My point is, beating up a business for every last cent has consequences. Long term viability, quality of inventory and employees ect ect...
The market is remarkably efficient at giving consumers what they want.
Some markets are price driven, and there are almost no local suppliers. A great example is high end digital cameras and lenses - it's very rare for a shop to carry the Cannon full frame DSLRs and a wide selection of "L" series lenses. The people who buy those know what they want, and tend to gravitate to the on-line places like B&H and Adorama that have made an art of providing low prices and fast shipping. You can argue all you want about how people "should" buy local to support the corner camera shop, however, when it comes down to it few people are interested in paying a few hundred extra to have someone show them the camera before they buy it.
Ditto with guns, however, the FFL requirement will mean there is always a niche for a transfer agent. Plus, you can't buy guns online for the same price Four Seasons or similar "high volume, not a hobby business" get them for.
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My point is, beating up a business for every last cent has consequences. Long term viability, quality of inventory and employees ect ect...
The market is remarkably efficient at giving consumers what they want.
Some markets are price driven, and there are almost no local suppliers. A great example is high end digital cameras and lenses - it's very rare for a shop to carry the Cannon full frame DSLRs and a wide selection of "L" series lenses. The people who buy those know what they want, and tend to gravitate to the on-line places like B&H and Adorama that have made an art of providing low prices and fast shipping. You can argue all you want about how people "should" buy local to support the corner camera shop, however, when it comes down to it few people are interested in paying a few hundred extra to have someone show them the camera before they buy it.
Ditto with guns, however, the FFL requirement will mean there is always a niche for a transfer agent. Plus, you can't buy guns online for the same price Four Seasons or similar "high volume, not a hobby business" get them for.
Shops try to impose an excessive markup and, in doing so, drive people on-line. I commonly see powders that sell for about $125 for an 8lb jug advertised "in stock locally" for $200+. Even with hazmat, it still makes sense to order online and have it drop shipped to a friend in a free state, plus it gives you an excuse for a road trip to see that friend.