LGS competing with online ammo prices

Yung.gunr · July 17, 2012, 11:53 PM

I recently put together a bulk order for ammo at a major online ammo retailer and then shipping came in at $90! I understand ammo is heavy so shipping will not be cheap. My question is, has anyone ever contacted their LGS to see if they can match the online retailer's price, with the shipping included?

Just an example to clarify, my ammo order is 1000 rounds of XYZ totaling $200. Shipping comes to $100, making the total $300. So I contact my LGS to see if he can get me 1000 rounds of XYZ for $300 out the door.

Just something I have thought of recently and wanted to know if it was against some unwritten rule or if someone has tried it.

oneounceload · July 18, 2012, 10:25 AM

EVERYTHING is negotiable - remember your LGS has sales tax to levy - are you considering that as part of his OTD price, realizing he doesn't get that money for him?

Yung.gunr · July 20, 2012, 04:30 PM

No one else has thought of this or tried it?

oneounceload · July 20, 2012, 04:44 PM

I reload most all of my ammo, so buying small quantities to get the necessary hulls or brass is easy.

You might ask a local gun club if they do bulk orders as well that you can get in on

moxie · July 20, 2012, 04:51 PM

I've tried it over the years and never found an LGS that could compete with catalog/offline, even factoring in shipping and sales tax. Can't even find a private FFL who can compete with online. Same applies to powder, bullets, and primers.

Jo6pak · July 20, 2012, 09:50 PM

I buy most of my ammo locally. My guys will usually come within 10-15%, and I consider that acceptable considering I'm supporting my neighbors.

**44 AMP** · July 21, 2012, 01:00 PM

Learned this lesson back in the 80s (before hazmat shipping charges)...

Wanted some .45ACP lead swc bullets (couple thousand) a buddy and I went in on it togther. Price at local store was $38 per thousand. Price from a mail order (pre internet days) was $22 per thousand, plus shipping.

Lead is HEAVY.

Delivered price, including shipping was $42 dollars per thousand, which we only found out AFTER delivery.

Now, this was a long time ago, but I think the principal still applies. Stores/dealers often order things to make up a truckload, and shipping costs get averaged/amortized, compared to direct shipping of single heavy items.

Various deals do exist, and yo might get a good one. On the other hand, you might not....

ScottRiqui · July 21, 2012, 01:11 PM

The era of "if it fits, it ships" postal rates has helped a lot. You can get 2,000 .45 ACP 230 gr bullets for $13 in shipping costs. That only adds $6.50 per thousand to the price, which is nowhere near the $20/thousand that shipping cost you back then.

johnbt · July 21, 2012, 01:41 PM

"1000 rounds of XYZ totaling $200. Shipping comes to $100"

You must have been buying some heavy ammo. A thousand rounds of 124 grain 9mm Swiss FMJ from J&G Sales cost me $200 plus $20 shipping from Arizona to Virginia. Each extra case added another $20.

John

Yung.gunr · July 21, 2012, 01:52 PM

Yeah, John, figures provided strictly for illustrative purposes..

buck460XVR · July 22, 2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

No one else has thought of this or tried it?

Of course they have. It's called shopping around or comparing prices. I do it all the time with ammo, reloading supplies and firearms. Sometimes it works out for the LGS, sometimes it works out for the online sale. One thing that doesn't work real well, is to walk into the LGS and tell them you can get it for X amount online first. This usually will set a negative tone. Just tell them you are planning on buying a large quantity of ammo somewhere and you are lookin' for the best price. Doin' it in person face to face is better than calling them on the phone also.

July 17, 2012, 11:53 PM	#1
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,181	LGS competing with online ammo prices I recently put together a bulk order for ammo at a major online ammo retailer and then shipping came in at $90! I understand ammo is heavy so shipping will not be cheap. My question is, has anyone ever contacted their LGS to see if they can match the online retailer's price, with the shipping included? Just an example to clarify, my ammo order is 1000 rounds of XYZ totaling $200. Shipping comes to $100, making the total $300. So I contact my LGS to see if he can get me 1000 rounds of XYZ for $300 out the door. Just something I have thought of recently and wanted to know if it was against some unwritten rule or if someone has tried it.

July 20, 2012, 04:51 PM	#5
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	I've tried it over the years and never found an LGS that could compete with catalog/offline, even factoring in shipping and sales tax. Can't even find a private FFL who can compete with online. Same applies to powder, bullets, and primers. __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

July 20, 2012, 09:50 PM	#6
Jo6pak Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Location: West Coast...of WI Posts: 1,144	I buy most of my ammo locally. My guys will usually come within 10-15%, and I consider that acceptable considering I'm supporting my neighbors. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.

July 21, 2012, 01:00 PM	#7
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 8,968	Learned this lesson back in the 80s (before hazmat shipping charges)... Wanted some .45ACP lead swc bullets (couple thousand) a buddy and I went in on it togther. Price at local store was $38 per thousand. Price from a mail order (pre internet days) was $22 per thousand, plus shipping. Lead is HEAVY. Delivered price, including shipping was $42 dollars per thousand, which we only found out AFTER delivery. Now, this was a long time ago, but I think the principal still applies. Stores/dealers often order things to make up a truckload, and shipping costs get averaged/amortized, compared to direct shipping of single heavy items. Various deals do exist, and yo might get a good one. On the other hand, you might not.... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 18, 2012, 10:25 AM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	EVERYTHING is negotiable - remember your LGS has sales tax to levy - are you considering that as part of his OTD price, realizing he doesn't get that money for him?

July 20, 2012, 04:30 PM	#3
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,181	No one else has thought of this or tried it?

July 20, 2012, 04:44 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I reload most all of my ammo, so buying small quantities to get the necessary hulls or brass is easy. You might ask a local gun club if they do bulk orders as well that you can get in on

July 21, 2012, 01:11 PM	#8
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,896	The era of "if it fits, it ships" postal rates has helped a lot. You can get 2,000 .45 ACP 230 gr bullets for $13 in shipping costs. That only adds $6.50 per thousand to the price, which is nowhere near the $20/thousand that shipping cost you back then.

July 21, 2012, 01:41 PM	#9
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,005	"1000 rounds of XYZ totaling $200. Shipping comes to $100" You must have been buying some heavy ammo. A thousand rounds of 124 grain 9mm Swiss FMJ from J&G Sales cost me $200 plus $20 shipping from Arizona to Virginia. Each extra case added another $20. John

July 21, 2012, 01:52 PM	#10
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,181	Yeah, John, figures provided strictly for illustrative purposes..