Will you buy from dealers at shows?

Will you buy from dealers at shows?

  • Yes

    Votes: 162 84.4%

  • No

    Votes: 30 15.6%
  • Total voters
    192
  • Poll closed .
Status
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J

JVaughn

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
491
Location
Northeast TN
Reading a recently active post made me want to throw this one out there for discussion.

I refuse to buy from dealers (that is, FFL's) at gun shows. I wondered if many of you share my opinions on that. Here's why I won't do it:

1. I'm at a show. I want used, discounted, no background checks, flea market action - not retail.

2. If I wanted to fill out paper, pay tax, and have my background ran so a dealer can make a profit, I'll do it at my LGS where they know me, my money stays local, and I support those who regularly provide me with access year round to supplies, guns, ammo, etc...

Agree? Disagree? What do you say?
 
Let's face it, guns are commodities. Buy wherever you get the best deal, tax, title, and license :uhoh: included.
 
Never been to a gun show. Never will either. Too dangerous, and prices are pathetically out of line, I hear. I prefer to look at hardware from the comfort of my home, and buy from LGSs to help support local economy. That's just me.
 
I find the local dealers in my area do not carry the things that I am looking for. Also, what little inventory they have, they are very proud of it. This is not only firearms but also components and accessories.

Gun shows give me more selection whether new or used, dealer or private individual.
 
I've bought MANY guns from dealers, as well as individuals, at gun shows.
Most every one was cheaper than the local gun stores.
 
It depends upon price and whether or not the dealer seems honest, or less than honest. I'm a pretty good judge of character, and only want to give good dealers business. Even then, I don't spend mega bucks for something that is overpriced or I don't badly need and/or want.
 
I d go to gunbroker for better deals and have it ship to my FFL dealer. No hassle .
 
Two things are important: 1) The gun, and 2) the price.

If it is the gun I want, at a price I like I will buy it. From a dealer, from an individual, from a gun shop, from a chain store, from the pizza delivery guy... from anyone, anywhere, anytime that I'm not overly concerned is somehow a shady situation.

Can't really picture the wisdom of saying, "I refuse to ..." pretty much anything. Won't know 'till I get there what I might do or not do.

Life's too short to compromise my principles by setting up a bunch of arbitrary rules and preconditions!
 
On the other hand I have bought several of my most favorite guns from sellers and dealers at gun shows with NO paperwork.
 
I have bought from private sellers and dealers alike at gun shows. In many cases there are dealers at the shows from outside my local area with more to offer than I would otherwise have access to. As long as the seller/dealer has the item(s) I am looking for at a price I consider reasonable, I have no problem buying from them.
 
Of course I buy from dealers, why the hell else would I go to a gun show?

I want to see what stores in my state have to offer. Many of the dealers there are over 5 hours from me, and otherwise inaccessible (practically speaking). Plus, they haggle.
 
Sam1911 said:
If it is the gun I want, at a price I like I will buy it. From a dealer, from an individual, from a gun shop, from a chain store, from the pizza delivery guy... from anyone, anywhere, anytime that I'm not overly concerned is somehow a shady situation.
Click to expand...
How you gonna come into this man's thread and start making sense, Sam? That's uncalled for.
 
I used to go to gun shows and yes I always went through paperwork because most vendors at gun shows actually are FFL dealers.

Now I won't buy from them because they prices are ridiculous. The gun shows now aren't even worth attending. Last time I found a good deal at a gun show was over four years ago.
 
I can't always find the selection of guns at my local gunshops. Since buying from a dealer at a show, and typically they're local too just not as close to home for me, is fine with me if the price is right.
 
I'm a collector. I've found that the best source for the things I'm looking for is, in fact, dealers at gun shows. The LGS around here suck when it comes to selection and price.

As for "no background checks," let's not be silly. I'm already well known to the authorities (NFA registry, former FFL, and all that).
 
Many years ago, there were a lot of individuals selling at gun shows. Now there are few. Some of the FFL's have decent prices and some don't. I don't buy from the ones who don't.
 
Yes I have.
Over the last several years I bought a number of long guns from a good FFL dealer at a show we attend regularly. He had a good selection and fair prices. They do the required NCIS check, and charge me tax. I have no issue with that.

Lately I've been giving more of my business to my LGS. Their selection isn't as good, nor are the prices. But they are a fair and honest dealer who treats customers well.
 
Nowadays it is hard to justify paying parking, waiting in line for sometimes hours, paying entry fee, and fighting the crowds looking for something that is either grossly overpriced or sold already, unless you want beef jerky or turquoise jewelry :).

Now it is the LGS or online.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Last edited:
When I go to a show I'm either shopping for a specific item whose price I've studied or just to carouse. Most of the time it's a little of both. I have bought firearms, reloading components, ammo, and accessories from individuals, local dealers, and not-so-local dealers at various gun shows.

Because I know what I want and what I'm willing to pay, there is no need to fret about gun show prices; the seller either makes my figure, and I buy, or he doesn't, and I don't.

The danger is in impulse buying some item whose going price one has not researched.
 
Its not worth it, travel 25 to 50 miles, wait in line and then pay a admission price and then pay retail? It would be less expensive to buy from the Local Gun Stores here.
 
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