[burninghxcsoul]

So yesterday me and my wife found out we are having a daughter. I was hoping for another son, so to make up for my mock disappointment (I joke I really had no preference but as a guy I secretly wanted another son) my wife gave me a $1000 spending limit to get a new gun. I had been looking at the new Sig P320s and the XDM 4.5 threaded barrel models.

So I drove around to 3 different local gun stores in Chambersburg. I'm not gonna name the stores but first off, no one had the either of the guns I was looking at which is no real big deal, you cant expect them to have everything and you can always order them.

The first store wanted $555 plus tax for the XDM. The second store quoted me at MSRP out the door which was $645 and the third store quoted me at $580 out the door or $565 out the door if I paid in cash. I tried to negotiate a little with each shop but none of them would move from their prices. I had looked on slickguns so I knew what each gun was going for.

I ended up buying both for $1020 bucks from the same online seller with free shipping and no tax shipped to fort chambers where a FFL transfer for both will only be $25.

At the one shop I told the dealer they were $500 on the internet, I would do $540 out the door. I figured that was close, $30 in tax, I wouldnt have to pay an FFL transfer fee, and I would be buying local or whatever. But he said no. If a online store is selling them for $500 and free shipping, they have to be making money somehow off of them at that price.

I haven't bought a new gun let alone a pistol from a dealer in probably 8 years, I normally buy used guns from members on here or local sales or other forums so I guess I was really surprised at the price differences from online stores and gun shops. Is this normal? I have an MBA so I understand the differences from ebusiness and brick and mortar shops and all that, I'm just wondering how they compete and stay open?

Do you guys normally buy new guns online or from gun shops?

 

[Tony300wby]

Congratulations on the new baby.

I buy new guns where I get the most for my money. I wont sweat a few dollars difference but ultimately its my money and I will price shop and buy where I get the lowest price. I factor in all costs involved; shipping, transfers, tax, and actual gun cost. I worked in a gun shop and understand why there are pricing differences between different retailers on the same item. I have never found a retailer who always had everything in stock and always has the lowest prices.

Good luck, Tony

 

[67kmq]

I'm weary of online gun dealers, but I do check gunbroker for what they're going for. I like the idea of having a store to go to and have a f2f convo if theres an issue, no email phone tag --, although I know that can happen at some local stores too. I also like to get to actually inspect the exact gun I'm buying before I take it home. Plus most online sales are 'all sales final/as is' deals which also make me uneasy. Kind of like howni think about people put all their junk on ebay b

I also am all for a deal, so when my local gander had 15% off guns and i could buy the new s&w 2.0 for slightly less than gunbroker it was a no brainer.

Enjoy your new additions to the family. I was also given the okay to buy the 2.0 since my first child was born and while i also secretly wanted a boy i was blessed with a girl. My how the game has changed

 

[Moss]

A coworker just bought 2 rifles from cheaperthandirt

 

[6.5Swede]

I always try my best to buy from my local dealer, "support the guys who support you". My local shop is owned by a gentleman who was on the NRA Board of Directors for several years, and is a leader in many pro-second amendment organizations on both state and local levels. When my wife recently saw a Ruger rifle at Cabelas that she really liked, I told her we'd go order one from Bob's shop the next day. Cost a bit more, but service after the sale is important to me, in addition to what I've written above.

Jeff

 

[GermanHillHunter]

I usually buy 2 or 3 long guns a year to add to the collection for my kids. Anything new I hit my local shop. He treats me well. Of course if I'm looking for something no longer in production than I have to hit the auction sites and wait til I feel im getting a good deal. Which sometimes never happens.

 

[Steve in PA]

The only guns I ever bought online were from dealers when I had my C&R License. Other than those, all my guns come from local dealers or local sellers.

 

[Birch812]

I never purchased a fire arm from a online dealer or seller.
I like going into the gun shop and look around and see what they have new and also look and see if they have anything interesting they took in as trade or on consignment.
If there is something specific I am looking for I will order it from one of the several gun shops I deal with.
This way if there is an issue I know who to go back to and will be dealing with face to face.

Good Luck with that baby girl. Better buy up all the guns you want now. Saving up for her collage and then the big wedding will put a cramp in building your arsenal for a bit.

 

[good ole boy]

I too like and prefer to buy from shops.But I bought one from Buds and saved a ton of cash with no tax and only a $25 transfer fee.Plus you get to inspect the weapon before the paperwork and can send it back for refund or exchange.

 

[huntin-nut]

I have bought some things online and have been satisfied with the purchases but like many I do prefer to see and touch what I am buying before putting my money down. All dealers are not created equal however. You always have those guys that want to make their week's income on each sale. I prefer to find and deal with the guys who understand supply and demand concepts and realize they can sell for less and then earn more by volume. A local dealer here has somehow figured it to the extreme and is hugely busy all the time and I'm sure because of the volume he is doing he is getting better pricing from the manufacturer or distributers he deals with. Often other dealers say he is selling below their costs but in the end it all works well for the consumer to find those dealers. I also like buying through classifieds such as are on this forum and have gotten some great guns here but I always buy face to face when dealing private.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Mostly online, shops rarely have what I'm looking for, that includes ammo and reloading supplies..