Author Topic: Best gun-catalog type of place to ask for gift cards? (Read 5337 times)

AJ Dual · « **on:** November 17, 2009, 05:03:43 PM »

I've finally wised up, and now ask for gun related gift cards from catalog/mail-order type places so I HAVE to spend it on ME.

Ca$h tends to get frittered away on bills, groceries, or co-opted into projects or "gifts for both of us" (translation: HER)

Last year I came to this revelation, and got gift cards for Christmas and my b-day to MidwayUSA and Brownell's. Mrs. Dual literaly sat over my shoulder while I searched Brownell's to prove to her you couldn't buy DSLR camera accessories there. In her mind, despite that the camera and Photoshop and making slideshow DVD's etc. is her new obsession, that is "our gift" because she takes pictures of the kids etc...

However, it's hard to spend gift cards at Brownell's/MidwayUSA because while they're large, they don't always have the best prices etc. and tend to have a broad, but not very deep selection.

Any other suggestions of where I should ask? I'm into "black rifle" stuff right now. Or somewhere that also has decent deals on case ammo etc. where it would be hard for my family to order for me, but easy to order for myself. I'd like to get the cards all from one place if possible so I could pool them for something larger. Or are Brownell's and Midway the best bet to find something I want, even if not the best price?

41magsnub · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:10:10 PM »

cabelas is always nice

optics planet is a good option, no ammo but lots of other good stuff.

amazon.com does have some gun stuff via their storefronts.

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:16:12 PM »

Quote from: 41magsnub on November 17, 2009, 05:10:10 PM

cabelas is always nice

optics planet is a good option, no ammo but lots of other good stuff.

amazon.com does have some gun stuff via their storefronts.

unfortunalty i would thing cabelas and amazon would be loaded with stuff for 'them'.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:20:42 PM »

Black rifle stuff? G&R tactical has gift certificates, from $25 to $300 increments. Bravo Company USA also has gift certificates. Those two should cover most of your EBR needs, as far as AR stuff goes.

Ammoman has gift certificates, never dealt with him, though.

41magsnub · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2009, 06:40:34 PM »

Quote from: bluestarlizzard on November 17, 2009, 05:16:12 PM

unfortunalty i would thing cabelas and amazon would be loaded with stuff for 'them'.

okay, I totally read that wrong...

41magsnub · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2009, 06:49:41 PM »

cheaper than dirt has gift certificates, they have somewhat ok prices. They make it mildly difficult to redeem though, no web orders.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GIFT$100-1.html

AJ Dual · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2009, 12:06:18 AM »

Thanks for the ideas!

Bravo company is probably the front-runner right now.

And indeed, Bluestarlizard is exactly right. Amazon stuff is way too "convertable", Cabela's is not so bad. But I could be leaned on to get camping stuff for the family we'd never use.

Is "Cheaper than Dirt" still living up to it's namesake? They got a bad reputation for profiteering above and beyond anyone else during the Obama peak. More like "Cheaper than Dirt with gold nuggets in it"...

OTOH, if the prices are good again, I hold them no ill will, and would order. I've even bought stuff from Botach.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:45:42 AM »

Do any of your local shops offer gift certs?

Chris

French G. · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:01:33 AM »

I can't handle CTD, too many scams and bad prices. Maybe I'll ask for a Brownell's gift card. Or one from Midway or Graf's.

I am composing the I want e-mail, complete with links to exactly what I want.

HankB · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2009, 09:29:12 AM »

Quote from: AJ Dual on November 17, 2009, 05:03:43 PM

However, it's hard to spend gift cards at Brownell's/MidwayUSA because while they're large, they don't always have the best prices etc. and tend to have a broad, but not very deep selection.

When you log in at Brownell's, check off "gunsmith" as your demographic and you'll get better prices when you order. Also, if you google "Brownell's coupon codes" or "Brownell's coupons" you'll often find a code which will give you $ off, free or reduced shipping, etc. (Often the codes posted have expired, but I've found that most of the time SOME code will work.)

Quote from: French G. on November 18, 2009, 08:01:33 AM

I can't handle CTD, too many scams and bad prices.

If I order from CTD, I get nicked for sales tax, too . . . but since I've been scammed by them myself, they're not a company I'll EVER do business with again.

AJ Dual · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2009, 09:33:01 AM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on November 18, 2009, 07:45:42 AM

Do any of your local shops offer gift certs?

Chris

Yes they do...

OTOH... based on what they charge, you could just as easily ask your family for money, then give half of it back, and go spend it online.

The only way you'll really do okay there is get enough local shop gift cards together to actually afford a firearm, then, before telling the store you're using gift-cards to pay, you get lucky and have a nice/reasonable clerk, then haggle them down to the (quantity 1, no extra discounts) Internet/Wholesale price of that firearm (presumably they do a bit better than that), then add $35 in FedEx overnight shipping (assuming it's a handgun), and the $25 FFL fee a REASONABLE kitchen-table FFL guy would charge* as extra profit for them, then see if they bite.

(*The stores around here all want $100 per transfer now...)

My dream business model for a gun store is to get the minimum stock and commercial space needed to navigate the zoning and FFL process that is actively hostile to kitchen table FFL's, then try to leverage transfers, Internet ordering etc... and set my self up as an er... "wife proof" shipping drop for firearms and ammo etc. for a nominal fee.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2009, 03:26:05 PM »

Quote from: AJ Dual on November 18, 2009, 12:06:18 AM

Thanks for the ideas!

Bravo company is probably the front-runner right now.

And indeed, Bluestarlizard is exactly right. Amazon stuff is way too "convertable", Cabela's is not so bad. But I could be leaned on to get camping stuff for the family we'd never use.

Is "Cheaper than Dirt" still living up to it's namesake? They got a bad reputation for profiteering above and beyond anyone else during the Obama peak. More like "Cheaper than Dirt with gold nuggets in it"...

OTOH, if the prices are good again, I hold them no ill will, and would order. I've even bought stuff from Botach.

I refuse to deal with CTD or Botach. CTD caters to the mall ninja crowd...Botach has a very poor rep.

Bravo Company sells quality stuff, and the stuff branded with their name is top notch.

Balog · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2009, 03:29:29 PM »

What type of scams has CTD pulled? I know they aren't well regarded, but I've heard nothing concrete.

AJ Dual · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:04:25 PM »

Quote from: Balog on November 18, 2009, 03:29:29 PM

What type of scams has CTD pulled? I know they aren't well regarded, but I've heard nothing concrete.

CTD had very large price increases on ammo, mags, and other items, that were much higher than the increases elsewhere in the mail-order/Internet industry. That in of itself is not that bad, caveat emptor... free market, etc.

However, they also were fudging "competitors list prices" to make their prices look reasonable, which to many crossed the line. And sometimes they'd forget to do it on their website, which people got screen captures of ("negative" -53% Savings!) on marked up ammo, which created more laughter and Internet consternation.

On top of it, CTD had an industry/sponsor sub-forum on AR15.com where they began to get arrogant and moderating away criticisim. Until the owners staff decided the forum would be dropped, and AR15.com and CTD parted ways.

crt360 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:25:36 PM »

I'll add another vote for Bravo Company.

charby · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:42:04 PM »

Have you thought about telling your wife, this gift is for me, let me spend it how I feel?

Balog · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:20:29 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 18, 2009, 05:42:04 PM

Have you thought about telling your wife, this gift is for me, let me spend it how I feel?

I'm so glad someone other than me asked that question...

RaspberrySurprise · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:28:38 PM »

Quote from: Balog on November 18, 2009, 06:20:29 PM

I'm so glad someone other than me asked that question...

Ill second that (and I'm not married!) but I have a feeling that the idea may be lost upon someone who doesn't already understand it.

Hawkmoon · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:41:03 PM »

CTD = Cheaper Than Diamonds.

I am exceedingly puzzled by the opening comment that Brownells selection is "broad but not very deep." Dunno what it is you're looking for, but I can't think of much I've ever needed (other than mall ninja-like stuff) that Brownells didn't have. They aren't big on "gear," of course, but they aren't a "gear" vendor. They are a gunsmithing vendor.

Cabela's is about as much over-priced as CTD.

charby · « **Reply #19 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:03:55 PM »

Quote from: RaspberrySurprise on November 18, 2009, 06:28:38 PM

Ill second that (and I'm not married!) but I have a feeling that the idea may be lost upon someone who doesn't already understand it.

I'm married and I wouldn't think twice about telling my wife that. We have in the past pooled our Christmas money and giftcards to get something that we both wanted.

Balog · « **Reply #20 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:21:57 PM »

I was mainly happy because I'm generally the only one who will say anything about marriage dynamics, and I generally get castigated for it.

charby · « **Reply #21 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:23:27 PM »

Quote from: Balog on November 19, 2009, 07:21:57 PM

I was mainly happy because I'm generally the only one who will say anything about marriage dynamics, and I generally get castigated for it.

Well, we do need a whipping boy.

Balog · « **Reply #22 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:27:02 PM »

I'm the fistful of relationship threads?

charby · « **Reply #23 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:34:51 PM »

Quote from: Balog on November 19, 2009, 07:27:02 PM

I'm the fistful of relationship threads?

No everything is still his fault.

You since you are the whipping boy, you get punished when anyone misbehaves.

Balog · « **Reply #24 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:39:52 PM »

Quote from: charby on November 19, 2009, 07:34:51 PM

No everything is still his fault.

You since you are the whipping boy, you get punished when anyone misbehaves.

Kinky.

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Author Topic: Best gun-catalog type of place to ask for gift cards? (Read 5337 times)