Anyone know what dealer cost is for a brand new Colt Delta Elite? I'm considering buying one and am curious. I was first thinking of looking for a used one simply with the idea of spending less of my hard earned dollars. But the used ones I'm seeing online seem to be going for about as much as brand new ones. I'm specifically looking at brushed stainless models without the rail mount. MSRP (2016) per Colt is $1099. Seems like getting one for under $1000 with shipping and credit card charges isn't going to happen.
Suggestions on other places for me to shop for a lower price? I've looked at some of the common places like GunBroker, GunsAmerica, Cabela's, Bud's, Davidsons, and others. I'm not opposed to a used one in nice condition. But then I thought the 2016 upgrades of an upswept beavertail grip safety, extended thumb safety, and genuine Novak white dot sights, would be nice to have which is steering toward a new one.
(http://www.colt.com/portals/0/productimages/2017/O2020XE.png)
www.gunwatcher.com shows Grab-a-gun at about $971, believe they ship for $5.99 and no CC fees. Had many good experiences with them. SMGA is at $929 but I have never bought from them.
Margins I would guess are about a 10 or a 15 at the outside. That would put dealer cost between $934 and $989.
SMGA is showing a photo of the previous DE model. This means no beavertail, memory bump, old style commander hammer and plain GI sights. Those are some pretty significant downgrades for a $42 savings in price. That Garthwaite style hammer alone is a $40 upgrade + fitting.
Here is one on Gunbroker penny auction no reserve current bid is $805, buy now is $949.99, no CC fees, $30 shipping: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/693828495
Next is current bid $0, minimum bid is $929.99, buy now is $939.99, 3% cc fees and $30 shipping. If you are paying my money order or certified check this may be cheaper, depending on where the bid ends up on the first one: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/695216332
And the action of actual bids on the first one tells you the market for a NIB DE is probably in the $900-$950 range.
Rumor has it they wholesale for $935. $1104 with a rail.
$935 and $1104 would line up exactly with a 15% margin.
Those prices, $935 & $1104 are correct.
Thanks guys. Out of ignorance I felt like there would have been a larger margin between dealer cost and MSRP. At the same time I'm surprised (ignorantly also I suppose) the used ones hold the excellent resale value they seem to in the looking around I've done.
Knowing what I know now I think I'll just save up a few hundred more $ and get a new one at that time. It's just a for-the-hell-of-it firearm for me based on always wanting something with the "Colt" name on it. Around 30 years ago I always thought that would end up being a Colt Anaconda 44 Magnum. Apparently my thinking has drifted since then! :) And in later years I've felt like I should also have something based on the 1911.
The Colt Delta Elite kills 2 birds with one stone for me.
Dealers make very little on guns. They make money on accessories and ammo.