in the last couple on months, all the stuff i've bought has been online... like the .45-70 rem DR from pueblo sporting good, or the .458socom from a dealer in ky... i've shopped my local dealers, but can't get the price down...to what i can find online... if i'd bought the .458 socom locally (houston), the price was $1395, plus tax... close to $1500 total...i picked it up online for $1089/shipped to my FFL....is ther something i'm missing???... the local dealers get online to buy stuff... as fara as i know, they use gunbroker and several other sites to set their prices...i'd rather shop close to home, but to save 30% online makes sense to me....

Both if the local retailer isn't aware of on line buying or isn't interisted in meeting prices to bad. As long as I can save more then the shipping and handling charges I have no trouble buying on line.

I think supporting your local gun shops is very important. However, the favor has to be returned with reasonable prices. I have often knowingly paid a bit more at a local shop, especially if you include the tax, both for the convenience and to help keep him in business. But in the example given, would I pay $400 more, not a chance.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
I think supporting your local gun shops is very important. However, the favor has to be returned with reasonable prices. I have often knowingly paid a bit more at a local shop, especially if you include the tax, both for the convenience and to help keep him in business. But in the example given, would I pay $400 more, not a chance.

Exactly what I was going to say. Well put.

I prefer to buy local. I check McClelland's, Ray's, Bullet Trap, Pro Bass, Cabela's, etc.

This year I found none of them were a help when I tried to find 375 H&H Federal 300 gr. solids.

I find more and more that the bricks & mortar stores want me to buy what they have rather than stocking what I might want. Online offers variety and price; but I always prefer to hold and examine it before I plunk my money down. Online doesn't give me that choice.

It's tough. I'm glad I'm not in retail. We're a fickle bunch when it comes to spending our money.

In my area, I get tired of being told what they think I need. Or they can order it. I tend to buy off of the net. I'll buy locally if possible. My hunting gear is usually off the net, I get tired of all the local EXPERTS!

You can buy online and save 30% but here in Kaliforniastan you'll still have to pay the sales tax, DROS, and transfer fee (where you'll get hammered by your local dealer). Net savings..?? Nada.

We could start a new thread on local experts. A few times I've had to step up, and say "hold it, that's not right". Unfortunately, Jerry-the-stock-boy, usually doesn't know anything about guns or hunting, and when I hear them sharing their wisdom with someone that also knows nothing about guns and hunting, it gets pretty funny. I have to slow down and listen.

Even at Bass Pro I've had some know-it-all start telling me about his vast experience. They usually get pretty humble after I intentionally ask them a few questions I know they can't answer. Then they start doing their job, listening to what the customer wants.

But I guess my all time favorite was a Gibson's back in Abilene, Texas thirty years ago. I walked in looking for a fairly stiff fishing rod. I couldn't find what I was looking for; but Mr. Know-it-all-with-a-name-tag walked up and started sharing his knowledge and skill. He was whipping the rod around showing me how stiff it was, and how to set the hook, and how to fight the fish, ....... and broke the rod. I said thanks and headed for the nearest exit.