Negotiating price

It depends on the shop. Knowledge is power. Never buy without doing some research online first.

Most used guns are priced like used cars. They'll go down if it's been sitting by for awhile. However some shops/employees don't like to haggle. My favorite local shop will usually drop 10% to 20% off the tag price for me but they know me by name so that makes a little difference.

I always press the seller on price, until and unless we've actually agreed on a price. If the seller can't move on price, that's fine. If the seller is offended by my asking then they won't be selling to me.

More often than not in the gun shop I usually frequent, I state my offer to the counterman at ~70% of sticker (cash out the door), and he remarks that it'll never pass and goes to check with the owner. About 2/3rds of the time the owner and I settle for 75-85% of sticker price.

I use Gunbroker to look at completed auctions (where the item actually sold) to get a feel for price.

I get my deals before I ever reach for my wallet.

Pick the gun you want then search for the best price, pretty easy. If you don’t do that, you won’t know if you are getting a good deal even if you haggle.

For example if I price what you want $100 higher than you can get it elsewhere but you haggle me down $50, who got the deal? I still made $50 more than someone else would and you paid $50 more than you had to.

What firearm are we talking about, simple to find out what a good deal or bad deal is at that point.

I just wanted to know the etiquette if I found something I liked.

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Can’t hurt, “no” is generally the worst you can get.

I tried haggling on a Enfield 308 at a local pawn shop, it was $200 - $300 too high and got told the price was the price out the door. Needless to say I will not darken their door again. Good advice about watching auctions, it will give you a good idea, then check Buds gun shop online to get the rock bottom price.

If it is a good LGS and their prices are decent it might be ok to pay a little more to get a relationship started.

F14Tron said:

I was reading the forums and found several posts referencing Bud’s. You’re saying Bud’s has some of the lowest pricing?

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They usually run cheaper than my local gun shop. You have to figure in shipping and transfer but sometimes they still beat anything at an LGS. I just purchased a S&W M&P 45 on their military retired listings for sub $400.

Bud's generally ships guns free.

Offer what you want to pay,dont worry about offending anyone...to be sure most would want to buy for best price if the shoe were on the other foot. Also on gun auctions do the same ,bid what you want to pay...don't get caught in the" I want to win "game and pay too much..

Grabagun has some deals and 7.99 flat rate shipping and no credit card fees

I always ask if they will consider an offer. If not, so be it. Most of the time they say, "Sure, make me an offer." I've rarely paid asking price for any gun. Even big outfits like Cabela's will negotiate on used guns they have had for awhile. Most dealers are reasonable and if not, you will go elsewhere. I've had occasion to pay a bit more simply because I'm dealing with someone with whom I have a relationship. I know guys who really hate the bargaining process and simply will not do it. They ask the price and either buy it or walk. When I sell a gun, I expect to haggle.

F14Tron said:

but I’m not sure if I’d qualify

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You are honorably retired, that counts.

One thing about Bud's, if you work up a relationship with an LGS (go in, buy cleaning stuff, ammo, accessories, etc., can really help in this--and all those really help keep their doors open) you can mention that you were interested in [specific firearm.] That you noticed that Bud's is selling it for [price.] Then ask them how good a price they could offer on the same thing.

Now, the shop knows you are not talking about low-balling them, but you are engaging their skill set in offering items customer want (as opposed to bought on speculation that a given item might sell). You also are giving them an opportunity to make a sale, if they want it. Since you have done your research, you can just go to a different LGS and ask them to do the Bud's transfer (check the Bud's list of people they've already done business with).

Hardest thing to deal with is when a specific shop has something you have now set your heart upon. This gets complicated. You go do your research and they are, say, 20% over Bud's. So, you go in and try to lowball them for 20% off. And, they tell you to go pound sand. Now, you are stuck. Even if you only ask for 10% off, they can still tell you to pound sand. Sure, you can go find a different shop and order off Bud's, but that's not the one you want sitting in that case, right there.

Finesse and tact are your friends. Also, knowledge is power. Emotional Attachment can trip you up, as you have a better bargaining position if you can walk away.

It's a skill, like any other, it takes practice. Lucky for us, such practice gets us cool tools

Online research, retail sites like Palmetto State Armory, and seeing what things go for on gunbroker are invaluable information. I take my wife to gun shows with me. She knows nothing about guns, and doesn't pretend to. When I start negotiating for a gun, her job is to act like a total B about it. No matter what the salesman is asking, its too much. She stands there and scowls, and makes everyone feel uncomfortable. The fact is, she doesn't care- but no one else knows that. A lot of the time, I end up closing the deal at my price because the seller maybe feels sorry for me having such a b for a wife. Before I met her, I did this with my friend's wife. Try it.

Aside from online auctions the ONLY bargaining you're going to be doing is with local gun stores.

From my experience it's generally only going to happen with used guns in that instance. If you have a long time or special relationship with a shop you may get a little off a new gun but generally they sell for sticker price on new pieces.

reddog81 said:

It depends on the shop. Knowledge is power. Never buy without doing some research online first.

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This a thousand times. KNOW what price is worthwhile before going in. Online gun auctions are good for this. Know what a firearm in varying levels of condition go for so you know what prices are good and bad when you look at the sticker in a gun shop. When I was shopping for a handgun I decided to stop into a pawn store because I have heard about such great deals you might find in one on firearms. I was rather smitten with an HK USP they had in the shelf. Good trigger but a little beat up around the edges from drops (probably). Gun store wanted $1000 for it. No box and 1 magazine. That was a very easy offer to walk away from.

I always try to negotiate if it's a local shop. Cabela's, Bass Pro, Walmart, etc. Places like that I generally either have to pay what they want or I don't buy it.

If it's a local shop or a ftf transaction, they are almost always willing to haggle.

That said, 90% of the time if I want a new gun, I can buy it off of the internet and have it shipped to a local FFL for less than the "dealer" cost that my local shops are having to pay for the gun.

I'm a fan of looking for the cheapest deal I can find on Gunbroker.com. I like to figure the cost of the gun, any shipping fees, and a transfer into the price. If a local shop can match that price, I'd rather buy locally.

Private transaction, haggle away.

I frequent a lot of LGS and they know what I am looking for when I walk in. I have no problem researching a gun online while I am standing there in the shop staring at the gun (talking used here). If they are in line with what I see online and I really want the gun then I will buy it. If they are $200 higher then I just move on. I rarely see something I "Have to Have" and if I do I just make them a reasonable offer.
New guns are a little different. Over time you will figure out which shops will deal and which won't. There are some guys that are just higher priced and I am okay with that. Just understand that the actual price you pay to walk out the door will be pretty close whether you buy local or online. Saving $75 on a $300 gun and then having it shipped and paying a transfer fee means you save $25 or so? I personally would rather buy local and carry my new toy home with me.

If they "can't" move on price,haggle for a box or two of ammo to sweeten the deal.Rifle brass availability is loosening up a bit now but a cpl years ago buying loaded rounds,pulling them down for handloading was about all that was going on?

Always worth a shot. But others have said,it depends on the store. 4 of my lgs are owned by the same guy. Their prices are higher than the other stores,they don't give the bet on trades and they do not haggle. But they have the best selection and pretty much a monopoly around here. Im in good with the guys at one store so they always let me do an extended layaway of need be. And they are still cheaper than field and stream at least.

I used to work at a LGS. We assume that someone is going to negotiate price. Typically shops start high so they have flexibility.

Attitude goes a long way. If someone acts like a jerk right up front, the salesman tends to dig in his heels. I typically ask something like "do you have any wiggle room?"