I always figure that all prices are negotiable and usually start out offering a little less than the asking price. Sometimes the seller just says the price is firm and that's OK. I just have to decide if I want to pay it or walk away. Most times the dealer is willing to meet somewhere in the middle.
A couple of times I have had sellers sorta go nuts on me when I made an offer. About 15 years ago a guy at a show had a 2nd Model 44 Special S&W that was utterly devoid of bluing. I guess somebody had polished it to bare metal. He had it tagged at $250 and it had been to at least 2 shows I knew of without selling so I figured he might be ready to deal.
"I'd like to make an offer on your 44..." I started but that's as far as I got. He started screaming... I mean screaming... about how he was tired of people offering less than what the tag said. I calmly suggested that if he didn't want to dicker he should just write the word "Firm" on the price tag. Well, that REALLY set him off and he grabbed the gun off the table and flung it into a cardboard box setting on the floor. "It's not for sale any longer!" he bellowed. Oooooo... K.
When I see something I like and the price is fair I still try to get a little something off just on GP. Two weeks ago I saw a Nylon 66 at a show tagged at $150. I had been watching for a shooter grade 66 for a while and I thought the gun was worth the asking price. But I still told the dealer "Give me $20 off and I'll take it right now." He took the money, I took the rifle, we shook hands and everyone was happy. I would have paid the $150 had he balked at the offer but it was more fun to get a little discount.
I recall about 20 years ago I saw a sporterized 30-40 Krag at a show. I had wanted one for a long time but wanted to pay no more than $150. But every one I saw was priced at $250 or more and that was too much for me. Well, this one was tagged at $90. I snatched it off the table trying to conceal my enthusiasm as I fought the urge to reach for my wallet. "Will you take $80?" I asked as casually as I could. He rolled his eyes and groaned that he had paid $80 for it 2 months earlier and wanted to make something off it. So we agreed on $85. I still have that rifle.
About 8 years ago I walked the aisles of show following a man who was carrying a pair of Ruger auto 22 pistols. One was the standard 4.5" model and the other had the longer 6" barrel and walnut stocks. I watched him show the guns to a dozen people who passed on the $150 asking price for buyer's choice. Finally, I stopped him and said I'd give him $100 for the longer one. He didn't hesitate a moment, he just handed it over. We walked another 30 yards before I offered him $90 for the other one.
I wound up giving both of those guns away as presents to friends. Oh, well.
Maybe 7 years ago a pawn shop had a wartime production M&P in 38 Special. It was reblued and the barrel was bulged. He was asking $100 but I thought that was too high. It went unsold for a couple weeks before I told him it was worth $60 to me. He was happy to unload it. I went right to one of the auction sites and saw a proper barrel with a $5 starting price. I bought it with one bid and swapped it myself since a gunsmith wanted $100 to do it. Gun shoots fine and is certainly worth the $65 I have in it.
I don't try to insult sellers with really lowball offers, I just offer what the item is worth to me. Often they don't accept. I recently offered $500 for a revolver that an FFL dealer has for sale at $575. He passed. That was 2 weeks ago and the gun is still for sale. I may wait another 2-3 weeks before trying again.
Anyone else have any good stories about haggling?
A couple of times I have had sellers sorta go nuts on me when I made an offer. About 15 years ago a guy at a show had a 2nd Model 44 Special S&W that was utterly devoid of bluing. I guess somebody had polished it to bare metal. He had it tagged at $250 and it had been to at least 2 shows I knew of without selling so I figured he might be ready to deal.
"I'd like to make an offer on your 44..." I started but that's as far as I got. He started screaming... I mean screaming... about how he was tired of people offering less than what the tag said. I calmly suggested that if he didn't want to dicker he should just write the word "Firm" on the price tag. Well, that REALLY set him off and he grabbed the gun off the table and flung it into a cardboard box setting on the floor. "It's not for sale any longer!" he bellowed. Oooooo... K.
When I see something I like and the price is fair I still try to get a little something off just on GP. Two weeks ago I saw a Nylon 66 at a show tagged at $150. I had been watching for a shooter grade 66 for a while and I thought the gun was worth the asking price. But I still told the dealer "Give me $20 off and I'll take it right now." He took the money, I took the rifle, we shook hands and everyone was happy. I would have paid the $150 had he balked at the offer but it was more fun to get a little discount.
I recall about 20 years ago I saw a sporterized 30-40 Krag at a show. I had wanted one for a long time but wanted to pay no more than $150. But every one I saw was priced at $250 or more and that was too much for me. Well, this one was tagged at $90. I snatched it off the table trying to conceal my enthusiasm as I fought the urge to reach for my wallet. "Will you take $80?" I asked as casually as I could. He rolled his eyes and groaned that he had paid $80 for it 2 months earlier and wanted to make something off it. So we agreed on $85. I still have that rifle.
About 8 years ago I walked the aisles of show following a man who was carrying a pair of Ruger auto 22 pistols. One was the standard 4.5" model and the other had the longer 6" barrel and walnut stocks. I watched him show the guns to a dozen people who passed on the $150 asking price for buyer's choice. Finally, I stopped him and said I'd give him $100 for the longer one. He didn't hesitate a moment, he just handed it over. We walked another 30 yards before I offered him $90 for the other one.
I wound up giving both of those guns away as presents to friends. Oh, well.
Maybe 7 years ago a pawn shop had a wartime production M&P in 38 Special. It was reblued and the barrel was bulged. He was asking $100 but I thought that was too high. It went unsold for a couple weeks before I told him it was worth $60 to me. He was happy to unload it. I went right to one of the auction sites and saw a proper barrel with a $5 starting price. I bought it with one bid and swapped it myself since a gunsmith wanted $100 to do it. Gun shoots fine and is certainly worth the $65 I have in it.
I don't try to insult sellers with really lowball offers, I just offer what the item is worth to me. Often they don't accept. I recently offered $500 for a revolver that an FFL dealer has for sale at $575. He passed. That was 2 weeks ago and the gun is still for sale. I may wait another 2-3 weeks before trying again.
Anyone else have any good stories about haggling?