Guns Shows going downhill?

[Prudii]

I went to a gun show down here in NC today. It was OK at best. Good things included dirt cheap com bloc mags of all types, lots of old hunting bolt guns for cheap, used optics for reasonable prices, several local gun related shops.
The bad. $11 to park and another $11 to get into the venue, overpriced guns, overpriced knives, "make me an offer".

I'm not sure if its something like winner's curse and people think they are getting a good deal or they are just stupid. It's so easy to just look these things up online as you browse and check if you are getting a good deal. Do the dealers really expect to negotiate a reasonable price when their tag lists a price hundreds above what I can find the gun for online?
I did try too, one guy had a slightly used TP9SFX listed for $500, I offered him $425. He said "No the price is $500". I said no thanks and walked over to the table of the LGS I frequent and asked him what price he could get me one at and he said $450.

I did go on a Sunday afternoon, are all the good deals gone by noon on Saturday?

 

[Acer-m14]

Last year GS in Rochester seen a few Mosins .. 300 and up and looked beat up ( non sniper ).. i paid 150 for mine at the LGS no bayonet or ammo pouches and tool kit .. but the bore and finish is great .. very last table of the show finally found caps for my BP pistol #10 .. good deal on them 6 bucks for 100 .. grabbed 2 tins ,, didn't see anything else on the table .. sir .. any balls for a 44 cal pistol .. pulls up a ammo can .. opens it .. a box of 100 .. 18 bucks .. .. come on guys put the stuff on the table .. wish to see more reloading stuff at shows here and more surplus stuff ( dummy rounds ) for making things with .. cannon fuse .. ect . didn't go to this years one which was a weekend or 2 ago ..

 

[togmaster]

I just go for the loop holes. Last time I went I picked up a dozen.

 

[Jezman]

Gun shows are just that. It is a SHOW. The people who own the venue are generally charging the seller's and buyer's to sell and buy. Sounds stupid but that is the reality. Why would a seller and buyer pay extra to buy or sell. The Internet has solved that issue. Before the Internet it seemed to work well. Tough business today with the political weather in this country from the gun grabbers.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Yep. They are entertainment. Only good for spending a day, buying ice cream, and browsing.

Every once in a while, you'll find a gem of a accessory like an old WW2 helmet but other than that, it's always cheaper to buy online and also get a return policy. Sometimes you'll see another accessory that was never on your radar and it's still cheaper online after you finger fuck the accessory at the show to figure out if you want it or not.

 

[Criticalt]

I just go for the loop holes. Last time I went I picked up a dozen.

Mmmmmmm, some loop holes and a cup of coffee for dunking!!

 

[Jmac00]

I stopped going to gun shows YEARS ago. It basically turns into a junk sale or legal financial rape. I can get much better deals online or at my LGS.

The last one I went to was 2011 I think. I asked one guy about some Glock 22, 15 round magazines that had "Law enforcement/Military only" stamped on them, "Isn't illegal to own these" he said, "not really". I rolled my eyes and walked away.

Just a waste of time. IDK what all the anti-gun groups are jumping up & down about, Gun shows will put themselves out of business.

 

[Toecutter]

The internet is one big gun show. Any vendor looking to move inventory in the past probably did so at a gun show , private sellers had a venue to meet , and trade with other collectors. Most of this can be done online now. Still fun to go and look at all the stuff there.

 

[dsdmmat]

I enjoy going to gun shows. I mostly look at things and go to talk to a few vendors (@Bullet Guy) and a couple of others that I get to see twice a year. My local gun dealer goes to almost all the shows in NY, so if I see something I really like and have to have I will tell her and get it for me later on. It is the only time I voluntarily go where there are known crowds.

I also go look for hard to find items that are not the "have to have" items. I grabbed a Bushnell Holo (gen 1) last April for 50 bucks. I bought one new in 1997 for 400 dollars. I like these because they are 1MOA dots not the 2-4 moa dots that are being put out today. They are great on race pistols and absolutely fantastic on HD ARs.

 

[nortatoga]

The old timers that went to shows in the past wanted to sell, not take there merchandise for a tour of shows! I have gotten some good deals and usually from one of these old timers!

The new Johnnie come lately dealers don't understand that 2 fast nickels are worth more the 1 slow dime!

 

[Eddie Gunks]

ha ha ha. kinda of funny that "everyone" talks about how expensive shows are.

it is the classic " when i buy everyone else's shit is not very valuable, but when i sell my shit it is the MOST valuable item available."

keep supporting online sales. soon there will be no shows....or dealers to do transfers.

i am leaning towards no transfers at all. or if it is something i can supply then the transfer fee will be $100 or more.

i simply do not have the time for all the "talking" that is required during a $35 transfer. they want to buy online and then Chat for 1-2 hours.

i am moving towards online sales only. shipping only. this way i work on my schedule only. i can process and ship a firearm in less than 10 min. a far better way to use my time....

 

[livingston]

Sometimes one will stumble upon a gun that was not on your radar .... happened with my sig p320 ... Bought it at a gun show. Picked it up an it felt good in the hand . Thing is I never saw another one for sale at a gun shop for like a year and a half after . .. The 10 round mag law was the excuse. .. Just cannot get any with a 10 round mag ... This fellow was able to .

 

[WileyX585]

I love going to gun shows. Take it for what its worth, you will always find something cheaper online. Hell you don't even have to go to the store to get groceries anymore. But I usually find cool little pieces there, or hard to find stuff. Lots and lots of gun shows here. I like supporting local dealers.

You would pay $10 to park, and $10 to go walk around the convention center to look at cars and boats but not want to buy one so what's wrong with a gun show? If you find something great, if not oh well. My time is never wasted in the presence of firearms.

 

[nortatoga]

Sometimes one will stumble upon a gun that was not on your radar .... happened with my sig p320 ... Bought it at a gun show. Picked it up an it felt good in the hand . Thing is I never saw another one for sale at a gun shop for like a year and a half after . .. The 10 round mag law was the excuse. .. Just cannot get any with a 10 round mag ... This fellow was able to .

Right after the Safe-Act passed I picked up a used but unfired Mini 14 (581 model) for $600.00 (every other Mini at the show was 900 to 1100) from one of the old timers!

 

[camper4lyfe]

The gun show in Rochester has the county clerk set up for pistol permit amendments. That's about the only positive I can see from that show. Since I have a very limited budget, I can't justify spending money to walk into a place to buy something at an inflated price.

 

[thegatman]

I enjoy all the gun shows. Neat stuff cheap. I always find a bargain. Last show a guy had a Belgium Luger with all matching serial numbers for under a $1000. Ammo was not bad. Got to talk to old friends. Very nice and relaxing atmosphere.

 

[Tinman]

The last time that I was at the Rochester show, I bought a belt from the guy who custom fits you while you wait, and a holster from Richie Leather. Both were very good prices. Seems like all of the firearms and ammo are always overpriced.

 

[GOPerfect]

I enjoy going to the shows. As years go by, I get more disappointed with the offerings.

Tons and tons of China Made knives. Cheap ass crap.

Dealers trying to sell guns at prices that are beyond crazy.

I saw a dealer at a show in Erie County that was selling Desantis holsters for $5 more than the Desantis web site.

Ammo, $3-5 more than every store in the area.

Rude as hell old people. The amount of people using the electric carts, blocking the isle. Stopping in the middle of the isles to talk to other cart riding guys. Yeah, they piss me off.

Dealers not wanting to spend two minutes talking about their product. Dealers having little idea about the products they sell.

Still, I go to them, if nothing else, I'll buy a pickle!

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Funny shit.

Tha ammo fraler at the ahows i go to sell to the public for LESS THAT I CAN BUY FROM MY DISTRIBUTORS?

I buy ammo from him. Saves me shipping and is 1-3 cents cheaper than my wholesale prices. Go figure that out!

 

[GOPerfect]

Funny shit.

Tha ammo fraler at the ahows i go to sell to the public for LESS THAT I CAN BUY FROM MY DISTRIBUTORS?

I buy ammo from him. Saves me shipping and is 1-3 cents cheaper than my wholesale prices. Go figure that out!

I wish I could find his table.

 

[Dinkus the Stinkus]

I like shows to see what things I might want to buy later. Plus if b&d shows up I can get some cheap brass.

 

[nortatoga]

I like shows to see what things I might want to buy later. Plus if b&d shows up I can get some cheap brass.

Exactly! I went to the last Saratoga show hoping to see the new Ruger PC9 carbine just to fondle! I know it would be to much to purchase at the Show! No luck but I did get to check out the new Ruger Precision Rimfire. And I did get to visit with Mr. Charming @Bullet Guy for a bit!! LOL!!

 

[Justincase]

I'll admit much of the stuff I'd overpriced, but I routinely find stuff that is very competitively priced compared to online prices. It's almost never cheaper, but quite often it's the same or within twenty or forty bucks of the online retailers price. I'd definitely jump on something within that amount compared to online to give a local guy business. Seventy five bucks more than online (including tax) is the max I'd pay though. Like I've said in other threads, I like supporting local, mom and pop shops, but I ain't made of money.

 

[Jezman]

ha ha ha. kinda of funny that "everyone" talks about how expensive shows are.

it is the classic " when i buy everyone else's shit is not very valuable, but when i sell my shit it is the MOST valuable item available."

keep supporting online sales. soon there will be no shows....or dealers to do transfers.

i am leaning towards no transfers at all. or if it is something i can supply then the transfer fee will be $100 or more.

i simply do not have the time for all the "talking" that is required during a $35 transfer. they want to buy online and then Chat for 1-2 hours.

i am moving towards online sales only. shipping only. this way i work on my schedule only. i can process and ship a firearm in less than 10 min. a far better way to use my time....

Tuff to do business in this shithole state. Shows out of state are not so expensive.

 

[Darth]

Stopped years ago.

Too many vendors treat you as if they are some great gift to you to be there. No thanks.

It's not a threat to say "keep buying online and see where we end up." You can keep your WWII curmudgeons and cheap Chinese knives.

 

[Prudii]

I enjoy going to gun shows. I mostly look at things and go to talk to a few vendors (@Bullet Guy) and a couple of others that I get to see twice a year. My local gun dealer goes to almost all the shows in NY, so if I see something I really like and have to have I will tell her and get it for me later on. It is the only time I voluntarily go where there are known crowds.

I also go look for hard to find items that are not the "have to have" items. I grabbed a Bushnell Holo (gen 1) last April for 50 bucks. I bought one new in 1997 for 400 dollars. I like these because they are 1MOA dots not the 2-4 moa dots that are being put out today. They are great on race pistols and absolutely fantastic on HD ARs.

I went primarily to meet local vendors and look for the 2 or 3 items I would actually buy if I found them at a reasonable price.

I'm new to the area and didn't know there was a gunsmith with a lazer cutter/etcher, cnc mill, and a whole bunch of other cool equipment less than 30 minutes away.

I did find something I had been looking for, and I had to walk away before I spent gun money on a knife.

@Bullet Guy another thing I heard from one of the vendors was that the turn around from shot show was too quick for a few of the vendors so they didn't show this year. Which this guy said contributed to the slightly higher prices. Not sure how much of that is bull, but that's what I was told.

 

[Saltwater60]

I go just for a day out of the house and my kids like it. I spent like $200.00 last one and that was the most I ever spent.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I'm not really a fan of shows. If I can shove my way to a table, I see a lot of old over priced stuff and ammo that looks like it was in a damp basement for half a decade. I would like to see shot show but as far as I know that isn't a show just anyone can go to. Maybe I'm wrong.
When it comes to buying a gun, I tend to do my research online, but I'd rather go to a brick and mortar store to buy. I'm not really the "gun store rat" type that hangs out telling hunting stories all day. Typically, I only go to a gun store if I have business there.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I'm not really a fan of shows. If I can shove my way to a table, I see a lot of old over priced stuff and ammo that looks like it was in a damp basement for half a decade. I would like to see shot show but as far as I know that isn't a show just anyone can go to. Maybe I'm wrong.
When it comes to buying a gun, I tend to do my research online, but I'd rather go to a brick and mortar store to buy. I'm not really the "gun store rat" type that hangs out telling hunting stories all day. Typically, I only go to a gun store if I have business there.

Plus you get a return policy rather than buying from some fat, big stomached guy with a croaky voice that's trying to rip you off.

 

[Mr. terzmo]

I liked the shows but haven't been for quite a while. I don't care for their "no carry" zone inside( I carry in there anyways) and I understand it costs to lease a building : but to pay admission for a 15 or 20 table show is just not right. The Rochester show has alot.