LGS vs Big Box - how much extra will you pay?

[Aszerigan]

This very reason is why I'm pretty much forced to buy from a LGS and won't go far to buy a firearm since I already know I'm going to have to drive there twice.

Get a UPIN.

 

[ECS686]

Local owned used to be a lot more important to people than it is now. The house I was raised in only bought gas at the locally owned station with a repair garage, even if the gas was 3 cents more. Of course the station guy knew us as good customers and treated us well. And when the station needed something welded, our shop is where he went. That was just part of being in a neighborhood.

This is the key right here. A LOT of places the owners/workers treat returning customers as a number and have lost that whole friendly relationship.

On top of that the one thing I find funny about gun shops that I’ve never seen as bad in other shops. (It’s worse to those that replaces workers somewhat frequently) a large amount of ego by the sales folks. Like dude I don’t need to be impressed (and have seen enough stuff you not one young anything) I just want to look at that AR I don’t need to hear your unproven or used “theory” on the forward assist!

Just seems those types flock to gun store employment.

 

[GasTube138]

I'll factor in shipping and FFL transfer fees. Then, if the price is in the area, I don't mind paying a little more at a LGS.

I'm fine to pay a bit more at a LGS to take it home right away and support them. But sometimes what I see is crazy person prices. And I hate haggling. I get it, it seems to be something people like. I find it dishonest for a business to do it. If your price is as good as it gets, you make some profit and I get a fair deal, no need to play stupid BS games and I know I can trust you. If I see some insane price I assume you either want to play a game and are lying or you're out of touch. Either way, trust lost.

We're also in 2023. The deals online can be fantastic. And a lot of times they're NOT from "big box" stores. Most of the best deals I've found online for stuff were from smaller shops that had a really good online presence. If you wanna compete, you gotta get with it. That's how capitalism works.

 

[TheGhostRider]

My LGS is consistently higher priced than everyone… I do my best to give them my business but wow.

Example: 9mm 1k Ammo Inc- $480
Example: Glock 19.5- base $675
Example: Colt 1911 (O1911C)- $1150

I can continue to give examples on pricing.
On top of the pricing they are still engaging in “fear porn”…
“Ammo is hard to get… especially 9mm”
“Better buy it now… heard from our suppliers that it won’t be available soon!”
“I can’t sell you the Henry 9mm carbine for msrp cause I can get more on gun broker cause they’re in short supply.”
“I can’t sell you the Henry 30-30 lever gun for msrp… they’re in short supply and someone will give us more.”

Pull out of Roanoke and go up the road to Rural King.
Glock 19.5… $535
9mm ammo… ~ .24 cents per round.
Natchez SS or Lucky gunner ammo has plenty of ammo and quite often free shipping from Natchez.

I still go there to support them the best I can I’m a cash buyer and have dropped thousands there but dang.

 

[GasTube138]

I also get shops have to pay for employees, taxes, lights/brick/mortar etc. But when I see their business model is clearly fleecing the uneducated or new folks, I'm not that interested anymore. But good for them if they're making money. I can't be mad at the hustle, even if I go somewhere else.

 

[EODFXSTI]

I have paid a little extra for knowledge. The RK by me has guys that know a lot about guns.... their guns. I have had the impression that unless I get what they have, I do not really know what I am talking about. I paid $50 extra for a gun at a place where the guy took the time to show me different options and things that I did not know that I did not know about a specific firearm. I always try to buy from the smallest business possible even if it is a few dollars more. If they were unreasonably over and would not budge on price or acted like they were the only people in town who knew anything about guns then no. Typically if they are not just selling "units", but selling their knowledge and friendliness, they would get my business.

 

[GasTube138]

Knowledge is priceless. What's worse than "I don't actually know" is someone being wrong but confident. I've been to shops in the past where I've heard the worst BS ever from the guys there. I'm not a know it all, but man sometimes I here some doozies from dudes.

 

[92FSTech]

I don't even bother with the big-box retailers' gun sections anymore. I have no interest in a bunch of cheap Turkish shotguns, low-end bolt-actions, or off-brand plastic handguns. I'm usually either looking for something very specific, or browsing for used stuff that isn't made anymore. Most big-box places don't have a used section and don't carry the new stuff that I'm interested in. Also, their purchasing processes tend to be drawn-out and onerous. I'm not a fan of having to spend 45 minutes dealing with a confusing computer-based 4473 system that then requires checking and double-checking by the associate and their manager, then cross-checking all the boxes and serial numbers multiple times before I finally get perp-walked out of the store with my gun. At the local shop, it's 5 minutes with the familiar paper form, a minute or two for background to clear, payment, then I'm on my way with my gun. That convenience alone is easily worth an extra 5-10% to me.

Even the bigger dedicated gun stores in the cities don't have much appeal to me anymore. I'll go to Midwest in Mishawaka because they have a lot of inventory and it's fun to look, but whoever is doing their pricing on used stuff is smoking crack. Most of the other fancy urban places have a pretty limited selection as well in my experience, and aren't really worth the gas to get there.

In contrast, my go-to local shop (Albertson's in Warsaw) has an interesting array of used merchandise, and if I stop in every week or so there's usually something different to look at. I like the owner, and he's been fair to me. If I can't get what I'm looking for from him, I'll shop online and happily pay him the $40 transfer fee so he can make some money off the purchase. A couple of months back I bought a scope from him that I could have gotten a little cheaper online, but because he had it in stock I was able to actually look through it and compare it against a few others, and the ability to do that was well worth the extra cost to buy from him. I've gotten some really good deals on guns out of his shop, and he's made some money off my trade-ins and purchases. It's a mutually-beneficial relationship, and I like having him local so I'll happily do what I can to support his business.

I've also got a circuit that I like to do of regional shops, just to browse and see what they've got. Occasionally I'll stumble across something I have to have or a deal that I just can't pass up...but it's always the local places that have that kind of stuff, not the big box stores. Tomlinson's just got me last week on a S&W Model 19 that I really shouldn't have bought but just couldn't bring myself to leave behind!

 

[Hookeye]

Not somebody that just goes shopping, see what tickles my fancy.

Want specific items and know the price.

My time and gas worth something.
As is handling at item before purchase.

 

[shibumiseeker]

So is your car dealer. It's called supply and demand for popular items

Why is it only bad when they do it?

Your new car dealer has legislation that protects their ability to dictate their profit. The consumer has no free choice other than not buy.

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW I see new Colt Python 6" from 1399 to 1599.
In shops. That's a fairly wide range in price, considering it's now a common item.

 

[EODFXSTI]

Knowledge is priceless. What's worse than "I don't actually know" is someone being wrong but confident. I've been to shops in the past where I've heard the worst BS ever from the guys there. I'm not a know it all, but man sometimes I here some doozies from dudes.

Wrong with confidence is the worst. I totally I agree. I am not here to change your mind since you don't want it changed but don't pass on BS to someone who could really use the right answer.

 

[BAgun]

My LGS is consistently higher priced than everyone… I do my best to give them my business but wow.

Example: 9mm 1k Ammo Inc- $480
Example: Glock 19.5- base $675
Example: Colt 1911 (O1911C)- $1150

I can continue to give examples on pricing.
On top of the pricing they are still engaging in “fear porn”…
“Ammo is hard to get… especially 9mm”
“Better buy it now… heard from our suppliers that it won’t be available soon!”
“I can’t sell you the Henry 9mm carbine for msrp cause I can get more on gun broker cause they’re in short supply.”
“I can’t sell you the Henry 30-30 lever gun for msrp… they’re in short supply and someone will give us more.”

Pull out of Roanoke and go up the road to Rural King.
Glock 19.5… $535
9mm ammo… ~ .24 cents per round.
Natchez SS or Lucky gunner ammo has plenty of ammo and quite often free shipping from Natchez.

I still go there to support them the best I can I’m a cash buyer and have dropped thousands there but dang.

That's kinda funny, I believe we were talking about the same place. Makes no sense to me unless they assume no one shops around.

 

[Ingomike]

Why does INGO seem to assume the lowest price is always best? That stores are dumb if they are not the lowest price?

Could it just be that many gun retailers couldn’t care less if they sell anything to many of those on INGO? Is it possible that retailers have a clientele that has different priorities than most here?

If anyone posts, good or bad, about a retailer it seems to me that someone will post they have had issues with them. Man tough group here…

 

[Jont22]

Why does INGO seem to assume the lowest price is always best? That stores are dumb if they are not the lowest price?

Could it just be that many gun retailers couldn’t care less if they sell anything to many of those on INGO? Is it possible that retailers have a clientele that has different priorities than most here?

If anyone posts, good or bad, about a retailer it seems to me that someone will post they have had issues with them. Man tough group here…

Wrong thread, but…every other post is different so I’m confused on how you came to that conclusion.

 

[Ingomike]

Wrong thread, but…every other post is different so I’m confused on how you came to that conclusion.

Maybe reread the thread. Heck, the title is about “how much extra will you pay”…

 

[Jont22]

Maybe reread the thread. Heck, the title is about “how much extra will you pay”…

You’re saying every ingo member thinks the same and is one sided. That’s not what I read…you’re being defensive of a baseless opinion which doesn’t relate to the title. I didn’t ask if paying the lowest price was best. I asked how much more would you pay an LGS for whatever reason. Let’s get back on track.

 

[Ingomike]

You’re saying every ingo member thinks the same and is one sided. That’s not what I read…you’re being defensive of a baseless opinion which doesn’t relate to the title. I didn’t ask if paying the lowest price was best. I asked how much more would you pay an LGS for whatever reason. Let’s get back on track.

INGO usually has a consensus that is believed by most. One of those beliefs is the cheapest retailer is best and another is if an item is in short supply a dealer that sells at market price above MSRP is gouging and dead to them.

Other beliefs include FFL transfers should be cheap and if not the dealer is gouging. That a dealer should not charge shipping and god forbid they charge a handling fee for packing and materials.

I could go on but hopefully you get the idea. My posts here are on track of your question.

”LGS vs Big Box - how much extra will you pay?”​

The premise of your question has a biases built into it, that cheaper is better, that the LGS is better, and at what price difference does the individual go to big box instead of the LGS.

In my world the cheapest is not always best and it is best to support LGS as much as possible. Hence I was asking the group:

Why does INGO seem to assume the lowest price is always best? That stores are dumb if they are not the lowest price?

Could it just be that many gun retailers couldn’t care less if they sell anything to many of those on INGO? Is it possible that retailers have a clientele that has different priorities than most here?

Right on topic…

 

[xwing]

Why does INGO seem to assume the lowest price is always best? That stores are dumb if they are not the lowest price?

Because it is?!! For the exact same item, it is foolishness to overpay. Why would anyone assume a higher price on the exact same item is better? Do you prefer to overpay for other goods as well? If something is on sale at Kroger, do you insist on paying full price instead?

If you get a truly better buying experience, I at least understand that (although I personally always shop on price instead of experience). But with many LGS, the "experience" is no better. I buy online and then find a home-based FFL for a cheap transfer. I actually find this much more convenient than the LGS, in addition to being much cheaper. And for ammo or accessories, I buy online, and it shows up at my door; even better!

 

[Ingomike]

Because it is?!! For the exact same item, it is foolishness to overpay. Why would anyone assume a higher price on the exact same item is better? Do you prefer to overpay for other goods as well? If something is on sale at Kroger, do you insist on paying full price instead?

If you get a truly better buying experience, I at least understand that (although I personally always shop on price instead of experience). But with many LGS, the "experience" is no better. I buy online and then find a home-based FFL for a cheap transfer. I actually find this much more convenient than the LGS, in addition to being much cheaper. And for ammo or accessories, I buy online, and it shows up at my door; even better!

Glad it works for you, I would never say you are doing it wrong.

I believe for a survival, defense, constitutional right, I want to support that as close to home as much as possible, preferably run by like minded people. I am quite certain almost everything I buy I could get cheaper elsewhere if I did the work necessary to figure out where and went to get it. The cheapest price is not my top priority in life. Heck I get irritated enough at number of places, real and virtual, I have to go to get what I need much less chasing all over for the cheapest price on everything.