Imported Guns on IFG

[nagarifle]

one understands where you are coming from, however one should understand that even the gun dealers in your own town sell at high price.

the forum just provides a service, which is not a compulsory for the buyer or the intended seller.

so at the end of the day if one does not want to pay such high prices then do not.

as for fair ground? its a market, and no fair play exits.

[winnie_the_pooh]

Nash,

There are two types of sellers on IFG. 1.People who have some surplus stuff lying around and want to sell this.

2.Then there are those who are doing this on a professional basis.These are those who have worked to establish a 'supply' network mainly operating through people coming back to the country.They cultivate 'contacts' in the customs dept. are able to get goods cleared which in numbers that would make it clear to even an idiot that they are not meant for personal use.They are rarely,if ever harassed by the customs chaps.

In case of airguns,import is restricted to rifle club members.No commercial import is allowed.In fact,some prominent members in the shooting fraternity actively work to ensure that restrictions are not relaxed.The refusal of customs authorities to allow the import of pellets is a direct result of this.They have interpreted the notification allowing their import as to mean only free import by renowned shooters.The NRAI too worked to stall the govt. proposal to increase the ammo quota for shooters.

As the import is restricted most people demand and get a premium.In most cases the premium is sufficient to cover the cost of a life time membership of a rifle club.Get that and you can join the abuse of the provision allowing the import of air rifles, for commercial gain.

Let me work out the costs for you

1.Club membership fee-Life time member-about 20,000/-

2.Air rifle PCP with pump-how about this http://www.pyramydair.com/p/benjamin-di ... ifle.shtml in .177 for $ 369 or roughly 17,000/-

3.Throw in this case for $22 or about Rs 1000/- for transporting the gun

4.Leapers scope http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leapers_5 ... eticle/829 for $ 58 or about Rs.2700/-

5.Scope rings http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leapers_S ... Mount/2445 for $8 or about Rs.350/-

6.Transportation about $200 or about R. 9500/-

Total cost about Rs. 50,500/-.Duty-nill

Now this is what you do

1.Rifle for sale Rs. 35,000/- to 40,000/-
2.Pump for sale Rs.11,000/-
3.Case for sale Rs 6000/- to 7000/-
4.Scope for sale Rs 12,000/-
5.Scope rings for sale Rs. 1200/-

Total sale price Rs. 64,000/- to 70,000/-.Throw in a sob story on how you were harassed by the customs guys for free.

[fantumfan2003]

Nash

Don't get me wrong on this one.

One needs to understand that no seller over here or elsewhere is forcing any buyer to buy at the asking price.
It is completely upto the buyer whether he pays a premium and get what he wants without any hassles OR he goes through the hassles (membership, import, clearance) and gets himself a bargain.

Since there is no compulsion to buy, one cannot complain of GIGANTIC difference in pricing.
I suggest you import one yourself and go through the hassles at least ONCE to decide if the GIGANTIC difference in pricing is justified or not.

If you want an airgun badly enough, I still suggest go for an IHP in .177 caliber. That way you will focus on enjoying shooting (which is what you want right ? enjoyment ?) and not worry about such problems. In the meanwhile be on the look out for that pre-owned bargain airgun, you will certainly land one. We all did.

M.

I know there're so many hassles and headaches taken care off by the sellers... but still such a GIGANTIC difference in pricing will put off even the greatest of enthusiast...

[winnie_the_pooh]

Get the membership of a rifle club.District,State or National makes no difference.Much cheaper in the long run,if you are going to import air guns and related stuff.

[nash]

Hey winnie!!

Your's is the best reply I got so far on this topic..

You simply spoke my heart out..

Rifle club membership in chennai costs around 1.5L and that too after much lobbying..

So like u said if I plan to join the sellers brigade to make some handsome bucks it works out just fine..

[fantumfan2003]

How will the sport be popular if such restrictions are imposed ?
Cost is the single variable which prevents people from coming to shooting sports.

M.

Nash,

In case of airguns,import is restricted to rifle club members.No commercial import is allowed.In fact,some prominent members in the shooting fraternity actively work to ensure that restrictions are not relaxed.The refusal of customs authorities to allow the import of pellets is a direct result of this.They have interpreted the notification allowing their import as to mean only free import by renowned shooters.The NRAI too worked to stall the govt. proposal to increase the ammo quota for shooters.

[m24]

Rifle club membership in chennai costs around 1.5L and that too after much lobbying..

Even NRAI doesn't charge this much!!

If your need for an airgun is only plinking, get an annual membership (which shouldn't cost more than Rs.1000) from your local district rifle association (check with other members from Chennai, they may be able to guide you better) and follow what winnie said. Import yourself one.

Regards

[Vikram]

SSC,

If it was a feedback post, please indicate your positive,negative or neutral feedback.If you like to comment/vent on the market conditions,please post in the appropriate section.

Gunrunner,

Please do not bring in persons into discussions who are not here to defend themselves or have little bearing on present situations.

Thank you gents.


Best-
Vikram

[santhosh]

Hi Nash,
Joining the Chennai rifle Club would burn yor wallet, instead u can pay half that price and buy any imported one .
we also have Rifle clubs in madurai, ooty and Coimbatore. may be you can try to get a membership from any of those and i am sure they are not as costly as chennai rifle club.

Then you can import your Gun and use it.

Regards
Santhosh.B

[nash]

Hi Nash,
Joining the Chennai rifle Club would burn yor wallet, instead u can pay half that price and buy any imported one .
we also have Rifle clubs in madurai, ooty and Coimbatore. may be you can try to get a membership from any of those and i am sure they are not as costly as chennai rifle club.

Then you can import your Gun and use it.

Regards
Santhosh.B

Thats what i'm also planning santhosh...

I'll have to join any rifle club other than chennai rifle club... may be madurai / ooty/ coimbatore / or anywhere in karnataka....

Kindly shed some light if anyone happens to know how much could be the membership fee there... and where i would get a membership without much ado..

I hope atleast there i'll be able to make some inroads!!

[gunrunner]

SSC,

If it was a feedback post, please indicate your positive,negative or neutral feedback.If you like to comment/vent on the market conditions,please post in the appropriate section.

Gunrunner,

Please do not bring in persons into discussions who are not here to defend themselves or have little bearing on present situations.

Thank you gents.


Best-
Vikram

Hi Vikram,point taken next post deleted.
Happy Gunning
GR

[santhosh]

Actually i am waiting for the IFG members to form a club, hope it happens soon then let me join that . i am sure we will have some sensible people there who will helps us with the sport.

[nash]

What about the location of the proposed IFG Rifle Club santhosh???

[gunrunner]

Hi Santhosh,Nash,
Where will the club be located???
IFG members are spread all over the country.
The price of land will be the biggest hurdle,how will that be sorted out???Permissions,equipment are further headache.
Suggestion to start a club was easy to put forward,putting it into action will be herculean task.
Happy Gunning.
GR

[winnie_the_pooh]

To all those who try to justify the prices demanded for articles that can be imported though with some difficulty there is the alien concept of being "fair to the seller"

To all those who look up US prices and then compare it with the price being charged here, let me say that if they import the article themselves,it would cost them about double of what the prices are in US(cost of transportation + duty).

If however they can get some one to bring them in for them ,they can avoid the cost of transportation and customs duty.If they can get some one to send them across as a gift then they will not have to pay customs duty as long as the value is not more than Rs. 5000/- in the country where the goods have been bought.