I am surprised that not one person here has mention the overhead a dealer incurs
just to have a location. I work at a auto auction. We collect fee's from the buyer and the seller. These average about $225.00 each way. This is so a basic set of rules are followed and the paperwork. I hear complaints every week about the fee's. But the customers keep coming back every week. We have a very large overhead.
The dealer has made a investment. I have never done a gun purchase on a dealer transfer.I go to the dealer, ask if he can get what I want. I ask the OTD price.
If it is acceptable I buy it. I deal in $20K to $40k cars all the time and the transaction usually last less than 5 minutes. Same with $50.00 and up cars which usually cause me more problems. Totally different type of car dealer.
I feel that a dealer has the right to charge what he wants. Not all gun shops are equal. Some are nicer than others, which incurs a larger overhead.