Ready to buy my a-5! but where?

Commander_Cool wrote: I am going to say,... I wouldn't base my purchasing decisions on the comments left on a manufacturer's forum. www.pbreview.com www.pbnation.com   I suggest looking into ICD guns, and WGP Autocockers.

You give the worst advice. Go away.

Yes, please, no one support you local field by buying equipment for 5%-10% more so that eventually there will be no organized places to play paintball, just megastores.  Awesome plan.

Commander_Cool wrote: Um, you responded to my comment with a sarcastic post.

Yes, I did.  What's your point?

How about you take my whole quote and comment on it instead of isolated blurbs? Of course then you can't make yourself feel witty then by adding one liners to sentences taken out of context.

Commander_Cool wrote: I commented on the points you made, that: a) mark ups at local fields are so small it i negligable. b) that if we stop buying from local shops, we wont have any places to play.

Yes, you did.  What's your point?

My point is your points were wrong, and I proved them as such.

Commander_Cool wrote: a) mark up is more than you stated

Not at my local store.

Great, that doesn't mean every local store is like yours. Stop using it as the basis for your argument, and be realistic.

Commander_Cool wrote: b) there are times when buying locally is the better choice

Um, which is exactly what I said.

Then why are you arguing with me and giving me sarcastic one liners? Besides its not what you said. You simply said buy from action village, and then attributed that concept to yourself retroactively.

Commander_Cool wrote: c) fields and stores are seperate, yet interelated businesses, if one dies out, the other might survive.

So I should not support the field/store so that the one that "survives" will be more efficient.  Another interesting view of your master plan.  I think I'll keep supporting them so I can keep both around, thanks.

It has nothing to do with supporting one so it continues to exist. The point is if you go where you get the best exchange for your money, whether its for $$ or service, the other businesses will have to adapt. The worst case being a local store closing down, which would not affect fields. This contradicts your statements regarding lack of organized paintball establishments.

Commander_Cool wrote: in addition, i was referencing the thought process behind the sarcastic and ill-concieved comment, not the post itself.

So now you know my thought process?  Wow, do you work for the Psychic Friends Network?  Could you get me Dionne Warwick's autograph?

No, but your thought process is pretty obvious. That if you don't support local businesses they will die, and then there will be no paintball related infastructure on a local level outside of low end gear sold at big box retailers.

Commander_Cool wrote: As for my $20 dollar difference... shipping is significantly less than $20, and for college students or younger players saving money is important.

The wisdom keeps flowing.  I said minus shipping and just because your local shop sucks doesn't mean they all do.  I'm not stupid.  If I see my local shop overpricing, I won't buy.  Most people won't.  I never said buy at your local shop at all costs.

Does my wording or your wording negate the message? It is 65 dollars PLUS the cost of shipping. Who the hell says it is 65 dollars minus shipping? If I am shipping something and I give the cost of an item I discuss the additional cost of shipping, there is no minus involved.

Regardless my point about costs in relation to student players is valid, so great job refuting that one hot shot.

Commander_Cool wrote: Also most local shops can't meet internet pricing and won't try to.

Mine comes pretty close (again, see my previous post).  And guess what?  If I need something right away, like on a game day, I'll have an option.

Yea, thats why I said most. Since local shops are small businesses the prices vary tremendously across the board. Thats why I said do what is most beneficial to the customer, as to whether one should buy locally or over the internet. You even stated you agreed, so why are you debating this? I personally don't care about how your shop prices things, it is not relevant to the general discussion.

I only used a local shop around here to illustrate different costs, It has already been noted that some shops are priced low to match the internet retailers. I have an idea how about you make a valid point instead of rehashing old facts?

Tell you what?  Why don't we agree to disagree?  Don't support your local field.  I'll keep supporting mine in case you need some place to play when your local, inefficient field closes its doors.

I have 2 outdoor fields, 3 indoor fields, 5-6 shops, all within a 15 minute drive from my house. I don't go to the over priced places I used as examples unless there is an overiding reason (special discount days, etc). The costly field (not the store, which is related to a different field), has an almost cult like following. Its sort of sad and odd how some people can become so extremely loyal to a place that they won't play else where and are willing to fork over $100 a case of paint.