Would you buy???????

[Riodog]

This is not really appropriate to this website but for the most part I trust your judgement,,,,,,,While I know that some of you are not financially established at the moment I do value your input as much as the ones that can write a check and not worry about it. Please be upfront about it. Believe me we have a few here that I've already filled out the debit slips for accounts. lol

When YOUR ducks all "line up" and your education has paid for itself many times over HOW much would you be willing to spend on a shotgun for a bird shoot with a perspective client? I mean this in a manner that it won't just be one bird shoot. $1000, $2000, $4000.? You tell me.-

The same scenario with a rifle, Would you be willing to spend $3000 for a rifle that you could take your deer, pig, or whatever with and then make a minor switch and take the same rifle you are familiar with to Africa for larger game???

This is an impromptu survey of sorts.

Next question. Would you rather deal with a sales person that knew their product-> including ballistic, trajectory, ect., and gave it to you straight or one that stroked your ego and gave you a pat on the *** and sent you on your way????

For the $$ we are talking about is it worth your while to be able to call the factory at 3 in the am and "I gotta a ****in Problem", what are we gonna do about it? I'm in the middle of a hunting trip in where-ever and I need a rifle. And have someone actually respond to your call.

Now admittedly, weapons in this price range are not some of the hottest sellers. And not everyone is a potential buyer. I'm just getting a feel for this type of buyer and attitude.

I have a thick-skin so tell me how this hit's you. I don't care if it's 10 guns that you keep ready in your Lear or Cessna, or it's your once-in-lifetime hunt.

I appreciate all comments whether posted or pm'd.

thanks,
Rio

[elSquid]

When YOUR ducks all "line up" and your education has paid for itself many times over HOW much would you be willing to spend on a shotgun for a bird shoot with a perspective client? I mean this in a manner that it won't just be one bird shoot. $1000, $2000, $4000.? You tell me.

I dunno. $400? Of course, I already have a bunch of 870s. I don't really need an O/U.

If I'm spending $4000 on a shotgun in order to win an account, I'd better be looking at a mid-6 figure personal windfall if it comes through.

The same scenario with a rifle, Would you be willing to spend $3000 for a rifle that you could take your deer, pig, or whatever with and then make a minor switch and take the same rifle you are familiar with to Africa for larger game???

If I _really_ liked the rifle, sure. Although, I'm not sure what $3000 really buys me in a rifle. If I'm going on safari, I'd be inclined to pick one of these up for a bit over a grand.

Are we talking an easy-to-swap-caliber rifle for $3000? I'd probably just buy a couple individual rifles in the calibers I wanted instead.

Next question. Would you rather deal with a sales person that knew their product-> including ballistic, trajectory, ect., and gave it to you straight or one that stroked your ego and gave you a pat on the *** and sent you on your way????

Is this a trick question?

For the $$ we are talking about is it worth your while to be able to call the factory at 3 in the am and "I gotta a ****in Problem", what are we gonna do about it? I'm in the middle of a hunting trip in where-ever and I need a rifle. And have someone actually respond to your call.

"Need a rifle" is interesting, because if I'm out of the country, export/import is probably going to be an issue. I'd bring a backup rifle.

In the US, I'm still going to need an FFL to receive a rifle. If it's an important hunt, I'd still rather have a backup rifle.

Now admittedly, weapons in this price range are not some of the hottest sellers. And not everyone is a potential buyer. I'm just getting a feel for this type of buyer and attitude.

I'm starting to think that I'm not your target market.

-- Michael

[Riodog]

El Squid, First of all THIS is not a trick question. I most certainly am interested in all answers.


" Would you rather deal with a sales person that knew their product-> including ballistic, trajectory, ect., and gave it to you straight or one that stroked your ego and gave you a pat on the *** and sent you on your way????". Easy question.

If you'd have a job that you could entertain a client on a trap, skeet, or duck shoot ( I'm talking major accts, corporate accts, etc) would it be worth it to you to make that big of an impression on a client with an expensive weapon?

To be honest with you, I am not addressing anyone that even has to think about next weeks paycheck. If you do fall into this catagory OR will fall into this catagory after school is finished, then I am addressing you. If you are shopping at Wallyworld then just ignore this post.

Thanks for the reply Mr. Squid. I've been fortunate enough to hunt with guy's that dropped 10-20 grand at the crap table on our way to Utah to deer hunt and didn't bat an eye. Must be nice, I've never been in that position myself.

What this thread is about is I'm thinking about another job that's been offered and while any benefits that I have from my job of the past 17 years are frozen, do I want to jump out of the fire into the pan. To be quite candid it's not a case of needing the money as my retirement is already in place. I'm just weighing the pros and cons of what I want to do for the next 10 years.

I know some of you have big bucks in your playtoys but I'm not sure how many of you actually hunt.

Rio

[randy]

I'd spend whatever it cost to get a Benelli for field work. If I were shooting clays games then I'd spend a couple of grand for a Browning OU.

[Ech0Sierra]

This is not really appropriate to this website but for the most part I trust your judgement,,,,,,,While I know that some of you are not financially established at the moment I do value your input as much as the ones that can write a check and not worry about it. Please be upfront about it. Believe me we have a few here that I've already filled out the debit slips for accounts. lol

When YOUR ducks all "line up" and your education has paid for itself many times over HOW much would you be willing to spend on a shotgun for a bird shoot with a perspective client? I mean this in a manner that it won't just be one bird shoot. $1000, $2000, $4000.? You tell me.-

Hehehe... my clients are all sick, but... maybe $2500....

The same scenario with a rifle, Would you be willing to spend $3000 for a rifle that you could take your deer, pig, or whatever with and then make a minor switch and take the same rifle you are familiar with to Africa for larger game???

Ok, .270 for here, but I would pay $3000 for one that can switch to .375 H&H, .600 Nitro, .577 TRex...

This is an impromptu survey of sorts.

Next question. Would you rather deal with a sales person that knew their product-> including ballistic, trajectory, ect., and gave it to you straight or one that stroked your ego and gave you a pat on the *** and sent you on your way????

Can't they be both? After all, the customer is *always* right. I don't want some guy spewing opinions about ballistic superiority of Glocks vs. 1911s, but I don't want a kiss*** either.

For the $$ we are talking about is it worth your while to be able to call the factory at 3 in the am and "I gotta a ****in Problem", what are we gonna do about it? I'm in the middle of a hunting trip in where-ever and I need a rifle. And have someone actually respond to your call.

Yeah, for those prices I expect some service...

Now admittedly, weapons in this price range are not some of the hottest sellers. And not everyone is a potential buyer. I'm just getting a feel for this type of buyer and attitude.

I have a thick-skin so tell me how this hit's you. I don't care if it's 10 guns that you keep ready in your Lear or Cessna, or it's your once-in-lifetime hunt.

I appreciate all comments whether posted or pm'd.

thanks,
Rio

[tpuig]

Depends...

It really depends on your financial situation to be relevant. Some folks hit it big on a start up company and have 30 million dollars to play with. Most don't.
That being said, you really can never go wrong with a quality piece. Whether it's an old Ferrari, rare stamp or coin, nice painting, classic guitar or a custom firearm, usually the value will keep appreciating. It's the beauty, quality and craftsmanship that makes it worth the money.
A ruger Red Label is a nice O/U shotgun and will do fine in the field, costing about $1k-2k. A Winchester 21 is a REALLY nice shotgun, but some cost $30k and up. Same with the Brownings, etc. It's a lot of money for something that can be done with a much less expensive gun. If you're getting something you've always wanted, then it makes sense. If you're doing it to impress someone else, you probably want to skip it. It will never really make you happy. I have a nice Weatherby O/U that I got for a steal, and it's a great bird gun. The quality is good, but it's no custom Winchester or Purdey.
In my personal opinion, I look at the man more than the gun. A good shot with a well worn nice classic older gun impresses me a lot more than a lousy shot with an expensive toy.

Same goes for an African rifle. Lots of folks take a nice bolt action in a large caliber and are fine. But look what the Professional Hunters and Guides use. That's what you want when it counts. You can't call customer service during an elephant charge. You'll still just get squished.
A nice H&H double rifle, if you can find one for sale, will cost as much as a house. A nice pre-64 Winchester bolt gun in a large African caliber can certainly work well there for a couple thousand dollars.
I've been to Africa twice, but never hunted there. I'll be going back to hunt. (It really does get in your blood) I'd recommend reading this book if you're even considering going on a big game hunt.
Safari Dreams, by Kenneth Royce. (Boston T. Party)

http://www.amazon.com/Safari-Dreams-Kenneth-W-Royce/dp/1888766107/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209239441&sr=1-1

Again, this is just personal opinion, but I'd suggest you think about why you really want it, then decide if it's worth it. Clients come and go, but you can stare at the craftsmanship of a quality firearm even in the off season... Hope this helps.
TP

[-hanko]

When YOUR ducks all "line up" and your education has paid for itself many times over HOW much would you be willing to spend on a shotgun for a bird shoot with a perspective client? I mean this in a manner that it won't just be one bird shoot. $1000, $2000, $4000.? You tell me.-

My clients typically appreciate a lot of birds and a nice area to hunt more than how much I've spent on the gun. I understand what my clients shoot and bring something similar. Particularly, why should I be more impressed with you shooting an 1100 v. a Perazzi or anything else in getween?

The same scenario with a rifle, Would you be willing to spend $3000 for a rifle that you could take your deer, pig, or whatever with and then make a minor switch and take the same rifle you are familiar with to Africa for larger game???

I doubt a "minor switch" would convert the ideal pig or deer gun into an ideal safari gun

Next question. Would you rather deal with a sales person that knew their product-> including ballistic, trajectory, ect., and gave it to you straight or one that stroked your ego and gave you a pat on the *** and sent you on your way????

A gender-dependent question...cannot answer w/o more data

For the $$ we are talking about is it worth your while to be able to call the factory at 3 in the am and "I gotta a ****in Problem", what are we gonna do about it? I'm in the middle of a hunting trip in where-ever and I need a rifle. And have someone actually respond to your call.

You're brain-dead if that's your situation. If the hunt is that important, you bring a backup gun and backup optics, pre-zeroed, for the guns.

Now admittedly, weapons in this price range are not some of the hottest sellers. And not everyone is a potential buyer. I'm just getting a feel for this type of buyer and attitude.

This buyer's attitude is to try and be myself.

I have a thick-skin so tell me how this hit's you. I don't care if it's 10 guns that you keep ready in your Lear or Cessna, or it's your once-in-lifetime hunt.

I appreciate all comments whether posted or pm'd.

thanks,
Rio

-hanko

[Beelzy]

Well, I might think about buying a nice shotgun or rifle for such activities, but
I generally like to hunt with my well used LC Smith SxS. I am a hopeless
double trigger addict. :-)

[elSquid]

El Squid, First of all THIS is not a trick question. I most certainly am interested in all answers.

" Would you rather deal with a sales person that knew their product-> including ballistic, trajectory, ect., and gave it to you straight or one that stroked your ego and gave you a pat on the *** and sent you on your way????". Easy question.

Ok. I'd prefer a sales person that knew the product. I don't need my ego massaged.

If you'd have a job that you could entertain a client on a trap, skeet, or duck shoot ( I'm talking major accts, corporate accts, etc) would it be worth it to you to make that big of an impression on a client with an expensive weapon?

No, I don't think it would make sense to buy an expensive weapon in the hopes of making a good impression. So I wouldn't.

[COLOR="Red"]To be honest with you, I am not addressing anyone that even has to think about next weeks paycheck. If you do fall into this catagory OR will fall into this catagory after school is finished, then I am addressing you. If you are shopping at Wallyworld then just ignore this post.

I'm quite comfortable, but I do shop at Walmart on occasion. So I guess I should ignore the post.

What this thread is about is I'm thinking about another job that's been offered and while any benefits that I have from my job of the past 17 years are frozen, do I want to jump out of the fire into the pan. To be quite candid it's not a case of needing the money as my retirement is already in place. I'm just weighing the pros and cons of what I want to do for the next 10 years.

I'm still confused I guess. To me,the questions you asked sounded like you were going to start a company, rather than be an employee at one.

-- Michael