It sounds like the start of a joke, doesn’t it? But my LGS called and said I better get down there, they had some Smiths come in that they thought I would like to see. AND they were giving me the first shot at them. So of course I headed over.

First up, a 41 mag, model 57-1. Blued, anib, tools, target hammer, target grips, target trigger. White outline with a red ramp front sight. It looked perfect. So, how much I asked. $800 was the answer. Ok with me. Done. No negotiation. My first long tube! Very elegant. Very nice finish. Pics below. The 41 also came with a presentation case.

Second box I opened was another beautiful gun, a 44 mag. White outline, red ramp. TT, TH and target grips, a nice light brown. There was an original sticker on the bottom of the grips. #23 it says. 6 inch barrel. Again, almost new. 3 screw, a 29-3. Just a couple microscopic scratches near the thumb latch. Matching box and all tools and gun was carefully wrapped in original wax paper. This gun was also $800. OK, no negotiation. Pic below.

The third box contained a nickel 19-5. Matching box, tools, & .paper. 4 inch barrel. Nickel. TT, TH and light brown target grips. 3 screw. As good or better condition than the other two. Red ramp, white outline. Lots of case coloring on all three guns. He wanted $700. Again, I thought that was a good price. Pic s below. I can say that my pictures aren’t good. Guns are better than pics show.

Sooo, 3 questions. What do you think of the guns? Did I do well on price? I think so. Should I have tried to negotiate, or did I do the right thing by taking his offered price? He did call me first. I know I’m in the wrong forum section, but this is where my friends/mentors hang out. Last year I was ambivalent about a 28-0 from the same store and the sage advice I got was to not only buy the gun, but cultivate a good relationship with them. I think these deals show I’ve established that.

By the way, I’m really a fan of 5 screws, so these guns are too new for my tastes. But they were just so minty. No muzzle wear, barely a turn line, strike plates look new, and chambers and barrels totally clean.

Thoughts, comments? Thanks Dave

Attached Images

	LGS1.jpg (182.9 KB, 307 views)
	LGS2.jpg (214.0 KB, 277 views)
	LGS4.jpg (212.7 KB, 273 views)
	LGS5.jpg (203.1 KB, 263 views)
	LGS6.jpg (100.3 KB, 298 views)

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Illegitimi non carborundum

If you are happy, we are happy. Personally I will always offer less than asking price to see if I can save a few bucks, but you didn’t getted robbed and you didn’t steal them. Both of you are pleased so it was all good.

You did the right thing. And your LGS is a good guy. At those prices, you couldn't have gone wrong, IMHO, and whenever he gets another treasure in, he will remember that you did the right thing. After all, you could always get your money out of them right here on the forum if you needed to. They all sound like great guns!!

Congratulations....

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Gotta give you credit where credit is due. First off congratulations for doing the deed and beautiful revolvers. Like one responder said if you are happy then we are happy too. My long suffering wife started going to gun shows for hematite jewlry and also to keep an eye on me so as not to break the bank. I had gone on a S&W 24 &624 binge and got carried away with the credit card. Well wouldn't you know it but one dealer who really had some nice S&W's had a 24-3 3" combat grips round butt on the shelf. We talked and he came down $50 so we shook hands and started the paper work. Ran my card and did the paper work. Deal done. My wife shows up looking kinda peturbed asking how much?. That was the last 44 special I bought. Got the 24-3 4" barrel, 24-3 3" barrel and a 624 with 6.5" barrel, over a period of time of course. Enjoy your new revolvers. Frank

You just can't lose with top shelf guns with the complete packages in top shelf condition!

I might have asked if there was a package deal for all three. But he did right by you and you want to be the first one called next time too. So I wouldn't haggle with a friend, especially at those prices.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Did you overpay? No. Did you steal them? No. Did you further your relationship with the LGS and put yourself at the top of the list for a phone call the next time something interesting walks in the door? You bet.

Well bought. Thanks for sharing.

Range Report ?

LOL... none of those "trip my trigger" but prices seem "fair" if you like them; and can afford to ........ get them while you can

Hello Thinnes,

Nice work... and a couple of comments as you requested.

First, as mentioned above by a couple of folks, if you are happy...that's it. (I'd be very happy in your circumstance too.) Quality speaks for itself.

And I really agree with Hondo44 and SPEEDGUNNER's posts #5 and 6. I have a super good relationship with my local gun shop, and we've done a ton of business over the years. Here's the most common sequence of events for me...

I'll get a call from the store, or I'll just happen to stop in. I go by at least once a week.
There can be one or more guns that I am sincerely interested in.

Sometimes they will have a price tag on them, sometimes not.

I examine the gun(s), and give my most honest condition assessment. (The shop knows I'm really only interested in high condition pieces.)

I will say to the owner / manager, "This model X is really very nice. I could use it for my collection. What would be MY price out-the-door?" Emphasis added to "MY". Also, I'm friendly to all the employees, but I only talk $$$ with the main guy.

They know from my previous purchases that there will be only one price given to me, and I expect it to be the best they can do. I will either immediately accept the deal, or POLITELY decline. I will never haggle back and forth for a little cheaper... and they know that too. No talk about, "Oh these are selling for low $$$ on the internet, bla, bla, bla."

When you ask for the best price, and then it's NOT their best price, it becomes a winning - losing situation from there.

I would estimate that I get the gun I want, at an acceptable price over 80% of the time. It's easy for me, it's easy for the shop, and everybody's happy.

In the situation you came across, with three guns in the mix, I'd probably emphasize that if the price is right, I'll take all three guns. (Like Hondo44 suggested.)

Once again, I feel both the personal and commercial relationship with the gun shop is important. I'm thinking about many deals, over the past, and still to come.

Best wishes, and congratulations on your new S&Ws.

Roger aka Mr. Wonderful

Dave:

Congrats. The only additional thoughts I can give is "be careful" those long-tube Magnums are very addictive...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Nice Smith's.
Quick deal worked out for all...
Your LGS dealer likely made a quick $800-1000.00 profit.
Seller received some fast cash.
You received some nice S&W's.

Pics NEVER show the true soul of a revolver, pictures always make the guns look cold and mechanical,

Wow. If I spent that much in one LGS, on one day, for three purchases, well, my current wife would...say, where is that shop? Very well done. Proud of your decisiveness. And purchases.

I agree with Hondo44.

I know you did well on the Model 57. I recently was outbid on one not nearly as nice at a couple hundred more than you paid and without box and components.

I would say it goes with the song "Three Times a Lady".

Deal sounds good all around. Not only did you acquire some nice guns at decent prices, but you also built rapport with the dealer for future business.

Always negotiate on bulk purchases... I bet your dealer does!

Congrats ! You done right.

Having a good relationship with your supplier is priceless.

I have a similar relationship with my LGS as Mr. Wonderful. It's a family owned shop, I've become family. The shop knows what I like and either calls me or waits till I stop by, (I let them know if I'm going to be out of town). When I walk in, they'll be waving it in the air, often with a partially filled out 4473 on the counter. I stopped asking for their best price, "oh, and I'll let YOU have it for xxx", or "oh, I dropped xx off the price it's yours for xxx". Deals aren't so good on consignment guns, but I swear he has me in mind when he works out a consignment price on certain pieces.

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SWCA #2817

It's great to have a good "working" relationship with your lgs...just so happens that my son is a Manager for mine, so I get those same kind of calls routinely. I also provide the lgs with some pro bono firearm identification and pricing suggestions (S&Ws in particular). Many of us are in (or rapidly approaching) our senior years, so it seems I get more of these calls these days. We are losing members of our generation, and many family members are not interested in retaining the firearms that were so lovingly collected by their elders. Might be why the lgs suddenly has 3 or more very nice firearms for sale (usually on consignment). I was in the local shop about a week ago to check the "used gun" shelves, and saw 3 beautiful Colt Pythons and a Diamondback, all with original boxes, that had recently arrived. The asking prices were reasonable but still much too much for my wallet. I respectfully asked if it was a wife (widow) that had brought in all these nice guns to sell, and was told no... it was a daughter. Just a reminder that we never really own these firearms, we just rent them, appreciate them, and maintain them for the next generation of shooters and collectors. It's a great hobby, and enjoy it while you can!

That's how it works, my opinion as well.