DammitBoy
Member
the worst gunshow I ever went to just wasn't all that bad.
Gun show, decline in quality?
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gyvel
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Usually it's the other way around at a gun show.
Jim NE
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The gun show pricing dilema is real. I bought a cool old late '40's snub nose .38 Smith and Wesson k frame the other day at a show in Eastern Nebraska, and it was a fair price - a bit below the "going rate", but not a screamin' deal. It SEEMED like a screaming deal, though, when compared to everything else at the show.
After we transacted the deal, the dealer who sold me the gun asked, in a hushed tone, "Have you seen the PRICES at this show? Unbelievable!"
One of the things I HATE is NO PRICE TAGS!!! If I ran a show, there'd be a rule against no price tags. It's like the seller is coming up with a different price for every different customer. I asked some numbskull who had a USED good condition Charter Arms stainless Bulldog in .44 spl. what he wanted and he scratched his whiskered chin and said "Oh, I don't know...I guess SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS would buy it."
I can only imagine that he thought I looked as stupid as he was, and it was kind of insulting.
After we transacted the deal, the dealer who sold me the gun asked, in a hushed tone, "Have you seen the PRICES at this show? Unbelievable!"
One of the things I HATE is NO PRICE TAGS!!! If I ran a show, there'd be a rule against no price tags. It's like the seller is coming up with a different price for every different customer. I asked some numbskull who had a USED good condition Charter Arms stainless Bulldog in .44 spl. what he wanted and he scratched his whiskered chin and said "Oh, I don't know...I guess SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS would buy it."
I can only imagine that he thought I looked as stupid as he was, and it was kind of insulting.
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Jim NE
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Interesting observation. Probably accurate, too. I know it probably describes me. I would ALWAYS sell a gun to buy another. Not anymore.
Part of it, however (IMHO), may be that people feel less certain about our country's future, and are more inclined to hang on to guns.
marksman13
Member
I don't know about a decline in quality, but there has certainly been an increase in price at gun shows.
LTR shooter
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Yeah , even the Indy 1500 is not what it once was. Some of the vendors I regularly dealt in years past with are no longer there.
Although I drove over last month and was able to sell my 1948 High Standard so it was worth the trip. Add to that the attendent taking up parking money simply waved me on! So no parking fee.
But I probably won't go to another show this year unless I have something to sell.
Ian Sean
Member
I feel pretty lucky here in Pennsylvania, our shows have always been pretty good. The Oaks show, Harrisburg, and Lebanon are some of the bigger ones. Even the little 100-200 table ones aren't that bad. Travelling to other states, I don't think VA is to bad either, TN I went to a small one which was OK, Florida shows used to be very good, but I haven't been to any in a long while.
I have probably made most of my purchases at shows, I wheel and deal and make offers. I try to research what I want or need beforehand, know the going prices, and make offers. Either the "big bad mean gun dealer" will accept my offer or decline.... and I move on. Most often though I wind up making deals.
How I approach that situation is to quietly say to the dealer, "oh..$120? Is that the best you can do on the price? How about $90 cash?" Nice and quiet and polite.
You would be suprised how often that works and some of the deals I get.
Every price is negotiable, most dealers know what they can take on an offer and still make money.
I have probably made most of my purchases at shows, I wheel and deal and make offers. I try to research what I want or need beforehand, know the going prices, and make offers. Either the "big bad mean gun dealer" will accept my offer or decline.... and I move on. Most often though I wind up making deals.
How I approach that situation is to quietly say to the dealer, "oh..$120? Is that the best you can do on the price? How about $90 cash?" Nice and quiet and polite.
You would be suprised how often that works and some of the deals I get.
Every price is negotiable, most dealers know what they can take on an offer and still make money.Zach S
Member
I haven't been to a gun show in years. Always looked more like a flea market to me. One where you had to pay to park, and then pay to get in.
Now that I'm in East TN, instead of Western NC, I may check one out next time there's one close.
Now that I'm in East TN, instead of Western NC, I may check one out next time there's one close.
Went to one today and it was OK. Alot of stuff to look at and it was priced so-so. What amazes me is all the 'gunsmith/gun experts' that are at a gun show. I don't know everything but I love to just keep quiet and listen to some of these people 'pop those gums' about this or that. Really worth going to one just to see that.
kenken
kenken
Ingsoc75
Member
I've always found gun shows as a great place to see stuff in person that I rarely see at the local gun shop or only online (Pre-ban AK rifles, NFA items, WW2 stuff).
leadcounsel
member
I, too, have complained about over-priced gun show junk. But nearly every time I go, I do manage to find a great deal on a gun that I want. Recently I've picked up 2 Security Sixes and also a P229, all in very good condition and for very favorable prices.
But consider this: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO A GUN SHOW FOR? If it's for people to bring their wares in to give them away to you, then you're going to be mistaken. These folks invest a lot of time and energy and make a very thin profit margin. I realize that some over-charge, and it bugs me too. But I move on and buy from either those private sellers who want to make a sale. I don't expect people to be giving away their wares, and I will pay a fair price to folks so they keep coming to the shows and bringing their wares.
With thousands of people gathering in one place, I often see a wide variety of guns and supplies.
But consider this: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO A GUN SHOW FOR? If it's for people to bring their wares in to give them away to you, then you're going to be mistaken. These folks invest a lot of time and energy and make a very thin profit margin. I realize that some over-charge, and it bugs me too. But I move on and buy from either those private sellers who want to make a sale. I don't expect people to be giving away their wares, and I will pay a fair price to folks so they keep coming to the shows and bringing their wares.
With thousands of people gathering in one place, I often see a wide variety of guns and supplies.
I've saved a lot of money at my local gunshows. I realize that there's a lot of cheap leather, beef jerkey and Chinese crap but there's also a lot of decent dealers and I picked up an XDM this weekend for at least $70 under any of the local gunstore's prices. I saved $60 on the last Kahr that I bought.
Now I know that some will say that you should support your local gun stores and I agree to some extent. The problem is there's only one local gun store that is decent and the rest are unfortunately staffed by angry old men, punk kids and generally rude staff that would rather look at a newspaper than ask if you need any help.
Sorry....there's only one local store that gets my business and they don't get it all.
Now I know that some will say that you should support your local gun stores and I agree to some extent. The problem is there's only one local gun store that is decent and the rest are unfortunately staffed by angry old men, punk kids and generally rude staff that would rather look at a newspaper than ask if you need any help.
Sorry....there's only one local store that gets my business and they don't get it all.
I enjoy going to shows in Kansas (and of course the big show in Tulsa, OK). I went to the Abilene show last weekend and bought Lake City .223 for 20 cents per round. Entry to the show was $3. I have found deals at just about every show. Keep an eye on the walkins and be patient. I agree that prices on firearms tend to be ridiculous but a deal will show up every once in a while.
sherman123
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I agree with the general consensus here. I went to a gun show yesterday and the deals were awful. I could've saved money by just buying bulk ammo online.
Our local gun shows have been not too bad, but the great deals of decades past just aren't happening.
Having said that, there was a small show this last weekend and the prices were AWFUL. I mean, really bad.
As an example, a guy was selling a used 6-round speedloader for 38 special. He was asking $20 for it. In town, they were selling new for $12 and used for $6.
Many new rifles were advertised for more than the local gun stores were selling them for. Quite a bit more.
I guess that the sellers think gun buyers are pretty stupid... The whole time I was at the show, I didn't see any gun sales at all.
Having said that, there was a small show this last weekend and the prices were AWFUL. I mean, really bad.
As an example, a guy was selling a used 6-round speedloader for 38 special. He was asking $20 for it. In town, they were selling new for $12 and used for $6.
Many new rifles were advertised for more than the local gun stores were selling them for. Quite a bit more.
I guess that the sellers think gun buyers are pretty stupid... The whole time I was at the show, I didn't see any gun sales at all.
mortablunt
Member
I'll go to a gun show this weekend. I'll have an answer for you then. Consider this a placeholder.
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