Markup for buying locally?

[neon66]

This is my first post - I hope this doesn't violate any rules. I've been researching gear for the past few months and am thinking seriously of doing my first cycle. I have a general idea of how much mail order (from overseas using a US remailer) pricing is but am wondering about buying locally. I am NOT looking for specific prices, but rather what percentage markup would I be asked to pay if I was to buy face to face from someone I know? I want to keep the specifics of what I'm looking for fairly vague (it's not an unusual cycle) and want to be clear that I am NOT soliciting bids from dealers for my business (so please don't email or PM offering to sell me anything or asking for sources). I'm trying to figure out if the benefits of buying locally is worth the additional the cost of doing so. If it helps in answering my question, I live in the city (east coast). Thanks.

 

[totallyjacked]

PRICES

There are benefits to both. For example many international sources deal with a lot of human grade european gear. In my opinion it is still expensive compared to mexican vet gear which you usually will get domestically such as QV. However, if you are looking for human grade european gear this is going to be extremely expensive domestically. Depends on what you are after. You also have to take into consideration th risk of customs dealing with overseas. Domestically there is no customs and the only risk is if your source was to get busted and then they set you up for a controlled delivery. Can't really give you an accurate markup percentage, this is not walmart and if anyone says that they can they don't know what they are talking about because everybody charges different prices.

jacked

 

[neon66]

re: Market

Thanks, totally. I will keep the quality/brand in mind. Of course, you are right about there not being an accurate or consistent markup. It'll vary depending on what's available locally at any given time and the demand, how many people are involved in the purchasing chain, etc. I guess what I was getting at (but didn't ask clearly) was for what others have been quoted or heard from other people. Should I feel ripped off if someone offers to sell me stuff locally for 50% more than I would pay ordering overseas? Has anyone ever heard of a 100% markup?

 

[NapoleanComplex]

I've read about it in posts...not recently though. Here's an example of an extreme (this might have been on another board):

(it goes something like this): "How much should I expect to pay for an amp of sust? A guy at my gym says he can get them for me at $16 each. But, I've also seen some overseas pricelists where an amp of sust is only $8. Is it worth the $16 to know that my shit won't get picked up in customs and to guarantee its not fake?"

The one thing that I would like to say for Domestic Sources is that they can get you your shit fast (if its in stock). And you don't have to worry about your shit getting picked up by customs.

Hope this helps...

 

[BigPapaPump]

In my opinion, I would not hesitate to pay double. The domestic guy is taking a larger risk than the international. I prefer the piece of mind when dealing domestic. I can find amps at a few bucks a piece....but it has to get to me. The only thing that really pisses me off, is when a domestic wants to charge a high shipping fee, come on, I'll pay more per amp but don't try to hit me with a $50 shipping fee.

BPP