Gun Show Dealers/Vendors.... Getting a little Cocky?

[twyacht]

Went to the Ft. Lauderdale Gun & Knife Show Sat. Stocking up, making the rounds, seeing how since the last show in January, the prices of 90% of everything has gone up a few bucks here, or many bucks there.

An AR that was $1499 in January, is now $1599.  Pistols (the popular brands), not as much as competition at least hols them to a tighter margin. S&W M+P .40, I paid $450.00 last year, now $495.00. NIB pistols like the XD's, The Judge, Kel-Tec, Glocks, all have nice little "bump ups" in price every show.

The real burr in my boxer's is the used gun prices, and the unwillingness to haggle from the Dealer/Vendor.

That was the best part of going to the shows. See something you like, for ($insert price), and negotiate a deal.

Really liked a nice "used" little S&W revolver, looked new, great shape, $400.00, offered $325.00, and the guy looked like I was insulting him and I should just p*** off. He didn't even counter at $375.00. WTF?

Uh,....This same pistol in a pawn shop down the road is around $325.00, NIB at Outdoor world is $359.00.

Even the guy selling Zippo lighters, (I have many), wouldn't negotiate off his "used" lighters.

I think as demand has grown, (it was, like the last show, very busy,.) the Dealers/Vendors are sitting on their high horse and enjoying the increased sales and volume, and bumping up as they go.

Note: I know, I know, demand dictates price, free market, etc,...etc,... But the friendly Gun Dealer that might knock off or be willing to deal a little seems to be going away.

Anyone else notice this?

[MikeBjerum]

I was at a large gun show in Sioux Falls yesterday.  I was rushed so didn't get to spend the time I wanted, but from what I saw it was good pricing and fair deals.  I didn't try to dicker with anyone, but wouldn't have expected any trouble.

Saw one guy with 30 round mags for ar's priced at $39, but the next table over had cases of them at $18.  This is pretty much what we see at gun shops up here - one guy out of line and then several shooting deals and getting business.  Missed two real good deals - Went past a table and thought I saw a stack of DPMS AR10 20 rounders for $36, and when I made my way around the table in the crowd I got back just in time to see a guy walk away with them ... The vendor told me I was correct and the guy bought all 10 he had ... Vendor was pleased, customer was overjoyed (according to vendor), and I have a sore butt from the swift kick I gave myself.

Saw lots of handguns priced reasonable to low, and some a little high.  Ar15's were ALL priced pre-panic, and the two AR10's I saw were priced high, but cheaper than I've seen in any store.

TT is going to try and make it over today, and I hope to hear what he thinks of it.

[ericire12]

Why sell for a lower price if they know they can move the product at the higher price within a reasonable amount of time? If I were in their shoes I would not be rude when refusing an offer, but I certainly would not be willing to come down in price with the way guns are flying off the shelves.

There is definitely a premium to be paid if one is choosing to purchase/stock up now vs pre-election...... Unless I find a real deal, I personally am waiting for the frenzy to stop and prices to begin to settle back down before I make a large purchase. I might be wrong, and prices may not come back down, but its never really wise to buy once prices have been driven up like they have been because of the increased demand. 

[blackwolfe]

Was at a small once a year gunshow a week ago.  A few bonified dealers and a lot of private sellers with used and older/ collectable guns. The comment everyone was making was they had never seen that show so busy and crowded.  I got there an hour after it started and couldn't hardley get in the door.  This show has never been to much on the tactical side, but there are usually a few PIF firearms.  Saw two ARs, one new DPMS around $1800, one used for $1300.  There was an FAL built on an Imbel receiver for $1800 from a guy that always has high prices and I have never seen him sell a thing.  Saw one older used Mini-14 Ranch with the rings for $525 and it didn't sell.  Usually there are numerous Mini-14s available.  A few M-1 Carbines in the $700-$800 range, including a Universal brand in .256 Wim Mag.  Not much in the way of .223 or .308 ammo.  Some popular pistol ammo at so so prices.  Not much in the way of magazines, but did pick up 2 Colt AR magazines for $15 each.  A few new AR mags were in the $20-$25 range.  A few beater M-1 carbine mags at high prices.  Everyday firearms were mostly fairly priced to maybe a small premium on some.  This is in Michigan and things have been tuff economically here for some time, so that may be keeping some of the gouging down.  No one seems to have much in the way of discretional funds to spend so the sellers either sell it at resonable prices or sit on it for how long?

[runstowin]

I went to the Tanner Gun Show in Dec. was a waste of time. I paid $ 9 to see prices that were no better than a local gun shop, and some prices higher.

[Sponsor]

[CJS3]

A little!?  You must be talking to the polite ones.

[Overload]

I went to the Tanner Gun Show in Dec. was a waste of time. I paid $ 9 to see prices that were no better than a local gun shop, and some prices higher.

Are gun show prices normally less than local gun shops? 

I went to the same gun show and found a gun I had been looking for, at a reasonable price: Ishapore SMLE in 308.  It was also worth my $9 to see the madhouse and what people were grouped around.  While there were black rifles there, and that's where people were gathered, it was ammo that was in short supply.

[runstowin]

Are gun show prices normally less than local gun shops? 

I went to the same gun show and found a gun I had been looking for, at a reasonable price: Ishapore SMLE in 308.  It was also worth my $9 to see the madhouse and what people were grouped around.  While there were black rifles there, and that's where people were gathered, it was ammo that was in short supply.

I had not checked or bought ammo lately, but my friends had and they weren't impressed, I had looked at some rifles and guns, and I did see some higher prices. I got there 40 mins. before the doors opened, and I watched as the throngs lined up, it was amazing.

[Thanos]

On the upside, there are a lot of new gun owners in the US since B Hussein Obama took office.