Gun Prices

[Barndoor]

As a first time gun buyer I was a little concerned about getting ripped on the deal. You know, where to get the best prices. I decided on what I wanted, XD9 service bi-tone, found one at the local dealer for $464 but after reading online decided it must have been there for a while because it came with a dusty case and the smaller mags and nothing else. Then found one on gunbroker.com for $438 + $25 shipping that had all the "gear" and the bigger mags. I asked local dealer if it could be shipped to him and he said he could do the transfer for $30. He also said he could get the gear a piece at a time but it would run up around $580.

My questions are, is it safe to buy things NIB online? Does the dealer get bummed because he can't compete with online prices? Does he feel no obligation to help out a new buyer because you didn't buy some of his inventory? And are there much better prices to be found elsewhere such as local auctions or gunshows?

[Joeywhat]

Yes, you'll run into some flak when you purchase a gun NIB from an online retailer. Not all places, but most will at least not bother making sure they're taking good care of you. That is why I always have guns transferred to a private FFL holder, who either doesn't buy guns for resale, or runs a very limited operation. They don't care who you're buying from.

Also, generally it's very safe to buy a new gun online. Used guns can be different, but always buy from a reputable source. I've never heard anything bad about gunbroker.com, and buying from a well known member of a forum such as this is always good as well.

That said, I usually buy new from a dealer. It makes more sense with me, it takes a lot less time, and after shipping and FFL fees it's usually the same price, if not more. Also, a number of shops by me run deals where if you buy a gun that costs so much money, you get a free range membership, which includes discounts and other merchandise. It's just worth it in the end.

Also, when I bought my XD9 (from a dealer), they gave me free range time for the day, along with a free paddle holster. You won't get that buying online.

[Barndoor]

Thanks, good stuff to know. Maybe when I get into the local gun loop I can find a private ffl holder. One friend has one but is restricted to C&R. Also have to go range shopping. Everyone around me just blasts away in their back yard.

[Joeywhat]

If you're up for a drive Guns Galore in Fenton has the largest number of handguns for sale, and typically has the lowest prices on in stock guns. THey tend to jack up the price on waiting list items (like the Ruger LCP), but last I checked you could get an XD9 service/subcompact for $450.

Check out this site: MCRGO - Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners

Pretty much everything there is to know about guns and other weapons in MI.

[Tripledigitride]

If I'm in the market for a firearm, I'll always buy local, at the best local price I can find.

The problem I run into when dealing with local dealers is, the fact that some really hate "price shoppers", like myself. We have a local gun owners forum, and God forbid you ask some of them to beat the price of another store. I've even had a local dealer send me a PM on our local forum, and he felt the need to let me know how much he hated "price shoopers", like myself. Either way, makes no difference to me. I'll buy it somehwere else.

The dealer I always buy from is also the owner of a hardware store, and because of this, the other stores won't attempt to beat/meet his prices. It's not that they can't, they won't. He's the only dealer I've been to that will show me his prices. He isn't out to make a huge profit off each sale. He makes about $20/per sale, and that's how he manages to do the volume he's doing. Heck, at least one of the other local dealers buy's guns from him, only to resell in his own shop.

Some of the shop owners feel that we should like to spend the extra money with them, simply because they support our local forum. I don't get this point either, because if we are paying more to shop at their store, in reality we are the ones supporting our own forum. They charge extra, so they can look like the good guys who love to support our forum.

[tjg]

Welcome from Michigan!

[Joeywhat]

Originally Posted by Tripledigitride

If I'm in the market for a firearm, I'll always buy local, at the best local price I can find.

The problem I run into when dealing with local dealers is, the fact that some really hate "price shoppers", like myself. We have a local gun owners forum, and God forbid you ask some of them to beat the price of another store. I've even had a local dealer send me a PM on our local forum, and he felt the need to let me know how much he hated "price shoopers", like myself. Either way, makes no difference to me. I'll buy it somehwere else.

The dealer I always buy from is also the owner of a hardware store, and because of this, the other stores won't attempt to beat/meet his prices. It's not that they can't, they won't. He's the only dealer I've been to that will show me his prices. He isn't out to make a huge profit off each sale. He makes about $20/per sale, and that's how he manages to do the volume he's doing. Heck, at least one of the other local dealers buy's guns from him, only to resell in his own shop.

Some of the shop owners feel that we should like to spend the extra money with them, simply because they support our local forum. I don't get this point either, because if we are paying more to shop at their store, in reality we are the ones supporting our own forum. They charge extra, so they can look like the good guys who love to support our forum.

The dealers why either won't price match, or who charge too much and get angry with price shoppers don't realize that you don't make money selling guns. Period. It just doesn't work like that. Every shop I've talked to either makes money selling a TON of guns (more then the typically local shop), or through ammo and other merchandise. How many people walk into a gun store, and walk out with JUST a gun? Not many...usually they buy a couple boxes of ammo, some range time if there's a range there, or in my case, a range bag and some extra mags. THAT's where the money is to be made.

Plus, if good prices are to be had on guns, people will tend to stay with that shop, even if they might be charging a few extra bones over the next guy.

[adambrock]

My gunshop told me they'd match any price I found online, so I could buy it from them or order from someone else and pay shipping. I've always felt like I'm getting a good deal there, so I keep going back.

Maybe you can find a more 'mom and pop' time store / range. If not, try going somewhere else and ask how much it would cost to have the gun transferred there. If you tell them you already bought it, maybe they'll just focus on getting you to transfer the gun there, so they can make some money off the transfer fee.

\\ACB

[Allstop]

Welcome from Minnesota!

[INDY-XD]

Welcome from Indiana!