Question on gun show in your area

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. :D:):D:)
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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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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...

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 :lol::lol:

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

Well Sarge wife came up with a new one today right out of the blue old guy said 20.00 for a Mitchell 300 fishing real was 10.00 too much an her reply was she would buy every one he could find for 10.00 all day .long. It was wonderful watching him stand there with his mouth open an stomp off with out a word. Had to buy her nice dinner on way home :):clap::)

I don't remember where I learned it, but I grew up being told: If you are looking at someone's merchandise & you think it's priced too high, or the condition is too poor, you just put it down, say "thank you" to the seller, & walk away. It's called "common courtesy".

I think gun shows vary by region. On the East Coast, I see mostly dealers, & prices are high. Many guns are priced well over the maximum paid on Gunbroker. But, I can see wanting to hold a gun in your hands rather than hope that a seller's photos are complete. So, I understand that. For new guns, sales depend on what the seller displays; hard to find models are seldom seen. Some dealers have unrealistic prices for used guns. I mean, if you carry 50 guns to 20 shows a year for 3 or 4 years without selling > 2 or 3, doesn't that mean that your asking prices are too high? I think every seller needs to realistically evaluate his business model.

Neal

weLL most people want top dollar but they alos will deal if you are reasonable. the guys with the thousand dollar jems an a differnet story but even they will bend too

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Originally Posted by mmppres

Well Sarge wife came up with a new one today right out of the blue old guy said 20.00 for a Mitchell 300 fishing real was 10.00 too much an her reply was she would buy every one he could find for 10.00 all day .long. It was wonderful watching him stand there with his mouth open an stomp off with out a word. Had to buy her nice dinner on way home :):clap::)

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Yep, I've done that myself. It is lovely to watch the stupid expression on some faces!
Sarge

did small show this week end was only about 100 tables sold a enfield dp for 150.00 am a enfield No3 410 action an barrel for 120.00 so i can not complain about sales did loose a butt plate an abox of bullet heads to sticky hands but thats expected.
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Welcome to the real world. There are plenty of jerks on both sides of the tables. I quit working most shows in December 2007 including the SCACA shows here in South Carolina where I was on the board of directors for ten years. I have plenty of work to do right here and it seemed to me to be the same old tire kicking crowd show after show. I DO understand folks are looking for the deal of the century. Aren't we all? It's just the world we live in I reckon. I try to keep a good attitude at shows, hopefully break even and call it public relations. I do shut down on folks who stuff mobile phones in my face and tell me they can get the same thing cheaper somewhere else. If that's the case, why are they wasting my time? Anyhow, I fear it's just going to get worse as there's very little honor in our selfish world anymore. See you at Knob Creek next week!!!

Brian

Where I live gun shows have proven to be both good and bad. The real frustrating part is that most fairly priced articles sell amongst the "dealers" during set up and that is very frustrating as they usually put in on their table after raising the price. Now there is nothing to stop this however it is a part of what happens that now makes me attend fewer shows than what I did previously.

I have bought some guns at shows, never got a bargain IMO but have paid a reasonable price and I don't mind that at all. I do find too often the same dealers with the same highly overpriced guns show after show which I guess means they are waiting for that "sucker born every minute" scenario David Hannum told us about.

There is a show in Lumby BC, small but great folks live in that area and we always attend to support their club. Have purchased items at that show and usually there are decent prices on items.

I never insult anyone selling, I look and if reasonable will pay their price, however when I see something overpriced IMO I just walk away. I have no problem with anyone making a reasonable profit, just no way am I going to contribute to someone taking that vacation to Hawaii on my dollar.

I do hope to visit a US show and droll over all the items you can own compared to us Canadians.

Come on out to Knob Creek next weekend. It can be a mudhole or dustbowl, cold or hot, there's no telling. That's the "Aura of the Creek". Folks from all over the world attend and if you like military weapons, you should attend at least once!

Thanks for the invite Brian if i had the money i would drive down just to watch had along time friend go before he passed an said it was best time he ever had. thank you agian

The gun shows in my area are attended by folks traveling in from different states and face motel, food and other costs. Some vendors do the shows to suppliment their income. I have observed prices all over the place, but I never tell a vendor he is to high on price. I'll make an offer and either they accept or not. I have seen the types that like to confront the vendors and that word usually gets around. However, I have seen the same attitudes at the auto parts store. Dealing with the public is a challenge for sure.

I had tables at 'fun' shows for years, and one show after another seemed to have completely different patrons. Just this past year I had to liquidate my entire collection when my wife of 25 years moved out to stay with her girlfriend leaving me with nothing but months of utility bills she was supposed to have paid for.

I had to attend 6 shows selling everything I ever had, and I was happy to get the money at the time just to keep the lights on then. I was selling at very cheap prices but buyers across the board STILL acted the same way. I think most buyers at gun shows don't really have a clue, but a few really do know and I got market prices at the wholesale level or just above and I laughed inside at how 'some' people said I was a crook asking wholesale....

I always enjoyed selling and trading at gun shows just to hear the BS and all. Only made a few bucks back then but had fun with my friends selling around me.

We have the same problem here in B.C. People lately have been coming to gun shows with a garage sale mentality. Some dealers put a ridiculously high price on their items, and get irate when offered a fair market price. Greed evident on both sides. I go to shows mainly for socializing. There are always good deals around if a person looks hard enough.

But the auctions, which should be a marker of the 'true' value of things, have been all over the map in the last few months here in Canada. In the last two months, auctions at Haynes and Landsborough have realized some absolutely unbelievable prices for no reason that I can see. In Ward Hayes, a 1914 dated SMLE sold for $2100 (plus commission) a LE #7 trainer (not the Canadian one, the British one with the repeater magazine) went for $2400 and so did a #9 .22 for $2200. A Ross cadet went for $1500, and a very nice matching BSA #4(T) went for 6000, which with commission is $7200 (not necessarily much over market these days). In Landsborough a mismatched .22 Mk IV went for 925 (plus commission). It did have that hybrid side mount Ross target sight, but still.........

At the same time, there were some rare deals, and some which went for market value, but I just come away from these things scratching my head!

Ed

My sister lives with us. She is mentally handicapped. Most of the time she’s a joy. Her lack of logic, her inability to tell right from wrong was a challenge at first. Over the years I’ve become used to it and hardly notice it now.

When people ask, “Don’t you get frustrated?” I tell them why I don’t. “It could have happened to me.”

I know how lucky I am. It carries over to dealing with fools at gun shows or wherever. I feel very lucky not to be one of them.

The next time you meet a fool at a gun show don’t use logic. It’s hard not to, but it doesn’t work with them. Just think how lucky you are not to be like that person.

You really are lucky.

I was told by a few through time "You know so much about all of this"(guns)...I just say, "Not really, but I need the information I have just to get into a conversation in my circles." Those others we speak of don't have that knowledge. It's sad to me to think of being that unknowing.

Well Gentlemen the info I gather from all your words of wisdom is amazing. I have been selling like i stated to make some money mostly to keep bill collectors at bay. its working slowly. I know to jump into a business with out any monetary backing is real hard. But many many have done so in the past. The exchange going on here makes me smile an believe that some day it will all work out. Not that i want to be rich that’s no fun, just enough to buy an sell with maybe keeping a few along the way. Reading these post every day makes my day thanks guys