Is Price Haggling Gone from Gun Buying

Farmboy said:
You guys that "haggle", do you do it in Marks Work Warehouse, TSE, Walmart, Sports Check etc?

You realize that on clothes and shoes in these places they are making 100% - 400% mark up, compared to firearms etc. which would be lucky to get over 25% gross markup.
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Valid point...I don't. I'm not comfy with it. I know people who do (Aunt and, Electrician buddy) and, they have no problem trying. The cool part (for them) is that, no harm in trying and, the worst you get is no. The big box stores don't take it personally and, your point is valid, they have a LOT of wiggle room...a smaller store may kick your a$$ out and, remembr you later
 
Farmboy said:
You guys that "haggle", do you do it in Marks Work Warehouse, TSE, Walmart, Sports Check etc?

You realize that on clothes and shoes in these places they are making 100% - 400% mark up, compared to firearms etc. which would be lucky to get over 25% gross markup.
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Most places like you mention will match the best price you can find!

Thats all I would ask!
 
Haggling is part of the purchase isn't it...? When visiting family or on work related trips in various places I'll go and visit a gun shop in my spare time. I like to visit new gun shops I haven't been to before to see what kind of stock they are carrying. Also, to see what the customer relations are like. If they have something that I'm interested in, and the price is reasonable, I'll pay. If the guy at the counter walks away, because he would rather be on the phone, for something that seems to be a tad trivial, then that kind of behaviour is a real turn off. That's happened to me before and I don't go back. I'll do my research before I go into a shop and if the staff are helpful, and offer a decent price, like I said, I'll make a purchase.

Sometimes trade-ins can be acceptably decent and sometimes there not. And I'm not offended with a lower then expected offer on a used piece. If the shop attendants are not offended when I don't accept the offer, then I'm not offended either. And yea, gettting a few extras usually gets a discount on some of the stuff anyways, so I take that into consideration. I have no problem with establishing a new realtionship with a gun shop that I may not have visited before, as I realize that gun shops have to make $ or they wouldn't be in business for long. But at the same time, I usually only have a specific budget so it works both ways. And if the deal is out of my budget range, I'll usually show some good faith and buy some ammo, cleaning patches, and a few other odds and ends and wait for another day. In most of my experience I have found that most shops (and their staff) I've visited have treated me like a customer and that's how I like to do business. Meaning I'll go back under positive experiences and circumstances.

As far as some of the prices related to used firearms I've seen here on GNT. It seems to me that the asking price may be on the high side. But an offer can always be countered and hopefully a suitable price can be negotiated that makes the seller and buyer happy with a potential transaction. Being fairly new to GNT memberhsip here, I haven't bought anything yet here as I've been watching how the transactions go and getting the feel for the buying and sellling of stuff here. However, in time, I expect I will buy something interesting, for a price that works for me and the seller.
 
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You narrow minded view of this industry is clearly demonstrated. I clearly explained price highs and lows in my post about the Thompson Center rifles earlier. Sometimes a dealer gets a excellent and buy passes it on to the customer (either buying direct or buys thru a clearout). Its pointless to try to explain this because your view does not take into account anything other then price.

Lower price then most = Good

Higher price then some = Evil

If I buy a foreclosed house on your block worth $250K for $200K and sell it for 220K, can house buyers point fingers at you as a scrooge when you sell your house (worth $250K) for $250K?

Its amazing how a gun store can be a hero and a villain all in one because they have the cheapest price on one items and are 10% over on the next. If thats all you can look for thats all you will ever see. Yes there are places that over charge based on their margin, but they are few and far between.
 
It really comes down to what is easier to get: A rifle/toy or cash? It aint haggling it is offering to trade an amount of CASH for a thing you can live with out. Guns are LUXURY items. (cooeys and SMLEs excepted) If you are in the luxury goods bussiness you should be prepared to deal with people who are at least as successful at aquiring disposable income as you are.
Turnover rate is much more important then markup (within limits) If you are turning stock over quick you can offer small markups. Every gun on the rack that does'nt sell today is contributing to the mark up on the one that does. If you stock what does'nt sell you are asking the customer that buys today to pay part of the markup on someone else's (yet purchased) gun. I recently stood next to an $8k 50 cal that has been sitting unpurchased for a year while a salesman showed me a cricket with a HUGE markup (at least 75%). Needless to say I was not going to pay the rent, heat and interest on an HK by buying a high turnover 22lr. I Would love to be able to support local but that is an antiquated notion that went to a mexican/chinese factory with NAFTA etc.
 
I wonder how you would make out going into the local safeway and and requesting to see the manager to ask about a "Discount" on the 4l of milk you want to buy, causde the IGA has is for 20c less. LOL LOL LOL LOL. When customers, and I use that term very loosely cause you are not actually a customer until you buy something, start to try to dicker, I ask them right up front "Does this look like a garage sale to you?", then I wait for the reply before I say another word. Usually shuts them down pretty quick so I can move on to a customer that actually wants to spend money!!!

Scott
 
m39a2 said:
I wonder how you would make out going into the local safeway and and requesting to see the manager to ask about a "Discount" on the 4l of milk you want to buy, causde the IGA has is for 20c less. LOL LOL LOL LOL. When customers, and I use that term very loosely cause you are not actually a customer until you buy something, start to try to dicker, I ask them right up front "Does this look like a garage sale to you?", then I wait for the reply before I say another word. Usually shuts them down pretty quick so I can move on to a customer that actually wants to spend money!!!

Scott
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Well Scott. LOL LOl Here if you bring it up your milk as an example to a store clerk and can show it on a published active flyer from their competition they will match the price then reduce it less 10%. Perhaps the poor provinces work differently. I am way off track now back to the gun shops
 
Most places like you mention will match the best price you can find!

Thats all I would ask!
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Hmm interesting. We'll start implementing it now. We will match any Canadian dealers (with a store front) advertised price, on an in stock item, from Blue Force Gear, TAG, Knights Armament, Cadex, OTB, Aimpoint, Arcteryx, Neit Arms, North Eastern Arms, S&J Hardware, Vortex and ZAK Tools.

We'll work on more product lines for this promotion soon ;)
 
3macs1 said:
Understand so would it not make good business sense to take 800.00 for a used firearm you have had sitting since sept for 829 and not sold???
I know interest rates are low but?? Some of it is just the principal I am convinced, some dealers set a price and that is it. Right or wrong, high or low. Plus I am finding out more and more some of the people in this business now should not be since they know very little about what they are selling or the products they distribute.
Went through a simple conversation three weeks ago. Can I get the price in camo, nope it is not made in camo. Oh well they list it for 2010 in camo also on the manufacturer's site. Two days later a price on a camo model.Exact words wish I had known that a few months back I could have sold a pile this year in camo.
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If you can't afford $829, just buy something you can afford or better yet buy from a dealer that will accept your offer of $800. Firearms aren't like bread - a couple months on the shelf is normal and they don't go bad.

You are looking to take advantage of what you perceive to be financial weakness of the dealer because you see inventory lingering on the shelf. If a dealer preyed on customers that way we would call it predatory and greedy.

Go ahead and make your offer - but if the dealer tells you there is no discount you have no reason to whine about it. For gosh sakes - it's only $29!
 
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I fully agree with you people on this form will not negotiate at all and their prices are same or higher then retail. Example i wanted to buy a used Berretta FS92 i can buy a new one from Badger Arms for $750 people on this form are asking 900+ because that is what they paid 1-2 years ago. If you are looking for a dealer that does negotiate Badger Arms is the place.
 
my local dealer matches and will beat any price that you bring him. and he still makes money. he also stocks about 3000 firearms. i do haggle abit with him, and he haggles back. if he cant do better on his marked price i still buy from him cause of the service i get from his store cant be beat. very fine people who run a very fine store.
 
I dont get how so many people seem offended at the fact some places don't haggle. I mean to walk in and expect anything beyond the sticker price is an attitude of self entitlement. Like has been mentioned you don't loose anything by trying, but how you try can make all the difference. Walking up feeling like your entitled to a better price is a sure way of getting rejected, purely cause who wants to deal with that kind of attitude. I think a more appropriate analogy than another item to haggle over is your wage. You walk into a job interview with a posted $15 an hour and expect that. When the employer expects you to work for less than what you feel your worth your not exactly thrilled with dealing with them. If it's a good job that has other benefits or services, kinda like extra services from your gun shop it might be alright. The same goes for gunshops, try and get what you feel is fair, but realize the local shops are trying to compete, no ones out to screw over anyone. Theyre not doing you a favor by selling firearms, they're trying to make a living just like anyone else. Some stores can get better prices and it lowers the field for everyone, so some stores have more wiggle room than others, stop demonizing any shop that might not be willing to cut a deal on one item, this is capitalism and if it means being competetive the shop will find a way. Simply ask, don't demand
 
jet hunter and m39a2

im glad i live nowhere near your 2 stores... if i travel to your neck of the woods i know where to stop and take a dump...but not buy a rifle.

your attitude towards your customers is disgusting... im sure your service and possibly anything else you have to offer can be found elsewhere too.
I plan on doing that.
requesting a discount is standard fare... i have learned this in my 15 years of sales.

it is your response that makes the person in front of you a customer or a browser.
you should be used to being asked.
not necessarily giving one.

enjoy bankruptcy.




stop thinking you have to compete with the chinese... they are copying what you did last time... think about what you will make next
 
3macs1 said:
Understand so would it not make good business sense to take 800.00 for a used firearm you have had sitting since sept for 829 and not sold???
I know interest rates are low but?? Some of it is just the principal I am convinced, some dealers set a price and that is it. Right or wrong, high or low.
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It works both ways... why are you offering $29 less? Principal as well? If the approximate value of the rifle is $800, then anywhere between $760 and $840 is reasonable anyway...
 
angrysoldier said:
my local dealer matches and will beat any price that you bring him. and he still makes money. he also stocks about 3000 firearms. i do haggle abit with him, and he haggles back. if he cant do better on his marked price i still buy from him cause of the service i get from his store cant be beat. very fine people who run a very fine store.
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If you are talking about Ross and the crew I agree with you 100%. I bought three guns from him in the past 3 months and will do more business in the future. He runs his shop the way I remember gun shops being run , with the customer first and is very fair regardless what you are looking for.
That being said I was not aware of Frontier Firearms until this post. Like I said I have been out of the loop for 7 years. However looking at his nice add in the access paper. I see words like clearance special, sale, tole free number and free shipping. Looks like a place I will be looking at more in the future for sure. That add alone shows me he is all about the customer which is critical in any business.
On the 29.00 smart ass remark. I will take any donations send me a pm and I will give you the emt info but what you don't know is that is one 800 dollar gun if you had to locate and purchase 18 or more since sept every 29.00 adds up.
 
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Farmboy said:
Hmm interesting. We'll start implementing it now. We will match any Canadian dealers (with a store front) advertised price, on an in stock item, from Blue Force Gear, TAG, Knights Armament, Cadex, OTB, Aimpoint, Arcteryx, Neit Arms, North Eastern Arms, S&J Hardware, Vortex and ZAK Tools.

We'll work on more product lines for this promotion soon ;)
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that is more like todays standards - ever hear of redflagdeals? the amount of people who have subscribed to that forum over the past few years is crazy, it's all about deal sharing now and a lot of money can be made from properly advertising deals and paying attention to what your competitors pricing is like
 
3macs1 said:
On the 29.00 smart ass remark. I will take any donations send me a pm and I will give you the emt info but what you don't know is that is one 800 dollar gun if you had to locate and purchase 18 since sept every 29.00 adds up.
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Everything adds up... but what does your financial situation have to do with an asking price and/or the value of that particular rifle.
 
3macs1 said:
If you are talking about Ross and the crew I agree with you 100%. I bought three guns from him in the past 3 months and will do more business in the future. He runs his shop the way I remember gun shops being run , with the customer first and is very fair regardless what you are looking for.
That being said I was not aware of Frontier Firearms until this post. Like I said I have been out of the loop for 7 years. However looking at his nice add in the access paper. I see words like clearance special, sale, tole free number and free shipping. Looks like a place I will be looking at more in the future for sure. That add alone shows me he is all about the customer which is critical in any business.
On the 29.00 smart ass remark. I will take any donations send me a pm and I will give you the emt info but what you don't know is that is one 800 dollar gun if you had to locate and purchase 18 or more since sept every 29.00 adds up.
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i am talking about ross and his shop. ive spent alot of money there i dont mind the drive. great people. frontier firearms have sold me 2 rifles and a case of ammo. great service, i really cant more about them. i have tried to purchase 2 rifles and a case of ammo from another dealer from this site and both times ive ordered, my items were never shipped, nor was i billed. after i call that site sponser i was told my orders were lost and they will bill me and ship that day......it never happened. so now i buy from frontier and ross and they guys.
 
I think we as purchasers should be able to post what we want and the sellers should have to compete for the sale. IE best prices, incentive to have us purchase from them. They are the ones that want to make the sale.

I should be able to come on here Say I am looking for a hunting rifle for my wife. Something small light maybe a Ruger compact? or Remington 7 youth 243 260 270 7-08
convince me what I should get and why I should buy it from you.
 
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