Why Do Some GUN Stores/Websites Not Post Prices

[Yugo]

This is really annoying , if your in business to sell stuff why cant you list prices? just an example, http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=520505 I dont want to call them, isnt the whole point of a WEBSITE not to have to call or visit?


rant over.

[mindwip]

Its a tactics you have to visit them and if you visit more likely to spend money. Also you can't comparison shop.

[razr]

Look up Davidsons and if the gun is available in CA, find a dealer that sells it at the lowest price, closest to you. No need to get annoyed.
Plus firearms prices are not always fixed and you don't want your competition necessarily knowing what you are selling your stuff for, kinda like the MSRP. Its all good! Now go buy something!
mindwip, we posted exactly at the same time!

[Cokebottle]

Dealer agreements can impose restrictions.

In addition to MSRP, products also have an MAP... Minimum Advertised Price.
If a gun has an MSRP of $600, dealer cost of $400, and an MAP of $475, you can sell that gun for $450 all day long, but you can not advertise that price or you will get your dealership pulled.

Some companies used to be even worse... like Gibson and Fender... A company (like Musician's Friend) could not advertise a mail-order price in a market where they did not have a physical store.

[apbrian112]

bingo... MAP...

[razr]

Its legalized price-fixing but you get a nice commission at the end of the month, very low margins. You see it in the musical instrument biz where it could apply to the tag that is attached to the product not just the advertised price. It actually helps the independent retailers.

[Yugo]

im very sorry guys, I was referring to the ammo not guns but I guess the MAP has also something to do with it.

[george223]

Ya I get irritated with this too. Recently, I was shopping around for reloading supplies. I haven't reloaded in a long time and I just wanted to price things out. At the local shops, you have to get a sales person to give you prices. I would just rather go to a website that lists prices.

[drkphibr]

Ya I get irritated with this too. Recently, I was shopping around for reloading supplies. I haven't reloaded in a long time and I just wanted to price things out. At the local shops, you have to get a sales person to give you prices. I would just rather go to a website that lists prices.

Go to a large mail order player (e.g., www.midwayusa.com), find the component you're looking for a price on and then factor in S/H (and for reloading supplies, a hazmat fee for powder AND primers - some will combine this into one fee) and then use that as a comparison to a local shop and factor in the value of your time to drive to/from, cost of gas and sales tax. In general, small shops will always be higher. They offer the convenience of location, immediate purchase (if in stock) and small quantities. Just like the 7-11 model. In a pinch, valuable. For large or volume purchases, not so much.

[crud]

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[Gunsmithing]

Most of time they just do not have the time to keep updating and or the back ground to do the work on the Internet. My self I only put the higher prices and on some times I lower the prices.

Dave

This is really annoying , if your in business to sell stuff why cant you list prices? just an example, http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=520505 I dont want to call them, isnt the whole point of a WEBSITE not to have to call or visit?


rant over.

[dieselpower]

Dealer agreements can impose restrictions.

In addition to MSRP, products also have an MAP... Minimum Advertised Price.
If a gun has an MSRP of $600, dealer cost of $400, and an MAP of $475, you can sell that gun for $450 all day long, but you can not advertise that price or you will get your dealership pulled.

Some companies used to be even worse... like Gibson and Fender... A company (like Musician's Friend) could not advertise a mail-order price in a market where they did not have a physical store.

yup...MAP is the reason. Its when a non-dealer gets ahold of an item where the comparison shopping sucks for the dealer. Dealers have to be wise about selling bulk to others. Those others don't have abide by a MAP and can undercut dealerships. The Internet is changing all this since sites like overstock.com are popping up selling the inventory of a business that is going out of business. 50% off of a MAP is not uncommon.

[Yemff]

Most of time they just do not have the time to keep updating and or the back ground to do the work on the Internet. My self I only put the higher prices and on some times I lower the prices.

Dave

This. Also if they just launched their website they might not have all the prices on there yet. Also not all websites have the ability to securely take credit card info, so you have to call to order.