Checks @ gun shows?

[Flynt]

I've been going to gun shows for about 10 yrs., and I've always tried to amass a wad of cash each time before I go. I noticed that most sellers have to charge 3% or so for for credit cards. I've also assumed that the saying, "Kash is King" is true -- I'm much more likely to get favorable terms if I wave some greenbacks under the seller's nose.

Do any of you guys pay by check? If so, what kinds of experiences have you had? Thanks.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I pay with cash but my friend pays by check.
All I've ever seen is the dealers accept checks like cash.

Many times I've seen the price drop when I say cash.

 

[kaferhaus]

I set up a gun shows periodically and have done so for 30yrs. The price is a cash price unless you use plastic then it's +3%.

I don't take checks unless I personally know you period.

I will usually dicker a bit depending on what it is and how long I've been trying to move it.

What I love is the guy that dickers for your best cash price... and then says how about my trade.... well the "best cash price" just went out the window... now you're no longer talking cash you want me to give you retail for your trade and wholesale for what ever it is you're wanting... I always laugh and explain to them that I have to make out on both sides of the deal.

You'd be surprised how many people can't understand that you're not doing this for fun...

 

[welldoya]

It's been my experience that when you pull out several Benjamins, sellers become a lot more friendly.

 

[JohnBT]

I have never had a problem using a personal check. But then again, most of the dealers have seen me walking around the shows for 30 years and even seen me buying something from time to time.

John

 

[wishin]

I've not had a problem using a check (with ID) at gun shows.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have used cash, credit cards, debit cards, credit card checks, and regular bank checks at gunshows. Most dealers I have found do not want to deal with checks. But if they know you and if they are having a slow sales day, they may well accept the check. I carry cash, but every now and then, I simply don't have enough with me to satisfy my cravings. It is a craving, not a need at this point for me.

 

[heeler]

Credit card when I walk in there not expecting to buy anything but come across something I can't live without.
So far I have never been hit with a surcharge on a purchase but I did notice this past Saturday that the dealer I bought my Kahr from was charging 4% for cards.
I carried cash though because I knew I was going to be buying.

 

[rellascout]

Cash and carry or CC... I personally do not buy from sellers who charge additional fees for CC.

 

[Cosmoline]

Up here checks are like foreign money. Almost nobody uses them in gun transactions except dealers who can verify funds. I've made buyers get cash when they tried to pay me with a check. Any other course is foolish, and means that you'll wait days for the banks to credit your account.

I could see an exception for something very, very expensive but in that case you'd want a written sales contract and a lot more formality than the usual table-top deal. And even then the gun wouldn't be delivered till the check clears.

 

[medalguy]

I sell at shows pretty regularly and I do take checks if the guy looks presentable and has ID, not that the ID is probably any good if the check isn't good.

I've never taken a bad check at a show, so far. I think I'm a pretty fair judge of people. I'd say it all depends on the buyer and how he looks and talks.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I quit carrying checks long ago, to Gun Shows I would not take one either when selling...

Plastic or cash, most want cash I have found...

I had better luck with a trade than checks

 

[rr2241tx]

Cash and a government ID to prove you are legal to sell to and you don't tell me you are ineligible to buy or possess a firearm, we're good. There's an ATM over there, use it if you need to. You and your bank can worry about whether you have any money or not, that is just not my issue.

 

[MMCSRET]

I've never tried to use a check at a gun show, why bother? Cash speaks loud and clear and I've never had to show an ID to get someone to take it. I always keep cash on me, I've made some very good deals just because I had the cash on hand, truck drivers, Home Depot clerks, pharmacist. Guns are for sale everywhere, but not everywhere can you use a check.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

I have always paid by check at Gunshows around here, no problems.

 

[MrOldLude]

Check? Who still uses checks? :lol:

 

[JohnBT]

Who still writes checks? Boy is that a silly question. Me, and lots of people, and you can write them anywhere, even if the power is out and the computers aren't working. I'll carry a grand or so cash for small purchases, but when it comes to buying a $2k or $3k and up gun I just write a check.


Heck, a year ago I bought a new $40k car with a personal check. They work good. I guess I could have used a debit card, but I like having access to the cancelled check if the need arises.

John

 

[rscalzo]

Most of the larger vendors have credit card readers running off of wireless connections.

 

[xfyrfiter]

Strictly cash here. If I can't pay cash,I probably don't really need"it" and really don't need any more debt on cc's that could be better used for emergencies.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I prefer cash as I know its good, second after that is a check and then credit card.

I prefer cash as it allows you to do things with. the others are fine but you always take the risk of the check not being good or getting a back charge with the card.

I do not really have much problems but the more you do the more things go south.
I will always try to my best to work with folks but if it becomes trouble collecting I just turn it over to a lawyer as they have to make their money also.

 

[OcelotZ3]

It's a felony to purchase a firearm & not have the funds to cover (bad check, canceled card purchase, etc.). So, a bad check could be pretty bad for the buyer.

 

[CajunBass]

It's a felony to write a check for anything and not have the funds to cover it as far as I know. It's called "Check fraud" or something like that.

Cash? I don't pay cash for a pack of gum anymore. If I run up on a toll road, I'm probably going to have to stop and dig under the seats.

 

[danprkr]

Cash and carry or CC... I personally do not buy from sellers who charge additional fees for CC.

What you miss there rellascout is that the CC company charges the vendor (of anything) a fee usually 3 - 4% to process EACH transaction and usually a monthly fee for the privilege of simply being able to accept the cards. If the seller has a price set at what he thinks of as rock bottom then he goes into losing money on the deal. It's actually the CC companies that do that to the public. You can either have a low price for cash and a + price for cards, or a + price for everybody. Otherwise you go out of business.

Sucks, and it's why I don't take cards for my appliance repair business, but there it is. If I could pay just the monthly fee I'd probably take them, but that ain't the way it works.

 

[x_wrench]

if i were selling firearms at a gunshow, the only way i would want to take a check is if i could verify there were funds in the bank. i have seen to many bad checks displayed all over the place to trust strangers on their word. anyone can write a bad check. sometimes, it is not even done intentionally. besides, you could always put a stop pay on a check. to much hassel. CASH, or c.c. period. the part i dont like, at least around here, is they want cash, but there is a big sign at the door saying NO CONCEALED WEAPONS , i guess they want the legal guys to just give up their hard earned cash to the illegal guys who ignore the sign in the first place. pretty much, i just dont go to them, for this simple fact.

 

[pecosriver]

checks?

I set up at a show last year in the southwest and sold an antique gun to another dealer from an eastern state and accepted a check. It bounced and it took quite a while to track him down (thru another dealer). He sent me a MO and an apology. He apparently knew the check was not good ,but he really wanted the gun. Cash only from now on!