remember, friends dont let friends shop at Blythes.

 

[Mongo59]

If a LGS is a bunch of arses I no longer refer to them as an LGS, I refer to them as a "future going out of business sale" and they never get my dime.

Kitchen FFL's and shops come and go but I will do all in my power to keep the good ones afloat...

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Depends, is LGS an arse? Then I buy online. If they are cool and appreciate my business in a real way, I may throw them a bone, but not to the tune of hubdreds.
Remember, friends dont let friends shop at Blythes.

I don't know shxt about Blythe's, but the sentiment reminds me of the old Fetla's. Let a much younger and poorer me drive 3 hours only to try to screw me out of an extra hundred dollars for an 1187. May they all have anal leakage the rest of their days.

 

[Bill2905]

I don't know shxt about Blythe's, but the sentiment reminds me of the old Fetla's. Let a much younger and poorer me drive 3 hours only to try to screw me out of an extra hundred dollars for an 1187. May they all have anal leakage the rest of their days.

I remember how the old guy at Fetlas would be grumpy with customers and yell at the kids who worked there. It was an interesting store. I bought several guns from them which I still own.

 

[Lushamania]

Remember, friends dont let friends shop at Blythes.

This is who I was referencing in my above post! There's 2 branches, maybe I just go to the one worth going to?

I remember how the old guy at Fetlas would be grumpy with customers and yell at the kids who worked there. It was an interesting store. I bought several guns from them which I still own.

I remember going to Fetla's growing up and I can still very much remember the store and its layout, but we're talking two and a half decades since I was likely there last; I couldn't tell you much else. When did they go under?