Ask for a discount at LGS?

C

checkmyswag

New member
Looking to buy several guns and didn't know if I should ask about a discount. Small shop.OK prices. Great service.

Also...I don't want what's been sitting in the display case. I want new. Unhandled. If he wont do that will go elsewhere.

Since ordering multiple guns should I ask for a discount? Some store credit? A holster? Some ammo?

Or am I just being greedy. Want to support the LGS. Could get them all cheaper at the gunshow.
 
Doesn't hurt to ask about the discount.

As long as they are unfired I don't care if they have been in the case for a while. While some guys fall in love with their guns, they are not women, you won't get the HIV from one that has been handled. I have not been to a store where they will let you disassemble any of their guns. They also won't let you dry fire a rimfire so it's no biggie to me.

What gunshow are you going to that you can get guns cheaper then at the LGS. Every show I've been to in the last five years there have been no good deals on guns. :(
 
So you don't want to buy what he has, in which he has had his inventory money invested, you want to leave those in the display case and have him special order you another one -- AND you want a discount?

I respectfully suggest you're being greedy.
 
Let me answer your question by asking another: do you care that the LGS owner's overhead is higher this year than last? Does that make it ok, in your book, for him to raise his prices?

If I were answering my own question the answers would be no, and no.

So no, don't ask for a discount. Decide what you are willing to pay for the guns and offer him less than that. Then if he counter offers keep going until either you get your guns for what you are willing to pay (or less) or until he stops negotiating. If you are willing to accept gear instead of lower prices that's up to you.

Asking for a discount is whiny. Negotiating is business.

My two cents.
 
I dont see how him ordering one is any different than me buying from the case? He will have to order one to replace what I were to buy from the case no?

I'm willing to work w the LGS. I don't demand big box store prices. But I feel as consumers we often forget that we had to work for our cash and so should the merchants we give it to. I don't need a discount that wouldn't stop me from buying. Didn't know if it was common to ask. As far as buying from the case or having something ordered? They will provide what I prefer or I will prefer to go somewhere else or we could both give a little and discount what's in the case.

Gunshow prices from my limited experience are good at some of the major dealers that set up. Can usually get about 10% lower than gun shop but I am trying to support the LGS.
 
I may be splitting hairs here, but asking for a discount and negotiating are very different.

If it's me, rather than saying "will you give me 10% off list price if I buy these three guns?" I'd say "I'll give you $xxx for all three guns".

If you make him order new ones expect less wiggle room on the negotiation. Like maybe none.
 
I have usually hit the guy up for the first box of ammo as I was putting down the debit card, but that's about it. I've gotten my ammo a couple of times.
 
Do your homework.

Print what you can buy the guns for elsewhere, and bring it to the shop. Come up with your price for the firearms, ask can they match or beat the price, or make it worth your while to buy from them.

I have a LGS about a mile from my house, they know me, we have an understanding. I don't hassle them about their prices on powder, primers, bullets, etc.

If wish to make a larger purchase, I give them the opportunity to get the sale, and I bring the paperwork to show what I can buy "whatever" for elsewhere. If they can do it, they will. If they can't they won't.

Though I worked in retail for many years, and I understand the "brick and mortar" store costs vs. online retailers, in the end it's my money and I won't spend significantly more simply to support a local store. I will not spend a significantly higher portion of my money simply to support a local store.

I give them the opportunity, if they can't sell to me for a similar price, no hard feelings, but I'm buying elsewhere.

I've bought guns from friends who needed the money for way more than I should have, but friends are friends and business is business. I'm simply not going to pay significantly more to buy from a local business if I can get it elsewhere for less.

It's a business transaction, offer them a fair price, if they decline, then move on.
 
Buying at a local gun store?

I've found that buying at the local shop is a tad more expensive than on line and about the same or a tad better than gun show's.

Remember the local store owner is a business person. They expect to make a reasonable profit on their investment. To me there are other advantages of buying locally. Your also buying the expertice, and experience you get at most gun shops. You have instant access to ask questions, compare products, and handle the guns. Your also supporting the local economy. In my experience the better a customer you are... the better the deals you get.

Like another poster so eloquently said... Just because a gun has been on the shelf dont make it any less desierable. In fact the store may have paid a lower wholesale price when origonally ordered, and can let it go for less than the same gun ordered today.
 
You suggested that if you were to buy what is in the case he would have to order another one anyway...

I'm not a store owner, but I'm pretty sure that is not always the case. I would venture to say that since he is a LGS and has limited space he probably does not have every variation of every gun from every manufacturer. Let's say that you decide to get an XD9 with a 4 in barrel, maybe he realizes that he has had that specific gun on his shelf for six months. I would venture to say it is not likely that he would order that model again. He would get something else he felt he could move within three months. The shorter a gun sits on his shelf the better it is for him.

Also, maybe the cost of the gun on his shelf now he got a better deal on then if he were to order one right now. Costs of product do fluctuate for the business owner as well. Supply and demand... The cost for him would likely be higher now with the Presidential election coming up because everyone freaks out about what the new one may or may not do. Demand goes up, taking cost with it. And of course as a businessman he will need to pass that higher cost onto you.

Not to mention that I'm a here and now type guy. I'd rather have what he has in the shelf then wait for something else to come in.
 
I think that on the other hand, we don't owe squat to local businessmen. Right now, the only thing a local business provides to anyone is a local showroom to examine things in person, and a little ambience.

If I can go into a shop, be treated with respect, and walk out with what I want for pretty much the same price as getting it on line, I'm happy. I'm not going to walk into a store and pay unreasonable prices to rude people just because he has a sign in his window that says "SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MERCHANTS!"

When push comes to shove, you know darned well that the owner of that store goes to walmart and shops online too. He buys his guitars and books online, and his televisions and computers at best buy, while all of the little independent stores are starving, too.

This brings to mind the old fart that sits along BR 71 here by Joplin all summer. Every morning he picks up tomatos at walmart, and for the rest of the day, he sells them in a parking lot a mile away.

What should I think about that?:confused:
 
If you want to try and get the gun for less than sticker price, decide what you want and make an offer that you'll honor if he accepts it. That's different that asking if he'll give you a discount that you might or might not take.

I can tell you that there's not a lot of margin on new guns. Gun stores only offer them to get customers in the store to buy other things that do have enough margin to run the store on. So don't expect too much.
 
The old adage don't ask, don't get. Whats to lose? Nothing. the worst they can say is no. You be surprised how many shops will work the price in a multiple item purchase. IMO you would be foolish NOT to ask.:cool:
 
Doesn't hurt to ask about the discount.
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Agreed, usually small/private dealers are more than willing to negotiate on prices, LGS I frequent prices a little high for that purpose - but if people are "willing" to pay sticker price, they don't argue.

Usually by the time we're done haggling, I pay about what I would online - just get charged tax instead of shipping.

If you are buying "in bulk" might be even more willing to make a good deal with you.

While some guys fall in love with their guns, they are not women, you won't get the HIV from one that has been handled.
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This gave me a good chuckle, but I like my guns like I like my women - not pawed at by every joker in the county - I will usually ask to get one that's still in the box, untouched.
 
Are you really willing to be so snobby about it? You really need an "unhandled" gun? Have you bought many guns before? They're not museum pieces or investments- they're tools.

Buy what he has in stock. If he needs to order something that's not in stock, be willing to pay or put something down if he asks.

Be reasonable. You want to become known as a good customer, not a PITA. That way you will establish a good relationship which can pay off in the future.

Check out the items yourself. If they seem fine, they most likely are. They won't have someone else's cooties.

If you do end up buying, asking him to come down a bit on price is ok as long as you're asking for something reasonable.
 
If you insist that every gun you get is new and untouched, you shouldn't be asking to handle the ones on the shelf then. After all, who gets stuck with the one you've cycled and dry-fired?
 
I dont see how him ordering one is any different than me buying from the case? He will have to order one to replace what I were to buy from the case no?
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He might not be able to just order another one - his supplier might have a minimum and he may have others from that minimum already there. Lots of folks do not understand how inventory control works - we see that in these forums where people think a fair profit for the owner is 10% over his cost - it isn't.

I priced a gun at Bud's, went top the local store and asked them what their price would be - without telling them about Bud's - they still beat it AND had it to me in half the time that Bud's would have taken

As to the handling of them - what does it matter? the gun is sold as NIB and has a warranty - if something isn't right, it will be made right
 
I agree w/ Lawnboy's point regarding discounts vs offers. IMO you're likely to do better by making a reasonable offer, and negotiating from that point, rather than asking for a discount. Especially if you'd like to have something ordered.
 
I hate haggling but I haggled on my G34 purchase. I talked him down about $50.00

I felt pretty good about it.

With the Internet though, it's just easier to find a better price - even including the $20 FFL transfer.

My LGD prices on a Glock 17L were OUTRAGEOUS so I bought one from a guy in Florida and saved over a hundred bucks. I wasn't going to talk my LGD down $100
 
You may be surprised when they say that the gun is back ordered or wont be in for quite a while. Unless what he has in the shelf is not exactly what you want for some reason then just buy them. As many have said it is not like getting milk or 2X4's. They don't have an auto inventory or go down the inventory list to make sure that every thing is replaced. It costs them money to get the stuff in.

This does not mean that you put up with a pain in the but shop, but if they are nice people and work with you, then step up and support them. The collective offer is a good idea.
 
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