dsgrntldPW
Member
I enjoy going to gun shows, but some recent experiences leave me wondering about people on both sides of the table. I had gone to a show to sell some guns that I had bought new but for one reason or another never fired. Prior to the show I checked with some of the cheaper dealers in the area to see what they were selling for, then set what I thought was a fair price for them. One was a revolver that was going for $390-420+tax at the shops, so I started at $350 for this NIB gun. I made up my sign and hit the show. I realize that the sellers with tables are most likely dealers so I gear my activities to try and attract the notice of the browsing customers, not the dealers. But if a dealer asks to see my stuff I'll oblige. One asked to see the revolver, fully aware of my sign showing my asking price. He looked it over and said "You know I'm gonna have to make a little money off this when I sell it." He then, with a straight face, offered $225 for a new, unfired GP-100. He didn't seem to like my laughter at his offer; he actually acted as if this was a reasonable price! What made the matter even funnier to me was that he had an obviously used GP on the table tagged at $425+tax.
What happened next though made the rest of my day. After I left this schmuck's table a guy came up to me and asked to see the gun, which I obliged. He then said he saw what happened with the other guy and would gladly give me $275 for the gun. Being the jovial guy I am I couldn't help but laugh at him too. He went away. I happily continued through the rest of the show, never sold the gun but had a good time looking at everything. Saw 5 more NIB GP-100's with the cheapest being $399, with tax around $430. I could have savd him at least $80 if he was really looking for a new GP.
What I've found about gun shows is that if you're trying to sell something they want to screw you, and if you came to buy or trade something they want screw you. You just have to get over it and get down and dirty with them pigs. I just try to do my homework (Check local dealer prices and book values.), set a fair starting price and hope that some shopper who is looking for something I have will recognize value when they see it. If not I've at least gotten my daily walking and lifting exercise.
Gun shows are another world unto themselves, great entretaiment.
What happened next though made the rest of my day. After I left this schmuck's table a guy came up to me and asked to see the gun, which I obliged. He then said he saw what happened with the other guy and would gladly give me $275 for the gun. Being the jovial guy I am I couldn't help but laugh at him too. He went away. I happily continued through the rest of the show, never sold the gun but had a good time looking at everything. Saw 5 more NIB GP-100's with the cheapest being $399, with tax around $430. I could have savd him at least $80 if he was really looking for a new GP.
What I've found about gun shows is that if you're trying to sell something they want to screw you, and if you came to buy or trade something they want screw you. You just have to get over it and get down and dirty with them pigs. I just try to do my homework (Check local dealer prices and book values.), set a fair starting price and hope that some shopper who is looking for something I have will recognize value when they see it. If not I've at least gotten my daily walking and lifting exercise.
Gun shows are another world unto themselves, great entretaiment.