Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I don't know about the guns show in other parts of the country, but around here inIdaho they realy suck and have done so in the past 5 years. The dealers at the show either have new guns that they think are worth their weight in gold, or they have old used junk that they think is rare and again its suppose to be worth its weight in gold. We had a gun show this past weekend here in Idaho falls,I stopped going to them a few year back soI thought I would pop in and check it out to see if they have gotten any better. Nope sure not, in fact I'd say it was the worse one I have been to yet.I didn't see any guns that were a deal of anykind, instead I would say it wasthe other wayaround. Meaning the prices were 1/4 again or sohigher for most things including a lot of the guns.Iknow I could have gone into one of our three local gunstores including high priced Sportsmans Warehouse and I could have got a better dealon a brand new gun in the same make and modelover any gun new or used at the gunshow. Yes it was that bad, it made me feel like the dealers were crooks/loansharks, just waiting to take someone for a ride and screw them over.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I have gone to exactly one gun show, and had the same sentiment. No more for me.

Later,

Marcial

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Same thing in NY.Tables full of junk and outrageous prices.What gets me is if you want to trade a gun they basically want to give it to them.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I have to agree. You pay this rediculus fee to get in, and to find the same crap you can find by driving to the local stores.You try to bring in a nice colt 45 or browning gold to do some trading, and they look at you with a serious look and tell ya they will give ya 300 for both.

I wont' go anymore. Unless its a show with only used guns.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

bigcountry,that's happend to me in the past as well. I have learned with gun shows that if you own it then its not worth much no matter what it is. Hell it could be a very nice double Holland and Holland shotgun or rifle, it could be new or in like new condition and it still wouldn't be worth much. But on the other hand if it was on the dealers table, thenthe price would bedouble the actual ammount its worth simplybecasue they own it.I also find it funny that most of these dealers arewhat I call want to be's. They want to be gunexperts and they want to own theirown store but in realitythat don't or can't afford to own a real gun store. So they go to the gun shows instead.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Ahhh, the good old days of gunshows are over. Today's gunshows are filled with fake samurai swords, throwing stars, blowguns, Dragon mirrors, and some idiot dressed in WWII surplus battle fatigues. They are by and large a joke.

There aren't many deals to be found anymore, but you can occassionally find a poor kindred soul walking the ailes with just what you've been looking for hanging from his shoulder. Then and only then does the glory days shine.

Thus begins the ole song and dance of acting intereted but not "too interested". Asking: "how much" followed by: "oh goodness thats more than I'm willing to go" then the inevitable followup: "whats your bottom dollar?" Oh, but don't think that its over, oh no we have only just begun this dance.

Its an art form really. You can't pick it up on your own either. No this art requires an apprenticeship. Whoa is be the soul that tries to fake this dance. One wrong step and you may go home with an empty wallet and a Ithaca Side by side that only one hammer works "sometimes". Not that I would know or anything.;)

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

They aren't much to brag about in this area either. As an example, I brought in, to sell, a very nice Ruger M77 (older tang safety) .243 with a like new Leupold VXII 4-12 scope. It's in great shape and is a real shooter. The best anyone would offer was $350. The scope alone is worth that. Needless to say, it's still in the safe.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Thats the start of the downfalland is totaly dishonestIMO. If I sell a gun I am selling much more than just a gun I am selling my reputation too. By darn if I had a Ithaca Side by side that only one hammer works, then guess what I would let it be known that only one hammer works. To do anything else makes me a crook in my book and that simply will not happen. The good ole days might be over and at age 32 I might have missed the peak of it, but if that was what it was like, then I say good riddence, and I am thankful its over. Now we live in a day and agewithtechnowledge of ebay, gunbroker and other web sites with free classifieds. When selling on these ifa sellertries to pull a fast one over the eyes of some victom then his reputation is forever tarnished andhe becomes wellknown to many buyers as a crook and a theif. On the other hand the guys who are honest and upfront, well they will continue to do bussiness and there reputation will only inprove with every honest sell they make. Not a bad system if you ask me.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I agree. I bought some lead shot off Ebay and it was supposed to betwo 25 lb bags unopened. When I got it there was maybe 15 lbs total between the two bags. When I complained to the guy he said well you never asked how much it weighed and I never weighed it. I told him that his description said UNOPENED and he didn't want to return the money. Though when I filed a complaint he agreed to refund the money right away. There is no way you can mistake 15 pounds for 50 lbs.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

i used to goto shows frequently..they used to be good like you said. alot of good deals...good people etc. alot of it was private guys and people looking to buy, sale and trade at good prices. then more and more gunshops started going..the table fees are pretty high so the average person cant put a couple guns down and make money unless hes charging rediculous amounts. then when goto gunshows when its mostly gunshops..with the same stickers on the guns that they wear in the shops and not willing to budge?? still might get lucky here and there but not like it used to be.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I remember ten years or so ago, you could go to a show and make off with some great deals. They sold cases of ammo cheap, like you were buying bulk toilet paper. And you would see some unique, and interesting pieces. You could go on the afternoon of the last day and make some killer deals on guns the dealers didn't want to take back with them.

Now, it is a flea/junk market with a few guns tossed in. The last show I went to had more KKK items than Mosin Nagant's! One guy was selling knives. He had them priced at $15 each, and I wouldn't have given him 15 cents for one. Or the guy that had the 1917 Eddystone "priced to sell quick" at $850, and it looked like it lived in a barn for 50 years. And not one person was selling cases of ammo. Only 2 sellers had ammo of any kind, and it was just a couple boxes of this and that.

Not to mention, by looking at some of the dealers, I am amazed they even have their FFL. Some of these guysseemed like running a calculator might be tough, let alone keep up their fed book.

I am done with gun shows. Nothing but a waste of time and the price of admission.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

and remember......all of these negative things posted and you PAID to go in. I mean shouldnt the $5-10 you spent get you some sort of good deal? The one I liked was when I was looking for a set of .280 RCBS dies and this guy had an OLD set, I mean really old box and they were used. I asked how much and he said $30. I said I can get a new set anywhere in the country for $25 he said yeah but these are worth more because they are 30 years old............whatever dude, Im only gonna USE them not house them in a museum :D

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Yeah, they defienetely overcharge at those things. My dad bought a couple of guns at them and later found out he got horrible deals. We just go to look at them. They sometimes-occasionally--do have good guns for cheap and it's fun to look at so many different ones.

Half the people at those things freak me out anyways. Some of them look like convicts--and that's the policemen guarding the place:D[8D]:)[&:]

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

What about the the ( "My guns are number one grade, those at sportmans warehouse are number 2 grade" ) bull$hit they spew.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Ditto to the majority opinion. I used to go to a lot of shows. And you can sometimes find something decent at a good price. But that is the exception. Usually stuff is way over priced and in our area, there seems to be more junk not even related to a gun or knife than there are guns and knives.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I have to agree the dealers are over priced ,but we can stillsell personal weaponsat the gun shows andI have got a lot of very good deals from individuals trying to sell one or two guns .

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I have made some good deals at gun shows in the past, but it was never with anyone at a booth. I go to see what everyone else is trying to trade. The dealers assume that everyone walking the isles is a complete moron and has no idea of what guns cost or are worth, but I guess that they do sell enough to make it worth their while to do it again next weekend.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

If you think dealers try to make bad deals with you guys you should try being in my shoes... Im 16 and I probably know 10 time as much about any gun any time than most of these dealers and they try to make sales pitches to me. I dont know how many times ive heard "you'll never find a buy like this ever again" when i can pick up and sporting catalogue and auotmaticly knock off 200 bucks. I go to gun shows to sell items that i pick up dirt cheap, only thing is i sell or trade them for whatever is reasonable, if i break even great, i get a deal even better. I hate people assuming that because im young im uninformed. Last gun show i went to i had a dealer explaining to me how unsafe ross rifles could be. This idiot didnt know there are different models of rosses and assumed that all ross bolts can "blow back". I let him go on his rant then proved to him it was impossable for the bolt to "fly" out of his rifle because it wasa 1905 model. I walked away while he way trying to put the bolt back in the rifle after i told him how it actauly came out, lol, Putting a 1905 ross bolt back is kind of tricky if you dont know how to do it.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I used to work security at one in Dayton Ohio. What really sucks is being the security and the only one without a gun.


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RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

We have 6 Gun Shows in a 30 mile radius and I quit going to all of them 4yrs ago! What a waste of $7 parkingand$15- $20 entrance fee.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I still go to gun shows. In fact, there is one this weekend in my hometown. You all are right about the prices of the firearms in general being too high. I basically have quit trying to buy at these things for guns. Their stuff is gold. I won't even take any trading material there. My stuff is garbage. I bought a 700 243 w/3x9 Leupold for my wife about 5 yrs. ago for a decent price, but since then, it has gotten rediculous. I mainly shop now for odds and ends in the reloading stuff, but you better have your good glasses on.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I used to work security at one in Dayton Ohio. What really sucks is being the security and the only one without a gun.

Now that's true. It doesn't make any sense.

I've also seen people selling illegal products at those things, such as silencers for pistols, and they get away with it. At our shows they have cops that come in to guard. I think they have guns.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Nothing illegal about selling silencers, so long as an exchange isn't made before the buyer is approved by the BATF and has paid for their tax stamp. I often times see class 3 guns for sale at gunshows- you won't be able to take it home, but you can start the paperwork or show interest and follow upwith the seller and BATF afterward to make sure all of the proper forms are filled and the proper approvals are received before the gun changes hands.

One nice thing about gun shows is that if you ever get the urge to refinish your old hunting rifle with tru-oil, all you have to do is go to gunshow to see a few dozen other gun abortions performed with tru-oil to cure you of the urge.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

The last gun show I went to was in 86,free parking and 3 bucks to get in.the coffee was ok,saw afew guys I hadnt seen for awhile,prices on the guns and stuff was ok(I was poor).
Ive found that if you keep up on the pawnshops you can run into some real finds, way better then a gun show...

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Am I the only one that loves going to these shows????? I love it. I joined Washington Arms collectors and go to the show at the fairgrounds every month. I get there early on Saturday and try to find the deals. They are there, you just have to look. By Sunday the deals are long gone and all that is left is junk. Similar to what you all have explained.I got took on one buy there but only lost 9 dollars after reselling it a month later. I go with a buddy and so far we have found some deals
4 boxes 200 gr TSX.....$20 each saved $12 plus tax
Weatherby 30-378 ....$1100 new is $1450
Leica 1200 RF like new......$450 new is $700
Brand New Army Cot...like new $30....new is $80
Glock 19-9......older one....$360....
Glock 23-40...new model with night sights and 4 clips...$450

Prolly some more odds and ends. You definately have to know what stuff is worth otherwise you will get taken. You have to find the guy that wants to make a fast nickel rather than a slow dime. And thats my two cents.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

My experience is the same. Not worth the entrance price.

Tom

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I used to go to every gun show I could get to, but just like you, that's a thing of the past! It seems every person who has a display table at a gun show these days has to double their appraisal of every hunk of iron or other junk they saw fit to drag to the place. One MIGHT get a deal by trading, if you have something one of the dealers really wants. But you will never find a good deal anymore if you're purchasing.

Another gripe-there's nothing worse than a "gun show" that is a flea market instead!

Now, it would be a real shame as far as our rights are concerned if gun shows were to be prohibited, but would it be a real loss to the firearms industry? I think NOT...........

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I haven't been to one this year but I agree about the prices. The only reason I really go to one for is little stuff like cleaning jags, those boxes to put your rounds in, just junk in general. You have to be an educated consumer for everything now-a-days. I figure paying the entrance fee is like paying for shipping.

Two years ago I took a Marlin 695 slug gun to see what I could get for it and almost punched one of the vendors in the mouth for offering me $20. I got a piece of paper and wrote "For Sale" on it and sold it to a guy for $210 before I left the show. :D

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(SIREN BLARRING) Watch out! The morality police is coming through! You totally rained on my attempt to wax philosophical. OBTW I was the one who took home the junk side by side. If you are in the habit of taking peoples word as gospel, then I can understand why you dislike gunshows so much. As my gramps used to say: "You got to be smarter than the other guy" or "If you look around and can't spot the sucker, guess what, ITS YOU!"

It must be nice in your world. But, back here in reality its not quite so honest and rosey. You better be on your toes in the real world. JMHO. I wish your way would work but nice guys get the shaft everyday. I am in no way promoting dishonesty. Quite the opposite, but I also know the realities.

Peace

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Michigan gun shows are the same way. I go to one a year but, I don't think I will go anymore. A ruger ranch rifle on one end of the building is $450 and on the other end is $900 for the same gun.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Now that's funny! (Even at $450.00, it's way too much!)

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I've seen that way too many times also. And when you ask the vendor selling it for $900 why, he just says to buy it from the other guy. I don't understand how it is profitable for them anymore.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

The ones that i have been to here in OK in the past several years have been really pitiful. There is alwaysat least one Class 3 dealer with a huge inventory of new stuff that he can only sell to cops. Then there are the trinket and junk merchants.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I like to go and look for reloading component deals. Seems there's always somebody there peddling their stuff from a gun the no longer own, moving out of state, wife says they've got to reduce inventory, selling some stuff to pay for the next toy, getting out of reloading, selling for a friend, etc.

I go into a gun show KNOWING the guns are going to be overpriced, so I look for the little things.

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Shado, I never thought you were the cheat, I knew you got taken with the side by side. Were you not just pissed? If that would of happened to me you can bet I would be going back to try to get my money. Nowwouldthe seller would be willing to give it back? Who knows? Most likelyI would not get my money back, but I would still try, and voice myopinion.At a gun show I know nothing could be done about it, and he would go one his way to scam someone else. Now ifthis happend over the net, then I would let everyone knowwith negitive feedback, and people would know to say away from that seller.Also if this was how a gun shop ran, you can bet it wouldn't take long for the word tospread and mostpeople would choose to do business elseware. I don't take others word for gospel, but I don't like being lied to either.I am not afraid to call a spade a spade and tell someone strait to there face they are lieing.I did so at this last gun show.A fellow was trying to sell a brand new in theboxwinchester M70 ClassicFeatherweightin 270 Winthat he wonfor grand prize at atire store giveaway last fall.This guywasn't a hunter andhad no knowledge of guns, other than what they told him about his gun when he picked it up just before christmas.I overheard a dealer tell him he would give him $200 at most because that is what he can buy them for at dealer price. The seller told him well they told me I was extra lucky to win this gun because winchester is no longer in business. The dealer replied, Well they are in fact still making them in limited producton. Upon hearing that I was pissedso I steped in and told the dealer he was not only full of **** but a lier as well. I told the guy the gun was worth, at least full retal price somewhere between $700-$800, and yes he was correct that Winchester is in fact out of business. Sure the dealer was mad, but I was even more so, and he didn't dare say anotherword, except to ask us toplease move on so other customers could see his guns. Your right about one thing this fellow who is a non hunter/shooter could have been the sucker. Thats true, but on the other hand what does that make the dealer? A wheeler and dealer or a theif and a crook? I guess that answer just depends upon who you ask? Just my 2 cents.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Most shows around here are a few dealers with new guns priced at suggested retail and a bunch of horsetraders with overpriced junk. The don't ever seem to sell much, but they do get to screw a few widows and clueless people out of what they carry in.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

On the rare occasion i go to a gun show, I don't go to buy. I am basically paying the price of admission for the fun of spending a few hours walking around getting to hold stuff that I hope to one day be able to afford. When I can afford it, I won't be buying it at a gun show. I will go where i can get a deal.

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

Idahoelkinstructor,

I hear ya loud and clear. I think what you done was the right thing. A year ago my 14 yo was in the market for a prairie dog gun. We went to a gun show so he could look for a left handed 223 bolt gun. We found a booth that had a couple of savages on the rack. I let my son do the dealing while I looked at the rest of the guns on the counter. That particular dealer treated my son very fairly and even discounted the gun because it was the last day of the show, he hadn't sold much, and it was a lefty which is hard to move.My boy bought a savage 223 heavy barreled rifle with a 6-20 nikon scope for $450.So that dealer was a stand up guy. There are a few still around. So don't lose all hope.

OBTW You ever drop knifes? My grandpa was the best at it. He would carry a good case and purposely use it so the other dead peckers could see it. Then he'd put it back in his pocket, and later ask if anyone wanted to drop knifes. Only thin was, he had another old junker in his pocket that he would pull out to drop.:D

RE: Gun Shows SUCK!!!!!
 

I've witnessed other instances similar to this as well. I saw a dealer tell a guy his Model 870 Wingmaster wasn't worth more than $100 because it had a fixed choke on it. This gun was in PERFECT condition. It's sad to see the used car salesmans tactics & bullying at gun shows. It happens, though. Good for you for sticking up for the guy.