Will gun shops cut you a deal?

Like others have said, if you're dealing with a locally-owned store, then possibly so. Why not ask them and find out?

You'd probably get a better deal if you bought ammunition or accessories instead of another gun. The markup on accessories is almost always significantly higher than the markup on the main product. For example, if you go to Radio Shack to get a cell phone, they're going to try to sell you several accessories (I did when I worked there; that's where the bulk of my extra income came from!).

The reason is that Radio Shack wants it's employees to sell accessories. A cell phone doesn't net them any profit. They're actually letting it walk out the door for far less than its unactivated price, generally. It's the cell phone cases, screen protectors, car chargers, and such that actually make the profit. A cell phone charger costs literally pennies to produce, perhaps a buck or so at the most. It costs a few cents to package, a few more cents to ship to the store, and maybe a dollar or so to pay the employee that sells it (given the number of items sold in a day). All told, if a cell phone charger has to be written off, you might end up with $7 charged to the store. On the front end, the cell phone charger sells for anywhere from $15 on up, usually.

Some gun shops, especially small ones, know this, and are willing to work with you on price in hopes that you will give them repeat business for other guns, accessories, and ammo. You just have to ask, and point out that you'll be more likely to buy from them in the future.

A privately owned shop might. A large chain probably doesn't have too much flexibility in pricing, but the prices already tend to be discounted over MSRP.

In general, there isn't really a large markup on guns. The private shop close to me charges 19% over invoice for guns out the door. I think he gets them a little less than invoice, but its still not the 100% markup like some retail industries.

Like with all negotiations, cash, courtesy, and a quick sale will get your the best deals.

Most savvy Mom and Pop stores will haggle a little.. or cut a bundle deal. You have to sweeten the pot... like a buy box of ammo at full price or a holster at full markup.

Of course it depends on what your looking for... I'd expect some wheel and dealin on a used gun or something thats been stuck in the display case for a while.

I do know one nit wit dealer who's mantra is "those guns don't get stale"... he must have a rich wife or a dead Uncle... I never see anything move...and he's been in business forever.

If your dealing with the owner buying a used firearm you can generally work a deal. Example: I got a carry case & a nylon stock tossed in on a Mini14.

At the least ask for a OTD price. That can save you a fair chunk of change

I did but not in price but I got 40 bullets for a 30/06

If you're dealing with the boss, ... then yes, with a clerk, usually no..

Another good tactic:

With card in hand, once the deal's closed ask "Discount for cash?"

The Card issuers do get a 'cut' of the transaction.

Most small businesses will be willing to at least split it with you.

better chance at pawn shop or a mom and pop

a pawn shop will generaly drop 30 percent rather than see you walk out door

at lowest expect a 20 percent markdown from them for a single firearm

with mom and pops they are happy to make 20 instead of nothing on a sale (meaning 20 bucks!)

Generally no. They tend to be a little more flexible with used guns than new ones. They might give you a extra discount if you buy like a cleaning kit and ammo to go with it.

Depends on if it is a new or used firearm, and whether the shop is a chain place or a mom and pop place. If you are looking for something used in a mom and pop store, maybe they will haggle. It never hurts to try. If it is new, I'd say your chances are not as good, but again, it never hurts to try.