Nation's Gun Show... haggling

[m4a1mustang]

Have any of you guys had luck haggling on prices at the Nation's Gun Show? I'm going this weekend with an eye on a 1911. I've been many times before and noticed the prices were either about normal for most gun shops or a good bit higher, so I was wondering if anyone has had positive experience with haggling on pricing. I like to haggle.

[jdonovan]

None at all with the bigger dealers that are there. There will be 10,000's more walking by the table. If they don't sell to you, then one of the next guys will buy. If they don't sell to anyone today they will take it to next weekends show in another city.

Small sellers w/o a store front, very mixed. From hostile that I offered less, all the way to accepting the offer as-is, and leaving me thinking I could have gotten it for less.

Private sellers, yes.

[m4a1mustang]

Sounds fun. I'll probably just ask what the cash price is and see if they'll work with me. Hoping I find a deal... if not it's off to VA Arms after the show!

[OakRidgeStars]

The guy with a brick and mortar gun store, who has rent to pay as well as payroll, will make the best deal. Besides, he wants you to come back and buy from him again.

The days of finding good deals at a gun show are gone. It's all about moving the merchandise and making a quick buck. Support your local gun dealers.

[m4a1mustang]

I've been supporting them a lot over the past few weeks! If I can't find a good deal at the show I'll see what I can find locally.

[vt800c]

had one experience...the lady was rude...but the only one who had what I wanted at the time.

did I buy it? yes.
will I buy anything else from that tired dried-up bitty? not if I can help it.

Lady, I know it was Sunday afternoon and you were about to pack up. I know it was a few dollars for something that either you or I could take or leave. But a polite word (even if it's a refusal) is still worth something to SOME people. If you can't handle dealing with people (and not make them feel as if they are an interruption of your day)..maybe you should look into another line of work.

[jdonovan]

. But a polite word (even if it's a refusal) is still worth something to SOME people. If you can't handle dealing with people (and not make them feel as if they are an interruption of your day)..

you must be new to gun shows.

[mapcase]

A couple shows ago, I was at the "Dennis A. Todd" table... I was looking for this magpul AR-15 trigger guard and they had them. These things list for $8.95 but they had them for $10. I couldn't see paying over actual MSRP, even though it's just a $1 difference, so I said to the woman who works there "would you take $9?"

She looked at me in complete shock and said in grating north-eastern accent "$9?! These are $10!" as if I asked if she'd sell her first born into slavery for a quarter.

I told her they list for $9 and she started talking about her having to pay for shipping, etc. So I walked away and never went back.

And of course I found it for $8.95 later on in the show, to another guy who deals in magpul products... and who I've since bought other magpul products. If the Todd woman wouldn't have tried to make me feel like an idiot, maybe I would've even paid the $10. But instead she lost a customer then and forever more.

Good job, lady.

[pupton]

I've been able to negotiate a little on ammo, most likely because the asking price was too high in the first place. I've tried on firearms and been told the marked price is firm. I've only been to two or three shows there though.

[m4a1mustang]

Turns out I didn't need to haggle at all. I found what I wanted for over $100 less than the best price I've seen locally so I just picked it up.

Also split a case of 1000rds of 45 with a friend so we were able to get a good deal on that.