Freebies or discount

[double10]

I think it really depends on the shop, I went to buy my hatsan at44 from a shop for £345, got £10 knocked off prior and then upon asking if they had a s/h slip to go with it thye just went out back and got me one free. But then when we spent over a grand getting my shotgun we just got a discount on cleaning kit etc.

[Blunderbust]

I always plan my deals and ask what they would offer me if I bought this and that. If they are not forth coming I would say cheers and goodbye, I am sure if I go to another dealer I will get a good deal. By the way if it was Churchill's then I am not in the least surprised. Indeed I am surprised they gave you the time of day.

[Dave-UK]

Thank you for the replies guy's. I just wanted to get a feel for the service.

 

Blunderbust, it was Churchill's (where do you shop?)

 

I called another shop in Norwich last night to enquire about a 686 e evo, and he said they were on backorder as GMK has none. I'll wait to see what Churchill's say's on Monday, if they're on backorder i'll cancel and let them know why. But if he can get one i'll buy it. looking on gunmart etc, there the same price everywhere, i just won't buy accessories or carts from them. To be honest it's left me with a bad feeling, my wife pick the gun up for me, and she said she didn't like the attitude of the salesman,

 

It's a shame as it's my local shop and i'm a firm believer on supporting local businesses,

[Lampwick]

I always plan my deals and ask what they would offer me if I bought this and that. If they are not forth coming I would say cheers and goodbye, I am sure if I go to another dealer I will get a good deal. By the way if it was Churchill's then I am not in the least surprised. Indeed I am surprised they gave you the time of day.

I bought a SIlver Pig V from Churchills and asked for a cleaning kit to be thrown in and a couple of boxes of cartridges.

 

"No"'was the automatic response but with a little reminder that my money was rather portable I got a free cleaning kit including oil and a half price slab of cartridges!

[webber]

As a forum member who became an RFD about a year ago this thread is of interest to me; I may also be able to shed some light on the gun shops reluctance to discount the gun or include some freebies.

My shop is currently quite small, but perfectly formed. I generally don't sell new Beretta or Browning guns;Neither GMK or Browning UK will supply me, they are not the only ones either. I can obtain a large range of guns through a large retailer who also does trade supplies; I can't afford to stock them as the margin is way too small.

My policy is to try to match the retail price offered on the internet by the large supplier, their prices are always heavily discounted when compared against RRP.

It does take time and effort to book in new guns, clean and prepare them for sale, and then deal with customer questions for the gun and eventual sale, gun fit etc. I would estimate about one hour in total. Bread and butter guns are discounted to me by around £75 or so, I also get charged £10 + VAT to cover the carriage. It's not therefore difficult to see that there is not a lot left in the pie for the gun shop; therefore expecting a small gun shop to start sweetening the deal is a little ambitious I feel; maybe the larger shops who buy direct from GMK have a little more margin to play with and may be able or willing to sweeten the deal. Its not unknown for me to make more by charging £25 for an RFD receipt and transfer than I would have done by making the original sale and generally paying the card processing costs.

I have been know to sweeten the deal for a new Bernardelli with a slab of cartridges, Fiocchi of course, but it does go through my mind as to why, when it is the last gun of its type in the stores and a replacement is several weeks away.

I understand that gun shops are closing at a steady pace, there are a number in the North West that have been up for sale for a considerable time. Use em! or lose em! Burning the candle at both ends benefits neither shop nor customer in the long run.

webber

[welshwarrior]

As a forum member who became an RFD about a year ago this thread is of interest to me; I may also be able to shed some light on the gun shops reluctance to discount the gun or include some freebies.

My shop is currently quite small, but perfectly formed. I generally don't sell new Beretta or Browning guns;Neither GMK or Browning UK will supply me, they are not the only ones either. I can obtain a large range of guns through a large retailer who also does trade supplies; I can't afford to stock them as the margin is way too small.

My policy is to try to match the retail price offered on the internet by the large supplier, their prices are always heavily discounted when compared against RRP.

It does take time and effort to book in new guns, clean and prepare them for sale, and then deal with customer questions for the gun and eventual sale, gun fit etc. I would estimate about one hour in total. Bread and butter guns are discounted to me by around £75 or so, I also get charged £10 + VAT to cover the carriage. It's not therefore difficult to see that there is not a lot left in the pie for the gun shop; therefore expecting a small gun shop to start sweetening the deal is a little ambitious I feel; maybe the larger shops who buy direct from GMK have a little more margin to play with and may be able or willing to sweeten the deal. Its not unknown for me to make more by charging £25 for an RFD receipt and transfer than I would have done by making the original sale and generally paying the card processing costs.

I have been know to sweeten the deal for a new Bernardelli with a slab of cartridges, Fiocchi of course, but it does go through my mind as to why, when it is the last gun of its type in the stores and a replacement is several weeks away.

I understand that gun shops are closing at a steady pace, there are a number in the North West that have been up for sale for a considerable time. Use em! or lose em! Burning the candle at both ends benefits neither shop nor customer in the long run.

webber

Well said well explained

[Stuartclays]

Yup gotta agree with webber, margins at an all time low and every customer wants the best deal they can get. We all do what we can where we can but each gun is different, it takes a lot to sort a gun ready for sale, paperwork etc and now will be computerised (additional costs) by the end of the year. Be interesting to see how some businesses cope.

We'd always do something on a gun, even if it's big discount on something else like carts or accessories. It's a competitive market, if you don't compete, you lose!

[Essex Keeper]

That's top ££££££ for an evo so I would at least expet a free gun slip

[Dave-UK]

Cheers Stuart,

 

Woodbridge isn't too far from us, and my son is in the army based there, might come visit you

[simon1979]

I know a few local gunship owners near to me, and they both say on new guns there is very little profit, sometimes none it's just turnover.

He say where they make up for it is on the accessories.

He all so said that other larger shops 'use there weight to try and Govern prices'

So basically if a shop was selling a item to 'cheap' other larger shops don't like it but if there using the same supplier the suggest that they will buy else where.

Hope this makes sense and it's only what I've been told

 

 

Atb

Simon

[Blunderbust]

Thank you for the replies guy's. I just wanted to get a feel for the service.

 

Blunderbust, it was Churchill's (where do you shop?)

 

I called another shop in Norwich last night to enquire about a 686 e evo, and he said they were on backorder as GMK has none. I'll wait to see what Churchill's say's on Monday, if they're on backorder i'll cancel and let them know why. But if he can get one i'll buy it. looking on gunmart etc, there the same price everywhere, i just won't buy accessories or carts from them. To be honest it's left me with a bad feeling, my wife pick the gun up for me, and she said she didn't like the attitude of the salesman,

 

It's a shame as it's my local shop and i'm a firm believer on supporting local businesses,

I normally shop with Chris Tanner, Norfolk Sporting Guns, he is a great guy to deal with. If he does not have what you want he will do his best to get it.

[rabbiter]

i went to a localish gunshop a couple of weeks ago,bought a new a bolt,100 bullets,sling,warne mounts,a tec mod,got a lighter spring for trigger put in while i waited by the in house gunsmith,2 cups of coffee,when it was totalled up it came to £920,he knocked off £100,and he said it was for the fact i was in his shop 1 1/2 hours while everything was being done,well happy with that deal,only went there as my usual rfd didnt have the gun i wanted..........DAZ

[compo90]

A local gunshop to me was explaining how little he made on guns, also how little he makes on cartridges...... Then he went outside and drove off in his big shiney range rover........ I think its accesories and second hand guns that he makes most on

[parapilot]

These is a difference buying a second hand or low value gun hatsan etc. haggling on 3/400 gun won't get you far due to low margins

 

This guy is spending the best part of 3k if there is not enough room to chuck in a slip £10/20?? Or slab of carts then they are lying or will be closed next week as its would not cover the overheads.

 

Is get a refund due to attitude, and not budging even slightly once they knew he had your dosh

[Dave-UK]

To be honest, if i thought i could take my gun back and get a refund i would, my wife picked it up yesterday. I doubt they'd take it back. I will be cancelling my wife’s gun as they have to call GMK tomorrow to order it. Many good gun shops have been recommended on here, i will give them my service from now on

 

Thank you all for your comments, my feelings toward them had been confirmed

Edited April 27, 2014 by Dave-UK

[Hardwoods Green]

Looking round it seems as everyone is selling this particular model at the same price, so how is it a 'rip off'. As all the dealers you speak to moan about low margins in new guns. The guy that bought a gun for £1650 when others were quoting £1810 probably bought it from a much smaller dealer that carries little stock and has few overheads. I strongly suggest that when such dealers have a dubious warranty issue with the likes of GMK that they will get far worse treatment to the dealers that are spending big and stocking lots of guns. I just find it crazy that people are moaning about dealers that they have usually only chosen to visit because they have a large stock are trying to make money. If you want to buy something for nothing then find the smallest RFD in the UK and get them to order it in for you.

[Hardwoods Green]

I must also add that if you look at the shops that stock a lot of shotguns ( that's all I shoot), the likes of Ian Coley, Mid Wales and Premier Guns they usually have several of each model on the shelf. I bought an XS Prestige from Premier and I did ( i am local also) because they had 6 to choose from. All felt a bit different and although the price of the 6 guns was around £100 more than other dealers who just had one in. I was happy to pay the extra to have the choice particularly of wood. It seems like everyone wants to go and look at half a million quids worth of guns but buy one at car boot prices. That's my two penneth worth

[Cannon]

It's a rip off because these dealers are buying guns from the same suppliers at the same price, so where do the sales price differences come from? Yes it's nice to be able to have a choice, but not everyone has a lot of disposable income. They must be smarter with their money.

[SHOOTEMUP]

 

As a forum member who became an RFD about a year ago this thread is of interest to me; I may also be able to shed some light on the gun shops reluctance to discount the gun or include some freebies.

My shop is currently quite small, but perfectly formed. I generally don't sell new Beretta or Browning guns;Neither GMK or Browning UK will supply me, they are not the only ones either. I can obtain a large range of guns through a large retailer who also does trade supplies; I can't afford to stock them as the margin is way too small.

My policy is to try to match the retail price offered on the internet by the large supplier, their prices are always heavily discounted when compared against RRP.

It does take time and effort to book in new guns, clean and prepare them for sale, and then deal with customer questions for the gun and eventual sale, gun fit etc. I would estimate about one hour in total. Bread and butter guns are discounted to me by around £75 or so, I also get charged £10 + VAT to cover the carriage. It's not therefore difficult to see that there is not a lot left in the pie for the gun shop; therefore expecting a small gun shop to start sweetening the deal is a little ambitious I feel; maybe the larger shops who buy direct from GMK have a little more margin to play with and may be able or willing to sweeten the deal. Its not unknown for me to make more by charging £25 for an RFD receipt and transfer than I would have done by making the original sale and generally paying the card processing costs.

I have been know to sweeten the deal for a new Bernardelli with a slab of cartridges, Fiocchi of course, but it does go through my mind as to why, when it is the last gun of its type in the stores and a replacement is several weeks away.

I understand that gun shops are closing at a steady pace, there are a number in the North West that have been up for sale for a considerable time. Use em! or lose em! Burning the candle at both ends benefits neither shop nor customer in the long run.

webber

 

Absolutely spot on there webber and lets be honest we have to also allow for the trade ins as well and even though I have been an RFD for nearly twelve years I still cannot get accounts with the likes of GMK or Edgers so I know how you feel and yes I also like to sweeten the deal when selling but there has to be a limit for the small operators who just want to make a living want there customers to return.

Edited April 27, 2014 by SHOOTEMUP

[welshwarrior]

It's a rip off because these dealers are buying guns from the same suppliers at the same price, so where do the sales price differences come from? Yes it's nice to be able to have a choice, but not everyone has a lot of disposable income. They must be smarter with their money.

A lot of importers won't deal with us small dealers as we can't buy/hold the required amount of stock so we have to buy from a larger dealer yes at trade price but they still take their share. BWM for example.

[Gunman]

Go and ask you mortgage company , solicitor or you dentist for discount or a freebie . Try getting it Halfords ,A Shell garage , Binns or Waterston's .I don't think you will be successful so why should you expect it from a gunshop .

 

Point people forget that although its your hobby its their lively hood and some of us like to eat .

Edited April 27, 2014 by Gunman

[Essex Keeper]

My gun shop said you won't get discount from next ! But u can if you try !

[SHOOTEMUP]

Go and ask you mortgage company , solicitor or you dentist for discount or a freebie . Try getting it Halfords ,A Shell garage , Binns or Waterston's .I don't think you will be successful so why should you expect it from a gunshop .

 

Point people forget that although its your hobby its their lively hood and some of us like to eat .

 

Well Said so true

[webber]

Gents

 

To a degree I'm heartened to learn that I've not been singled out for special treatment by Edgar Brothers, GMK and their ilk. I see it as a challenge rather than a handicap.

 

Thanks to this thread and the comments made on it, I've received a couple of enquiries from members who are also RFDs who have received similar treatment to me, they are interested in the Bernardelli guns that I import from Italy.

 

This fits in nicely as I'm just starting to establish a Bernardelli stockist base throughout the UK; therefore if there are any other PW members who are also RFDs and interested in receiving further information about the Bernardelli range of guns please PM me.

 

webber

[Dave-UK]

Ok, an update. My local RFD call me to let me know GMK had an 686 evo with 28" barrels in stock, and would i like to go ahead and order it.

 

I said depends on your next answer, will you throw in a cleaning kit?, no problem sir was the reply, we have a nice boxed cleaning kit worth £50 and we'll give you discount on some cartridges. So they are going to order it, and my wife will pick it up on Wednesday. I wish they said the same when i bought my evo, maybe they were in a bad mood on that day.

 

I have spent a lot of money in the shop before i bought my gun, a £270 8 gun safe, 2 shooting vests and a hat, They also knew i was going to buy 2 shotguns and we never got any discount on any of it. It's only after talking to some work colleagues that shoot did i think about asking for a freebie, hence why i asked when i bought my gun.

 

I understand the margins are small, but a little goes a long way. I've decided it'll be a good to keep good relations with my RFD, as were new to the sport, it's all about making friends and learning from others, mixing in the right circles if you like.

 

Thank you all for your comments, stay safe

Edited April 28, 2014 by Dave-UK