Green Top refuses to play ball, again

[Micro]

Couple of weeks ago I did a price check on a Sig Sauer 1911 at Green Top (Richmond) versus a couple of gun shops in Newport News. Green Top was $130 to $180 over the shops in Newport News. They refused to match the prices quoted by the other stores.

Not sure what is going on at Green Top these days. They used to have good prices, and if they weren't the best, they'd match another store. Not anymore. I've found more and more that Green Top has lost its competetiveness in pricing and refuses to match other store's prices. They certainly have that right, but it has cost them the sale of several Sigs and several CZs just in the last year - all of which were purchased elsewhere.

Green Top's service is leaving something to be desired, too.

Green Top used to be worth the 76 mile trip from Newport News. They still are for fishing supplies. But I haven't bought a gun there in quite awhile becasue they won't play ball with their pricing. It's a shame because Green Top used to be a Mecca for gun buyers. It's still a neat place to go to handle firearms. But for me, they've become a place to try a gun on for size. Then buy it somewhere else.

Rant off.

[Reverenddel]

The main reason? It's run by a BOARD now, not an INDIVIDUAL!

When Charles Thalhimer bought it from Cecil Hopkins, he ran it similar to "The Bear".

When Charles passed away, the BOARD got their NON GUN OWNING HANDS on it, saw a "cash cow", and have literally tried to run it into the ground by milking every penny they could from customers.

If they lost their edge because they stopped being a wholesaler to other gunshops in the Central VA area, I would suggest they attempt INTERNET sales, and compete with Bud's Gun Shop, Gun Broker, or Guns America. That is the only way to get decent pricing again, because when I look at their Used Gun PDF? They're attempting to get MORE from a USED gun, than you'd pay NEW somewhere else!

IE: A standard Ruger 10/22 with them? $225-250. At Wal-mart? $197.

Because at this rate? I ain't buyin' anything but accessories, and maybe SOME ammo in emergencies.

[OakRidgeStars]

Did you check with Dance's in Colonial Heights?. Their prices are more reasonable than Green Top any day of the week.

[Micro]

I've never been to Dances, but I recently saw a flyer one of my friends received. I'm going to go check it out in the next few weeks.

[Jakeiscrazy]

So what is their response when you ask them to price match? What's their excuse?

[meak99]

Back in Sep I asked the same question about an H&R 20ga Slug Gun. They said they'd match it if I could find it in stock in another store in the area. BassPro advertised $30-40 lower, but of course, nothing in stock. I've recently found a local FFL who I can do transfers through for $10, since my neighbor is a friend of his, and a good customer. With good internet deals out there, I doubt i'll ever buy another one at GT.

[Vahunter]

Greentop didn't just start their high prices, it's been going on since the '70's. They do have a good showroom. What I did back in the '70's was look at what I wanted there then get KC Young to get it and sell it to me. Saved a pile of money that way. Now since I'm about 100 miles away I just hit DeGoff's when I'm in town. Does anyone know if KC still has his FFL ? I haven't seen him in over 20 years.

[Reverenddel]

My question would be is the transfer's through Black Creek still a low price? I use Gary's Guns & Transfers because he's so close to work, but KC had low transfer costs as well.

Greentop would START higher, but motivate the price to reasonable levels.

I guess it's just one of those things, you think with RT 1/VCC area being called "AMMO ALLEY" with Gander Mountain, Green Top, Bass Pro, Dick's Sporting Goods, and a plethora of gun smiths in the area/Air Park...

ALL of them would be MORE LIKELY to COMPETE! Instead? It seems they have a defiance. Doesn't make logical sense though. Some deals I find with Gander, Some with GT Some with Dick's Sporting Goods. I can't find a single deal at Bass Pro, but they do have some interesting Camping/Archery items.

[rromeo]

For archery I will go to GreenTop. For most things gun related I'll stop at DeGoff's first. I like the friendly attitude in there.

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[Paliden]

I had the same problem at Dance's and I'm a long time customer of theirs. I went to Adam's Muzzleloading in Ettrick and now do business with Billy
Better service and BETTER prices

[Micro]

So what is their response when you ask them to price match? What's their excuse?

I was told, "No. No. We've heard of them. No. But thanks for asking."

[Diomed]

It's Green Top. It's how they are. I don't buy from them unless it's something I haven't been able to source from the interwebs (which is just one thing now), or else I need something immediately and can't wait for delivery.

I've never bought a gun from them, though I have had a couple guns bought for me from them - price paid was about what I'd have paid for the same models on Gunbroker.

[gunderwood]

GT sometimes has reasonable prices on powder, at least compared to Gander Mountain and Bass Pro. Unless you are going to buy a ton of it online, the hazmat fees kill any deals you may find. I was just there and their primers were way over priced though.

[xxINFIDELxx]

I have started using Bud's and other online gunstores and have it sent to Bass Pro. They charge me a $30 flat FFL transfer which includes the background check. Also a few other local FFL holders that had cheaper transfer fees are also charging sales tax? Bass Pro did not.

[meak99]

How can an FFL in VA charge you state sales tax on an online purchase you made in another state? That is up to you to report on your own state tax return. Or, are they making the purchase for you, then you purchase from them?

[Diomed]

How can an FFL in VA charge you state sales tax on an online purchase you made in another state?

They're not supposed to, but well... there can be a misunderstanding of where the responsibility lies, and there can also be less innocent reasons.

[Reverenddel]

It's one way a smaller dealer can show that he's collecting taxes, and maintaining his FFL in good standing.

I have no issues paying sales tax on a firearm, as long as the transfer fee is under $20...

I'm not about to pay the $50-$75 someone else charges for a flat fee. None of my sales taxes, along with transfer fee have amounted over $40 yet.

[HotBrass]

Both of my last two firearm purchases have been through Green Top. Both my Ruger 10/22 and my Glock G23 were purchased there because they beat every price i could find in NOVA, i price checked at Blue Ridge, Dawsons, Clark Brothers, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro and a few others before making an hours drive to Green Top. Green Top had them all beat by $30 on the Glock and i don't remember the 10/22 but it was also the cheapest.

I don't mind the drive considering i have a little car that gets 30 miles to the gallon and its always fun to walk around their store.

If Newport News is beating Green Top by that much, please let me know where you go because i have family down there i can visit as an excuse to make another purchase! (No honey, where just gonna stop and look at what they have before we get to Grandma's house )

[Reverenddel]

If you're talking about a STANDARD Ruger 10/22 with the barrel band? Wal-mart beats everyone at $197 everyday price. THAT is the LOWEST price I have found.

As to pistols? I find most (MOST) dealers will "Price match" if it's not far off their price.

ROTFLMAO! Yeah, I'm contemplating when the family goes to VA beach, Let them go to the beach, I'm going to all the shops. HAHAHAH

[easterlingdj]

I would have to agree, over the past few years I have seen the price of things at GT go up. I do understand that all of the new government BS costs them a bunch, but if you want people to BUY in-store, you gotta keep the price near what you can buy it online for, otherwise your store will suffer and eventually close. Case in point, I went in to get a bunch of mountable fishing rod holders (the white tubes they use for display), which they were selling for $2.50 each last time I checked. Now they are $5.00 each! At least they still are underselling Gander Mtn. who is selling the SAME one for $10.00!

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