Ya, I worked for several of those places. What happens is that the management doesn't want salespeople to drop prices as the closing technique, "What would it take to make you walk out of here with this 60" set?" but they didn't want to lose the sale either and they knew people would shop all sorts of stores. In retailers where the salespeople were an experienced bunch, negotiating was a far more frequent practice.
A friend of mine was working for a well known local chain in LA back in mid-80's. It was his first electronic retail job, though he had previously helped his father in a family clothing store. His first stereo system sale, a ~ $3,300 floor price that a customer wanted to get for $3,000. Though the salespeople could negotiate their own deals, he brought the invoice over to the manager, "Would it it be OK, if I had sold it for this price?". The manager choked up a little, then said, "You, idiot, this is a forty five point deal."
Anyway, 10% was a typical margin on white goods, though there was typically a manufacturer rebate after the sale. Audio was ~ 40%-50% and some speakers were 80%. The low end video was ~ $20%, the high end could get to $35%.
BTW, scanning the Black Friday camera specials, 20% off seems to be a norm.
PS. having a small store next to a Best Buy is a heaven sent. It triples your traffic and your margins, since BB pretty much has to sell for the MAP.
PPS. Most small retailers usually join a purchasing combine. There, they basically get the same deals as large chains.
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