How to approach Sellers asking Outrageous prices?

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Depends. If it's nothing special, I won't waste my time haggling. If it's something more uncommon but still over priced, I'll try to dicker. Did that on a little Hopkins and allen falling block .25 Rimfire not long ago. The guy wanted $200 on consignment, book in it's condition was $95. I offered him $110, he refused. I said how about $125, he still declined. AFAIK, The rifle is still sitting there, and probably will for a long time, given that it needs work and would have to be rechambered to a centerfire cartridge ( I was gonna make it a .25-20)or be relegated to wall hanger status (and it ain't that pretty).

Sometimes people just aren't reasonable
 
Pawnbrokers make a good living dealing with stupid people. If they put a stupid price on something, someone will be stupid enough to pay it sooner or later. But always lay cash on the counter when making an offer.
 
If it's a piece that I'd really like to own I rarely walk away without making some kind of negotiation overture. Depending on the circumstances I might say "Is that your best price on _____", or "Is the price negotiable", or just cut to the chase and ask "Would you take $____ for that?". Always keep it friendly.

More often than not the seller's willing to haggle. I've never had anyone get offended by my asking. Even when they say "no" usually they'll explain why. The more you haggle the easier it gets.
 
Money is like your backside, it is yours and it is portable. When dealing with pawn shops always take cash, and always be prepared to walk away from a deal if it is not your price.

If I see that diamond in the rough at a pawn shop, I usually say "What is your best price, cash money, out the door". The best deal I have ever made at a pawn shop was on a 4 inch S&W Model 629 .44 Magnum, tagged 450, got it for 295 out the door. I always haggle on used guns.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Point at the number on the price tag and say, "Is that priced in pesos or Confederate money or something?"

If they can be foolish, so can I.

JT
 
"Do your homework. Smile. Be polite. Make a reasonable cash offer if you're serious."

-Good advice! Also as stated be ready to walk if they are still too high. If it sits on the shelf for a few months go back and they may then take your offer.

"In shops where I'm known, I'll ask "What's my price on this?" and if the price is acceptable, I take it."

-Also good advice. If it's a fair price take it, if not,again walk or counter, but don't low ball him in the counter offer, it's a deal killer sometimes doing that. Main thing do your homework and know the going price for the area and if you make an offer be prepared to buy what you have offered to buy.
 
I try to haggle with them sometimes, sometimes if the price is crazy high I won't even bother.

There really is no harm in trying to get a lower price on a gun, worst they can do is get offended and then you just walk out the door.
 
If the price is high, I'll make an offer (does help a lot to flash cash when offering). If the price is exorbitant, I just keep on walking. When I know I can get a better deal elsewhere, I just go elsewhere.
 
cleetus03 said:
Wanted some opinion and feedback concerning the following;

How do yall proceed/approach a seller who is asking a ridiculous amount for a gun.

For example, I was browsing in a local pawn shop and they had a;

Used Taurus PT92 for $550
Used Kel-Tec P-11 for $350
Used Wasr10 for $599

I the person I am, smiled and just walked out.....But then I thought about the possibility that these high prices just might be a over optimistic dickering tool to engage.

I have also noticed this trend of asking skyhigh prices on local gun classified's.

Do yall politely tell these kind of sellers that these prices are well over what the guns can be bought for new, give them a equally outrageous counteroffer in hopes that they will deal, or walk away as I did?

Appreciate all the help and info yall can give me!
Click to expand...
The only dumb question is the one you DON'T ask...
 
I'll make a reasonable, but low offer and see what the reaction is.

Sometimes it's best not to frame the price as to the "Value" of the gun, but more towards what you can pay....... This is more for an individual at a gun show, or someone who is attaching sentimental value to the sale price.

I'll say, that is a nice XYZ, but I just dont have that to spend, does $XXX.00 interest you, if you need to sell it? Often, they'll initially say no, but come find me when everyone else tells them they are nuts. :)
 
I try and talk everybody down I don't care if I'm buying a new truck or a gun or furniture you can just about talk any place down at least a little. There are exceptions like obviously you can't do it wal mart and places like that lol.
 
Never pay full price for used merchandise. Prices are typically marked up to 300% of cost. Getting a 20% discount is doable on most pieces, if you play your card right. The stranger and less desireable the item, the higher the markup -- not because the price is necessarily higher, but because they paid less. There you may get as much as half off, especially if the item has six months' worth of dust sitting on it. Some sellers will move items on Gunbroker, so log in and know what the gunbroker value is *of a sold item.* This will be your lowest price. He isn't going below what's perceived to be a rock-solid counteroffer of the 'online price.'
 
Sometimes they have no idea what something is worth - Do NOT try to 'educate' them. As they say, 'never try to teach a pig to sing, wastes your time and annoys the pig.'

I was in a shop once that wouldn't budge on a high-tagged MAS49/56 that practically gave me a SAFN. Buy if the price is great - Use feet otherwise.
 
It sounds hokey, but check out History Channel's "Pawn Stars" for some insight on how a large pawn shop operates. It will really open your eyes on the thought process of the pawn shop owner.

They do try to lowball in order to make the most out of what they take in as pawn. Also, certain goods tend to get left and never picked up. In addition they appear to lend on the items less than 40% (or less) of what they expect to turn them around for or the equivalent value.
 
SOme sellers are open to offers and receptive. But others are just plain straight and wont haggle. Rule of thumb is know the market price of a new gun and go from there.
 
"Do your homework. Smile. Be polite. Make a reasonable cash offer if you're serious."
Click to expand...

How do you do that for the $599 used WASR??? Those are brand new for $380-$450!
 
^^ Yeah that'll work, everyone LOVES to admit they are wrong. Why not try a little diplomacy if you are truly interested.

1. Compliment their firearm. "wow, thats a nice looking wasr."
2. Politley ask if the price is flexible.
3. If yes, shoot them a price, if no thank them and politely walk away.
4. I have gotten some killer deals using kindness, but never by being rude or using sarcasm.
 
My momma said: "you can always lower the price, but can't ever raise it once it's out there"

I'd haggle if serious. Of course, it's best to haggle about the 3rd week of the month, right before the bills are due.
 
I watch this show called Pawn Stars on History channel. They have a good approach to haggling. Sometimes they make a deal, sometimes they don't, but it almost always ends on good terms.
 
For me, an infrequent gun buyer, a lot of the satisfaction I get from buying a gun (or most other discretionary purchases) is how the transaction itself makes me feel. If it is contentious or unpleasant, no matter how good the deal, I feel lousy about it.

I do a lot of usually unpleasant negotiations for my job..and I am good at it, but I don't want more of that for something that is supposed to be fun.

If a seller is really high on price, I usually will not haggle and just pass him by. It comes down to negotiating in good faith.

A short example: I called a dealer about a late model used car that was advertised in the paper. The price quoted was actually higher than the same, later model, brand new cars in stock at this same dealer. When I told the salesman that I thought this might be a mistake, he replied "Well we have to start somewhere". Not with me.

When you start out at an unreasonable price you are telling your customer that you are a little less than ethical and hope to deceive an uniformed buyer. I don't like to deal with sellers that have self-labeled themselves as less than ethical.

Obviously, a seller can ask anything they want for what they have to sell, and some buyers consider haggling to be great sport.

The common guns I usually buy are not in such short supply, and their values are easily enough determined that I don't feel the need to confront dealers who ask "sucker prices". It's just not fun for me.

Bob
 
cleetus03 said:
Wanted some opinion and feedback concerning the following;

How do yall proceed/approach a seller who is asking a ridiculous amount for a gun.
Click to expand...

Pretty simple really. Takes no time at all and unless they're total morons they'll get the message pretty quick.

Just tell 'em to:


****!​
 
At the gun show around here I'd say without exageration that at least 75% of the used guns there are marked at more than retail price for a new one. Even when there is a new one just a table or two away. And the funny part is when you mention that fact to the seller of the used pistol, the response is usually something like "well then I guess you should just buy that one". Why do these people even bother renting a table in the first place?
 
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