Support local shops?

[Levetti]

I'm curious about this too. I would think the Gun Genie would be the best of both worlds: good pricing while also supporting your LGS.

Good point. I have searched Gun Genie, but the impulse buys are usually what get me; I'll fondle a gun for a bit in a shop and end up buying it.

[greybeard]

, but the impulse buys are usually what get me; I'll fondle a gun for a bit in a shop and end up buying it.

I hate them, most of my toys are impulsed buys.

[SDM44]

I buy mostly locally from my LGS.

The last time I didn't was because none of the stores in my area had the TRP I was looking for, so I had to order it online and have it shipped. But I still gave my LGS business by doing the transfer at their store, even if it cost me $25 more at their store instead of driving 30 minutes to another one.

To me, time is money and I'd rather spend the extra bucks to have the convenience of a LGS who will take care of me and has exactly what I want, rather than order online sight-unseen and waste time traveling all over the place just to find a FFL who's has the cheapest transfer fees.

[rromeo]

I would like to buy from the local stores, and I used to. Where I live now, I have to drive almost an hour to get a decent deal.

[jcaoloveshine]

Pure capitalism for me, I chase the best prices. Haven't bought an actual gun at a gun store since I bought my first 22. Just can't beat the calguns used for sale section.

[MaHoTex]

The LGSs seem to have it all figured out really. By the time you find a "better deal" online, add the shipping/transfer fee etc, the cost is darn near the same as you would pay at the LGS to start with.

For small items I mix it up between Midway, Brownells, CTD and LGS.

For reloading, I buy all of my stuff online, unless I need a single pound of powder, a 100 primers for test loads or something.

Really for everything except reloading components it usually comes out a wash.

[oldsmoboat]

My local gun shops:
TDS: SLOW (incompetence) and rude
Sac Black Rifle: Slow (busy)
River City: Salesman had to ask the difference between 5.56 and .223 and then couldn't find it.

Lately I find stuff on line and have it shipped to a local FFL that works out of his home.

[17+1]

Buying reloading equipment like primers is much cheaper locally...cheapest I've seen for 1k SR CCI primers is $31 at the Sac Valley range office/store. That's what hazmat and shipping cost when you buy online!

Open range at Sac Valley is scary/unsupervised so the least they can do is offer a deal on primers!

[big red]

I just completed another good deal at City Arms in Pleasant Hill after stopping at their shop in Pacifica. I have found that if "Uncle" can match the price he will as long as you are honest with him and not trying to blow smoke up his you know what. And he remembers you. I travel from Sacramento to the coast from time to time and check the prices in Sacramento on what I want. I tell him the best price and shop I saw it at in Sacramento. He usually beats its and then some. He has to make a profit to stay in business but he does his best to work with you. It is a good excuse for a day at the coast and to go back and the price is nice enough to pay for the gas. If 60 miles is local then i shop local all the time.

If you need a FFL to ship to try Golden State in Fair Oaks as he has done good work for friends in the past.

[ahren111]

A good local shop will work with you on their prices, if they want your business. I bought an ampoint pro recently. The shop had it listed for $440. I explained to the salesman that I wanted to support his bussiness not some online company in Kansas, but they were $400 online. He thought about it for a few seconds then gave it to me for 400. I was very happy I'll definitely go back again.

[wisefire]

I try my best to, but sometimes the price differences is to much. Some gun stores charge msrp or even higher on some guns, so sometimes buy used or even online after the transfer fees, it a better deal. Ammo and accessories at most lgs are rip off, one store wanted $15 for a box of .223 pmc (20rd). If the price is pretty close, I would buy it at lgs

[a1c]

I buy local for new guns - I know the local guys (who know me well) will give me a decent price.

For most of the ammo, I buy online, but occasionally from them too.

[voiceofreason]

Guns I buy locally from stores with good CS, even if the price is reasonably higher.

Other than the VTAC targets I like so much, I try to get my targets from whatever range I'm at (Shoot 'n Sees)

Ammo I buy online because the cost of buying 2-3 cases of ammo from a local shop in SoCal is going to add around $100 to the cost per case which is stupid IMO.

I get most of my gunsmithing done locally if possible, with occasional out of state trips to specific peeps for their specialty work.

[mky.s2k]

I tried supporting my "favorite" LGS for the past two years, I even purchased three guns from them this year at higher prices in the hopes that they would reward my customer loyalty somehow...but this was not the case. The owner threw a fit when one of the salesmen said he would match the printed local in stock ads from Cordova Shooting Center and Sac Black Rifle for a shotgun. The douche owner then sends the guy on break and tells me he will sell me the gun for $50 more than the price I was just quoted. I informed the owner of my situation and that I could have just gone to the other stores first, but I was trying to give Just Guns on Watt/Auburn a chance at repeat business. He then tells me I should have gone to the other stores if I wanted their prices...so thats what I did. I spent $2500 with them over the past two years, but will probably shop online now...

[Jbone83]

I tried supporting my "favorite" LGS for the past two years, I even purchased three guns from them this year at higher prices in the hopes that they would reward my customer loyalty somehow...but this was not the case. The owner threw a fit when one of the salesmen said he would match the printed local in stock ads from Cordova Shooting Center and Sac Black Rifle for a shotgun. The douche owner then sends the guy on break and tells me he will sell me the gun for $50 more than the price I was just quoted. I informed the owner of my situation and that I could have just gone to the other stores first, but I was trying to give Just Guns on Watt/Auburn a chance at repeat business. He then tells me I should have gone to the other stores if I wanted their prices...so thats what I did. I spent $2500 with them over the past two years, but will probably shop online now...

It's amazing how shortsighted some business people are. Any half-way intelligent business owner knows that repeat business is a big part of any successful venture. It's completely ridiculous to lose a customer who has spent thousands of dollars with you over $50. Good for you for taking your business elsewhere.