Bonkers pricing at Gunshow

[john 800]

You have to haggle guys!

I have rarely seen anything that was priced close enough to even bother making an offer on. The few i have been to i see hundreds of guns for sale and a small handful changing hands.

 

[Dgd6mm]

A buddy of mine went to the swap shop yesterday and sold 3 boxes of federal auto Match for $200.00.
I have to add, I don't agree with the pricing, but for now it's still a free Country.

 

[Capt45]

Now this I agree with and believe it will eventually play out!

If it's scalping retailers, they're smart enough to put it back for the NEXT episode of screw the 2nd. Amend.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have rarely seen anything that was priced close enough to even bother making an offer on. The few i have been to i see hundreds of guns for sale and a small handful changing hands.

Last year a friend asked me to go with him to look at a bench gun he saw at a show the day before. I immediately recognized it as a twin to my Kebly built 6PPC based on a RBLP Panda. I sruck up a conversation with the older gentleman who had several tables of pristine upper level rifles. Turns out he was a retired succesful businesman who some years before had turned his company over to his son. He now traveled to gun shows with only very nice rifles. He called it his "expensive hobby". His choice of words. He bought the rifle from an old lady whose husband had passed several years before. She was not sure if it was ever fired. After quite a long conversation the old fellow dug out a little tattered notebook and said he had been hauling it around for about 3 years and no one had ever expressed interest, not even once. He showed us he had paid 1600.00 for it, and was willing to take that. Down 550.00 from the price on the tag. SOLD. Yep, it's competitively accurate for not much more than the price of an action today. So, HAGGLE.

 

[SPQR70AD]

the heyday of gun shows was the 80's and the early 90's. tons of surplus guns AK's SKS's cheap ammo and reloading components surplus army gear. gun shows for the last 20 years are a waste of time and money no matter who tries to sugar coat it. yes and I know that a dollar in 1988 is now worth 14 million

 

[NateHaler]

I think I might cry if I saw such a rifle at the shows nearby. Tears of gratitude...

The firearms at the local shows are mediocre in this part of Texas, but at least there are more gun vendors than dreamcatcher, beef jerky, and ointment displays than was the case in California.

 

[dkhunt14]

I wish they would finally get tired of buying this stuff and get stuck with it

That will probably eventually happen to them. When Supply catches up and people stop buying. Until then I guess they make money. Matt

 

[22DASHER]

So what if they get stuck with it. They likely purchased it at normal prices to sell at panic prices. They can easily get back what they paid once it all calms down. Or hell they will probably just shoot it.

 

[rockrat]

Lot of people were never taught the fine art of haggling. Some dealers act insulted if you try and haggle and some enjoy it. My Grandfather taught me to just be prepared to walk away. I remember him trying to buy a new car (back in the 60's) and after hours of haggling, he and the dealer were $5 apart. He got up and we left.

 

[1K6BRA]

I wish that gunshow would restart in my neck of the woods. I haven't been to one in a few years due to work and the covid. Once in a while I miss the people gawking and warm cinnamon roasted almonds. On second thought, standing in line behind a flatulent jerk and dealers lowballing you until your will breaks, maybe I am better off without them.

I’m with you there buddy! Haven’t been doing gun shows for a few years or so but I definitely don’t miss walking into flatulent clouds!

 

[Kurz]

There is nothing worse than having false hopes when you're considering going to a gun show. There was a time quite a while ago when it was fun to look forward to a day walking up and down the aisles looking at guns and talking with the exhibitors. Sad but those days are long gone and sorely missed. But it does no good to whine and wring our hands about the loss. Adapt and overcome!

My Grandfather taught me to just be prepared to walk away.

Yes. The most difficult lesson to learn, especially when you find the one thing you REALLY want to own! I've had to do this with car salesmen and firearms sellers. Smile, thank them kindly for their time and move on. It can work wonders or perform as stated, you move on.

Enjoy!

 

[Kittitas George]

In the early 1960's I belonged to a 'collectors association' that had monthly gun shows. Original sites for a Sharps or match sites for an M1, custom made black powder guns and may be a 'wildcat' 25-06 or 22-250 would be available. Good stuff at reasonable prices, some of the guns or other things would have a history, some times documented, or the dealers knew. Maybe a gun or fly rod from a local legend. Good stuff, good entertainment and good people, an enjoyable morning. Then in about the early 1970's the dealers that couldn't make a living in their store showed up, and the fun disappeared. Lots of beef jerky, 3 dollar imported knives, goat soap and junk jewelry. Time to move on.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Lot of people were never taught the fine art of haggling. Some dealers act insulted if you try and haggle and some enjoy it. My Grandfather taught me to just be prepared to walk away. I remember him trying to buy a new car (back in the 60's) and after hours of haggling, he and the dealer were $5 apart. He got up and we left.

That reminds of being a kid with my Dad when he would buy cattle from individuals. He would offer them a fair price and if they didn’t accept it, he would thank them and walk back to the pickup. It was always a good feeling when they hollered at us to come back and take the deal.

 

[john 800]

Last year a friend asked me to go with him to look at a bench gun he saw at a show the day before. I immediately recognized it as a twin to my Kebly built 6PPC based on a RBLP Panda. I sruck up a conversation with the older gentleman who had several tables of pristine upper level rifles. Turns out he was a retired succesful businesman who some years before had turned his company over to his son. He now traveled to gun shows with only very nice rifles. He called it his "expensive hobby". His choice of words. He bought the rifle from an old lady whose husband had passed several years before. She was not sure if it was ever fired. After quite a long conversation the old fellow dug out a little tattered notebook and said he had been hauling it around for about 3 years and no one had ever expressed interest, not even once. He showed us he had paid 1600.00 for it, and was willing to take that. Down 550.00 from the price on the tag. SOLD. Yep, it's competitively accurate for not much more than the price of an action today. So, HAGGLE.

I dont have the patience to haggle with every single dealer to figure out the real price on every gun at the show. For people that enjoy them, more power to you, knock yourself out. Id rather spend my Saturdays fishing or shooting.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I agree with you to a point, except for the fishing. In this case it was a pleasant conversation with a very knowledgeable older gentleman that resulted in a great deal for my buddy.

 

[jackson1]

My Dad used to tell me this about that; they will be still making them when your are dead and gone. Checked out Gun Broker yesterday and the primers prices were high. But if it comes down to shooting or not shooting, I guess you will have to pay up. Anyway, that is what I will be telling my shooting buddies.

 

[LuvDog]

Growing up in the midwest - going to a gun show as a lot of fun. Price to get in was free or darn close. Plenty of great deals on surplus goods, ammo, etc.

Living in the northeast now, price to get in is $12-$15. I've never seen a good price on a gun... in the good years, there were decent deals on bulk ammo. Small parts for ARs is ok too since you can avoid shipping.

I wrote the organizers asking them if they could offer free or discounted admission for kids, but never heard anything back. It's a shame, I think more people would go and take their kids if that were the case.

I liked going, just to walk around and browse, with the cash in my pocket just in case I found something good.

The last time I spent any good money at one was when there was a guy setup to do laser engraving. I had him do a few lowers for me for my stamps.

 

[Just Say Moe]

I last went to one was during the Bush administration. With the BHO panic, the admission price went up (from $3-5) along with guns due to panic buying.
I miss the days rummaging through bins of M1, Springfield, and Carbine parts. Real leather slings, bayonets, etc. Bullets by the ton, primers, powder. I would have an eye out for old mausers and quit going when I started recognizing the same rifles from the same vendors 2-3 shows in a row. You would think they would get tired of schlepping them around and lower the price! I missed out on a Remington model 30 that I didn't need - the only rifle there >25 years old. Thought about it and went back but it was gone........

 

[FNSafari]

I last went to one was during the Bush administration. With the BHO panic, the admission price went up (from $3-5) along with gun due to panic buying.
I miss the days rummaging through bins of M1, Springfield, and Carbine parts. Real leather slings, bayonets, etc. Bullets by the ton, primers, powder. I would have an eye out for old mausers and quit going when I started recognizing the same rifles from the same vendors 2-3 shows in a row. You would think they would get tired of schlepping them around and lower the price! I missed out on a Remington model 30 that I didn't need - the only rifle there >25 years old. Thought about it and went back but it was gone........

I think, certainly depending on location, that a lot of dealers show up to these to buy rather than sell. Buy in the hinterlands, sell in Florida and Texas.

 

[KMart]

Texas has a law that makes it illegal to price gouge after a disaster. The trick is to get Governor to declare us a disaster area after the election.