Not really his point. He's pointing out that some merchants are too stupid to do their own due diligence, and are holding to old laws out of fear from the c**t AG. She's already held several companies over the fire over nonsense: why risk it?
Really? I got that. Yep I got it. My point is if you deal with a better class of merchant you don't have those kind of problems.
Of course that means you don't always drive for two hours to save $20 on a $400 purchase. It means you pay a fair price for items to provide the merchant the opportunity to compete with the stupid ones. It means you recognize his good service is worth money in the long run.
The skinflint approach is self defeating and kills off the best in class of small business all too often. It leaves the stupid, crooked, back stabbing, rats or the big box stores to survive and they aren't the ones likely to face off against pressure from the AG or anyone else. There are plenty of examples represented on this forum in just the last couple of years.
Personally when I go to the few good shops I support because their service is worth supporting, I never leave empty handed. NEVER LEAVE empty handed(bears repeating)
I always make some purchase cause there is always something there I want or can use. It is easy to spend $20-$40 and those items are most frequently high margin unlike guns which means the merchant might have $10 or more from that small purchase. I consider it the price of admission cause at the very least going to the LGS is entertainment.
What I get in return is smart merchant who knows the laws and works with me
when I face situations like a face value expired license with a MIRCS receipt in hand.
He also doesn't pass out when I need a frame transferred or any of the other myriad circumstances where service makes a difference.
Start the renewal process early and get a receipt then patronize merchants who serve your interests and are worth keeping in business. Some of those also have some of the lowest prices going. Shooting Supply in Westport.