doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com asking price for used guns

Do most internet sellers expect to recieve asking price on used guns? Many guns seem overpriced and I was wondering if frequent buyers typically negotiate a lower sales price.

A tough subject to address, I don’t think there are any set rules when dealing with a seller. In my experience dealers are a lot more likely to come off a price than an individual, I’ve had them drop the price by as much as 40% if they have had the item a long time. Others will have something for sale at a given price and ten years later they will still have it at that price.

If it’s something I have been looking for a long time and I have the money I’m more inclined to pay what they ask but I always ask if the price is “Firm”. If they are open to offers I make an offer and if they agree I buy it. Never make an offer or haggle the price then not buy it. Do not try to lower the price by pointing out something that’s wrong with the gun, just make your offer.

No matter what your interest there are thing that are for sale at many times their value either because the buyer has paid too much or believes that it’s something that it’s not. It’s a waste of time trying to change their minds. The best you can do is to educate yourself about what interest you. Buy the books first, the more you know the less the guns will cost you.

Thanks Michael,
I know that all used guns are individuals. I have read just about every book available on doubles and appreciate any advice on negotiating a fair purchase price.

Bill hagen

I think Michael has it right. I also think you have to treat it like a real auction. From the description and pictures, decide what you think it is worth and never go beyond that price. You can make an offer and negotiate up to that price or simply say that you have evaluated his description and you think the right price is such and such and see if he goes for it. It is often wise to give a contact number if he changes his mind in the future. Sometimes, once there is an offer on the table, the guy mentally spends the money on some other thing and comes back to you because he now wants the money to buy that. Best of luck.

Much depends on what type of gun you're looking at. I didn't bother negotiating on price of last rifle I looked at, a Mauser sporter in 10,75x73 by well known maker from Ardmore, Ok USA. Everyone want's one in this goofball .423 caliber.
PS. You should get 3-4% off by paying cash on credit card tag price.

Jagermeister

I have six 10.75's in the data-base from Cleveland and two from Amarillo but not one from Ardmore, care to share the info for my records?

Some dealers tend to list guns at prices that they will take years to reach. They wait until market catches up to them and will not budge even if their inventory stays for years. Others tend to have a very fast turning inventory. Watch a dealers site for a few months and you will figure out which are which. Most of the fast selling dealers will be willing to do a little wheeling and dealing but do not expect a major price drop.

Know what the fair market value is before you ever pick up the phone. Until you do, you have no way to know if the asking price is fair, high or low. Deal in person or by phone. Email is a poor way to get a real result. On the phone you can hear if the dealer is willing to dicker or just take it or leave it.

There are no set list of dealers who will dicker. Some do and some do not. Consigment guns often have more wiggle room because it is not the dealers gun or money. Most dealers will not be offended by a offer and those who are should be advoided.

Lot of tears shed over the "look" of GunsAmerica of late but not by me. I am probably no great shakes at negotiating a shrewd deal in the most congenial (or desperate) of circumstances. Nonetheless have always thot that a majority of the dealers who advertise there must belong to the National Kite Fliers Assoc. So much string out on some of these, you can't rationally start with the proposition that you'll talk them down. Don't feel you're being held at pricepoint; make your best offer and hope the kite you're looking at is ready to stall.

jack

You've had a lot of good advice from the others above. Two things I'd add are if you are the seller, NEVER list anything as "$495 OBO(or best offer) Anybody can make an offer on the item even if the ad says "price is firm" and NOBODY will pay you $495. The other thing is that you make an offer or agree to accept an offer, stick to it, even if you have second thoughts afterwards. A deal is a deal and our word is the most valuable thing we have, IMO. Don't make an offer and then, after it has been accepted, say "I have to ask my wife" or some other dumb-a$$ed excuse to get away. If you really DO have to ask your wife, you shouldn't be allowed to own a gun. That question should be added to the list on the 4473 ATF form. You don't deserve a gun and should look for a new wife, while you're getting an estimate on a cojone implant. Any dealer who gets snotty over a reasonable offer should be avoided. It's your money. He has to sell guns to survive. You don't have to buy THAT gun and sure as heck don't have to buy one from him.

There is one "suthin" dealer of my experience who appears to me to have reacted to an overture about "best price" on gun on his site by placing same on GunBroker with start price 40% off no reserve. Got my attention; bought the gun for five bucks over the start. Guess he decided to wholesale that one for the utility bill but wasn't doing me any favors to my face. If I hadn't had those wide open eyes, I'd have missed it. I agree with Jim that an offer is an offer to buy not an offer to examine the other guy's financial situation and should be consummated in the bipedal standup fashion.

jack