I attended a gunshow where I met COLDBORE and bought some brass from him. We got into a discussion about how ridicules the pricing is at these events. Ammo that is decades old selling for the same price as new ammo. Leupolds that must be made out gold for what they want!

It depends on the show and the table your at. Here in Des Moines, I can buy reloading components cheaper than I can most anywhere else. If you get one or two dealers who keep their prices reasonable, the rest of the show has to, or they get no traffic.

We see that out here also but those are the samr people that carry that chit from show to show without moving anything. If your going to do gunshows you have to have good prices and quality items, otherwise your just wasting time.

The problems the dealers for the most part are buying retail and trying to move the stuff at higher retail.

Or some of the other dealers hassle the show promoter who then hassles the low price vendor.

I was at a gun shop in OK and found some ancient .411 350 gr. "X"s. For 54 freaking bucks!

Dude's on crack....

True enough. I often see people trying to sell used guns at significantly more than a new gun of the same model would cost -- and I'm not talking about collectibles. Having said that, I do occasionally find a good deal. Like anything else, you have to know what you're looking for and what a fair price is before you walk in the door.

Very true. Same as any purchase a guy might make.

Last gun show I was at in March the prices are on the decline. Several vendors had primers under $30. I see Sinclair listed Rem 7.5 on for 29.95 the other day. Pipeline is filling up at least until gun salesman of the year Butthole Obama causes his next crisis

I only go to gun shows ocasionally. But when I do, I assume that the asking price is just a starting point and that the final price will be substantially less.

But I bet that some of the vendors go from show to show always hoping to find one of those people that P.T. Barnum said was born every minute.

KC

They're thinking eventually someone will come by and buy it.

It's the same in Canada.I'd swear that some vendors don't want to sell their stuff,they'd rather pack it around from show to show!If you look hard enough though there's usually the odd little gem hiding on a table somewhere! Monashee

I also have noticed that in the past 2-3 years prices have gotten much higher at gun shows in general. I now mostly go look unless there is something specific I need (Like a particular clip or screw or...) I used to buy more at them.

This is exactly why I don't waste my money at the door anymore. When I do go to the occasional one, all I hear from the vendors is "There are no buyers anymore!".. Get a friggin clue guys and figure out why.

The way I heard it was, a lot of vendors bought at retail prices or above around the time of the election expecting the gun/ammo buying rush to last longer/go higher than it did.

The last one I went to had a vendor trying to sell bullets WAY over current retail. Try a 50 count box of 85 gr. 6mm partitions for $40.

Like others here have said, unless I'm looking for something in particular, there's no reason to go.

That's true. Bob's out of Monroe also goes to CR and his powder and bullet prices are better than any of the stores. Other people at the show will have the same powder priced higher. You can't buy from the first one you see. As others have said, the prices on firearms tend to be ludicrous. At the last CR show, I overheard one vendor feeding a potential buyer a line of BS about how all guns were going up now that the health care bill had passed.

Bob is who I had in mind. Nice guy, been buying from him for years. I'll buy a little more from him tomorrow night.

Nothin' new.. Same crap at shows around here - which is why they're not worth the 5$ to get in... There's junk at new prices or new stuff at MSRP+20%...

You only have to pay $5 to get in?? It's like $7-9 here...

I can't lie though, I did find a great deal on a used Rem 700 30/06 for $275. Bedded, floated, lapped bolt, and trigger work along with leopold mounts and rings.

Gotta love those estate auction resellers...

Yeah, baby. I love gun shows and spent 40-years being my Dad's wingman and learning the art of arguing with yahoos like the members here. Plus, I get to look at a lot of guns.

Agree 100%. I go to a local gun show, maybe twice a year. They have basically been worthless for several yrs. now. Last one I went to, back in Feb., I was only there a little over 1 hr. Everything[for the most part], was either over priced junk, or black rifles. I saw very little buying going on.

Here is a good example of overpriced. Looked at a Ruger # 1 tropical, .458 WM, so so wood, good blueing. Looked at the price tag, $975! The dude selling it said it was real rare[yeah right]. Had just looked on gunbroker, and found one just like it for $650.....go figger....

maddog

Its like going to an auction. You get hyped on just being part of the experience and forget about common sense and what stuff is really worth. At least that's what the vendors hope. I quit going to gun shows a long time ago.

Some guys have figured out is better to sell 2 items at 10% profit than it is to sell one at 18%. Some guys do it just to screw people looking to trade. Some want to talk about their "collection" and others have found that they can liquidate an accumulation of items better on the other side of the table. Most are just trying to get maximun exposure at minimal cost. I too, have a hard time spending $5-15 just as an "entertainmant" fee, especially when I can buy a table for $50, throw a few guns on the table at an outlandish price (who knows, a sucker may come along), come and go as I please, make back-door deals with other dealers and see every gun brought in without having to stand up.

I actually had a table at the show Rich is talking about (the second time I've ever set up at a show as a seller). I was trying to move a bunch of personal stuff, no "business" for me.

As a seller, I saw it from the opposite side. I'm convinced that most guys who go to shows as "buyers", have no intention of spending a penny more than the door entrance fee. Everybody fingers up the stuff, and then either tells you how they have one nicer, or lowball you ridiculously, or just walk away.

If you ask Rich, he should be able to confirm that I had nothing but quality stuff on the table (no old milsurp, rusted, cracked, beat up $100 clunkers), at very reasonable prices. I walked around and compared. On easily comparable things, like standard M700's, I was sometimes literally HUNDREDS below some guys, and in every single case, I had the lowest price, by varying degrees, on everything.

I had bullets and ammo there. I left mail order catalogs laying on the table. I had prices on everything, but if anybody questioned it, I invited them to flip through the catalog, find the price, and I'd be roughly 25% below it, with no tax or shipping added on. Still, I sold very little.

I sold one gun. One. At the lowest prices in the show.

I don't know how many guys made comments about how I had the nicest stuff there, and at definitely the best prices. I had guys ask how I could really sell at those prices, compared to everyone else. I explained that I was just a private individual, with no business overhead, etc, and just wanted to trim down some excess stuff that wasn't being shot any more. I didn't start out high, expecting to dicker a bunch. I wanted to cut to the chase, offer attractive prices from the beginning, and hopefully get some attention at those prices.

And still, nobody bought.

Yeah, some "dealers" are nuts at the shows, but it's a two way street sometimes...

Too true...


But to another poster - yeah, every one I've been to in the last dozen years or so has had a $5.00 entry fee...

I've kicked in another buck and bought two beers at the local joint.. Got more value outta it..

Amen, Coldbore. I wish some of these guys would spend one season trying to make a living from the other side of the table. The tune would change rather dramatically.

I figure a lot of the complaints about gunshows are due to the online auction sites, just like eBay has had a massive effect on collectibles.

Some people set up at shows (having to pay for it) to have somebody to talk to, if they sold their stuff, then they wouldn't have a reason to set up.

from the shows i've been to and first one was 20 years or so ago.I believe there is only 5-10% deals to be found the rest are over retail and it is alot worse the last few years.That being said it seems that majority of the people attending are not doing their homework and knowing the prices before they go to a show or auction.Because their are people willing to pay more then retail they will always have the guys who is willing to sell their items above retail

an example the last show in rochester couple weeks ago.There was a rem sps turkey gun which retails approx 500.The vendor sold more then one of these guns for 700 a piece.And anybody that has ever been to a show can tell a story of outragious prices

I rented a table at a gunshow to sell a bunch of stuff. I figured it would be much easier for me to get rid of the stuff over a couple days at a show rather than sell over the internet and deal with endless e-mails, packing and shipping and waiting for cheques to clear. It was excellent I got rid of absolutely everything on the table for cash. My guns were priced about $100 less than the other tables that were overpriced and got equal or better than I could selling over the internet. A few other dealers came over and told me my prices were to low, I told them they were reasonable for good shape used goods and that I came here to sell stuff not sit here for 2 days and take it all back home.

I would have gotten a kick out of the looks you got telling them that!

I go as a buyer, not a sucker. When the prices are in line, I buy. The last time I bought was two years ago at the Big Reno Show and spent several grand there with one dealer only, as he was the only one still down here on planet earth.

I know a lot of the folks on both sides of the tables, and the potential buyers are all of one mind now...the prices are ridiculous at the shows. Online auctions with all their faults are now a better way to buy, but this is faint praise. Nothing can replace holding and inspecting the gun before plunking down the $$$.

Last show I went to, I went specifically looking for a Marlin .22 Mag. Bud's sells them online for $192, and there were several USED Marlins there, for $225-$230. There WERE some differences, some had walnut vs. birch, one was new but synthetic stocked, but all the used ones were beat to [bleep], and all were at that magic $225 mark. I walked out with a set of dies I was halfheartedly looking for, and that was it. I think I'm done with gunshows, period. I can save money ordering components online, or going to a shop, without the parking fee and entrance monies.

If you attend them often and you know your stuff, some great deals are out there. But the more common stuff such as the �in� guns at the time, or basically anything new will be well over-priced. Been that way as long as I can remember.

Parts, accessories and old used stuff are what make gun show worth going to. I attend only about 1 gun show a year, and I�ve gone as long as 6 years without going to a gun show and never once felt like I was missing something. I can make a much better deal on a new gun by walking into someone�s shop, rather than seeing him at a gun show (not that I buy new guns all that often, I�m an old and used gun kind of guy).

Our gunshow's primarily consist of...

Jewelry,snowcones,fudge,raffles,clothing,novelties,antique swords,ect.

Well, I've said this before just to illustrate what a vendor faces. Not to defend outrageous pricing when it happens, but to explain why things aren't at give-away prices.

You drive 1,000 miles at $3 a gallon, spend $100 a night for a room, $50 a day for food and $100 for each table - and then sit there and listen to people beech because they paid $10 to get in. Some yahoo says your prices are too high just before he clumsily drops one of your guns on its scope, shrugs and walks away.

He is exactly right. All the stuff he had was all good. There were several rifles I would have bought!

This is my philosophy as well. When I decide to do a gun show, maybe 4-5 times a year, I sell 80-90% of what I bring because I price it to SELL. Have also been given grief by other vendors but often now they come and buy up a bunch of my stuff before the show starts and then put it back on thier tables at a hoped for higher price. Fine with me as I then have moola to buy more toys to try out. Sometimes even from them,but they know that I buy cheap or not at all. All in good fun. If it is not fun, I don't go. Would NOT want to do it full time and rely on such for my income as some do. I understand thier need to keep thier prices up there. Thier choice and ours to buy or not.

Coldbore

In my experience, model 700's just do not sell. Got to just about give them away to move them. There are things that move and things that do not at gun shows. Probably regionally based to a degree as I cannot move a Remmy pump at all out here for more than about $200-225.00

I love gun shows...I get deals usually, if not I dont buy...simple enough.

A few shows ago I purchased a Leupold 1.5x5 Vari x 3 for $130.00

It wouldnt hold a group but I sent it in to Leupold and a few weeks later it arrived back as good as new....*free*

Like I say I usually get good deals.

The price of pet rocks and candles are skyrocketing at gunshows to....................

Everything you say may be absolutely true but that does not explain having exorbinant prices on the stuff they're selling at a gunshow.
My local dealer has his expenses as well, like property tax, rent/mortgage, lights, employees and so forth but he would go out of business if his prices were as high as those at a show.
I think many of the folks who sell at shows count on the unwashed masses, attracted by the show, to spend too much money on an item available elsewhere for less.

I was at the Gunshow here in Kingsport last weekend . There was a vendor selling some AR Parts. He had a Yankee Hill Gas Block that cost me 52.00 new from Brownell. Retail is about 80.00 on Yankee Hill Web site . I ask what he wanted for it and he said 125.00. I just looked at him and handed it back and walked off. These vendors must think people are really stupid. Another thing, the admission fee to get into the show is now 10.00 per person. I told the girl i could to the theater cheaper. The gun show are now 10% quality merchandise and 90% junk.

On the side I overheard 2 vendors talking at the last gunshow and one of em said he was charged $750.00 to rent a table.....that if true sounds rediculous.

Maybe they have the PT Barnum plan- You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time......

That is a pizz poor excuse to justify the outrageous prices at the tables anymore. If you can't get there and put out merchandise at competative and realistic prices, it isn't the fault of the buyers.

I've put gun shows on a back burner. They're ENTERTAINMENT any more, the ridiculous prices, the gapers. Once in a while I'll spot something I didn't know I needed, do some quick math in my head and go from there.
I have no sympathy for the gougers. Let them unload and reload their junk after the weekend.

Yep. What I take I want to SELL, and there.

Been looking for a Python, and have seen a few OK deals at gun shows for those. Probably gonna buy one soon now.

I mostly quit going to gunshows several years ago. About once every two years I'll get to rethinking that and decide to ride the 60 miles to Jackson to go to one. After paying the $7 admission charge and it taking all of 20 minutes to walk through to tables looking at the hopelessly overpriced junk I'll leave swearing I'll never come back. About two years later I'll get to wondering if there just might be something worth buying there and repeat the scenario. I honestly haven't found anything worth buying at a gunshow in about 15 years. I guess the internet has taken over and all that's left at the gunshows are those looking to sell a $500 gun for $800 and those selling the made in china replica confererate swords. It's depressing really. I guess most of us still go to them because we remember 20 years ago when they were actually fun and you could spend an enjoyable day there while finding a good deal now and then. Between the admission charge and gas to get there I'm out about $20 bucks to get there. I'd rather spend to $20 on a pizza and six pack of beer, at least I'll get some enjoyment out of the pizza and beer.

The only time I go anymore is when I want a brand new pistol. Normally the bigger shows around here will have a few guys with nearly every new handgun made in every caliber/finish combination. I can go there and pick up everyone and look at them. Price is normally right at the same price as gunbroker or as cheap as anywhere else.

I agree a lot of stuff is overpriced but I guarantee a lot of stuff people on this site tag as overpriced will sell to someone....

I go, realy dont know why anymore, only about 2 shows a year that are any good. I rent a table about every 2 years , just to get rid of ammo and stuff that I dont have a gun for, about 30-45 a table, I sell alot of my stuff, cause I want to get rid of it, Iv had vender come over & bitch, about my Low, Fair prices, I tell them to buy my stuff then charge what they want for it on there table! geting alot harder to find a deal on anything anymore!

Most folks are idiots, I think that sums up either side of the table.

You forgot the teapot warmers!

We have a few local dealers who rent tables and they are way lower on prices then the others traveling more than a 100 miles. I mostly go for powder and bullets, but I have been surprised the last couple of times by a rifle on the table. Only form the locals though.

The buuthole will get something passed.
How will he get gun salesman of the year for 2010 if he don't?

Trust me.......there were no vendors that travel more that 80-100 miles for this show.

I thought they were beef jerky shows. Didn't realize that those were prices on the tags, I thought they were serial numbers.

I was selling a rifle once and one of the slackazz table dealers gave me the "hey boy, come here with that rifle" So I showed it to him and he gives me a lame low ball offer. I told him I'd pass. He proceeds to tell me "lookey here, I ain't gonna buy nothing i cant make no money on..."

I asked him "how is that was my problem?"...

I set up at four Gun Shows a year. All local Sportsman Club shows. (50-75 tables) Most of the mainstream dealers avoid these shows, so they are not too bad. About half of the vendors are just members cleaning out stuff they don't use any more. This is the stuff I go for. I might buy an old obsolete peep sight or set of scope mounts. I recently picked up a NIB Timney trigger for a Husqvana for the princely sum of $40. In the last three shows, I've sold one gun and traded one.

The major gun shows in Michigan are all promoted my one person. The shows are mainly black rifles, handguns, and flea market items. I don't bother to go to his shows any more. I went to one the other day by accident. The only Ruger #1 in the show was the one my buddy carried in. Best offer he had was $400 for a 200th Yr 1-B in 98%+ condition with decent wood. I figured that was an insult.

The two better gun shops in the state will sell used guns cheaper over the counter than one can buy at the gun shows. Sadly, most are a waste of time.

Edw

I love the smaller rural shows as well. More affordable stuff and more FUN! Like all gun Shows used to be.