LkWinnipesaukee
Member
Do you guys negotiate gun purchases at your local shops? Whats customary?
Negotiating at gun shops
- Thread starter LkWinnipesaukee
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Outlaws
Member
I try but a lot won't do it anymore it seems...unless they are really on the high end of the price scale.
Sir Aardvark
Member
You've got nothing to lose by trying.
The best thing is to do a little research and ask around to find an FFL who charges "COST plus 10%" or something similar.
The best thing is to do a little research and ask around to find an FFL who charges "COST plus 10%" or something similar.
22-rimfire
Member
On new guns, rarely to almost never. Shops are usually not receptive to haggling on their regular stock. Do this at gunshows as it is expected.
On used guns, YES. Depends on the price and your reputation at the shop.
Sometimes, a gun shop will say "make me an offer".
On used guns, YES. Depends on the price and your reputation at the shop.
Sometimes, a gun shop will say "make me an offer".
10-Ring
Member
Around here there are either corporate stores that don't negotiate & the mom & pop shop that struggles to make it month to month & can't negotiate because they need the $$
Besides as long as it's a fair price, I pay it just so I can keep my favorite shop in business
Besides as long as it's a fair price, I pay it just so I can keep my favorite shop in business
WESTTX357
Member
The gun shop i deal with mostly already sales new guns at 10% over his price so i dont try on those but on Used firearms you bet ya i do usually atleast get them to knock off the sales tax.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Presuming that it's not a chain store with set prices: "I like this [insert item name] - it's nice. What can you do for me on it?".
Nothing more, and I don't question or argue or negotiate the answer past that point. My job is to throw the hook into the water, not to jam it forcibly thru their lip.
Devonai
Member
The only traction I've gotten (and at Riley's in Hooksett, LkWps), is to say "I've noticed that X gun has been here for a long time, do yo think we can make a deal on it?"
Most of my business has been at the Manchester Firing Line where most of the pistols are on consignment and not open for immediate negotiation.
Most of my business has been at the Manchester Firing Line where most of the pistols are on consignment and not open for immediate negotiation.
It seems that with the Internet marketplace available to dealers, they have a much better idea what they can get for a particular firearm, and generally are not going to sell it for less than they can get elsewhere.
Used to be really hard to know what a gun was really worth until it sat at the gun shop for 2 months and did not sell. Now you can look on the Internet and find out just what a similar gun is worth.
Used to be really hard to know what a gun was really worth until it sat at the gun shop for 2 months and did not sell. Now you can look on the Internet and find out just what a similar gun is worth.
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hydrashok407
Member
I won't haggle over the price of a new gun at a gun store. There are, however, stores I won't do business with because of outrageous prices. The only time I ever did any "haggling" over the price of a new gun was when the seller wanted to charge me an extra fee for using a credit card. Of course, I don't hesitate to ask for a military discount
Pawn shops expect you to haggle. I usually won't walk out of a pawn shop spending more for the gun that what's on the price tag... meaning, I want it for AT LEAST that price including taxes. Many times, I pitch it like "I really like this gun, but not for THIS price." They'll usually make a better offer than just covering the taxes. The way pawn shops work is they paid WAY less for the gun than what it's really worth. They may not get what the gun is worth, but they're going to at least make their money back plus some... it's just up to you to haggle how much more over what they paid is what they'll get. It really helps if you do a lot of business with the same shop, as well.
Pawn shops expect you to haggle. I usually won't walk out of a pawn shop spending more for the gun that what's on the price tag... meaning, I want it for AT LEAST that price including taxes. Many times, I pitch it like "I really like this gun, but not for THIS price." They'll usually make a better offer than just covering the taxes. The way pawn shops work is they paid WAY less for the gun than what it's really worth. They may not get what the gun is worth, but they're going to at least make their money back plus some... it's just up to you to haggle how much more over what they paid is what they'll get. It really helps if you do a lot of business with the same shop, as well.
possum
Member
the only time i ask for a reduced price is if the weapon is used. normally the places i get my guns from are very competive, though sometimes i have to go a little ways to get it. i normally find a good deal, without having to ask them to come down. one time i did do an experiment though i went to the local gunshop that all the soliders around here like to shop, basically because they don't know any better. and the owner has been screwing people for 30years, soliders and civilians alike.which is sad because the owner is a vietnam vet. for example he sold a young private an xd sc for $600 out the door, and it came with 2 mags, and noo xd gear. what was even worse was that the young solider wanted it in black but all the shop had was od green, and the owner being the person he was made it soun like a good deal, and talked him into the od and the price. he bought it, and was upset t find out that a gun shop closer to the post had them in the color he wanted with all the goodies for $461.39 out the door all day long.
so back to my experiment. i went in one day and said i wanted to buy an m4, so he handed me a bushmaster flatop, and i read the price and i about had a heartattack, it was $1050 plus tax, nothing fancy, just a bushmaster m4, so i said what is the best you can do, and after much thinking he said, "$1000 + tax" no thanks i said and walked out. wow the nerve of some people. I do do my best to educate people about the store i am refering to and the owner any chance i get.
so back to my experiment. i went in one day and said i wanted to buy an m4, so he handed me a bushmaster flatop, and i read the price and i about had a heartattack, it was $1050 plus tax, nothing fancy, just a bushmaster m4, so i said what is the best you can do, and after much thinking he said, "$1000 + tax" no thanks i said and walked out. wow the nerve of some people. I do do my best to educate people about the store i am refering to and the owner any chance i get.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
I will ask
In stores where I've been a customer for a while, I will ask "is that our best price?" or words to that effect.
I don't push.
Some stores will cover the NICS fee if I'm buying more than one at a time, others will throw in a box of ammo.
Today they threw in an extra mag.
BUT . . .
I support my dealer, and I make sure they hear about it when I refer someone to them. When it's appropriate, I plug them on-air.
I want them to stay in business. I want a good deal when I can get it.
It's a matter of balance.
In stores where I've been a customer for a while, I will ask "is that our best price?" or words to that effect.
I don't push.
Some stores will cover the NICS fee if I'm buying more than one at a time, others will throw in a box of ammo.
Today they threw in an extra mag.
BUT . . .
I support my dealer, and I make sure they hear about it when I refer someone to them. When it's appropriate, I plug them on-air.
I want them to stay in business. I want a good deal when I can get it.
It's a matter of balance.
hydrashok407
Member
In an earlier post I said:
There are, however, stores I won't do business with because of outrageous prices.
...While there are a few stores that applies, I was thinking of the "only game in town" gun store in Killeen, TX. There are no "good deals" in that place. I've only made a couple of purchases there, and I know I paid more than twice the items I bought were worth... but, it was parts I needed, and nobody else had 'em. I've browsed their inventory, and MOST of their prices weren't even comparable to other stores I'd consider "high". Either they don't know the 10% markup of THEIR price rule, or they do it because they can... but I'm not going to pay MSRP +10% (I don't know these figures are correct, but it CAN'T be far from it...)
There's profit, then there's rape.
Medusa
Member
I get 15-20% discount in my customary shop. But it has to do with that I do work for it 
rangerruck
Member
i start at 75% of the asking price, since most of the time, they gave half to the former seller.
Monkeybear
Member
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Ive had no sucess in Houston gun stores, although there are a few that I havent been too. Mostly I just go to Gander Mt, better service and a better price than anywhere else.
Outside of pawnshops Ive never had anyone interested in haggling. Outside of Gander Mountain and Carters Country Ive never had anyone interested in giving me the time of day. Just the way it is, most gun stores just aint friendly.
Outside of pawnshops Ive never had anyone interested in haggling. Outside of Gander Mountain and Carters Country Ive never had anyone interested in giving me the time of day. Just the way it is, most gun stores just aint friendly.
redneck2
Member
Wording and attitude have a TON to do with effective negotiation. Most poeple are poor to awful and many end up getting the owner P.O.'d.
If you say something like "do you have any room on this?" or "is this price firm?" while looking at the tag, you get your point across without being rude.
If you say something like "do you have any room on this?" or "is this price firm?" while looking at the tag, you get your point across without being rude.
I don't bother with new guns, but I always ask about used. Even the big chains will deal on used guns if something is taking up space and hasn't moved. I recently bought a used Beretta 96 at Gander Mountain and they dropped the price 10% to get it gone.
LiquidTension
Member
I rarely get anywhere when haggling over new gun prices. The local shops know me, and they know that I know what a gun is worth. If they can sell it for the price I'll pay, I'll buy it. If not, I'll order it online and get it transferred. Nobody's feelings get hurt - it's just business.
Used guns are a little different. You can get some real deals on used guns. Recently I picked up a pristine Redhawk in .44mag for $360. It was a consignment gun. The shop called the owner and told him what I had offered, which was lower than what it was listed for. He accepted the offer and I walked out with it.
Every now and then you can get a discount on a new gun if you have a shop order something that they just don't have in at the moment. If you pay for it up front, they don't have to worry about it sitting on the shelf for who knows how long and that's worth a little something.
Gun shows also operate a little differently. The dealers have lugged all their gear out there and payed for a table, so they may have marked their regular prices up to make up for that. If sales are slow the reasonable guys will work with you. The unreasonable ones ($200 K-31s, $500 Romanian AKs, $1100 Bushmaster A2s) won't budge because they don't understand that to make money you actually have to make a sale, so they hold out for the sucker that will buy something that's horribly overpriced because all the dealer can think of is $$margin$$.
Used guns are a little different. You can get some real deals on used guns. Recently I picked up a pristine Redhawk in .44mag for $360. It was a consignment gun. The shop called the owner and told him what I had offered, which was lower than what it was listed for. He accepted the offer and I walked out with it.
Every now and then you can get a discount on a new gun if you have a shop order something that they just don't have in at the moment. If you pay for it up front, they don't have to worry about it sitting on the shelf for who knows how long and that's worth a little something.
Gun shows also operate a little differently. The dealers have lugged all their gear out there and payed for a table, so they may have marked their regular prices up to make up for that. If sales are slow the reasonable guys will work with you. The unreasonable ones ($200 K-31s, $500 Romanian AKs, $1100 Bushmaster A2s) won't budge because they don't understand that to make money you actually have to make a sale, so they hold out for the sucker that will buy something that's horribly overpriced because all the dealer can think of is $$margin$$.
XavierBreath
Member
Presently I mainly shop at three pawn shops and at gun shows. I occasionally go into other gun stores, but not to buy, just to look. I'm simply not interested in the new stuff.
Among used guns, there is ample room to bargain. Most used guns in dealer's hands are purchased or traded for about half the value on the tag. This means 75% of the tagged price will usually get the gun, especially if it's going to be a slow mover.
At gun shows, I will make an offer on guns. Among the dealers that know me, the offer is usually accepted. That is because they know me, they know the offer is fair, they will make money, and I will walk on if they do not accept or at least counter my offer. Gun shows, however, are a seller's market. There are many potential buyers for each seller. Sellers who do not know me often scoff at my reasonable offer, so I hand the gun back to them and walk on, with no bad feelings. Perhaps he will accept my offer at the next show.
In the three pawn shops I frequent, I buy a lot of guns. I rarely dicker. The prices are good, and they know my bargaining habits. I'd rather keep a good relationship rather than save $20 on a gun.
Bargaining for a gun is not a game of beating the seller on a price. It is a method of arriving at a price that both the seller and the buyer is happy with. I'll post Rule 2 of my Gun Show Rules here.
Among used guns, there is ample room to bargain. Most used guns in dealer's hands are purchased or traded for about half the value on the tag. This means 75% of the tagged price will usually get the gun, especially if it's going to be a slow mover.
At gun shows, I will make an offer on guns. Among the dealers that know me, the offer is usually accepted. That is because they know me, they know the offer is fair, they will make money, and I will walk on if they do not accept or at least counter my offer. Gun shows, however, are a seller's market. There are many potential buyers for each seller. Sellers who do not know me often scoff at my reasonable offer, so I hand the gun back to them and walk on, with no bad feelings. Perhaps he will accept my offer at the next show.
In the three pawn shops I frequent, I buy a lot of guns. I rarely dicker. The prices are good, and they know my bargaining habits. I'd rather keep a good relationship rather than save $20 on a gun.
Bargaining for a gun is not a game of beating the seller on a price. It is a method of arriving at a price that both the seller and the buyer is happy with. I'll post Rule 2 of my Gun Show Rules here.
Mannlicher
Member
Ardvark makes a good point
Always do your homework, and know what the darn thing is really worth, and where you can get your price otherwise.
<yes, I DO know how to spell 'POINT' and I know It is incorrect in the header. Darn program won't let you edit the header>
<Yes it will. After hitting the 'edit' button, hit 'go advanced' and it will let you edit the title too -- pax >
Always do your homework, and know what the darn thing is really worth, and where you can get your price otherwise.
<yes, I DO know how to spell 'POINT' and I know It is incorrect in the header. Darn program won't let you edit the header>
<Yes it will. After hitting the 'edit' button, hit 'go advanced' and it will let you edit the title too -- pax
>
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If it's something I'm that interested in, chances re I now what I can get it for elsewhere too. With the dealer(s) I use, I don't worry bout that though. If I can't get it through my brother who's a dealer, another shop has a pretty set system of charging 10% over his cost. That to me is fair. He's gotta feed his family too.
That's called capitalism. It's one of the things that make America great.
It is incumbent upon a buyer to do the necessary research, shopping around etc to get the best deal possible. Darwin is at work in all aspects of human society including the capitalist aspect. The stupid, the lazy and/or the apathetic get eaten alive in a capitalist society.
That said any price that both parties involved in a transaction freely and willingly agree upon is a fair price. The soldier that paid $600 for the XD probably didn't feel ripped off until he found out the same gun with more stuff could have been purchased for $461 elsewhere. Hopefully he'll learn from his experience thus frustrating Darwin in the future.
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