doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Today's purchasing complaint.

I call a brick and mortar store looking to buy a listed used firearm. I would have LIKELY bought at the advertised price- but it never hurts to ask right ?
I asked if they would consider an offer of 94% of the asking price, and the reply was, "This gun is on consignment with a dozen others and we only batch process price reductions, these were reduced 2 months ago and aren't due for another reduction yet."
I reply, "So you won't take this offer to the consignor? "
"No, you can keep watching the site for another reduction"

I am wrapping up a different purchase at another store on the phone as we speak.

My only comment is if one wants to effect change, those that need to change need to be informed. Not with spite, but matter of factly. They are all in business to sell guns. Sometimes the bureaucracy gets in the way.

I had a similar situation with a Findlay, Ohio dealer. I called about a $15,000 item that they had on their list for a couple of years. They wouldn't even talk to me about a price adjustment. That was a couple of years ago and they still have it.

I only dig back in here to say/ clarify the conversation was amicable on both sides, I understand attitude and demeanor can be a factor in any discussion. I could tell them I am not buying because of the practice, but ending the converstation did exactlty that. Truth is, should it get reduced 15% as tends to be what I observe on the site, I will buy it then and come out better anyway. I was content to buy as it was but I was also very content to move on today. I have found the discussing "policy" with gun dealers is futile. The list of seemingly irrational individual policies I have encountered is ridiculous - and tend to instantly become sore spots or hot buttons when questioned. I tend to give positive reviews and friendly suggestions on AirBnB and VRBO rentals... I keep my head low and avoid idiots with FFLs.

Just me, but if I really wanted the piece, I wouldn’t have let 6% difference in price stop me from acquiring it. I look back on any number of deals where I had to step up or lose out. I seldom regretted it.To each his own…
JR

In my case, I was willing to discuss anything the seller wanted to discuss. They made it clear that they would not discuss anything. I feel bad for the consignor, who was being cheated out of a sale. The dealer had given the consignor an unrealistic idea of value. The price has not changed in years.

I certainly agree with that concept...except, I did call fully prepared to pay the asking. A simple, no thanks, we think it's priced right, or even the consigner is firm would have sold the rifle. Ehhh... certainly to each his own and I was generally wasting (your) time and sharing my opinion of poor business efforts... I think the only person missing out on this one is the consignor- the price is low enough I was buying it to part it out.

not enough used car dealer types in the used gun bidness...

otherwise, failed sales stories like those above would be rare...

well, as rare as a 16 ga nitro special, with single trigger and ejectors...

found it this morning, on my front porch, in a basket, wrapped in an ole a&f blanket...

Hmmmm.... Sounds like a Model 21 at Jaqua's. Am I close? 😄

If I pick up the phone I’ve usually decided I want it, and the price is fair. I don’t buy much, I need to sell some things, but, I’m sure as hell not going to argue over 3-5%.

Best,
Ted

Two years ago, I saw a nice straight grip 16 ga. Lefever G grade at a local shop. The shop owner told me it was a consignment. I thought the price was a bit high, and asked if he'd take an offer.

It took a whole one minute phone call to the owner to get a positive reply to my offer, so I bought it. My savings was more like 20%. If the shop owner gave me some crap about only taking offers to the seller in batches, I would have walked with no regrets.

Your FFL guy saw he lost a sale, and didn't care. So telling him his policy is bad wouldn't change his mind. If you have a monopoly on something, you can get away with being rude or obstinate. There are too many other guns, and gun sellers who would make that phone call.

Jimmy, the gun in question was owned by a person I met when I was a kid, a one time visitor to my gun club probably sixty five years ago. He taught me a lot about shooting a shotgun with tight chokes. He is the guy who taught me "Don't worry about the chokes, learn to shoot". I never saw him again after that day. His name was Bill Franklin, a Texas pigeon shooter. Sixty five years later, I recognized his gun. I was willing to pay up to own his gun, but not $4000 up. Their loss.

Okay, eightbore. You said a "Findlay, Ohio dealer". I thought maybe. ..... 😃 Good luck.