Looking for XDm's at dealer cost?

[Bill in San Jose]

Keep ordering from an internet gun site, save $50 on a gun and then one day in the future scratch your head and ask yourself "Wow, there aren't any gun shops within a 20 mile drive of my home".

Or complain when you take your gun purchased off the web to a local gun shop, and say they treat you badly.

I try to support the local guy if I can. If I bought hundreds a year, it would be different.

But it's your money and purchasing decision.

[blown964v1]

I just bought a xd(m) the other day in NC for $519 +tax.

[dave421]

I have no interest in posting their VIP pricing here on the web, because that's what I pay my $5 for!

Ok, YOU posted

If you can get the guns cheaper than On Point's VIP pricing, I'm sure the online shooting community would love to know ASAP!

So basically you want me to pay your buddy $5 just to learn what the price on ONE gun is? You put up the challenge and you have the pricing. There's no reason to NOT explain what the price is. I've posted the price that I paid many times but the company I bought 2 of my XDs from doesn't do online sales and really doesn't need to so it doesn't help a lot of people that aren't local.

Here, I'll even go first. I bought my first XD9 Service for $413 (melonite, all XD gear but had THREE mags instead of 2). I bought my 3rd XD (XD9 Service w/ factory Trijicons with all XD gear and THREE mags) for $470-something. I've yet to see anyone post up a price better than what I paid (both guns were BNIB of course). I also pay $23 for 50 rounds of Speer Gold Dot LE 124gr. +P 9mm.

So, what's it going to be? You talk about how great their prices are. Here's your chance to prove it with one of their VIP prices. You can even PM the price to me and I won't share it. If it's a good price, I'll join (note that I said "good" not "better"). If not, I'll continue to buy from the same place that I've been buying for the past few years.

As for the rest of your post, I assumed that this was a fairly large operation rather than some guy working out of a rental unit with no inventory. As for the marketing thing, there is a difference between advertising and marketing. If he runs any ads anywhere (yellow pages, google/yahoo, newspaper, forum sponsorship, etc.) then he pays for them. Marketing concerns the design of an ad or a campaign, not the actual printing/ televising/etc. of said ad/campaign. Regardless, my assumption of the company's size was wrong so I will happily admit that the costs that he incurs could be fairly low. That said, I still refuse to believe that he is selling everything for his cost and relies ONLY on membership.

Regardless, it doesn't matter if he truly has good prices. Unfortunately, that's hard to find out without PAYING him for the prices unless you're satisfied with the 15-20 things listed openly (some of which are higher than easily found prices elsewhere). A lot of people just aren't going to walk into a gas station and pay the clerk $5 to find out how much gas is just because Cokes are advertised for $0.99 and Snickers for $1.63.


Oh yeah, Sam's Club, BJ's, & the other discount stores don't charge you to find out their prices. They openly advertise and THAT is how they get memberships. That's not your buddy's business model. It's a better one.

[ForTehNguyen]

from what ive seen, amazon cant advertise certain prices when its lower than some bottom limit the manafacturer sets. You'll see this frequently that you have to click some link or add it to the cart to see the price. Seen this a lot on HDTVs they are selling. Might be something similar going on here.

[Soup]

Originally Posted by boricua9mm

Please be sure to write a letter to the Sam's Clubs and Costcos of the world, letting them know how you feel, and how this business model will result in their ultimate demise.

The difference being that Sam's, BJ's and Costco will all let you walk around the store and peruse the pricing before you become a member. They won't let you [/b]purchase[/b] at the discount pricing, but you darn sure can see how much you'll save by becoming a member.

I'm lucky to have a fantastic local guy that gives us prices very much in line with what the public can see of this site. I may pay a bit more, but it keeps him around so I have options as well.

[KingWulfgar]

Originally Posted by Bill in San Jose

Keep ordering from an internet gun site, save $50 on a gun and then one day in the future scratch your head and ask yourself "Wow, there aren't any gun shops within a 20 mile drive of my home".

Or complain when you take your gun purchased off the web to a local gun shop, and say they treat you badly.

I try to support the local guy if I can. If I bought hundreds a year, it would be different.

But it's your money and purchasing decision.

Bill, I completely agree and I'm glad you brought it up. I might buy online to save a bundle, but if it's only going to save me $30-40 (what I figured out buying my XD online would've possibly saved me), I'll go to the local guy. As long as they're honest and you do your homework, why not support the business you'd like to be there when you need it!

This applies to other "specialty" shops as well (music--as in instruments--stores for instance).

That's not to say anything bad about this online retailer/club/whatever you want to call it. They have a business model that is attractive to some consumers. Everyone is different (I have a friend that INSISTS on buying things online to save a couple bucks).

[Evolution]

I haven't read this whole thread, but I'm also of the opinion that keep buying over the internet, and soon there won't be any local shops.

I've bought many a gun over the net and had it transferred, but I won't do it anymore.

I'm glad to have a local range and shop within ten miles, I want to keep it that way, and it's worth paying an extra $20 bucks to me.

.

[boricua9mm]

Originally Posted by dave421

Ok, YOU posted
So basically you want me to pay your buddy $5 just to learn what the price on ONE gun is? You put up the challenge and you have the pricing. There's no reason to NOT explain what the price is. I've posted the price that I paid many times but the company I bought 2 of my XDs from doesn't do online sales and really doesn't need to so it doesn't help a lot of people that aren't local.

Actually, I don't want you to pay the guy anything. You don't see the value, have complained endlessly here, and you don't fit the profile of one of his happy customers. You've already decided you're dissatisfied, so I wouldn't advise joining up. Whomever you bought your guns from isn't selling guns at dealer cost, I'm almost certain. You're asking me to give you dealer cost on something, which I have to pay money to have access to. Sorry buddy, I don't give out free lunches.

Originally Posted by dave421

Here, I'll even go first. I bought my first XD9 Service for $413 (melonite, all XD gear but had THREE mags instead of 2). I bought my 3rd XD (XD9 Service w/ factory Trijicons with all XD gear and THREE mags) for $470-something. I've yet to see anyone post up a price better than what I paid (both guns were BNIB of course). I also pay $23 for 50 rounds of Speer Gold Dot LE 124gr. +P 9mm.

It matters not what you paid for something way back when from a shadow source. It matters what you can buy it for NOW from a named dealer. Like I said, I'm sure people would love to hear of your source that is selling guns below cost. You've blasted On Point, but don't cite anyone with better deals. Oh wait...that precious $5...the cost of a value meal, not even the cost of a decent meal. Nonetheless, complaints...

Originally Posted by dave421

So, what's it going to be? You talk about how great their prices are. Here's your chance to prove it with one of their VIP prices. You can even PM the price to me and I won't share it. If it's a good price, I'll join (note that I said "good" not "better"). If not, I'll continue to buy from the same place that I've been buying for the past few years.

Yeah, you've really sold yourself as a trustworthy source. Gimme a break!

Originally Posted by dave421

As for the marketing thing, there is a difference between advertising and marketing. If he runs any ads anywhere (yellow pages, google/yahoo, newspaper, forum sponsorship, etc.) then he pays for them. Marketing concerns the design of an ad or a campaign, not the actual printing/ televising/etc. of said ad/campaign.

More assumptions. He doesn't run paid advertising. Instead he is resourceful in free methods of marketing and advertising. I work as a Marketing Manager for a living. Without being out there, you have no marketing. Advertising IS marketing, and without some form of advertising, one's marketing strategy hardly exists. The exception to that rule today is SEO, or search egine optimization. If you can make people find your site organically, you don't need to pay money to bring people in. Marketing people don't typically design ads, Graphic Designers do. I happen to serve many roles in my position, so in my case I actually conceptualize-create-execute.

Originally Posted by dave421

Oh yeah, Sam's Club, BJ's, & the other discount stores don't charge you to find out their prices. They openly advertise and THAT is how they get memberships. That's not your buddy's business model. It's a better one.

You sure about that? Any SAM's Club I've been to in Florida checks your ID at the door. No membership? Take a walk. On Point's business model is for someone who KNOWS what they want, and is ready to buy for the best price they can find.

[boricua9mm]

Originally Posted by Evolution

I haven't read this whole thread, but I'm also of the opinion that keep buying over the internet, and soon there won't be any local shops.

If local shops refuse to compete, I say Good Riddance! They are mostly staffed with know-it-alls anyways. Last time I was in a gun shop, the "gunsmith" used a primed casing as a snap cap. I left immediately after the bang.

All I'm saying is, you can buy from a shop and overpay by $100 on average, or you can buy at significant savings online.

Many here have complained about $60 over the course of a year, but overpay by anywhere from $100-$300 each year on their gun purchases. The choice is yours.

[seattleducati]

Originally Posted by boricua9mm

It is run by my best friend, whom I met at the University of Florida.

Now I understand why you're being such an ass.

As already mentioned, and what my previous point was, Sams Club or Costco will let you see the prices before you sign up for a membership...your friend, if he were costco, would let you roam around, fill up your cart then tell you the price for goods as you got rung up.

I'm happy with my local shop for guns, they're priced better than what I've seen listed once you add shipping and FFL transfer, and they actually have them there. They're also a pleasure to talk to, and if your BFF is anything like you, probably not a fun to do business with.

JIT (just in time) is NOT what you stated it to be...go back to school, and pay attention this time.

Oh and for those of you who don't think this is shady, google map this guy's business address, it sure feels like Joeken (AK forum fame) only one step up. Boricua, can you rent those motel rooms by the hour?