The guys in my little "gun group" talk about this kind of stuff all the time.
People don't know the difference between selling a product and building a business. They think that to stay in business, you have to demand top dollar for every product.
I've walked out of pawn shops over a matter of $10, when the seller wouldn't negotiate, even though I was prepared to buy. I asked the owner if he'd consider coming down $10 on the pistol I was wanting, and in a smug tone, he said, "I wouldn't even consider it." I set the pistol down, thanked him and walked out.
Conversely, I've decided to make a purchase over a matter of $10 when the seller offered to come down that much.
If people will work with me on price in any way, I will patronize their business again. I got my "broken" C9 for $60 from the mom and pop pawn shop in my town. I've bought lots of gun stuff from them. I also bought a decent SKS from him at Christmas for $130. He makes it worth my while to shop there, because I know I will get a good price. I will go back there and buy more stuff unless he starts gouging me. It wouldn't be in his or my best interest for him to do that and he is smart enough to know that.
The big "sporting goods" store in my area is charging about $240 for Hi Point .45's. Way too much. I would feel dirty buying ANYTHING from them, gun related or not. My wife bought me some .270 from that place for Christmas. They charged her $38 a box for 2 boxes of shells (20). Unreal. I went to take it back for a refund and they refused. I had to fight, and finally the guy said, "Okay, but we'll not do it again". I said, "You're right. I won't be buying anything else". I couldn't believe it.
Companies that go out of their way to do right by their customers deserve patronage. The others deserve to go out of business. It's that simple.
