paperboy98
Member
Does Cabelas negotiate price on used guns? Anybody have actual experience? Tried once at Gander Mountain and was treated rudely.
paperboy98
paperboy98
Negotiate with Cabelas?
- Thread starter paperboy98
- Start date
sbeatty1983
Member
for me buying a gun is like buying a car. If the person wont haggle then there will be no sale.
It's my understanding that they cannot negotiate unless the gun has been there over X number of days. After that, they can.
I bought a 29-2 from them that had all of the tools in their photo, but by the time it made it to my local store, the cleaning rod was missing. They knocked $50 off the price of the gun. A friend gave me a rod, so I was happy.
I bought a 29-2 from them that had all of the tools in their photo, but by the time it made it to my local store, the cleaning rod was missing. They knocked $50 off the price of the gun. A friend gave me a rod, so I was happy.
I have been able to negotiate with the Dundee, Michigan store. For used guns that are not in the gun library, I ask in the gun library. They can usually negotiate more than the associates behind the counters. I have been able to get 5-10% discounts. The Gander Mountain in Waterford, Michigan would deal prices with used guns, but the store in Novi, Michigan will not, nohow. I try not to get confrontationional with the shop. I just ask if they can offer a lower price. You may also have to talk with the group leader, or the gun manager. I know Gander Mountain associates cannot negotiate on their own. Good Luck!
Chop
Member
I bought a used marlin lever action rifle at the Billings, Mt. store and was able to negotiate a better price, plus they threw in a case.
snubbiefan
Member
Most of the large chain-stores like Cabela's, Bass-Pro...or even Lowe's, Home Depot and Wally-World allow the management a lot of latitude. It's just about left up to the manager as to what he/she will/won't do. I have heard some great stories concerning gun purchases from Cabela's, because the box was mislabeled, or the salesperson had no idea what they were selling. My son worked as a sporting goods manager for Wal-Mart while in college and many times people would buy guns and then bring them back after hunting season (I am deadly serious). My son would be told to get rid of them anyway he could. If these stores have less than knowledgeable sales-people ,or a product that has been on the shelf for a long time or slightly damaged/missing pieces....they will "deal".
I've negotiated on the used guns at Cabela's. They only knocked $25 off, but that covers the cost of the background check here in NV. Scheel's did the same thing. I didn't think they would go for it but they did. It sure doesn't hurt to ask. It did seem to be dependent on how long the gun had been there. First thing the salesman did when I asked was check the date on the tag.
Yeah, I wasn't able to negotiate. They had a refinished K frame model of 1905. Can't remember exactly what they were asking or what I offered. The gun was refinished, so my enthusiasm was low.
I wasn't treated rudely or anything though. Got the impression they were used to that sort of thing.
I wasn't treated rudely or anything though. Got the impression they were used to that sort of thing.
snubbiefan
Member
A friend of mine from another forum recently purchased a Manuhrin Walther PPK 22lr at a Cabela's. The box was marked as a 380. The difference in value between the rare 22lr and the run-of-the-mill 380 is about double. This guy had to have the gun mailed to his home state dealer for transfer. They gave him a $35 gift certificate after he purchased the gun and there was another $35 gift-certificate in the box with the gun when he picked it up from his dealer. Like....how lucky can you get.
You purchase an $800 gun for $400 because the box was mislabeled AND get $70 in gift certificates along the way.
I seem to always miss those deals, but it does happen.
You purchase an $800 gun for $400 because the box was mislabeled AND get $70 in gift certificates along the way.I seem to always miss those deals, but it does happen.
I agree. Creating an adversarial atmosphere is the direction that a lot of "dickering" goes.
I suspect that you've missed some good cars and good guns.
Nothing wrong with giving it a try,but if the goods are fine,the price fair,what's the problem with just paying up? Ego doesn't have to be part of a financial transaction.
If someone presses me too hard on a haggle,insists on putting non-fun into my hobby,I become inclined to say that it's no longer for sale.
Last edited:
Messer
Member
It doesn't hurt to ask - the worst they can do is say "no".
About 3 years ago I stopped in the Cabelas off Rt. 78 in PA. (Hamburg?). As I looked around I spotted a nice, clean, used Ruger 10/22 Deluxe model with a crappy 3/4" scope for $175.00. My 12 year old daughter had just started shooting and liked my 10/22 so I wanted to find her one of her own (so mine wouldn't be "borrowed").
I asked if there was any room in the price, and the sales guy told me only the manager could do that, and if I wanted to ask, he was in the collectable gun room. When I asked the manager, he looked it up, and said it really had not been in the store long (their gauge on should they drop the price). He looked at my daughter holding the gun, and he took $15.00 off and gave us a extra mag. Done deal - and my daughter loves that gun!
Take care,
Bob S.
About 3 years ago I stopped in the Cabelas off Rt. 78 in PA. (Hamburg?). As I looked around I spotted a nice, clean, used Ruger 10/22 Deluxe model with a crappy 3/4" scope for $175.00. My 12 year old daughter had just started shooting and liked my 10/22 so I wanted to find her one of her own (so mine wouldn't be "borrowed").
I asked if there was any room in the price, and the sales guy told me only the manager could do that, and if I wanted to ask, he was in the collectable gun room. When I asked the manager, he looked it up, and said it really had not been in the store long (their gauge on should they drop the price). He looked at my daughter holding the gun, and he took $15.00 off and gave us a extra mag. Done deal - and my daughter loves that gun!
Take care,
Bob S.
Research Nerd
Member
I've tried to negocitate with Gander Mountain and they won't budge. Plus they're about $150 more expensive than other places for new guns. Carter Country will give in a little, but they're still very expensive. Haven't tried to negociate over any used ones...yet, so we'll see.
Good luck with your search,
Ryan Z.
Spring, Tx
Good luck with your search,
Ryan Z.
Spring, Tx
ishootblanks
Member
Gander Mountain
I have successfully negotiated prices on quite a few used guns at my local Gander. You have to do it with the gun dept. manager though. Only he/she has the authority to do such. The average Joe behind the counter who doesn't know where the bullet comes out can't help you with prices. And it never hurts to ask. In my 66 years of existence, everything is negotiable.
I have successfully negotiated prices on quite a few used guns at my local Gander. You have to do it with the gun dept. manager though. Only he/she has the authority to do such. The average Joe behind the counter who doesn't know where the bullet comes out can't help you with prices. And it never hurts to ask. In my 66 years of existence, everything is negotiable.
Cerberus62
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All true, and add to that is "Who you ask".
The guy behind the counter can't do much. I will find a manager and very politely ask if they have any additional discounts they can give.
If you shop there a lot and they know you even better. If you shop there a lot and don't know the managers, and they don't know you, then start fixing that on your next visit.
The only people who look for the managers are usually upset. If you ask for them and pay a compliment about the store or an associate, they will be surprised, and they will start to remember you.
Makes it a lot easier when you ask a "friend" for a discount. I have done really well at Sports Authority cause I know the managers, talked fishing with them, etc. Praising a junior manager to the GM is a sure way to get on both of their good sides.
I got a $200 discount on a new kayak at Dick's because I asked for a manager, told him I wanted to buy a kayak and I get a 25% Friends and Family Discount at Sports Authority. I asked if I register at Dick's do they offer similar inside discounts.
He said yes, and also said there was no way he'd let me buy a kayak at SA, "what could he could do to sell me the boat?" We talked for a bit and I walked out with a $600 yak for $440 cash and $50 of Dick's gift cards.
Holy cow! $25 for the NCIS check? By law here, they cannot charge more than $5. $25 is highway robbery!
Negotiating new guns is much harder than used. Dealers have their cost and will not go below a certain profit margin.
Used guns is a whole different story, if a place wont deal, I wont buy from them. If they come back with some "oh, I will knock $25 off of it", I will hit the road. I know that most gun stores build in 50-100% profit margin into their used guns asking price.
Used guns is a whole different story, if a place wont deal, I wont buy from them. If they come back with some "oh, I will knock $25 off of it", I will hit the road. I know that most gun stores build in 50-100% profit margin into their used guns asking price.
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