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Negotiating a PriceDiscussions related to Guns and Firearms
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Handloader Super Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2005 Posts: 1032 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:14 am Post subject: Negotiating a Price |
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Fictional scene at the Safeway: a gentleman is in the checkout line and has a cart full of groceries. His total was around $155 and he wanted to negotiate the price and, in fact, called the Manager over to dicker with him. Improbable. Of course. Nor do we try to "negotiate" pricing on the gallons of gas we buy. Its not acceptable and totally out of line.
Big ticket items may allow for some dickering, but, not always. At the gun shop where I work, our prices are firm, yet I never mind someone asking if the prices are "negotiable". In fact, they are and I always try to get more than the tag price! This can be done directly or indirectly. The customer that says "I'll take it" is more inclined to get some discounts on accessories or even some tokens or freebies. The insistent customer that keeps pressing for a cheaper price gets nothing and is often directed to another gunshop as he will always be a nuisance. Afterall, IME, 5% of the customers will cause 99% of the problems --- eliminate them and the shop is a better place.
I have often wondered at the arrogance of a buyer that believes, for whatever ego driven reason, that he deserves a cheaper price than the last guy or the next guy that will buy the same item. All of which is to say, know when "negotiation" is improper and keep in mind that "negotiation" implies, always, a two way street.
Cheap customers will always be cheap customers. They show no loyalty to anything other than price and are often at risk when their purchase needs service or warranty work. While our pricing is competitive and often less than competition, we do not cater to the price buyer, rather we try to show why buying at our store has intrinsic value in terms of service and our knowledgable staff. Margins on new firearms are thin. Very thin.
To shave even a few percentage points on fair pricing has driven numerous gun shops right out of business.
Every gunshop, however, has a few firearms that have lingered too long and if someone is looking for a bargain and is forthright, we can often direct them to some recently discounted guns that serve our needs to sell at a thinner margin. Simply asking if there are any "specials" will always assure a positive response from us.
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tracker Super Member
Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:22 am Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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I often try to negotiate with the cashier at the supermarket, just as a joke, and it's amazing the blank stares I receive. I can just imagine the poor cashiers thinking "what the #### is this guy talking about?" With a couple of local shops, I've become aware of who is willing to negotiate for what, and like you mention, Handloader, there are always "extras" that one should consider.
I think most importantly people should remember that last piece you mentioned, it's a two way street.
_________________ "If God hadn't meant for man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat!" |
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roklok Super Member
Joined: Aug 11, 2005 Posts: 608 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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Handloader, have you met my brother in law? It sounds like you are talking about him. He WILL dicker with store managers trying to get a better price at Wal-mart, K-mart, Gander mountain and even some grocery stores. It seems to be an addiction with him. Wait till he trys to sell something though, no bargains to be had.
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Gil Martin Super Member
Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 1837 Location: Schnecksville, PA
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:23 pm Post subject: Negotiating a Price |
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I tend to take the other view about negotiating for firearms. Haggling on the price of retail items is as American as apple pie. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. Who pays the sticker price for a car or the asking price for house? You don't know until you ask. No problem.
I deal at three very busy gun shops, usually pay cash (even though I have an open account) and never hassle the owner or staff. From time to time, I refer other customers to their shops. They know what I like and nearly always give me a discount whether I ask for one or not. They cater to their better customers and I value that. Too may gun shops seem to put out hang tag prices that are right out of a Hong Kong phone book and some their guns just sit. It is a two-way street and the shop owners I prefer let me know where the bottom is on prices. All the best...
Gil
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fireball 3 Super Member
Joined: Jan 28, 2007 Posts: 393 Location: northern calif
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rdncktink Super Member
Joined: Mar 02, 2007 Posts: 476 Location: Hwaseong, South Korea
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15704 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 12:54 am Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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I always ask what the bottom line price is on an article...be it firearm, ammunition, bits and pieces in the gunshop, car, whatever....and I accept that price. If it is too high and I can't afford it, I thank the store attendant and apologise for wasting their time. If I can afford it, and I want it, I will buy it at their price. If they throw in any extras I am appreciative.
Often the big name companies will drop off freebies at the gunshops as giveaways to customers to keep them interested in both their brand and also the shop so there are times when the gunshop isn't loosing on the deal. But having said that I also appreciate that everyone in business is fighting, often desperately, to survive. Markup percentages are often very thin. If I want the store to be there next time I need something then I have to accept their prices otherwise they run the risk of going out of business. I don't have the right to put another person in that position.
The two gunshops I deal with here in Australia both know me and my financial restrictions and they look after me. They know what I can afford and can't afford and help me where they can. I reward them with my loyalty and continuing business when I can afford it. JUST LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS.
Cheers, Vince
_________________ Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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bergy Rookie Member
Joined: Apr 10, 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Becker, MN
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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My take on this is that I'm more willing to spend my money at a shop that treats me as a person, not just a number. Yeah, I'll always ask if that's the lowest price or if we can negotiate (not at Kmart etc.), never hurts too ask. I'm a sucker for a freebie, doesn't have to be much, but it makes me feel that they are doing something special for me and care about the fact that I'm patronizing their store.
Quickest turn-off is that I'm not one of their buddies and therefore can't hardly get any time to ask questions because they have to shoot the breeze with the regulars just standing there wasting time. (little off topic)
Daren
_________________ If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes! |
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keetoowah Super Member
Joined: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 691 Location: Deep in the mountains of Montana
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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well at least your not a woman standing there waiting to be helped.
I was in the same scenario Bergynot too long ago, and they stood there yakking away until I started clicking my nails on the glass counter top.
when the one came to me. I asked to speak to the supervisor.
When he approached me I told him of the lousy service and asked where his closest competitor was.
boy you should have seen the brown nosing then.
good luck shopping.
_________________ If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer? |
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rdncktink Super Member
Joined: Mar 02, 2007 Posts: 476 Location: Hwaseong, South Korea
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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Hear you on the being a female and some of these stores. I was at Big5 a few days ago with my dad and I was looking at a knife that had this carved handle that was of wolves. I planed on getting it and when I finally got the guy to talk to me he showed me the one I asked for and then went over to show me this cheap on with the plasitic handle with the wolf drawings on it. And then he started telling my father about how nice the other knife was and would be nice to add to a collection but maybe I should look at the second one or the one like it with the egale. Well I still don't have my graduation gift to myself and they still have the knife and won't be selling it to me any time soon.
Same thing happens at part houses around here all the time. I'll bring the dumbest guy I can find with me just so they will help me before I start singing HELP, I REALLY NEED SOME HELP, ANY HELP WILL DOOOOOOOO, HELLLLLLLP.
_________________ Don't whine how bad your country is until you live in another. |
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Handloader Super Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2005 Posts: 1032 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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Gender discrimination? Certainly, it happens but, often, to the advantage of the female. In our mostly male customer base, there are a few women shooters. Mainly, however, it is the gal that comes to the store without much background in shooting that is looking for personal defense. They are easy to help and assist with several programs available locally that cater to women only.
The distaff gender can take advantage of free gun rentals on Fridays at a nearby indoor range. There is a superb program on Thursdays, also free, that allows women only and is supervised some of the best of the best. No men allowed, not even in the parking area!
But, after a few days of dealing with gunstore commandos, cracker barrel sessions, etc, it is always a pleasant break when the gals show up. Believe me, they will not lack for attention or assistance and will often become regulars in our customer base.
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rdncktink Super Member
Joined: Mar 02, 2007 Posts: 476 Location: Hwaseong, South Korea
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Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 7:16 am Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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It just seems around here that it is the status quo to ignor the females at places that are seen as "man things." I agree that a lot of places have extra stuff for female but around here it's just that we tend to get a little ignored or treated as idiots. I know most of the guys that do it don't mean to and are truly trying to be helpful but it is still anoying when it happens. Things are getting a lot better it's still the little things that happens that bug me, like trying to buy stop leak for my truck and getting ignored or being asked are you sure that's the problem when they didn't ask the guy ahead of me. It's just those little things but mostly things go fine. The store that we go to up by my grandfather's is great. Never have any problem, if anything they are too attentive. It just depends on the store and the person and some can be jerks to everyone. I guess as a female who has tried for years to deal with parts houses and have people understand that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to my cars, I'm not saying all I'm just a shadetree and work on my own, that the slights bug me all the more.
_________________ Don't whine how bad your country is until you live in another. |
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tracker Super Member
Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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If anything, I'd have to say that I noticed in gun shops, automotive shops, hardware stores etc, it's more of the last comment tink made. Staff will fall all over themselves to help a woman, but then treat her like she's got a double digit iq. Late model GM's no longer have a dipstick for transmission fluid and I was in an automotive store lately where all these guys were arguing with this woman who was telling them that she'd searched everywhere for one and it must not exist. I told her she was right and they all got mad at me at first, but then when a guy said it...it was all ok. It says right in the manual to not even try checking your tranny fluid or else to raise the car so all four wheels are level and take out the the plug etc etc.
My Mom worked in a radio shop when she was young and man she could fix anything electrical or electronic as well or better than any guy around her and she lived as a farm wife through the '50's in Saskatchewan, so when she went into hardware stores, she put a few clerks in their place.
I think I mentioned once before the clerk in a gun shop in Montana trying to tell someone (someone female who I happened to be standing there with )that a 7mm is bigger than a .308. Kid should be flipping burgers if that's his knowledge level, not trying to sell firearms to anyone, male or female. But there's always all kinds of BS like that in the retail sector and I agree with Vince's comments, you find the place where they treat you right, become a regular and it's all good, they'll take care of you.
_________________ "If God hadn't meant for man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat!" |
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944
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Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Negotiating a Price |
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I generally don't negotiate prices, I realize prices now are at rock bottom profit margins already in most stores because of the competition there is today not only with so many different "superstores" around and rock bottom prices on "warehouse internet stores" like I like to call them, you know the ones that stock the boots you want to buy for 50.00$ instead of 60.00$ because they dont "work" at the bussince they just accept orders as they come and mail them so working for a 5$ margin or less out of stocking the items in the basement.
As for women, I generally am one of thouse guys that "give too much attention" to girls in general. I do not however assume I let them generally "ask" for advice before I give it or if they seem "lost" and "confused" on what to get but wont ask directly for help and give me a blank stare then I also give my advice.
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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rdncktink Super Member
Joined: Mar 02, 2007 Posts: 476 Location: Hwaseong, South Korea
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