Gun Show - The Firearms Forum

AR guy · 11-15-2012, 11:14 AM

Im reading all the post about how supplies are getting low. In joliet we are not getting low and I can get primers, powder etc. But there is a gun show comming Dec. 15th to my area. should I wait to buy supplies there, will they be cheaper at the show than the retail stores? Ive never been to a gun show so i dont know whats gunna be there. let me know.

twobit · 11-15-2012, 12:19 PM

Gun show prices are all over (high and low). Best way to prepare is to make a list of what you are interested in...guns, knives, holsters, ammo, reloading supplies...whatever and write down the prices you know you can get at local gun shop, internet auction sites, walmart, ect.... for those items.

Go to the gun show with your list of known prices and buy there if cheaper, otherwise just walk around and have fun.

Hint; If you really see something of interest but haven't looked up the price, use your smart phone to find the average price on the spot by logging on to one of the two big auction sites.

carver · 11-15-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobit

Gun show prices are all over (high and low). Best way to prepare is to make a list of what you are interested in...guns, knives, holsters, ammo, reloading supplies...whatever and write down the prices you know you can get at local gun shop, internet auction sites, walmart, ect.... for those items.

Go to the gun show with your list of known prices and buy there if cheaper, otherwise just walk around and have fun.

Hint; If you really see something of interest but haven't looked up the price, use your smart phone to find the average price on the spot by logging on to one of the two big auction sites.

Good advice!

RandyP · 11-15-2012, 03:35 PM

Pre-show just look up the prices for the components you use, find the best deal and write the info on a piece of paper, bring it to the show.

soundguy · 11-15-2012, 05:34 PM

ditto all that.

do keep a tab on your local supply. if you see the supply drying up.. secure enough for your needs.. you can always get more at the show. typically if cheaper.. oly a few dollars.. so it's not a huge deal either way.

76Highboy · 11-15-2012, 05:49 PM

Gun shows will most likely be pricey right now. If they are pricey on the first part of the day, wait until the end of the day when the sellers are tired. Then offer them a bottom line cash price and you would be surprised what you can walk out with.

The big thing is this. Don't buy out of fear because someone tells you they are almost out. Instead offer less because you have the cash. After all, they want your cash more than you want their components. If they say no, walk and go to the next but don't pay full price. That is how I do it and trust me, even though they say there is a shortage I have always found it cheaper else where.

soundguy · 11-15-2012, 05:53 PM

i love hitting a gun show at 2 time points.

first open and thru the door.

any low priced piece or specialty rare items will be laying out and if there's 1 in the show that's a deal.. I wnat it.

next is 45m before closing time.

easier to sell at 5% profit, vs taking it back home and trying for 15% profit next show after driving it around and handling it alot.

76Highboy · 11-15-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundguy

i love hitting a gun show at 2 time points.

first open and thru the door.

any low priced piece or specialty rare items will be laying out and if there's 1 in the show that's a deal.. I wnat it.

next is 45m before closing time.

easier to sell at 5% profit, vs taking it back home and trying for 15% profit next show after driving it around and handling it alot.

I usually go later in the day. I am refreshed and ready to deal. They are tired and don't want to pack it out (not for all, but some).

AR guy · 11-16-2012, 12:12 AM

Ok sounds like good advice thanks. I'm gunna haggle.

gdmoody · 11-16-2012, 10:51 AM

I usually wait until Sunday afternoon, when they are getting tired and ready to go home. You seem to get the better deal then (usually). Haggling does work most of the time. I have tried with some dealers that just won't drop the price a penny and I won't buy from them.

11-15-2012, 11:14 AM	#1
AR guy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Joliet, Illinois Posts: 558	Gun Show Im reading all the post about how supplies are getting low. In joliet we are not getting low and I can get primers, powder etc. But there is a gun show comming Dec. 15th to my area. should I wait to buy supplies there, will they be cheaper at the show than the retail stores? Ive never been to a gun show so i dont know whats gunna be there. let me know. __________________ * Don't be a fool and die for your country. Let the other sonofabitch die for his. * * Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. * * Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn't give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.* George S. Patton (1885-1945) *The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing * Edmond Burke -->

11-15-2012, 12:19 PM	#2
twobit V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 360	Re: Gun Show Gun show prices are all over (high and low). Best way to prepare is to make a list of what you are interested in...guns, knives, holsters, ammo, reloading supplies...whatever and write down the prices you know you can get at local gun shop, internet auction sites, walmart, ect.... for those items. Go to the gun show with your list of known prices and buy there if cheaper, otherwise just walk around and have fun. Hint; If you really see something of interest but haven't looked up the price, use your smart phone to find the average price on the spot by logging on to one of the two big auction sites.

11-15-2012, 03:35 PM	#4
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Gun Show Pre-show just look up the prices for the components you use, find the best deal and write the info on a piece of paper, bring it to the show. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

11-15-2012, 05:34 PM	#5
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,463	Re: Gun Show ditto all that. do keep a tab on your local supply. if you see the supply drying up.. secure enough for your needs.. you can always get more at the show. typically if cheaper.. oly a few dollars.. so it's not a huge deal either way.

11-15-2012, 05:49 PM	#6
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,969	Re: Gun Show Gun shows will most likely be pricey right now. If they are pricey on the first part of the day, wait until the end of the day when the sellers are tired. Then offer them a bottom line cash price and you would be surprised what you can walk out with. The big thing is this. Don't buy out of fear because someone tells you they are almost out. Instead offer less because you have the cash. After all, they want your cash more than you want their components. If they say no, walk and go to the next but don't pay full price. That is how I do it and trust me, even though they say there is a shortage I have always found it cheaper else where.

11-15-2012, 05:53 PM	#7
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,463	Re: Gun Show i love hitting a gun show at 2 time points. first open and thru the door. any low priced piece or specialty rare items will be laying out and if there's 1 in the show that's a deal.. I wnat it. next is 45m before closing time. easier to sell at 5% profit, vs taking it back home and trying for 15% profit next show after driving it around and handling it alot.

11-16-2012, 12:12 AM	#9
AR guy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Joliet, Illinois Posts: 558	Re: Gun Show Ok sounds like good advice thanks. I'm gunna haggle. __________________ * Don't be a fool and die for your country. Let the other sonofabitch die for his. * * Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. * * Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn't give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.* George S. Patton (1885-1945) *The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing * Edmond Burke

11-16-2012, 10:51 AM	#10
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,358	Re: Gun Show I usually wait until Sunday afternoon, when they are getting tired and ready to go home. You seem to get the better deal then (usually). Haggling does work most of the time. I have tried with some dealers that just won't drop the price a penny and I won't buy from them. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)