Beware of what your buying at gunshows!!!

[RkyMtHiGuy]

Beware of what your buying at gunshows!!!
I decided to head up to Phil Long show today, bought some mags from several dealers, no problem there.
But I picked up what was suppossed to be a Galco dual mag holster for single stack 1911's @ $45, thinking it wasnt that bad of a deal...
Got home and the mags fit real loose even after tighting up on the retention screws, while playing with it I noticed that the original color was brown and somebody had dyed it black,then I checked the part# online and it was not for 1911 but other mags .357, 9MMM, ETC.
It was not in a factory pkg, but simply a ziplock with a tag stating for 1911 single mag.
I do not remeber the name of the dealer, but they had a lot of holsters etc on their table top displayed on rotating tree type of displays and it was an older women in her 50-60's that i dealt with.
Now I am going to have to try and track them down at next weekends show in Pueblo, hopefully they will be there...?

[OgenRwot]

Sucks that happened to you.

One more reason I avoid gun shows.

[Irving]

Thanks for the heads up.

[R&S]

Bad news travels faster. However, there are some reputable vendors still at the shows. I know of several.

Randy

[roberth]

I know who you are talking about. She has been very helpful to me and other folks, mistakes happen, maybe they made a mistake.

I haven't had to return anything but it couldn't hurt to ask, give them a chance to make it right.

[10x]

I know who you are talking about as well. She has been an honest vendor for a long time. I would consider this more of a mistake than something intentional.

She will likely be at the Tanner show next week. I am sure she will make it right.

I always take in mags and try them when looking for a mag holder or pouch to avoid these types of problems. You are right you have to be alert about what you are buying.

[2ndAmendment]

I'm am pretty sure if you told her what the problem was with the mag, she would be more than happy to replace it with another one. Most vendors I have run into are great people (old school mom/pop shops).

[RkyMtHiGuy]

Does anyone know the name of this dealer?
Yes I will give them a chance, the wrong part can be an honest mistake, but how do you explain the dye job from brown to black, which was only obvious after opening it up and inspecting more closely, to me that's misrepresentation?
I havent been to gun shows much for the past several years here, and havent purchased much more than the jerkey, Mt Man dried fruits/nuts stuff or sausage either, for most of the mentioned reasons on this forum. I just went to Tanner for the first time last weekand and figured I would go to Phil Long since it was the last one thereto pick up a few things and to tarde away some stuff that i haven't been able to get rid of. I may make Pueblo my last though...we'll see how it goes.

[hurley842002]

but how do you explain the dye job from brown to black, which was only obvious after opening it up and inspecting more closely, to me that's misrepresentation?

Was it not possible to remove the item from the package and inspect it closely before purchasing?

[gnihcraes]

I've had to return items to the Tanner show a couple of times. Everyone has made it right in some way. Tanner has even let me back in without paying the next day to exchange the item. (No hand stamp) Told them I'd run in, do the exchange and run right back out. They agreed. So they get my thumbs up too.

The one guy that always has the wood organizers for the magazines he sells, watch his cheap stuff, it is exactly that, CHEAP.

Sounds like the vendor has a good reputation and will probably make things right for you.

[RkyMtHiGuy]

I couldhave inspected closely, but it seemed ok in the pkg looked like new,and I took their word for it being what it was suppossed to be, there were lots of other items that loooked new on their displyas, it wasn't like one of the dealers just selling "stuff"

[RkyMtHiGuy]

So I found the holster lady at Tanner yesterday, and I did get my money back, after she tried to give me another one that was not correct, then another one that was a different color and used. I dont think she understands the concept of sizing either, she had a man there that had to explain it to her that I was right. Also the others were not in factory packing, so I think that maybe she picks them up used somewhere and asks retail pricing?
I did pick up another comparable holster from another vendor new in package for $10 less @$35.

[PotShot]

I guess return the return policy is different from vendor to vendor at the gun shows. I heard most vendors won't take a mag back and/or tells the buyer to contact the mag manufacturer.

I was at the Tanner Gun Show and I couldn't believe the response one vendor gave a customer. The customer said they had a problem with the mag they bought two months ago and the vendor asked if they wanted a refund or another mag to try, no questions asked about about how the mag was used or if had been dropped, nothing. The vendor appeared to actually want to make the customer happy. The guy opted for another mag but the vendor said if that one didn't work he would give the guy a full refund. Is that the norm these days?

PotShot

[DeusExMachina]

I forgot to mention, I was at the Tanner show before the last and bought a bunch of Magpul goodies from Shades of Grey Tactical (or something). I bought an FDE rear MBUS and went home with it. I took it out of the box and went to put it on the gun and realized it was a front sight.

I drove all the way back to the show (fortunately I had gotten a hand stamp) and the guy looked at me like I was crazy. Took it out of the box, looked at it for a few moments, compared it to another sight and said, "Oh." He handed me another one, I checked it, and he went back to playing on his laptop.

I didn't need that gas or my time anyway. Not even a "Sorry".

[Ridge]

The Shadez of Gray guys are usually pretty good. I remember meeting them the first time they were at Tanner. Could have been a simple mistake, somebody could have looked at a set at the same time and put them in the wrong packaging.

[DeusExMachina]

The Shadez of Gray guys are usually pretty good. I remember meeting them the first time they were at Tanner. Could have been a simple mistake, somebody could have looked at a set at the same time and put them in the wrong packaging.

Yeah, its a pretty simple mistake, but the guy didn't even care. Could have been avoided if I hadn't trusted them to sell me what I was purchasing and verified for myself.

[van7559]

I hate gun shows with a passion. That is just my opinion. The few times I went every thing seemed soo over priced, and lousey sales people. I am not saying there are not good vendors out there, I just think they are few and far between. There are deals to be had, you just have to look real hard, and do you homework before hand

[thebolt]

My son purchased a magazine for his .22 rifle at one of the shows. The Remington mag was in an opened blister pack but it had been taped shut. We found the follower and spring had been taken out when we got home and opened it.

We spoke to the seller at the show the next day and he denied selling us the magazine. The seller has a large display at the shows and I will never do business with him again.

Lessons learned..........

[10x]

You do have to know what you are looking at. A gun show is a flea market. Lack of knowledge and lack of inspection will result in problems.
Some of the vendors are good and some are not. Over the years you learn who to trust.

Saying that, I have bought guns with hidden defective and great guns. The great ones make it all worthwhile. I prefer to buy from individuals rather than the regulars. I found better deals that way and "usually" better luck with no defects.

[Deckert]

I think I know that dealer too and I've had a few fair dealings with her. I'll bet she'll make it right. I too have had the Tanner people let me in gratis to do a quick "in and out" thing.

It's like trying to buy most parts for most things... if you can bring the thing that needs to fit, do it! Although, I admit, for something as (presumably) as simple as a mag holder, I'd just trust the dang thing to fit when I bought it too!

[ldmaster]

She's OK, there's some history there that makes me want to support her and help keep her family afloat.

The thing I hate about gunshows is that the show opens up early, if you're a casual vendor for about an hour the OTHER vendors are scanning all the merchandise for things that are priced lower or underpriced. They buy it, then resell it on their table. Any REAL deals are LONG GONE by the time you get in the door.

[DoubleH]

My first gunshow was literally attended when I was in a stroller.

They bring out the best and worst of capitalism. There are some dealers whom I've seen several times and will NEVER purchase from them because of the way they do/don't treat customers, arrogance, selling junk, etc. Some I won't buy from because of the way they ignored & blew me off when I was just kicking the tires at one show, and then was seriously looking for something at a later show.

I keep my shopping list and try to know what a fair price is before I go, and also take along what it may need to fit to ensure it's right. I try to inspect closely because some of the vendors are one time only vendors.

Any of you remember the huge shows at the old Arapahoe County Gunshows at Belleview & Windermere in Littleton?

[Squeeze]

In regard to Gun Shows, you really have to know what you are going after and do your research prior to walking in the door. Aside from that, here are some rules I follow:


When buying magazines, I take the firearm with me to test it out. I found this extremely useful years ago when I had an AK.
Accessories...make sure you take whatever you are putting it on for a fit-test.
If it seems too good to be true...it probably is.
If you can't test the product at the show, get a business card from the vendor and know their return policy.
If you see what you are looking for at the first table you come to, keep looking.
For a vendor, reasonable prices, customer service, good attitude, and willing to answer questions will win me over every time.I hope someone finds this helpful. Feel free to add to the list if you have any suggestions. Above all, just know your product before buying. Don't get conned from a vendor with a knock-off who offers it with a "lifetime warranty". I had a vendor try to sell me an ACOG replica for $80 once and I chuckled and said, "Yeah but it's not an ACOG". His reply was "Well, Trijicon doesn't offer a lifetime warranty on an ACOG". I politely informed him about the abuse mine saw in the desert and stated, "That's because they don't need to." [ROFL2]

Take care & happy hunting.