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Buying Guns Online
OK guys…
What do you think about buying guns online?
Why would you?
Why would you not?
What would entice you? -
13 Replies
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What do you think about buying guns online?
– I've bought 3 “new” guns on line but no used guns. That being said, I would not have a problem buying a used gun if it was from a reputable source, or individual.Why would you?
– To price shop and to find availability…no reason paying more for the same gun if you can get for less somewhere else, close to you. I usually don't mind a few bucks here or there is its from a source or vendor I like dealing with and help support.Why would you not?
– Needs to be a reputable source, if not… there is no way I would buy if the company or individual had a bad rating. Returns and service can be a nightmare.What would entice you?
– Usually competitive pricing and previous experience with the vendor on other items… I would rather help and support a vendor with whom I've had a previous good buying experience, even if the price is sometimes a little more. Thats why service is so important. -
Great info. Thanks!
So what about rifles in which the manufacturer controls pricing so everyone has to price them the same?
Would it come down to availability?
Is the FFL transfer worth the hassle?
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I would think if price was a set amount…then it would be availability and relationship with the vendor.
Even then I think there would be exceptions. I have waited in the past for a preferred vendor to get inventory so I could buy a product from them.Example…I waited for you guys to get your bottom metal and shrouds complete before I purchased more.
I figured I could wait, because I liked your previous products… and I would rather give you the money then another supplier/vendor. -
I recently bought an ISSC SPA 17 HMR through G_nBr_ker and the process was not eventful. They processed the credit card and dealt with the actual seller (a business not an individual). I was responsible for sending the seller's contact information to my FFL dealer who then sent their credentials to the seller. Shipping was $30 and my FFL charged $10 for the transfer (unusually good transfer price btw).
To answer the questions;
I'm ok with buying online if I can't get the same thing from my local gun shop (LGS). Items like specific used guns, hard to find ones and very good deals are why I would buy online. If my LGS can get the same thing for around $50 more, then I would support them (but my local store is small and not very helpful). Do not use Paypal gift to save 3% since Paypal won't stand behind a gift transfer.
I would avoid individual sales that require a money order or Paypal gift since they are like sending cash with no guarantee of anything (unless I was very confident of the seller's reputation).
Things that make a particular online sale appealing to me are; The quality of the seller's or broker's website including search engine, pictures, guarantees, clear shipping fees, money handling and seller feedback. In the end, price is usually the deciding factor when choosing between online sellers.
I also search for seller and broker reviews and I keep in mind that negative reviews carry less weight with me than positive reviews since any problems usually generate comments while positive experiences often don't. I focus on the type of negative review (product review vs seller review, shipping issue vs manufacture's warranty issue etc.)I have been curious how sellers and brokers are able to offer different prices on new guns since I assume most manufactures & distributors have minimum price agreements or rules.
If I was setting up an online sales operation, I would focus on clearly advertising the discounts for the add-ons or smithing with the purchase of the gun, rather than trying to make the profit on small margins and high volume gun reselling. I think the low margin game is a long term loser since there seems to always be someone willing to sell a bit cheaper. Customer service is always a factor, and and a sales website should have a very clear and easy way to leave and read feedback from buyers. When I read reviews and comments, the quality of the service nearly always gets a mention.
Jason, If you are thinking of getting into the online gun sales game in a bigger way, I Think you are off to a good start! Just please don't turn into a “Ch__per than D_rt or Spor___ans G_ide” kind of operation.
-Eric -
This is great information guys!
I definitely don't want to become like the businesses listed that shall not be named. Their customer service is horrible.
My goal is to create a way to sell our in house products in a one stop shop type of environment now that I have the direct relationship with Tikka/Beretta.
Like Eric said, there is no margin in the guns themselves. However, I can steeply discount my products and services in a package deal.
Between the failure of the Group Buy last year and the constant delays because our new mill keeps breaking down, the last thing I want to do is ruin more relationships. At the end of the day, I want people to look forward to doing business with MT, and not loathe it because we're the only source of parts.
Tikka does control the pricing of all of their rifles except the standard T3 Lite. Quite frankly, I don't know how brick and mortar gun shops make it on the low margins.
So I figured I'd ask you Tikka nuts how you would prefer it to work. ;D
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I wouldn't have a problem buying a firearm of you guys if it was possible, for me I'd pay list price if the service is good ,there's lots of gunsmiths around here that could of made my new custom rifle , some would of been cheaper, but I went with the guy I did because he offered a good service and advice, on the components I'm paying list ( and I am from Yorkshire the centre of penny pinching) so sometimes it's not always about the cost it's the complete package
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I always shop around for the best deal. I have one local pawn shop that I do all my transfers thorough and in most cases if I'm buying new ill see what he can do as far as pricing. If its the same it would cost me with the transfer fee I will buy it from him. In most cases its not cheaper though. I've done about 10 transfers with this store so far this year and I don't think they complain bout the 200 bucks they have made for the 30 minutes of work it has taken them. If I had a bunch of money I wouldn't worry about the 50-100 more bucks it would cost to buy local but I don't and that's the cost of a base or a steal recoil block that we have to put in our tikkas'.
I know it has to suck for other gun stores who sell their guns to make a decent profit but that why I live here in America because the market sets the prices and those having the best prices will always get the business. Look at how many guns buds gun shop sells. At the end of the day it must be easier to sell quantity to make the money than it is to sell at higher prices.
I've bought a bunch of used guns online and I've only been burned once and it was my own fault because I kept getting bad feeling but sent a MO anyways because it was a hard to find gun. Every other times its been smooth sailing and I've felt well about the sale. In most cases people will buy a gun and put maybe a box of shells through it and then sell it for 100 less than new. Those are the deals I look for.
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So what kind of extras would tilt the deal in favor of the online seller?
I.e. Steep parts discount?
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1. What do you think about buying guns online?
I've bought a few. All were things local places would never have in stock and likely couldn't get anytime soon.2. Why would you?
Availability and cost mostly.3. Why would you not?
Support local business. Cost+shipping+transfer fee not large enough difference than buying local. (Live near Whittakers, hard to beat their prices). Impatience.4. What would entice you?
Not much you can do here for mass produced items. Though if you got a deal with Beretta/Tikka to get actions, you could sell a DIY build kit, I bet it'd go well. Tikka action, barrel (including calibers and contours not available by factory or even barrel blanks), decent inexpensive stock (like Boyd's or a little better, maybe). Have the option to assemble or the customer could have a local gunsmith or themselves put it together. Maybe even barreled actions or action and barrel blank kit.
How many people actually keep their guns factory anymore? -
I have bought several guns on line due to availability and have had no problems. In fact, I just bought one from you last week and everything worked out great.
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Surprised to hea that Tikka controls prices. Bought my .223 Varmint from Bud's for about $100 under other vendors. Free shipping and no sales tax. What's not to like?
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So does tikka set the bottom of the price then? Because most of the time I see lefty hunters for ~$750 but I can find them online for <$700
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Tikka does set the bottom price for their dealers. Dealers caught selling them cheaper lose their ability to sell them.
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