Bartering within reason?

[gen3guy]

LGS just got ahold of a bunch of used Smith & Wesson revolvers, most of which appear to be in very good condition. I have a Beretta 1201FP that I can't shoot anymore because of arthritis. I figured I could pull off an equitable trade, keeping in mind of course that the LGS is in the business of making a profit. SO I took what I believe to be a five or six hundred dollar shotgun to them in the hopes of walking out with a revolver that they're asking $349 for. I figured everybody makes out. Right? Wrong! They offered me 50% blue book (?) value for the Beretta, $200. ON top of that they offered me $75 for a pristine near new Ruger MK II 22/45 target pistol. I really wanted one of those Smith revolvers but I wasn't ready to take such an insult to get it. Thank you forum for letting me vent.

 

[VictorLouis]

Ya' just gotta love it, don'tcha?
You were certainly not out of line, IMHO. It's just the attitude of that particular dealer. Your 1201FP has a bit of a cult following, if you did not know. It's for all intents and purposes the famed Benelli inertial action, yet saving hundreds from the cost of a Benelli. You ought to have no trouble selling it outright.

 

[OldGoat]

Painful to say this, but this is commonplace. The LGS has got to buy used items well below retail in order to make a profit after his overhead costs are covered if/when the used gun eventually sells...hopefully close to retail. Of course, a used shotgun has plenty of competition from new ones being sold "on sale" at the big retail outlets. The rule of thumb is about 50-60% of retail or blue book...you are not alone. Regards, Ed

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Don't know where you're located, but around here shotguns are hard to sell. The pump ups are the easiest to sell. When You go to the higher end brand name hunting shotguns, they are absolutely difficult to move.

 

[jsyodes]

well, I would be interested in the Beretta 1201 if it has the extended magazine, should you decide to sell and ship. As to the shop's offer, I have to wonder what edition of Blue Book they were using, and was it 50% of the fair, good, or excellent value? I think Blue Book also has trouble with current values on some guns.

 

[BigBill]

Beaware when you barter some will turn the barter against us. Don't get ripped off. They can move so fast you need time to think about it.
Don't think about what your trading for. Stop take a deep breath and think about your loss. Your out to save money and there out to bleed us for every dollar they can. Not all LGS are bad like this just be on your game.

Let's take a new but used redhawk in 44mag. New its worth like $999 but trading it in were talking $400. They leave room for a fast $100/$200 profit. I did the trade for a new looking norinco m14 @ the cost of $371 out the door. I got the redhawk for free. The norc is worth $1k+++

Now with haggling at flea markets it open season. The sellers who know your game of haggling I see them get upset playing the haggling game. I leave then send my son there with my lowball offer. The seller is so upset that he doesn't want me to get it he'll sell it to someone else. Like my son.
Haggling and getting the best price is a game, play to win. If they get mad just leave and have the second string ready to get in the game.

 

[fdw]

My lgs actually treats me pretty fairly on trades, at least I'm happy with the few I've done. He turns around and sells the trades on gunbroker, etc. I pay him his list which is about what I can buy the same thing at Buds and he gives me about 80% of market for my trade.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Consider advertising your firearms in the forum classifieds.

 

[M29since14]

Do what Jimmyj says. Your 1201FP is a great shotgun easily worth two, maybe two and a half, times what he offered you if the gun is in good shape. Ditto for your .22/45. Sell them yourself and use the money for whatever you want - not necessarily one of those particular S&Ws. There are lots of fish in the sea. Good luck.