Internet buying advantages?

[Bukowski]

With handguns I tend to wait for a sale or the occasional PPT. I have no personal FFL to help me out and in LA transfer fees range from $65-$100.

Stripped lowers are another thing entirely, I always support the local guys for those. Yeah I know paying $150 for something I could get for $75 seems crazy, but I want to encourage/ thank the shops willing to stock them. If the extra $$ means I have to wait a couple more weeks to finish a build then so be it.

[Linh]

I purchased a Sig 229 for

Price: $759
Shipping: $18
Transfer: $30

Total: $807

Sounds like a good deal so I purchased it.

[KimoBBZ]

depends, but...

The internet certainly has changed the weapon world, and shops small & large know it. If you are LUCKY enough to have a shop close, try to build a relationship - once they are aware you do your research, their prices should adjust in your favor. I'll buy local as long as the prices are kinda "close" to web prices (that's relative, of course). I don't mind paying a bit more to help support the local shop - they are getting scarce!

Depends on demand of specific pieces too - if Glocks are flying off the shelves, priced at MSRP, can you blame a shop for getting what the market will bear? Kinda like buying a car in that respect... sticker price and sale price - if they don't budge, then the internet can be your friend.

Lately, I'm all about PPT's... even "new" pieces turn up frequently. Except of custom orders, I won't likely buy "new" for awhile - most always a deal and NO TAX.

[Ventura_Yak'r]

Picked up a new CZ 75B SP01 on line ($515, No sales tax, $50 Shipping/handling, $25 DROS, $50 Transfer fee = $640) Greta's Guns quoted $664 & Turner's $670. Add sales tax & DROS I would had paid well over $700 at the local shops. There are deals out there... just gotta put the time in to look for them. But typically it is a little cheaper to keep it local... but not always.

Good luck!

[Sam]

If I didn't find a Wilson dealer online, the tax on something like that from a local shop would have eaten me alive.

[Fantasma]

You raise a lot of valid points and I don't mean to automatically disparage internet buying. Unfortunately for me, one round trip to Irwindale would cost me $20 in gas and I'd need 2 trips, one to initiate the DROS process and the other to pick the gun up. Here in the valley though, there are probably a number of pawn or other types with an FFL.

I live In the Valley Also, Close to the Angeles Range so going to Irwindale does not bug me at all. Sure it may be 40 miles away. They make up for that with great transfer fee, and there attitude to help us. I always enjoy going to their shop looking at their 1911's or their Fal's they treat you with care and respect +100 from me....

Enterprise Arms i recommend it....

[DMCA]

How is the sales tax factored?

Thanks for all the comments and the lead on the FFL in Irwindale - I'd make the trip for a good relationship!

I don't intend to be a collection agent for the state of California but when it comes to the sales tax on something new, either the FFL who's receiving the gun collects the sales tax or we have to file a report with the franchise board?

Like everyone else who buys things from out of state sellers who don't collect CA sales tax, I take that into consideration for my buying decision.

I think PPT's are a definite consideration when buying and one I had overlooked.

[leelaw]

I don't intend to be a collection agent for the state of California but when it comes to the sales tax on something new, either the FFL who's receiving the gun collects the sales tax or we have to file a report with the franchise board?

You don't file a report with the FTB. At the end of the year, when you file your income tax return, you are supposed to record your out of state purchases, and tax is due as a "use tax".

You've got 3 options: Have the FFL collect the tax, and send it to FTB for you. Send your Use Tax when you file your taxes. Refuse to file and hope you're not caught.

[LOW2000]

When I bought my G19 from TopGlock, even after the $100 in fees, it was still $60 cheaper than the best price my local gun store could do. I wanted to support them, but I was able to get the gun plus an extra 3 10rd mags that I use in competition so I don't mind dropping them in the dirt like I would my hi-caps.

[daves100]

Online shop

when i was on the hunt for a desert eagle 44 mag found a killer deal at buds gunshop online ( will have to look up to see what the total was ) but i saved a few hundered.

No tax on a 1180 gun.
My FFL charged 30.00 for the transfer
bud's did hit me with a Credit card fee ( could have sent a check )

found the 50AE barrel on gunbroker along with 2 mags

[cackinthebox]

im looking for a good deal on a Sig 226 online or locally.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_28_778/products_id/411534883

[Rob454]

There are deals on the net but liek everyone said once you add shipping transfer and DEROs fees you might as well buy from a local dealer or new.
I bought a few used guns but its been locally. I rather wait cause Im not one of those guys where I gotta have it now price is no option. if you gotta have it right now and dont mind paying .......
Rob

[hkuspc40]

Advantage...huge! I will say this...I have yet to find a local store (LA and OC) with pricing that's comparable (<$50) than out-of-state retailers for Sigs and H&Ks. You have not looked hard enough if you haven't found deals online where u save > $70 (excluding gas money) after DROS n transfer fee. Went to Turners in Pasadena today to pick up a gift card, looked around, and the asking prices for the Sigs n HKs are.....MSRP + tax! With such a huge purchasing power...u'd think they'd be able to pass the savings to you. But no....so...my business goes elsewhere!

I long for the day when most firearms enthusiasts in CA make their purchases out-of-state so that the local retailers wake up n start taking pricing competition more seriously.

[Sam]

what's the chance that the tax man will talk to the DROS man?

[Adonlude]

I purchased a Sig 229 for

Price: $759
Shipping: $18
Transfer: $30

Total: $807

Sounds like a good deal so I purchased it.

I'd of taken that deal. My P229R was my first gun and the only one I purchased here in Santa Barbara. Think I had to pay about $925 after all the fees. I really want to buy a Kahr PM9 but the local dealers want MSRP. I'm not paying over $700 for a PM9... at least not this week.