In stock or special order

[cetme]

If you go to a gun/reloading shop and they don't have what you need on the shelf are you willing to special order the item?

[Bessy]

If they need to special order, I can get it quicker by simply ordering from any of 100 online retailers.

[macphisto]

If they need to special order, I can get it quicker by simply ordering from any of 100 online retailers.

+1, it IS 2010 after all. I like supporting local businesses, especially local gun businesses, but my loyalty has limits.

[plblark]

and those limits also constrain your local options ...

I find it's the little touches that make me more willing to be patient with a small local business. That spare part you have laying around that your customer really needs ... sure it's a $5 part. but it may insure repeat business.

[GregM]

GunStop has a nice policy: If they don't have it, they will do a firearm transfer for $25.

[farmerj]

GunStop has a nice policy: If they don't have it, they will do a firearm transfer for $25.

If they don't have it, they should have done something to order it in for you....

[Stradawhovious]

If you go to a gun/reloading shop and they don't have what you need on the shelf are you willing to special order the item?

It depends on the store. More often than not I'm going to be calling ahead. If I'm told that the store has the part in stock, and they don't when I get there they will never see me again. If it's a part or an item I don't really need immediately, I will order it from the store. If I really need it fast I will ask the local store to order same day and drop-ship the item to me, if they aren't willing to do that I will order online. Online for me is kind of last resort. I'd like to keep it in the community.

[Stradawhovious]

GunStop has a nice policy: If they don't have it, they will do a firearm transfer for $25.

If they don't have it, they should have done something to order it in for you....

Not always an option. "Hey, can you guys please order me in a used CZ75?"

[farmerj]

GunStop has a nice policy: If they don't have it, they will do a firearm transfer for $25.

If they don't have it, they should have done something to order it in for you....

Not always an option. "Hey, can you guys please order me in a used CZ75?"

Used is a crap shoot anywhere you go. New is an entirely different situation.

Any shop that can't order in a NEW gun for a customer is not worth my business. Sportsman's Warehouse had a company policy to not deal with used guns.

[Holland&Holland]

[quote="farmerjn...[/quote]

I have ordered many new guns from this establishment, I think you migh thave misunderstood their policy.

[hammAR]

and those limits also constrain your local options ....

or are constrained by your local options...........

cetme - It would also be nice if you would put all or some part of the below in your sig line....
just so I don't mistakenly think that you are a troll and take a sound shot.....

Ammocraft & Gobbler specialties
4314 Shady Oak Rd
Hopkins MN

[1911fan]

I will let my local guy order stuff when he blends in shipping I would pay on a single order into what he pays for a bulk order.

eg, I call Johnboy and ask if he has 165 round nose .30 cal from hornady. He says no, but says I can have it next week, for $xx. a box. I buy from him then has the mix of gas vs shipping is a wash, but I help keep him in business.

Same with the boys up at wolfsden, I call and ask, if they have it, it costs me x to drive up there, but at the same time, I like them and I will pay that gas money over paying shipping.

I will not pay someone full retail on Brownells stuff, just to get it ordered in. For example, If I approach a dealer to order some stuff from Brownells, I know what he is paying, or close to it, i might offer to pay cost plus a small amount upfront, but if he thinks becuase brownells says something is worth 40 dollars retail and lists the wholesale price as 23 dollars, I am not paying him 17 dollars to save some shipping on an cash upfront order. I have a dealers account at brownells, and I can order cheap now, but in the past, if I had to order from them I would always seek out an FFL who would order from them and pay them a couple of bucks to pigging back my order on theirs.

[mrokern]

If it can be ordered in a reasonable time frame, and at a reasonable cost, I'll have the local shop special order it.

[mitchx3]

I'm with Bessy on this. Not only have I had problems with people (all industries) saying something will be ordered and then it isn't, but I have to balance the odds that they will fail to notify me of arrival vs. being a tweak and calling every 5 hours. And Midway is really really easy and UPS/Fedex do tracking. I started liking gunstop because their prices have been within $1 of midway on most stuff and it satisfies my urge to look at stuff.

[westberg]

On special orders the shipping is what eats up any profit the company can make. So a lot of times the special orders are held until a regular order to absorb some of the shipping cost.