Bargaining on Gun Prices - Need Guidance Please

[Mr. Designer]

I am looking to buy a S&W Revolver and a Remington 870 HD together. I'm not sure which revolver to get but there are a few to pick from. The revolvers are used, in fairly good condition and the 870 is new. The gun shop I am planning on buying these at have the following prices:

Remington 870 HD 7 shot - $319.99
---
S&W Model 19, 6" Barrel (most worn of 3) - $339.00
S&W Model 19, 4" Barrel - (middle worn of 3) - $369.00
S&W Model 586, 4" Barrel - (least worn of 3) - $389.00

Which "combination" consisting of the 870 and one revolver should I get? What would your asking price be?

Thanks

 

[Fisherman_48768]

Can't comment on the 870 price but the revolver prices sound fair enough. As for which would I recommend-really depends on what you intend to do with it, target/hunting get the 6" mdl 19 or 586, for predominately a carry gun get the 4" mdl 19. Both are good choices with the 586 being a little heavier in the L frame.

I shoot a 2.5" and 4" mdl 19 and a 6" 586, really can't tell much difference in the accuracy between them.

 

[Brad Johnson]

You paying cash or will it be on plastic?

Brad

 

[W.E.G.]

The 6" gun really wouldn't interest me. Too long for comfortable holster carry anywhere that requires sitting.

Between the two 4" guns, my focus would be more on mechanical issues than outside appearance.
Amount of flame-cutting on the top strap
Amount of cylinder gap
Amount of "endshake" (how much the cylinder can be moved forward and backward)
Firing pin protrusion
Cylinder timing
Crane properly engaged with frame
Muzzle crown condition

The difference in prices is too small to be given much weight in the decision

All mechanical conditions being equal, I like the extra mass of the 586 for a .357.

 

[Mr. Designer]

You paying cash or will it be on plastic?

I could pay cash. Would prefer plastic but I guess cash would help the bargaining.

for which would I recommend-really depends on what you intend to do with it,

Sorry, should have mentioned that the revolver would be a house gun that (God forbid she would have to but) may be used by Mom.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I could pay cash. Would prefer plastic but I guess cash would help the bargaining.

Cash is always best. If you absolutely have to use plastic, keep in mind that the CC company charges the retailer with 2-5% of the sales price. Make sure to keep that in mind when bargaining.

And, as always, never make an offer you aren't ready to back up, right then, right there.

Brad

 

[Mr. Designer]

Cash is always best. If you absolutely have to use plastic, keep in mind that the CC company charges the retailer with 2-5% of the sales price. Make sure to keep that in mind when bargaining.

A check would be as good as cash right?

 

[dtown240]

Depends on if the retailer accepts personal checks. Carrying that much cash can be concerning. Call them and ask before you go, so that you know.

 

[AJ Dual]

Actually, at least here in WI, I wouldn't bargain at all. If those are pre-lock S&W's in nice condition those are pretty fair prices.

And You don't see even a four-shot 870 Express for much less than $280 on super discount sale at Wally-World, so that sounds good too.

Otherwise, I research what wholesale pricing is on the item I'm interested in from a variety of sources, Internet, Shotgun News, CDNN, etc. figure in what UPS/FedEx and an FFL transfer fee would cost me, add that to the wholesale price, subtract my local sales tax from the total, and then make that my qualified offer.

 

[Winchester 73]

MR.Designer go to this site and plug in your zip code.They'll give you comparison shopping at many different dealers.
I have used them 5 times with success:
http://www.galleryofguns.com

 

[lonegunman]

Cash knocks off 3-5% in fees right off the bat. He probably paid between 60-80% of what he is asking if he is honest when buying used guns.

I'd buy the 586 over anything else if it is clean. I own one and they are well ahead of mod 19's.

My personal offer would be $700.00 no tax and I'd pay cash. Tax here is about 8-9% So he is giving you 60 dollars or so.

 

[Black Knight]

Try to pay cash if you can. Ask the seller if he would take $300 instead of $319 for the 870. Ask if he would take $350 for the 4" 19 or $375 for the 586.
Total for the 870 and 19 (pakage deal) $650 and for the 870 and 586 (pakage deal) $675. He may come up with the original price out the door. If he does I would go for it.
Original Price OTD
870 +19 = $688.99
870 + 586 = $708.99
Try it what is the worse he can say. No, the price is the price?

 

[Mr. Designer]

Try it what is the worse he can say. No, the price is the price?

You're right. At least I may be able to get them without the tax.

 

[ilbob]

I would go for the 586.

Offer him $700 cash out the door for the both of them. If he says no, politely thank him and move on. That may prompt him to make a counter offer.

My guess is that he has a pretty good idea what he can get for the guns and has priced them maybe $20 above what he thinks he can get for them short term, on the theory that he can hold on to them for an extra month or two and get $20 more than if he wanted a quick sale.

Its possible the used guns are consignment guns though, and he might not have as much room to bargain on them.

 

[joshk-k]

From the perspective of someone who works in retail (although a very different sort of place), I'd say that you could feel comfortable trying to negotiate up to 20% off. I think that's a great place to start at, since almost certainly the dealer will still be turning a profit (lonegunman's numbers agree with that assessment), and after some dickering, you may end up at 10% off, which would still be about $630 instead of over $700.

Josh

 

[ilbob]

From the perspective of someone who works in retail (although a very different sort of place), I'd say that you could feel comfortable trying to negotiate up to 20% off. I think that's a great place to start at, since almost certainly the dealer will still be turning a profit (lonegunman's numbers agree with that assessment), and after some dickering, you may end up at 10% off, which would still be about $630 instead of over $700.

Add in sales tax and you are pretty close to $700. Thats why I suggested the $700 out the door approach. $700 sounds a lot better to most people than $630 does, for the same reason that $99 sounds better than $100.

 

[Mr. Designer]

I happen to call another gun shop and found the 870 for $286. I think what I'm gonna do is offer $600 or so for both and if the answer is no, I'll just leave. I know I can get the 870 for $286 and who knows the prices on their new revolvers might be good enough to justify buying a new revolver.

 

[joshk-k]

Sorry. I forgot about sales tax (I live in a state without one!).

Mr. D: That sounds like a good plan.

Josh