Question on gun show in your area

[mmppres]

Guys I have been setting up an selling at local show last 6 months i have come across so many negative comments for people its getting that I affraid of loosing temper. Guys tell me i ask to much for parts. Guns to high. Had a guy throw a remington butt plate on table an say 10.00 was to much along with other not nice words. Had guy an his son look at a chinese commission 88 rifle, in real nice shape priced at 160.00 gut told his son i was a crook. Been laughing all day over what i been hearing. So my question is do i have the corner market on cheap people or are they all over the place too.
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[burb1989]

You know the old adage "they want something for nothing". There are people like that everywhere so I don't think you cornered the market on them. If they don't like the prices they can either haggle with you or move on to someone else. To me people like that are rude and it seems that more are coming up as the potential to buy items at next to nothing and sell them for huge profits is turning even decent people towards that mindset. Still if you get a laugh then more power to you.

[bob4wd]

Come to California - we need you! 160 bucks for ANY milsurp is unheard of here! I enjoy haggling, as (seemingly ) do most people I've dealt with at gun shows. But if a price is too high, I just walk on, no harm no foul.
The motto of my old fighter squadron would apply here- "illegitimatus non carborundum"- hang in there.
,

[mmppres]

Thanks for listing to my gripe guys. Its just a small way to make some money an have fun with family. I am very lucky that new wife loves to attend the shows. plus all kids enjoy them. So we try an make it a family week end,even thou its alot of work. I tell most people that question my prices on parts that minium i would get on fleabay would be 10.00. Some of the reactions make you laugh all day long. Even put a sign up that reads; REASONABLE OFFERS ACCEPTED UNREASONABLE ONES LAUGHED AT. man does that get coments. I know alot of you members attend ,buy,sell at shows and just wanted to hear you opions or stores.

[Aussie48]

Wish you were down here with those prices, but the I want something for as little as possible or free crowd are everywhere you go, along with the I have the last XYZ and I want to be an overnight millionaire.

[mmppres]

Best way i found to tick cheep skates off is give something to some one else free. a few shows ago i had a young boy an his grand pap stop at my tables. Boy wanted to buy a web gear set up complete as i could make it. Young man ask price an i told him 25.00 he ask if i could do better so i told him 20.00. this young man was only about 7 or 8 years old. he proceded to pay me from his allounce would not let his pap pay either. While he was there an sorta old guy was compalining to my wife about prices. Young man put his web gear on an was so proud. I handed him a m65 feild coat that sean better day early 1950 extra small. Fit him great. His pap wanted to pay for it told him to enjoy it use it wear it out if he could. Watching that young man walk away like a peacock was worth giving it to him an watching old guys jaw drop. Wife siad i did right thing.

[Mikesm44]

Gun shows in general have begun to get terrible. To few of them, and too many people are a part of the problem. I think the other part, a lot of people go looking for people who are selling things they know nothing about. They bully those kinds of people and pick up stuff cheap. There are people I've seen at shows, the same individuals over and over that do that, and I swear I've seen the stuff they buy show up on eBay and gun broker the next day. One I remember very clearly, a guy was selling his father's Star pistol collection. I bought one, and just after me this customer bought all 5 or 6 that he had left for I think $600. I wanted badly to say something, especially since literally within sight another table a man was selling Star pistols for about that price each. I picked up a B, but they both had all kinds. I think that's how some people make their money, or pass their time, or get their jollies or something, I don't know, but I feel like every show I go to I want to step in and stop a deal. Last gun show I was at I cringed as a reproduction PU sniper rifle was sold for $900 because it had SA marks on it, even though it was clearly never a sniper. There are all kinds at those shows. Don't let them get to you. There are also good people who just want to collect and learn. It's easy to forget that when other people are trying to turn it into something cutthroat. Oh, and those Star pistols that guy bought, they all showed up on the local trader the next day.

[Lee Enfield]

Gun shows in general have begun to get terrible. To few of them, and too many people are a part of the problem. I think the other part, a lot of people go looking for people who are selling things they know nothing about. They bully those kinds of people and pick up stuff cheap. There are people I've seen at shows, the same individuals over and over that do that, and I swear I've seen the stuff they buy show up on eBay and gun broker the next day. One I remember very clearly, a guy was selling his father's Star pistol collection. I bought one, and just after me this customer bought all 5 or 6 that he had left for I think $600. I wanted badly to say something, especially since literally within sight another table a man was selling Star pistols for about that price each. I picked up a B, but they both had all kinds. I think that's how some people make their money, or pass their time, or get their jollies or something, I don't know, but I feel like every show I go to I want to step in and stop a deal. Last gun show I was at I cringed as a reproduction PU sniper rifle was sold for $900 because it had SA marks on it, even though it was clearly never a sniper. There are all kinds at those shows. Don't let them get to you. There are also good people who just want to collect and learn. It's easy to forget that when other people are trying to turn it into something cutthroat. Oh, and those Star pistols that guy bought, they all showed up on the local trader the next day.

Here the major complaint seems to be that the customers are looking to buy a new gun from a gunshow vender for less than retail price.

I keep having to explain to attendees that the reason to go to gunshows is to find things which are not (commonly) available in stores/shops.


It's always the guy who lives 4 blocks away from my house who I don't know that turns out to be the guy who has the correct accoutrement or part that I need to repair/complete my project gun/part.

I've got so many incomplete projects on the go that I could easily have a complete 2nd and maybe 3rd collection if I completed them all....


And I am continually surprised at how many EXTREMELY rare items show up....usually when I'm not looking for them...or don't have the scratch available.

I wish I had bought all of the reference books, odd parts and "junker" guns which were pointed out to me by "uncle" Ted and the other people who have mentored me along the way.

Of course other things that I was discouraged from buying would have been interesting to own today too...

[mmppres]

Not so much looking for deal it to me is the cheep skates that make rude nasty comments at almost every show never buy anything that i have seen. Its like why do even show up. An god for bid they walk around selling something you would think it belonged to general Grant or Hitler for the number they want for it

[Sarge]

This is not a new/recent problem - I've seen this for 20+ years.
I've been known to reply to a really "stupid" comment/offer on one of my guns with - OK and I'll give you $700 for you car.
Sarge