Buying at a gun show

[Spyvie]

The Tanner gun show is this weekend in Denver. I'm looking for a specific handgun (CZ75BD) and am hoping I can find one at a good price at this show. But I'm wondering, do the vendors at these shows take plastic? Or will I need to bring cash?

I haven't bought a gun at a show in 15 years, and I didn't have any credit back then

Any other advice...

 

[SeanMTX]

Most places/people at the gun show will charge an extra 3-5% for plastic vs cash. That includes debit cards I believe.

 

[jon1996]

The ones I frequent take Credit cards, Most of the larger vendors there will take plastic, but if not usually thier os a ATM set up somewhere nearby,
Jon

 

[strat81]

If you can, bring cash. Cash is king. Plus you can use the line, "But I only have X dollars... can you work with me?"

That being said, some vendors do take plastic. I'd avoid using a credit card for a cash advance from an ATM since most are ~25% interest.

 

[Working Man]

I'd avoid using a credit card for a cash advance from an ATM since most are ~25% interest.

And is always the last dollar amount to be paid off on the card. Meaning, you will carry
that dollar amount you got the cash advance on with the 24.99 to 29.99 interest until the
entire balance of the card is paid off.

 

[mp510]

Bring cash. Smaller dealers and private sellers only accept that, and many of the larger guys will give better deals/ be more apt to deal for cash.

 

[kingpin008]

Like Strat81 said - Cash is King. At a show, most vendors are looking to unload extra stock, or just get things sold, and won't always want to mess around running cards. It's much more likely to get you noticed if you have cash in hand ready to go.

Also, if there's something that you really like at the front of the show, you can often put down a "down payment" on it, so nobody comes along with cash and snatches it while you have a look around the rest of the show. Keeps your once-in-a-lifetime find from being snatched out from underneath you while you browse for the next deal.

 

[sammoh]

Cash is the way to go with gun shows. If you're at a gun show, bring cash. Many vendors will accept plastic but there may be a surcharge. Besides, I like the idea of "I've only got _____ on me..." Of course, if you do find a private seller who has what you want, its not likely they're going to be able to take plastic as a form of payment. Me, I'd rather work with private sellers anyway before giving my money to dealers. The only dealers I'll work with at a gun show is a dealer I've done business with outside of the show on a regular basis... at least when it comes to entire guns or frames anyway. If I'm buying parts at a gun show, it comes down to whoever has what I'm looking for and who's got it for cheapest.

Sam

 

[AirplaneDoc]

At least around here, It's been a long time since I saw what I considered a "good deal" at a gunshow.

Cash is always king

best of luck

 

[davera]

As other say, cash is king at the gun show. I have found good deals where opportunity met cash availability with private sellers.

 

[Kman]

Yep, cash works best, BTW, I just sold a used cz75B handgun the other day for $300 with 1 mag. no box.

 

[22-rimfire]

Cash always works best. I guess in Denver, you don't have to worry about buying a walk-in gun, but if that is allowed, nothing works like cash. Take 20 dollar bills. Sometimes 50's and 100's bother dealers due to potential counterfitting concerns.

 

[novaDAK]

I always bring cash, at least enough to cover ONE gun purchase, sometimes more. Almost always in 20's. But one time I had only a few 100 and 50 bills which the guy looked at closely, then accepted

 

[wheelgunfan]

FL. Gun Show took a check from me