You knew it was comming...Man, gun show sucked!
- Thread starter Nugilum
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Shear_stress
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Whoa, settle down fella. It's not like CDNN invented the concept of high volume/low margin. Also, how is it that CDNN sells directly to customers, exactly? All guns still have to go through an FFL, who is free to charge whatever they like for the transfer. My favorite FFL is a local kitchen table guy. He charges a reasonable price for a transfer, and has earned repeat business because of this.
I'm really sorry that companies like CDNN ruined your god given right to charge huge mark ups at gun shows--mark ups that, according to your line of reasoning, somehow make you morally superior to other people trying to do exactly the same thing. It's hard for me to shed a lot of tears for people who are in the game to make a buck and then act shocked--shocked I say!--when they find out how capitalism works.
Hk91-762mm
Member
I'm really sorry that companies like CDNN ruined your god given right to charge huge mark ups at gun shows--mark ups that, according to your line of reasoning, somehow make you morally superior to other people trying
DUDE-I didnot charge HI mark ups -I made about 35$ on an SKS-
I enjoyed the shows ==It sucks that MY wholsale suppliers went direct to the purcheser--NOW you complain That gun show suck--That is my point==When we had Thousands of dealers selling every week -Gun shows were full of customers --when the dealers left --Well shows died too-!
Dont accuse me of gouging when I never sold mags for a glock for $150,00 like CDNN..You shop where you like --Just Dont complain when all the small dealers are gone because the walmarts of guns put them out of business ..
Just remember =Obamma will be coming and Bans will be enacted yet again and who you gona do business with --Yep the wally world of gun dealers ! gouging you to death !
DUDE-I didnot charge HI mark ups -I made about 35$ on an SKS-
I enjoyed the shows ==It sucks that MY wholsale suppliers went direct to the purcheser--NOW you complain That gun show suck--That is my point==When we had Thousands of dealers selling every week -Gun shows were full of customers --when the dealers left --Well shows died too-!
Dont accuse me of gouging when I never sold mags for a glock for $150,00 like CDNN..You shop where you like --Just Dont complain when all the small dealers are gone because the walmarts of guns put them out of business ..
Just remember =Obamma will be coming and Bans will be enacted yet again and who you gona do business with --Yep the wally world of gun dealers ! gouging you to death !
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Well, here in central 'Bama Land, we can't tell that the economy has slowed;
as it looks like more people are finding ways to finance guns, in order to save
what they already have~!
As to gunshows, one of the South's largest (Alabama Gun Collectors Assn)
this weekend (Oct. 18-19th) was a POS; as I was told by several of our
customers.
Again, a few old men sitting around eat'in cookies and
drink'in milk; behind tables of high priced weaponary. 
as it looks like more people are finding ways to finance guns, in order to save
what they already have~!
As to gunshows, one of the South's largest (Alabama Gun Collectors Assn)
this weekend (Oct. 18-19th) was a POS; as I was told by several of our
customers.
Again, a few old men sitting around eat'in cookies anddrink'in milk; behind tables of high priced weaponary.
uh
Did you go the one last Spring at the fairgrounds, held on the same day Obama was speaking at Williams-Brice, a few hundred yards away? Out of curiosity, I went to the Messiah's rally, and then went straight over to the gun show. Now that's not something you get to do every day.
Did you go the one last Spring at the fairgrounds, held on the same day Obama was speaking at Williams-Brice, a few hundred yards away? Out of curiosity, I went to the Messiah's rally, and then went straight over to the gun show. Now that's not something you get to do every day.
lonegunman
Member
The only thing the internet did was get consumers better informed. If the dealer has something for a price close to internet,plus shipping, plus a reasonable amount of markup he can sell it no problem.
I've heard various peddlers telling various lies to try and hype ammo, gun or mag scares and jack prices.
At the local shows, during the set-up they bum rush the local guys with tables and buy up anything of value so they can jack up prices and peddle it themselves. If they see someone has a higher price, they jack their prices up to match.
The "dealers" who try and overcharge for the junk on their tables are getting what they deserve.
Here is a nice example. During the height of the magazine scare and AWB, HK91 mags were $40 a pop. I had two minty new ones and wanted to swap to a mag peddler for two $30 AR mags, even or close two it.
The guy offered me $3 a piece credit towards the AR mags. Fact was that he bought most of his mags for $3 bucks and knew damn well he was gouging prices. The day the ban ended HK91 mags dropped to $3 bucks a piece.
I deal with a small select group of guys who attend regularly and price themselves competitive to internet and local dealers.
I still do not see why you expect your over-priced used gun to be worth 100 dollars more than a new gun at one of those dreaded "big box stores". Especially when you cheated the guy who sold it out of every dollar possible and YOU used the "big box" price as a basis to start your fleecing.
I've heard various peddlers telling various lies to try and hype ammo, gun or mag scares and jack prices.
At the local shows, during the set-up they bum rush the local guys with tables and buy up anything of value so they can jack up prices and peddle it themselves. If they see someone has a higher price, they jack their prices up to match.
The "dealers" who try and overcharge for the junk on their tables are getting what they deserve.
Here is a nice example. During the height of the magazine scare and AWB, HK91 mags were $40 a pop. I had two minty new ones and wanted to swap to a mag peddler for two $30 AR mags, even or close two it.
The guy offered me $3 a piece credit towards the AR mags. Fact was that he bought most of his mags for $3 bucks and knew damn well he was gouging prices. The day the ban ended HK91 mags dropped to $3 bucks a piece.
I deal with a small select group of guys who attend regularly and price themselves competitive to internet and local dealers.
I still do not see why you expect your over-priced used gun to be worth 100 dollars more than a new gun at one of those dreaded "big box stores". Especially when you cheated the guy who sold it out of every dollar possible and YOU used the "big box" price as a basis to start your fleecing.
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I've stopped going to gun shows this year. The admission price has gone up, some of the good dealers have gone, and I just don't see the kind of people I used to.
It used to be alot of fun walking the aisles and meeting folks with guns to sell. You'd swap stories, look at each others guns, heck, I even had an old couple buy me lunch once. Now, it's guys from the tables that will take something around with them. If you show any interest, then you have to go back to the table, where the owner tells you that he's not interested in your trade.
The local shops I know that go to the shows don't mark up stuff, or anything. I just prefer to go to their shops and look at stuff for free, and not have to fight the crowds.
It used to be alot of fun walking the aisles and meeting folks with guns to sell. You'd swap stories, look at each others guns, heck, I even had an old couple buy me lunch once. Now, it's guys from the tables that will take something around with them. If you show any interest, then you have to go back to the table, where the owner tells you that he's not interested in your trade.
The local shops I know that go to the shows don't mark up stuff, or anything. I just prefer to go to their shops and look at stuff for free, and not have to fight the crowds.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Yes, because if it doesn't come from America, it very plainly comes from China.
Shear_stress
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Yeah, plus aren't Remington Spartan shotguns made in Russia?
brolin_1911a1
Member
My son (Sgt. in U.S. Army) went to the Pensacola, FL gun show a couple of weeks ago intending to pick up some reloading dies and other supplies such as .308 bullets, some powder, and primers.
When I asked how it went, he replied that there was nobody selling any reloading gear, only two table selling ammo and one of them was collectible ammo only, and no handguns other than Glocks or Tec-9s selling for about half again what the local dealers here in Missouri are charging. As for rifles, he said he saw essentially only standard AR-15 rifles priced at roughly $1000 and AK-47 variants starting at well over $500 and up.
One guy at a table tried to sell him an Eo-Tech holosite for "only" $600, the same model he'd bought direct from EoTech at their MSRP of $350. In short, he reported, it was a show where the dealers tried to take advantage of the ignorant and uninformed.
As for the idea that CDNN and other wholesalers are cutting dealer's throats by advertising their prices, well, that's a bunch of hogwash. Non-FFL buyers must still go through a local dealer. That local dealer can and is expected to add a surcharge/markup/handling fee to make some money. But gouging is not appreciated.
As an example, years ago, when stocking dealers were crying about the "kitchen table" dealers and ammo could only be shipped to FFL holders, a good friend went to his local stocking dealer cash in hand to order components. He wanted several thousand varmint bullets the dealer didn't normally carry, an equal number of primers, 8lbs. of Hodgson's 335 powder and several other items. He offered to pay in advance for cost, shipping, plus and additional 15% markup as profit to the dealer for the no-risk transaction.
The dealer said no, his standard markup was 50% and he'd take no less. Remember, this was with no capital or cost on the dealer's part. All the dealer had to do was take the money and place the order. So my friend went to a local "hobby dealer" and offered the same deal. That man said he'd do it for free if my buddy would order a few guns through him at normal markups. The "stocking dealer" is now out of business and crying about how he was undercut rather than understanding the he'd simply screwed his customers a few too many times.
When I asked how it went, he replied that there was nobody selling any reloading gear, only two table selling ammo and one of them was collectible ammo only, and no handguns other than Glocks or Tec-9s selling for about half again what the local dealers here in Missouri are charging. As for rifles, he said he saw essentially only standard AR-15 rifles priced at roughly $1000 and AK-47 variants starting at well over $500 and up.
One guy at a table tried to sell him an Eo-Tech holosite for "only" $600, the same model he'd bought direct from EoTech at their MSRP of $350. In short, he reported, it was a show where the dealers tried to take advantage of the ignorant and uninformed.
As for the idea that CDNN and other wholesalers are cutting dealer's throats by advertising their prices, well, that's a bunch of hogwash. Non-FFL buyers must still go through a local dealer. That local dealer can and is expected to add a surcharge/markup/handling fee to make some money. But gouging is not appreciated.
As an example, years ago, when stocking dealers were crying about the "kitchen table" dealers and ammo could only be shipped to FFL holders, a good friend went to his local stocking dealer cash in hand to order components. He wanted several thousand varmint bullets the dealer didn't normally carry, an equal number of primers, 8lbs. of Hodgson's 335 powder and several other items. He offered to pay in advance for cost, shipping, plus and additional 15% markup as profit to the dealer for the no-risk transaction.
The dealer said no, his standard markup was 50% and he'd take no less. Remember, this was with no capital or cost on the dealer's part. All the dealer had to do was take the money and place the order. So my friend went to a local "hobby dealer" and offered the same deal. That man said he'd do it for free if my buddy would order a few guns through him at normal markups. The "stocking dealer" is now out of business and crying about how he was undercut rather than understanding the he'd simply screwed his customers a few too many times.
Handgunner
Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2008
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- 197
What is the difference in being gouged by a box store (after competition has been eliminated) and being gouged from a local dealer with no competition?
one im interacting with some teenage kid who doesn't know anything about the product, the other im being lied to my face with the intent of taking asmuch of my money as he can.
the idea that big stores are going to push out small stores only applies to those who seek the absolutely lowest price. i dont mind paying a few extra $ to buy local, i do it all the time. but i wont be guilt tripped into paying 199 for something i can get for 125. im no richer than the dealer, just like he needs every dollar, i need every dollar.
also don't forget big stores were small stores once
MD_Willington
Member
Hey one way to look at a used Chicom gun already here in the USA... it's probably made from recycled US steel.. LOL
Buy American right?
What American company makes Kalashnikov clones?
Remington, nope they are importing them from Zastava if we ever see them materialize...
Even Arsenal USA imports from abroad...
Buy American right?
What American company makes Kalashnikov clones?
Remington, nope they are importing them from Zastava if we ever see them materialize...
Even Arsenal USA imports from abroad...
The Deer Hunter
Member
I believe gun shows used to have good deals on guns and hard to find pieces but all the ones i have been to have overpriced guns. The only good deal (about the same as the internet) is surplus ammo, .50BMG and strange nick knacks like garand clips, stripper clips, cleaning kits, magazines etc.
.38 Special
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- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,384
Hell, at least the gun shows you guys go to have guns for sale. Drop by the Costa Mesa show here in SoCal sometime. Hope you like jerky!
Nugilum
Member
.38 Special
Was the jerky "properly aged?" The jerky being sold looked more durable than saddle leather...
Was the jerky "properly aged?"
The jerky being sold looked more durable than saddle leather...
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Pure Kustom
Member
First rule, for going to gun shows.
Know what you want.
Know what it's worth.
Know that what they are asking might not be what they will take!!
Know what you want.
Know what it's worth.
Know that what they are asking might not be what they will take!!
+1
Gun shows have become like a diaper that needs to be changed. There needs to be a sea change in the way gun shows are run and the ONLY way that will happen is if we get together and start organizing shows that ACTUALLY DEAL WITH the fundamental problems of current gun shows:
1. no non gun vendors allowed. We desperately need some new start up companies who will promote gun shows that tell the beanie baby vendors, the jerky vendors, the fine china sellers et al TO GET LOST.
2. the overall price of gun shows needs to come DOWN. The price of tables needs to come down. The cost to GET a show in a location needs to come down. The only way this will happen is if the COMFORTABLE gun show promoters get some competition. I.E. we need more gun shows and we need gun shows at times different than weekends if we hope to solve this cancer.
To tell the truth, I went to my 1st shows too late to have much respect for gun shows - I probably when to my 1st show in 2003 or so. Every one I have been to has stunk - very high prices on any of the guns I have looked, all kinds of stuff unrelated to guns, lots of Nazi and Confederate crap, and walls of Paladin books on how to make illegal weapons. I am not particularly offended by any of that crap, but I don't want to buy it either.
I went looking for an Armalite AR 24 at the last show, and I found a total of one, and it was for sale at MSRP, and wasn't a model I wanted. The K31s I looked at years ago were 2x to 3x as expensive as the one I got at Aim Surplus. I thought I might save on powder and primers, but they were more expensive than what I could get locally.
I think the Internet has pretty much killed them off. I haven't seen anything for sale at a gun show that wasn't for sale cheaper on the Internet. From what friends tell me, back in the day, you could find milsurp or police trade-ins that weren't carried by the local shops. But now it's all available on line.
I guess they serve a purpose for people who don't have a credit card, or don't to leave a credit card trail when they are buying their Paladin book on how to convert their Mini 14 to full auto with common kitchen untensils.
I am not knocking any of the dealers (except the folks selling the Aryan Nation crap), but I think that the gun show marketing model is just broken. It used to be that you could find stuff you couldn't find locally, or find stuff cheaper than you could locally. That just hasn't been my experience any more.
Mike
I went looking for an Armalite AR 24 at the last show, and I found a total of one, and it was for sale at MSRP, and wasn't a model I wanted. The K31s I looked at years ago were 2x to 3x as expensive as the one I got at Aim Surplus. I thought I might save on powder and primers, but they were more expensive than what I could get locally.
I think the Internet has pretty much killed them off. I haven't seen anything for sale at a gun show that wasn't for sale cheaper on the Internet. From what friends tell me, back in the day, you could find milsurp or police trade-ins that weren't carried by the local shops. But now it's all available on line.
I guess they serve a purpose for people who don't have a credit card, or don't to leave a credit card trail when they are buying their Paladin book on how to convert their Mini 14 to full auto with common kitchen untensils.
I am not knocking any of the dealers (except the folks selling the Aryan Nation crap), but I think that the gun show marketing model is just broken. It used to be that you could find stuff you couldn't find locally, or find stuff cheaper than you could locally. That just hasn't been my experience any more.
Mike
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