Table fees notwithstanding, the 3 day waiting period has really all but destroyed shows as we knew them. I'm convinced that was the intent of the legislature and governor.
New Gun show table price....
- Thread starter Xfuzz
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Table fees notwithstanding, the 3 day waiting period has really all but destroyed shows as we knew them. I'm convinced that was the intent of the legislature and governor.
Its a different world now. As hard as it is for me to believe myself, I don't think I'll be going to any more. No more walk around deals, dealers have items priced beyond insane or its stuff that isn't worth having. The last Tulsa show, I only bought 4 Model 52 magazines, the whole show.
Puller
Member
Not the norm, but it appears as long as vendors are willing to pay that price the show will go on. Seems if a number of vendors put their foot down and didn't participate it would get the promotor's attention.
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Put a fair price on something; people like that and the item will usually sell. Stick with desirable items that will hold value well. Stay away from weird and/or cheap stuff that few want. Even those few aren't willing to pay much for such items.
When I buy something, I always keep in mind that I may want to sell it someday. I'm willing to spend a little more so that possible reselling will be easy.
These suggestions have worked well for me at many gun shows over a long time. I always avoid (neither buy nor sell) ARs, AR accessories, and striker-fired handguns like so many vendors have on their tables.
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I went to the gun show in Frederick, MD today. Happily the admission fee was still in the single digits. I paid it in Golden Dollars and 50 cent pieces. It's part social event, part expedition. I used to live there so I figure there is always a chance I'll see somebody I know, and to me it's a case of all kind of vendors being in one place for me to peruse. I picked up two takedown guides for some of my vintage rifles that I never would have found otherwise. And since some of the vendors know me, they will let me know if they have something I might be interested in. Today one of the vendors told me he had a magazine for a Lahti pistol, the last piece from a bulk deal. He made me a decent deal, and I bought the magazine. I always figure you can never have too many spare magazines on a non-production firearm. I never would have found that otherwise.
cherrypointmarine
Member
Ditrina , I hear you , and that's why I'll NEVER go to one of his shows again . The Melbourne show I went to today was great . Now it did have a lady selling soap and one selling Tupperware , but the rest was great . I haven't seen so many S&W's and other desireables at a show in a long time .
I have attended gun shows for well over 40 years. I never had a table, I was a buyer/trader and I would attend 2-4 shows a year. Was just a fun day and I truly enjoyed them. My state is still gun friendly with no waiting periods but I have slowed way down in going. I'm old enough that I have or have owned about any gun I would want and don't need to be buying anymore. I actually should start going just to sell off some, but that's not nearly as much fun as going to buy. I'm gonna mess around and be too old to carry them with me to try to sell them and my son is going to be stuck trying to get rid of them. He likes guns but is no where near the fanatic that I have been.
kozmic
Member
I used to take my older neighbor to the local gun shows and then lunch. We agreed that our ritual had become a waste of time and money a few years ago. NYS has managed to take the fun out of most everything.
That price is crazy! Here at Oregon Arms Collectors show I pay that price for two tables for the entire year! And that's one show each month price! With 12 shows, two tables, plus membership it comes to a whopping $170!
Why I Stopped Setting up in Kentucky
Promoter was a Competitor
At one show as a seller was putting his stock on table at the Friday Set-Up.
Promoter was standing in front of the table and bought several guns at bargain prices.
Five or six of us with tables were standing there waiting for a chance and did not even get a chance.
We discussed this practice among ourselves and made a point to mention to other vendors.
Promoter had shows too often.
Had to sign up for every show to get a GOOD table.
Promoter did poor advertising.
Few, if any, billboards
Mailed post cards to previous attendees who had signed in for a drawing.
Heard rumor of a TV ad. Not verified.
Signs point to GUN SHOW were not always put out.
Promoter did little to attract NEW attendees.
Same old attendees / With the same money STILL in their pockets.
Attendees would not pay current value prices.
It was only XXX last year.
Attendees believed that patina and rust were the same.
Attendees with pricing guides always believed their guns were worth top price.
Attendees with pricing guides always believed my guns worth much less than top price.
Learned to recognize the distinct odor of FRESH COLD BLUE!
I may add more reasons ....
Bekeart
Many years ago (early 80s) I had Table 2 / Island B-17 for several of the Tulsa shows.
Enough Buyers and Sellers had reasonable price/expectations.
Good deals were available on both side of the tables.
As I remember only 1200 tables.
EARLY Sunday morning I would walk the aisles with CASH!
Looking for some specific model revolvers. Shooters not collectors.
Would offer a fair, but lower than premium price.
Did not insult with low-ball offer.
Usually managed to buy a few revolvers.
One dealer here in Kentucky talked about his $2,000 deal:
He had traded a $2,000 dog for two $1,000 cats.
-30-
Promoter was a Competitor
At one show as a seller was putting his stock on table at the Friday Set-Up.
Promoter was standing in front of the table and bought several guns at bargain prices.
Five or six of us with tables were standing there waiting for a chance and did not even get a chance.
We discussed this practice among ourselves and made a point to mention to other vendors.
Promoter had shows too often.
Had to sign up for every show to get a GOOD table.
Promoter did poor advertising.
Few, if any, billboards
Mailed post cards to previous attendees who had signed in for a drawing.
Heard rumor of a TV ad. Not verified.
Signs point to GUN SHOW were not always put out.
Promoter did little to attract NEW attendees.
Same old attendees / With the same money STILL in their pockets.
Attendees would not pay current value prices.
It was only XXX last year.
Attendees believed that patina and rust were the same.
Attendees with pricing guides always believed their guns were worth top price.
Attendees with pricing guides always believed my guns worth much less than top price.
Learned to recognize the distinct odor of FRESH COLD BLUE!
I may add more reasons ....
Bekeart
Many years ago (early 80s) I had Table 2 / Island B-17 for several of the Tulsa shows.
Enough Buyers and Sellers had reasonable price/expectations.
Good deals were available on both side of the tables.
As I remember only 1200 tables.
EARLY Sunday morning I would walk the aisles with CASH!
Looking for some specific model revolvers. Shooters not collectors.
Would offer a fair, but lower than premium price.
Did not insult with low-ball offer.
Usually managed to buy a few revolvers.
One dealer here in Kentucky talked about his $2,000 deal:
He had traded a $2,000 dog for two $1,000 cats.
-30-
I always have at least $1K cash in my pocket, more if'n I sell something.
The Orlando show (about every 6weeks) has zero "action." Last time I bought there ( 2019) a Sarasota pawn shop liquidated an oob gunstore 1400 piece inventory and I got a Kahr P9 for $220 otd. I should have bought more. Nothing since. Even with $80 "add on costs" Palmetto State "deal of the day" beats gunshow prices every time. Joe
I consider myself lucky to have OGCA in my area. In my opinion still an excellent gun show.
LVSteve
Member
Last show I went to in Vegas had some interesting guns and plenty of ammo. Trouble is the gun prices were in the clouds and I've run out of space for ammo without a divorce.
Huskerguy
Member
The owners of the buildings are often caught between the rock and the much harder place.
There are local laws, Federal Laws and the demands of their insurance company. Lots of regs over the years both fed and local have changed the game. Think about utilities alone, unless yours have not gone up where you live. Imagine how much they cost, including security these days. Inflation has hit everything and I doubt the promoters are just gouging to make an extra buck, they are smarter than that.
The problem is the little guy who sold a few things is now out of the picture. By the time you pay for a table and meals and have to stay a couple of nights, you better sell a bunch of stuff. I had a guy tell me one time in Tulsa that he made all his money Friday night when the dealers and special people were let in to browse and buy. Anything after that on Saturday and Sunday was icing on the cake.
There are local laws, Federal Laws and the demands of their insurance company. Lots of regs over the years both fed and local have changed the game. Think about utilities alone, unless yours have not gone up where you live. Imagine how much they cost, including security these days. Inflation has hit everything and I doubt the promoters are just gouging to make an extra buck, they are smarter than that.
The problem is the little guy who sold a few things is now out of the picture. By the time you pay for a table and meals and have to stay a couple of nights, you better sell a bunch of stuff. I had a guy tell me one time in Tulsa that he made all his money Friday night when the dealers and special people were let in to browse and buy. Anything after that on Saturday and Sunday was icing on the cake.
AMEN! Tulsa Friday night and Sunday Morning
Bekeart
Who also did well walking aisles EARLY Sunday Morning with CASH!
Bekeart
Who also did well walking aisles EARLY Sunday Morning with CASH!
I think the Big Reno Show is $250 a table
I think my Tulsa table is $200 this coming November...
...Ben
...Ben$200 for Tulsa if MUCH BETTER than $50 for Cadiz, KY
Based on my experiences at both venues:
$200 for Tulsa if MUCH BETTER than $50 Cadiz, KY
I was at Tulsa when there were ONLY 1200 tables.
Tulsa attracts LOTS of BUYERS because of having 4200 tables to shop at.
Cadiz has cheap lookers and 100 tables.
Traders Mall of Paducah, Ky has 150 tables and same cheap lookers.
I choose to avoid stress by staying home.
Bekeart
Based on my experiences at both venues:
$200 for Tulsa if MUCH BETTER than $50 Cadiz, KY
I was at Tulsa when there were ONLY 1200 tables.
Tulsa attracts LOTS of BUYERS because of having 4200 tables to shop at.
Cadiz has cheap lookers and 100 tables.
Traders Mall of Paducah, Ky has 150 tables and same cheap lookers.
I choose to avoid stress by staying home.
Bekeart
Get a C&R license, $40 every two years.
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