buying a gun locally

[avs11054]

I've never bought a gun from a local gun store (ive only bought them online). I need to buy one at a local store because I need a certain one quickly, and I do not want to wait for the time it takes to buy one online. If I buy one at a local store, will I be able to haggle on the price, or are the prices at local stores usually set in stone?

 

[stevo27]

Some gun shops I've haggled a little bit (they get grouchy fast) but chain stores like big 5 are pretty much set.

 

[mgmorden]

Most shops will haggle a little - some more than others, and usually used guns have more wiggle room than new. The whole process (and the uncertainty involved) is a colossal headache for me though, which is a big part of why I buy mostly online.

 

[Shadow 7D]

depends, how well do the know you, do you have CASH, and do you know what you are looking for, consider that shipping a hand gun is about $30 ( at least) and that a FFL transfer is between 10-50 dollars.

 

[buck460XVR]

Very few guns stores(that I ever go in) charge full MSRP for a new gun. If you know what the price is online, you know the value of the gun(plus delivery and transfer). Odds are by the time you'd add shipping and transfer, there won't be much of a difference. If nuttin else, at least you'll know how bad they screwed you. Call around to all the shops in your area first to see if they have what you want in stock. Ask them their price. Most will tell you over the phone. I do it all the time. Can save a lot of runnin' around.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Depends. If it's new, you're not going to get a lot off, if any.
If it's used, it depends on how long it's been in the case. If they just got it yesterday, then you probably won't get much of a deal. If it's been there a month, and you have cash, you might be onto something.

This will obviously vary from store to store, but that's the experience I've had.

 

[Ole Coot]

I always haggle but most of my purchases are from friends in my circle of folks that appreciate firearms. I purchased one from a genuine gun store a couple of weeks ago and still tried to get the price down some.

 

[Toforo]

I've never bought a gun from a local gun store (ive only bought them online). I need to buy one at a local store because I need a certain one quickly, and I do not want to wait for the time it takes to buy one online. If I buy one at a local store, will I be able to haggle on the price, or are the prices at local stores usually set in stone?

Where/Which of your local FFL's have you been having your online gun purchases delivered to?

I'd try them first.... since you've already spent money there and have a relationship with them, it's probably where you'll find the best "value" for your money.

 

[iammarkjones]

The gun stores HATE me. I almost always buy used more room on the pricing. It's the little box with screwdrivers, a bore light and the correct head space gauge for the rifle I'm lookin at that gets their goat lol.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Find what you want online for a decent (fixed) price (not an auction starting at $102 that's still going on). Bring it in and show it to them, ask if they can come down on the price because you'd rather do business with them. Mentally add about $80 to whatever the online price is to account for shipping fees, transfer fees, and waiting, and see if they can get in that range. If they can, thank 'em and let them know you'll be doing a lot more business with them in the future.

 

[mgmorden]

depends, how well do the know you, do you have CASH, and do you know what you are looking for, consider that shipping a hand gun is about $30 ( at least) and that a FFL transfer is between 10-50 dollars.

Buds' prices include shipping (I hesitate to say it's "free", but even with it included their prices are still usually the best I can find). Even when they don't as long it's FFL to FFL USPS is an option in which case you can get handguns shipped for $15 or so. $0-15 shipping + $15 ffl fee really doesn't up the price for me that much - particularly when most of my local shops are $100+ more than what I can find online. Sometimes more than that. One local shop had a Nagant revolver marked $399 .

 

[isc]

It never hurts to ask, "What's the least that you'll take for it?".

 

[wep45]

if you must have it now...............you are going to pay more for that benefit

 

[leadchucker]

If you haggle, do it seriously and earnestly. Bring cash. Know what a gun is likely to be worth. Know what you can pay. Don't make ridiculous low-ball offers.