gun show prices

[leatherman]

i am a gun show vendor at eca gun shows in il. ido not sell guns or ammo.i want to buy a1911 colt auto but i too find the prices too high. i sell hand made gun holsters and gun belts.i also do custom orders. my prices are far below antthing on the web. people do not realize how much work goes into making these. i find that a lot of people come to these shows like they were at a yard sale.

 

[fireman5069]

That used to be the draw to gun shows years ago when you could get a good deal. Now, ammo, magazines,etc. are priced at shows so that you could get a better deal at the local Walmart or Academy Sports on the way to the show. I'm not saying you should give your product away but when it is used and I can get the same item new for the same price, that's a no-brainer.

 

[danprkr]

If you build a superior product then charge accordingly. You're market is not the ones willing to put a $700 gun in a $10 holster, you're market are the ones who realize that quality counts. They're at the gun shows also, just in no greater numbers than in an other large group of people, and you have to have patience to draw them in.

And, it may be that gun shows are not your best marketing tool. You may want to look into sending samples to gun magazine writers, etc. Then ads in those publications that write you up may wind up being your best investment in marketing.

Another option is to take a class on selling. Most people don't care what it costs you, or how much work it was to you, they just care that it's the right equipment, and good salesmanship can help you communicate that.

Good luck.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Gun shows are good for finding an odd ball you might not find otherwise, for smaller shops to try and sell their slow movers and for the window shoppers that have too much impulsive spending to do. Not really a place for great deals although they can be found.
As far as holsters go... I find there's two kinds of folks in this category for consumers. The ones that are willing to pay top dollar for top quality and those that settle with the same old, same old for lots less but at also a lot less quality. Few will spend the $ for a GOOD, fitted quality holster.

 

[Offfhand]

The general flavor of today's gun shows is much different than it was a generation ago when they were typically a buyer's market. Today they tend to be just another retail shop. Many dealers today tend to put a ridiculously high dollar price on their items in anticipation of trading rather than selling for cash. Thus, for example, if somebody comes by and wants to trade his thousand dollar fleabitten dog the dealer already has a scrawny cat with a thousand dollar price tag.

 

[heeler]

I have found the best deals not at the tables of the gun dealers but from the public walking the isles wanting to sell the guns they no longer want or to generate desperately needed money.
This is quite legal in Texas and most dealers dont like but too bad.
Hint...Drop your your prices a bit dealers.

 

[candr44]

Most people don't care what it costs you, or how much work it was to you,

In other words, the buyer doesn't care what its worth to you just what its worth to the buyer and if your priced above your competition then the buyer won't think its worth what your asking.

 

[Ramman911]

Just went to a show in Des Moines IA. Prices seemed high compared to shows of the past. Some prices were downright outrageous while others were so/so.

 

[DasFriek]

If you were selling used holsters that were priced at half the price of the competitions new prices you would make more sales.
Personally i don't go to a gun show to buy a new gun, Ill go to my local dealer who will give service after the sale if an issue arises.
But anymore you only find used old military rifles and hunting shotguns which is fine but i find them priced twice their value with the new guns that are no better prices than my LGS.

I even find ammo is still priced at last years prices when you couldnt find it, Im speaking of new pistol ammo. I dont know rifle surplus ammo prices.

But i do find a gun show a good way to waste 3-4 hours.
And yes if you want to sell take your guns and expose a sign with what you have and a price and people will come to you. I took my XD SC .40 in with me at the show this weekend in case i found a "special" gun i had to have and id just trade mine in.
But i was asked repeatedly by other attendees about what i had and what i was asking for it.

 

[MrWesson]

I went to our local show this morning and left after 20 min. If no large vendors come nothing is there to regulate the prices and they get back to election scare levels.

 

[fireman5069]

After dealing with guns, coins and gold, the old adage is true. Anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it at that time.

 

[kaferhaus]

I never buy from anyone at a table. Walking the floor or even the parking lot... is where you get a fair deal on either buying or selling.

I've gone to many shows and never entered the front door.... It doesn't happen often but once in awhile some pissed wife or ex wife shows up with a gun or several guns she's looking to dump to piss off the old man.... I've bought some guns CHEAP that way.

Or some guy is down on his luck and is just coming to sell whatever to pay the rent or car note.... I've saved many of the them the entry fee!