Gun Show Tactics

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Redlg155

Redlg155

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Ok, just wondering if you guys resort to "advantageous" tactics to make a gun show sale. I have a couple that work great and have never failed.

1. Use "eye candy"! I learned this during a show where I spent an hour without any nibbles. I ask my wife to hold my weapon while I go to the latrine and when I came out she had a buyer. Now I just ask her to carry what I am selling. works every time!

2. Use "Gun Candy". Folks can't resist wanting a M1a and I carry it when looking for accesories. I get asked and of course I'm not selling, but I am selling..xyz..
I had an HK fanatic look as though he was considering some lewd and lascivious behavior with a particularily nice specimen of USC I once had. No I'm not selling and no you can't touch her unless you wash your hands first , but I am selling XYZ....
 
Well from the buyer's side of the table, here are a few seller tactics that impress me at a gun show:

1. Have good products
2. Have fair prices and mark them clearly
4. Put the phone down when you have a customer
5. At least act like you want to be there, even on Sunday at 3:00 PM
6. Spare me the BS stories

Tinpig
 
Usually, if I am walking a gun at a show, I carry it so it can be seen. I normally make at least three trips around and it takes all day. I am not anxious to sell and don't look as though I am. If it sells, then it sells. If not, I take it home. I know the value of what I have and what it should bring on the used market. If it's unknown, I will call the manufacturer the day before and get a born-on-date so that I can convey that to prospective buyers.

I've gotten too many good deals from sellers trying to "force" a sale. If you're desperate to sell, it will show and you can be talked down in price.

Remember, everyone there that is looking to purchase a gun that is being walked around is looking for a killer deal. When people walk by me and ask what I have, I give them a good side view and tell them what it is and how much I'm asking. Then I start to walk. They either continue to walk or they stop me. I'd say that 60-65% of the time, if they stop you, they're buying.
 
Some of the best deals mat be in bolt-action rifles, and I occasionally see guys walking them with a flag in the muzzle stating that it's a maker X, model Y, asking $N, but they never seem to want to say for what cartridge what the rifle's chambered. Why is that?
 
What tin pig said. Also try not to look so offended when I offer market value on a gun you marked up 200%.
 
Tinpig said:
Well from the buyer's side of the table, here are a few seller tactics that impress me at a gun show:

1. Have good products
2. Have fair prices and mark them clearly
4. Put the phone down when you have a customer
5. At least act like you want to be there, even on Sunday at 3:00 PM
6. Spare me the BS stories

Tinpig
Click to expand...
Exactly
Went to my first show here in about 5 years and was very disappointed. First off everyone selling has a cell phone and it was glued to their ear. Tried to buy a BSA Boresighting Kit and couldn't find a price and the young women who must of been the daughter kept saying you have to talk to the owner, after 5 minutes I left.
The other thing I tied to buy was a RCBS Case Trimmer, I had an ad and know they sell for about a hundred dollars new, this guy wanted $112.00 with no parts. I offered $75.00 and was ridiculed and he said he paid more then that at an estate sale. SO what. No one wants anything for nothing but this gun show seemed to me like everyone wanted to hit a home run with every sale.
As far a gun prices forget it.
Sorry for the rant was just disappointed.
 
Yup, the last gunshow I was at was pretty much a collection of guys at tables full of overpriced guns, wishing it was pre-election time 2008 again, hoping 2012 election time = another crazy sales frenzy.....looking mighty disappointed.
I never find good deals anymore, and I love finding older revolvers and bolt actions for good deals...they just aren't around anymore.
I usually just go with a few guns that I've fallen out of love with and hope for a good trade.
The best deals these days that I've found are in pawn shops and online auctions.

I don't sell much anymore, mainly trade, but my number one rule is to know what I have. I gave up a rare gun for cheap a time ago, and really made someones day, because I didn't know what I had.

If I'm buying, I don't just impulse buy something off the table that I don't know the value of, I go home and look it up first.

A smartphone is a great thing to take, you can look up the value of pretty much anything right there...and show it to the dealer as a bargaining chip, or just smile and pay, depending on what the phone says
 
I am allways freindly,curteous, honest and clearly appreciative that a potential buyer takes the time to stop, look and ask questions.
I always take the time to answer questions no matter who asks them.

Oh yeah..no matter what side of the table you are on...check your macho attitude and fowl language at the door.
 
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Make Products show from a distance

It is hard to see anything laying flat on a table. Prop guns up, make a sign to come look at particular items, the wife and daughter (sorry Lord) make a great entrance to a table.

tinpig makes the best point. Most gunshows I go to are unenthusiastec indivuduals sitting behind a table, and when you counter offer - they gun you down like a full auto. Be a sales person. Make some deals. Don't worry, be happy. You are there to make money. At least give the impression that you are trying. If you blend into the table next to you, you become the next table. Got to stand out by being comfortable with others.

One note, the best way to lose the next sale is to be impolite with which the guy you are talking. Folks hear you that are around, and those that are not around will hear you through the grape vine.
 
Tinpig said:
Well from the buyer's side of the table, here are a few seller tactics that impress me at a gun show:

1. Have good products
2. Have fair prices and mark them clearly
4. Put the phone down when you have a customer
5. At least act like you want to be there, even on Sunday at 3:00 PM
6. Spare me the BS stories

Tinpig
Click to expand...

^^^ This.

Bathing sometime within the previous week is also a plus.:rolleyes:
 
I've been going to gun shows in IN and KY since 1955 and have witnessed their steady decline into the can.
 
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much of the price hike at a gunshow is that many people go looking for the deal, look for the signs that say I haggle, most to all will, but if you price it to sell, then you get some guy trying to screw you out of another 15%
 
Note to MOST sellers:

"Just because you are waiting for an idiot does not mean I am one"

Lately the best deals have been when local shops have shown up with a decent amount of product. Shout out to Quantico Tactical for doing exactly that. Nearly the full MagPul line and multiples of each - all at great prices. Magpul mags, any color, $10.49 each. No tax. I picked up 3 in OD.

Now if Rainier Arms would show up, it would be great!
 
Only sell used guns that you bought by mistake or broke. That gun where you shot the wrong caliber ammo through it, or the safety doesn't work, or you cut the trigger spring down too far - time to sell them.

Any internal parts that you might need later, strip them right out of there if you think the customer won't notice.

Refuse to let the customer dry fire.

Refuse even to remove the gun lock until the gun has been paid for.

Remember that you are doing your customer a big favor letting him even touch a gun he hasn't paid for yet - don't let him forget it.

If you actually make a sale, when the customer pays by credit card, feel free to add a 10% or 15% surcharge without mentioning it when you process the card.

Be sure to leave the customer's paperwork where every passerby can see it, especially if the social security number or credit card number are visible.
 
When trying to sell something as I walk around at a show it is helpful to wear a cap or shirt in a bright or unusual color. Often people will see your gun and want some time to think. Makes it easier to find you later. Or to describe you to someone else. They will often have a friend who may be looking for a gun like yours.
 
When walking around selling stuff, take the time away from your close buddies to answer questions and actually, well, sell stuff. I've seen this more than once. A guy with a long gun for sale, looks interesting, but you have to actively butt in to his chit chat with pals to have a look. Nothing wrong with being with friends and all.....
 
marv said:
I've been going to gun shows in IN and KY since 1955 and have witnessed their steady decline into the can.
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Haven't been going that long but in the late 80's till mid 90's we used to go to shows in Pa, York, Harrisburg, and Lancaster area every month it seemed and 2-3 of us would go and we would always come home with a load of stuff. Odd parts, reloading materials, brass. It wasn't free but a good deal was all.
Last week was my first in years and probably my last. I used to enjoy them but if I could sit home and order brass brand new for only 10% more and not waste gas and $8.00 to get in I'm better off.
As I said above many of the folks selling today want a home run with every sale.
Lastly my favorite line was I paid more then that for the item, so you got beat you should beat someone else.
 
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