So, I wander into a gun shop I hadn't been in in over 10 years in a "rural" part of NE CT looking for some Savage HP 22 ammo (this guy in the past had EVERY caliber you could imagine), lo and behold he has SEVERAL boxes of Sellier and Bellot AND Norma 5.6x52R sitting on the shelf. I grab a couple of boxes (a HUGE thanks to Fireball for the replacement HP barrel) and start looking around. He has 5 savages on the rack, 3 EG's in 300, an F post mill in 300 and an R in 300 savage, 24' barrel. All rifles were in good to very good condition, all shooters. I picked up the R, looked all original D&T'd S/N 683xxx. Price tag said $595.00.
So, should I go back and GRAB it or haggle price?
Please talk me out of it!
Blitz
You should always haggle but be comfortable with the asking price if it is reasonable to begin with, given the seller doesn’t budge. I don’t believe in the sky’s the limit and I’ll pay that if it makes me happy approach to buying guns. However that doesn’t sound like the case here and the asking price is probably reasonable. But do try to get the seller to come down as much as you possibly can. Best of luck
I find that offering cash, rather than using a credit card, is a comfortable way to get a good haggle going.
Without seeing those rifles, the pricing seems in the range of reasonable.
He won't take any less for it if you don't ask him.
My usual opening line is "would you take any less for it"? A very non threatening question, and let the conversation proceed from there based on his response. If he says no, then there is no need to insult him and possibly pizz him off with a lowball offer and you can either choose to pay asking price or move on.
If it's a buddy of mine, I don't haggle. It's a "yes" or "no thanks".
If you ask him if he can come down and he says no, you can always say, well, can you throw in a box or two of ammo.
It hasn't gotten here yet. P.O. says it is "in their system enroute to the next destination".
Can't wait till it gets here, kind of excited to resurrect the old girl.
Seeing that R didn't help!
You have maybe already missed out on a fine rifle........It might be sold the next time you go to the store?
They are a heavy rifle, but are great shooters......go with your instincts!