Glock Military and LE Special Pricing

[ForeverTwoWheels]

Actually, guys it was intended to be a sarcastic response.

I do stand by it though.

Not to say I might not buy one at a higher price if I really need it, but given that I already have a handgun or two, I can be much more picky now. Unless I get it at LEO pricing or better, I doubt I am buying another Glock. ( or Ruger, or so on.)

Glock and pretty much any other manufacturer who gives a sizable discount to one group of people because they are "special" for whatever reason have a pretty uphill battle to get my loyal business, unless they include me in the "special" group. Why do the GSSF guns fall in with mil/LE pricing? What "dues" did they pay?

I know a few LEO's who buy things like this and use it to make a little extra money. Is that what this is all about?

The mil/LE deal is plain and simple marketing- get the line guys to tell the brass they want a certain brand of gun, and make up the limited LE private sales on the contract with the departments. Sorry, the guy in Austria really could care less about your service, it has nothing to do with that, although they sure hope you think so. That the rank and file cops like Glock has undoubtedly gotten them some business they would not otherwise have, as most union dominated industries are pretty protectionist (why else would anyone have brought a sigma?)

So screw the average shmoe by overcharging for the gun if he buys it, and then screw him again by getting the cops to want it and charge the taxpayers for them when they get selected as a duty weapon by a number of officers working for a selection board. Don't even think that the manufacturers don't wine and dine the guys who make those decisions (who are by definition public servants).

Firearms are one of the highest margin items to manufacture that I have knowledge of. Economy of scale with modern manufacturing techniques and they are cheap.

So simply, I don't like how they conduct business in this regard, so I will exercise my right to not buy them.

I put my life on hold for 12 months to go build sandcastles.

What have you done?

You know what? I'm not getting into this. F off. I'm so sick of this entitlement mentality that plagues America.


---------------------------------------------------------------
Treat me good I'll treat you better.
Treat me bad I'll treat you worse.

Respect is a two way street gentlemen.

[yuppiejr]

Actually, guys it was intended to be a sarcastic response.

Glock and pretty much any other manufacturer who gives a sizable discount to one group of people because they are "special" for whatever reason have a pretty uphill battle to get my loyal business, unless they include me in the "special" group. Why do the GSSF guns fall in with mil/LE pricing? What "dues" did they pay?

The mil/LE deal is plain and simple marketing- get the line guys to tell the brass they want a certain brand of gun, and make up the limited LE private sales on the contract with the departments. Sorry, the guy in Austria really could care less about your service, it has nothing to do with that, although they sure hope you think so. That the rank and file cops like Glock has undoubtedly gotten them some business they would not otherwise have, as most union dominated industries are pretty protectionist (why else would anyone have brought a sigma?)

So simply, I don't like how they conduct business in this regard, so I will exercise my right to not buy them.

I put my life on hold for 12 months to go build sandcastles.

What have you done?

You know what? I'm not getting into this. F off. I'm so sick of this entitlement mentality that plagues America.

Other than torpedo his own reputation in the MNGunTalk community with his post I'm not sure what else he's done, to be honest.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

For what it's worth, even though I'm an internet/retail deal hound I've never felt slighted for being unable to take advantage of a discount offered to men and women who have chosen to serve their country and community. I'll go out of my way to patronize companies that take care of active/retired veterans/LEOs even if it is just a "marketing gimick" and costs me a few extra bucks. I do not, however, own a Glock (unless you count the chocolate rendition of one my wife decided I needed last Christmas) though it has nothing to do with their support for veterans.

[ex-LT]

Actually, guys it was intended to be a sarcastic response.

I do stand by it though.

Not to say I might not buy one at a higher price if I really need it, but given that I already have a handgun or two, I can be much more picky now. Unless I get it at LEO pricing or better, I doubt I am buying another Glock. ( or Ruger, or so on.)

Glock and pretty much any other manufacturer who gives a sizable discount to one group of people because they are "special" for whatever reason have a pretty uphill battle to get my loyal business, unless they include me in the "special" group. Why do the GSSF guns fall in with mil/LE pricing? What "dues" did they pay?

I know a few LEO's who buy things like this and use it to make a little extra money. Is that what this is all about?

The mil/LE deal is plain and simple marketing- get the line guys to tell the brass they want a certain brand of gun, and make up the limited LE private sales on the contract with the departments. Sorry, the guy in Austria really could care less about your service, it has nothing to do with that, although they sure hope you think so. That the rank and file cops like Glock has undoubtedly gotten them some business they would not otherwise have, as most union dominated industries are pretty protectionist (why else would anyone have brought a sigma?)

So screw the average shmoe by overcharging for the gun if he buys it, and then screw him again by getting the cops to want it and charge the taxpayers for them when they get selected as a duty weapon by a number of officers working for a selection board. Don't even think that the manufacturers don't wine and dine the guys who make those decisions (who are by definition public servants).

Firearms are one of the highest margin items to manufacture that I have knowledge of. Economy of scale with modern manufacturing techniques and they are cheap.

So simply, I don't like how they conduct business in this regard, so I will exercise my right to not buy them.

Not gonna do business with Glock because they give preferential pricing to LE and military? Hope you're prepared to never buy another new handgun again. While I'm not sure if they still do it, in the past FN has given rebates on selected items to LE or any former military (primarily why I have my FNX). Beretta, CZ, Ruger, S&W, Henry, and Savage all give discounts to certified firearm safety instructors through IHEA (International Hunter Education Association). In addition, I know S&W and Beretta give special pricing to LE, because a friend is MPD - his current service weapon is a Beretta model 96, and he's upgrading to an M&P 45 - and I couldn't buy either gun for close to what he paid.

ETA - While you're at it, you might want to take Buck Knives; CVA (muzzleloading rifles); Burris, Leupold, Swift and Zeiss (optics); Lacrosse footwear; and Lyman off your list, too. They all offer discounts to FAS instructors through IHEA.

[weck]

don't forget big chain stores like Lowes, Home Depot and a ton of others....(not gun related)

[MrVvrroomm]

ETA - While you're at it, you might want to take Buck Knives; CVA (muzzleloading rifles); Burris, Leupold, Swift and Zeiss (optics); Lacrosse footwear; and Lyman off your list, too. They all offer discounts to FAS instructors through IHEA.

...add Crimson Trace to that list.

Hell, add Mancini's Char House to that list. I've seen St. Paul PD come in when it's packed, go to the head of the line, have a seat and eat for $0. I'm ALL in favor of it.

No one else's discount is taking anything out of MY pocket.

[goatroper]

You know what? I'm not getting into this. F off. I'm so sick of this entitlement mentality that plagues America

+ 1, Could not have said it any better!!

[yuppiejr]

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1180530/

Smith and Wesson is currently offering a $30-$100 rebate for Vets/LEO's, working on digging up a direct link though our web filter is doing an effective job of preventing me from testing it...

Anyway, the link above is to a deal post on Fatwallet about a S&W M&P9c for $410 shipped, minus the $50 mail in rebate for eligible buyers who qualify for the rebate. I believe it applies to their full range of firearms but $360 for the gun in question seems pretty smoking so I assume the other options are also pretty nice.

[Countryfried Frank]

Don't go to Applebee's either. They buy me dinner every year just because I paddled around on a 1K foot canoe for a while.

[Mdclinks]

Don't go to Applebee's either. They buy me dinner every year just because I paddled around on a 1K foot canoe for a while.

Never heard that one before. I like it.

[weck]

Don't go to Applebee's either. They buy me dinner every year just because I paddled around on a 1K foot canoe for a while.

Never heard that one before. I like it.

You won't like the lines.....

[Countryfried Frank]

Don't go to Applebee's either. They buy me dinner every year just because I paddled around on a 1K foot canoe for a while.

Never heard that one before. I like it.

You won't like the lines.....

At Applebee's or on the canoe?

[weck]

At Applebee's or on the canoe?

possibly both??

[MrVvrroomm]

Don't go to Applebee's either. They buy me dinner every year just because I paddled around on a 1K foot canoe for a while.

Wow, that's a nicer canoe than the 338' I was on.

[plink]

The mil/LE deal is plain and simple marketing- get the line guys to tell the brass they want a certain brand of gun, and make up the limited LE private sales on the contract with the departments.

Brass doesn't care much what the grunts like. Cops might get to pick which sidearm they carry. Military, unless you're some bookoo badass elite unit, will give you what they're going to give you and you'll like it.

[crbutler]

I guess I don't see it the way that most of you do. I am not denigrating the service that LE/Military folks do; rather I don't care for the divide and conquer business model these companies are using. Certainly, its their right to do so, and if it does better by them business wise.

If I want to thank someone, I do it myself, not by proxy, and certainly not by the method of taking from Paul, to give to Peter.

A discount given to one group will result in an increase in the price paid by others. Its pretty simple economics.

You say I have an entitlement mentality? Nope. I just don't think we should be playing that card at every stretch. Pretty soon, everyone is special, and god forbid that you take away MY bennie? To be honest, some of you are sounding kind of like the DFL'ers whenever we propose a welfare cut.

Now be honest, didn't you all get paid? Didn't you all sign up voluntarily to do what you did, knowing that for the most part, the paycheck from uncle sam, and a feeling of doing what is right was why you did it? I really doubt any of you went in to the service saying, yeah, I'm doing this because I will get a Glock for 25% off and free dinner at Applebee's once a year.

How many businesses give a freebie to a coal miner because he's working in the single statistically most dangerous job in the US? Face it, it isn't the danger either.

I have given guns (admittedly not glocks but hunting guns) to friends some of whom were in the service because they could not afford one. It made me feel good to do so, but I sure didn't ask everyone else to pony up some scratch so I could give them the gun (and claim it was all my doing).

My point is that hidden discounts for some mean that the rest of us pay more for whatever we are buying because it makes the giver feel better. As I said, I am not saying I won't buy a product that gives someone else a discount, but rather I will not be a good loyal customer to a firm that does not treat me like their best customer. Pretty simple.

I respect service members, and feel that the country owes the combat service members a hell of a lot more than we give them, but that is something that the country owes them, not a special pass at every chance. GI bill? Great idea, even better idea when it was first proposed, and the grunts actually got something out of it. Heck, I think the idea of giving any CMOH awardee tax free status for life is a great idea. I have had many family members in the service, and yes, they would not take me over a hearing loss. Didn't change my mind about the service at all when I busted the commissioning physical. Tried again in 02, figuring they might need a doc even if he can't hear too good. No dice. So what?

As to all of you that served, you do have my thanks and gratitude for your service.