Md. Gun Show Sucked!

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sigman

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
143
Hey Folks !,

I just got back from our Timonium Gun Show and i must say that i am very,very disappointed !

Everything was very high priced ! The dealers really jacked-up the prices on evrything from ammo. to new and used guns ! Then they had the audacity to complain that sales were very down from the previous year.

You would think that with them knowing that the economy sucks, and everybody is on a budget ,that they would cut-us a slight break and be fair with their prices !?!?
But they were not !
I paid $7 to get in and bought only a few snap caps and some mauser ammo. strips.
Even their military surplus rifles were like $390 for old pieces-of crap
K98 Mausers !

Every table sucked ! Ugly Romanian AK 47's selling $619 WITHOUT any mags. !
AR15's selling for $1500 when you buy the same ones from Bud's Guns and other internet sites for $1200 !

I'm never going back to ANY freakin' gun shows anymore ! They tried to take advantage of the consumers and it back fired on them ! Hardly anybody bought their overpriced crap !!!
 
Last edited:
i had a similar problem here at a ny gun show today they wanted 625 for a realy crappy romainian ak and there were alot more over priced guns. there were a few with normal prices to though.
 
Perhaps you should read up on the art of haggling.

And, they can ask whatever price they want for their stuff. It's theirs.
If you were selling an AK, would you sell it at Bud's prices when someone can fondle it and be sure of what they're getting before the sale? How about if you had to buy diesel to get to the show and pay booth rental? Of course you'll need something for lunch too.

And, just because someone is having it rough, do you lower the price on stuff you're selling so they can afford it? I think not.

Sounds like you should go back to a gun show so you can figure out how to buy a gun from a real person without your browser and paypal as an intermediary.
 
I went to the Timonium show today. Prices did seem high. I didn't buy anything. But I still enjoyed myself at the show. Any time I can be around that many guns and gear, I'm doing alright.
 
Love it people swear off shows - leaves more available for the rest of us to buy. If you go to one expecting lower prices, you've under estimated the whole thing. Impluse buying is a key at these things.
 
The shows still have primers! I went to the Orlando FL show yesterday for the sole purpose of getting some prices. At a high price of course ($40 per 1k, used to be $20-$25 per 1k 18 months ago...) but they have them. None of my online places have them in stock. I don't like the prices but I do like being able to at least get primers now, a nice change from the dry period of April-August.

I'll agree about the gun and ammo prices there though. Very painful. "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!" People who don't know how to bargain and/or shop via the internet are going to pay a huge premium for buying a gun at the gun show.
 
Orlando gun show today

Ammo:
9mm was $125 for 500 rds
.223 was $180 for 500 rds, or $200 for 360 rds of green tip, $150 for 150 rounds orange tip

primers were running $30 for 1,000
 
I didn't go to Timonium because i figured it would be same old, tired, overpriced Maryland crap. Guess I was right.

I heard Lebanon, PA show was great! Lots of dealers, two full halls so not belly to belly crowded, and $100 AR lowers. What a difference a state line makes:neener:

York show will be here in @6 weeks or so. It's been great last few times.:D
 
I gotta check out the Lebanon shows. The Valley Forge shows have great prices on guns, but a third of the tables are dragon swords, gothic chalices and airsoft guns. What the....???
 
Its funny, shows sure havent changed much since I quit going to them for the same reasons and the fact alot nowdays seem to add alot other junk that isnt even "gun" related like watches,used clothing,pocket knives,assorted literature,and glass cleaning.One show even had toys and fishing stuff.


Been this way for years,interesting to know nothings changed.Same guys peddling the same guns at the same prices.Its an hour and a half drive for me to get there plus the admission cost.Why buy there when I can get it here,locally 100 bucks cheaper?Parts maybe,thats all Id want.Things local guys dont carry.


The days of walking in with a 50 dollar bill and a used rifle and walking out with a national match garand are long gone.
 
Its funny, shows sure havent changed much since I quit going to them for the same reasons and the fact alot nowdays seem to add alot other junk that isnt even "gun" related like watches,used clothing,pocket knives,assorted literature,and glass cleaning.One show even had toys and fishing stuff.
Click to expand...

At least used clothing and pocket knives could come in handy out in the field, glass cleaning for optics and fishing stuff is at least outdoors related.

I'm talking about just full on gothic junk like you see at Spencer's in the mall.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • RC501.jpg
    RC501.jpg
    19.5 KB · Views: 362
I go to handle guns I wouldn't get a chance to otherwise, and without the sale pressure that might be at a gunshop. Basically just to look around at all the weird people and odd items. Luckily the ones I go to have very little non-gun stuff -- what isn't gun is at least not junk (jewelry and coins). I also have my eye open for other patrons trying to make private sales.
 
As a person who is fairly new to hunting, and ccw issues, I have found that the shows have been very informative. Not only do the guys behind the tables want to help you while you purchase things, the customers and attendees do as well. After searching the internet and only seeing pictures of guns, and never getting a real person to return a phone call from an 800 number, I GLADLY and HAPPILY paid $100 more for my .223 at a show.
I met a man in person, who was a true enthusiast, and took his time to help me out a LOT with my purchase. He outlined the differences between what he was selling, and what his competitors had. He even recommended that I buy a lower priced unit from a table "across the way" at the show because he said that the lower priced unit would do what I needed it to do and based on my intended useage of the firearm I should save the money. I walked "across the way" to the "cheaper table" to ask one question of the dealer there, the sale was almost made based on the first mans instructions, but I did have one question. After asking that question and getting laughed at because I was knew and it seemed like a dumb question to the brainiac expert selling the cheaper line of 223, I decided to go back to the FIRST GUY and pay more!!!! I wanted to pay more and get a better name brand, one extra feature, and more importanly, TRUE CUSTOMER SERVICE!! And while I was there making my more expensive purchase, I asked to speak to the guys boss. The boss came over and I complemented him on his employee, and commended their desire to help new people and explained that I appreciate the good customer service. I then also bought a cleaning kit with rods in the right length and the correct patch sizes pre-cut, and a hunting scope for it since this gun doubles as a coyote nighttime gun while I'm out hunting dear with a bolt action during they day. They were so kind and gave me an extra free 20 round clip for the 223, and when I bought a case of ammo they threw in a free bottle of cleaning oil.
They appreciation my positive feedback and greatfulness for their expertise and service. I appreciate their help and guidance, and would have still gotten in my minds eye even if I spent 2G at their table instead of the $1600 I did spend. A little money is nothing compared to learning hard lessons fast and easy from other's experience, and it's worth it's weight in gold to get pointed in the right direction.
You will never, ever get that kind of service from an out of state website warehouse. Just .02 cents from a NEW gun guy.

Shoot safely, and God Bless.
-Quentin
Romans 10:13
 
Everything was very high priced ! The dealers really jacked-up the prices on evrything from ammo. to new and used guns ! Then they had the audacity to complain that sales were very down from the previous year.
Click to expand...

Of course. What did you expect? These are the type of dim-witted, greedy people that never learn.
 
6 months ago when AR's were priced a $1500 I'd offer them $600 and was told what to do with my offer.
Now if I offer $600 they say "let's talk".
Prices are falling. If you're at a show with really high prices make outrageously low ball offers and walk away. Next few shows they'll be coming down.

The craziness is abating

AFS
 
It always pays to shop at gun shows. For example, I have often seen a gun on one table for 2/3 the price of the same model in nearly the same condition at another table.

Jim
 
The gunshow's at the BJCC in Birmingham run along those same lines;
older fat boys sitting a'round eating cookies and drinking milk; while
farting their lives away (from boiled peanuts~! :D), with prices that
are insane~! :eek: ;)

FWIW, if you ever decide to attend one of these shows, be sure and
wear a gas mask; for the fear factor for normal breathing is at its
highest level in memory~! :uhoh: :eek:
 
I gave up on Maryland gun shows a few years ago. Prices are generally out of sight, and they are becoming more and more like a flea market every year. If I want to buy beanie babies, cheap leather wear and clothes, toys, etc., I'll go to the flea market. I can usually buy whatever I'm looking for on the Internet for less, even when I have to pay shipping.

The one exception I can think of is the big antique gun show they have every year - it is generally worth attending, for me anyway. They have begun to stretch the limit of what's considered 'antique' though, and its begun to wear a bit thin too.
 
Went to the local Gun Show last saturday. Cost $9 to get in. Nothing new.
Lots of knives though. Crowd didn`t seem to be as large to me as in the past.
On thing that stands out,at least to me, is there are more non-english speaking people at these shows.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

N
  • Locked
Timonium, MD Gun Show Report
Replies
21
Views
1K
chaim
C
Atla
  • Locked
What a horrid gun show.
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
Ala Dan
A
stageman
  • Locked
Fun AFternoon at The Nations Gun Show
Replies
12
Views
657
wbwanzer
W
L
  • Locked
At the gun show
Replies
13
Views
1K
blackwalnut
B
M
  • Locked
Gun Show Prices
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
SwaneeSR
SwaneeSR
Back
Top