Hello all, I was in our local gun shop this week and happened to hear a comment made to a customer who went to the show this weekend and started to deal for a gun, the shop participates in show all over the region. He was told by the sales rep that he couldn't give him the "show price" today. I have never heard of that. I don't go to shows often and seldom buy as I have a great shop locally that knows me. Is there a price difference? If anything I though shows were a bit over priced.
Store price vs Gun Show Price
- Thread starter caleb
- Start date
- Status
Parker Dean
Member
FWIW, I don't think I've yet seen a gun show price as low as a store price.
PATH
Member
It all depends! Best time is late Sunday. No one wants to lug all the stuff back to the truck. You can haggle with a goodly number of folks. Some folks at shows have prices that are just ridiculous but you have to learn to shop and haggle. Many times the show price is better than the shop price.
Billmanweh
Member
I've heard that before, that a shop wouldn't sell guns for the same price they were at a show a few days earlier. (same dealer at the shop and store, if I didn't make that clear enough) Does seem a little odd that you wouldn't sell me someone for $X, but you will lug it to a show this Saturday and sell it to me for that price.
I went to a show this past weekend and I don't know how dealers make enough money to stay in business. New Glock 17's and 19's were $439, S&W 1911's were $629, Springfield WW II's were $369. At those prices, how much profit could they really be making?
I went to a show this past weekend and I don't know how dealers make enough money to stay in business. New Glock 17's and 19's were $439, S&W 1911's were $629, Springfield WW II's were $369. At those prices, how much profit could they really be making?
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
My regular gun shop, Tilford's, beats the gun show prices here in Louisville on most guns. I go to those big gun shows to find (and buy) models that Jack doesn't have. Those prices that Billmanweh listed were pretty good though. I believe the prices on new Glocks at Tilford's is $469.95.
Will
Will
nordaim
Member
Having only hit a handful of gunstores, I cannot say a whole lot, but here are the observations I have had around here:
Gunshow prices run middle to high, relative to a small gunshop, about average for a larger shop.
I have found that better prices are had with smaller shops where one can deal with the owner regularly and build up a good client relationship.
Gunshow prices run middle to high, relative to a small gunshop, about average for a larger shop.
I have found that better prices are had with smaller shops where one can deal with the owner regularly and build up a good client relationship.
starfuryzeta
Member
A local shop was running a 16" A3 Bushy at $999 shop price. At the gun show they attended, same rifle was $799. However, go into the store, and they don't want to hear about the show price. Kinda like those "buy now before prices go up" gimmicks.
mephisto
Member
Guns Are like cars. My gun store owner says he makes his money by selling used guns. I belive him. 2 weeks ago i was getting some ammo while i was there he was buying a sw auto. he bought it for 175 last friday it was on the shelf going for 399. Its seems like the same way car people sell and make money. and if he gets that much good for him.
Poodleshooter
Member
It really depends on where you are. In my area, you won't find an AR-15 for less than $900 in a shop. At shows, $799 for an HBAR is easy to find. AK's are even worse. Shows sell the Romanians for $330, but I've never,ever seen a local shop with any AK under $450. Surplus rifles? Forget it, gunshops aren't even close to shows where I can buy them at $20 over wholesale. The real difference is between vendors at the gunshows. If the gun types that you like are only found at small independent non-dealer tables, I doubt you'll ever see a good deal at a gunshow. If the guns you're looking for are sold by internet retailers with a show presence, or guys who buy direct from wholesalers, very few gunshops will ever beat them. I usually walk right past 50 small time guys with $500 rusty K frame Smith's, $300 used Lorcins,$800 "Golden Spike edition" Winchester 94's, and $1200 repackaged CMP Garands to get to the guys with the big plastic signs, and gaggles of people around their tables. That's where the deals are.
CJ
Member
In my ongoing search for a fun .22, I went to a local show price comparing Walther P22's. Local stores have them for prices such as $240, or even $199 on sale.
At the show, I found them ranging from $250 (without a storefront so requiring a transfer fee to a local store) to $286. So at that show, the 'show' prices seemed higher than my local stores.
On a side note, I overheard a couple sellers discussing why they couldn't seem to sell anything...
At the show, I found them ranging from $250 (without a storefront so requiring a transfer fee to a local store) to $286. So at that show, the 'show' prices seemed higher than my local stores.
On a side note, I overheard a couple sellers discussing why they couldn't seem to sell anything...
Captain Scarlet
Member
I also noticed dealers will pay more for guns at gunshows than they would
if you bring it into the gunstore or pawn shop to sell.
typical price offered on my Remington 870P w/factory mag extension at a
gunshop = $85.00
typical gunshow offer = $200
private sale = $275
if you bring it into the gunstore or pawn shop to sell.
typical price offered on my Remington 870P w/factory mag extension at a
gunshop = $85.00
typical gunshow offer = $200
private sale = $275
Yup. I've seen a lot of merchandise at the gun shows that was priced retail plus 10%.
But there are a few deals to be found. I got some P-11 mags for $10 ea, and had never seen them for under $25.
Got a Romanian .22 for $60, which was basically Internet price at the time. No shipping, no FFL fee and no wait.
But you've gotta be a smart shopper.
But there are a few deals to be found. I got some P-11 mags for $10 ea, and had never seen them for under $25.
Got a Romanian .22 for $60, which was basically Internet price at the time. No shipping, no FFL fee and no wait.
But you've gotta be a smart shopper.
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
...GUN SHOW versus RETAIL
My advice - based on years of experience - is that it never hurts to make up your mind BEFORE going to a gun show exactly what it is that you're looking for, and to spend a bit of time on the Internet and in the retail shops getting a "feel" for the range of prices....low to high.... and then taking that knowledge with you to your negotiation.
My advice - based on years of experience - is that it never hurts to make up your mind BEFORE going to a gun show exactly what it is that you're looking for, and to spend a bit of time on the Internet and in the retail shops getting a "feel" for the range of prices....low to high.... and then taking that knowledge with you to your negotiation.
blades67
Member
The reason there is a difference in price between a store front and a show is because the gunshow is a more perfect market. That doesn't mean you'll find perfection, just that market forces are all working together at a gunshow.
Redlg155
Member
Then he should have said "OK..I'll catch you at the next show If I can't find one elsewhere.". I would bet he would ready to deal then.
Good Shooting
Red
kentucky bucky
Member
Last year, right after the Holidays, I saw alot of good deals at a couple of gun shows in Kentucky. I guess there weren't many people that had anything left in their "ccokie jar" after Christmas, so they HAD to wheel & deal.
- Status
