Show off your Ruger No.1's

I got cut off. I will be taking my business elsewhere. There are still shops out there that subscribe to what I consider ethical business practices. Just spent a couple hours on the internet and phone. Located a small eastern dealer who had a 1-A .222 and a 1-RSI 7 X 57 still listed for 1189.00 each. I bought both. This brings my No.1 total to six. There are still deals out there. Happy hunting.
 
ajh648 said:
Is anyone else noticing certain dealers boosting prices on existing inventory. I have no issues with new inventory reflecting increased costs due to the purchasing power of our deflated dollar. What I have issues with is dealers who seem to feel No.1 enthusiasts are a captive audience and are ripe for hosing. Prophet River just raised the price of their existing stock 1-S models in 9.3 x 62 by 150.00 from 1449.00 to 1599.00. Ellwood Epps takes the cake though, raising prices on 1-S, 1-V, and 1-H models that have been in their inventory for quite some time from 1425.00 to 1731.00, yes, a 305.00 per unit increase. I have dealt with both in the past, but I will be taking my business elsewhere. There are still shops out there that subscribe to what I consider ethical business practices. Just spent a couple hours on the internet and phone. Located a small eastern dealer who had a 1-A .222 and a 1-RSI 7 X 57 still listed for 1189.00 each. I bought both. This brings my No.1 total to six. There are still deals out there. Happy hunting.
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While we appreciate your business, it makes little sense for us to sell rifles below cost.
Yes, we did raise the price on the 1-S's we had in inventory, however, just because they are in inventory, it does not mean we had them paid for. So, if I sell to you for 1449.00 then, in a few weeks we have to pay for the rifles to the distributor in US$, and they cost us more than we sold them for, we won't be in business long.
Also, consider this; even if we had paid for the rifles already we really still need to raise the price to reflect current replacement cost. It makes little sense to sell current inventory for less than I can replace it AND when the dollar goes the other way (back up) few consumers will be willing to pay my higher priced rifles than our competitors who receive fersh inventory at lower prices with a stronger dollar. As a consumor I feel the same way you do but as a store owner,I can say that we can't absorb the dollar both on the way down and on the way up. Margins on rifles, and especially #1's, are so tight that we couldn't stay in business. to call this unethical I think is unfair, unless as a customer you are willing to pay the 1599.00 if or when the prices go back down with a stronger dollar. I doubt many would.
Glad you found a store willing to sell at a few hundred dollars below replacement, there are certainly deals out there, we've told that to many customers. We aren't trying to take advantage of anyone, we wish the dollar were stable but we also can't do business in such a way that we can't stay in business.
 
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Prophet River said:
While we appreciate your business, it makes little sense for us to sell rifles below cost.
Yes, we did raise the price on the 1-S's we had in inventory, however, just because they are in inventory, it does not mean we had them paid for. So, if I sell to you for 1449.00 then, in a few weeks we have to pay for the rifles to the distributor in US$, and they cost us more than we sold them for, we won't be in business long.
Also, consider this; even if we had paid for the rifles already we really still need to raise the price to reflect current replacement cost. It makes little sense to sell current inventory for less than I can replace it AND when the dollar goes the other way (back up) few consumers will be willing to pay my higher priced rifles than our competitors who receive fersh inventory at lower prices with a stronger dollar. As a consumor I feel the same way you do but as a store owner,I can say that we can't absorb the dollar both on the way down and on the way up. Margins on rifles, and especially #1's, are so tight that we couldn't stay in business. to call this unethical I think is unfair, unless as a customer you are willing to pay the 1599.00 if or when the prices go back down with a stronger dollar. I doubt many would.
Glad you found a store willing to sell at a few hundred dollars below replacement, there are certainly deals out there, we've told that to many customers. We aren't trying to take advantage of anyone, we wish the dollar were stable but we also can't do business in such a way that we can't stay in business.
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Frustrating for the consumer... equally frustrating for the retailer...
 
Prophet River said:
While we appreciate your business, it makes little sense for us to sell rifles below cost.
Yes, we did raise the price on the 1-S's we had in inventory, however, just because they are in inventory, it does not mean we had them paid for. So, if I sell to you for 1449.00 then, in a few weeks we have to pay for the rifles to the distributor in US$, and they cost us more than we sold them for, we won't be in business long.
Also, consider this; even if we had paid for the rifles already we really still need to raise the price to reflect current replacement cost. It makes little sense to sell current inventory for less than I can replace it AND when the dollar goes the other way (back up) few consumers will be willing to pay my higher priced rifles than our competitors who receive fersh inventory at lower prices with a stronger dollar. As a consumor I feel the same way you do but as a store owner,I can say that we can't absorb the dollar both on the way down and on the way up. Margins on rifles, and especially #1's, are so tight that we couldn't stay in business. to call this unethical I think is unfair, unless as a customer you are willing to pay the 1599.00 if or when the prices go back down with a stronger dollar. I doubt many would.
Glad you found a store willing to sell at a few hundred dollars below replacement, there are certainly deals out there, we've told that to many customers. We aren't trying to take advantage of anyone, we wish the dollar were stable but we also can't do business in such a way that we can't stay in business.
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Nice response.
 
hoytcanon said:
Frustrating for the consumer... equally frustrating for the retailer...
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Perfectly stated; as a retailer, we have a lot more than a purchase riding on it. Prophet River was well know as one of the 'go too' places in Canada for Ruger #1's. Mainly, because I personally have a liking (to say the least) for these rifles. We used to see over 500 a year when they were 1099-1199 which they were for several years. Can't see them being a big seller at 1600+. At least not for a while. Its not just the dollar, either, in 2014 Ruger put them up 200 US$....
 
Indeed, on pure value compared to competing falling blocks, they're easily worth $2500. There isn't much competition of course that's under many thousands.

I've dealt with Clay (Prophet River) I would like to think rather extensively over the years, and I can honestly say Prophet is my favourite retailer. Fair and honest for sure, seeing slander like that against some of the true good guys is disappointing. Clay has also spearheaded some rather novel developments for those of us with a taste for classy, yet affordable hunting irons. Also by far the most imoressive and personal service I've experienced.
 
hoytcanon said:
IMO, they are a comparative bargain.
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Yes, I agree, just need to convince 500 customers a year the same thing. ;)
Ruger #1 prices stayed the same, more-less, for 5-6 years, thanks in large part to the strong CAN$. We got spoiled. :(
Then, with Rugers sharp increase and the dollar tanking shortly afterwards, we are in a new reality now ....
 
Heres my #1V in 22-250 Serial number says it from 1978. I've been given a lot of answers as why Ruger firearms turn a plum colour but I think its mostly just people guessing. Does anyone know the real reason why or is it all just speculation?




 
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The makeup of the receiver metal to the bluing solution used at the time would be my estimate. Winchester 94 receivers of that period were made using powdered metal technology and had to be plated or anodized to get the colors they wanted. Ruger at that time used Wilson barrels which were of a different alloy compared to the lost wax casting method of the Ruger receivers.

I feel the color difference is nice & gives the rifle a unique look.:)
 
I bought my #1 from Prophet River in Sept 2012 and according to Clay I have the distinction of being an extremely rare customer in that I have had to return my #1 for warranty not only once but twice! Clay's customer service has been second to none. His shop is the only shop in town I will deal at.
 
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