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SQLGeek wrote:On that note, how much more am I expected to pay to a local gun shop to be fair?

Well this has become quite an interesting discussion; I'm glad I asked the original question.

I want to take a stab at the "how much more" question from my own limited perspective. I will admit that many gun stores leave me cold. The sales people don't care, don't know, and don't care to know. They don't do a thing to make me want to give them my money, and thus to earn it they have to really win big on price.

On the other hand, I know of two gun stores where I've had nothing but wonderful experiences. Every sales person has been neighborly. Whether I'm just checking out cleaning supplies or wanted to look at something under glass, they were equally friendly. That counts a lot. I want them to be a success. I would personally pay a little extra for the same product because I see their experience as additional value. How much more? I don't know that there's a hard number for me, but I will definitely go over the minimum price.

I really have loved my local gun shop. I've gotten great service from them, and all but one of my gun buys have been bought from them. However, no single store can match the internet. The fact they will always have a "limited" selection at any moment as well as additional overhead cost puts them at a real disadvantage compared to stores that don't have to pay rent on a storefront.

In my case, what got me looking online was the ammo shortage. When my local store couldn't get ammo, I had to go online. That led to a few online purchases, mostly ammo, pmags, and one really sweet handgun. Now, I'm kinda browsing for my next purchase, so I'm looking at both online and physical stores. I like the relationship with the local guys, and I do want to support local businesses. There's also something to be said for being able to touch the gun you're actually going to buy and check it out before you plunk down the cash. On the other hand, I like the online prices. Not sure how you guys balance that in your own lives.

I tend to ask a lot of questions. Here's another one.

How do people feel about visiting gun stores to "browse"? With the proliferation of sites where you can buy guns cheaper than the local gun shop, there's a temptation to go to the local store just to chat and handle the merchandise then go buy it cheaper online, but it seems a little wrong to me. I will freely admit that I don't tend to browse for anything - clothes, cars, guns, whatever. I tend to know that I plan to buy something then go look and make the purchase. Spending time in someone's store looking at things when you know you're not going to purchase just seems like a waste of time to me.

Am I wrong on this? Do gun stores want people to just look at things?