Gun Show Terminology

[kthom]

Gun shows are OK as long as YOU know what you need to look for and what you are looking at. You need to be able to assess for yourself what you are looking at and know what you want or need to know without having to ask a single question. It is indeed interesting to hear and see what is stated about guns for sale. Makes me smile, especially as I offer what I am willing and able to give for something, then say thanks and walk away. If I'm seriously interested, I'll stop by at a later time for some more conversation about the piece and mention why I won't give the asking price for it. I don't insult or denigrate what's for sale, just state my reasons why I won't pay that for it, and wish the seller good luck getting that for it. I am my own best protection (or danger) when looking at guns at gun shows or in the used cabinet at any LGS. I am especially cautious when I don't know as much as I'd like about what I'm looking at!

 

[gman51]

Has nice patina finish=bluing is basically worn away rather than 70% remaining. The gun is old and it looks it is more like it. Fair condition is a far stretch for some that should be rated slightly above poor condition.
Oh but that patina adds character to the gun. Yeah some character didn't take care of the gun is more like it.

 

[cmansguns]

develop a business model and stick to it

I started accumulating (aka collecting) many years ago because a: I like firearms in general, and love shooting sports, b: bought what I liked and wanted, c: sold what I got tired off.

Then somewhere along the way, I started to realize that a: the old guns had gone up in perceived value, and b: there were several that I had not shot (or drooled over) in many years so they went up for sale.

A table at a decent size regional show around here was $5.00 per day, lots of traffic.....but I couldn't sell much of anything because I had started with Cabela's business model: Blue Book x 1.4 + another 10% for your troubles + another 20% "negotiation room" (never applied by the way) = ZIP, ZERO, NADA sales for me.

Latest business model: Buy from local newspaper adds, estate sales, auctioneers who don't want to handle guns, "fair price" those that I don't want to add to my collection, advertise locally....and they seem to move right on out.

I haven't attended a gun show in who knows how many years and don't intend to. As far as my Smith & Wessons' go (my current passion) I think that this Forum is one of the best possible sales tools there is....bar none!

Just by listing here on the Forum...one is almost assured that a "fair market value" will be reached. If you overprice...the Forum will let you know and probably fast. If you undervalue then you probably didn't do your homework so what you get will still be "fair value". The one thing is that I believe that both buyer and seller can start out on mutual ground...they both know the scarcity, rarity, condition grades, wear points, originality...so the only "trust me" stuff will be mechanical and internal condition, and even there I would say.....we can more likely trust a fellow member's assessment than any seller at a gun show or even the Internet.

This Forum appears to me to be very, very, self policing in that hucksters, fraudulent, fake news purveyors are going to be ousted and rather quickly by the Membership.

Anyway......that's my new business model.....glad I found the Forum and lurked for years, and gladder yet from all I've learned, and keep an eye on the "For Sale" section as my long guns are coming up soon, warhorses too....so that I can continue pursuing more fine S & W's

 

[WCCPHD]

Reminds me of a sign I once saw:

"We buy Junk, we sell Antiques."

 

[mikerjf]

I've noticed on Ebay that "vintage" = "Reserve not met". Is this also true on GB?

 

[Chief Wiggums]

Them: "this beauty is a real nail driver"

Me: "yup , this gun has certainly done time as a hammer"

 

[PALADIN85020]

When you hear "I've got more than that in it" at a gun show:

1. It's not a mis-speak.

2. It's a lie.

John

 

[hoytx10]

"Handling marks", gotta love it, that's a very popular one on gunbroker.

 

[delcrossv]

"Handling marks", gotta love it, that's a very popular one on gunbroker.

AKA "dropped on the pavement" sometimes more than once.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Another thing about gun shows, when I go to one and I'm carrying what is always an older gun to sell or trade, I either wear a cowboy or an NRA hat. It might sound silly, but if I wear a cap with a non gun image or name on it sellers are more likely to think I'm a rube and try to lowball me. If they think you know about guns then the conversation can start realistically. If I'm wearing a cowboy hat and carrying a '95 Winchester, for example, people seem to assume I'm a gun guy, not just someone selling grand dad's gun I have no clue of value about. Weird but true.

 

[Rocket3]

Reminds me of a sign I once saw:

"We buy Junk, we sell Antiques."

That's a good one

 

[Rudi]

Always take your hip boots to the show.

 

[nachogrande]

YOUR AMERINAN IS PERFECT.

"I've got more than that in it" at a gun show[/QUOTE]

And how is your overpaying a concern of mine? I'm not there to make friends and have been very successful at it. A pet peeve from the seller side of the table: LOOKIE LOU'S with no $ or intention of buying, wasting endless amounts of my time trash talking my wares, & wanting to field strip every gun on the table. Nancy Reagan was right, just say "NO THANK YOU" & move along. Not interested (99 % of the time) in your greater experience & vast knowledge, what GB or another table is selling for how much, from either side of the table. The patience of Job & thick skin helps.

 

[glenncal1]

"Low Round Count" yes especially when compared to the average Browning .50 Cal that served in WWII.

 

[LPD256]

Gun shows and online auction sites are interesting to me. I can gloat about all my good buys now, even knowing my kids will sell most of it for much less when I'm dead just to get rid of it..........

 

[dave1918a2]

While I resent being put in a category lower than a used car salesman, I can appreciate Your description of less than ethical sellers at gun shows. No one behind a table at a show is going to pay market value. Nowadays table rent is $80+ per, plus time to set up and take down, not to mention the honey do's that aren't getting done. Not all sellers are rip off artists as there are many more honest sellers than not. After 40 years of gun show selling I can say I haven't done much more than broke even after table rent. Maybe that's why people keep coming back to Me at the shows. I never make an offer. I always ask how much do You want and if there is no price stated then I pass. Have to have a place to start. Most guns I sell I make less than $50 Since CO requires a BGC on every gun sold at a show I no longer bother setting up and just walk a gun I want to se4ll, and I know which people to show it to. The greatest education at a gun show for a person behind the table comes from the newbie being educated by a know it all who won't allow anyone but Him to talk. They stand in front of My table for more tha a couple of minutes and I tell Them to move on as other people want to see what I have.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

When I can see and examine the gun, you can say anything you want to!
You can claim anything you want to!
I'm basing my decision on my inspection.
It's the online guns that scare me.

 

[nachogrande]

GUN SHOW "EXAMINATIONS"

Gun shows zip tie guns for a reason. There is a limited amount of time & lots of people. You scratch it removing the grips to check #'s, you gonna pay for it? Want to remove the side plate & bugger up the screws while your at it? NOT the time/place for an in depth exam. Want to meet elsewhere later IF I believe you are serious & I believe you are safe, that can be arranged just please don't stand me up, or be late. That gets old fast. It's a gun SHOW, not a gun EXAMINATION LABORATORY. FTF rules.

 

[Ackley1952]

I'll be in Tulsa next month at my same location I've had for 25 years. Since I'm so dishonest I hope you steer clear of my table . I rarely make a gun show purchase that I'm disappointed with cause I study guns and market and know what I'm doing. Some of you might wanna rent tables and learn . I'll bet Joe's got some left .

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

It just depends on what side of the table you are on. They dog your gun out and pick it to pieces when you are trying to sell or trade it but make it the best and rarest gun ever with all kind of great features when They are trying to sell it. Kind of like the pawn shop when you try to negotiate and they say "I've got that much in it" when they know they are going to make at least two times and probably three times their investment. I've found the best route to take is try to sell your gun to an individual for a fair price for both parties. I've found in the past several years that there are very little deals to be had at gunshows, gunshops, and pawn shops.

Well, Evan Williams and I feel obligated to comment on your post. You write like an honest man, and I agree with with everything that you say. Even your prescription is good advice.

Still, the other comments are useful for the real world that we live in.