So how would you feel about this . . .

[dmftoy1]

I made my semi-annual trip to Gander Mountain today to spend the $25 certificates that accumulate on my credit card. It's a little over an hour's drive over there and with fuel prices the way they are I have to combine it with other "errands". Today the wife left me her VW TDI so at 50mpg and with rain forecast for the entire day it was a no-brainer!

I normally go there and buy slightly overpriced powder and primers, but today, given that I had $100 in certs, I thought I'd check the prices on the two guns at the top of my "wish" list to see what they would go for. (They're running a no-interest/no payments for six months sale).

To make a long story short I was pricing a S&W 625 (which they don't make anymore except in the "JM" model) and a SA M1A loaded with a walnut stock and a chrome-moly barrel. The SA M1A came back at $1799 which I thought was overpriced in lieu of being able to order it from "Gallery of Guns" for $1580 to a semi-local FFL. I asked the guy behind the counter if $1799 was his "best price" and he said that it was, unless I came back in on Monday when the mgr of the department was there.

I told him thanks for his time but that I could get it down in Pekin for $1600. (only other "good" gunstore within a 1 hour drive of my house)

He immediately said he could sell it to me for $1599 . . . .

I'm trying to figure out whether this is just "haggling" or if I should be pissed about it. $200 is a pretty signifcant amount of money for me and I find it insulting that he wasn't going to budge on the price until I told him (honestly) what I could get it for at another place. I think I'd rather buy from the guy who's prices are upfront, honest, and non-negotiable. . . .what do you think?

Ok . ..thanks for listening to me vent.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[csmkersh]

You had just been lied to on the price cut. I would have walked.
​

 

[hankdatank1362]

Offer him $1400, and say "I get an extra $200 off for you lying to my face, right?"

 

[bogie]

Campers. The store is NOT the local welfare office.

If you can haggle to a price you like, fine. If you can't, you are more than welcome to buy the thing somewhere else.

What is it lately with all the folks thinking like ones and zeros?

 

[wheelgunslinger]

You're the one who wanted to play the game and work one shop against another. Don't get all bent out of shape because he's playing it too.

Besides, there may be a policy where they are allowed to beat competitor's prices, but not lower prices on their own without manager's approval.

Either take your deal or don't.

 

[Fish828]

they have the right to charge what they want and it sucks the way they treated you, but it's not a charity, they're in the game to make a profit. personally, i wouldn't buy it from them if you can get it for a similar price somewhere else. on the plus side, i guess you learned a little about the art of haggling though.

 

[dmftoy1]

Yeah, my intention wasn't really to play the two shops against each other (although I guess in hindsight I did. ) I was just trying to use the other shop's price as a justification for me not buying after he went to the "trouble" of finding me a price.

I got my 4lbs of powder for a grand total of $9.24 so with the cost of the fuel over/back I've got 4lbs of powder at $4 apiece . . .alot of cheap shooting for me.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Titan6]

I wouldn't "feel" much about it one way or the other.

- They have an item for sale. They want to get the best price possible and still make a sale.

- I want to pay as little as possible and still have the item.

- Negotiation is the game. There are no hard rules for this except what you make for yourself. Lying is certainly acceptable by many sellers as a norm. Certainly you don't think this is the first time a vendor has lied to you?

- But maybe he did not. Consider that some stores allow their employees to "price match" but not to bargain. This may have been the case here.

 

[Lupinus]

So you are basically upset that he didn't immediately cave to a lower price just because you asked? And it took a little persuasion on your part saying you could buy it elsewhere at a price you liked?

you haggled, he haggled back....the problem is???

 

[Seancass]

"well, if i drive over to *this other store* a buddy can get it there for 1300."

I would have laughed in his face and not bought it. I take it you said it as justification for not buying it, not trying to bargain.

I was at a pawn shop and a guy asked what the workers Best price was on a gun. Worker gave price and customer offered him a few bucks cheaper. Worker laughed at him and said "You said best price, if i thought you where going to try to hassle me, i would have said a higher price. That is my best price."

 

[asknight]

Well, there's two different situations at play here. First, the manager has to sign off on a "haggling deal." Secondly, the price match game is able to be run by any staff in the department. That's why he couldn't be haggled down, but when a price match was mentioned, he could do it.

That's why it still pays to do your homework, guys. You can't just go in to an establishment and expect to pay less than the prices marked. If they offer a price match or advertise that they can beat a competitors prices, then you can save.

 

[romma]

I say negotiate your best price you can anywhere, and don't take it personal if they try to get more from you... Your mission is to get your best deal for you...
JMO