Ordered gun at $350, dealer demands more upon arrival?

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myrockfight

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So a couple of months ago I ordered a rifle from a local dealer. He listed the gun as $350. He didn't have it in right then, but said he could get it in a few weeks.

It has been more than 8 weeks and I have been hearing that the retail price has gone up on these (Saiga 7.62x39). If the dealer sold me the gun at the aforementioned price, should I expect to pay that much when I go in to pick it up?

Or can he raise the price on me and tell me that I cannot have it for what I paid?

Does the distributor he buys from charge him more? Or does he get it at the price quoted by his distributor at the time of purchase?

If he is actually having to pay more for the rifle, I can understand, but I don't know if that is what is going to happen.
I don't know what to expect from him at all. I didn't even think of the issue until now. So I wanted to get an idea of how I should handle any situation that should arise.
 
Did you put a deposit on it, or just tell him you wanted one when he could get it?
 
ArmedBear's on the right track: at least legally speaking, you have to have given the dealer some form of consideration (something of value). One form of consideration is a down payment. However, a promise not to do something you're entitled to do is another: if you told him that you were going to buy it for $350 at another store and he said "If you wait until my shipment comes in I'll sell you one for that price," that's also consideration. If you walked in, said that you wanted one, and he said they list for $350 and that he'll be getting some in soon and will hold one for you then that's (probably) not legally binding.

In terms of honor and whether you'd choose to shop there again...that's another matter.

IANAL
 
Wait, this hasn't happened yet? Don't borrow misery. :)

If you don't have a handshake price, and no money has changed hands yet, then anything could happen. But the price ought to be what was listed if the dealer would like for you to be a happy, repeat customer.
 
Anytime I order a gun like that I always get a price. And I expect the dealer to honor that price regardless of how long it takes for the gun to come in.
 
As ArmedBear implies, unless you have something in writing, you may be hosed. While asking for more than he initially offered he may not be doing anything illegal, but it is certainly unethical. :barf:

Caveat Emptor
 
As much as I respect handshakes and a man's word, they are pretty much worthless these days. If you don't have anything in writing, you are out of luck, legally speaking.

As far as choosing to do business with this guy again, that's your call.
 
I wouldn't call it unethical if you asked the price, he said it's $350 but they're sold out, but that he'd be getting some when he could.

He has no control over currency exchange rates, shipping charges, and the prices the factory charges.

If you give him a deposit, you assume some risk. You let him hold onto your money for an indefinite time period, he promises the gun at a certain price. He owes you that; it's like a futures contract in a gun.

If you give him nothing, you have no skin in the game. You just expressed interest in buying a certain gun. If you don't like the price, or if another dealer has one on the rack, you won't buy it. He has to sell it to someone else. He takes all the risk, especially if he orders more than he would have otherwise, because he figures you'll probably buy one. He owes you nothing.

Whether I'd hold it against him as a customer would depend on a lot of things. I might not hold it against him at all, or I might. Depends what you asked, how you asked, what he said and how he said it.
 
Its interesting that this comes up, because my dealer does the half down half on delivery policy. I prefer to just pay it all up front and then my claim ticket says paid in full and there is no question.

I do this because I trust the guy enough, something that was earned.
 
If you paid for the gun in full the price should not change while you waited for him to get it. In essence he's had the privilege of using your money for the past two months on your good faith that he will deliver as promised. This means he accepted the money you gave him as paid in full and he is expected to have done his homework before he agreed to the price. If he ordered it to fill his inventory with the hope you would buy it, then it's a different story. He was likely expecting things would just be the price he had previously paid. This assumes that no money was exchanged and the price actually went up. I would expect him to try hard to work with me on my out the door price. Many local dealers work on a shoe string budget, if his price changed and he had no way to forecast it I personally wouldn't expect him to lose money on the deal. Having a good relationship between me and my source is important to me. If your dealer values a customer the way I value my source he will likely try hard to take care of you. He may be willing to lay the cards on the table and tell you his cost. A reasonable mark up should not be out of the question, every honest businessman deserves to make a buck on a transaction.
 
I had this happen with a customer a few years ago. The price increase in my cost was about $5 over what I had quoted the customer his price would be. It was far easier to honor the quoted price than worry about the $5 and the lost markup.

I wouldn't worry about it until it happens. If I were the customer, I expect to be charged what I was quoted. On the other hand, if a dealer explained his situation to me in a rational manner and was polite about it (as opposed to just upping the price and expecting me to pay it) I don't think I'd have a problem paying a little extra.
 
I would expect him to honor the price, but that's a pretty common price that you could probably get at another shop just as easily. BTW, did your dad buy the gun he wanted?
 
If no money has changed hands yet...
Tell him you had a deal with him for $350. If he presses the issue, take your money elsewhere.
 
IMO, if you pay your money, you should expect the price as quoted. The should take your money and immediately turn around and place a supplier order which locks in his price. Even the small dealers in the middle of no where ought to be able to go online or over the phone and get the price and place the order.

If he just told you that price and you might buy it later, no obligations either way.
 
Did you already pay him? (you stated "Or can he raise the price on me and tell me that I cannot have it for what I paid?" ) If you have already paid, it's a done deal. If not, call the dealer and talk to him about the price.
 
Having a relationship with your gun dealer is a 2 way street. If the price of the guns went up between the time he quoted you the price and when the gun came in I can understand. Most dealers only mark up guns around 10% and I do not expect my favorite dealer to stay in business long by selling at a loss.

If it is someone you have dealt with in the past and they have a reputation for fair dealing I would not worry about it. If you get the feeling that the guy is just trying to hose you, I would find another dealer to buy from.

I have developed a good relationship with one local dealer. There are times that he takes guns in on trade that he knows I would be interested in and he never puts them out for sale. Keeps them in the back until I come in and gives me first shot at them. If he told me this story I would trust him and pay the difference.
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes. I paid for the gun already and have the receipt.

I just wanted to be prepared to call him out if he tried to raise the price and be confident with that decision.

I don't know these guys personally and it is my first firearm purchase from them.

I would expect them to honor the first price too. It helps to be prepared though.

Quite frankly I thought he would get the gun transferred from another store if the distributor didn't have one. Kind of like how car dealers trade cars if they don't carry the right color or options you want. That isn't a big deal though - my assumption.


blkbrd666 - My Dad didn't buy the gun yet. Watch - he won't end up getting it anyway! LOL.
 
You have a receipt, so they have no legal right to try to get more from you. Do not let them bulldog you for more money. They have no grounds. If it does go wrong for you, please let others know so they do not make the same mistake with the same people.
 
Like waterhouse posted. I just eat the loss and move on. There is no profit on new gun sales anyway.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I see what you are saying. But if your product had gone up to $500 and you were going to eat a $150 dollar loss, I'll bet you would change your mind.

I will keep you guys informed as to what goes on. Hopefully I'm just worrying myself for nothing. I've gotten too used to how other businesses run around here.
 
???? What the ???? The dealer has not even mentioned a price increase ??? You are just being prepared ??? Hmmmmm and if you get hit by a truck on your way to pick it up, what happens to your property then ?

Best be prepared ... make sure you leave a copy of the receipt on the kitchen table.
 
If you paid for it and he is demanding more then he is robbing you. Unless he proved he had to actually paid more for the gun then he has a right to recoup that money.
 
Unless he proved he had to actually paid more for the gun then he has a right to recoup that money.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure he has that right, not legally, anyway. Once he takes your money and writes out your receipt "paid in full," that merchandise is yours. If he didn't check on the current dealer cost before he quoted your price to you, then he just isn't a very good businessman.
 
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