Table games rant

[AudieMurphy]

So you have a piece you lost favor with and your itching for some new iron. Since your going to the gun show next weekend you decide to bring it along. Maybe doing some trading. As your walking around you get the usual"whata ya got there"...you claim you dont know you inherited it from a long lost uncle and your just a pencil sharpener, an accountant....so you ask them whats it worth....they dont like being put on the spot because they dont want to reveal profit margin... Most will say they dont know or not interested or direct you to a sidekick at another table....What ever happened to apples for apples? Overhead? really what overhead" other than a price for the table. They have their prices right up against the wall...higher than even online auction..AND they do watch those to determine prices...you can bet that when one grail sells higher at RIA or anywhere else. They changing the price tags. Even if that one was in better condition.. they dont see their scratches and holster wear....But they'll see yours, for sure....

 

[gdogs]

The couple of gun shows a year that I have a table at involve travel (gas), lodging, and meals in addition to the table cost. I'm not a dealer, so for me it isn't so much "overhead" as it is a weekend spent with my dad and having a good time.

 

[LVSteve]

It has been said many times that the Internet and online auctions have ruined gun shows.

 

[Sevens]

As your walking around you get the usual"whata ya got there"...you claim you dont know you inherited it from a long lost uncle and your just a pencil sharpener, an accountant....so you ask them whats it worth....

Okay, just for anyone attempting to keep tabs on the score — so you are the first one in this fairy tale to open with BS and a song and dance but the argument is that everyone else there is shady and trying to bend you over.

Got it.

 

[jeffrefrig]

It has been said many times that the Internet and online auctions have ruined gun shows.

...and newspaper, magazine, and a heck of a lot of other printed material industry.

 

[Bekeart]

LVSteve said: It has been said many times that the Internet and online auctions have ruined gun shows.

Even online auction prices can not explain a couple of local prices.
My posts about a local Victory model prices
Classified for Nickel refinished Victory for $800
Dealer has rebuled victory priced at $600.
What are these peopled drinking/smoking ?

HIGH table rents.
Individuals are priced out of the shows.

HIGH admission prices.
In this ECONOMY some do not have enough DISCRETIONARY funds for the promoter.

POOR advertising of the shows.
One regional promoter relies mainly on postcards sent to those
who singed up for drawings at previous shows.
That is only OLD customers - no NEW customers..

Another promoter usually has many UNSOLD tables.
He covers them with empty pistol boxes, books, printed magazines, etc.

One time I mentioned the number of NON-GUN related tables.
"I wouldn't care if they want to sell watermelons."
Get the money, Profit never needs a reason.

Bekeart

Resident Cynic

 

[AJ]

Okay, just for anyone attempting to keep tabs on the score — so you are the first one in this fairy tale to open with BS and a song and dance but the argument is that everyone else there is shady and trying to bend you over.

Got it.

Not every buyer/seller at the gun shows are like that. But a lot of them are. Most dealers (either at a gun show or a gun shop) are looking to buy at 50% or less of the actual value and then then sell at over the actual value. Hey, they got to make money........ Only have seen a very few that I would deal with in trading and selling my items to them.

 

[AudieMurphy]

Okay, just for anyone attempting to keep tabs on the score — so you are the first one in this fairy tale to open with BS and a song and dance but the argument is that everyone else there is shady and trying to bend you over.

Got it.

looks like someone that rents tables and turns a hobby into an enterprise.....

 

[Sevens]

I’m in my 50’s and never once been behind the table at a gun show.

 

[desi2358]

I worked as a dealer at shows for years, still set up at a couple of the collector shows (though mainly to sell old and/or collectible ammo, a sideline hobby I've had for a long time). If someone is walking around trying to sell a gun the first thing I do is ask them to price it. What do they want? It's their gun, they should have some idea what they want. They may be totally unrealistic, they may have a fair price in mind. Even when I was in business I always tried to be fair and knowing what they thought it was worth would indicate whether it was worth trying to deal. As a dealer I needed to make a profit (which seems to be a dirty word to some people), if their price was within reason I might buy it or at least make a counter offer. That gave me a little more room. Over the years I had more than one person come back to ask if my offer was still good as they weren't getting anything close to it from others at the show. Worked that way in the shop too.

Nowadays it's just a hobby, if I like what they're selling and the price is good I'm likely to just buy it. If they're close to what I want to spend I try and deal. If they're really too high I just say thanks and let them go on their way (though once in a while I throw out an offer, sometimes they come back too). Walking around and asking other people to price your stuff is just not a good practice, if anything it encourages the ones who would take advantage.