gun show etiquette for selling non-firearms

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hokiemojo

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Hey everyone. I've never been to a gun show, and it sounds like they probably aren't the best place for me to find the items im interested in, at good prices, based on what I've read. That said, I do have some things I'd like to sell off. Is that allowable if I pay admission?

I'm trying to sell a case of softnose 308, a few lower end (but not junk) scopes, a pair of binos, and maybe a game cam. Oh, and some 12 GA birdshot. Is this reasonable to do, or is this not an appropriate approach? I just want to seek advice so I don't do anything that wouldn't be appropriate considering I am not going to rent a table for these few things. Thanks!
 
It all depends on the rules of each individual gunshow. Some shows anybody can rent a table and sell anything they wish. Others require that what is being offered is related to fireafrms , hunting etc. (i.e. no Beenie Babies). One of our local shows is a membership only if you want to buy or sell a firearm. (No bringing in a gun unless you are a member. I believe you also have to be a member to rent a table. No restriction on "walk-around" non-firearm stuff.
Check with the promoter of whatever show you want to attend and ask what their rules are.......
 
I'd go to the show at opening, find a vendor selling assorted stuff (there always seems to be a couple), and ask if they'd take your stuff on consignment.
 
The shows I go to allow you to walk around with a gun and try and sell it. Sounds like you've got enough stuff to opt for a table if the cost isn't too high. Maybe try and find a friend who also has some stuff to sell and split a table. Maybe take some friends items on consignment yourself.

All the stuff you've mentioned is appropriate at a gun show. You may get away with trying to sell one item at a time, not sure I'd want to lug around a case of ammo though. lol

Have you considered posting on Armslist? I recently sold a case of ammo there.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I really like the idea of not having to deal with shipping or scheduling a meet up to make the sale, then having no shows (which is surprisingly common). This helps a lot guys.
 
Experience from the People's Democratic Socialist Republic of California (yeah, they really have Gun Shows - so far), Oregon, Washington state, Nebraska, Arizona, Texas and Florida.

Most shows allow firearms, ammo - with some restrictions (usually cannot be 'loose'; they don't want people loading firearms in the show venue), most allow various food items (jerky is famous, but nuts and candy also). Jewelry, and often times generic 'stuff'. Everything listed by hokiemojo is allowed where I've been. So far, so good.

However. A table will cost around $35.00 (some more, some less) for the table or space to set up. You will set up your own 'display' (what you decide to sell off). Used scopes and binos are commonplace. (You might sell them, but probably not for much money.) Loaded ammunition can be tricky. As I mentioned, some places are very picky about how it's done, a few just will not allow it. FIND OUT before paying the money. Depending on what and how much you intend to sell (not how much gets sold), you may need a federal and or local license to sell ammunition. (Do NOT ask a local cop, even if he's your friend. They most likely will not know for sure.)

Depending on the state, you can sell a gun face to face, but it's good to have a good idea of who is buying it. (I flat don't know about Virginia, but you can probably find the laws on the internet.)

Should you decide to buy space (table) plan ahead. Shows often sell out all their tables prior to the show. Few have left over tables one can get on the day of the show.

If the show is out of town, have a place to spend the night arranged.

Selling at a show can be fun, if one has the right attitude (wants to meet people with similar interests and learn from whoever walks by) and is prepared. Good luck.
 
Check with the promoter of the next show in your area (google will get you a list).
Make sure you get the table rate, too, along with a permitted items list.
Here in Texas, tables are renting for about $45 per day for the big shows.
You will need a (big) blanket or something similar to cover the table (unless the promoter provides those--some do).
You will want a comfortable chair.
You want to have some water and snacks, so that you do not have to leave your table, and to keep you out of the food offered for sale at the venue.
It's a really good idea to have a helper, who can cover for you so you can make a pit stop or two. Also gives you someone to talk to if it's a slow show.
You will, particularly given what you are selling, want a good dolly or cart to get into the show.
For sure you want to set up as early as possible on Friday, as that is the best time to have dealers come and pick through your stuff for deals (you want to let them buy stuff, you really do).

Note, some shows just get snake bit. It's the finals for the local tot sports league. It's raining, or snowing, or there's a monster truck rally, or the 4H Rodeo is that weekend. Maybe you picked the same weekend as the Knob Creek show. It happens.

Number one thing, be nice to people. Even if you don't feel like it (like you ignored my advice and ate the $9.95 nachos and now you have squad-sized heartburn). You have to be open to questions. Even from idiots. See, the guy standing behind the idiot is waiting patiently for the zone of stupidity to move on, so he can make an offer or ask a sensible question. But, that person might skip on by if you are a jerk, a lout, a knave.
 
Around here, everything that you mentioned would be allowed at the show. You may have a problem carrying all of that ammo around. You might consider carrying one box around or even stop by any of the tables selling ammo and inquire about them buying.

A couple of years ago when I retired I cleaned out a closet, my gun room and my shop. Me and a couple of buddies did this and went together on a table at one of the local shows. I had knives, belt buckles, scopes, rings and bases, reloading stuff, brass, ect. I priced it to move and did sell most of it. All in all, it was a fun weekend. I moved out some stuff I no longer wanted and put some money in my pocket. Win/Win!
 
hokiemojo said:
Hey everyone. I've never been to a gun show, and it sounds like they probably aren't the best place for me to find the items im interested in, at good prices, based on what I've read.
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Shame on you!
You need to fix that hole in your life.;)


That said, I do have some things I'd like to sell off. Is that allowable if I pay admission?
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It depends on the show rules. Some shows would require you to rent a table. Vendors rent tables for $50-$80 to be able to display and sell their inventory. They'll rightfully complain to show management if someone pays $10 to enter with several boxes of stuff to sell and then walks the aisles or camps out in the front of the show with a "stuff for sale" sign. The vendors won't complain if you focus your sales activity on THEM. They just don't appreciate competition from someone who didn't pay the same rental fee as they did.
If you can carry it on your person you shouldn't upset anyone.



I'm trying to sell a case of softnose 308, a few lower end (but not junk) scopes, a pair of binos, and maybe a game cam. Oh, and some 12 GA birdshot. Is this reasonable to do, or is this not an appropriate approach?
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You may be in for a major disappointment. In my experience, used optics, binos and game cams are horrible sellers. The resale value is negligible, as buyers can probably go buy that same scope at WalMart or Cabelas and have the ability to return it if it's broken.


I just want to seek advice so I don't do anything that wouldn't be appropriate considering I am not going to rent a table for these few things. Thanks!
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Which is why you'll need to ask the show management what is allowed of attendees.

The best advice I could give is DON'T GO IN BLIND.
Know what that ammo is selling for online.
Know that you will be lowballed.
Know that dealers will be able to buy that same ammo at wholesale cost.


I highly recommend listing your stuff on a local gun/hunting forum. It may not cost you anything to list and is for sale until sold.
 
Around here if you pay the entry fee you are free to sell anything you can carry. In fact, I have seen guys wheeling around those collapsible office carts filled with guns and wearing a sign listing all the stuff they have for sale. I don’t know how well that works, but nobody seems to care that they are doing it.
 
I've done this a few times, with books, parts, random accessories....
Just go through looking at the tables, and you'll probably find one or a few who are selling items similar to what you've got.
Try to approach them when they aren't super busy, and just start talking about what you have that they might be interested in.

It's not tough to strike up a conversation with like minded individuals.
 
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