Gun Show Prices

[HBARleatherneck]

i kind of miss the pre 86 gun shows in Denver. All of it except the nazi crap. Back then the guns were amazing, every kind of gun. Not really a family event, even though our family allways went. Lots of guys that look like JIM, except with swastikas inked all over them, and with ss and swatiska patches. Buying and selling the same gun while walking around, those were the days, before "reasonable" gun laws.

[Bearark]

The main problem I have with gun shows is all the Dumb Arts and Crafts stuff and beanie baby type merchandise. Last show I went to was the Tanner show a year or two back and I swear it was nearly all that stuff and Cheap Bud K knives and air soft.
One of these days I'm gonna get a booth at a Craft show and sell guns, see how they like it.

[theGinsue]

There's a running joke on this site that goes something like
Person A: I went to the Gun Show today
Person B: Yeah, I'm running low on Jerky too.
Person C: How many pair of gloves did you buy?

I commented on the non-gun related vendors at the Tanner show today to my son. Even he couldn't understand how they can make enough of a profit to keep showing up.

I was hoping to run into a few others from this site today but the timing must not have been right. I did get the opportunity to speak with BlasterBob which is always a pleasure. (I was even able to pick up some .45 bullets from him).

Back to the issue of over-pricing, I saw a new Beretta 92F for $589 on one table, and one aisle over I saw an identical model for $649.

[cj]

OK, a little zombie thread here, but I enjoyed the perspective, especially after visiting a show last weekend seeing, for example, a Ruger LCP (MSRP: $347, available locally for $299) sitting on a table with a $459 price tag (and a box of 50 WWB 9mm for $60). I'll admit some other guys had decent to great prices, but what are some of these guys even thinking? I love to support the small and local guy, but these huge markups are ridiculous.

[StagLefty]

I hate to see fellow gun enthusiasts paying too much but it's all about research nowadays.

[Ridge]

OK, a little zombie thread here, but I enjoyed the perspective, especially after visiting a show last weekend seeing, for example, a Ruger LCP (MSRP: $347, available locally for $299) sitting on a table with a $459 price tag (and a box of 50 WWB 9mm for $60). I'll admit some other guys had decent to great prices, but what are some of these guys even thinking? I love to support the small and local guy, but these huge markups are ridiculous.

Wish I still had my smartphone so that I could pull it out and google the gun and show them they are asking twice MSRP....would love to see the looks on their faces.

[R&S]

I can agree with you that a LOT of gun prices are over priced, however, those prices locally you are comparing to are usually at one of the big box stores at a once every so often sale and the folks at the gun shows usually don't have the money backing them up for the factory direct discounts. you have to remember that the vendor have to setup on Friday, pay for tables, pack up on sunday. Just as you make money to support your families the vendors need to support their families.

Now, with that said, that is why I started my business. I am in business to make money but to make money in volume and not an individual sales. I don't have the best prices always but most of the time I do. Like Bersa 380s for $259.95 and WW primer for $25.50. I try to have a show special each gun show. I will have Ruger 10-22s for less than Gander, Bass pro (at least less than their online prices as of last night). Several of this forums members have been to my tables and are please with the selection and prices.

FWIW

Regards,
Randy

[hurley842002]

I can agree with you that a LOT of gun prices are over priced, however, those prices locally you are comparing to are usually at one of the big box stores at a once every so often sale and the folks at the gun shows usually don't have the money backing them up for the factory direct discounts. you have to remember that the vendor have to setup on Friday, pay for tables, pack up on sunday. Just as you make money to support your families the vendors need to support their families.

Now, with that said, that is why I started my business. I am in business to make money but to make money in volume and not an individual sales. I don't have the best prices always but most of the time I do. Like Bersa 380s for $259.95 and WW primer for $25.50. I try to have a show special each gun show. I will have Ruger 10-22s for less than Gander, Bass pro (at least less than their online prices as of last night). Several of this forums members have been to my tables and are please with the selection and prices.

FWIW

Regards,
Randy

I can totally understand the vendors needing to support their families, and there are several legit vendors at the shows. I also appreciate you trying to make a reasonable sale. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I think many of the vendors just have nothing better to do, and have been attending the gun shows for years and years, with their buds, just for something to do. They don't rely on the show to survive, but just enjoy the company of like minded folk. Most of them remind me of my uncle "everything's for sale for the right price", and once he owns something, it doubles in value.

[R&S]

I can totally understand the vendors needing to support their families, and there are several legit vendors at the shows. I also appreciate you trying to make a reasonable sale. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I think many of the vendors just have nothing better to do, and have been attending the gun shows for years and years, with their buds, just for something to do. They don't rely on the show to survive, but just enjoy the company of like minded folk. Most of them remind me of my uncle "everything's for sale for the right price", and once he owns something, it doubles in value.

Actually, I can't argue with your observations, I guess it only takes a few to ruin it for the others. And I am guilty of "everything's for sale for the right price" on occassions, Like my Remington 700 Sendero 300 win mag, with a Burris Signature Series 8X-32X-44mm, custom muzzle break, glass bedded stock, trigger job, and bipod. Loving referred to as "the Beast" or "the thousand yard zombie killer" (that is my "at the right price" down fall). I bring it to the show to let folks look at it and give them ideas for things they can do for themselves.

As I become more web page literate I will be posting gunshow prices on my web page (www.rnsmanllc.com) so if there is something that you want you will be able to get it at the show. But if you need primers I still have a few left for $25.50 (WW large and small pistol).

FWIW the last gunshow my prices caused other vendors to lower their prices, who knows maybe the trend will continue and gunshows will once again be a place for that special deal.


Regards,
Randy

[bluker1]

I'll give a vendors perspective who both has a store and used to go big at the gun shows. We have now trimmed down to a one table show only at the tanner. Many of you know we used to sell ton's of magpul and usual assortment of firearms. Back in our hey day of gun show last year we still would get beat up for things such as 'bulk pricing' which includes a grand 3 mags. The gunshow to me became an endless supply of people trying to beat us out of a dollar. Once the customers had their fill of magpul they stopped shopping. This year we consolidated down to one table and brought many of our one of kind and custom firearms that we have at the shop. Even offering some smoking deals at the show most people don't seem to be there to buy.