Gun Dealers - Own Worst Enemy

[Phil3]

I called my two preferred gun dealers to see about availability and price for a Savage Target Action. The first dealer cuts me off and says we can't order that. Can't order that? It is a standard Savage product. I am told the part is a "part" and I will have to contact "Parts" at Savage. I explained the "part" IS the gun, but to no avail. My explaining I would prefer to buy the product from them was just brushed aside. They suggested using a mail order firm. Maybe they think I will mail order it and then pay them the $75 to process the purchase through them. On to the next dealer...

This dealer, obviously annoyed with my request, but finally relented when I said I would really prefer to give the business to them. I was then asked for the part number. I provided that, and was told I will be called back. Eureka, they CAN order it, at a price that is $12 ABOVE retail! Or $625. I can order it for $500, and even with the stiff $75 FFL "processing fee", still be $50 ahead.

Also wanting a Howa barreled action, I called the only Howa dealer near me, 50+ miles away. After a long time on hold, a salesperson could not fathom the definition of "barreled action". So much for knowing anything about their product. After explaining the Howa barreled action is basically the gun without the stock, it was sorta', kinda' understood with a long pause that communicated a strong sense, of NOT understanding. I wanted to find out availability and price, and if could I order it. Nope, I have to visit the store to do any of that!

And I thought the CA government was an obstructionist in procuring a gun! These guys are just as bad, compounding the problem. As much as I hate paying $75 for them to act as the FFL for a product I secure elsewhere, I see no other choice. It appears to me they don't want to do anything that is at all different or involves selling anything that is not sitting on their shelves. At this point, I wouldn't buy a pair of earplugs from any of them. The customer service and attitude is nothing short of miserable, rude, and arrogant.

Phil

 

[stool]

your dealers...not mine...but then i was smart enough to leave ca...
i picked up two mn44's that I ORDERED AND PAYED FOR, and had shipped to my dealer....

 

[Phil3]

I absolutely detest CA, and am only here by necessity, and no other reason. Good for you that you COULD leave CA. As soon as practical, there will be a sonic boom following my Mach 2 departure from CA hell.

 

[MQ1]

Phil,

I know a good FFL in Napa who won't rape you. J&R sports supply in Livermore has been pretty good to me, and they've always been supportive of bringing something odd in for me.

MQ1

 

[mattt]

Besides the 75$ they might hit you with tax.

 

[Eddie Harren]

Every FFL dealer in the country should pass along products at wholesale prices. That's called progressive economics.

 

[Minesweeper3433]

Every FFL dealer in the country should pass along products at wholesale prices. That's called progressive economics.

Dealers get dealer cost. Marking it up above retail cast enough to pay their bills that they now have to deal with thanks to the gov pushes that price higher than listed retail.

 

[Steve3]

It's not just firearms, it just about anything from many mom and pop brick and mortar stores that have zero business sense. You have to find dealers/merchants who understand the big picture.

 

[Larryh128]

+1 on Steve 3, there are independents that are absolutely on their game and can throttle the chain stores, then there are others that are so clueless it isn't funny. Forget about trying to explain anything to them, just move on. I've dealt with them for 40 years. There is a reason they go out of business.

 

[hogpatrol]

Savage .223 target action at http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/browse.cfm/2,5126.html

Good Luck! Hog

As to the non business saavy gunsmiths, gun supply houses & small gun shops:

"There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else."

Sam Walton

 

[jonbearman]

Making excuse's for price gouging which is charging over retail for items you want to buy is pure greed.I was in business and my margin was double digits but reasonable.If a business cant afford to sell for retail or less then the business needs to change its business plan,like get out of the high rent district or whatever.Beside'sthe real money is in used firearms etc.I am sick of hearing how the government is always the answer to higher price's caused by their own mismanagement of company money.Nobody should pay full retail unless it is the latest greatest thing new on the market period.Charging high price's to simply log in an action and log it out for 5 minute's worth of work is simple ridiculous.Shop around and you will probably find a mom and pop gunstore that will help you out.

 

[gotcha]

PHIL, Check "Northland shooters supply". He as Mod. 12 target action .223 B/F @ $415.00 will ship to your FFL. Can't Help you w/ the Howa. Good luck!

 

[wedgy]

To help ease the $75 fee I try to buy as many guns/actions at the same time because you can do them on the same FFL transfer.

 

[shortgrass]

Every FFL dealer in the country should pass along products at wholesale prices. That's called progressive economics.

You're so right! Every small business owner is filty rich anyway. Why not just give us what we want at 'cost'. It's what B.O. would do!

 

[Jeremy(WI)]

I called my two preferred gun dealers to see about availability and price for a Savage Target Action. The first dealer cuts me off and says we can't order that. Can't order that? It is a standard Savage product. I am told the part is a "part" and I will have to contact "Parts" at Savage. I explained the "part" IS the gun, but to no avail. My explaining I would prefer to buy the product from them was just brushed aside. They suggested using a mail order firm. Maybe they think I will mail order it and then pay them the $75 to process the purchase through them. On to the next dealer...

This dealer, obviously annoyed with my request, but finally relented when I said I would really prefer to give the business to them. I was then asked for the part number. I provided that, and was told I will be called back. Eureka, they CAN order it, at a price that is $12 ABOVE retail! Or $625. I can order it for $500, and even with the stiff $75 FFL "processing fee", still be $50 ahead.

Also wanting a Howa barreled action, I called the only Howa dealer near me, 50+ miles away. After a long time on hold, a salesperson could not fathom the definition of "barreled action". So much for knowing anything about their product. After explaining the Howa barreled action is basically the gun without the stock, it was sorta', kinda' understood with a long pause that communicated a strong sense, of NOT understanding. I wanted to find out availability and price, and if could I order it. Nope, I have to visit the store to do any of that!

And I thought the CA government was an obstructionist in procuring a gun! These guys are just as bad, compounding the problem. As much as I hate paying $75 for them to act as the FFL for a product I secure elsewhere, I see no other choice. It appears to me they don't want to do anything that is at all different or involves selling anything that is not sitting on their shelves. At this point, I wouldn't buy a pair of earplugs from any of them. The customer service and attitude is nothing short of miserable, rude, and arrogant.

Phil

I cannot believe neither would order what you wanted to make a quick and easy sale, it defies any logic whatsoever

 

[Phil3]

In response to a few posts...

Yes, they would hit me with sales tax, which for one store was 7.75% and the other 9.00% (different county).

No one is expecting a dealer to pass long products at wholesale prices. But I do expect an FFL to do something a bit better than MSRP, especially when compared to mail order, the dealer's price (w/additional markup over MSRP) is 23.5% higher, and the mail order people are making a profit. So, the dealer is making more than 23.5%. There is some room for a discount, but the dealer isn't giving that...they are padding the profit even more. Lost my business. I went to Bass Pro Shops sometime ago. I know economics of the business can be challenging, but good Lord, a change in attitude is free and can bring in more customers.

With regard to their being one boss, me, the customer, I am exercising that power right now.

Thanks Wedgy, yes, I am aware of buying multiple firearms at once to save costs.

A friend has steered me to an FFL that should be able to help me out. We'll see on the Howa.

Jeremy, I too was stunned the dealers either claimed they could not get what I want or they would not order it. One specifically said we deal in rifles only. I said the action IS the core of the rifle. It IS a part the manufacturer makes so it can be sold by the distributors. Nope. I feel like calling the manufacturer and telling them YOUR distributor will not sell some of your products to customers.

Thanks to the suggestions for other sources for the Savage action.

Phil

 

[Outrider27]

When seriously pushed the wrong way, I tend to become a troublemaker. I would definitely call the manufacturer and inform them of the incompetence of a distributor or dealer. ;D

 

[Phil3]

Given I am still fuming angry over the dealer behavior, I plan to do exactly that. Thanks for reminding me to watch for this on my "to-do" list.

Phil

 

[BigDMT]

$500 is a good price on that action.....

But a $75 FFL fee!!!!! That's absolutely ridiculous!!! The only time I have to pay a transfer fee is when buying from a private party out of state. State resident to state resident can ship door to door. I never have to pay any FFL fees when ordering any firearm from any of my local dealers. They only charge for private transfers. And even then, there are a few places that only charge $25 to do that.

Last time I bought that same action, I paid a total of $520. That included shipping, FFL paperwork, etc. And my dealer still made enough money to be completely content with the transaction.

I think it's up to the consumers to "boycott" dealers with outrageous costs like you are talking about or they will never stop taking advantage of people. So I applaud you for your actions Phil3.

 

[Acme7]

Phil3, find a wholesalear with the item you want in stock,. take it to your local dealer with the MSRP and ask for the manager. Tell him what you want and why, also where it is available wholsale and what retail is and your willing to pay that.
If the dealer can find it cheaper or fiqure out how else to make money off it great. If youi do a little leg work and go in to the store at non peak hours you will have better luck. also after being so unhappy in Ca, why are you still there? I left ten years ago and the only question i have is why did i wait so long?