$20.00 More, Worth It?

[Big Blue]

I ordered a new Survivor .308 today from my local gun dealer for $20.00 more than Wally World is asking. This dealer or his family have been in business and at this same location, since the 1870's. He takes trades, buys used guns, sells new and used guns and scopes, and has always stood behind anything he sells. I know him by name, and can order a gun over the phone without a deposit. I know he cost me an addition $20.00 for this gun, but I think it's worth it. So do you think I'm nuts?
Don

[fast*eddie]

$20 extra on a $200+ rifle isn't bad as the dealer is an acquaintance . Any problem , you have a dealer to go to. I refused to pay $140 for a Marlin Mod 60 22cal at a gun show from a dealer who was a stranger when I could buy it for $105 at WalMart. I wasn't paying $35 extra for a $100 item ............

[Varminter]

I was well worth it. If he stands behind any product he sells then yes it was worth. You have to support the little guy as much as possible, there's not too many of them left. That is what i am planning on doing when i graduate high school, getting all my certification to be a gunsmith and my ffl license to open up my own gun store. Remember just support the little guy as much as possible someday it could be me. :grin:

[Big Blue]

Varminter,
  You got it! Save a place at the counter for me. I love E. Tenn., especially the Smokies.
Don

[bajabill]

since you like the guy,  yes

If you did not like him or think he doesnt appreciate your bussiness, then no.  That is why i dont like the to blindly support the little guy.  Many of them in the gun industry dont appreciate the customer, from my experiences.

[Badnews Bob]

Whenever possiable I go with the little guy, You'll probably get that 20 back on a deal later if you keep doing buisness with them. I know I've had good luck that way. I've had them bring something outta the back that they gave me first chance on because they new what I liked. Was the twenty worth it? I think so.

[Mainer]

Well, the guy is giving you great service by taking your special order over the phone and not requiring you to pay a deposit.

Although I order guns through Wal-Mart, it takes at least half an hour to place the order (which they require you do in person) and it takes a FULL HOUR to pick up the gun because of all the bureaucracy they make you go through (start at sporting goods, then go to layaway, then wait for a manager to approve the paperwork and walk the gun to the front door).

Plus, some of the clerks at Wal-Mart act as if they're doing you the world's largest favor by "accepting" your special order.

If I had a local gun dealer who gave good service (it sounds like the guy you described does) for only $20.00 more than Wal-Mart, then I'd give him ALL my business.

But, like bajabill said, if the local guy doesn't give great service, there's no reason waste money supporting him.

[jbtazgrabber]

GOOD LORD MAN i live 35 miles from town and 38 from walmart ,ive been iced in 4 two days  i would  spend 20 bucks in fuel ording a gun and 20 more when it came in IF....IF they called me when it got in   ..our local gun shop wants double the cost of ammo just think what he wants to order a gun......and of coarse HE WANTS IT PAID before he orderd it.....i wish i had a gun shop like that around here.......20 bucks no problem...JB

[ping925]

I feel the same way--and further more Walmart doesn't have chairs where you can sit around, talk guns, hunting, reloading with people of like minds.  I can't list all the times people who bought guns at Walmart brought them into the shop with problems and were told to "Take them to Pete's".  You can guess his reply.   I consider the little extra I pay the "rent" for the seat or the tuition for the education!

[shaner]

my local dealer is really good , his fees are usually 50 bucks over his cost, that includes the shipping +tax of course , he orders once aweek and all guns come in on friday, i can go in anytime sitt  shoot the bull and not be expaected to spend a dime , i can call him up get a price ,and he will order it on the phone  he will usually call back if its not in stock ,been  doin biz with him since 1975 and walmart is 2 miles away and i wouldnt think one time of goin there , not a chance

[bwana]

worth more that ANY $$$ spent in ANY Wal-Mart.  They have become one of the most despicable corporations on the planet.  Your local businessman knows your name, lives in your area, and earns the extra $20 every day.

I'll wager my net worth that he will also ADAMANTLY spend HIS $$$ with a fellow local businessman.  I do.

Wal-Mart get a few $$$ from me every year, but only as a last resort.

I've spent many years in small businesses and I cannot tell you how many times a valued customer, someone I had invested a great deal of time with, would drop in and brag about how cheap he got a product, either from Wal-Mart, eBay or some other out-of-state discounter.  This is without a doubt, about the surest way to insult a small businessman.  And put him out of business.

What happens when Wal- Mart is the only place left?

Sorry 'bout the rant.  Kind of a sore spot with me.

Certainly no offense intended, but please consider who GETS your $$$ also.


bwana

[Mac11700]

You bet it's worth it...especially if he likes you...you wind up saving more on the everyday items with him in the long run...

Mac

[Cottonwood]

worth more that ANY $$$ spent in ANY Wal-Mart.  They have become one of the most despicable corporations on the planet.  Your local businessman knows your name, lives in your area, and earns the extra $20 every day.

I'll wager my net worth that he will also ADAMANTLY spend HIS $$$ with a fellow local businessman.  I do.

Wal-Mart get a few $$$ from me every year, but only as a last resort.

I've spent many years in small businesses and I cannot tell you how many times a valued customer, someone I had invested a great deal of time with, would drop in and brag about how cheap he got a product, either from Wal-Mart, eBay or some other out-of-state discounter.  This is without a doubt, about the surest way to insult a small businessman.  And put him out of business.

What happens when Wal- Mart is the only place left?

Sorry 'bout the rant.  Kind of a sore spot with me.

Certainly no offense intended, but please consider who GETS your $$$ also.  bwana

I fully agree here.

Due to a litigation case that I am involved in I will not say what I would like to about the big WM giant.  Have you guys noticed that WM adds on TV have changed to show a compassion and giving by WM.  Think again, they are just trying to cover up what was exposed on national TV by some major investigations.

For a better idea about WM - Wal-Mart Litigation Project

My rant mode off now  :bye:

[fast*eddie]

worth more that ANY $$$ spent in ANY Wal-Mart.  They have become one of the most despicable corporations on the planet.  Your local businessman knows your name, lives in your area, and earns the extra $20 every day.

I'll wager my net worth that he will also ADAMANTLY spend HIS $$$ with a fellow local businessman.  I do.

Wal-Mart get a few $$$ from me every year, but only as a last resort.

I've spent many years in small businesses and I cannot tell you how many times a valued customer, someone I had invested a great deal of time with, would drop in and brag about how cheap he got a product, either from Wal-Mart, eBay or some other out-of-state discounter.  This is without a doubt, about the surest way to insult a small businessman.  And put him out of business.

What happens when Wal- Mart is the only place left?

Sorry 'bout the rant.  Kind of a sore spot with me.

Certainly no offense intended, but please consider who GETS your $$$ also.


bwana

Problem is - all gunshops aren't equal. I have a couple that are within 10 miles. The owners are also the gunsmiths and don't have time for any discussion and if you need a small quick repair ,get in line and wait a couple of months or pay through the nose for speedy service. If I am going to pay the "small guy" extra for the service , then I expect to get the service !  Too many of the little shops think we owe them a living . That's B.S. !  On the other hand, if the price is close, I will pay a bit extra at the small shop. I spend alot of money each year on hunting gear at WalMart and will continue doing so especially during their clearances. Also , we have some knowledgable people in the sports departments in Western ,NY as they tend to put their senior experienced people in that Dept..  :grin:

[v8r]

If the man has always done you right in the past,.......Whats the question?Some of the big gun shops in my area all act like they are GOD,s gift to the shooting industry.The smaller gun shops are the ones where I recieve the best service.