Why Aren't There More Group Buys??

[Cold Steel]

Seems that with a website like this, there should be more offered by local gun shops. If they buy more and sell more, looks like they could drop the price a bit and everyone benefits...unless the profit margins are so low they don't feel like they could afford it.

How many here would buy more guns if group buys were available? And what guns would you want?

.

 

[cyclrcr]

There usually are... actually there is an AR stripped lower group buy that I think is ending soon or it just did.

 

[tony b]

i would love to see local business do something like that. would much rather buy from the ma pa shops than the internet but sometimes the cost difference is substancial.

 

[chale127]

it is generally very difficult for smaller shops to do this for one reason...VOLUME
Most distributors base pricing on monthly/yearly sales for a given shop NOT a one time sale
There are exceptions, but they are rare

I just tried to put together a group buy in another unrelated forum, i found it near impossible to get pricing even close to what could EASILY be found on the interwebs

I'm all about helping the local guy, and in many cases i do, but if i'm buying something and i can save $50+ by ordering somewhere, i will, less than that..my money goes to the locals

 

[MauiWowie]

Seems that with a website like this, there should be more offered by local gun shops. If they buy more and sell more, looks like they could drop the price a bit and everyone benefits...unless the profit margins are so low they don't feel like they could afford it.

How many here would buy more guns if group buys were available? And what guns would you want?

.

It's very time consuming for low financial gain.

 

[fivepointstar]

I kinda wish more members would be active and organize group buys for firearms. there are deals out there, we find them but we don't act on them.

shame on us!

 

[krashmania]

Personally, I'd be happy woth more frequent ammo buys, maybe some dealers would offers breaks for 5k+ rounds at a time.

 

[BLACKTALON]

Personally, I'd be happy woth more frequent ammo buys, maybe some dealers would offers breaks for 5k+ rounds at a time.

what ammo are you looking for?

 

[MEGALUG]

what ammo are you looking for?

I'd be in for 9 .40 5.56.

 

[zombiehunter]

Personally, I'd be happy woth more frequent ammo buys, maybe some dealers would offers breaks for 5k+ rounds at a time.

I don't think the shops can touch internet ammo either. I mean when a B&M has a pallet of ammo cases sitting there and they're 15-20% more than the internet, how much more would they have to order to get us a break that's worth the time of organizing and the gas to run up and get it?

But I'll second that the shops should be more proactive. The Gun Shop got my business recently because I remembered their hand in one of the lower group buys and they gave me pricing that I COULD NOT BEAT on the internet and this wasn't special treatment, this was their norm. I'd never have heard about them if they hadn't done the GB.

 

[jpk1md]

I kinda wish more members would be active and organize group buys for firearms. there are deals out there, we find them but we don't act on them.

shame on us!

The truth is that they are a complete nightmare to run,

People just bitch, whine and complain when they didn't sign up before deadlines

People don't pay or when they do they leave you or an industry partner holding the bag.

When I did the LRB lower GB I was quickly reminded that no good deed goes unpunished.

 

[Numidian]

Group buys are a giant pain in the ass. Collecting all the orders, then trying to get all the money, then you finally order the stuff and you have to try and get items all over the state. I got together one group buy. I personally saved maybe $25-30 out of $120 or so. Not worth the effort at all. And frankly, I have no desire to even take part in one set up by someone else. The hassle just isn't worth the few bucks you save.

 

[fivepointstar]

The truth is that they are a complete nightmare to run,

People just bitch, whine and complain when they didn't sign up before deadlines

People don't pay or when they do they leave you or an industry partner holding the bag.

When I did the LRB lower GB I was quickly reminded that no good deed goes unpunished.

I've done 2 gun group buys

P64 about 2 years ago before they were C&R and S&W Model 10 just last month. I didn't partake in the Model 10's but I was happy to do it because everyone was pleased. I'm organizing the next S&W Mod 64 group buy as well, getting one here.

I just thought I was organized! If people didnt make the deadline, i skip over them and go to the next person on the waiting list. $$ up front or no order for you, I made that clear.

yea its a pain, balancing work and the family and kids sports but it can be done

 

[jpk1md]

I just thought I was organized! If people didnt make the deadline, i skip over them and go to the next person on the waiting list. $$ up front or no order for you, I made that clear.

It certainly wasn't for lack of organization......for whatever reason it was nothing but non stop whining from late comers......and then folks that paid up front left Corsica holding recievers on their books more than 6 months later.

It probably didn't help that it was late 2008 iirc....panic was driving a lot of folks

 

[fivepointstar]

It certainly wasn't for lack of organization......for whatever reason it was nothing but non stop whining from late comers......and then folks that paid up front left Corsica holding recievers on their books more than 6 months later.

It probably didn't help that it was late 2008 iirc....panic was driving a lot of folks

I know you and Justin have had a major PITA with Lower Group Buys, I won't hold one. From my experience both of my GB guns were spoken for in less than a week to complete the 77r. When they picked up IDK.

I know what you and Justin went through and as a 2A supporter I appreciate everything you've done!

 

[krashmania]

what ammo are you looking for?

Some good 9mm, preferably brass cased and some more 5.45, surplus works.

I don't think the shops can touch internet ammo either. I mean when a B&M has a pallet of ammo cases sitting there and they're 15-20% more than the internet, how much more would they have to order to get us a break that's worth the time of organizing and the gas to run up and get it?

But I'll second that the shops should be more proactive. The Gun Shop got my business recently because I remembered their hand in one of the lower group buys and they gave me pricing that I COULD NOT BEAT on the internet and this wasn't special treatment, this was their norm. I'd never have heard about them if they hadn't done the GB.

It doesn't even have to be a local place, I'd be cool with internet shops, too.

 

[BLACKTALON]

Some good 9mm, preferably brass cased and some more 5.45, surplus works.




It doesn't even have to be a local place, I'd be cool with internet shops, too.

5.45 i get for 140 delivered a spam can

 

[sailskidrive]

Thanks why I personally feel it's important to drop and additional $5 or $10 in the envelope for the person taking the effort to organize the group buy.

 

[Safetech]

Some good 9mm, preferably brass cased and some more 5.45, surplus works.

9mm is pretty cheap anyway. What I am always on the lookout for is killer deals (pardon the pun) on .223 and .45.

Right now Ive been buying up American Eagle Black Box .223 @ Walmart for $5.95/box of 20, 5 boxes at a time. Comes out to $31.54 /100 rds including tax. Wife never complains.

When I spend more than that, I get "the look". Over $100 I get "the lecture".

One bite at a time, folks. One bite at a time.

I recently picked up 1000 rds of WWB 9mm from another MDS member for a really good price. ("Forgot" to mention it to the wife.) If I were to find a REALLY good deal on .223 (or especially .45 - running low - down to less than 500 rds) I'd probably do the same.

 

[mcbruzdzinski]

I don't think the shops can touch internet ammo either. I mean when a B&M has a pallet of ammo cases sitting there and they're 15-20% more than the internet, how much more would they have to order to get us a break that's worth the time of organizing and the gas to run up and get it?

But I'll second that the shops should be more proactive. The Gun Shop got my business recently because I remembered their hand in one of the lower group buys and they gave me pricing that I COULD NOT BEAT on the internet and this wasn't special treatment, this was their norm. I'd never have heard about them if they hadn't done the GB.

The Gun Shop is great to deal with. I have sent several students and club members there! The entire staff is great to work with.