Why try and support the LGS?

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  • wcd

    Grandmaster
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    0   0   0
    Dec 2, 2011
    6,274
    113
    Off the Grid In Tennessee
    Wife and Son are under the.weather, so I went out to get feed this am, decided I wanted to see if the lgs, had Metal j clips for my holster to make it tuckable,sometimes I need to be a bit neater. It's right down the road from the mill so I figured why not stop?

    Went in wrote down what I needed concisely. Then he comes back we sell Magazines! We don't sell Clips,they are called magazines not clips!

    Is this a new trend i am not aware of? You know people using magazines to keep their holsters attached to their belts?

    It was a nice day so I figured I would make the trip to my favorite store Royal Range. It's about a 40 minute drive, get there my guy is even working. Nice to be able to ask him exactly what I need. Turns out they do not sell holster clips either, but he goes on line show me the website he uses for parts, then says hang on, he goes in back comes out with i think a Crossbreed holster with the shell that was broken. How about $5.00 and I will take the clips off it. Done deal.

    Get home everyone still sleeping so I figured well why not switch them out, worked like a dream, my commander size 1911 literally disappears! Figured out that I can even clip them on the waistband for even more concealment, it's going to be perfect for Sunday.
     

    WebSnyper

    Maximum Effort
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    56   0   0
    Jul 3, 2010
    15,417
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    127.0.0.1
    The internet is the modern day hardware store of old that had everything. Anymore, I buy most things on the internet. About the only thing I go to an LGS anymore for is night sights (I like to buy them where I am having them installed to avoid any issues ... and one day I may just get a sight pusher and do them myself, though it is much easier on Glocks than it is M&Ps I hear) and transfers. I take my transfer business to an LGS that likes to do transfers.

    I'm not saying not to support your LGS. If you have a good one and you like it great, but like many places, especially for specific fit items or odds and ends, there is just too much out there to effectively stock it, so they don't. The internet on the other hand has it all.
     

    lester

    Sharpshooter
    Industry Partner
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    0   0   0
    Jun 8, 2008
    393
    18
    Greencastle
    Local businesses should not thrive just because they happen to be local. Instead, Local gunstore should thrive because they specialize in something and know the needs of their people better than the people themselves.

    I love to buy local, but when I do it is because the local guy 'knows' me and 'knows' my needs. The local store should be the expert for their clientele since the national suppliers cannot (just not possible for them to be the expert that everyone needs every time - local guys can).

    That is what supporting local businesses means to me, especially in regards to gun stores.
     

    Clay Pigeon

    Shooter
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Aug 3, 2016
    2,740
    12
    Summitville
    Local businesses should not thrive just because they happen to be local. Instead, Local gunstore should thrive because they specialize in something and know the needs of their people better than the people themselves.

    I love to buy local, but when I do it is because the local guy 'knows' me and 'knows' my needs. The local store should be the expert for their clientele since the national suppliers cannot (just not possible for them to be the expert that everyone needs every time - local guys can).

    That is what supporting local businesses means to me, especially in regards to gun stores.

    Yep, if folks don't support local businesses, soon there will be no local businesses.
    I live in northern Madison county, not many local restaurants to choose from, they open and the small towns don't support them and they close.
    .Support your local businesses....
     

    Expat

    Pdub
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    23   0   0
    Feb 27, 2010
    108,735
    113
    Michiana
    I had a small disagreement with my LGS (they verbally gave me a price, gun came in, i bought it along with several other items so I didn't notice until I got to the parking lot that they charged me $100 more than they had quoted). I pointed it out to them and they said, that was the price. I told them right away that I wasn't happy about how things went. I got a sorry but tough **** kind of response. Once they realized I wasn't coming back, they sent me an apology letter and gift certificate for $100 (which I haven't used). At this point, they are dead to me. I have spent way more at another gun shop since then, than what my local shop and I got in a dispute over.
     

    halfmileharry

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    65   0   0
    Dec 2, 2010
    11,450
    99
    South of Indy
    I had a small disagreement with my LGS (they verbally gave me a price, gun came in, i bought it along with several other items so I didn't notice until I got to the parking lot that they charged me $100 more than they had quoted). I pointed it out to them and they said, that was the price. I told them right away that I wasn't happy about how things went. I got a sorry but tough **** kind of response. Once they realized I wasn't coming back, they sent me an apology letter and gift certificate for $100 (which I haven't used). At this point, they are dead to me. I have spent way more at another gun shop since then, than what my local shop and I got in a dispute over.

    Hate hearing that.
    I quit going to my favorite shop over one azzhat with a horrible attitude and **** poor customer service.
     

    wcd

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 2, 2011
    6,274
    113
    Off the Grid In Tennessee
    Yep, if folks don't support local businesses, soon there will be no local businesses.
    I live in northern Madison county, not many local restaurants to choose from, they open and the small towns don't support them and they close.
    .Support your local businesses....

    My guess is the store in question wont make it, yeah it would be nice to have a place close that valued your business. But for me I will drive the 45 minutes each way to support a non chain store, that has a good selection, fair prices and courtesy for customers.
     

    55fairlane

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Jan 15, 2016
    2,216
    113
    New Haven
    You know, for me it is becoming harder and harder to support the LGS , as 90% of the time they have nothing I need/want......of the little bit they have I would spend my cash on there are way over priced......I don't know if this just the fort Wayne area or am I becoming picky..........
     

    NyleRN

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    28   0   0
    Dec 14, 2013
    3,834
    113
    Scottsburg
    I want to support my LGS when I can but will not justify spending $50 or more on a product just to say I support you. I work hard for my money and I'm not throwing it away when I can save the difference and get the exact same thing. It's almost socialist for LGS to want you to spend more with them to keep them afloat when you worked for the paycheck. This is a competitive free market. The internet gun places figured out a way to be more competitive than the brick and mortar stores. Now it's time for the brick and mortar stores to figure out how to out do the online guys.
     

    WebSnyper

    Maximum Effort
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    56   0   0
    Jul 3, 2010
    15,417
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    127.0.0.1
    I had a small disagreement with my LGS (they verbally gave me a price, gun came in, i bought it along with several other items so I didn't notice until I got to the parking lot that they charged me $100 more than they had quoted). I pointed it out to them and they said, that was the price. I told them right away that I wasn't happy about how things went. I got a sorry but tough **** kind of response. Once they realized I wasn't coming back, they sent me an apology letter and gift certificate for $100 (which I haven't used). At this point, they are dead to me. I have spent way more at another gun shop since then, than what my local shop and I got in a dispute over.

    I'd have used the gift card and then moved on... (unless it was a "coupon" and not really a gift card).
     

    WebSnyper

    Maximum Effort
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    56   0   0
    Jul 3, 2010
    15,417
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    Yep, if folks don't support local businesses, soon there will be no local businesses.
    I live in northern Madison county, not many local restaurants to choose from, they open and the small towns don't support them and they close.
    .Support your local businesses....

    I get that, if the local is worth having around and does something better than the alternatives. If they don't, then I don't need them and they don't deserve my business. That's not all about price alone though.
    Obviously with an LGS there is the FFL component, but even in that regard, I take my transfers to a business that acts like they want to do them and provides a good service for a good price. I drive past a lot of LGS to get to the one I do my transfers at, for the service that I get.
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
    Emeritus
    Rating - 100%
    187   0   0
    Dec 7, 2011
    191,809
    152
    Speedway area
    I had a small disagreement with my LGS (they verbally gave me a price, gun came in, i bought it along with several other items so I didn't notice until I got to the parking lot that they charged me $100 more than they had quoted). I pointed it out to them and they said, that was the price. I told them right away that I wasn't happy about how things went. I got a sorry but tough **** kind of response. Once they realized I wasn't coming back, they sent me an apology letter and gift certificate for $100 (which I haven't used). At this point, they are dead to me. I have spent way more at another gun shop since then, than what my local shop and I got in a dispute over.

    I would write a letter back stating everything you just said. If that is all that your repeat business means to them then yes, screw-em. I know you are a steady customer by reading what you acquire and most of it is not low end pieces.
     

    Ark

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    25   0   0
    Feb 18, 2017
    6,735
    113
    Indy
    For what I spend on holsters, the LGS sure is missing out by not bothering to stock anything but the same old dusty rack of Serpas and outdated leather IWBs. Springs, detents or assorted parts for lowers? "We'll hafta order that". Magazines? Maybe for a 50% markup, if they even bother to stock them.

    Can I try a P365? "We don't stock anything Sig, hafta order it".

    Hey, dude, you guys have a Ruger PCC to look at? "Nope, hafta order that."

    Weapon lights? Night sights? Aftermarket triggers? "Lemme talk to my guy and I might be able to order that."

    Man, I got a working keyboard and wifi at home. If I wanted to order something I wouldn't have gotten in my car and driven over here to talk to you, and I wouldn't be paying your markup. Too many FFLs are lazy, never keep things in stock, and basically answer "let me Amazon that for you and then mark it up" every time you ask about something. You're just leaving money on the table, dudes. I would have paid your markup if you HAD THINGS IN YOUR STORE.
     

    Expat

    Pdub
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    23   0   0
    Feb 27, 2010
    108,735
    113
    Michiana
    I would write a letter back stating everything you just said. If that is all that your repeat business means to them then yes, screw-em. I know you are a steady customer by reading what you acquire and most of it is not low end pieces.
    That was what kind of surprised me with their original attitude. I am not even sure how many Sigs I bought from them, several high end ARs...
     

    crewchief888

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Aug 13, 2016
    549
    43
    NWI
    For what I spend on holsters, the LGS sure is missing out by not bothering to stock anything but the same old dusty rack of Serpas and outdated leather IWBs. Springs, detents or assorted parts for lowers? "We'll hafta order that". Magazines? Maybe for a 50% markup, if they even bother to stock them.

    Can I try a P365? "We don't stock anything Sig, hafta order it".

    Hey, dude, you guys have a Ruger PCC to look at? "Nope, hafta order that."

    Weapon lights? Night sights? Aftermarket triggers? "Lemme talk to my guy and I might be able to order that."

    Man, I got a working keyboard and wifi at home. If I wanted to order something I wouldn't have gotten in my car and driven over here to talk to you, and I wouldn't be paying your markup. Too many FFLs are lazy, never keep things in stock, and basically answer "let me Amazon that for you and then mark it up" every time you ask about something. You're just leaving money on the table, dudes. I would have paid your markup if you HAD THINGS IN YOUR STORE.

    one thing i hate hearing at ANY store is " we can order that for you"
    hell i can order it too....

    a few years ago i needed a bulkhead fitting for a fuel cell i was installing in my s-10 blazer, i went to a local "speed shop", sorry we can order that for you. i ended up ordering it myself.
    same thing happened when i needed to replace a SS brake hose on my harley, i went to a local custom bike builder/shop
    while he's checking inventory i was kinda wandering around checking stuff out....
    his "inventory" was summit racing. he gave me a quote on the hose and fittings i wanted... 50% markup on parts, 50% markup on shipping and tells me it will take 2 weeks cuz they are "special order"
    i went home and ordered the stuff myself, had it in 3 days with free shipping...

    occasionally i'll "impulse buy" something at a LGS, but it's rare.
    midway shooting supply is my go to...

    :cheers:
     

    Route 45

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    92   0   0
    Dec 5, 2015
    14,884
    113
    Indy
    Local gun shops can rarely compete with online gun shops. I have purchased my last 5 firearms online and have actually saved enough by doing so that one of them is literally free, compared to what I would have paid at local gun shop prices. These aren't rare guns, either. Just pretty standard, current production models.

    For example, one shop near me that I frequent did not have any of a particular brand of AR that I wanted in stock. I asked them what their price would be if they ordered one. $659 + tax. I just ordered it for $499 with free shipping. Using my local FFL, I'll pay a transfer fee of $25 and wind up spending $524 out of pocket. The same rifle would have been $705.13 with tax locally. I'm not a math whiz, but that's a pretty simple story problem.

    I'm not worried about gun shops going out of business, because there are plenty of dimwits who are more than happy to pay $100+ more in their local shop than they could get it for with a few clicks on their computer at home.

    And don't get me started on local ammo prices.
     
    Rating - 100%
    30   0   0
    Aug 4, 2017
    2,133
    113
    Fishers
    My job requires me to drive all over central Indiana. I always Google LGS in the town du hour. What I've found is that for the most part, everyone is very friendly but let's be honest, a LGS has to cater to the new gun owner and not a fanatic like myself. I don't need another Glock, Sig, or CZ. I'm not in the market for another AR-15 or pump shotgun.

    I walk in knowing that I'll probably leave empty handed unless they have something unique. I'd never go to a local store looking for an accessory because I realize it most likely won't be in stock.


    What I would never do is begrudge the owners for their inventory choices.
     
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