What is your best response to customers who ask for a deal or discount?

[Direct Action Solutions]

This should be a good one.

This seems to come up a lot when I am talking to other dealers. Some don't mind it, some hate it.

Why does the firearm industry have to deal with this issue ( more than other industries)?

Why do customers feel that a discount or deal is in order? Why do they think prices are negotiable like buying a car?

[jloffermann]

Sometimes I'll ask If I know there is a better deal, to see how the sellar reacts. Guns are like cars too in many ways. I like to keep money localy so I'll bargin if I MUST the worst they can say is no.

My main reason is I buy bulk items with cash, exp: bulk ammo, with a few accessories and the firearm. if they go for any discount I let my friends know and they're the kind of people that will go to that store and then they talk... so if the store is willing to work with some sort of discount with bulk purchases they'll get more business a win/win situation.

[Rudolf the Red]

No one has ever asked me for a discount.

[Munk]

This should be a good one.

This seems to come up a lot when I am talking to other dealers. Some don't mind it, some hate it.

Why does the firearm industry have to deal with this issue ( more than other industries)?

Why do customers feel that a discount or deal is in order? Why do they think prices are negotiable like buying a car?

Firearms, collectibles, TV's, appliances, food, cars, books, car parts, tires... these are just a few of the things that i've gotten at a discount just for asking.

Every single one of them has had me as a repeat customer, provided the prices remained competitive. I've also told friends about these places when they were looking for similar items.

Firearms are expensive (yes, I know you'll probably feed more in ammo through the thing, but as a 1 time pickup, it's a decent chunk of throwing around money). There's competition online and in private sales. To justify buying from you, I would either need a discount, an added incentive (throw in a crappy holster, a case, a box of ammo, or don't hassle about the gun lock-just throw it in), or some of the most amazing customer service ever.

People think the prices are negotiable, because they ARE negotiable. No margin is so small that a portion of it can't be sacrificed to encourage repeat business. If the gun isn't a rarity, then you can afford to lose 10% or so of your profit margin in the name of customer retention, word of mouth, and growing your brand, especially since you can easily restock on many common guns.

Discounts that are reasonable to offer: Price matching an online price that's not at a clearance place like CDNN or selling below cost, minor $ off directly (5 - 25), a free item like mentioned before, a discount if they buy X items with the gun (buy a scope with your rifle and we'll lasersight it, install it, and throw in some scope rings free).

[curvejunkie]

Firearms, collectibles, TV's, appliances, food, cars, books, car parts, tires... these are just a few of the things that i've gotten at a discount just for asking.

Every single one of them has had me as a repeat customer, provided the prices remained competitive. I've also told friends about these places when they were looking for similar items.

Firearms are expensive (yes, I know you'll probably feed more in ammo through the thing, but as a 1 time pickup, it's a decent chunk of throwing around money). There's competition online and in private sales. To justify buying from you, I would either need a discount, an added incentive (throw in a crappy holster, a case, a box of ammo, or don't hassle about the gun lock-just throw it in), or some of the most amazing customer service ever.

People think the prices are negotiable, because they ARE negotiable. No margin is so small that a portion of it can't be sacrificed to encourage repeat business. If the gun isn't a rarity, then you can afford to lose 10% or so of your profit margin in the name of customer retention, word of mouth, and growing your brand, especially since you can easily restock on many common guns.

Discounts that are reasonable to offer: Price matching an online price that's not at a clearance place like CDNN or selling below cost, minor $ off directly (5 - 25), a free item like mentioned before, a discount if they buy X items with the gun (buy a scope with your rifle and we'll lasersight it, install it, and throw in some scope rings free).

I would agree with this...^ Even the illusion of working with someone, IE the example of throwing in a cheap holster or case/gun lock can make or break a deal on an expensive purchase. On the other hand, being a brick wall, can not only allienate the customer to you, but kill the sale and any future visits. I think its worth the negotiation, even if the sale falls through.

[efillc]

People often know that with used or consignment guns there may be some wiggle room. New - not so much.

[OldShooter32]

Years ago, I was negotiating the purchase of a rifle from an "old shooter" and when I offered a lower price, he looked at me over his glasses, said, "It don't cost anything to feed." and put it back in his safe...

[therealnickb]

This should be a good one.

This seems to come up a lot when I am talking to other dealers. Some don't mind it, some hate it.

Why does the firearm industry have to deal with this issue ( more than other industries)?

Why do customers feel that a discount or deal is in order? Why do they think prices are negotiable like buying a car?

IMO it's not so much what you say but how you say it. Since there are many different business models for retail sales, just be true to yours. If you generally do not over price to begin with, a simple "this is our best price" will do. Be polite & professional.

That said, you don't need everyone to be your customer either. What's the point of matching anyone's price or giving away free stuff if you lose money on the deal. Some folks are just cheap bastages that will never be happy unless they save every possible penny. Nothing will change that. Again, be polite but I would just steer them toward whatever is on sale and leave it at that.

Most folks I know are reasonable. They just want accurate information and to be treated with courtesy.

[kemasa]

It really depends on the situation. If the price is reasonable and you are just trying to save some money, then it can cost you money if the person gets annoyed and decides to not sell it to you. In other cases, it does not hurt to ask.

When the price is low and the person wants it even lower, then that makes it a bit annoying. It also does matter how the person asks.

[tenpercentfirearms]

I purposely mark up my in store items so I can just say, "For you, today, how about $50 off." I also offer cash discounts because I don't have to pay the credit card company.

I don't take it personal. If they ask for too low, I say I can't do it. If they storm out and I never see them again, no big deal. Very few people have ever stormed out of my shop. And those that did, I wasn't sad to see them go.

[X231]

I'm gonna thread crash here because I'm a consumer.

Most times I will sweat a nickel out of a seller just for fun. But I never ask for nor expect a discount when it comes to guns. I shop online to find the lowest price, then check out a local gun shop. If they are somewhat inline then I buy. I now have my favorite LGS and I'm more loyal to them than I am to my doctor. Their price, while not the lowest in the land, is usually the lowest around. The owner treats me great and that is worth giving him my business. Last time I was in I bought two guns from him. He offered to take care of the dros on the second. I didn't ask him to, but I really appreciated it. I know he made money, but so what if he made money off of me? .. that's why he's there. I understand that it cost him considerable $$ to run the place and keep his doors open. If he only makes $10 on every gun he sells he won't be there long. On the other hand the guys that want to charge full bore on everything will only see me in their store once.

[INDABZ]

I don't take it personal. If they ask for too low, I say I can't do it. If they storm out and I never see them again, no big deal. Very few people have ever stormed out of my shop. And those that did, I wasn't sad to see them go.

Right...don't take it personal.....but what gets me is when the consumer takes it personal when you won't sell it to him at his offer....

The people who says I got cash....ok...than bust out the plastic...ya don't see benjamins don't get cash price.....

But it's the same for buying from distros....looking for the best price...free ship..etc

Plus go to few gunshows outta state...there are 3 prices on guns....CC..CASH...TRADE

Just the nature of the business...

Wait till prices skyrocket.....people want old price.....ya me too...but they won't sell me gold at 250 an once

OK...gotta answer the OP question.....RESPONSE

"you paying cash"
"you plan on buying five of those"
"Who the hell has it at that price"

[natrab]

Gun stores seem to have some of the highest mark-ups I've seen. I often see guns marked up $100 or more over MSRP and it blows my mind. I usually end up not even offering and I either order online or through my preferred FFL.

I've also noticed some local gun shops that have no interest at all in selling to an informed buyer. They'd rather not give us the time of day when they can sell someone a Glock 19 as their first handgun for $700 without them knowing the difference. I understand it's a demand based market, but it gets on my nerves sometimes.

Most of the Calguns FFLs/shops are honest and give reasonable prices. Unfortunately you're not the majority of gun shops and the rep of others probably bleeds over to you.

[SFgiants105]

No one has ever asked me for a discount.

That's cuz you keeps it real

[cbaer5]

I'll just say this, for me I dont expect to get a deal on one item whether that be a gun or a high priced single item. However if Im buying multiple items I would like to get something. Case in point I went to riflegear (because they had all of the items I wanted in stock) for my last AR I bought nothing but parts and had $1500 cash 15 hundred dollar bills in my pocket. My total before asking for a deal was at just under 1300 and the guy said the prices are set and I said ok, but there was a reason I brought 1500 it was because I had planed to buy a few other things but I knew I could at least get a "cash" price for the other things my local store even though it was only for 200.

You know since then I have not bought anything over 20 bucks from them and it was only once just because I was there meeting someone for a privet sale. I dont think I will ever buy anything else from them again if I can help it. They are out of my way and next time I can and will wait for my local guy to order whatever it is. The truly messed up thing about it is I know my local guy doesn't do as much busyness and most of the time he will beat riflegears prices, and if he can do it I know they (riflegear) could have done something. anyway thats enough from me.