Online Comparison Shopping

When you finally decide it's time to make a new gun purchase - where do you start searching for comparative prices (websites)? I prefer to make my purchases locally and keep the money at home, but like to have some point of reference before walking into a shop and saying "I'll take it." Any and all suggestions welcomed as I'm in the market again. This is just a general question and not specific to manufacturer or caliber.

Thanks - Papa
(Formerly POPS in MS)

Call around to all the local shops and see what they have..
Then decide from there.

Gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com to start. And, then I check the classifieds on websites such as this one. If I am in no hurry, I will post a "wanted" ad to see if I can save some money. I have bought several items off of the classifieds here.

Budsgunshop.com, gunbroker. I call and talk to everybody I can.

gunbroker.com +1

Gunbroker, AuctionArms, etc. for new prices. Generally I can find what I want online then go to local shops to see who comes closest to the best online deal. When buying new I have always bought from a local shop, even if it was slightly more than an online deal.

Used is different. I've had the best results posting Wanted Ads for a particular item. When somebody knows you are sitting with cash in hand it makes them a little more eager to sell. I posted a Want To Buy ad in the Penny Pincher here on the Coast once and bought two of the same model just because the deals were so good. I sat on one for about eight months but ended up with about half as much in the one I kept as I planned to spend.

Buds gunshop is often hard to beat on their delivered price. Most ffl guys will do the transfer for around $25 or $30.

New: It's forum type websites geared toward the manufacturer. Say I want the new Sig, the folks on SigForum know where the best deals are. On and on with different makes and models. If you don't know of a website try Google or Bing for a search.

Used: It's always the Blue Book first brfore starting the search. If you only buy one used weapon a year. The savings will pay for the Blue Book over what some dealer says the weapon is worth.

Shooter - That's what I try to do - get an idea on pricing and then shop locally - then it becomes taxes vs shipping and FFL fees. Still try to buy at home and always will - that's why I was aking y'all for your preferred sites for doing this.

BB - have seen alot of references to the Blue Book lately - what are we talkingt about dollarwise to pick one up?

Thanks for the responses everyone -

Papa
(Formerly POPS in MS)

31st Edition [book] will be out in April, $44.95 CD is $34.95.

Usually you can pick up a year old edition for around $10.00. This would give you a good idea of price ranges for what you have as well as whatever it is you are looking for.

wwww.bluebookinc.com

I spend 85% of my internet time on buds gunshop (at least with it in an open tab) so...I usually start there