Gun Show Dissapointment

[robheath]

I would like to know how good or bad you would rate your local gun shows.  I went to a local show today here in the New Orleans area.  I was expecting to see some of the new guns.  I could not find a Chiappa rhino anywhere.  There were no deals to be found.  I was looking for a Magpul UBR stock.  I found only one and it was for the same price as  I would pay from the Magpul sight.  I used to go to gunshows and find good deals.  I know this area is a small market but I haven,t foun a deal in a couple of years.

[Pathfinder]

Many of the gun shows are still suffering under the impression the bho bubble still exists, and charging exorbitant prices - even though the bubble has burst in most areas. One of the reasons I use MidwayUSA sales and discount MO vendors, esp if I cannot get the item locally.

[rojawe]

I gave up for the same reason way over priced and no deals, big crowd but mostly junk. I haven't been to one in over 2 years and now I use a couple of auction sites or local vendors.

[twyacht]

The "deals" are harder to find....However, when factoring in something on the web at a good price,....than the FFL transfer, or freight/shipping just about matches full retail and/or gun show pricing.

I remember gun shows were where the "horse trading took place"......See something for $500, haggle to $435....type scenario.

Now, the dealers in my area tell you to "take a hike", because they believe another "sap" will come along and think a Miculek Compensator for $50 is a deal, when Cheaper Than Dirt has them for $29 and $4 shipping.

It's starting to split hairs with the pricing. Granted some dealers are not making a killing on the products....and willing to move inventory. However, many still don;t get it....

Check the prices of M1 Carbines lately?

During the panic of 09' a fellow shooter paid over $1400 for a DPMS Sportical....Thankfully, he just tweaked it and accepted the fact that demand dictated price at that time.
 
The lack of customer service is what really irks me....The few good guys who will talk, give advice, be willing to haggle a bit, are getting fewer and fewer.

I did get yelled at by a dealer who told me to leave when I thought he was literally gouging for the price of Stoner AR mags, that Midway had for $11.99 on sale.

 

[tombogan03884]

Same here, plenty of selection on new stuff, I did handle a Rhino last time I went, "Collectible arms are mostly rusted out crap, surplus are about 25% over what the go for online, for example Mosin Nagants $150 +.
If you go regularly you can predict what gun will be in what position on what table.
I don't expect to go for another 2 or 3 years.  
Oh yeah, No CCW. It's the only place in the state I have seen that.

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

These guys actually tour around the country, and hit here a few times a year.  It's $7 per person to get in the door, but I've found really good deals each time I've gone.   

http://cegunshows.com/Default.aspx

I think it's all, or mostly all made up of shops from right around this area.  So I guess these guys just organize and advertise for them. 

Near anything you can think of buying has been there.  How good the deal is varies per booth, but I've been happy. 

[robheath]

Thanks for the replies.  I am at the point where if I can't get a deal I'll buy local so I have a place to go back to if I'm not happy.  My big concern is that gun shows are a big part of our 2nd A rights and always under attack.  I love to go and window shop but miss the old days and deals.

[tombogan03884]

Thanks for the replies.  I am at the point where if I can't get a deal I'll buy local so I have a place to go back to if I'm not happy. My big concern is that gun shows are a big part of our 2nd A rights and always under attack.  I love to go and window shop but miss the old days and deals.

They are in danger of dying due to greed and lack of personality of the vendors even if the liberals can't kill them off.

[ske1eter]

I've not been to a local show (my fav is in Mesquite, TX, at the Big Town locale) for a month or two, but we normally have two or three dealers that have real good prices and almost compete against each other. Their show prices are definitely better than if you walked into their shops on any given day.

[twyacht]

They are in danger of dying due to greed and lack of personality of the vendors even if the liberals can't kill them off.

Agreed. Seeing Moisin rifles for $150+ for what J&G has for the same (with goodies), for less than $100, just kinda makes me ask, who is thinking outside the box?

Move your inventory, get a solid customer base, get repeat customers who will buy local if your not a schmuck.

Jus' sayin....

I was also made the bad guy because a dealer told me " I can't compete with an online dealer that gets 10,000 at a time",.....

Again,...they need to think outside the box...