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Wal Mart topic- gun shop etiquette

mstirton_33mstirton_33 Member Posts: 15 ✭✭
edited May 2002 in Ask the Experts
I like the idea of supporting local gun shops and I don't think I'll be buying from Wal Mart any time. However, if I can buy my cz75 over the internet for 360 (shipping/transfer included)and the best price they give me around here is >400 after tax, what would you do? I don't have buckets of money to spend so I'll feel good about supporting one dealer over another. Yes, some of the dealers have given me good advice, so would it be out of the question to suggest that they try to match a price I find elsewhere? Besides, I give them my business when I go to the range, so I expect some friendly advice when I ask for it. I tried hard to buy locally but I've saved 50 on my cz, 100 on my usp, 100 on an ar15, and 100 on an sar1 by going out of state- $350, thats a lot of ammo!
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Comments

  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Having owned a retail business and worked with the buying public, let me say this....when a customer tried to beat me down on price, I tried to smile and act like it didn't matter....when he came back the next time and tried the same approach I began to understand how he wanted to play the game. I then just jacked the price up to compensate for his discounting....then we both walked away feeling good. Be careful not to offend the shop that you may want to do business with later...they will remember.
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  • rttcrttc Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    when he came back the next time and tried the same approach I began to understand how he wanted to play the game. To some of us its not a game its just trying to keep the funds in the house as much as possible. Now thats not to say that the local dealers shouldn't try to make a living to. But they should know that some customers shop around for the deals also. Nothing wrong with either scheme here. Just kinda urks me when a dealer tries to get * without K-Y if ya know what I mean. No offence intended Rembrandt.
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  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    rttc,
    ...no offense taken, it's a fine line that is walked between retailer and customer. Some customers can be pretty insulting when purchasing...they most often burn their bridges in the future. I've also seen dealers just as bad. The retailer knows his profit margins and overhead costs, if he can't make ends meet...then the local gun shop folds and you're stuck with Walmart. The local gun shop has more overhead costs than the fellow with a $35 table at the gun show or on the internet. I'll pay more to support a gun shop in my area, when problems arise later they are always there to fix or repair....haven't seen too many gunsmiths at Walmart lately...
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can you imagine buying a Gun from Wal-Mart, having a problem with it, and taking it back walking down the aisles with the unboxed gun in your hands? Want to bet some people leave the store pretty quick.

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • pikeal1pikeal1 Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November -1
    I have given all my business to the same shop since I have started buying guns. they have pretty much met all the prices that i Have found on new guns. I haven't sought out any used ones yet, but they have a good selection of those too. I would be willing to pay a few (as in $10-20) bucks more to my local shop just for the fact that they will be within driving distance if anything were to go wrong with something I purchased. If I did have to get something online or from somewhere else, I would surely use them to have the firearm transfered to me since i don't have an FFL.
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  • gravediggergravedigger Member Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I believe that any business should have to earn your repeat patronage. And being arrogant, omnipotent *, doesn't cut it with me when I'm asking questions. Sure I browse a hell of a lot more than I buy, but tolerating that is part of being a business owner. And giving a customer a couple of bucks off doesn't hurt either. I bought a gun today and the owner knocked $20 off. I don't shop there often, mostly because of hours, distance, etc., but I will definately visit more often now. Also, I've bought a gun at Academy, which I suppose falls into the evil 'mart' category, but only because I was there, it was convenient and the same shop mentioned earlier, had sold the only one they had a month earlier. It just happened to be $30 cheaper at Academy. Also I have no patience for 'special order'. I did however purchase a scop, rings and an extra mag at same said gun shop. I buy most of my ammo at Wally World beacuse like most of us married guys, I'm ALWAYS there. Sorry this arn so long, but it's been brewing for the last couple of weeks or so.

    -Marcus

    I can't believe in the things, that don't believe in me. -MM
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I suppose I could save a few dollars buying my gun over the web and then my local gun shop would at least get some dough for the transfer. But I really wouldn't want to act that way with my dealer. The real reason I shop elsewhere is for things that they don't normally stock or cannot get, not just to save some bucks.

    For me 40 bucks or so isn't a big enough savings if something is wrong with the gun.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The local gunshops here generally have better prices than the gunshow tables, but understandable less variety than a whole gunshow. I do my business where they have what I want at a fair, not necessarily rock bottom, price. Generally order things from a local dealer at cost + 15%.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The only thing I have ever bought at Walmart is ammunition. Their basic line of rifles, shotguns, scopes, etc is so limited, nothing they have has interested me yet. On the other hand, we only have two or three gun dealers (two of which are also pawn shopes) and they have alienated me to the point where I drive 70 miles one way to get what I need.

    I can understand trying to make a living at a business. However, they seem to feel that they are the only game in town and charge accordingly. One dealer when asked to do a transfer charges the profit he would have made if he had sold the gun.

    I will not feel a bit of sadness when he goes out of business.
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  • ADfreeADfree Member Posts: 188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is one shop in my area that has prices that are consistently $30-80 more than a shop that is just a few minutes more away. The cheaper shop also charges less for transfers. Which place do you think I will go?
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  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just came from brousing a local gunstore. He had about a half dozen
    various Mosin-Nagants that he had priced from $125 to $250.
    Everything else in the store was just as badly overpriced. I guess he figures he only needs one sucker a day to stay in bussiness.
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  • JBBooksJBBooks Member Posts: 103 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess I am fortunate, I go to gunshows
    and buy from dealers. Here in OK we have
    one or two gunshows a month, and most of
    the same dealers are there each time. There
    are 3 that know me and what I collect and
    I have done a lot of "repeat" business with
    them. Usually at least one is "saving"
    something under his table for me and I
    do appreciate it. I can not get to their
    shops so this work well for me and them.
    Just an other view.

    JBB


    I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them.
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,088 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I may as well put in my 2 cents. I,m a licensed dealer and I still browse some gun shows and other dealers for real bargains. Otherwise, I handle my own stuff. I have guys come in and tell me they saw something in SGN for $xx and what would it cost to get it for them. I just tell that I get a flat fee or a percentage plus all costs involved. I would rather sell a new gun that I can make a little more on, but if that's what the custo9mer wants, I try to please. These guys will buy 6 $150 guns over a 6=8 month period but would pass out if you priced them a Wby at $900. If I have a gun on the rack that they want, they know I have to ask a little more because I had to pay for it and carry the purchase on my account. I personnaly don't like a business to try to make a month's profit on me just because I'm the only one to buy something in their store all month.

    Mobuck
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  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can you imagine shopping at grocery store..or a clothing store...or a drug store and asking the owner to give you a break on the price! They would laugh you out of the store. The shop I work at (I am not the owner) puts a fixed percentage on top of his wholesale price and he does not budge. He has to make x number of dollars on a gunsale to pay the mortgage, the utilities, the business license fees, taxes, epmployees, etc etc. He can not buy 3,500 Ruger 1022 rifles at one time like Walmart. He can't buy 10,000 cases of ammo at a time like Walmart. So his prices may be slightly higher, but the service before and after the sale is what makes the difference.

    Chris8161
    Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
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  • Rafter-SRafter-S Member Posts: 2,173 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a local shop owner do me a favor on factory warranty work one time. As a result, I brought him Cokes and donuts every time I dropped in. We built a strong "relationship" that's paid off big for both of us over the years.

    That relationship could never have taken place at Walmart.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've never purchased any shooting-related items at Wally World. I won't say I've not looked, just that the quality / selection is so limited that I've never seen anything I wanted or needed. I guess if I didn't reload, I might buy ammo there.

    I've never bought a firearm on line, either. Admittedly, I buy fewer than one a year on average, but when I do, I don't mind paying $10 - $20 more to buy from an area business. What I won't do is buy from "X" when "Y" has the same thing in a different shop for $50 less. If I'm in the market, I look shop around. And I don't try to beat "X" down in price by commenting that it is cheaper elsewhere. All that does is insult him. If he doesn't know it, he's a poor business man. I figure the higher price reflects his business practices, whether his costs or his desired profits (realistic or not). It's not like the Montenegrin revolvers . . . I have the option not to buy it, which I'm not reluctant to exercise.

    Last, one usually finds more & better "blue light specials" in the smaller shops than the bigger operations, to say nothing of the chains - material that was traded in, given to them or simply has too much dust on it.

    Of course, my favorite "store" is the paperless private sale.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Maybe its just me, but when I buy anything I'm going for quality first, and price second. Along with quality comes a warranty, and that means, as I have stated before, that you dont need to worry about your local dealer being able to get it fixed for you, because its under warranty, all you need to do is send it to the repair facility, how hard is that? Now if I get a better deal on the net, or at WalMart, which I usually do, oh well, I'm in this for me, just like everyone else, when it comes to paying for what I want. BUY THE WARRANTY, DONT WORRY ABOUT THE LOCAL DEALER. Think I'm being a horses butt? Well, what do you do when you buy a car? A house? Especially used. You go for the best buy, and quality, and it doesnt matter where it comes from, if one realtor is lower than another, you use that realtor. On another thread we were talking about buying American made. Its kind of the same thing. Why spend all day trying to find it, if you can get it at a good price with a good reputation and warranty, where you know it is. Thats why I'll buy my guns from WalMart, I know exactly where to go to get a good price on a great gun, and if it needs fixed, send it to the manufacturer. Its all about the best price. No one here worries about their local car dealer, I'm betting, when they buy a new or used car. The first thing you do is find the best price. Looking for a new lawn mower, do you worry about keeping the guy down at John's Lawn and Garden in business, or do you go find the best price on a lawn mower, wherever it may be? What I'm getting at is this. This is the only place where I have heard such a ridiculous idea of keeping someone in business by not buying from WalMart, even though its the best place to buy a new gun in your area. Well I gotta go, I need to get some gas in the car, and since I'm trying to keep Sandy's Garage and Gas in business, I need to drive 20 minutes to get it, instead of buying from the Citgo down the street.

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • thunderboltthunderbolt Member Posts: 6,041 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Support your local gunsmith/gun dealer because he supports the 2nd Amendment. WalMart, KMart, etc give lip service to the cause during hunting season but don't give a hoot otherwise after the sale. Gunsmiths can't talk all day and pay the bills. They have to man the lathes, drill presses and bore sighters and generate a profit or go out of business. How would you like to try to sell something for a profit when your supplier publishes your cost to the world? Some jerks think a $5 "profit" on a $500 gun is too high. I've read countless posts of "my dealer wants $190 for an SKS that SOG is selling for $150" and on and on ad nauseaum. If you can do a better job than the gunsmith/gundealer in your town, by all means get an FFL
    and go to work! Sell guns at cost or even less! You'll have tons of
    friends, until the doors close and they move on to the next sucker!
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  • thunderboltthunderbolt Member Posts: 6,041 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    By the way, I love doing transfers on Internet sales. The GunBroker
    transfers I do for my clients has helped business tremendously, often on guns I don't have in inventory or can't obtain through ordinary channels. If they buy a gun on GunBroker cheaper than one I have in stock, I usually just say, "Hey you got a good deal!" and happily collect my transfer fee.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm do not faulting anyone from making a profit. That is the reason for staying in business and any dealer trying to compete with Walmart will surely lose. They can't compete with the volume. But dealers can carry many things Walmart can't or won't carry. That is no reason to gouge the public. If they weren't gouging the public, there would be no reason to try to find guns outside the area and transfer them in.

    The dealer I refer to is a Dillon dealer. He charges what Dillon charges plus what the cost of shipping would be if you had ordered it from Dillon in his prices.
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  • AntiqueDrAntiqueDr Member Posts: 691 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My answer is simple. I do not carry the items that Wal-Mart carries. You will not find 870 Express shotguns in my store (except for used ones), for example. BUT, if you want Tikka, Weatherby, Sako, Kimber, etc., I've got it. If you are satisfied with a type of gun sold at Wal-Mart then go buy it at Wal-Mart.

    I do auction transfers for NO charge. Brings new customers into my store (that almost always eventually buy from me, or bring in repair work), and that yellow form doesnt cost me a dime. It's some of the best FREE advertising I've done yet.

    We buy, sell and trade quality guns and scopes!Master Dealer for Kimber, Wilson Combat and Dan Wesson.Visit our website at www.ApaxEnterprises.com
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  • sparkie_40sparkie_40 Member Posts: 27 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    for myself, wal-mart has two problems. first they are very anti-union. i am a union electrician. second, their ammo is old, no gun selection, and rude ignorant staff. i support my local merchants, no matter what the item is that i need. there are several gun shops in my area of east texas, and i support two of them. i also bye over the net. i dont go to gun shows, no particular reason, just that they are none close to me worth going too. wal-mart is killing the little man, and they dont care anything about the people who work for them. if wal-mart depended on people like me for their business, they'd be out of business a long time ago. thats my two cents worth. i also appreciate all you guys out there helping us in the forums like this one.
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  • steve45steve45 Member Posts: 2,940 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It never hurts to ask your local dealer what he will do. I work in a retail shop (not guns). About once a month some guy will walk in look at an item turn to the register and YELL, hey I can get this at Wal Mart 4.00 cheaper ya crooks.(our store is two miles from a Wal Mart) Then he walks out in a huff. Hes not thinking ahead to a time when his item breaks and he has to bring it to US for repairs. Attitude is everything at our shop. We treat the customer exactly the same way he treats us. If the dealer cant lower his price dont rub his nose in it. Smile, thank him, and buy elsewhere.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Personally, as I generally buy only used guns (I've bought one, yes one new) wal mart is out... that said, some local shops get more of my business than others, but gun shows get most of it. I do buy ammo, etc. at wal mart.

    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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  • farmplinkerfarmplinker Member Posts: 245 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am mulling over this decision as I read this. None of my local stores are CZ dealers or carry CZ products in stock. The store I use most will order a CZ 85 Combat in for me special order and quoted me $464 + $28 sales tax + $3 paperwork fee, totaling $495.

    I can order the same gun on the internet for $430 + $15 S&H + $20 "FFL fee" (the fee the same store charges to do the transfer on stuff ordered in online), totaling $465. So, the difference is $30 to me, a lot of which goes to the state house. The store makes $20 if I get it sent in. I guess they make quite a bit more than $20 at their $464 selling price? Not that I begrudge them making money, but it's not like they have it in stock and are paying interest on it.

    I've bought several used guns online and don't mind paying the store $20 for their time and paperwork.
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  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a fellow dealer and we have had a FFL and store front since 1970.
    Our shop has been featured in Field and Stream and the USA Today paper. I applaud some of my friends here who have stated their opinions about being in business and the immense amount of time, effort, overhead, insurance, taxes as well as other costs that we incur. It is obvious that "robsguns" has never owned a business or been involved in a business practice. If price is all that matters to some then that is fine, to each their own. But all I ask to you guys is that when it comes time to trade it in or sell that mart special you have just gotton a "steal" on, please dont bring it to me and want me to buy it or take it on trade. You see these places you buy your guns wont do that. They dont have a smith on the premise to help you when you are in a fix. They cant tell you the difference between .303 Savage and .303 British shells. They wont order you a set of high weaver mounts because your medium ones dont fit. Please take a look at the big picture its not always the price, many things go beyond.
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  • gundummygundummy Member Posts: 254 ✭
    edited November -1
    OKAY, I ADMIT, I GO TO WALMART. BUT I ONLY BUY .22 AND 9MM PRACTICE AMMO AS WELL AS OTHER FISHING SUPPLIES. I WON'T BUY ANY RIFLES FROM THEM BECAUSE THE GUYS BEHIND THE COUNTER KNOWS SQUAT ABOUT THEM. PLUS, THE PRICES ARE NOT CHEAPER ANYWAYS (AT LEAST WHERE I LIVE).
    A BLUE MINI 14 RANCH FOR $499????? HELL NO! ALL THE GUN SHOPS IN TOWN SELLS THE S/S MODELS FOR LESS THAN THAT. THEY MIGHT HAVE A RIFLE OR SO THAT'S $20 CHEAPER, BUT I WOULD STILL RATHER GET IT FROM THE GUN SHOP. AT LEAST THEY KNOW WHAT A MINI 14 SHOOTS. I BOUGHT MOST OF MY GUNS AT GUN SHOPS AND A COUPLE OVER THE INTERNET WHICH MY LOCAL GUN SHOP WAS NICE ENOUGH TO CHARGE ME ONLY $10 FOR HIS FEES (SOMETIMES WITH NO FEES AT ALL). IF THE GUN SHOPS GO, I WONDER WHAT THE OVERPRICED RIFLES WOULD THEN BE AT WALMART? WHERE WOULD WE GET OUR HANDGUNS? YOU CAN'T GET THEM OVER THE INTERNET BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NO FFL TO RECEIVE IT. DO YOU THINK WALMART WILL RECEIVE IT FOR YOU? I DON'T THINK SO!!! WILL WALMART SERVICE YOUR DEFECTIVE RIFLE? I DON'T THINK SO!!! WILL WALMART STOP SELLING RIFLES WHEN ALL THE SHOPS ARE GONE?? WHO KNOWS, BUT THAT COULD HAPPEN. YES, SOME SHOPS ARE OVERPRICED, SO GO TO ANOTHER SHOP. WE NEED THESE GUN SHOPS TO STAY ALIVE IF WE WANT TO KEEP OUR RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS. IMHO, THE SHOPS, ALONG WITH THE NRA, IS OUR LAST HOPE TO KEEP OUR RIGHTS. AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I JUST WROTE, TOUGH!!! I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A GENERAL DISCUSSION TOPIC, BUT SINCE IT'S BEEN BREWING FOR SOMETIME NOW, I HAD TO UNLOAD. GD
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