Where should my loyalties lie?

[Low]

I just purchased a custom RTP off of the internet, and I absolutely loved it. I went to my local shop to get it gassed up, and I found out that the shop had just begun selling mags, and he was a bit sad that I didn't buy off of him.

This little shop just started last year, and besides it, there are no other shops within 1 hour of where I live. It is very quaint, has a good choice of guns, and has a fantastically nice owner. He is looking into building a speedball field behind the shop, but so far he doesn't have the cash to.

My problem is this: Tons of my friends are 100% impressed with the performance of my mag. They had never seen one before, and now many people are looking into purchasing one. Do I send my friends to the internet to purchase the guns, or to the shop? They are very good friends, so should I send them to the internet to buy, where they can save tons of money (sometimes over 100$), or do I send them to my shop-- which NEEDS support. This guy is loosing ALL of his business to the internet, and he just can't compete with the prices.

Unless it has changed recently, is there any reason why AGD allows their markers to be sold cheaply online, but can't give very good deals to the small time dealers? Granted, they will sell more the online way, but the people on the front lines, the dealers, are getting screwed.

So, aside from my loyalty question, I have a question for Tom.

Have you ever considered making a manditory price for markers, so that dealers can at least compete with internet sites? It would definately help keep the small time dealers alive.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Python14]

I say, if you can afford it, go local.

Last time I checked, few if any online stores will fix your gun when it breaks mid day(that's assuming it's not a mag, because honestly, mags don't break). Plus, usually, if you are loyal to them, they will be loyal to you in that if your gun goes down or something, they'll be more than likely to loan you one. Ya know? Not many online stores do that.

[tyrion2323]

I'd get your friends to buy local - it just promotes an all-around better community!

Jacob

[Gecko]

have your dealer contact agd
there is similar pricing available to dealers for the custom Rts

[cphilip]

The differences are mostly profit margin against volume. The onliners push volume to make up for a thin profit margine. Low overhead and volume keep the online stores going and make the little guy just not able to compete in price. If he matches he just cannot feed his family and pay the bills. You have to decide if thats important enough to lay your extra dollars down.

[shartley]

[hockaloogey]

if u send them to the shop, they're likely to use the internet anyway, 'fraid things don't look good for yer buddy at the shop...

[sniper1rfa]

send'em over to the shop. Being good friends with a shop owner is awesome, and you do it by working with them, and being good to them. Be good, and they will be good right back. I make a point to buy my paint from the feild owner here (even though its byop), and what i can from the local shop that just opened up. That way, when the gun goes down, or you need some help with something, you will get the service.

This goes for anything, If you are good to/for the buisness, the buisness will be good to/for you.

[Barfly]

the way I understand it is that most store owners earn their money from air fills and selling paintballs, not really from selling markers.

[lew]

I buy all the small stuff from my local store (under $100). Most online stores offer free S&H on items totaling over $100, and the S&H on items under $100 is usually more than the sales tax. I always buy paint at the store as well. Local stores cannot be beat in terms of service, at least my store anyway. The shop owners know who I am and treat me well.

I would buy the gun, and tank online and buy all the other necessary stuff from the shop (barrel(s), paint, air, clothing, etc...).

[rtslave]

I too belive in the ol' ma and pop store, but I'll have to be honest, the stores here in Vegas suck, they have horrible hours, most are staffed with kids who look at you side ways if a ask a question about anything other than Timmys or Cockers, 90% of the time they don't have what you need. I don't know why they even try to sell markers, they should give up that big overhead and get more accesories and stuff, for the most part we all wait until NPPL or PSP comes around and do any paintball related acc. (clothes, lens, barrels) shopping there. I'd give up every store in Vegas for one super cool place to play.. just my .02$

[SpongeBobSquarePants]

Always go local, as long as your local guy is good. There is a shop that is actually local to me, and I swear I have had more products go in and out my house then he has his store. However, the field that sponsors our team is really good to us. I buy all my paint there (Of course I do I get the team price ) I buy everything else there. I even droped 1,000 bucks for a Ironmen timmy. It was the first marker I have ever bought local. I took it in and was putting my asa and macro on it. I relized I needed a macro fitting. I said "John, (the owner) you have and macro fittings I can buy for this thing?" He says "Here just take this one." This is the kind of relationship you will build with your owners if you keep coming back time and agian. I think the only thing I havn't bought local recently was a dye beanie, a 30 inch dye sticker, and 300 fps dvd. So always buy local if they have what your looking for even if it cost more. Its just better business.

[Pacifist_Farmer]

I buy all my Paint and big stuff (anything a couple hundred and over) from the locals, nothing beats having someone to go to for free when you cant solve the problem yourself. Ive seen several local shops go out due to all the internet vendors, unfortunately. Their owners were good people, a dying breed, salesmen that is. Small business owners in sales wont be around for very much longer, instead youll see an increase in small custom fabrication and parts, i.e. Doc. So I say support them while you can!

[Digits]

Tell him to start up a field.. Thats where the money rolls in.. Are local field here bought an airball field, had 1 tournament, and the field was paid off after that tourny.. But if you have a tournament, try to get new players to come out.. There were 16 teams in a very small area of 'seriouse' paintballers around here.. Three quarters of them were new and shooting tippmans or renting.

[845]

I would send them to the shop. I would take into consideration that if you dont support and he is forced to close down you will be driving an hour for a fill. Not to mention its a good idea to have a relationship with the store owner. Especially if you go to trade shows with them, dealer prices baby.