All Firearms are Tax-FREE!

[LSUTiger]

A little bit of a rant about a new trend I am seeing with firearms sales.

About a month and a half ago made a firearms purchase from a LGS with a retail store & range, they also have multiple locations.

I saw the firearm online and since it was available and close by I went to the store in person after work and I made the purchase and I paid the cost of the firearm plus sales tax. I do not recall their website stating "All Firearms are Tax-FREE!"

Just a few days ago I purchased a 2nd firearm online from the same LGS website. I noticed that there is now a banner across the top of the home page stating "All Firearms are Tax-FREE!"

Prior to purchasing the 2nd firearm online I had the item in my wish list and as soon as it became available, I was notified by email and then i made the purchase online. However the price when I placed the item in the wish list was one price and when I was ready to make the purchase online the price had increased and but that's when I saw the "All Firearms are Tax-FREE!" banner. Doing some quick math it was apparent that the tax was built into the price. Since I planned on paying the cost of the gun plus sales tax and it came out to the same price anyway I made the purchase.

(My invoice shows just one price, no tax. I am picking up in person at the store so no added shipping or FFL transfer fees.)

Since then I have noticed a few websites showing higher prices but with the "All Firearms are Tax-FREE!".

So what is the issue you ask? It makes it a little more difficult to comparison shop. Another local big box store had the same thing for $50 more plus tax. Its just extra work to figure out if you are making a good deal or not and to compare out the door pricing. I also don't like any bait and switch or hidden cost advertised as something else or having to go through extra mental gymnastics. I guess bottom line is price and availability, And to be honest so far my experience with the LGS in question has be great. Two guns I wanted at reasonable prices!

I just don't like it when things are not straight forward. These types of games with pricing always makes me wary and more unlikely to make a purchase. But I think this "tax free" but not really trend is catching on.