Is it OK to buy a floor model gun and pay NIB price?

Rupskin · September 28, 2012, 09:04 PM

Hi,

First ever post on the firing line forums, but have been browsing the threads for months now. I came across a situation today at my local gun shop, and wasn't sure what to do in this particular scenario.
I having been eying up the Sig Sauer P220 Match Elite for quite some time now, and went to my LGS to pick one up. They aren't particularly common P220's, but I called ahead and they verified that they had one NIB, so I asked them to hold it for me until I got off of work that day. It was $1200 and the guy would not budge off of that price whatsoever. I told him that I would buy the gun, figuring that it would be tough to find another one.
After checking inventory he said that they didn't have one NIB, only what was on the floor. I was a little angry that the guy said they had 1 NIB, when in reality he didn't check, but whatever no biggie. He said I could take the floor model though, so I looked over the P220 with careful detail, I didn't see anything really wrong with the finish or anything, but the slide release was incredibly hard to depress. I'm not sure if that's normal or not, since I only have handled a half dozen or so pistols. I asked if they could take $75-100 off the price of the gun since it's a floor model which has been handled and dry fired before. Again, they wouldn't budge off of $1200.

My multi-part question is....
1) Is it normal for the floor model to be considered NIB?
2) Should one assume that the price of a floor model be discounted from NIB price?
3) If I did purchase this firearm, is a really tight slide release normal when new?

Was curious on this too

stumper1300 · September 28, 2012, 09:17 PM

As long as it has not been fired by anyone but the factory it will be considered NIB. You will see " used" guns that have never been fired advertised as NIB.

It will be difficult to get any discount without visible damage.especially on a somewhat rare gun.

As far as the slide release.remove the magazine and it will be easier. It will be easier with a loaded mag or no mag. The pressure of the mag spring and follower make the release difficult to operate.

geetarman · September 28, 2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

My multi-part question is....
1) Is it normal for the floor model to be considered NIB?
2) Should one assume that the price of a floor model be discounted from NIB price?
3) If I did purchase this firearm, is a really tight slide release normal when new? Was curious on this too

1) Unless the gun is beat up, yes. Most hard to find guns are not on display for long and most gun shops are not going to get multiple copies. Same with scopes. They may or may not have one that has not been on display.

2) No. If gun shows excessive signs of handling. . .you might get a break.

3) If you are trying to release slide without taking the pressure off the slide stop, yes.

Does the slide stop move easily with the slide closed?

Rupskin · September 28, 2012, 09:23 PM

Yes, the slide stop moves freely up and down when the slide is closed. I guess I wasn't used to it, since the few guns I have I'm able to hit the slide release relatively easily w/o much pressure when I don't have a magazine in.

WVsig · September 28, 2012, 09:41 PM

For me it really depends on what shop we are talking about. A big box retailer is going to have a ton of people handling a gun which is in their case. They have others in the back which get sold before as the one on display is handled, dry fired, hammer dropped on an empty chamber, slide dropped on an empty chamber etc.... When this is the case i would only buy at a discount.

In a small shop where the gun in the case is the only one in stock I am more inclined to buy the one in the case because as others have said it does not stay there long enough to be abused.

Technically NIB is any gun which has not been shot since it let the factory and has not been transferred to a individual owner.

I have to ask where you releasing the slide using the slide lock on an empty chamber?

orionengnr · September 28, 2012, 09:42 PM

Welcome to the forum.

To try to answer your question, only you can answer that. But we might be able to help you establish some parameters...
Consider:

Is this the only example of this pistol available in your area?
(If so, the dealer is at a distinct advantage).

How badly do you want it?
(See above).

If it were me, and providing this is not a hard-to find, limited issue model, I would keep my eyes and my options open. The internet affords you a lot of research options.

Good luck, and best regards, Rich

Sgt Pepper · September 28, 2012, 09:50 PM

The profit margins are so low on guns, the price really never goes down unless there is some truly visible handling wear or major blemish. Most folks won't care or even give these matters much, if any, thought. Stores may be more likely to throw in an extra of some kind rather than drop the gun price.

pete2 · September 28, 2012, 10:10 PM

If no damage to the gun, why not buy it? I've bought more than one "display" model if not damaged, if it was a model I wanted.

Rupskin · September 28, 2012, 10:10 PM

Thanks for all the input, was really just trying to get a feel for what NIB constitutes in the gun market. I have purchased 2 pistols in the past, and both came from the back with factory wrappings etc, so I just needed clarification. I was under the impression that a discount was given, from any other "open box" type scenario. I guess in the case of guns, a few dry firings, and minor handling is nothing in terms of the life of the pistol. I will more than likely purchase the P220 match elite tomorrow, just needed some reassurance stating that a discount of some kind wasn't warranted. It's a beautiful gun with a sweet trigger, and just feels plain good in my hand.

Sgt Pepper · September 28, 2012, 10:12 PM

One other thing: if you are buying to shoot or carry, then handling is irrelevant, but if you are buying to collect, then it may be completely relevant.

Theohazard · September 28, 2012, 11:42 PM

Regarding the slide stop issue:

When most people are handling firearms, they drop the magazine before locking the slide to the rear. However, at many gun shops they just check the chamber before handing the gun to a customer; they leave the empty magazine in the weapon. If the customer ends up locking the slide to the rear, they are often surprised by the amount of pressure it takes to press the slide release with an empty magazine inserted.

Patrice · September 29, 2012, 06:04 AM

Floor model? Quite frequently, what one sees in the display case is the only gun of that type/model the outfit has in stock. A gun shop, even a big-box store with a large firearms sections may not have 15 or 20 guns in the back that match the floor model. S0000, quite frequently what one gets at the LGS, Gun-show, or the big-box store is what one sees--i.e., unless one wants the dealer to order the desired gun from their distributor (which of course can take a verrry long time).

Kreyzhorse · September 29, 2012, 06:19 AM

A lot of shops will only have one example of a particular gun and that will be on display as their "floor model". So long as there is no damage to the gun like scratches or scraps, I would expect it to be sold as a new gun.

tekarra · September 29, 2012, 04:00 PM

Hello Rupskin and welcome to the forum.
Several times I have been offered a discount on a floor model firearm. However, if it is not marred, it is a new firearm. If you are going to shoot it a lot, then it will not make any difference.

thedudeabides · September 30, 2012, 07:37 AM

I usually ask them to give me a break on a floor model. Most gun stores will oblige.

gpjoe · September 30, 2012, 08:55 AM

I always consider a gun that has never been fired or registered to be NIB. I just look the gun over for signs of wear or mishandling.

WIN1886 · September 30, 2012, 09:18 AM

Well , the MSRP is over $ 1350.00 for the P220 Match Elite so it is discounted a bit already and yes , I've been to places asking near the full MSRP value on SIG's ! From what I've seen they are not easy to find in stock either...I guess it boils down to how patient or how badly you want one !

JWT · September 30, 2012, 09:23 AM

Not unusual to see that. I've bought new display guns when a shop has no other ones in stock and have paid NIB prices on almost all of them. Do a good job of checking the gun over, if there are no marks on it and it functions fine, buy it. You'll be getting the full warranty so there should be no problem.

Remington74 · September 30, 2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Stores may be more likely to throw in an extra of some kind rather than drop the gun price.

I have bought most of my guns, both new and used, at small local gun shops. As a result they don't usually have extra examples in there inventory, what you see is what they have.

That said, in dickering on the price I am more likely to get an extra something or two thrown into the deal than any signifficant reduction on the asking price.

I've come away from some deals with a couple of extra mags that were list price more than what I could expect the dealer to drop his asking price on the gun.

And yes, I consider an unfired, never transferred gun in the display case to be NIB.

Joe_Pike · September 30, 2012, 07:32 PM

About half of the "new" guns I have bought have been the one on the display shelf. They were not collector pieces, so, it didn't bother me. Not a lot of mark up on used guns, so, I don't bother to haggle with them. Used is a different story, though.

A couple of months ago I stopped by one of the local shops and noticed a RIA 1911 in .38 Super. It was odd because very few shops stock anything in .38 Super. It was beat to heck even though it was new. The price was $385, which I didn't think was bad considering. It didn't sell, so, they moved it to the used shelf with a price of $439. It's still beat to heck and it still hasn't sold.

medalguy · September 30, 2012, 07:43 PM

Supply and demand. He has one, you can't find one elsewhere, so...... pay up or walk away are the choices. As long as there's no damage, and I assume you're going to shoot it, it does have a manufacturer's warranty. It's scarce, so even if it had a slight scratch, he still might be able to get full retail for it. Your decision. How bad do you want it?

RsqVet · September 30, 2012, 08:37 PM

New in box means new, unfired. Not inordinately messed with by customers. This is why some shops are a bit picky about people looking at guns, if you want to play and are not a buyer. Esp with higher dollar guns.

Thinking that the guns in the display case are not new in box makes little sense. By that logic all the rolexes in my buddies shop (he is a rolex dealer) are used.

cookie5 · October 4, 2012, 05:41 PM

I usually do not need any pistol when sold at list price.

mitchntx · October 7, 2012, 11:28 AM

After lusting after a Sig 1911 at a Cabela's and finding out the fondle unit was the only one left in stock, I asked the sales dood if they would discount the gun $5 for each time had been dry-fired.

He looked at me like I was an idiot.

Quality weapons are a lot more rugged than the everage Joe handles them. Careful manipulation of a weapon and it's systems is just part of the game.

I bought the Nightmare, BTW ...

James K · October 7, 2012, 06:09 PM

Guns aren't handled like appliances. Most average gun shops don't have "floor samples" to look at and then huge warehouses with stacks of new guns to be sold to the customer. Generally, what is in the case or on the rack is what you get. Of course, you can order a gun "on the net", in which case you won't even get to see it or handle it until it arrives and the seller is on permanent vacation in Aruba.

Jim

September 28, 2012, 09:04 PM	#1
Rupskin Member Join Date: August 16, 2012 Posts: 24	Is it OK to buy a floor model gun and pay NIB price? Hi, First ever post on the firing line forums, but have been browsing the threads for months now. I came across a situation today at my local gun shop, and wasn't sure what to do in this particular scenario. I having been eying up the Sig Sauer P220 Match Elite for quite some time now, and went to my LGS to pick one up. They aren't particularly common P220's, but I called ahead and they verified that they had one NIB, so I asked them to hold it for me until I got off of work that day. It was $1200 and the guy would not budge off of that price whatsoever. I told him that I would buy the gun, figuring that it would be tough to find another one. After checking inventory he said that they didn't have one NIB, only what was on the floor. I was a little angry that the guy said they had 1 NIB, when in reality he didn't check, but whatever no biggie. He said I could take the floor model though, so I looked over the P220 with careful detail, I didn't see anything really wrong with the finish or anything, but the slide release was incredibly hard to depress. I'm not sure if that's normal or not, since I only have handled a half dozen or so pistols. I asked if they could take $75-100 off the price of the gun since it's a floor model which has been handled and dry fired before. Again, they wouldn't budge off of $1200. My multi-part question is.... 1) Is it normal for the floor model to be considered NIB? 2) Should one assume that the price of a floor model be discounted from NIB price? 3) If I did purchase this firearm, is a really tight slide release normal when new? Was curious on this too

September 28, 2012, 09:41 PM	#5
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	For me it really depends on what shop we are talking about. A big box retailer is going to have a ton of people handling a gun which is in their case. They have others in the back which get sold before as the one on display is handled, dry fired, hammer dropped on an empty chamber, slide dropped on an empty chamber etc.... When this is the case i would only buy at a discount. In a small shop where the gun in the case is the only one in stock I am more inclined to buy the one in the case because as others have said it does not stay there long enough to be abused. Technically NIB is any gun which has not been shot since it let the factory and has not been transferred to a individual owner. I have to ask where you releasing the slide using the slide lock on an empty chamber? __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

September 28, 2012, 11:42 PM	#11
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	Regarding the slide stop issue: When most people are handling firearms, they drop the magazine before locking the slide to the rear. However, at many gun shops they just check the chamber before handing the gun to a customer; they leave the empty magazine in the weapon. If the customer ends up locking the slide to the rear, they are often surprised by the amount of pressure it takes to press the slide release with an empty magazine inserted. __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

September 29, 2012, 06:19 AM	#13
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	A lot of shops will only have one example of a particular gun and that will be on display as their "floor model". So long as there is no damage to the gun like scratches or scraps, I would expect it to be sold as a new gun. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

September 30, 2012, 07:32 PM	#20
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	About half of the "new" guns I have bought have been the one on the display shelf. They were not collector pieces, so, it didn't bother me. Not a lot of mark up on used guns, so, I don't bother to haggle with them. Used is a different story, though. A couple of months ago I stopped by one of the local shops and noticed a RIA 1911 in .38 Super. It was odd because very few shops stock anything in .38 Super. It was beat to heck even though it was new. The price was $385, which I didn't think was bad considering. It didn't sell, so, they moved it to the used shelf with a price of $439. It's still beat to heck and it still hasn't sold. __________________ Stay Groovy

September 28, 2012, 09:17 PM	#2
stumper1300 Member Join Date: June 18, 2012 Posts: 55	As long as it has not been fired by anyone but the factory it will be considered NIB. You will see " used" guns that have never been fired advertised as NIB. It will be difficult to get any discount without visible damage.especially on a somewhat rare gun. As far as the slide release.remove the magazine and it will be easier. It will be easier with a loaded mag or no mag. The pressure of the mag spring and follower make the release difficult to operate.

September 28, 2012, 09:23 PM	#4
Rupskin Member Join Date: August 16, 2012 Posts: 24	Yes, the slide stop moves freely up and down when the slide is closed. I guess I wasn't used to it, since the few guns I have I'm able to hit the slide release relatively easily w/o much pressure when I don't have a magazine in.

September 28, 2012, 09:42 PM	#6
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,173	Welcome to the forum. To try to answer your question, only you can answer that. But we might be able to help you establish some parameters... Consider: Is this the only example of this pistol available in your area? (If so, the dealer is at a distinct advantage). How badly do you want it? (See above). If it were me, and providing this is not a hard-to find, limited issue model, I would keep my eyes and my options open. The internet affords you a lot of research options. Good luck, and best regards, Rich

September 28, 2012, 09:50 PM	#7
Sgt Pepper Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 811	The profit margins are so low on guns, the price really never goes down unless there is some truly visible handling wear or major blemish. Most folks won't care or even give these matters much, if any, thought. Stores may be more likely to throw in an extra of some kind rather than drop the gun price.

September 28, 2012, 10:10 PM	#8
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	If no damage to the gun, why not buy it? I've bought more than one "display" model if not damaged, if it was a model I wanted.

September 28, 2012, 10:12 PM	#10
Sgt Pepper Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 811	One other thing: if you are buying to shoot or carry, then handling is irrelevant, but if you are buying to collect, then it may be completely relevant.

September 29, 2012, 06:04 AM	#12
Patrice Junior member Join Date: April 4, 2009 Posts: 174	Floor model? Quite frequently, what one sees in the display case is the only gun of that type/model the outfit has in stock. A gun shop, even a big-box store with a large firearms sections may not have 15 or 20 guns in the back that match the floor model. S0000, quite frequently what one gets at the LGS, Gun-show, or the big-box store is what one sees--i.e., unless one wants the dealer to order the desired gun from their distributor (which of course can take a verrry long time).

September 29, 2012, 04:00 PM	#14
tekarra Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2007 Posts: 1,164	Hello Rupskin and welcome to the forum. Several times I have been offered a discount on a floor model firearm. However, if it is not marred, it is a new firearm. If you are going to shoot it a lot, then it will not make any difference.

September 30, 2012, 07:37 AM	#15
thedudeabides Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2012 Posts: 1,031	I usually ask them to give me a break on a floor model. Most gun stores will oblige.

September 30, 2012, 08:55 AM	#16
gpjoe Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Posts: 63	I always consider a gun that has never been fired or registered to be NIB. I just look the gun over for signs of wear or mishandling.

September 30, 2012, 09:18 AM	#17
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	Well , the MSRP is over $ 1350.00 for the P220 Match Elite so it is discounted a bit already and yes , I've been to places asking near the full MSRP value on SIG's ! From what I've seen they are not easy to find in stock either...I guess it boils down to how patient or how badly you want one !

September 30, 2012, 09:23 AM	#18
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Not unusual to see that. I've bought new display guns when a shop has no other ones in stock and have paid NIB prices on almost all of them. Do a good job of checking the gun over, if there are no marks on it and it functions fine, buy it. You'll be getting the full warranty so there should be no problem.

September 30, 2012, 07:43 PM	#21
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	Supply and demand. He has one, you can't find one elsewhere, so...... pay up or walk away are the choices. As long as there's no damage, and I assume you're going to shoot it, it does have a manufacturer's warranty. It's scarce, so even if it had a slight scratch, he still might be able to get full retail for it. Your decision. How bad do you want it?

September 30, 2012, 08:37 PM	#22
RsqVet Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 2,474	New in box means new, unfired. Not inordinately messed with by customers. This is why some shops are a bit picky about people looking at guns, if you want to play and are not a buyer. Esp with higher dollar guns. Thinking that the guns in the display case are not new in box makes little sense. By that logic all the rolexes in my buddies shop (he is a rolex dealer) are used.

October 4, 2012, 05:41 PM	#23
cookie5 Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2011 Posts: 217	I usually do not need any pistol when sold at list price.

October 7, 2012, 11:28 AM	#24
mitchntx Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 358	After lusting after a Sig 1911 at a Cabela's and finding out the fondle unit was the only one left in stock, I asked the sales dood if they would discount the gun $5 for each time had been dry-fired. He looked at me like I was an idiot. Quality weapons are a lot more rugged than the everage Joe handles them. Careful manipulation of a weapon and it's systems is just part of the game. I bought the Nightmare, BTW ...

October 7, 2012, 06:09 PM	#25
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Guns aren't handled like appliances. Most average gun shops don't have "floor samples" to look at and then huge warehouses with stacks of new guns to be sold to the customer. Generally, what is in the case or on the rack is what you get. Of course, you can order a gun "on the net", in which case you won't even get to see it or handle it until it arrives and the seller is on permanent vacation in Aruba. Jim