Support your local gun shop until

[Retired shooter]

Hello All
Thread topic says it all. While waiting on a custom upper assy to be built I have been making some modifications on the lower assy. Needed a different buttstock, got a Magpul PRS Gen 3 got it for the adjustable comb so could get good eye alignment with scope. Upon finding out the buffer tube was commercial and not mil spec, I called the LGS , yes they had mil spec buffer in stock. Went to town for a blood test at the local medical center,( which I had studied for), then to LGS. Had been in there before , they have only been open maybe 4 or 5 yrs. Couple of brothers running the store, both super friendly. However not customer wallet friendly.

After paying at least twice maybe three times what I could have bought a buffer tube online and had delivered to the house with free shipping I left that local store and told myself no more with them. Did not say anything to the young business owner did not make a scene, however, will not be back in that store. Can't and wont refer anyone to them. My mistake for not asking price when I called. Always supported the locals, tried to keep money in town, however, no more.

Getting older but still learning.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Hello All
Thread topic says it all. While waiting on a custom upper assy to be built I have been making some modifications on the lower assy. Needed a different buttstock, got a Magpul PRS Gen 3 got it for the adjustable comb so could get good eye alignment with scope. Upon finding out the buffer tube was commercial and not mil spec, I called the LGS , yes they had mil spec buffer in stock. Went to town for a blood test at the local medical center,( which I had studied for), then to LGS. Had been in there before , they have only been open maybe 4 or 5 yrs. Couple of brothers running the store, both super friendly. However not customer wallet friendly.

After paying at least twice maybe three times what I could have bought a buffer tube online and had delivered to the house with free shipping I left that local store and told myself no more with them. Did not say anything to the young business owner did not make a scene, however, will not be back in that store. Can't and wont refer anyone to them. My mistake for not asking price when I called. Always supported the locals, tried to keep money in town, however, no more.

Getting older but still learning.

My wife and I try to support the younger business owners in our town that try to keep it going. I have to squint and bite my tongue a lot, but I like small towns.

 

[Retired shooter]

Our down town used to be fairly busy. Mall got built a lot of business moved to it. downtown now has more empty buildings than occupied buildings. Mall basically empty.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Now that the internet is collecting sales tax, the playing field has been "leveled" (politicians words) I am still waiting on my LGS to stock like Midway. I'm still waiting but...... the 200-300% brick and mortar "premium" is still there. They have done me pretty well on a few guns, but reloading supplies - yikes - and I haven't been in since Covid. I'm too afraid to.

 

[CJ6]

A "local" shop I visit is a small Mom & Pop shop with a good variety of sporting goods (hunting/fishing) etc. I've bought from the "ol man" for close to 30 years. His son is taking over and I feel the shop won't last long after dad leaves the place. The son is VERY rigid on prices and most are somewhat above the going rate. Customer loyalty and general rapport is nil with him...Buy it or don't IDC attitude.

 

[ebb]

i went to the local NAPA store and tried to buy 2 bearings for my drill press. The guy wanted $53.00 for them< i asked what made them so expensive and he did the best he could to tell me they were made of some virgin steel from Finland or some such BS. I thanked him for his time and never went back. Some Russian guy owns about 5 NAPA stores in this area and thinks he has the right to steal now that he is in the USA. Ordered the same bearings online for $2.37 each

 

[Retired shooter]

Have a bearing supply house here in town, dad and I have dealt with them. They have cheap bearings , and for just a little more good bearings. Finding the better bearings is getting hard to do.

 

[alf]

Now that the internet is collecting sales tax, the playing field has been "leveled" (politicians words)

That internet sales tax still chaps my ass to no end.

So the local brick & mortar stores were/are depending on walk in sales, when they could have customers from the other 49 states buy from them to avoid their local sales tax if they had an online presence. Now that everyone charges tax, people will shop for the lowest price, and the brick & mortar will be still be SOL if they don't have a competitive price, same as before.

Buncha bullshit......

 

[Retired shooter]

The LGS can supply service or repair if they have a competent Smith or at least a good repair dude. Then can also trade and sell, however when it comes to sales they will be losing out.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I am willing to pay more (to a point) when local businesses are willing to hold inventory but often times they are not. They say they can order it. So can I.

 

[Bob3700]

Where the cheaper on line bearings of the same manufacturer as the NAPA ones?

there are cheap Chinese bearings and ones made in the USA. Tempkin bearings are quality manufactured / precision units and their cost is reflected in those qualities.

i went to the local NAPA store and tried to buy 2 bearings for my drill press. The guy wanted $53.00 for them< i asked what made them so expensive and he did the best he could to tell me they were made of some virgin steel from Finland or some such BS. I thanked him for his time and never went back. Some Russian guy owns about 5 NAPA stores in this area and thinks he has the right to steal now that he is in the USA. Ordered the same bearings online for $2.37 each

you can find cheap Chinese bearings on line or u can order quality USA made Timken USA bearings. It depends on the application u are looking at. If I am replacing the bearings in the bathroom fan, that is one thing, if I am replacing the rear axle bearings on the truck I tow my boat with, it is a no brained which brand of bearing I am purchasing.
If the price disparity is on the same Chinese brand, that is a horse of a different color.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I think we all have a price point that we have to draw a line in the sand and the local business will suffer if greedy.

 

[Bronsin]

If my LGS has a box of bullets that I haven't been able to find or a pound of powder that I need, I just grit my teeth and pay their ransom for it. Otherwise I order online. Shops like these are over-valuing their place in the market. They think that hazmat fees will keep most people from buying powder and primers elsewhere. On the contrary, I have found primers and powder cheaper thru online sources even with hazmat and shipping!

I never thought about buying more than a couple pounds of powder at a time because it was plentiful, and spending over $100 on 8lbs of it seemed ridiculous. Now, spending over $300 on an 8lber is the cheapest way to buy it.

 

[Retired shooter]

It has to be something that is really needed or important before I pay the high dollar for something.
I do a lot of internet searches looking for the better deal. I have a different GS about 25 miles north, and another about 15 miles north of that one. The farthest north has been slowly getting powder in that my son and I both use, priced reasonable. Getting a few primers in but priced high. Dont know if price will come down or not. Wait and see.

 

[TTE]

If the LGS's are not supported .... they will be gone.
Then your online purchased will be severely limited.
Want a new action/rifle .... you'll be hopping in your car and renting a hotel waiting for your background to clear.
JMO

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I pay extra to go put my hands on it. They had ramshot hunter today for $30/lb so they aint bad

 

[Retired shooter]

The shop where I have been getting powder is nice enough to put my name on a list and very good at calling when powder shows up. I dont shoot a tremendous amount but when I get a chance to purchase powder I buy several at a time. Yes I do support the LGS, especially the ones that offer great service, and reasonable pricing.

 

[Bill K]

Not bad at all.

I pay extra to go put my hands on it. They had ramshot hunter today for $30/lb so they aint bad

I paid 39.00 for a lb at my one local GS than had some come in. Still worth it, to me anyway.

 

[Richard Jones]

My LGS is over an hour away......haven't been in years.

 

[Kittitas George]

Our retailers aren't aware there are now freeways to other markets or many of us have internet connections. I would prefer to shop local BUT. The local lumber yard was 50% higher than the 'outa town' companies on the lumber package for my house, and he hasn't got much since. No one can afford prices like that.