do gun shows take credit cards?

[greyling22]

I'm going to a gun show tomorrow and need to know if I need to hit up and atm before I go or if I can pay by credit card. I'm out of checks.

 

[havanatrader]

Depends on the vendor. Most of the regular dealers do. Some don't. You'll need enough cash to pay the cover charge though.

 

[foghornl]

Depends on the vendor/show. Some shows are located where the credit card machines don't have a phone/internet line....Although I have seen some vendors that have a cel-phone thingy connected to the cc machine.

Better though, is ca$h. Ca$h will frequently get you better deals than cc due to cc company 'processing fees' they charge retailers.

 

[Red Dragon]

It really depends on the seller. Some have a Point of Sales system (computer based or the old style carbon copier types to process credit cards) set up at the show and some don't. I would recommend hitting the ATM just to be safe or some banks can issue temporary checks to hold you over between checkbook orders. Hope this helps.

Red Dragon

 

[atblis]

Cash

Take cash. As mentioned, the smoking deals usually require cash.

Also, often vendors/dealers will round down to make even amounts if you're buying with cash.

 

[2RCO]

Cash

I have also been able to use checks quite a few times at shows. Many dealers that don't take credit cards will take checks they figure they have seen your ID and all the info on the forms so they can track you down. I also worked in banking and could show them my business card with my nifty title for extra credibility.

 

[Chipperman]

Cash is King, but most vendors would rather take a credit card than a check.

 

[f4t9r]

A few years back you had to cash. Now more shows take them because thats how most do buisness.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Around here, the big dealers take credit cards at shows, but they all require that you pay a 3-5% additional fee if you want to pay with a card. In my experience, they won't cut the price for cash, but they will absolutely charge you more for CC.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Don't forget that many small dealers have pretty bad terms in their merchant agreements and can pay up to 6% to the credit card company. For them taking $675 cash is a better deal than taking $700 on a card.

 

[Obiwan]

Smoking deals???

Not around here

Not any more

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Cash is good. I usually buy several small items that cost under 5 dollars and it would be a pain to run a card that many times even if they all took them.

 

[tuckerdog1]

Cash is good, because if it's a private seller, not a dealer, no record of the sale. They get the dough, you get the gun, and you go your separate ways. I like it like that

Tuckerdog1

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Last time I went to the show I bought two guns on my card. Only a few guys were cash only...

 

[springmom]

My last purchase at the local gun show was with a check, but only because the guy looked at me and said "You look ok". He was expecting cash (FTF deal, private sale).

Myself, I've only once gotten a good deal from a dealer that prompted me to buy at a gun show....it's those private deals that require cash that are worth the ticket in.

Springmom

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Credit card companies are pretty competitive any more. Most won't take more than 1.75%, except American Express.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

depends on the dealer I think. The guys I bought from did. But at the same time, cash is not to be underestimated. Saw a guy go up to a table with a $700 Garand, he held out $600 in cash and his C&R saying I'll take it right here and now"

Dealer barely hesitated. But I doubt that is the major norm at a gunshow

 

[davinci]

using cash gives you a lot more leeway when negotiating, also it doesn't hurt anything.

in my opinion, ONE gun is a necessity and it shouldn't be expensive...and that should be the only one you buy if you don't have enough saved up. If you're just using a credit card for convenience then you really ought to take the 10 minutes right now and go to the bank and gather a wad of cash. Worst thing you'll have to do if you don't spend it all at the gun show is spend it on groceries and gas over the next few months.

 

[eliphalet]

....it's those private deals that require cash that are worth the ticket in.

Yep, I agree, take hundreds and fifty's too, a $100 bill will sometimes buy more than five twenty's, there's that or a good trade which is harder to do. Buying from a dealer I like to use the debit or a check. Cash person to person is the only way I will sell, if your check is good walk over to the ATM and get me some cash.

Dealer barely hesitated. But I doubt that is the major norm at a gunshow

Never hurts to ask either. Was carrying a SKS trying to sell it and saw a Marlin 39 I wanted but wasn't going to spend the money at that time. I started to walk away but thought " never hurts to ask huh?" I held the SKS out to the guy and said " I'll trade ya this SKS for that 39". To my surprise he took the SKS and after about 30 seconds said " I can do that". We made a even swap, I was a happy camper to say the least.
If a guy has a price of $600 on a gun and you'd give him $450 ask him, worst he can say is no. Some can act a bit insulted but " oh well" they will get over it, and once in a while they will say OK.

 

[lionking]

there have been a few though I snagged with a card when I didn't have cash.

 

[Average Joe]

I live in Eastern Pennsylvania, most of the vendors at our shows are gun shop owners, or in the business. They all take credit cards, but cash is still good for the small tables, where most are private owners.