Crazy Gun Show Prices

It's not just the high prices that are bad.
What I find truly insane are the people that simply see something and impulsively say "I'll take it!"
This is especially true for online auctions and sales, but it happens "in person" as well.
They don't ask questions, or thoroughly examine what they're buying, or even negotiate.
It's like drug addicts that gotta have their fix.

I haven't been to a gun show for years, but occasionally feel the impulse if for no other reason than the comical aspect.
 
Well I would like to attend again if just to check the ridiculous prices for a laugh. Did buy a nice pistol cleaning kit 10 years back but had to first get past the stands selling nachos, hot dogs, soda, and cheap jewelry trinkets. Guess I will be in for a real shocker! LOL
 
A show here a couple weeks ago had a Browning Challenger that was a solid $500 pistol at current real world prices. It was marked $799 and the lowest the seller would go was $750.

Hard pass.
 
Here in south central Pennsylvania, it seems as though the bigger gun shows are dieing off. More than a few are being canceled. But the smaller shows are going strong and I'm finding guns and ammo components at fair prices at them. These shows are the ones sponsored by local sportsman clubs and firehalls. Entry fees are low, usually around $5, and while the total number of vendors don't match that of the larger shows, when you deduct the trinket sellers and food vendors the gun stuff tables are about even.
The internet certainly has driven up the cost of firearms. I'm seeing more and more of the larger auction houses offering internet bidding. Good for the sellers. Not so much for most would be buyers!

John
 
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Ol' Drover said:
I still go to gun shows to look and visit old friends and...rarely...I find a gem that makes it worthwhile.
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The same for me. A bunch of the vendors know me and I usually see somebody I know from the clubs I belong to. One vendor said that he had something I would be interested in. I certainly was, because it was an 1895 Nagant revolver from the Tula Arsenal in Russia with Finnish capture marks. If I could pay cash he made me a tremendous offer. I just about broke my wrist laying down $20 bills and Golden Dollars for a deposit and hotfooted it to the nearest branch of my bank for the rest. Good thing I left that deposit. The dealer said he had a bunch of people looking at the gun while I was gone, but as the old saying goes, "Money talks, baloney walks."
 
Now just to contrary, I was watching and for a while bidding on a local, but Internet only auction just today where some stuff went for very reasonable prices. They had three of those Alfa Proj 9mm revolvers and none of them made $400 even with the buyer's premium. I nearly snagged one then something else weird caught my eye. I'll find out how I did tomorrow.
 
Desirable guns are coming out of the woodwork but at ridiculous prices. I go to 2-3 gun shows a month and scour the local online sales. I keep seeing the same snub nose 66s for $ 1300 with no negotiating taken. Bought a LN 6906 two Saturdays for a decent price. Last Saturday only bought a couple of boxes of Speer 38 +P short barrel only because it is so difficult to find. This coming weekend its Lima. Hope springs eternal.
 
Once, seems like not too long ago now, you could "dicker" with the person behind the table back and forth and more than likely get a good deal (for you and him both). Now when you try that, a dealer has the attitude of "here it is at my price. If you want it, get it, if not move on." I understand a businessman must make some profit off a sale, but not a scalping, as today's prices show. Finally, to add insult to injury, when you have a handgun to trade in, they have a 5 or 6 year old copy of Gun Values sitting on the table and they look your gun up, and give you a ridiculously low amount for it. An example would be $300 to $400 for a 686 in good condition listed in the 6 year old book, when they have one for $1000 or more on their table. Don't even get me started on ammo prices. I have about given up on them and the gunshops and pawnshops also.
 
I still cruise the gunshow for entertainment. The guns I search for are already scarce. The sea of polymer is a drag. But every now and then I find some good stuff. I went to the Myrtle Beach show yesterday. I picked up a set of nice magnas, victory grips and square butt grips. I have found some really good accessories that are scarce. As much as I detest the ridiculous prices, I try to keep the shows alive with my $5-7 dollars. The one caveat to it all is the old timers with the good stuff rarely sell online. They still frequent the shows.
 
One of the recent Gun Show's I attended I met a seller that knew what he was doing. Very nice to speak with him. He stated he looks at as a Gun Sale, not a show. He participates to sell his items, not show them to the attendees. His prices were fair by today's standard and he would consider your offer.
 
very few shows up here. 3-4 a year. Table selling powder at $85/lb, and right next door a table selling at $38/lb. Primers are still ridiculous as are the plastic guns. AR's are down a bunch excpet those being carried around by visitors Who bought a few years ago. Old Smiths priced 50% higher than value, and when priced near value the seller will not negotiate, even when I start laying down Benjamins. Not really an issue here as very few Smiths show up at these shows if any. I usually spend a hour and a half at most and then drive 50 miles home. Good thing they only cost $5.
 
I have seen the same that you all mention but being retired with no grass to cut, my time is not to valuable. So I visit gun shows and gun actions because just maybe. 300 gun auction that went just like you think it would until no one seemed to realize What a mint with box H&K P7 PSP was worth. Mine for $1100. Keeps me going.
 
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I have always liked gun shows. I like having a table at shows. I don't mind food and snack vendors, they have always been there, and many times the guys behind the tables can't leave to go get lunch anywhere else. There have always been overpriced items. It doesn't matter if it is a gun show, an antique show, a record show...whatever. Some folks just want to get as much as they can, and there's no crime in that, if they are honest about what they have. And there's sure no crime in passing on their items. Don't forget, it's a show, negotiate, haggle, bargain, don't pay what the tag says! You'll seldom see a beanie baby anymore, and the other stuff, can be just ignored it you don't have an interest in it. Personally, I don't care to see fantasy knives and swords, but I know some do. Just the fact that the left wants to shut them all down, should make you want to go. I have no problem with jerky vendors, as long as there are free samples.
 
T112-4 said:
I have seen the same that you all mention but being retired with no grass to cut, my time is not to valuable. So I visit gun shows and gun actions because just maybe. 300 gun auction that went just like you think it would until no one seemed to realize What a mint with box H&K P7 PSP was worth. Mine for $1100. Keeps me going.
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How much was the buyer's premium? Was at a live auction years ago and watched somebody think he got a Model 19 cheap, only to find he had 12% buyer's premium and state sales tax to pay. Then the buyer was shocked that he had to transfer the gun through an FFL, probably another $25-30.

Always make me laugh when an online auctioneer starts whining that the bids are low. These days a 20% premium is not uncommon, then if I need shipping from out of state there goes another $50-60 in shipping and FFL fees. These guys need to do the math.
 
How much was the buyer's premium? Was at a live auction years ago and watched somebody think he got a Model 19 cheap, only to find he had 12% buyer's premium and state sales tax to pay. Then the buyer was shocked that he had to transfer the gun through an FFL, probably another $25-30.
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There are still a few auctioneers around here that don't charge a buyers premium. I sold some hand guns a few years ago at an auction house and the sellers premium was 15%. They now are charging around 20% but still nothing for the buyer. Here in Pa, estate auctions charge no state taxes so that is a plus, though it may change in the future.

John
 
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Was at a local gun show behind the tables with some friends last Saturday. It's neat to be on that side of the table and get to meet all kinds of people. This is the 3rd time I've helped them out. It can get crazy busy at times and I enjoy helping out answering questions. Everyone is looking for that special bargain and sometimes they come across one.

When I get a chance to roam around and shop, I see the 'traveling gun shows' with very nice S&Ws but at OUTRAGEOUS prices. Every time I see one that I already own...I think wow, glad I got mine a lot cheaper and many times in better condition! Lately I see the same ones at their tables over and over...show after show. Many of these guys don't budge at all and haul them to the next show. It's almost like their S&Ws are dipped in Gold!

But at the end of the day...going to a gun show is a lot better than a day at work! I still enjoy them and occasionally find something I like or worth trading up for. Plus, the friendships I've made are priceless!
 
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