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AEA wrote: "Well, I like it a lot.....is that the best you can do for me on a cash price, OTD NOW?"

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. But I think it sounds better to me and the seller instead of what would otherwise may be a fairly low ball offer.......

Dealing with a mom & pop store, this is definitely the line I would take. Asking, but not being overbearing.
I might be more inclined to name my target price at BassPro or Cabela's, or at a gun show.

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the Wife just bought 2 (new) guns at a local place - while standing along side of her I asked owner if there was anything he could do on the price for her (since this was going to be a purchase of over $1200) - he gave her a (good) box of ammo for each gun and an hours time - no cost on their range - I thought that was reasonable

If you're committed to buying at a LGS (I'm not), maybe a small "Mom and Pop" store, I'd check out the pricing from the online stores (Buds, for example) and walk in knowing the best price I could get the gun for online - in my case, I'd have add $10 for my FFL - add shipping if the vendor charges for shipping - then tell the salesperson that you can get exactly the same new gun online for $400, including the same manufacturer's warranty, and his price including taxes is $500 - I'd offer him $425, in this case, maybe go to $450, out the door if I really wanted the gun NOW. Otherwise, I'd buy it online.

Ask if they have discounted cash price (vs. credit card)... I've talked my LGS into passing the savings on to me for paying cash.

RoyGBiv wrote:

AEA wrote: "Well, I like it a lot.....is that the best you can do for me on a cash price, OTD NOW?"

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. But I think it sounds better to me and the seller instead of what would otherwise may be a fairly low ball offer.......

Dealing with a mom & pop store, this is definitely the line I would take. Asking, but not being overbearing.
I might be more inclined to name my target price at BassPro or Cabela's, or at a gun show.

I may be off base, but do BassPro or Cabela employees have the authority to negotiate prices?

On used guns, I always ask the Owner of the Shop, "is that the best you can do on this gun?"

Once they see buy a gun that they've lowered the price on a little bit, they will be more receptive to lowering it in the future.

Jungle Work

Dealer cost on that gun is around $279, depending on where he bought it and what the shipping costs were. The price he is asking is very fair. Think about it, you want him to sell it to you for $300.00 and eat the sales tax that he is obligated to pay the state. Small gun shops typically operate on low margins and still have to pay to keep the lights on, do you really want to insult the owner? Before throwing out lowball offers I always suggest that the person knows about actual pricing on the product they want to purchase..... A business relationship is one that is fair to both parties.............

I usually ask what is the best price they can give. With used guns in gun stores, they usually will come down a little. Cabellas and Bass Pro don't. With new guns, typically they don't come down any further. Might offer a box of ammo or an extra magazine but that's it in my experience.

Salty1 wrote:Dealer cost on that gun is around $279, depending on where he bought it and what the shipping costs were. The price he is asking is very fair. Think about it, you want him to sell it to you for $300.00 and eat the sales tax that he is obligated to pay the state. Small gun shops typically operate on low margins and still have to pay to keep the lights on, do you really want to insult the owner? Before throwing out lowball offers I always suggest that the person knows about actual pricing on the product they want to purchase..... A business relationship is one that is fair to both parties.............

I disagree that it is an insult to ask, unless you ask in an insulting manner. It is pretty difficult to know what the store owner paid for the gun (or more specifically what his cost basis is in the weapon). It is also not usually possible to know how badly he or she wants or needs to sell something at that moment. If you are polite and ask if there is way to find a price that works for the buyer, then do so. I know my experience with prices in the small stores has been rather less than flexible, but then I was looking for a specific hard to find model so I bought when I could find it. I asked, heard the no and bought anyways. If the dealer felt insulted that was his problem as it was not intended to be an insult, but you can never tell what sets other people off.

These days, even the gun shows will only knock 5% off for cash. It's a demand-heavy market out there right now. Like some of the others on here have already said, I'd tread politely & carefully where the LGS's are concerned. There is nothing wrong with simply having a conversation at the counter & letting slip that you're ready to buy but may be stretched to come up with the entire ticket price. The trick is to guage how friendly the counter-person is before you even think about mentioning price.

I always ask...and not just for guns, cars, etc...I look at it this way: why pay more if you don't have to? Never hurts to ask, just be polite. I remember looking at a pair of boots years ago...they were my 1st pair of Luchese's...I was pretty much deadset on them, even at $600 for the pair, however, asked the salesman if that was the best he could do...he came back a few minutes later with $450....SOLD!!

One other thing. If you've set out to haggle on a price, be ready to buy on the spot if the price is right. Nothing will kill a deal quicker than "I'll be right back". And it may make it harder for the next guy to work out something.

TexasCajun wrote:One other thing. If you've set out to haggle on a price, be ready to buy on the spot if the price is right. Nothing will kill a deal quicker than "I'll be right back". And it may make it harder for the next guy to work out something.

Cash in hand is a powerful persuader.

It never hurts to ask. I was looking for a S&W Model 29 (pinned and recessed) in the summer. I went to one of the local gun stores here in Waco and they happened to have a beauty in their used guns display case. It was marked $599, and it was totally worth that. I asked the sales rep if they would be willing to deal on it some. He took the gun to the back to speak with the manager. He came back and said "we'll do $520 plus tax." My immediate thought was "Hot damn! I'll take it!". I agreed and then he told me that it comes with the original wooden display box and 2 HKS speed loaders. Even better! The gun itself was in incredibly good shape. Tight lock-up and showed no wear. Grips had a great grain pattern too. The foam in the display box was falling apart, but the sales rep cut some of the egg-crate foam from a S&W M&P 15/22 box and lined the wooden box with it for free. It isn't pretty blue velvet, but it works. I filled out the form, handed them the cash, and was on my way with my own 29-2 Dirty Harry gun!

It never hurts to ask if the store is willing to deal or not. You may just get a good deal on something!


Pic quality is crap, but it really is in fantastic shape.

Why not ask the show owner to recommend a holster and some ammunition, maybe even a gun cleaning kit or more supplies for yours? That's all stuff where he might have a little wiggle room. See if he'll make you a deal on the whole shebang. It shows him you're interested in buying from him, not afraid to let him make a little profit, and you'll likely get a bunch of good customer service from him in the future. Believe me, I've had a couple of decades working on the other side of the retail counter and THIS is the way to get a deal- in my humble opinion.