Choosing between online savings and the LGS

[KestrelBike]

How do some of you choose between shopping online for big ticket items and patronizing the local boutique gun store when it comes to items like silencers? I priced out both places and I'll save +$200 bucks buying it online, including transfer fees and tax savings. That amount alone pays for the stamp, and the only downside is waiting for the form 3. (I'm in no hurry)

I'd like to support this shop and give them my business, but I'm not exactly swimming in dough (this silencer has been carefully budgeted for). I'd feel awkward asking them to price match, because as a small 500 sqft shop they can't compete with big shops like silencershop. Or should I ask anyways? If I go with silencershop, that LGS would not be the transfer location. Honestly, this shop's prices *are* a bit high, but I think they're just at what it takes to stay afloat, but with some rapey-prices on their ARs. Still, I'm not a charity.

[davsel]

It's your money. Your earned it. You owe them nothing.
Go with the best price - manage your money wisely.

[Dave_L]

Maybe see if they can get some discount for you. Might still end up paying a little more but if supporting local is important, try it. If you dont ask, you never know. I think shops know it's hard to compete with online sometimes but unless you ask, you'll never know what they're willing to do.

[MarkCO]

Tough call.

The LGS is dying. They do not have the volume to compete with the online retailers. The smart LGS also has an on-line shop to increase volume and then offer the best prices to the locals, but that is still a tough path.

When the LGS goes away, who will run your BCG? It is a catch 22 that the left knows will bit us in the end and they are happy for it.

[Dave_L]

I will say that I've purchased my suppressors through a local shop with a range on site and its nice to be able to go there anytime I want and shoot it while I wait for approval. That is worth the extra cash when you spread that cost out over the 4 month wait.

[SouthPaw]

All you can do is ask. I have worked for small business owners and have friends who own a small LGS. They appreciate any feedback you can give them because they cannot always check their competition. I purchased my suppressor through silencershop as it was almost $300 in savings including transfer fee, tax, shipping, etc. To me, that is three additional mounts that I was able to purchase. I generally call around before making my online purchase and at least give them the opportunity to match the price or get close. If its within $50, I like to keep my business local.

[Rooskibar03]

I did purchase 2 cans from LGS (Noah) because I like him and he had them in stock and it was last day of rebate. Since then I found an online source with stupid low prices and have bought 4 from them. It adds to the waiting process but the savings was significant enough I'm ok waiting.

I really an immediate gratification guy but if buying online will save me $100 or more wait an few extra days.

[TFOGGER]

All you can do is ask. I have worked for small business owners and have friends who own a small LGS. They appreciate any feedback you can give them because they cannot always check their competition. I purchased my suppressor through silencershop as it was almost $300 in savings including transfer fee, tax, shipping, etc. To me, that is three additional mounts that I was able to purchase. I generally call around before making my online purchase and at least give them the opportunity to match the price or get close. If its within $50, I like to keep my business local.

This. I am in a similar situation with my customers and bike parts. I always prefer that they at least check with me before ordering something online, as many times they assume that I can't compete, but in reality, I'm already less expensive (tires in particular). You might be surprised to see what kind of deal they can manage. At worst, you've wasted a phone call confirming just what kind of deal you're getting online.

[Monky]

Never hurts to ask. Shops online still make $$$ and keep their pricing down. If you're savings is more than adequate to cover the stamp then the lgs needs to quite using suggested retail.

I have purchased very very few guns from lgs. I have friends that own them and what not, but normally they don't have what I want.

When I have bought from lgs there wasn't a budge in price. I know overhead and what not are accounted for in the price, sometimes you can't help but go with saving the $$$.


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[KestrelBike]

Thanks all for the advice! I think I'll just level with them.

[baglock1]

10% or ~$40 is usually my cutoff. I support the LGS when I can and will often buy things from them that I can get cheaper online, but I have to draw the line somewhere. Often, I fudge that number a little bit for firearms (I'll pay the LGS a little more than I normally would). I don't keep track of it, but I try and do around $500-$1000 a year with the local, non-big box stores. That makes up for the fact that I buy all my ammo online nowadays and Amazon prime gets quite a bit of my smaller, more platform unique purchases.

[O2HeN2]

I find the decision simple. If you used a local brick and mortar shop to make your decision (e.g. you talked to people at the shop, fondled the item, etc), you grit your teeth and pay the premium because you used their stock and/or expertise to choose the item. If they didn't exist, you couldn't do that, and the higher cost allows them to exist. If more than one local shop has the item you can go to the cheaper of the two, but you stay local.

If you used no local resources to make your decision, anything goes.

O2

[SideShow Bob]

Go south to Overland Park, KS., on Robinson St. just off of Shawnee Mission Pkwy. East of I-35. The Bullet Hole. Give then a call, the savings on the price will be better than Levenworth, they are out to take advantage of the .Mil up there, and worth the road trip.
Good range at the Bullet Hole, two shooting levels upstairs and downstairs.

Take State highway 7 south out of Lvenworthsouth to Shawnee Mission Pkwy. In Overland Park, then east of I-35 to Robinson St. And north a block.

[wctriumph]

I'm not in the firearms business and we get people all the time comparing our prices with on line pricing. We will offer a discount to see if we can get the business and sometimes that is all we need to make a deal, customers just want some consideration. Other times we get people that will come in, try on a variety of items and tell us that they can get some way better deal on line and they go order it up after wasting a lot of our staff's time and effort.

Give the local guy a shot at it and then make your decision. It is your money and your time, do what is right for you.

[SNAFU]

In the Asspan Valley we have little choice,so online it is.
When on the front range,,I will keep my business with LGS.
Seen to many local stores fail,they need our support,when possible.

[To Bear Arms]

The best thing you can do is ask. The worst he can say is GTFO! I like to be given the opportunity at least. Depending on what you are looking for and who his supplier is S.S. price's can be beat sometimes.

[def90]

If making a big purchase i like to do some research online and get an idea of what I want then visit a few shops to get a feel for the item in person for check out build quality and so on as well as dig deeper info wise to be sure I am heading the right direction.

If I go to a shop and they are able to give me the info I am looking for and educate me a bit more then I will buy from that shop. If I check a couple places out and I feel like they don't really know what they are talking about or really care that much I'll buy online. I've often paid more at places that gave me great service.

I like using local businesses whenever I can and have often paid more than I would have online. Some times you can build a relationship with that shop over time and get the same deals or better than you would online anyway. Having a local shop around that can take care of service issues and answer my stupid questions and so on is also something I factor into what I am paying.

[Jer]

I used to spend more money to buy from LGS because I felt they valued me as a customer. After spending thousands more than I needed to over the years it was made painfully clear just how much they didn't value my business. They forced me to take my reckless spending to online vendors who offer the lowest price. I should thank them for running me off and saving me so much money the last few years but I still feel bitter about how I felt betrayed by the LGS that I had established a relationship with in lieu of saving money.

Moral: They don't give a shit about you and are there to profit so why shouldn't you do the same?

[ZERO THEORY]

I bought a lower online and had it transferred in 2012. Everything else has been through my LGS. I'll pay the additional $10-$50 to support the people in my community.

[Dave_L]

I do try to support my local people as much as possible. I'm sure that is because as a small business owner, I like to support those that support me. Without community, I'd be out of business. It feels good to keep the money local and with good people.