Problems With Gun Shows and Buying Guns?
I was just reading another post where a fellow had a hard time buying a gun at a gun show. I've noticed the same thing over the past couple of years and just chalked it up to a variety of things, but now I'm not to sure. For example, there was an article in the local newspaper today about a gunshow promoter who is charging auction houses higher rent for tables, because he believes they are taking sales away from his gun show. Now, I've been to his shows and while auctions may be a problem, that doesn't explain everything. Yes, his price for admission and parking have gone up too, but even with that thrown into the mix, there's still something else. I thought for a while it was 9/11, but even the stock market has recovered from that. What's the problem? Have other folks noticed changes at their local shows? Fewer and fewer dealers? Less and less to look at? The same stuff at this show you saw at the last show two months ago, but now with a higher price tag even though it didn't sell at the lower price? Dealers sitting around complaining to one another about the fact that no one is buying anything and that they won't be back for the next show? I've even seen problems with my local shops. Stuff sits on the shelf for months and months, with the price tag even going up sometimes. Really would like your thoughts -- Steve
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Uncertainty about what's gonna happen next. People are in a flux right now because of it. With the invasion from the south, the war in the middle east, China poisoning us, gold over $600/TrOz, the coming election, obvious corruption in government, and last but not least, the fear of what Al Qeida will strike with a NBC weapon. 0 -
I find most of what you say to be true. The same dealers bringing the same guns each week and displaying a higher price. My personal feeling is that these are prices for the uninformed buyer. My last 3 gunshow purchases I spoke directly to the person in charge and negotiated a price. It actually works in my favore when a gun has sat for 3 weeks in a row and the price has gone up. I clearly tell him I've seen it on the table and no one is going for it. 0 -
Last time I was at a gunshow I saw a 45 lc falling block I liked went and looking it up on gunbroker or the blue book don't recal and he had it about 100 over market value, since I was working the show I walked over and offered him fair market value 100 under what he was asking "I really wanted this gun" and I really wanted a longun in 45 colt.
He refused my offer and when I was near his table later I overheard him hamming it up with another guy about my offer, so I found it very gratifying when he came up to me an hour before close the next day "last day of gunshow" and said he changed his mind and would take my offer.
Told him sorry but I already spent the money on a nice marlin lever action in 45 colt and even if I had the money I would rather burn it than give it to a jackass like him.
I find it really funny these guys who come in pay 100+ for a table then price there guns unreasonably then cry when they don't sell anything.
Btw I love the marlin glad he didn't take my offer.0 -
a selling proverb to remember, "a sale takes place when both sides believe they got the better deal."
whoever you bought the other gun from got you, you just didnt beleive it, and he made you think it was a good deal too.[;)]
think it out.0 -
Gun shows have gone to crap because they are a business nowadays. In the past shows were sponsored by local clubs. Now they are put on by "promoters". Vis a vie, slime attracts slime. 0 -
Gun shows days are some of the more hectic, busy days at the store. People come in all day long complaining about the show. 0 -
I quit going to gun shows. They either have high prices or junk.
JM0 -
I used to go to a lot of Gun Shows. They used to be a place you could get some good deals at, but lately the ones I have went to seem to have tables full of over priced items, and dealers who will not deal with you.[V]
Trinity +++0 -
Personally, I feel the entire industry is in a state of change. The war has got ammo prices steadily increasing, which has people visiting the range less. This in turn modifies the willingness to go out and buy guns, or at least larger calibers. I'm an instructor and I am seeing less regulars on the range, but new comers seem to be on the increase. As for gunshows, the last one I went to was pretty big, but like you say, any real deals were far and few between. What surprised me was the willingness of certain vendors to try and over-sell me on a gun knowing full well what I do for a living. There was a time that I could haggle my way into a pretty good deal, but the majority of the vendors these days aren't going to budge an inch on what they have.
Between trading and buying, I'd say I normally go through seven to nine guns in a year, sometimes more. This past year, I've only bought one, and the year is more than half way over.
Anyway, I look for the auctions to get bigger, sometimes the best place to look for a deal is amoung other people looking for deal. Gun shows are going to need to change the way they approach thier business, or educated gun people just won't mess with them anymore.0 -
All of the things listed above contribute to the rising costs of anything...If gasoline prices increase, haircut prices increase, hamburger prices increase, the price of clothes increase...And then there is Just plain GREED....[:(] 0 -
In my opinion a lot has to do with who is renting tables. In "the old days" individuals with private sales/collections were a lot more abundant at the shows. Now I think that people are a little skeptical about selling guns thinking that they will draw attention to themselves or break some "imaginary" law they have heard about in the media. Lots of people are selling their collections or "culls" through auction houses and actually doing quite well without the "dealers" at athe shows coming around BEFORE the doors open and trying to cherry pick their guns. So I think your obpservation is correct, all that are left are the dealers looking to buy cheap. I don't think many even intend on selling... just trying to see what is avaialable and how cheaply they can get it. JMHO ghs 0 -
People (dealers) who set up at the gun shows incur significant costs --- table rent, travel costs, hotels, meals, etc. If they cannot make some $$$$ for spending their weekend loading and unloading their wares, sitting, watching the crowd and talking to the attendees, then they have not only wasted their time but also spent their $$$. This past weekend I was set up at the show in Amarillo. Had both real guns & high-end airsofts. I lost $$$$ in addition to spending 2 1/2 days of my time and did not have hotel expenses. If most of the dealers were not retired folks who do not have to make a buck at it, there would be fewer dealers at the shows.
Everyone is looking for a bargain. You will find few of them on the tables. Everyone there knows the going prices of most of the guns. If a bargain is to be found, it is generally someone who walks in carrying an item to sell. They may not be as knowledgeable as most of the dealers. Dealers must "buy" below the "retail" price if they are to resell it & make a profit. It is difficult for an attendee to carry a gun into the show and sell it to a dealer at "retail." Many persons do not seem to realize that the dealers are conducting a business.0 -
Gun shows are a great place to go and dump a broken gun. You have a gun that has an internal problem, not apparent unless you can actually shoot it, or at least cycle rounds through the action, which you can't do at a gun show, so you take it to a show and sell it to the some sucker. Whether that sucker is behind or in front of the table, no matter.
Gun shows are also a great place to go and dump a stolen gun. It is common knowledge that most gun owners don't record their serial numbers, so even if the gun is run through NCIC, it won't show up as hot. Even so, with a stolen gun, it is probably better to sell it to someone on the attendee side of the table, or if to a "dealer," only an unlicensed "dealer" who won't bother to ask to see your ID, or keep a record of his purchase.
Yes, I have bought the broken crap some of our brethren have brought in, though I wouldn't sell it that way, once I was aware of a problem.
And, I have seen the hooks come in and sell their stolen guns. How do I know? They tried to sell them to me, I asked for ID, and they just smiled and moved on until they found someone who would deal anonymously.
The jerk selling a broken gun with an undisclosed problem is just as big a crook as the one selling a gun he just stole, IMNSHO.0 -
The only problem I've ever had at a gunshow is getting the bozo down to my price.... Ohio Gunshows Rock!!!!I find a deal at 90% of them!!!!!! 0 -
Its been 13+ years since I've been to a show, went to one a month ago and it seemed like it was a "pay to get into the largest possible shop in the area wiht the highest prices". About the only deal left is ammo, and mostly from reloaders/remanufacturers. I don't mind $10 in gas, $5 to get in, and end up buying lots of 45 ball at $20/100. If I get more than 300 rounds at that price, it is cheaper than walmart and my $$ goes to a local american. 0 -
This site right here gunbroker, along with a couple of others is one of the reasons that a lot of dealers will no longer dicker on the asking price of a gun. And by saying that I am not bashing gunbroker just stating a fact. I sell on gunbroker. If a dealer has a gun that he is reasonably sure will bring a price on one of the auction sites he is not going to sell at a show for a price lower than that particular make and model in that condition has been selling for on the auction sites.m I like gunshows and sell a lot of guns at the shows, but my prices are not jacked up for the show (a lot of dealers will jack up the price just for a gun show) and in most cases I am able and willing to negogate an agreeable price with a buyer. [}:)] 0 -
I don't have any problem buying at a show. Just picked up a decent A-bolt on Friday night at a local show. I will say that I see more interesting stuff at the suburban shows than I do at the larger ones in the city. For some reason, people don't drag out their older/more rare/more valuable stuff to show the gangbangers, but they pull out everything they've got to show the old men at the local Elks lodge. Fine by me! [:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by iwannausername
Its been 13+ years since I've been to a show, went to one a month ago and it seemed like it was a "pay to get into the largest possible shop in the area wiht the highest prices". About the only deal left is ammo, and mostly from reloaders/remanufacturers. I don't mind $10 in gas, $5 to get in, and end up buying lots of 45 ball at $20/100. If I get more than 300 rounds at that price, it is cheaper than walmart and my $$ goes to a local american.
If only they were $5 to get into. Around here they are twice that even with the "old geezer" discount. On top of that most of them charge for parking. In San Diego they even charge full price to park a motorcycle & it's a long walk from a place where you can park for free. I pretty much limit myself to the show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Cosa Mesa.0 -
Seriousy... I astend shows in Lima Ohio ($3) and Dayton Ohio ($7) on a regualr basis. and I attend shows at least once a year in four other Ohio cities.... I don't see any of the problems you folks are ranting about. Fact is most firearms are $50-$100 cheaper that any shop around and if you buy a carry in with a little bargaining you can save quite a lot!!! In fact I only know of one shop that will even try to compete with show prices!!! 0 -
Supply and Demand.
These guys aren't staying in business unless someone is buying.0
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