Question for FFLs

[Featureless]

Right now I'm ready to buy a Browning Buckmark Plus UDX. Called my local gunshop, they don't have one in stock. I asked about ordering one, they weren't sure they could get one, they're in high demand, etc., et yada.

This is the third time this has happened with my local shop.

At the same time I can go online and buy that gun from any number of other dealers, so it is available.

How is it that my local shop, from who I purchased several guns, can't seem to get what I can simply buying on the internet?

[Quiet]

The distributor they are using does not have it in stock and/or has no ETA when they will have it available.


Typically...
A manufacturer sells to distributors, who then sells to dealers.

It is uncommon for a manufacturer to sell directly to a dealer and manufacturers will only sell direct to a dealer only if that dealer is a high volume seller of that manufacturer's product.
^How/why some dealers are able to advertise they are a XYZ brand preferred/special dealer and offer XYZ products at a discount.

[Featureless]

That makes sense, but are dealers limited to the number of distributors they can access? Is KYGUNCO a dealer or a distributor or both?

[Featureless]

Just bought the Buckmark from KYGUNCO shipping to Rooster's from a "Partner"
Whatever. Brick and mortar dealers need to keep up somehow otherwise we will not be able to purchase firearms.

[sealocan]

If you can't find anything in your local stores you might want to look into buying it through Davidson's, one of largest firearms distributors in the U.S. and a Browning distributor.
I think if you go to their website they connect you to dealers that are close to your location but their biggest benefit is their lifetime warranty, that I think I remember someone here mentioning they used with success.

"What is the Davidson?s Guaranteed Warranty?
If anything ever goes wrong with any gun you buy with the Davidson's GuaranteeD Lifetime Replacement Warranty, it will be replaced. If no replacement is available, it will be repaired at no charge to you."

The guarantee info page is on their website as well and you do have to send them the warranty card within 30 days to qualify but it's a nice secondary backup, in case there's any problems with the actual firearms manufacturer.

[sass2924]

Guns that are in high demand are allocated to dealers. If you're a dealer that does not do a lot of volume with the distributer, you don't get anything allocated.

[Featureless]

If you can't find anything in your local stores you might want to look into buying it through Davidson's, one of largest firearms distributors in the U.S. and a Browning distributor.
I think if you go to their website they connect you to dealers that are close to your location but their biggest benefit is their lifetime warranty, that I think I remember someone here mentioning they used with success.

"What is the Davidson?s Guaranteed Warranty?
If anything ever goes wrong with any gun you buy with the Davidson's GuaranteeD Lifetime Replacement Warranty, it will be replaced. If no replacement is available, it will be repaired at no charge to you."

The guarantee info page is on their website as well and you do have to send them the warranty card within 30 days to qualify but it's a nice secondary backup, in case there's any problems with the actual firearms manufacturer.

I've bought several firearms from Davidson's, they're a quality company. They were my first go-to for the Buckmark, but it was not available from them.

[Featureless]

Guns that are in high demand are allocated to dealers. If you're a dealer that does not do a lot of volume with the distributer, you don't get anything allocated.

That's more or less what Rooster's said. They are a mom & pop shop, but they have the largest inventory in SLO County, and I suspect they do the largest sales volume here also.

The owner, Jim, said they will be able to meet all the videotaping requirements beginning July 1, so they will remain in business. Compliance is apparently real expensive (intended no doubt to force gunshops to close), so along with that and the 11% additional tax beginning July guns and ammo will become pricier than they are now. It is possible that many gunshops will close, being unable to comply. That's a big problem for CA gunowner's 2A (which of course is the intention).

[tenpercentfirearms]

The owner, Jim, said they will be able to meet all the videotaping requirements beginning July 1, so they will remain in business.

That actually started on January 1. He is already out of compliance if he is not recording 24/7 for 365 now. Yeah I just finished my taxes and I spent about $10k on my system to be compliant and I am only open 8 hours a week.

Quite often on in demand guns the 3-6 wholesalers that dealers use will not have the items in stock. We have no way to back order or know when we will see them again. So if you want it in a hurry, you should order it online and have it shipped to your favorite dealer. I personally do not care when customers do this because I cannot find it anywhere, so it is not cutting me out of a sale. And I would rather make the transfer fee than nothing.

Just be forwarned. With the dealer transfer fee, the gun is not always cheaper online. I often have people order guns online without checking with me first and they spend more than they would have if they had just asked me first. So always give your local the first shot before going online. Plus if you see it cheaper, I sometimes will match or beat the price because making $75 is better than just the $50 transfer fee. It is what it is.

[Featureless]

That actually started on January 1. He is already out of compliance if he is not recording 24/7 for 365 now. Yeah I just finished my taxes and I spent about $10k on my system to be compliant and I am only open 8 hours a week.

Quite often on in demand guns the 3-6 wholesalers that dealers use will not have the items in stock. We have no way to back order or know when we will see them again. So if you want it in a hurry, you should order it online and have it shipped to your favorite dealer. I personally do not care when customers do this because I cannot find it anywhere, so it is not cutting me out of a sale. And I would rather make the transfer fee than nothing.

Just be forwarned. With the dealer transfer fee, the gun is not always cheaper online. I often have people order guns online without checking with me first and they spend more than they would have if they had just asked me first. So always give your local the first shot before going online. Plus if you see it cheaper, I sometimes will match or beat the price because making $75 is better than just the $50 transfer fee. It is what it is.

Thanks for the information. I didn't know it started on January 1. I bought a handgun in February and apparently was videotaped taking delivery after the 10 day waiting period. I didn't know that either. Jim is former LEO, former Chief of Police so I'm sure he's in compliance.

I only buy online if Rooster's doesn't have it and can't get it.

[taperxz]

Thanks for the information. I didn't know it started on January 1. I bought a handgun in February and apparently was videotaped taking delivery after the 10 day waiting period. I didn't know that either. Jim is former LEO, former Chief of Police so I'm sure he's in compliance.

I only buy online if Rooster's doesn't have it and can't get it.

He's not in compliance