Will you buy from dealers at shows?

[savanahsdad]

Actually at one time it was similar as there was a 3 day waiting period under the old Brady Law. This presented problems for licensed dealers at shows. I live in Cleveland area and we have some very good shows up here. Dealers come in from all over the state.

So would I buy from a dealer who actually has a shop locally? Yes, I would. Would I buy from a dealer located in Cincy about 4 hours one way south? Thinking NOT!

This was pre the NICS system. In Ohio we had a toll number to call ($15.00) to the Ohio BCS (Bureau Criminal Investigation) and provided the information. If the dealer did not hear a negative in 3 days you proceeded with the sale. Thankfully all of that ended with NICS.

Anyway, to answer your question yes, I would buy from a local dealer but no if I have to drive half way across the state to get my gun.

Thanks again for the input on your state.

Ron

we have 4 LGS plus Wal-mart and Fleet-farm , and I buy from all but one of them. so that 5 FFL's I deal with , the few dealers that show up at the shows around here are from out of town , so no need to deel with them, or if I drive 50 miles to a show , then dealer handguns are out. not going to be a deal if I need to do a 100 mile round trip for it , hopeing soon are CCW cards will wave the wait peroid , then yes I would , but for now it is no.

 

[savanahsdad]

I very very rarely "eat" sales tax, I simply remind the buyer " If I didn't have to send it in, I wouldn't collect it"

In 7 years of doing 3-5 shows per year, I have had exactly ONE guy walk away from a purchase upon learning that I wouldn't eat the tax on a TWELVE dollar item I was losing money on to begin with, this after he spent 30 minutes beating me down from FIFTEEN bucks.


And for what its worth, NO I do NOT "need" that kind of customer

sorry.... I though we were talking buying guns, mostly used guns from dealers at shows, I buy powder, primers ,gun-cases, mags, slings, ect, ect..... from dealers all the time, and I pay the tax on that , I like to get a deal but I'm not that cheep ! not paying tax on $15. LOL !!.. no biggie. but I see a gun worth $450. and I tell the dealer "I'll give you $450. for that" he says OK that will be $472.50 !!! aaaahhhhh no.
so will i buy from dealers ? yes , long guns ? rarely. handguns ? no ,

 

[newfalguy101]

I have sold many a gun over the years, and have collected sales tax on everyone of them that didn't go to another FFL

 

[hAkron]

Paperwork is a drag. I will fill it out if that's the way it has to be, and it only slows me down by 15 minutes. I have a friend and a family member who each get delayed most of the time they buy something. If that happened to me, I think I would avoid paperwork. It's unfair for these guys. Buy something at a show, get delayed, 3 days later have to drive to the dealer's shop at your own expense to pickup th firearm once the confusion is cleared up...over and over, every time you buy something. That just doesn't seem fair.

 

[btg3]

On new guns, it seems that dealers are less inclined to discount/negotiate pricing than in their store.

 

[nelsonal]

I want to only buy guns from young, beautiful women. I've been disappointed for about 40 or 50 years.

At the local, big show there's always a few busy tables staffed by at least one young, pretty girl. I've always been amazed that more of the other dealers haven't taken note of that.

 

[rookorami]

Simply I will buy from who has what I want at the best price. If that is a dealer so be it.

 

[mister_murphy]

Its been a couple of months since I went to a gun show. As of now, I can say I would not buy from a dealer or individual at a gun show. The prices are way to much.... 550 for a S&W 442, 1600 for a basic AR, and 700 for a glock, not to mention ar mags for 75 up...I pass. Others can pay the gunshow prices. Even if I have to wait 6-12 months, I know several local FFL's that will beat the gun show prices I have seen at the last few shows post Sandy Hook. Might take a few months for it to come in, but it will be cheaper. I can wait.

 

[Pointshoot]

Ive skipped the major gunshow in my state (takes place every month) for quite some time. Prices were very high before the panic. Seeing newspaper photos of the very long lines now, I imagine prices are sky high currently.
I did go to a small show in a rural area a few weeks ago. Last year I went and there were some nice deals. Not a lot of people. This year they also had lines and the prices were very high. Like a lot of people, I walked out empy handed.

 

[larry_minn]

Never been to a gun show. Never will either. Too dangerous, and prices are pathetically out of line, I hear. I prefer to look at hardware from the comfort of my home, and buy from LGSs to help support local economy. That's just me.

Reminds me of some bachalors. My dad was told they were mean, nasty, not to be trusted.... Well he went over and they are still nicest folks. I talk to them monthly at least. I could call them at 3am and say "I need help" and they would be here in hr.
NEVER trust stories. Esp from other areas. I went to "Black Friday in big city. NASTY. I went to one locally and it was a fun event. We were allowed in Wally world (anytime as open 24/7) When the start time came those of us standing/talking around boxes said "well its 4am so start time" I was back a ways and I asked if someone would pass a memory stick back, they did. No pushing/fighting. Met some folks and was invited to breakfast.

 

[justice06rr]

I've bought from many gunshow dealers with no issues. Many I buy from are actually local to my home state so I don't have problem supporting my local economy.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Two things are important: 1) The gun, and 2) the price.

What he said!

Unfortunately, I've never actually found both of these things together at a gun show. My experience with gun shows seems to exclusively involve people who want to sell firearms as WAY over-inflated prices, compared to what I can get elsewhere.

And that's for both new and used firearms.

There's nothing more irritating at a gun show, in my opinion, than finding a used gun I'm interested in being sold at or above new gun prices, or new guns selling for way above market prices outside the gun show.

I suppose if I saw a hard-to-find gun that I like, I'd be willing to pay a premium price for it.

 

[pockets]

Whoever has what I need, at a price that I agree with, they get my cash.
.

 

[gk2410]

Would I buy from a dealer at a show? Probably - if he had something I've been looking for and at the right price. To date, I haven't, but I can see the benefit to many buyers of having several retailers in one place where you can do some comparison shopping.

BUT - as a former FFL, I think that the change in the rulings that allowed dealers to sell away from their license address ruined guns shows. Unless you're my age, you probably wouldn't remember when gun shows were just guys like you and I, who would sell a piece or two to fund something else. Real bartering, and many a price agreed upon at the flip of a coin. Not so these days.

Last month I went to a show in Stark County, Ohio, sponsered by the local gun collectors association. No tables to dealers or vendors of any kind. A real, old-fashion, gun show with guys like you and I, selling classic Colts, S&W's, Winchesters, etc from their own collections. Some accutroments, sure, but even that was refreshing. Made me long for the days of the "real" gun shows.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The attraction for buying from non-dealers at gun shows to me is less about the paperwork and more about the $50-$100 I save in sales taxes.

But I have no bias against buying or selling to dealers at shows because they often have the best selection.

Although since Hart Brothers stopped coming to the MN gun shows, that's changed a lot. The other dealers have better selections than most of the non-dealers, but it's the same stuff they've had for the last five years.

 

[Tim the student]

Sure, I'll buy from an FFL at a show.

 

[Tommygunn]

Oooops. Sorry, deleted