WTH is up with Bullseye

[oddball]

$150 to DROS each lower is way too much. There are other FFLs with more reasonable rates.

[Jeff P]

F-2,

Just move on to another FFL or drive down and do a FTF. Econ 101, let your money talk. When I purchase a firearm that's not ordered through the dealer, and it's transfered to my local FFl, I add $125 to the cost of the firearm. That may break or make the deal. Do I complain? No, I just do my homework.

[DedEye]

Well, let's see if we can't get this thread back on track and mollify everyone.

Yeah, the standard internet/FFL transfer fee for non-Calgunners is high, I agree with you guys. I didn't set that price, but it is what it is. Bullseye would much rather you buy the gun from us than have it transferred from another dealer, and this transfer fee is designed to counteract complaints of "I can get X gun from Y online gun warehouse and have it shipped here for less!" When you include that transfer fee and shipping, the difference is typically negligible.

THAT BEING SAID, Bullseye is negotiable and open minded with our customers. We'd rather keep the customer happy than throw your future business away over doing an internet transfer. If a gun is not in stock or we don't carry it, and you bring that up when talking about our transfer fee, Calgunner or not you're likely to get a break on the $150 fee.

Plus, Calgunners receive a discount on 2/3 of the transfer fee in the first place, as long as you remember to mention you're a Calgunner.

Isn't that price gouging? The same product is available for order from the manufacturer's website for 30% less. Granted, you have to accept a shipping delay of a couple of weeks.

We don't consider it gouging, and as others have said it's the market price. You may be able to order a lower from Spike for 30% less, but when you include the transfer fee (with or without Calgunner's discount) and shipping, you're looking at a much smaller price difference by the time all is said and done. Not to mention the fact that you're paying a premium for instant gratification. Just today when I was in the store we turned away customers with advice to buy certain products online because they'd get them for a better price, and faster. If you can get a substantially better price, there's no reason not to take it, just remember to factor in all fees when you do it.

Also keep in mind that buying from us instead of transferring from us means you're more likely to get additional discounts on ammo, mags and other accessories. Repeat customers get taken care of, whether they're on this website or not.

J&R sold them for 130 till they ran out
I really respect that

Respectable but not particularly wise business practice. He could probably still make money on his existing stock on that price, but as others have mentioned, when he goes to refill his inventory he may well end up losing money.

Did I see them have Spike's lowers at $250 each?

Our Spike's dedicated .22 lowers are $250 since they demand a slightly higher price than the standard multi caliber lowers. Don't forget, Calgunners also get a discount usually around 5% or more when buying from us, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Hope to see you all at Bullseye in the future, whether transferring guns or buying from our inventory .

[DRM6000]

what does bullseye charge for the transfer of the second or additional long guns?

[DedEye]

what does bullseye charge for the transfer of the second or additional long guns?

Typically same as the first (not such a good deal for non-Calgunners ), but try talking to Bill when you call to do the transfer, as he has final say over such matters.

[jlh95811]

The point is moot.
Bullseye is taking advantage of customers by doing this and that is wrong. Just because they are not making the money off of you they are going to punish your success in finding a good deal. Most folks know this is the case but some do not. Some customers may just walk in and ask the price and then order the product to be shipped there. They do not know the value or market rate because they are either a newbie or have not done their homework.

Either way, I agree, It is criminal. They are the FFL equivilent of a child taking his ball and going home. They have lost my business for good now. Period. I choose to only deal with fair and balanced individuals and companies. Now at the same time I will not campaign against their success even though the methods for achieving it are immoral.

That being said: The OP had every right to bring this up. He also has a right to be upset and to "whine" if that's what you want to call it.

I believe we are all a little crooked by nature. We all want more and better things for us and often times tend to forget about those around us. I feel this is what Bullseye has done. They are, by effect, alienating the very people who have contributed to their success. This will be bad for business for sure.

[jumbopanda]

Posted on behalf of Dedeye, because he was banned.

DedEye is banned. We do not post for banned members by proxy. They may post when they return.

To Dedeye: It would be better for you to stop trying to find creative ways around your banishment. Continuing will only increase, or make permanent, your ban. Got it?

[jlh95811]

Any way you want to pretty it up feel free to do so. It is your right just as is making a profit from your business. I was not saying criminal as in unlawful. Just immoral. Your being nitpicky now.

I have shopped with Bullseye before. In fact I like your store. I like the level of service a guy gets there and I really like Deadeye. He is a helpful and polite poster here. I do not hold this against him in anyway as it is the stores policy and he does not decide these policies.

I feel what you guys are doing is wrong. But only on this issue. Other than that you are A-OK by me. That being said; I may eventually shop with you again but I do feel you guys should amend this policy to be more fair to the consumer.

When I heard this I immediatly thought it BS but then it was confirmed. It is wrong. It may take you a while to realize it or you may not even care. But I hope you do because it does affect the way customers view you.

[jlh95811]

On a lighter, or heavier note, Deadeye was BANNED!?!?! What? Why?

[sigsauer887]

Typically same as the first (not such a good deal for non-Calgunners ), but try talking to Bill when you call to do the transfer, as he has final say over such matters.

Wow...per firearm? That seems kind of steep, especially since you can add more than one firearm to a dros.

P.S. Not attacking the messenger, just the policy of the workplace

[elSquid]

The point is moot.
Bullseye is taking advantage of customers by doing this and that is wrong. Just because they are not making the money off of you they are going to punish your success in finding a good deal.

So Bullseye should be happy to encourage transactions where they don't make money?

Some customers may just walk in and ask the price and then order the product to be shipped there. They do not know the value or market rate because they are either a newbie or have not done their homework.

I wonder how many newbs are sophisticated enough to buy guns out of state? If they understand how FFL transfers work, then I'd guess that they are far ahead of the curve. If they are buying out of state, then by that simple fact it would be reasonable to expect them to have done basic research.

Either way, I agree, It is criminal. They are the FFL equivilent of a child taking his ball and going home. They have lost my business for good now. Period. I choose to only deal with fair and balanced individuals and companies. Now at the same time I will not campaign against their success even though the methods for achieving it are immoral.

Jeepers - hyperbolize much?

Bullseye isn't interested in being a low cost transfer dealer. Seems to me like that is a rational business decision for them. It's a full retail store with a range and employees, so to expect them to match kitchen table FFL xfer prices is unrealistic.

Would you complain about Roger's Relics because they don't have any inventory?

-- Michael

[tenpercentfirearms]

The point is moot.
Bullseye is taking advantage of customers by doing this and that is wrong. Just because they are not making the money off of you they are going to punish your success in finding a good deal. Most folks know this is the case but some do not. Some customers may just walk in and ask the price and then order the product to be shipped there. They do not know the value or market rate because they are either a newbie or have not done their homework.

Either way, I agree, It is criminal. They are the FFL equivilent of a child taking his ball and going home. They have lost my business for good now. Period. I choose to only deal with fair and balanced individuals and companies. Now at the same time I will not campaign against their success even though the methods for achieving it are immoral.

That being said: The OP had every right to bring this up. He also has a right to be upset and to "whine" if that's what you want to call it.

I believe we are all a little crooked by nature. We all want more and better things for us and often times tend to forget about those around us. I feel this is what Bullseye has done. They are, by effect, alienating the very people who have contributed to their success. This will be bad for business for sure.

This attitude is the only thing that is wrong. It is a company's right to set a price at whatever level they see fit. Period. End of story. No one is forcing you to do your transfers at Bullseye. That alone destroys your entire argument. You can't take advantage of someone who willingly comes into your store and pays your prices. It is time the consumer take some responsibility for their purchase. Buying a $1000 handgun off of an old lady for $50 is taking advantage of and you know what, is still capitalism and "fair". She should do her homework.

They are simply not a transfer dealer and they don't want to be. They are not telling you you can't use them for a transfer, they are saying if it is worth it to you, here is what it is going to take to make them want to transfer.

That $150 is simply outrageous. Outrageous is not criminal, immoral, or any other of the anti-capitalist terms you want to label it in your quest for socialistic and eventual Communistic "fairness". Anyone with simple knowledge will understand that $150 is beyond reasonable and will simply do their transfers elsewhere. If you want to use that as your filter for what a good gun store is, that is your right. I just find it silly.

Now if I were them and this is my policy, I would simply waive that transfer fee if you buy any other long gun from me. The higher your transfer fee, the more this kind of policy makes sense.

Customer: "So basically you are telling me if I have this lower that you don't have in stock shipped from CWS it is going to cost me an additional $150? However, if I buy one of your lowers for $200, you will waive that $150 fee and I can just piggy back the CWS lower onto this DROS? Well hell yeah I will take your lower for $50 more and at least get something out of it."

And you guys are selling ST22s for $250? Damn, I better raise my price off of $185.

[tankerman]

I just got quoted $150 dollars a gun from them to DROS an oll. WTH! That is just straight up thievery. How can you guys justify this, let alone want Calgunners to continue buying things from your shop with garbage like that?

Have you checked with other shops in the Bay Area to see what they are charging?

[tenpercentfirearms]

LOL. Ok, you keep telling yourself that. I just looked around at handgun inventories at the wholesalers. There is nothing left! This isn't just an AR15 thing. Handguns are now all gone too.

Already the wholesalers are out of everything. So what do you guys think is going to happen when in about a month, everything that the retailers has been hording dries up? What do you think is going to happen to the mom and pop shops that rely on this as a means of income are going to do when they have nothing left to sell? What do you think they are going to do to prices when they realize the are screwed, there are ten guys waiting for a gun, and they get one in?

Ladies and gentleman, I am not shipping online anymore so I obviously am not trying to get you to buy my wares, not to mention my prices are still fairly cheap. I am warning you as a fellow Calguns member, not as a gun dealer. Be prepared. This thing is going to get much worse. For all of the cries of gouging, you have not seen anything yet.

I have plenty of AR15s in my personal safe, I have the handguns I want, and I do not rely on the gun business as my means of living. I am not afraid, I am not uncertain, and I have no doubts.

I do have access to the inventory numbers of wholesalers and they are out of nearly everything. Realize that you cannot increase production over night and especially not to meet the extreme demand that is currently present.

I will start a new thread about this.

[bruss01]

I think the practice of charging customers punitive fees in the industry is wrong.

It has become common, though. Is Bullseye wrong to do it in light of the fact that so many others do it? I can see Bullseye thinking that it is "ok" if a lot of others are doing it. I can certainly see customers or prospective customers thinking it is not ok, no matter how many other dealers are doing it.

Ultimately, the market and the customers will decide what is acceptable. I personally do not purchase from a dealer if that transaction will require a punitive fee. I also don't deal with ffl's that disparage my taste in firearms, or question "why do you want THAT?". Because I want it and I have the money - anything beyond that is my own business.

I think Bullseye is making a mistake in trying to punish customers as a way of increasing their own business. I think this practice will be hurtful to all in the long run. Which is a shame, since we all have a vested interest in having happy, prosperous firearms dealers as well as happy, satisfied firearms customers in this state.

Just some food for thought.