Bud's Wants to Haggle?

C

ColColt

New member
What's the deal with Bud's offering a "Make an Offer" button? I was looking around at some of their rifles and over to the right side there the usual Add to Cart button but also the other one. I didn't know you could haggle about prices on a new rifle.
 
Haggling on the internet is an interesting concept....

However, I never buy a firearm, new or used, without trying to haggle. There's always room for improvement. ;)
I think the only firearms I've been unsuccessful in getting a reduced price on (or free stuff), were two rifles and a revolver - all of which were either newly introduced or in high demand, so the retailer didn't care if he had to wait another 3 days to sell it to someone else.
 
I've seen that option as well, but I'm betting it is automated. Anyways, I almost always try to haggle the price down a bit on gun purchases unless I feel like I'm already being offered a really great deal.
 
I have read a few postings about this on other message boards. The consensus seems to be that Buds slightly increased the price they are offering these guns for. They will then accept an offer around 9 bucks lower than the current price, which ends up being the original price. It gives the buyer the illusion of saving a little money, when in reality, you are getting it for the same price you would have been able to a few months ago. Basic marketing 101.
 
The rifle I was looking at is listed for $1252. I thought of making an offer of $1200. Reckon they'll accept? A bit more than $9 but still....It worked with Cabelas not long back.
 
In the retail business the main rule is to turn over merchandise and cash. When a lot of an item is purchased once a certain number of the lot are sold at full mark up costs are covered. Then what is left can be sold for almost any price and the money is gravy. Discounts are also used to clear out slow selling items. Better to sell at or near cost than to have it setting on a shelf. I used to call unsold items in my stores "dead money".
No doubt it is also a marketing tool. What is the harm? Want something offered? Make an offer and see what happens.
 
All I can say is that I've been in the market for a M9 Beretta and just about everyone on Gunbroker is $550 and up! (plus shipping of course) Local prices for me have been $600 and up! (plus tax ) Buds had their M9's listed at $548 and free shipping which I thought was a good deal. They also had the "Make Offer" listed, so I did make an offer and I ended up getting my M9 for $530 delivered! I think I did OK. I have not been able to find one cheaper.

My conclusion is that either every M9/92FS is either over priced on GB and my local gun stores or I really did get a good deal. Anyway, this was my first time dealing with Buds and I can't complain.
 
FrankenMauser mentioned that there is always room for haggling. Is this something that you can really do at local gun stores? What about if you want to buy more than one gun? Are they more likely to give you discounts then?
 
FrankenMauser mentioned that there is always room for haggling. Is this something that you can really do at local gun stores? What about if you want to buy more than one gun? Are they more likely to give you discounts then?
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Most gun dealers I've delt with are willing to haggle a little. Make an offer. What's the worst thing they do? Say "no?" They're not going to throw you out the door.

If they jump on your first offer, you didn't go low enough. (No, you can't take it back if they accept it. VERY bad form.) Next time go lower.
 
FrankenMauser mentioned that there is always room for haggling. Is this something that you can really do at local gun stores? What about if you want to buy more than one gun? Are they more likely to give you discounts then?
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Unless it's the "latest and greatest" and in high demand... there's always room to haggle.

Always keep one thing in mind, though: Gun shops with reasonable prices are not making much (if anything) on firearms. They make their money on ammunition, optics, accessories, and services (like gunsmithing, scope mounting, and firearm transfers).

So, don't try to lowball them too much on firearms. But, do keep in mind that they may have only paid $12 for their $25 box of ammunition. So, throwing in 2 boxes of ammunition may be more appealing to them than coming down $25 on the price of the firearm.

I've never purchased more than one firearm at the same time. So, I've never had a chance to try that one. My father, however, has a tendency to buy "His and Hers" firearms in matched pairs. So, he has done it a fair number of times. Colt Mustangs, Marlin Model 60s, Henry lever actions, Colt HBars, and more... Sometimes he gets a good deal. Sometimes they simply say, "No."



Even if it is the 'latest and greatest', it doesn't hurt to ask. When the Browning Buckmark Rifles were first released, I happened to be in my favorite LGS, looking for an all-around big game rifle. When they unboxed the very first Buckmark Rifle they had received (and the first any of us had seen), I asked to handle it.

It was fantastic. I wanted it. It had to be mine.
They quoted me a reasonable price for something that was so new, and anticipated to be a hot seller. But, I asked them to give me a hefty discount on a red dot scope. They hemmed and hawed, and we went back and forth a bit. But...
In the end, I walked out the door with the rifle and a $150 red dot for $70 over their original asking price, and a brick of .22 LR discounted 25%.

It probably didn't hurt that I was a regular customer that had purchased several rifles and a substantial amount of ammunition and reloading supplies from them in the year prior. But, I never would have gotten them to make the deal, if I hadn't asked. ;)
 
I can see it being useful for used guns they have had in stock for a while. Most of their in store prices are higher then on the WEB. If you can find it for less elsewhere you have a better chance of them matching it.

Doug
 
Being usually lower priced than most of the competition , I couldn't see them coming down too much. Seems to be more of a marketing strategy.
I could just the imagine the reaction & look you'd get in gander mnt. Kind of like haggling at the grocery check out line
 
Haha, I can't imagine trying to haggle at places like Gander Mtn. or Wal-Mart. It's good to know I can try to get the prices a little lower or ask them to throw in a little something extra to solidify the deal. I think the part I have the hardest time with is asking them to match the prices of an online deal. I asked a guy from a fairly local store at a gun show if he would give me the same deal on a gun that I could get it from Bud's. I asked if he could do the extra $25 over the price on Bud's since that's what it would cost me. He gave me a dirty look and said he won't do FFL transfers if he can get the gun himself, then walked away. I've been afraid to ask ever since then.

Is it common for gun stores to severely hike up the prices for FFL transfers for guns you buy online rather than through them?
 
Is it common for gun stores to severely hike up the prices for FFL transfers for guns you buy online rather than through them?
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Not around here.
If the transfer fee is any more than $25, they don't get any money at all ... because no one uses them.
Some of my local FFLs go as low as $10-15, just to get someone in the door and looking at their inventory.
 
My thinking is? You don't ask, you don't get! I've never had a problem asking for a discount. You'd be surprised how many times stores are willing to at least give you 10% off. Now, I can't say that for places like Wal-Mart, but your local gun store may be willing if you buy a package deal of gun, ammo, holster, etc..

Like I stated earlier, I like the idea that Buds has now as I got my M9 for a price that no one could come close to at any of my LGS or Gunbroker or Gun shows. As far as I'm concerned, they haven't seemed to increase their prices just so you can offer them a lower price. Just compare prices for yourself and you'll see.
 
If you ever spend time overseas, haggling is not only common but expected.

I love to haggle at gun shows. Best to look an Saturday and haggle on Sunday a few hours before they pack up and leave.

On the auction sites there are always overpriced stuff that has been listed for years. Send a private message saying. "I have noticed this listing for months, will you take $$$ for it"

Most of the time you may be disappointed. One time at a gun show, I ended up with a Martini rifle in VG condition the seller wanted to sell for $750 on Sat. I ended up leaving the gun show late Sunday with the Martini and $300 less than I had entered with.
 
Haha, that's awesome. I've spent a good deal of time in the middle east and I absolutely hate haggling. My favorite shops were the ones who would haggle for you.

Owner: "My friend, for you, $20 for these sunglasses!"
Me: "Ehhh, I don't know."
Owner: "$10 for you my friend!"
Me: "ummm"
Owner: "I wrap this up for you now my friend. $3 American dollars!"
Me: "ok!"

This is really good to know. I'll definitely try to work something out with the local stores when I get to New Mexico.
 
Haha, yea. One of the most annoying deals I ever made simply involved me standing next to a buddy that was buying a bunch of Afghani crap to send home to his family, and telling the guy, as he pestered me too, that I didn't have any money.

He had heard me tell my buddy that all of the rugs, clothing, and 'trinkets' "hand made in Afghanistan" were from the Philippines, but noticed me eyeballing a rough-looking, home-made mat that a little boy was sitting on. I'm sure it wasn't supposed to be for sale, but he knew I wasn't going to bite on anything else.

He started at $300 and chewed himself down to $10, before I finally stopped telling him I was broke and just handed him a ten dollar bill. I was happy with the price, but that guy sure was annoying...
 
If the transfer fee is any more than $25, they don't get any money at all ... because no one uses them.
Some of my local FFLs go as low as $10-15, just to get someone in the door and looking at their inventory.
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Yea, Bud's the transfer fee if you have it shipped to them is $10. And if you have a range membership it is free..

Doug
 
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