Why people should stop whining about high show prices ...

[TexAg]

Here in Texas I've had great luck with gun shows and find them to usually be the best place to buy. I can frequently find prices as low on the net, but once shipping and FFL transfer fees are factored in they are as much or more than the gun show prices. Gun stores around here tend to be high, but if they sell at a gun show they lower their prices at the show.

A recent example: I went to a gun show about 3 weeks ago here in Ft. Worth and found a SA 1911 GI Stainless for $439 and asked if that was his lowest cash price, he said yes and said with tax it would be $475. I didn't have that cash on me so I walked. (I bought a S&W 637 two years ago from the same dealer two years ago, sometimes he is the lowest becasue he deals in volume) I went to a gun show a week ago and found the same guy selling the same gun at the same price, but this time I found another dealer (he seemed new) selling the same gun for $435. $4 cheaper, same gun, so I ask the cheaper dealer if that is his lowest cash price and he looks at it and says, I can do $430 out the door, cash. Hmmm, $430 or $475? This guy was nice, no problems, I went with the cheaper guy.

 

[JohnKSa]

The trick is to go to the shows with low expectations

You're probably right. Unfortunately, if my expectations were low, I'd never drive 20 miles to the show, walk a half mile in from the parking lot, pay to get in, and submit to being searched at the door.

 

[albanian]

I complain but I will still go to them as often as I can because I love guns. The only one I will probably not bother with is the Ft. Wayne show. It really is a waste of time unless you happen to see someone walking around with a gun that you want. I did buy a gun from one of those shows a few months back, I got a great deal from a private seller and that is the only thing that keeps the fire buring in me for the Ft. Wayne show. I think because the dealers are so bad, the private seller may be more likely to give a good price. Of course most of the private sellers want top dollar for their S&W Sigmas or Mossberg 500s. You just have to weed through the trash to find the deals but it is getting to where it is almost not worth the effort anymore since the deals are few and far between.

 

[Seven High]

The only decent gunshow in Indiana anymore is the Indy 1500. Its about a 2 1/2 drive for me but it is worth it.

 

[poppy]

John wrote:

Quote:
The trick is to go to the shows with low expectations

You're probably right. Unfortunately, if my expectations were low, I'd never drive 20 miles to the show, walk a half mile in from the parking lot, pay to get in, and submit to being searched at the door.

I thought this was a gun forum. I regularly drive 45 miles to go to one particular show, walk the distance from the parking lot, pay my $6.00 (they don't search in Ohio), go in with low expectations, and have a great time, each and every time. Finding that good deal is icing on the cake.

I agree with the premise at the start of this thread. Quit whining about high show prices. Don't like the dealers, don't like the prices, don't like the drive, then don't go.

I'm just grateful that I can still go to a show, enjoy myself, and sometimes come home with a new toy. It's better than going to a movie for 3 hours. poppy

 

[SwampWolf]

I can go to Gander Mountain and do that. And they let me in free.

 

[Ascot500]

I like this quote: "Gun dealers have a bad rep because a lot of them are jerks"

Guess what. A lot of gun buyers are whiney, cheapskate, surly, ignorant monkeys.
And I am NOT a gun dealer.

With all the jerks that I see and hear at these shows, it's a wonder there is a gun business left in these United States.

 

[JohnKSa]

I thought this was a gun forum.

The point is, I can stop by one of six gun shops more or less on the way home from work, park at the front door, get in for free, NOT be searched as a prerequisite to entry, not have to deal with crowds, and still get good deals and have a good time.

What I can't get at the stores, they will order, and what they can't order, I can find online or in SGN.

In short, the ONLY reason I can see to put up with the extra hassle of going to a show (compared to a local shop) would be if my expectations were high.

 

[poppy]

John wrote:

The point is, I can stop by one of six gun shops more or less on the way home from work, park at the front door, get in for free, NOT be searched as a prerequisite to entry, not have to deal with crowds, and still get good deals and have a good time.

What I can't get at the stores, they will order, and what they can't order, I can find online or in SGN.

In short, the ONLY reason I can see to put up with the extra hassle of going to a show (compared to a local shop) would be if my expectations were high.

I'm with you now, John. If I had 6 gun stores that were as you described, then I might have a different attitude about the shows; but I don't, so we are both right in our own experience. There are just some things that are not universal. poppy

 

[JohnKSa]

I try to get to a gun show now and again, but I've always had a strong distaste for crowds. Seems that it's growing as I get older... Maybe it will eventually get to be a full blown phobia and I'll have a real live legitimate excuse for staying home more!

 

[albanian]

"I try to get to a gun show now and again, but I've always had a strong distaste for crowds."

I know what you mean. I don't like crowds either. I have no fun at large concerts or sporting events because of the huge crowds. Gunshow are a little different. Most of the crowd can be avoided or waited out. If there is a large crowd around a certain area, I will just wait or look where it is less crowded.

You don't have to worry about large crowds at some gunshows anymore because nobody is comming! I would stil rather go to a gunshow than spend the same amount of time and money at a movie. I am a movie buff but I am also a gun NUT so one trumps the other. I will still go to the bad shows because it is a gunshow. I will go to the big ones, small ones, good ones and bad ones. I will also complain about them as well. That is part of the fun.

I wasn't going to go to the next Fort Wayne show because they are so bad lately but my friend suggested we go with no high hopes and have fun making fun of all the bad prices. I actually enjoy hating things I guess. Hater in the house!

 

[AirForceShooter]

for some reason I get better prices and better service in the parking lot at a gun show. I just don't understand it.
As for whining and complaining and generally being an awful customer we who have the money to spend, have a right to be total (insert your description here) and abuse the hell out of sellers. Is it right to do, no it's not. But as long as we got the bucks and you're a seller, deal with it. It's part of the business you chose.
Every seller on the planet takes abuse from their customers at one time or another. And if you're getting more abuse than the guy/gal next to you, take a moment to ask yourself why.

just my .02

AFS