Author Topic: Support your local merchants vs. Mail Order (Read 428 times)

Cheyenne Ranger · « **on:** May 04, 2003, 11:07:55 AM »

Have to say I'm in a bit of a dilemma in this area. I want to support our local merchants (leather, clothes, acces, etc) but I'm beginning to have a hard time.
Case in point: Ordered a pair of Wah pants, now granted they were size 50 so the local guy had to order them. Figured as much and no problem. This was the day after Thanksgiving. Cancelled them a week ago. Ordered from Wild West Merc.: came in 5 days and cheaper even with shipping :?
Ordered a double holster rig from a local holstersmith. Had three weeks till the club shoot. Promised in 2 1/2 weeks. After repeated calls got them a week AFTER the shoot. Checked the web and found a very similar outfit for $50 less, again including shipping.
Now I know that the locals can't compete with the Big Dawgs but I'm finding it hard to do business with them when it takes longer and it costs more.
Would appreciate ya'll's thoughts.

Snake River Cowboy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2003, 11:29:31 AM »

I had the same experience with powder. Cabella was out of Clays and needed a 2 can backorder. I only needed 1. Local shop ordered Clays for me and it took 4 months to come in. Cabella probably had it in stock a week later. I would love to get reloading supplies locally, but no one carries the stuff I use on a regular basis. When they have it, it costs more-and that is with taking the hazmat/shipping into account.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2003, 12:47:02 PM »

I try to support the locals too, even when it's a few dollars more, But I only go a few dollars, I tell them what it cost me to have it in my hands from a mail order house and ask if they can come close. Quite often they can, they have to reduce their profit margin some, but I guess they figure better to make a little than loose a lot. They know I'm trying to shop at home so they always try to at least be close. Sometimes they just can't compete. I can have some things delivered cheaper than they can get them from their supplier. As a result of my efforts with them, they will accept firearms for me for no charge, so I know they are trying to support their community. We all do what we can when we can, then do what we must when we have to.

howdy doody · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2003, 01:00:51 PM »

I think we are all in the same boat. I do a heck of a lot of mail ordering of stuff. For clothes though, I generally hold off until I make a big shoot. I find that there I can see the clothes and try them on and that works out great for me. Two vendors I purchase from have foot powered treadle sewing machines and they can sew up my correct length right on the spot and don't charge for it either. I have never had loose buttons, stitching coming apart or any of that stuff I had with the big name brands either.
BP is not stocked by any dealers in my area, due to fire laws and over regulation and I usually try and get together with others and purchase that by mail order too. It's just like the old days. Mail order that is. :grin:
I have bought all my cartridge guns locally, but not my C&Bs. I got most of them from Cabelas. Locally they don't stock them anyways.

Cheyenne · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2003, 03:50:55 AM »

It's hard sometimes to support the local....Texas Jack's is just down the road.....I don't buy there as it's full retail. I have bought from them at shoots as they discount and have close outs then. Don't buy guns there either.....again full retail and usually no discussion on price....if they've changed lately, that's good.

I don't know what the answer is, but mail order seems to have a lower overhead, so they have the lower price. I figure what I want, then shop for price.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2003, 05:15:49 AM »

The only thing I can buy locally for this sport is primers & brass ( and even THOSE are a pretty hefty mark up). :cry: None of the local shops carries the clothing, accoutraments, or gunz I need to do this stuff, so I use the net!

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2003, 07:24:43 AM »

well i'm in business and also in competition with the web in real estate--i do the best i can to do business locally--it cost a few dollars but i like being face to face with the folks. they have worked hard to put together a living for themselves and i'll support em---besides, i can go back too em real easy ifin i got a concern. can't always do it this way, but if i can i do.
blessings

JohnK · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2003, 11:42:12 AM »

I've had a lot of trouble finding powder locally lately too. It's not like I was looking for something unusual or anything, 2400, H110 and Lil'Gun. 4 shops had none of any of them. One of the 4 got 2400 and Lil'Gun in 3 weeks after I started looking - after telling me every other day "should be in tomorrow".

I'd like to support local business, but they don't seem to want to carry common supplies.