Gun show purchase - trade or cash

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Quoheleth

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This is not a "how do I put the big britches on a dealer" question. I *do* want the best deal for my dollar, but I'm not out to hose anyone.

I'm planning on heading to the Pasadena, TX gun show next weekend.

Say I find what I want for $400. I have a Taurus PT92 to trade ~ the closer to $200 I get, the happier I'll be. Question is, will I do better taking my trade with me or just carrying cash? I have a local fellow who'll give me $185 for it. Should I just sell it off to him and take the cash in? Will cash "talk" where trades might "walk"?

This will be my first gunshow. Anything I need to know about, watch out for, or be especially watching for (hot deals)? (I'm not CCL'ed, so I won't be carrying; don't have to worry about that).

Thanks, in advance,

Q
 
If you're trading with a dealer, forget it. They're in it to make money, and the more the better. When dealing with a dealer, cash is king. You can negotiate.

If you're trading with an ordinary Joe Schmoe, and you know your stuff, you can come out with a win-win situation. But you've got to know your stuff. Know the value of what you've got, the value of what he's got, and know how to examine his merch for defects.
 
The dealer prices have been OUTRAGOUS at every single gun show I have ever been to. The real deals can be found by looking at what the other shoppers are toting around. Wait around at the entrance and watch what people bring in. Usually, they know they aren't gonna do great on trade and would rather sell it outright (usually at a good price).
 
the shows iI have been to are not negotiable dealers say "every day low price" then I contact my ffl buddy to see what he can do. since he sells to me at his cost the only way I can do better is to buy used

for the most part their trade in value is buy low sell high so if market value on your gun is $100 they might give you $75
 
A buddy of mine once wanted to trade in a Colt Sporter (less than a thousand rounds through it) with A2 upper, carry handle scope mount, and Leupold VX II. The average price he got for the whole package was $350. This is how the South Florida dealers operate.
 
I always buy with cash (unless I'm buying in the internet). Sell what you have outright. That way you can negotiate the best deal on both transactions.

The dealer prices have been OUTRAGOUS at every single gun show I have ever been to.
The best deals I've found from dealers at gunshows are on the last day of the show with product that haven't been selling in their shop. Guns like a CZ70, CZ75, Colt CCO, or revolvers from a dealer that sells mostly Glocks and HKs, semi-autos from a dealer that sells mostly sporting rifles, surplus guns from a dealer that doesn't specialize in surplus guns, that sort of thing. A lot of dealers bring this stuff to gunshows, counting on the high traffic to unload it, and if it doesn't sell, they are often motivated to make a deal rather than pack it back up and take it back to the shop.
 
The mantra of the gun dealer:
"Are you looking to sell that run-down piece of junk you're carrying or did you just purchase that fine vintage firearm?"
 
As an experiment I walked around the last gun show with a large For Sale sign for my CZ 52 I was trying to sell. Had several offers in the first 30 minutes.
 
Quoheleth, if the pasadena show will be your first gunshow you will be very dissapointed. the main reason the dealers are there is to rip you off then try to resell your gun at double to triple what they paid you for it. i iknow they have to make a profit but its kinda hard not to be insulted at the offers they give you.
i'd wait till the big houston gun collectors show comes to the expo center on the 19th & the 20th, you'll have alot more out of towers there instead of the local pasadena vultures
 
A buddy of mine once wanted to trade in a Colt Sporter (less than a thousand rounds through it) with A2 upper, carry handle scope mount, and Leupold VX II. The average price he got for the whole package was $350. This is how the South Florida dealers operate.

ceetee as a veteran gamer I can say with confidence your friend got pwned on that deal.
 
I think I'd just turn it into cash before the show. I have used guns as trading pieces at shows, but usually they are guns I don't have much money tied up in them or they are very desireable. You can often sell a gun near the "front door" where folks tend to cluster and hang out. Sometimes you can do the same out front, but some shows are trying to curtail that activity.

You need to attend a couple gun shows before forming a strong opinion about shows. Take a run up to Dallas for the big shows at Market Hall. I hear they are consistantly good. By good, I mean there are lots of dealers, lots of firearms for sale, and they are well attended by the public. Deals vary. But there are few shows that I don't walk out with a new acquisition. It is one of the reasons I have tried to cut back on my attendance at shows.
 
for the most part their trade in value is buy low sell high so if market value on your gun is $100 they might give you $75

Hahaha! More like $40 if they buy it outright.

The last time I traded in a gun it was a standard Rem 870 in 98% condition. I got a whopping $120 for it. I wouldn't have done it, but the dealer was prick and the SG did not function with 3" shells. HE has since gone out of business.

In case anyone is questioning my ethics, this same dealer was known to buy stolen firearms. Anyone who lives around here likely knows which shop I speak of.
 
I sold one (Remie 870) at a show for $175 to a dealer couple of years back. I was asking $250 for it.
 
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I had the best luck shopping the gun I want to sell and taking the best offer. Buy the gun you want for cash and negotiate with the dealer based on cash.
 
I've bought half of my guns at gunshows & I tend to get them for less than the prices I see on the net. I always pay cash. I never buy new guns so the price is generally negotiable
 
Xavier's Rules...

Great set of rules for gun shows, Xavier!! I especially like yr last one--relax and enjoy! Our gun collecting and shooting activity is a hobby, not a life-and-death-struggle.

Granted, an important hobby, forming a lifestyle. I'm there too, guys. But mebbe we'd all be better off if we wasted less time and emotional energy whining, and instead concentrated on enjoying the good stuff.
 
Gun shows are where I buy 98% of my ammo reloading supplies. I hunt for that Sig ammo, and usually get 2-20 boxes depending on what he has. I also get some Mil-surp if the price is right. I know I could support my local stores if they ever sold any, but they don't or can't get any. Matter of fact a private range offerred me a year membership for one of my cases. Guess the good stuff is golden, next time I'll buy all they have.
 
Might as well offer the Taurus PT92 to your friend for $185 now... or put it on THR classifieds and try for a bit more. A PT92 is nearly impossible to find used under $200 unless it's a piece of junk. $275+ is more common.

The best you can expect to get for a nice PT92 at a gun show or via gun shop trade is probably $125 to $150. Any dealer would want to make $100+ on the sale.
 
Remember, nobody can force you to sell your pistol for a price you don't like. If a dealer will not meet your price just walk away, you'll be much happier you did later.

Also if you buy a gun from a dealer aways ask if they will throw in an extra mag, holster, or box of ammo. Used guns usually will come with extras, but many dealers just put a price sticker on them to sell seperatly.
 
ceetee as a veteran gamer I can say with confidence your friend got pwned on that deal

Oh, he didn't sell it - that was just what they were offering.

I've bought my last three guns at gunshows. I've never sold one. I find that you just have to know about what you're looking for, and about what price you're willing to pay. If you find something you want, for what you want to pay, make the deal. If not, walk on - no harm, no foul.
 
You should be able to get $225 for that pretty easy, I'd start at $250, take $225-240. Any 9mm that functions is $200 unless it says Bryco, cobra, Jennings, Hi-point.....and yes you are better off with cash when dealing with most. So take the taurus with you and the box if you have it, carry it in front so people can see it, you should have your $225 pretty quick. Good luck! ;)
 
You will get plenty of offers if you take it with you. Last year I had my vaquero with me so she could try on holsters and had to tell more folks than I could count that it was not for sale.
 
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