I know this isn’t exactly AR related, but I thought this best place to post this, if the mods feel it’s the right spot I apologize and please assist me in moving to the correct location, thank you.
Just curious what the thought on this is. I know I like to support the local guy when possible. I will even pay a little more to get it locally. I am sure there are many others that feel this way as well.
But I was just wondering how much more other people are willing to pay to buy local, I know a few bucks is no big deal, but a few bucks over many items really adds up. I know sometimes you can get free shipping, and that really makes a difference, and if you don’t have to pay sales tax that makes a difference as well.
For example an item I’m looking at is $100 locally and only $87 online. Buy the time all taxes and shipping are added in. So to $13 to have it in hand, and support the local guy is worth it, after all the way small business are closing today, I’ll do all I can to support the little guy, after all it’s my opinion they will probably be willing to go a little more out of there way to help you when you really need it.
It all depends. My LGS had a LE6920 Magpul edition that was about $275 above the Internet price. With taxes added on that was more than I was willing to pay. Things like mags and slings, cleaning gear, and other handy items I buy locally.
The largest town in the four county area I live in has 15,000 people so small businesses like sporting goods struggle. The local small businesses typically have great service and know their product, all great people.
I buy local (not WalMart) every chance I get, try to pay cash, and am willing to pay a markup of 20% more than online, plus the taxes.
Whether sporting goods, tools, you name it, it’s worth it to me to evaluate the item in hand and talk to people who enjoy the topic and get advice from them. Since guns are my hobby, that’s part of the enjoyment.
I agree with most people, I will usually tend to spend a few extra bucks if the local store has it. Usually when it comes to quality stuff like noveske, bcm, dd and other really nice stuff I am forced to buy online due to the local stores not carrying the high end equipment but if its something like pmags or other things I definatly try to go there and support them when possible.
I bought my lower at my favorite LGS, I paid a little more than online price+ffl fee+required WA sales tax at time of pick up, but only a few bucks and certainly worth being able to take it home at the time of purchase rather than waiting for it to ship.
My favorite LGS couldn’t come close to PSA prices though on my upper and other build components so I could not justify buying there. Other accessories though will likely be purchased there.
It’s case by case for me. I much prefer to handle/inspect an item before buying it. That’s not always possible of course but even if a local store has the item it’s got to be competitive. That means different things to different people but in this economy I look at every extra dollar as money I could spend on ammo and/or accessories.
Unfortunately in my area the local shops are usually WAY above that line for me. The anodized LE6920 I got online for less than $1200 is for sale here in one shop for $1499 and another for $1999!! I give them a chance to compete by showing them the online prices I’ve found (usually on my phone because they don’t believe me and claim that price is below dealer cost). They rarely do - whether it’s because they can’t or won’t doesn’t matter to me. They must have enough people paying those prices that they don’t care either.
I can’t give you a precise dollar amount, but more often than not I find myself ordering online.
nice to know i’m not to crazy, i defiantly try to buy local on most things, but some of them the difference is just much.
I also think that buying locally is a little easier to get by the wife sometimes. Dont’ get me wrong my wife knows my obsessions but may not know everytime I get a new gizmo. lol
I buy all of my guns from my LGS. He doesn’t stock a lot of parts or accessories so those I buy online. When his ammo prices are close to PSA, I buy ammo from him even though I pay a little more. I get back far more than I spend with him.
I buy nothing local. Online is a better business model. I order on my phone, its on my porch. Onliy things i really buy local are gas and food. If it saves a trip to the store ill even pay a bit more to buy online.
You lgs buys from the same place online you would, then marks it up a bit and puts it on the shelf… Why wouldnt you just get it shipped straight to your door? Amazon prime is 80$ a year and i get the item shipped in 1-2 days free. Almost all my guns are buds/g+r etc or local private sales
AR parts I’ve been buying online. Local stores don’t have much of a selection. They tell me they can order me anything I need. I rather do the ordering myself if I can. Saves me anther trip to the gun store when I can have it shipped to my door. Saves me gas too.
I don’t have a set % but if the local gun store is close I buy from him. It’s nice for me because I have a store about 3 miles from the house that has lots of stuff in stock and will give good deals. His posted prices are a bit high but if you pay cash he will come down quite a bit. This generally puts him pretty close to the onlie prices. Accessories tend to be a bit higher but it is worth something to be able to handle it ahead of time. I don’t want to lose a nice store close to my house so I buy from him if possible.