Trying to do the right thing.

Downeaster · Post by **Downeaster** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:32 pm

I try to support my local gun dealers. I buy most of my reloading components from them and when I buy a new gun, it's always through a local dealer.

Went to stock up on primers (gasp!) and wanted to pick up a couple of bricks of .22LR while I was there.

First Dealer: $29.99/box for 550 rounds of Winchester White Box bulk pack.
After buying over $140 worth of primers, they wouldn't cut me a break on the .22

Second Dealer: Out of stock, might have some next week, figure around $25/brick for 50 round boxes.

Now, for reasons I won't bore you with, I try not to shop at Walmart. But I WILL get some .22 before I go home.

Local Walmart: $13.96/box for the bulk pack, how many would you like?

What the )%$(* are gun dealers thinking? More than DOUBLE? Sure, they can't sell it for what Sam Walton can, but DANG! If they'd been willing to take anything under $20 a brick, I'd have bought it just to avoid shopping at Walmart, and they'd have made a little money.

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:38 pm

Local dealers don't have the resources that a big corporate entity like Walmart has at its disposal. The dealers have to pay extra for shipping and hazardous materials charges and Walmart just uses its own transportation division to move this type of material around. It adds up, that plus buying in bulk quantities from the ammunition companies gives them a tremendous advantage over the small dealers. You as a consumer have to decide which is more important and go with your instincts. Loyalty can only go so far if its a one way street.

R,
Bullseye

Downeaster · Post by **Downeaster** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:29 pm

I understand and agree with all that, Bullseye.

I just find it hard to believe that the added overhead justifies more than doubling the price.

I suspect that a post-election shortage/hoarding mindset is driving some of it as well.

Curmudgeon · Post by **Curmudgeon** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:33 pm

Walmart has been out of .22 LR (bulk) since Christmas.

It is really a fight to support your local dealer and our local price differential is insane also. I have a good gunsmith with a little Mom & Pop storefront and I make myself pay his prices because I want him to hang around.

I also hand out his business cards and tell people about the great service and gun-smithing I get.

It would be too hard financially to be loyal (with my retired income) if I was really into shooting like some of you guys are. Just think what shipping is going to cost in dollars and days w/o a good local Gunsmith.

PS Plus I like to go in and spend time working on my wish list updates.

SKnight · Post by **SKnight** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:05 pm

I do love the touchy feely aspect of my local gun shops, but I agree that the price differential is a bit out of whack. Thing is with internet discount shopping it's getting very hard to stay in business or justify a store front anymore. It's just business, it's been happening for centuries, but I really dislike this particular direction.

Fortunately, it's only $13 dollars extra. If I can afford it I'll go to a shop, if not I'll go to Wally World.