Do you haggle with gun stores?

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Negotiation is an art and when done right makes everyone involved happy.
Conducted in a civilized manner, with some humor, it's fun for all.

AMEN to that. Feel free to swing by anytime you're in the NW :D
 
Quote:
"well buds guns has it for $xx less"
Is usually immediately met with "Then buy it from them, and ship it in." Transfers aren't free, and we don't have to keep the inventory on hand.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner..............
 
If a gun store has an excellent price on a gun I've researched, I don't haggle. But if I know the price is jacked up significantly, I'll make a reasonable offer. If they decline, I move on.
 
I've found it to be a waste of time on new guns. Just because one store is priced higher doesn't mean they are making more profit and have room to negotiate. The way gun purchases work for retailers their prices fluctuate quite a bit for a variety of reasons. I've known of small dealers who had to price their guns right at their own cost just to compete with a guy across town who is making a $50 profit on the same gun selling at the same price. Most stores have a very small mark-up on guns anyway, around 10-15%. It is the ammo and accessories that make the profits, as much as 200-400% mark-up.

Used guns are different. The profit margin is much higher in most cases and they can usually negotiate. A lot depends on exactly how much they have in it. Sometimes a dealer will make a mistake and allow someone more than they should on a trade and they may not have a lot of room on that particular gun. Other times they may have a used gun priced at $500 when they only have $200 invested in it.

There was a custom 338-06 with a Zeiss Diavari scope on it that sat in a local store for 5-6 years priced at $2100. I asked about buying just the scope. The store owner looked at his books and offered me everything for $1000. He was tired of looking at it. I left $200 cash and brought back $800 the next day.
 
My wife and I are pretty loyal to one of our LGS. We aren't hagglers and just bought what we wanted for better part of a year when I got her into shooting. One day I said a pistol was beautiful, and I was going to save a bit more for it if it stayed around. Friend behind counter said, "that's not your price."

He went back and talked to owner who I'd gotten to know well, who came out and thanked me for my buisiness and gave a significant discount. Been that way since. I get better than I would ask for.

I feel pretty fortunate and even if I can find something cheaper I still buy from him.

I am not against haggling, I'm just sharing my experience, and bragging a little.
 
Depends. Small shops that I've been to now and again I'll haggle for stuff I kind of want and pay the asking price for good deals or cheaper guns. Small shops that I visit more often I tend to hear what's 'about to go on clearance sale.' There was one gun store in town that moved recently, I was in the store when he was unpacking a bunch of rifles from an estate and he pulled out two obscure old French rifles, he said something like 'what the heck are these and do you want them?' I said I don't know and yes, offered $500, settled for $550 and when I researched them I got what amounted to a $450 gun, a $300 gun and a $75 sling (which my Dad promptly broke...) for $550 plus tax :D


Does Cabela's negotiate on used guns? I see a lot of ads on Guns International from Cabela's stores, they're usually crazy overpriced by at least 40%. There's one near me but I've never found a used gun there that was interesting enough for me to ask...
 
When I was living in a northern state I would mostly buy from one or two shops, I had no problem asking for their best price. But since retiring and moving to a warmer climate, I have no purchase history with the local shops. So...I started doing business at a shop that was recommended by the gun club I joined. I'm now on my second purchase and feel I was treated fair and received a good price. I always do my homework and check pricing before making purchases, but I also believe established customers have more bargaining power than tire kickers. My bargaining power should increase over time. We'll see on the next purchase. :)
 
Always ask.

My last purchase was a 30-30 Super 14 Contender used.
It had a good price to begin with, but I always ask.
Is there a repeat customer price?
Well I saved tax and background check :cool:
OTD was $390.
My wife was happy with her birthday gift too.
Now for a scope.
 
Even one of the local firearm stores I have bought many rifles and handguns from,turned me down flat when I asked them to sweeten the deal on a Sig Sauer MK-25 Navy. I found another store who ordered one for me and knocked off $25 bucks. $25 bucks is a joke but I was really P.O.ed and just knowing they were being hard nosed as they have a really large stock and sell a lot of handguns. But there are many smaller dealers who will give you good prices.
Sometimes I am just wanting to see if a dealer really, cares about a customer. Many could care less.
 
How many of you use the same theory when buying groceries, lawn fertilizer, tires, or lunch? As a business owner who gets a lot of sad stories, promises of future business, or the always popular "I can get it cheaper at X" I don't try to beat any retailer out of their livelihood. If the price is fair, I pay it; if not, I go elsewhere. The local stores I support usually give me a fair deal and I could give you a pile of people who have told me I was too expensive only to return with hat in hand asking to do business. I usually let them live with their original decision.
 
Always haggle for the best cash price, within reason. I want my Local stores to stay open.
 
There's no reason to ever make anyone mad in the process.

That right there has killed more than one deal for me in my lifetime. Like the time a used car salesman tried to get my wife to take his side against me. I was 10 seconds from saying yes. I went down the street and bought another car that day. That guy deliberately tried to drive a wedge between me and the wife thinking it would make me cave. After all men are all stupid. Just watch tv. They will tell you that over and over.

Then there was the stereo salesman who's boss was standing behind me coaching him on how to make me mad. I nearly launched the both of them out a window but I left them to live with themselves. That's punishment enough for anyone.

It's happened with guns too. My BIL tried to sell me a 1911 for $400 over what it should have cost. He clearly had a personal problem. I went across the bridge and bought my Sig P220 the same day. Heck I offered him more than it was worth for that Colt 1911. But he clearly just wanted to tick me off as if I couldn't find another 1911 in the world. He sold the same gun a month later for $200 less than I offered him. I chalk that one up to the powers of alcoholism.
 
When I think about $50 bucks off any firearm,I think I spend around $150+ on Ammo. every time I go to the range. So it's really meaning less when you get down to the facts.
Now if a dealer is trying to get say $200, over the real going price for a some what hard to find firearm, I think they are trying to rob people.:fire:
 
Exactly Steel Horse Rider. In my business when someone expects a discount I remind them of where they throw dollars with no afterthought. Why am I different?

I didn't just throw a number on the wall to see what sticks.

If one has been loyal enough to make it reasonable due to volume, they might get some leeway if I feel it is mutually beneficial.

Wonder how many hourly employees would think it OK if their pay was negotiable depending on my mood and the day.

Some don't understand that others don't inflate the price to be greedy, much calculation has gone into staying afloat.

I'm not an FFL, but a veterinarian, who everyone also thinks is getting rich.
 
Cee Zee and you ended up with the Sig P220 a IMHO better choice in a defense handgun. Not knocking the new Colts 1911s just traded for two. But also bought the new Sig P227 Carry.:)
 
How many of you use the same theory when buying groceries, lawn fertilizer, tires, or lunch?
Why not? As someone earlier mentioned, it never hurts to ask. I've done it a couple times in a grocery store on items that were at the expiration date. People would be amazed at what they can get if they simply ask.

As a business owner who gets a lot of sad stories, promises of future business, or the always popular "I can get it cheaper at X" I don't try to beat any retailer out of their livelihood. If the price is fair, I pay it; if not, I go elsewhere.
So you'd rather a patron just go somewhere else than to come in and make an attempt to buy something? You "don't try to beat any retailer out of their livelihood" but instead you won't even give them a chance if their list price is too high? How is that any different? As a small business owner, I'll take a reasonable patron trying to haggle over no patron at all.

The local stores I support usually give me a fair deal and I could give you a pile of people who have told me I was too expensive only to return with hat in hand asking to do business. I usually let them live with their original decision.
So, you don't bargain with customers, and then you refuse to do business with them because of it? I'm glad you do well enough as to let you be so persnickety, but most business owners can't afford that.

I understand the frustration and time wasted with a customer that is being un-realistic with their bargaining, but when dealing with a reasonable person, a sale at a lower profit margin is better than no sale at all.
 
NoVaShooter, it depends on the customer. Few times I've offered a discount a decent percentage were stupid enough the next time to ask why they aren't getting "The Discount" in front of regular paying customers. Some hagglers are not appreciative of what you gave them and expect more, and are often demanding.

Often the people wanting more make more than me. For example, an MD asked this veterinarian for a break, and acted like I was crazy when I told him my annual out of frustration. I told him to find a vet he trusted, and then he begged to stay. So, "All they can do is say no," is different if you want what they have.
 
I didn't just throw a number on the wall to see what sticks.
Not everyone prices services/items the same way. Many retailers price items with the intention of bargaining. Some use just 'gut' feelings. As we don't know which retailers expect haggling and which don't, it behooves the customer to at least try. My money is just as hard earned as a retailer's so why should I throw in extra dollars if I don't need to?
If one has been loyal enough to make it reasonable due to volume, they might get some leeway if I feel it is mutually beneficial.
So you do haggle. ;)

Wonder how many hourly employees would think it OK if their pay was negotiable depending on my mood and the day.
Apples and oranges. We're talking about a customer/retailer relationship, not an employee/employer relationship.

Some don't understand that others don't inflate the price to be greedy, much calculation has gone into staying afloat.
Absolutely. And many retailers calculate their prices based on potential haggling. Again, as customers, we won't know which ones do what until we ask.
 
Well Nova, I guess I have been forced into haggling, and it was irritating. Your point is well taken.

It also alienated other valuable customers, which is why I haven't in 5 years.
 
NoVaShooter, it depends on the customer. Few times I've offered a discount a decent percentage were stupid enough the next time to ask why they aren't getting "The Discount" in front of regular paying customers. Some hagglers are not appreciative of what you gave them and expect more, and are often demanding.
Very true. Not every type of business is set up for haggling/discounts. Didn't mean to imply that every retailer should haggle, just that they should expect people to try.

Often the people wanting more make more than me. For example, an MD asked this veterinarian for a break, and acted like I was crazy when I told him my annual out of frustration. I told him to find a vet he trusted, and then he begged to stay. So, all they can do is say no is different if you want what they have.
Wanting a good deal isn't limited based on income. Even rich people look for deals (matter of fact, most self made 'rich' people got that way because they weren't frivolous with their money). I completely understand the frustrations associated with customers always trying to get a deal and that can be even greater in an industry that is not typically known for haggling. That being said, it is also very frustrating for a customer when they're not sure if they're getting the best value for their hard earned money.
 
Well Nova, I guess I have been forced into haggling, and it was irritating. Your point is well taken.

It also alienated other valuable customers, which is why I haven't in 5 years.

And I completely respect that strategy. If I went into a store and was told that they don't haggle because it's unfair to other customers that don't, I would have a great deal of respect for the owner.
 
I will almost always ask them if that's the best they can do, but I don't push much. For one thing, I wouldn't be buying from them if I wasn't already reasonably happy with their prices.
 
Honestly, it's never even came to my mind. I guess I assume people are like me, I tend to think "this is my price, either you want it or not." People don't haggle me, they may try but I either don't move or I go up. I guess it's just not my nature, honestly I probably should sometimes but I almost never do even when buying a car or even my house. And personally I absolutely hate it when someone tries to haggle me down, I put a price on it for a reason.

In the words of Charlie Daniels, I'm a simple man.
 
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