O/T Disappointing gun show....

Goose

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I went to a gun show yesterday morning. This particular show is a semi-annual event and usually a good size show with a good attendance. This one included black powder as well as conventional.

It seemed like they had about 2/3 the tables as usual and almost no one there. A fellow at one of the tables said Sunday mornings are usually slow until about 11:00, but he'd never seen it that slow.

Was that a fluke, or a sign of the times?

 

N

noncompos

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

We have an acquaintance who, for several years now, did pretty well traveling to the area gun shows, selling an array of products (whatever seemed to be moving) better quality knives, western hats, outdoor stuff, metal detectors, and so forth.
Last time we saw him (month ago) he said his business was dead: he wasn't selling enough to cover his costs (travel, meals, etc), even after he tried a couple shows in a friends little camper-type rig where he could fix his own meals. He said usually fewer people, mostly lookers, few buyers; he sells mostly over the net now.

 

C

Coloken

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I used to gun show. Then went to all of then. Now too old with bad legs to do either.
Kenny

 

S

Spook

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I see the same thing all over. I talked to a guy selling toy tractors at a tractor show. He said that his sales were down 70%. Anybody who says that the economy is "fundementally sound" doesn't live in the real world. I always figured that all the end of the world types were nuts, but even a nut is right once in awhile!!

 

I

IH2444

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

Buying guns and such is one of the first things that can go when hard times are upon us.

Guns pretty much priced themselves out of my entertainment range several years ago.

Lets see buy gas to get to work or buy a gun ? Plus it takes gas to get to the shows.

 

M

Mike M

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I haven't been to any here in Ohio for awhile either. Just not really anything I need. I saw the last ads where the admission price went up to $6.00 ? i think ?
I bet the ones making out are the promoters because they get good money off the displays per table was $35.00 i thought ? I'm not sure if they add up all your tables ? likely do. then extra off all the attendees.

 

J

JDemaris

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I don't know how the gun shows are run in your area - but here in New York they've been ruined. It used to be, the best part of the gun show was out in the parking lot. That's where all the best deals were. People would come with all kinds of stuff and sell direct - without even walking into the official show. No more, it's been banned. Between that, and guns being so expensive, show attendence is down.

Here is New York - if you buy a gun from a gun shop - or at a show - you have to pay an extra 8% sales - tax. Buy privately, and you don't. It's as simple as that.

Next step with the law is - New York is trying to ban all private sales unless they involve government paperwork, serial #s, etc. Not yet, but soon.

I do know this. Guns are high and they are still selling just fine. I've called on several lately - in the newspaper - and all were sold by the time I called. None were cheap, not even close.

 

T

teddy52food

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

Area bait shop was complaining too. He said people were still buying bait but very little tackle anymore.

 

B

Blueclawz

Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I have not been to a GunShow since 2001 - yeah I have attended a few "Shows" since then but none that were about guns...now its more along the lines of the following:

Beef Jerky
Indian Dream Catchers
Reproduction NAZI Medals
Reproduction Rolex
Mary Kay cosmetics
Herbal Viagra
Over-Priced surplus guns
Beat and shot out - match guns
Over priced Ammo
Airsoft - wtf?
Paintball
Bad food..smelly people...yelling...white trash...thug wanna-be"s...you name it.

Guns shows are non-existent now a days!

 

3

3-71 Fan

Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

It could be argued that anybody that thinks toy tractors are a part of fundamental economics is the one not living in the real world.

 

M

Mike M

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

Ertyl is/was ? the worlds largest seller of tractors in terms of numbers sold I heard tell. So it is a BIG business.

 

S

Stockdale Dave

Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I quit going when the shows turned from 80% guns and 20% junk to the other way around. Most now are just flea markets.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I stopped going to the gun shows a few years ago, for most of those same reasons. The crowds there were the rudest trashy people, pushing, shoving, blocking the aisle while the talk, etc. And the prices are not any better than the local gun dealers.

 

G

Gun guru

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I havent been to a gun show since 2000. Even then the tables were 1/2 of what it should (could) have been. This was when the assault weapons ban was in place under Clinton. The best time for the gun shows was before Clinton was in office and the attendance was good as well as the amount of sellers. Swords/guns/ammo--and lots of ammmo. I need to go to a gun show to see what is like again. Going to Cabelas or bass pro or Gander mtn. is fun too just full price at those places.

 

J

J.C.in AZ.

Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I quit going after getting shafted on a .22 semi auto that won"t eject the spent cartridge but instead trys to load a live round in on top of the spent one. Tried to find out the Sellers address from the Promotor but no cooperation from them.I"ve only been to a couple of "Gun Shows" but this deal told me to stay away.

 

S

Spook

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

Attendance at a lot of venues are down, as are resturant reciepts, and a lot of retail. Energy prices are sucking a lot of disposable income out of the economy.

 

J

J.C.in AZ.

Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

You have P.A.D.? If you have never had a Doppler Exam on your Legs, to determine if you do or don't have P.A.D. get one as soon as you can. My Legs Hurt so I could hardly walk and after an Doppler Exam which confirmed that I have Periferal Artery Disease in both legs and after having Catherization of two Femoral Artery blockages in my right Leg and one in my left Leg I can walk better than I have been able to in 10 years. My big problem is Diabetes Type Two.

 

R

Rick(IA)

New User

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

'Must depend on where you are. The last few shows I've been to, particularly the one last month, were very well attended. I've always found the crowd at the local shows to be very polite, even when the aisles are crowded. I'm looking forward to the one coming up in November. I'll be the ARs will be flying out the door.

 

P

Pete76NY

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

Haven"t gone to one in years...they are going the way of Tractor shows like The NY Pageant of Steam:
almost all flea market gypsies hawking crap that should be in the local landfill. ...and you cannot get any kind of deal at a gun show anymore unless you are hunting some odd ball or old unpopular model gun.
Last one I went to, the 1st dealer inside the door was selling Ruger 10/22s for $25 more than the local Dick"s Sporting Goods, and they charge 20% more than my dealer!

 

OP

OP

Goose

Well-known Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

I go to gun shows mostly to see what stuff's selling for, and occasionally pick up a knife or other gadget.

I have made a few decent deals on firearms at shows. Notice I said "decent", not fantastic. The most recent being a Ruger Super Blackhawk SA .44 mag with a 7 1/2" barrel in pristine condition for $300. I've known the dealer for years outside of the shows.

 

H

happydeere

Member

• Sep 29, 2008

• #1

last show i went to was booming people are afraid of whoever becomes the next president they will ban their beloved Ar Ak Sks. im going to save up and buy an ar15 for coyote but cant see paying a grand for one

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 30, 2008

• #1

Thank God, I live in Idaho,all we are doing is stocking up on ammo. And yes it is being watched.

 

A

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 30, 2008

• #1

A new extractor will fix,why fuss.

 

C

CJ3b_jeep

Member

• Sep 30, 2008

• #1

I just bought the very same gun for the same money. Even had the original box, a set of larger grips and the manual.