Shootcraps
Member
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- Jan 18, 2004
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- 1,007
That's why I'm gonna hit the Georgia Arms table FIRST and get all the 10MM and 45ACP ammo I need. Last time they were sold out by the time I got there.
Anyone end up Not buying a gun at a gunshow?
- Thread starter Slimjim
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some people ahve posted that oyu cannot find good deals if you only go to 1-2 shows a year, implying that if you go to a lot of shows you can get good deals.
Wait a minute. Gas is expensive right now. Rarely are gun shows free. Food inside them is expensive. Hell, sometimes parking is 3$.
if you spend $15 (and that is pretty easy if you have to travel 30 miles and pay to get in, not counting parking or food both of which can be skipped with a little creativity)
So, in visiting 10 gun shows to find a good deal, this good deal would have to be $150 less than at the local gun shop just to break even on gun show expenses.
Personally, i am willing to plop down $15 once per year just to go look around, but the idea of attending many gun shows to get great deals to me sounds somewhat counterproductive.
Regarding 'work a both for 2-3 hours to get in free!' my time is not free. I might as well put in a single hour of overtime to get the $15 plus pretzle money.
Wait a minute. Gas is expensive right now. Rarely are gun shows free. Food inside them is expensive. Hell, sometimes parking is 3$.
if you spend $15 (and that is pretty easy if you have to travel 30 miles and pay to get in, not counting parking or food both of which can be skipped with a little creativity)
So, in visiting 10 gun shows to find a good deal, this good deal would have to be $150 less than at the local gun shop just to break even on gun show expenses.
Personally, i am willing to plop down $15 once per year just to go look around, but the idea of attending many gun shows to get great deals to me sounds somewhat counterproductive.
Regarding 'work a both for 2-3 hours to get in free!' my time is not free. I might as well put in a single hour of overtime to get the $15 plus pretzle money.
skynyrd1911
Member
NOT buy a gun at a gunshow
Do it all the time................
Do it all the time................
Working at the gunshow (just got home from the SLC show) yes. Many many many many many people do not buy guns at the gunshow. 
Yes, there are many dealers who feel the need to get full retail + 20%. Personally I love those guys, because they help me sell more guns.
And guys, from the dealers perspective, many of those overpriced guns are that way because they are on consignment. I admit to having some overpriced guns, but they are not my inventory guns, they are consignment from customers who really honestly think that they can get that much for the gun. People give us their guns to sell, usually for a fee or a %, and we can't really go below what they set. But dealers don't usually turn away consignment, even if it is priced too high, because it is like free inventory!
Yes, there are many dealers who feel the need to get full retail + 20%. Personally I love those guys, because they help me sell more guns.
And guys, from the dealers perspective, many of those overpriced guns are that way because they are on consignment. I admit to having some overpriced guns, but they are not my inventory guns, they are consignment from customers who really honestly think that they can get that much for the gun. People give us their guns to sell, usually for a fee or a %, and we can't really go below what they set. But dealers don't usually turn away consignment, even if it is priced too high, because it is like free inventory!
1911 guy
Member
All the time!
I tend to go to shows more now for accesories and such now. Unless I have a specific firearm I'm looking for, then it is a bonus if I can combine shopping trips.
I tend to go to shows more now for accesories and such now. Unless I have a specific firearm I'm looking for, then it is a bonus if I can combine shopping trips.
Went twice this weekend to KOP, didn't buy
I hit the King of Prussia show this weekend. On Saturday, there were 2 guns I was interested in, but both were priced out of sight. I came back on Saturday, and the inventory didn't appear to have changed at either table, but they still wouldn't come down from the insane asking prices.
Mind you, these weren't new guns, or low-profit volume sale pieces, they were used guns no longer in production, but still priced 30% above book. I understand that dealers are there to make a profit, but give me a break.
I walked away from both. I did pick up a couple of books, though, so it wasn't a total waste of time or money.
I hit the King of Prussia show this weekend. On Saturday, there were 2 guns I was interested in, but both were priced out of sight. I came back on Saturday, and the inventory didn't appear to have changed at either table, but they still wouldn't come down from the insane asking prices.
Mind you, these weren't new guns, or low-profit volume sale pieces, they were used guns no longer in production, but still priced 30% above book. I understand that dealers are there to make a profit, but give me a break.
I walked away from both. I did pick up a couple of books, though, so it wasn't a total waste of time or money.
Gun shows,,,
Pay the six bucks and not buy anything? Those of us sharks,,er..traders, and you know who you are, feel it's our duty to provide liquidity for those who wish to sell their goods. More often than not we end up buying a few, selling a few and increase our collections at little cost. We keep what we like, get rid of the rest, and our eyes always watch for something new.
I am fairly new to the game, only three years, but in that time I have accumulated a nice little collection, names like remington, S&W, marlin, winchester, weatherby, glock, kimber, ruger, colt, they all have a place in my little safe, and I have NEVER bought anything but ammo from a dealer.
I am fortunate to live in a state where it is possible to trade privately, I urge you to do the same if it is possible where you live, it's your right, exercise it.
Gun shows are a marketplace and social event, enjoy them!!
Pay the six bucks and not buy anything? Those of us sharks,,er..traders, and you know who you are, feel it's our duty to provide liquidity for those who wish to sell their goods. More often than not we end up buying a few, selling a few and increase our collections at little cost. We keep what we like, get rid of the rest, and our eyes always watch for something new.
I am fairly new to the game, only three years, but in that time I have accumulated a nice little collection, names like remington, S&W, marlin, winchester, weatherby, glock, kimber, ruger, colt, they all have a place in my little safe, and I have NEVER bought anything but ammo from a dealer.
I am fortunate to live in a state where it is possible to trade privately, I urge you to do the same if it is possible where you live, it's your right, exercise it.
Gun shows are a marketplace and social event, enjoy them!!
Smurfslayer
Member
burned out on shows
Honestly, I haven't seen many good buys at the Virginia shows. 2 or 3 in the last 2 years, but that's about it. Truth be told, most of the guns there are way overpriced. Ditto ammunition. Ditto reloading components.
I've found some reloading stuff fairly inexpensive, but not enough to justify routine trips. Last weekend probably did it for me for a while. I contacted a reloading vendor scheduled to be at the dale city show. I got there and he didn't have any of my components. No reply to my mail, nothing. So, the whole reason I came to the show flushed right down the toilet.
Today, I made several online orders for what I was looking for, saved money doing it, and, as an added bonus, I didn't have to unload and zip tie my gun When I get the stuff I ordered, I'm going to head to my preferred FFL - again where I don't have to bother with those stupid zip ties - and spend some money there, where I know it will go to a good cause.
Honestly, I haven't seen many good buys at the Virginia shows. 2 or 3 in the last 2 years, but that's about it. Truth be told, most of the guns there are way overpriced. Ditto ammunition. Ditto reloading components.
I've found some reloading stuff fairly inexpensive, but not enough to justify routine trips. Last weekend probably did it for me for a while. I contacted a reloading vendor scheduled to be at the dale city show. I got there and he didn't have any of my components. No reply to my mail, nothing. So, the whole reason I came to the show flushed right down the toilet.
Today, I made several online orders for what I was looking for, saved money doing it, and, as an added bonus, I didn't have to unload and zip tie my gun
When I get the stuff I ordered, I'm going to head to my preferred FFL - again where I don't have to bother with those stupid zip ties - and spend some money there, where I know it will go to a good cause.GlenJ
Member
I've been to a couple shows where I didn't buy any guns due to the prices. Last show I went to had Rossis for over $300. There's one here this weekend and I'm going just to get some ammo from Georgia Arms they always have low priced ammo.
News Shooter
Member
It's the entertainment value for me
I don't mind spending $20 on admission and parking to spend a couple of enjoyable hours looking around. I don't go expecting to find any bargains, but if I do I'm a happy camper
I don't mind spending $20 on admission and parking to spend a couple of enjoyable hours looking around. I don't go expecting to find any bargains, but if I do I'm a happy camper
AirForceShooter
Member
pay for parking?? I'll stay home.
Admission ?? maybe.
Never buy anything ?? Lot's of times.
My best deals usually come in the parking lot.
I'm going on 60. I cannot believe what guns go for. But if you wait the deals will come.
AFS
Admission ?? maybe.
Never buy anything ?? Lot's of times.
My best deals usually come in the parking lot.
I'm going on 60. I cannot believe what guns go for. But if you wait the deals will come.
AFS
eclipse1
Member
i dont.
i just look for some accesories and what nots..
maybe i should stop going
i just look for some accesories and what nots..
maybe i should stop going
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