The local gaming shop my boyfriend and I prefer to frequent got ten copies of From the Vault: Twenty in when it came out back in August. Their initial asking price was $250.00, which is far above what either of us is willing to pay. This month will be three months since the product's release, and our store still has all ten copies sitting on the shelf gathering dust.
I would love to get one, perhaps as a Christmas surprise. The store has dropped the price to $150, which is still way too much (in my humble opinion) for a product whose value is, at least to my knowledge, being driven by one. single. card. My question is, and I know it's probably breaking all sorts of societal rules about business owners setting their own prices and whatnot, would it be uncouth of me to suggest to the store owner that he drop the price to something more reasonable since no one has bothered to buy any of his copies?
(Frankly, I'm not willing to pay much over MSRP, but that's another matter entirely.)
It's driven by one card, but that card still has an average value of just over $100, and it's not like the other cards are completely worthless. 4 of the other cards each hold an average value around $12 or $13, and many of the rest are within the $3-7 range.
If they're willing to haggle, then great for you! But don't be disappointed if the store owner/salesperson declines. $150 is not an unreasonable price for the product, given the individual street value of the included cards.
Offer to pay in cash as it will save them on CC fees. Just say "would you consider $100 cash for one", etc.
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I would try to work in "I'd like to buy local" or "I'd like to support Brick and Mortar game stores". It really appeals to them, when it's so easy and often cheaper to buy online these days.
I saw one ebay BIN at $99, and after that they seem to jump to about $120 or $125. I'd actually show the shopkeeper the auctions (assuming you have a smartphone) and just be honest and say "I notice you've had these for awhile. Here's one I can purchase for $99, BUT I like to buy locally and support B&M game shops. Would you consider $100 for one?"
He would have every right to refuse, and might counter with "those ebay sellers don't have my overhead", and then you can reply "sorry, but that $100 is the top of my budget".
Also, like wilmheath said above, try to offer cash to save him credit card fees. My LGS did that for me literally just today, he was selling completes sets of Commander for $150 (msrp) but gave it to me for $140 b/c I paid in cash.
A final comment would be don't expect to get it for MSRP, or even reasonably close to it. This is something you've wanted for 3 months already and your experience has shown you you just can't get them for MSRP anymore. I have no idea what your financial situation is, but you've had three months to save up, and another 2 until Christmas. You should be able to scrape up the additional $60 difference between msrp and $100. Either that or accept that ths is a product not within your budget.
150$ price tag is pretty fair from a local retail store.
You have to remember this is one of the more profitable MTG things that LGSs get to sell and most LGSs could use to extra money tbh. If your store sold these for less then 100$ its probably because they were doing well enough to be able to do so OR you preordered it before any of the cards were spoiled.
If you want a better price your going to have to go into the secondary market. You can probably swindle someone down to about 100$ to buy one in person locally.
You have to look at the going price in the area and Ebay. I doubt he will do much less then the $150, but you can ask. All he can say is no. You have to realize, just because you wont pay that $150, he can Ebay them and make between $125-$180. You dont know his buy price either. He may have a price he wont drop below.
Personally I would approach it by asking him if he has any wiggle room in his price for the set. If he thinks about it and says yes, he is probably willing to haggle. If he gives you a flat no without thinking, dont push the issue.
I do this all the time with my store since I like to support them, but don't want to pay more than the going rate to do so. As long as you're polite about it, I don't see why an owner would take offense. You want to give him your money, just not quite that much.
It is appropriate to haggle price in an LGS; with certain things you can't expect anything (sealed product at or below MSRP), but I'm willing to bet you can get some movement on this. There would be no reason for the store to take any offense at the attempt.
I would love to get one, perhaps as a Christmas surprise. The store has dropped the price to $150, which is still way too much (in my humble opinion) for a product whose value is, at least to my knowledge, being driven by one. single. card. My question is, and I know it's probably breaking all sorts of societal rules about business owners setting their own prices and whatnot, would it be uncouth of me to suggest to the store owner that he drop the price to something more reasonable since no one has bothered to buy any of his copies?
(Frankly, I'm not willing to pay much over MSRP, but that's another matter entirely.)
― Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential
I will always firmly stand by the belief that Magic is a game first and a collectable second.
—Karn, silver golem
If no, "Ok, I understand!"
If yes, "Ok, thank you so much!"
If they're willing to haggle, then great for you! But don't be disappointed if the store owner/salesperson declines. $150 is not an unreasonable price for the product, given the individual street value of the included cards.
MTGOTraders - Coupon mtgsallypaypal for 8% off orders paid for with paypal.
MTGO Hotlist! - Pays more than bots for singles.
CapeFearGames - Coupon mtgsally for 5% off entire order. Orders ship same day if order placed before 3pm EST M-F. Do not stack with other coupons please.
Paying extra 20% on paper cards for MTGOTraders credits.
I saw one ebay BIN at $99, and after that they seem to jump to about $120 or $125. I'd actually show the shopkeeper the auctions (assuming you have a smartphone) and just be honest and say "I notice you've had these for awhile. Here's one I can purchase for $99, BUT I like to buy locally and support B&M game shops. Would you consider $100 for one?"
He would have every right to refuse, and might counter with "those ebay sellers don't have my overhead", and then you can reply "sorry, but that $100 is the top of my budget".
Also, like wilmheath said above, try to offer cash to save him credit card fees. My LGS did that for me literally just today, he was selling completes sets of Commander for $150 (msrp) but gave it to me for $140 b/c I paid in cash.
A final comment would be don't expect to get it for MSRP, or even reasonably close to it. This is something you've wanted for 3 months already and your experience has shown you you just can't get them for MSRP anymore. I have no idea what your financial situation is, but you've had three months to save up, and another 2 until Christmas. You should be able to scrape up the additional $60 difference between msrp and $100. Either that or accept that ths is a product not within your budget.
You have to remember this is one of the more profitable MTG things that LGSs get to sell and most LGSs could use to extra money tbh. If your store sold these for less then 100$ its probably because they were doing well enough to be able to do so OR you preordered it before any of the cards were spoiled.
If you want a better price your going to have to go into the secondary market. You can probably swindle someone down to about 100$ to buy one in person locally.
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Personally I would approach it by asking him if he has any wiggle room in his price for the set. If he thinks about it and says yes, he is probably willing to haggle. If he gives you a flat no without thinking, dont push the issue.