First time at a gun show (MN)

[phridum]

I read in the paper that there is a gun show coming up in Hinckley, MN this weekend and my father and I are going to attend opening day the first few hours. This is our first show and I'm assuming it's going to be fairly small scale based on the advertising and venue but I'm still a little worried about ettiquette and what not. I just finished a four year enlistment as a STA bubba so I know what I'm look at and for, but not neccessarily how much they are worth. I also feel somewhat self-conscious as a young man that looks 17, first impressions are I am just some kid looking at Rambo's props.

I imagine the vendors are wanting to sell their stuff at high prices assuming we are unwary public and we are assuming they are looking to ditch their overstock at prices well below value. What are the proper procedures or even sage advice for wheeling and dealing? I also have quite a few high dollar surplus gear items (does being combat proven provide collectors incentive?) and some firearms that I'm looking to trade and or sell. I plan just just have a list and leave these items in the vehicle for sake of ease. Any tips?

 

[Starter52]

Welcome to the world of gun shows.

You seem to have a handle on how to act. A list is a good idea since you won't find many surplus dealers at a good gun show. Guns, mostly.

If you do bring a longgun into a show, I've found the best thing to do is to make a CLEAR, READABLE sign from a 3x5 card, attach it to a dowel, and insert in the barrel. List the kind of gun and the price. A sling is a real help in carrying the gun.

If the price is right you'll likely sell to an individual walking around. Some guys go to gun shows just to "work the crowd" and never buy from dealers.

Gun shows are a cash business. Bring cash if you plan to buy. Wheeling and dealing? Know the value before going in.

Good luck.

 

[P0832177]

If you are wanting to sell you are better to not sell to a dealer as their price is not going to make you happy.
The best show in MN is coming up at the Fairgrounds at the Hippodrome March 24-25 in Roseville.
8-5 on Saturday and 9-3 Sunday.

The above poster has gave you a good idea about dowel rod in the gun bbl with a card... Then for smaller stuff on paper tacked to your knapsack.

 

[Cliff47]

A few basic rules for attendees at gun shows:

1) It never hurts to ask if you could take a closer look at something on the table. It's common courtesy, and just may drop a feew $ off the price the seller is asking. A simple "May I?", and point to the item on display, is all it takes.

2) If you are having a conversation in front of a table, move it (the conversation) off to the side so that others can look at the display. Don't know how many items I have passed up due to a "gawker-block".

3) Take some kind of field bag with you to stash your small purchases. The plastic bags start cutting into fingers after about 15 to 20 minutes of lugging around ammunition.

4) Make a preliminary pass through the entire show before looking with any detail at a specific table. This has saved me from spending $450 on something that would have no relevance in my collection, and if your karma is on target, you may stumble on a genuine bargain (in my case a JPSauer & Sohn SAA in .357 Mag with just some holster wear for $250, about seven kinds of stout and a sweet trigger).

5) If you are going to a "closed" show, you may not be allowed to purchase firearms. For a while, there were both 'open' and 'closed' shows in my area, and the 'open' show, while in a nicer venue, is no more. The 'closed' show is going great guns (pardon the pun, couldn't help myself), and is active in the legislative watch at our state capitol.

6) Be sure to take a notepad (at first) for taking notes for comparison purposes. You might also want to jot down the location. Don't know how many times I saw something on the first pass, and then could not get back to where I saw it later.

7) Get a feel for what you might like to invest in, what the going rate is, and who has it for sale. Compare prices on AuctionArms.com, Gunbroker.com, and GunsAmerica.com. Check out the local gun shops.

8) Have fun. Gun shows are my entertainment. Can't think of a better way to spend a rainy Saturday morning. Go early for the selection, go late for the bargains.

 

[Snagglepuss]

Just for fun you could hit two in one day. There is a gun show in Stillwater this weekend also. Do a google search for Minnesota Gun Shows and there are many sites that list them all.

 

[F4GIB]

Do walk around before purchasing. Often the same gun will be $100 less two rows over (sometimes even two tables over).

 

[phridum]

Thanks for the input.

Turns out, plans fell through for me so I won't be making it. I'm a little wary shipping and trading over the internet, but it would seem to be my best option. Again, thanks for taking the time to help me out. I'm sure it will come in handy for the future.

 

[Red Label]

Its too bad you didn't make it. Gun shows are a good time. I don't usually go to a gun show to buy. Just drool and add to my wish list. I know I'm probably the one in front of the table yacking and in your way but hey, I just enjoy looking and talking to others with the same interest. I just don't have a lot of expendable cash very often:banghead:

 

[Srigs]

Myself and my father-in-law went to the Stillwater gun show. Very small one but we both came out with what we wanted.

 

[Notch]

Most important, like Cliff said, is ask BEFORE you touch! Even if you look awful young this will put you far ahead of most of the heavy breathers in the eyes of the merchants!... Beware of waiting too long to swing back around to get that firearm you have your eye on... More good firearms have escaped the hands that way than "the big fish that got away"...

Have fun with your Pop!

 

[gezzer]

Never, ever eat the hotdogs at the concession stand. Trust me you do not need that experience.

 

[koja48]

Know what you are looking for. know what's a fair price, bring a bore light.

 

[adaman04]

Alright. Now you know where to get poor deals on beef jerky, wizard figurines, native american t-shirts, swords with lightning shaped blades, and corroded partial boxes of ammo for twice the price of a new box of ammo!

You never know, you may find some deals.

 

[halvey]

Now you know where to get poor deals on beef jerky, wizard figurines, native american t-shirts, swords with lightning shaped blades

I wish some of the MN shows would have such nice stuff. They seem to be getting really heavy into knives

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Best Advice was from Cliff 47...

4) Make a preliminary pass through the entire show before looking with any detail at a specific table.

YES---this is the best method. Gain an overview. Hope you go soon--they are great fun. I go mostly to look and buy odds and ends.


My advice (worth what it costs you) dress comfy and leave the heavy coat in the car. Be prepared for the smell of unwashed men (bathing before a gun show is optional). Bring small bills so you can haggle better.

 

[sierrabravo45]

One, thing that I have found that works is this.

Say you find the gun you want, and its marked $650. After I examine it I keep walking and I arrange my money so that I have $550 ready to toss out. (Maybe less if I am in the bargaining mood!) I will go back up pull the cash and tell them I will give them 100 less or maybe 150 less. But will help them out by removing it from the table for them, or some other line. If the dealer says it has to be $575 I will normally get them down to $560 but take my time searching for the other $10 even though I know its in my front pocket or shoe or wherever it is. That will give the dealer time to think is it really worth having this guy haggle with me at the front of my table for $10. This works about 50/50 for getting me a better deal. But I did get a NIB Kimber Custom II for $500, a LNIB Smith 686 .357 for $300 and a Browning A-bolt Hunter with Leupold Mounts with a Leupold Vari-III 3.5x10x50 mounted on it for $350 I kinda felt bad about that one for about 3 minutes.

I always lowball on prices. Sometimes it gets me a deal sometimes it gets me a PO'd dealer. But Paying Top dollar doesn't work for me.