What do You think of gun show vendors? - Page 2

Big Dog · 09-27-2005, 02:46 PM

At our local show, there's one vendor that my buddy and I call the "Mobile Historical Firearms Exhibit" - lots of nice old guns, but the skyhigh prices keep them from selling. We keep seeing the same ones show after show.

Bookman · 09-27-2005, 05:54 PM

Hey, BigDog - We've got the same thing up here. There's one guy I've seen at shows for the past six years - I think he's still carrying around the same inventory. $1800 Parabellum pistol, $800 wartime PPK. $1000 Garand - not rare items, just common stuff priced way too high.

Still, I like gun shows. The bigger the better.

Dallas · 09-27-2005, 06:36 PM

I've only gone a few times. Usually way over prices. I gotta need it bad to get it at a show. Guns or anything.

Apollyon67 · 09-27-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas

I've only gone a few times. Usually way over prices. I gotta need it bad to get it at a show. Guns or anything.

The next good show out your way is in November from the 18-20 in Chantilly at the Expo Center. I will be there with a bunch of buddies from work on the 20th

Full MeTal Jack · 09-27-2005, 08:40 PM

The prices are too high, the prices are too high!
Ahhh!
Ever heard of bartering?
Heck! that's half the fun!
Maybe I'm spoiled. Houston has some of the biggest shows.
these vendors have overhead. Boothspace, travel and other connected expenses. they will deal. For the most part, they know their merchadise . They have to make sales. Otta see the tables with $25,000 shot guns.
If there is something your looking for and gotta have it, money is no object.
Try bringing more the $40 to the show.
A buddy bought an AR upper 7.62x39. Vendor wanted a price of 4something. Buddy offered $350. Guy said he'd do it.
You want an 8mm FN-49, offer $100 less. See what happens.
And besides, the smell of dried cosmoline is therapeutic.
Dang it! What else you gonna do on the weekend? Mow the yard?
MeTal out.

rebel727 · 09-28-2005, 10:18 AM

I bought my Trapdoor Springfield Carbine from a gunshow for 300. Asking price was 500. Most of them will deal.

BattleRifleG3 · 09-28-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel727

I bought my Trapdoor Springfield Carbine from a gunshow for 300. Asking price was 500. Most of them will deal.

:jaw: For $300? That's a killer steal!

rebel727 · 09-28-2005, 12:32 PM

Had a broken mainspring. $9.00 from Dixie. Pic doesn't do it justice and it shoots as good as it looks. This isn't a recent purchase tho. I got it 4 or 5 years ago.

Hank Springer · 09-28-2005, 03:28 PM

When I was in the firearms business I tried some of the big shows at Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi and got more than a little static from other dealers who were offended by my prices.
My policy was to sell at 10 to 15 percent above actual invoice. There were some who advertised 10 percent over cost and my prices were cutting their throats.
You see "cost" is a number established by the manufacturer the same as retail. If I sold at cost plus ten I would be making as much as 35 to 40 percent on some items. No dealer I know ever pays cost for anything.
I discontinued the shows because the way I sold products was an injustice to those whose pricing was more in line with retail. Besides, I had more business through the door than I could actually handle and it was a pain in the butt to spend all the time and effort transporting merchandise to the shows.
I did much better with my low markup volume sales than those who try to retire on a few items sold.
I have encountered many of the less than desirable personalities that were mentioned here. I have a strong desire to get back into the business sometimes when I run into some of those unresaonable prices.

Shaun · 09-28-2005, 04:01 PM

rebel I can squeeze ouf $400 for it

rebel727 · 09-28-2005, 05:02 PM

I don't think so. I'd hate myself in the morning. Sides I already turned down 500 for it. Not planning on selling any more guns. I kick my own butt every time I do.

09-27-2005, 02:46 PM	#21
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,067 Trader Rating: (0)	At our local show, there's one vendor that my buddy and I call the "Mobile Historical Firearms Exhibit" - lots of nice old guns, but the skyhigh prices keep them from selling. We keep seeing the same ones show after show. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

09-27-2005, 08:40 PM	#25
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,417 Trader Rating: (0)	The prices are too high, the prices are too high! Ahhh! Ever heard of bartering? Heck! that's half the fun! Maybe I'm spoiled. Houston has some of the biggest shows. these vendors have overhead. Boothspace, travel and other connected expenses. they will deal. For the most part, they know their merchadise . They have to make sales. Otta see the tables with $25,000 shot guns. If there is something your looking for and gotta have it, money is no object. Try bringing more the $40 to the show. A buddy bought an AR upper 7.62x39. Vendor wanted a price of 4something. Buddy offered $350. Guy said he'd do it. You want an 8mm FN-49, offer $100 less. See what happens. And besides, the smell of dried cosmoline is therapeutic. Dang it! What else you gonna do on the weekend? Mow the yard? MeTal out. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg

09-28-2005, 10:18 AM	#26
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,514 Trader Rating: (0)	I bought my Trapdoor Springfield Carbine from a gunshow for 300. Asking price was 500. Most of them will deal. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME!

09-28-2005, 12:32 PM	#28
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,514 Trader Rating: (0)	Had a broken mainspring. $9.00 from Dixie. Pic doesn't do it justice and it shoots as good as it looks. This isn't a recent purchase tho. I got it 4 or 5 years ago. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME!

09-28-2005, 03:28 PM	#29
Hank Springer Founding Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lauderdale County, Mississippi Posts: 150 Trader Rating: (0)	When I was in the firearms business I tried some of the big shows at Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi and got more than a little static from other dealers who were offended by my prices. My policy was to sell at 10 to 15 percent above actual invoice. There were some who advertised 10 percent over cost and my prices were cutting their throats. You see "cost" is a number established by the manufacturer the same as retail. If I sold at cost plus ten I would be making as much as 35 to 40 percent on some items. No dealer I know ever pays cost for anything. I discontinued the shows because the way I sold products was an injustice to those whose pricing was more in line with retail. Besides, I had more business through the door than I could actually handle and it was a pain in the butt to spend all the time and effort transporting merchandise to the shows. I did much better with my low markup volume sales than those who try to retire on a few items sold. I have encountered many of the less than desirable personalities that were mentioned here. I have a strong desire to get back into the business sometimes when I run into some of those unresaonable prices. __________________ Hank Last edited by Hank Springer; 09-28-2005 at 03:30 PM.

09-27-2005, 05:54 PM	#22
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 738 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey, BigDog - We've got the same thing up here. There's one guy I've seen at shows for the past six years - I think he's still carrying around the same inventory. $1800 Parabellum pistol, $800 wartime PPK. $1000 Garand - not rare items, just common stuff priced way too high. Still, I like gun shows. The bigger the better.

09-27-2005, 06:36 PM	#23
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,591 Trader Rating: (0)	I've only gone a few times. Usually way over prices. I gotta need it bad to get it at a show. Guns or anything.

09-28-2005, 04:01 PM	#30
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,585 Trader Rating: (0)	rebel I can squeeze ouf $400 for it __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

09-28-2005, 05:02 PM	#31
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,514 Trader Rating: (0)	I don't think so. I'd hate myself in the morning. Sides I already turned down 500 for it. Not planning on selling any more guns. I kick my own butt every time I do. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME!