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View Full Version : Bud's - BBB A+ and now BUDS VIP


JFootin
08-16-2011, 11:09 AM
A very bold statement, but we think you will agree it's true ! Since 2003, we have been bringing the best deals on firearms and accessories to our customers nationwide. Those deals have allowed us to grow from customer # 1 back in 2003 to an incredible 587,850 customers as of this email ! With that many people, you might imagine the number of requests, suggestions and (let's just be honest) complaints we get daily. We continue to do our very best to consider them all.

Although we take great pride in our customer satisfaction ratings, which includes a Better Business Bureau (BBB) (http://www.bbb.org/lexington/business-reviews/guns-and-gunsmiths/buds-gun-shopcom-in-lexington-ky-184205327) highest possible rating of A+, we also understand that there are many customers who would prefer an even higher level of service. We had previously resisted over upgrading our services in favor of keeping our prices low...as that seems to be what the majority of our customers prefer. However, we have now decided to offer BOTH great prices and an optional premium customer service package for those who desire that highest level of service.

We have listened closely to our +half million customers and wrapped all of their most popular requests, suggestions and even complaints into one neat package....we call it the BUDS VIP (https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) !

For as little as $19.95/year, here's what you'll get as a BUDS VIP (https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) !

1. Minimum 72 hour advance purchase opportunity on ALL hard to get guns, ALL used guns, and any other special offers. YOU always get the "first shot" !
2. 30 Day Price Protection on all new firearms*
2. Same Day shipping on select guns**
3. FREE classifieds listings on our website ! Advertise your items for sale on a website with over 72,000 views per with absolutely no listing or selling fees. ***
4. A 1-888-Toll-Free number for BUDS VIP members only
5. An expedited email option for BUDS VIP members only
6. Even more benefits to be announced soon....
*applies only to advertised price changes on www.budsgunshop.com
**order must be placed by 2 PM EST. Requires credit card payment and shipment to one of our Preferred FFL dealers
*** we are limiting each customer to only one classified listing per month to avoid excessive dealer listings in the classifieds section

To give you some specific examples of BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) items....we launched the VIP program earlier today with a 72 hour advance purchase opportunity on a used lot of S&W Model 10 Police Trade-in revolvers for only $269 DELIVERED ! These guns are trade-ins from the same department as the Model 10's we offered just two weeks ago, and nearly 200 of those guns sold out in less than 24 hours ! We had customers calling and emailing offering us $50 more than our advertised price for the guns ! Unfortunately, it was too late, they were already gone. Click on the photo below to see the both versions of the Model 10 we currently have available for BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) members only !
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/Smith%20RB%2010.jpg (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Smith+model+10 +38sp+butt&x=0&y=0)
To view all the new and used guns currently in the BUDS VIP members only section, click HERE (https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/1050). Our website automatically updates inventory and pricing several times per hour, 24/7. Please be advised that new VIP items may therefore be added several times each day. Please also be advised that VIP items may drop off as they either expire (72 hours) or sell out. However, guns and ammunition in limited supply will continue to be reserved for VIP customers beyond 72 hours.

It's not just guns ! BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) members get the "first shot" on all special deals and limited supply offers....like the discontinued and nearly impossible to find Federal XMP38B1 .38 Special Nyclad Round Nose for only $14.95 for a 50 rd box ! If you are subscribed to receive emails from us, you will automatically receive members only email alerts notifying you of new VIP offers.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/xmp38b1.jpg (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1050/products_id/411542823)
Yet another good example of the benefits of being a BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) member would be the Kel-Tec PMR30. Even after we fill all our customer prepaid Reserve Order's, we will still have over 2,700 people on a waiting list for just that one gun ! Once again, BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) members will get a minimum 72 hour advance purchase opportunity on each and every "Wish List" gun we receive.

The economy and political climate has resulted in gun prices fluctuating wildly in just a short amount of time. As a BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) member, you have the security of knowing you can take advantage of our best advertised price within one month, 30 days of making your purchase ! We will be providing an official BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) Price Protection link on the website to allow only VIP customers to request Price Protection. The link will automatically notify us of your VIP status, the price you originally paid for the item, and our current advertised price of the item. Upon review and approval, we will issue a credit to your account equal to the total price difference. Credits can only be applied to future www.budsgunshop.com purchases, and you are only allowed one Price Protection request per item....so make it a good one !

When you consider that just one gun deal a year can offset your entire cost of being a BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) member...it really is "the best Value we have ever offered". Simply taking advantage of any one VIP benefit, just one time, throughout an entire year, can more than reimburse you for your VIP membership cost. Maybe you are not in the market for buying another gun, maybe you actually need to sell a few ? Consider the fees for a single $500 gun sold on Gunbroker will cost you about the same as your BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) membership....and you can sell guns for FREE on www.budsgunshop.com for a whole year !

No matter how great of a deal it is, we realize BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) is not for everyone. Please understand that we are not in any way taking customer resources away from our loyal customers. In order to keep our profit margins the same, we must charge for this optional BUDS VIP (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/vip.php) service. VIP membership fees will allow us to add the resources it will require to provide a higher level of service to the customers who choose to pay for it. Whether the number of new BUDS VIP customers ends up being 10 or 10,000 we will have at least offered to provide the services so many people have been asking for.

No matter what level of service you choose...we sincerely appreciate your business and the to opportunity to serve you.

In sincere appreciation,

Rex McClanahan
Vice President
Budsgunshop.com, LLC.
jeepster09
08-16-2011, 02:01 PM
So is this a commercial for Bud's? or what?
OldLincoln
08-16-2011, 02:21 PM
More like a Kahr Talk Public Service Announcement! Lot's of folks here are anxious gun buyers (they want it NOW!) and buy multiple guns per year. Bud's is sharp in catering to that market, JFootin for letting them know..
jeepster09
08-16-2011, 02:29 PM
Perhaps some comment with the commercial with of been in line .....like I have used these guys and reccomend this or blah blah blah. I personally have used Bud's and bought a gun, only to get something different other than what was advertised. They did agree to take it back, but it was a dissapointment because I already missed out on another gun locally. I can also say they have not been quick for me, to respond to questions about a particular model posted for sale. Perhaps I am leery after getting "the bait and switch" prior model transaction.
O'Dell
08-16-2011, 02:48 PM
I've bought six there, and on all but the last, they were delivered promptly. That one was ordered on December 22 and I got caught in the holiday rush - 7 days from order to shipping. I will say this about Bud's. Three of the guns were used, and in all three cases the gun was better than described. Two were perfect although listed as 90%.
JFootin
08-16-2011, 02:57 PM
Just passing on some information, jeepster09. No endorsement specified or implied, although I have only heard good things about them. Who woke you up on the wrong side of the bed?
OldLincoln
08-16-2011, 03:35 PM
Ah, Jeep - you need to sign up for the VIP options then all that nonsense will stop!

I've not bought from them. One time I looked into it but for some reason backed out before making the buy. Something about them wanting my credit card just to sign up (or not. It's been a couple years ago). Based on their rep around here I'd probably buy now if I had the surplus.
JohnInFlorida
08-16-2011, 04:01 PM
And there are some of us who believe we are entitled to the store's BEST EFFORT without having to spend $20 or $25 up front in order to get them to do what they should be glad to provide up front to EARN our business ... but I guess that's just me ....
Bawanna
08-16-2011, 04:30 PM
And there are some of us who believe we are entitled to the store's BEST EFFORT without having to spend $20 or $25 up front in order to get them to do what they should be glad to provide up front to EARN our business ... but I guess that's just me ....

That thought crossed my mind as well. It must be nice to have so much business that you can ask a premium for people who want to move to the head of the line.

I've bought several from them and by normal standards they were plenty fast enough, me being impatient and all probably not fast enough for me but they arrived.

Not unlike Gary Olins deal at Sportsman Guide with is buyers program.
bamaman
08-16-2011, 04:41 PM
I've bought guns from them with no problems, but there is no way I'm gonna pay xtra for this. :mad:
Polygon
08-16-2011, 04:43 PM
Thanks for the heads up. I bought my last four guns from Bud's. They always have the best price. Having a 72 hour notice would have saved me a four month wait on my 1911 that they are shipping today.

This is pretty tempting.
JFootin
08-16-2011, 05:15 PM
A lot of companies have optional memberships where you get discounts and special sales. If you are planning on doing some serious buying, you get more than the membership fee back in savings. I know there are some people on here who are building small armories, sort of collectors (hoarders?). :banplease: This is a cool deal for them.
Polygon
08-16-2011, 05:16 PM
Hehe, yeah! That would be me if I had the money.
jeepster09
08-16-2011, 06:40 PM
Just passing on some information, jeepster09. No endorsement specified or implied, although I have only heard good things about them. Who woke you up on the wrong side of the bed?

I woke up on the right side....
Just it would have been helpful to of said something with your post. For all I know you work at Bud's.:boink:
JFootin
08-16-2011, 07:06 PM
Actually, I gave my standard comment in my signature.....

Very interesting.....


In other words, I posted something interesting. That's all. And YOU are the only one having a problem with it. What does that say to ya?

Brings up an interesting question: if a person got up on the wrong side of the bed, do they know it? :biggrin1:
Bawanna
08-16-2011, 07:21 PM
If you work at Bud's how bout a discount for your Bud's and waiving the 3% charge for credit cards. I never could figure out why we tolerate that. The banks charging companies to use credit.

Let me know about that discount.
Polygon
08-16-2011, 07:45 PM
That's why I pay by electronic check. Sucks to wait for it to clear though.
JFootin
08-16-2011, 09:19 PM
If the banks didn't charge businesses for credit card transactions, they would be charging us. How happy would you be if the bank added a 3% fee to every credit card transaction you did? That wouldn't work, would it? Of course, we still pay it either in the price of the merchandise, but it is just easier to swallow like that. I like it when a seller has a cheaper cash price. Now, if they would just all get PayPal.

I like PayPal myself. Time to clear is instant. And its secure.
wyntrout
08-16-2011, 09:23 PM
I pay extra for Sam's Club and twice as much for Costco's Executive membership... and I was a member of Sportsman's Guide for two years... just let the latter elapse. I joined it when I was loading up on ammo and they had some that I wanted with decent prices, but that hasn't been the case for a while.

I do save some money at the first two and I get a better choice on food... meat, fish, cheese, and other things, especially electronics, though they don't carry the greatest selections of everything. I wind up buying a lot of stuff from Amazon.com... no tax and usually quick, free shipping.

I'm a computer hobbyist... intense online-shopper! I found most of my guns on Gunbroker.com and I have bought many thousands of rounds of ammo with good prices and shipping offers. I look for deals all of the time.

I don't know that I will ever buy a gun from Buds. I've certainly looked there enough, just never found anything that I couldn't resist. BUT, I would also feel like I'm not seeing everything now, not being a VIP and all, so what's the point of looking there?

I gave them my email address and have been getting offers from them, but now they want me to pay for something like that in advance?? I don't think so.

Wynn:)
Dietrich
08-17-2011, 05:58 AM
And there are some of us who believe we are entitled to the store's BEST EFFORT without having to spend $20 or $25 up front in order to get them to do what they should be glad to provide up front to EARN our business ... but I guess that's just me ....

Well,that`s just me too.What`s next? Are we going to have to start tipping our waitresses before we get to order? Screw Bud`s idea.
Bawanna
08-17-2011, 09:45 AM
I've heard that Paypal is rabidly anti gun and of course they don't allow using it for firearm purchases. I avoid it whenever possible but sometimes it's the only way to go. I've heard of Gunpal which is a gun friendly Paypal type deal, not sure if it's working for them or even still around, haven't heard much about it lately.

Banks charge for the same money over and over. They charge the business who in turn charges us. It doesn't and shouldn't have to be that way.
But it is and I have no way of changing it so we walk or make payments.
JFootin
08-17-2011, 09:48 AM
Well, it is an option that we are free to ignore, which most people probably will do, including me. I don't have the resources to be buying enough to make it worth it.

I am an avid Internet shopper, too. I love to ferret out the best deal. Amazon quite a bit, Walmart.com quite a bit - lots of free shipping or a few pennies, some eBay, Optics Planet, etc. I, also, have bought and sold several guns and holsters on Gunbroker.com. And I bought my CM9 off an ad here on Kahrtalk. He has a new CT Laser (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7575) that he had bought for the CM9 on sale right now, unless it is already gone. QwikTim is someone you can trust.
jdavis
08-17-2011, 01:07 PM
Bud's is using a marketing strategy similar to the "Doc" fees that many car dealers charge. It simply equates to extra profit for them. Bud's will sell the products anyway and if you want to pay them $20 to sell it to you first, they will be happy to pocket the extra cash. Even more profits will be realized by those who ante up and never make the purchase. Good marketing by Bud's and a good deal for volume purchasers. Not so much for the average gun enthusiast.
jeepster09
08-17-2011, 01:44 PM
I woke up on the right side....
Just it would have been helpful to of said something with your post. For all I know you work at Bud's.:boink:


Like some other posts.....I thought I would post this just for the sake of posting.....gotta get my post count up?:behindsofa:

Very interesting.....:D
Bawanna
08-17-2011, 01:57 PM
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/Policecargif-1.gif

Why do I feel like the ground is covered in gasoline and you guys are playing with matches?

Lets move on shall we? I love you both and don't want to see you disfigured from burns. I'm foaming with retardant as we speak.

Happy thoughts.

Oh and plus one on my post count, like I really need it geez.
JFootin
08-17-2011, 02:12 PM
Like some other posts.....I thought I would post this just for the sake of posting.....gotta get my post count up?:behindsofa:

Very interesting.....:D

LOL! We're cool. :D
Dietrich
08-17-2011, 02:30 PM
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/Policecargif-1.gif

Why do I feel like the ground is covered in gasoline and you guys are playing with matches?

Lets move on shall we? I love you both and don't want to see you disfigured from burns. I'm foaming with retardant as we speak.

Happy thoughts.

Oh and plus one on my post count, like I really need it geez.

I`m not surprised by your foaming but I would stop shy of calling you retarded.You`re just....special.
yqtszhj
08-17-2011, 05:00 PM
I would stop shy of calling you retarded.You`re just....special.

Are you wanting public office? Wasn't this what Rom Emanuel said while working for Obama that he had to say "I'm sorry" about before he became mayor of Chicago or something?:rolleyes:
QuercusMax
08-21-2011, 07:44 PM
I first posted info about Bud's VIP program in another post (http://kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=88575&postcount=24) back on 8/11. I wasn't too impressed then, and less now.

Having purchased several guns from Bud's over the past year or so, and generally being pleased with the experience except for the 3% credit card surcharge, I was dismayed by this "improvement" by a company that now wants you ante up an additional $20-25/year just to get in line ahead of others.

Reminds me of the "ADM" (additional dealer markup) that some foreign car dealers charged in the past for the privilege of purchasing something from them. I vote with my dollars, and won't pay.

Since Bud's started this abominable program, I have observed that they have started reserving a few guns for VIP members only, meaning that the price of those items just went up by $20-25 above their advertised price. Worse yet, from time to time they have suddenly slapped the VIP designation on items that previously were available to all.

Fortunately for Kahr aficionados no Kahrs are currently subject to the VIP surcharge, unlike a few of the Colts that I have had had my eye on recently, but now just wouldn't buy one on principle, at least if it is in their VIP program.
Kenjs2
08-21-2011, 09:24 PM
Are any of you in business for yourselves? I am, so maybe I can bring some new light to this Bud thing...

I pay a fee for the privilege(?) of offering customers another option in payment making. (I'm sure everyone knows how credit cards work. For me it keeps my cash flow up and better insures payment.) For that privilege I pay 3% of the amount (plus or minus additional fees or discounts). Now, like any other business expense it has to be paid somewhere. For my company we put it into overhead(the cost of doing business). And who pays that? you do. For every dollar of sales we add a percentage for overhead. So if you're using a credit card or not you're paying my overhead. I'm not saying every business does it this way but it works for us in our specialty.
I like what Bud's seems to be offering. If I'm not using a credit card they give me a break by not charging me a portion of what it costs to offer that service. Seems good to me. (???) May take longer but if price is your thing go for it.

As far as the VIP thing it's been around for a long time. Where I live there once was a "BEST Stores" which had a membership and someone else mentioned Sams (I think they have a couple of offers). I'm sure there are many others out there. Bottom line is I'm looking for three things; price, quality and service. If Bud's can do it they get my business, if not I find the better deal somewhere else.

Who said, "there's a sucker born every minute"?

When I read this over it sounds like ranting, maybe so, I'm tired. Sorry!
wyntrout
08-21-2011, 09:39 PM
It does seem like a lot of people just see the "added on", not a choice. At most sites, the 3% or so is built into the price and everyone pays that. That's how "normal" businesses operate. The markup is there and everyone pays it. If you pay cash, they make a little more.
When I bought my PM45, I contacted the dealer through GunBroker and asked if he would drop the 2 1/2% CC charge, I would use the Buy Now immediately. He said he would change the Buy Now offer to include free shipping, which turned out to be an even better deal for me. I paid the CC fee but still saved some money by asking. I save money now and then by asking about military discounts, too, usually 10% off and sometimes the police supply places include any military as well as LEOs as customers... not doing business with the general public.

Wynn:)