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Ever pay too much on purpose?

5K views 48 replies 32 participants last post by  G66enigma 
#1 ·
I have purchased guns at many LGSs and many online.

Sometimes I pay more just to give the LGS some business.

I'm talking about $50 or so more (in total)... After comparing ALL costs of each way of purchasing (price and any transfer fees and shipping for online.... Price and taxes for local purchase)
 
#2 ·
i pretty much use two different gun stores. both do charge a little more, than the big box store gun dealers, but the customer service more that makes up for that difference in cost.

i have never walked into Gander Mountain, or Bass Pro Shops, or WalMart, and had anyone there ask me if i wanted a cup of coffee! my local gun dealer does.

and if it was just a matter of saving a few dollars, the difference in mileage would eat up the savings in gas money spent getting there. both of the gun stores i deal with, their prices are still very affordable, and not that much higher to cause me concern.
 
#3 ·
I quite often visit a LGS, if for no other reason than to see what's new in his store. He is also the one I go through for on-line sales - the processing of the sale with the transfer fee, which is fair.

His prices for main-line purchases aren't competitive, and he acknowledges that and bears no hard feelings when I order on-line for delivery through him.

But I always make sure I buy some things far more expensive than I could find at WalMart (usually ammo, holsters, etc.). I even bought a Heritage .22LR revolver from him even though I could have saved about $50 going on line; along with the rat-shot I intended to use it for (Copperheads).

Good guy and is also an NFA-III guy. Should we ever get a law allowing noise suppressors without an absurd tax stamp, it will be through him that I purchase.

He's not a 'smith, but I trust his recommendation for one...
 
#8 ·
I do, local restaurants, groceries, hardware, gas, and guns. I can still go down to the grocery and purchase on credit if needs be, do that at the big box store.

A big box store opened about 6 miles away about a year ago. One of the 3 local hardware's has already closed.

Bought a zero turn lawn mower last year at the local hardware, paid $200 too much for it, but he took 1/2 down and financed the rest in store credit. No interest, just divided the remaining balance by 12 months. I figure the interest at the big box would of cost me close to $200.
 
#13 ·
I tried to pay too much for a rifle, but the seller wouldn't go for the deal.

A coworker needed $250.00 to buy a Glock he had been lusting after. He told me he had an SVT-40 that he would sell for that. I told him that the rifles were selling in the $900.00 range at that time. He told me he needed the $250.00 quickly.....I wasted no time in (quickly) getting to the bank to get $250.00 cash.
 
#14 ·
I usually overpay intentionally when I tip people. I will overpay for kids selling about anything. I can't walk by a Girl Scout cookie table without a purchase and a donation.

What I will not do, is drop a buck for kids that are begging for their organizations. The kids in the football uniforms, holding out their helmets is a good example. They want my money, they can do something to earn it.
 
#16 ·
So my hardware options are a local TruValue (5 miles away), a Walmart 8 miles away, a (Home Depot 12 miles away), or Amazon (800' to the mailbox or 3' to the front door step). Lowes is about 16 miles away.

Generally speaking, if what I need is at the TruValue, that is where I'll default to. In many cases, the local TruValue is the only option for peculiar items. Great folks who remember my name...Kinda like "Cheers"...

Their prices are generally not competitive; but generally have things the big-box stores don't bother carrying. Probably why their prices aren't competitive...

But if I went in there with a screw from my Mini-14 Gas Block looking for a replacement, they would fall all over themselves to help me out (they can do that for Marlins, too). And they'll usually have one that works! Can't say that for HD/Lowes, and CERTAINLY can't say that for WalMart. And if they don't have it, they'll be happy to special order for me - free of charge.
I'll pay extra for that customer service and camaraderie and, might I say, friendship! Far worth more to me than a few bucks here and there - by a long shot!
 
#20 ·
I have purchased guns at many LGSs and many online.

Sometimes I pay more just to give the LGS some business.

I'm talking about $50 or so more (in total)... After comparing ALL costs of each way of purchasing (price and any transfer fees and shipping for online.... Price and taxes for local purchase)
Oh! Hell yes. And if anyone says they haven't, they are too dang embarrassed to admit they did.
When I was first getting into the gun repair side of things, I took on all, and any gun repair work that came along. Being naive, was a good learning experience, and a bit costly, as to how a fledgeling gun trading operator can learn things. Nothing I learned ever broke the bank, but after working on this version and that version one soon learns, especially when doing gun repair and restoration to first ask, "what budget restrictions do you have for this restoration".
When the answer is questionable, I want half down before I begin, and promise to provide information along, as to how the restoration continues. One thing no gunsmith worth his "salt" needs is to have a customer call every 3 days and ask if we're there yet.
 
#22 ·
I support my LGS ("S' as in "shop") occasionally. He can't beat Bud's prices, knows that, and appreciates the business. He is the one who is my FFL transfer guy, and I ALWAYS but some stuff from him when I come to pick up whatever Bud's sends. Great guy, but he doesn't have much worth the price he is charging. But have helped him make a sale or two while in his shop with a customer interested in a firearm he/she is interested in.

For ammo, holsters, and a few other things, I but them there to help him out. Should suppressors ever become less regulated, I would buy through him exclusively, he has a fine selection!
 
#23 ·
It pays to support local businesses, if we don't we will be stuck with the Walmarts of the world, where the expert behind the counter was making Subway sandwiches last week.
 
#24 ·
I really like Jerry's Outdoor Sports. He is a local guy. He is a Christian. I try to buy from him when I can. I just bought a model 69 from him in December. And I refer people in my concealed carry classes to go to him. I coached a student yesterday and told him to go talk to Jerry about holsters. His prices are pretty competitive. But I would spend a few bucks more to buy from him instead of Cabelas. If he doesnt have what I am looking for that is a different story.

On another note...If I see something I really want, I have been known to pay what it takes to get it.
 
#27 ·
One time I paid MSRP for a pistol from a box store. I really wanted it. Kimber ultra 2 sapphire. I love the color. Its my carry. But I normally go to my local guy. Even if he's a more I like to buy from him. He's a local guy with a local shop. I always go to him first, show him a deal I found on a firearm. He knows I'd rather buy from him then an online line shop. Even if a lil more. I try to keep my dollars local, even if it more. When he says "sorry, I cant touch that" then I go else were. ALWAYS LOCAL FIRST BEFORE BIG CHAINS OR INTERNET STORES!!
 

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#28 ·
Yes I have but I wasn't happy about it. During the Obama gun craze I bought an AR-10 at Bass Pro. It hurt my feelings to do it but no one else had what I wanted at the time.

I buy different guns for a lot of different reasons but in almost all of them, good value is a part of it. That said most of the local gun shops in my area aren't very good and not even close to being price competitive. Generally speaking I have more product knowledge than they do so they bring very little to the table.

For those of you that have good LGS; I'm jealous, I WISH I had some here.

EDIT: I do buy a lot of guns locally but they tend to be through private sales.
 
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#29 ·
I usually pay my ffl a few dollars an extra 50 or 60 dollars , just so in the future they keep me in mind when I am looking for my next fire arm . he is a nice guy that has done me right on every occasion nothing wrong with giving a little extra as a thank you .god knows everyone over pays when buying guns / scopes / ammo prices new cars and such .
 
#30 ·
I have purchased guns at many LGSs and many online.

Sometimes I pay more just to give the LGS some business.

I'm talking about $50 or so more (in total)... After comparing ALL costs of each way of purchasing (price and any transfer fees and shipping for online.... Price and taxes for local purchase)
Yup!
It's the price im willing to pay for the trips i make to "just look" thus wasting Freds time
 
#33 ·
I'm sure all who start out becoming interested in buying firearms has taken at least one bath during the learning process. It's just a small part of the passage.
Seems when I set up at gunshows and have a few guns on my tables, with what I consider fair prices, there's always some "tire kicker' either with his girlfriend or buddy who thinks he's a "negotiator". I've got a .22 rifle on the table for $150.00. He asks me if I'll take $125.00 and then looks over at his compadre, as if to say, "Watch this". For a short period of time, I'll feign a look like I'm really thinking over his ridiculous offer. Then, I'll ask him, "How about $175.00?". The look is priceless. But, but, you're going the wrong way! For who I ask. Where do you see the sign that states........"Or BEST offer?". Then I'll tell Mr. negotiator, I don't need to give this firearm away, or sell it cheaper than the fair price I'm asking for it. I don't need to take it out for a walk, feed it and it don't crap on the kitchen floor. So, I can take it home and keep it nice and cozy until the next gunshow. :)
 
#35 ·
Only a couple times. For a local shop, supporting them
Not any more

I did pay an extra 75$ for the first Krokus LP On the Schnoutz label.
NM COND. had too. Worth every penny, now its mine and their selling for upwards of 600$

Few other records also , will always be valuable.
If its something u really want and price is fair, ill pay a little extra fpr something in damn fine condition.
 
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