Was in Lafayette Shooters today and they had a Single10 (which BTW is sweet!!!). They had $519 on it. A few days ago, I almost pulled the trigger on a new one over on GB, which when adding in the shipping and FFL would have cost me right at $500. I told the youngster behind th counter that if the $519 would include tax, I would buy it. (I figure that instant gratification is worth twenty bucks ). Now I would have respected him completely if he had said " No, we will sell it at our price soon enough". Instead this kid showed me the tag with the price below the MSRP and tells me "Manufacturers suggested retail is $650 and we have discounted it down $131 already-we're barely breaking even at that price." I looked at him, got ready to say something, and then nodded and said "Thank you very much." Sad part is that most of the people that go there have more money than brains and believe this kind of poppycock and balderdash.

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Forum consigliere

What no one seems to understand is that suggested retail is exactly that: SUGGESTED. In my business selling Ford parts, we use the same strategy. If someone balks at the asking price, I've got room to move instead of letting the man walk with a no sale. I always figure something is better than nothing, and as long as the margin is reasonable, I'll try to work with them. That same strategy is why we sold 430 cars last month as well, with NO advertising, as compared to the dealer across town, who is damn lucky to sell a quarter as much, and advertises all the time. These gun and pawn shops would do to take lessons from high volume dealers of all kinds of merchandise that make money hand over fist using this same mentality.

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MARK

The kid behind the counter must not be very experienced in firearms sales or sales in general for that matter. People who would believe that "MSRP" line are the kind of people who will but one or two guns their whole life. Shooters and gun collectors are the people who will keep you in business. Davidsons has the single ten for $485 so $519 is not a bad price. Would you have bought it for $500 + tax if the guy was nice?

I run into this rather often at my LGS. Very frustrating! Just a couple weeks ago I was told by the guy behind the counter how good of a deal he was giving me on a new 642 at $550. He was not a young'un. Claimed they sell "boat loads" at that price... Apparently I have that stupid look also. I envy those of you who have a trusted and willing FFL to help acquire the good deals that pop up on the web from time to time.

I recently bought a new 642 for $383.00, no tax, no shipping, no transfer charges, just $383 OTD.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

my philosophy is………………if the price is too high, I walk on by. I keep my $$ and you keep your stuff.

I've had a couple successes with "Make it (Asking price rounded down) out the door, folding green stuff, & ya got a deal."

We have a $25 DROS fee and almost 9% sales tax so the savings were (to me) significant. I'm just a poor old broke retired squid.

If the asking is so high that I think they might get offended by a lowball offer...

... I go ahead & offer.

I think a lot of bigger shops can be like that about the MSRP. I know my local Big Box shop has no clue what so ever. They pray on the sheep who have more money then brains.

Most there guns are marked up way beyond MSRP. I remember the last two guns I went to check out. One was a Smith and Wesson 637 they wanted 650 for. The other was Remington 1911 R1 they wanted 749 normal for it 30 dollars over MSRP. They had it on "Sale" for 689 which is still way more then I pay. I was really liking it and I like the Remington name so I offered them 625otd. They pretty much told me to get out that I was low balling them and prices where non negotiable.

This is the same place I got my Ruger 22/45 MK III from for 260 OTD and 1 month of Free range time. I am at a lose some times they have best deals on the planet other times they are so high your nose will bleed.

At least they helped me find my local guy. He runs very small shop but can order most anything I want. I gotten 3 guns from him so far and could not be happier with his prices and his service. I also like the fact he normally has a nice collection of used firearms in stock.

Some of the places around here will deal, some won't. Guess who gets my business?

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Insert short witty words here

I've seen your picture. "Stupid" doesn't cover it, I'm searching.......

Ruger 22LR SINGLE TEN 5.5 SS 8100 $458.00 SHIPS FREE

This is a cash price.

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Corripe Cervisiam

Lafayette shooters has always been in my book to cater to the more money than brains as one poster said. Way more expensive in firearms and ammo. My buddy's boss dropped a big wad there and they still wanted to charge him for mounting the rings, bases and scopes. It took us a couple hours to mount everything and once sighted in as far as I know those scopes haven't lost their zero. But the Browning BAR sure did have a sweet trigger though. Frank

Caj,
Maybe you were lucky in passing on that one. That top-strap looked a little flimsy.... TACC1

I frequent the "largest" gun shop in PA, Grice Gun Shop about every five weeks or so. Their new gun selection is awesome because they are a stocking distributor for other LGS, however the prices are somewhat high. Their used selection is quite good and can run from bargain to $500 over priced. Neither used to be a problem, as you could haggle with them on price and also get a cash discount. Purchased quite a number of used S&W's there until recently..

Well, now they have revised their stance on negotiations. "The marked price is the PRICE! No exceptions. No cash discount."
I've been eying an old model Browning T-Bolt .22 in their rack for nearly a year. It is worth about $350-$380 in the shape its in. They want $400. I offer $375 every time I'm in and they say 'The price is marked'. I really hope they have that gun for twenty more years, because not many gun shops want a gun to sit in the rack forever over $25. And Yes, If I REALLY wanted it the $25 would mean zip. Fighting the battle on principal.

Had the same experience with my closest LGS. They want $549 for a 442 (I picked one up from an LGS 10 miles up the road for $361). On the other hand, I walked in to say hello to the old retired trooper who owns the place and picked up an Interarms PPK/S for $350.

And this my friends, is the main reason I try to buy used from individuals or pawn shops. Let the new buyer take the main hit and then when they tire of that gun, I get it for less than half the new price.

probably would have bought it for the $519 price plus tax if the guy had not laid that line of bravo sierra on me. I really liked the gun. But alas old age, stubborness and foolish pride will prevent that now

Lee-do you have a little smiley that shoots the finger ???

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Forum consigliere

Well, you ARE one of the people that go there.

Maybe it's the tattoo...

Gosh Caj, to most of us, we think you look like John Belushi, so maybe if you changed your avatar to Einstein, or Oppenheimer, or Les Miles....

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Always figured he looked like Holmes, but with a bigger mustache.


File:Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr circa 1930.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Was your wife with you, and did she have her "I'm with Stupid" T-shirt on...again?

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War Eagle! '10 BCS & '13 SEC

I use my own picture.

You bet! American Express normally charges merchants ~ 3-5% of the transaction (depends on the size of the merchant) as an "Interchange Fee". You pay him $500 cash instead of putting $525 on the AMEX and he nets the same either way. Additionally you got a deal. You are both happy campers.

This really comes into play when I buy a car. I'll hit them with "Do you really want to pay American Express $800 out of your pocket? 'Cause if you don't come down on your price, I'll charge the whole damn thing and then get my own bank loan tomorrow."

Yeah, me too!

I'm not going to comment on your looks, Caj , but we have one-just one-LGS here that had a similar policy only different ,

They priced their new guns at MSRP and, actually, they sold a bunch of them over the years. They also had a no negotiating the price policy, too, unless, that is, you were a friend of one of the owners or employees.

Guess where I never, ever, bought a gun.

Then, six months or so ago, I happened in looking for something other than a gun and noticed they'd dropped the prices to the same prices of the other LGSs in my area.

They did retain their no negotiation policy and they only have a few used guns (they tell customers they are worth zip and suggest they sell them privately or, if they must, place them on consignment with the store where they set forever as the store price is way too high).

Guess where I still haven't bought a gun.

Bob