How do you feel about buying from Gun Shows?

[ffemt300]

I went to a show a few weeks ago at the GRB in Houston and found the prices high and dealers unwilling to negotiate. I like to negotiate. Dave Ramsey says never pay full price when you have cash in hand!

Dave Ramsey clearly isn't a gun dealer. Some gun dealers don't like to bother with haggling. They set the price -- you like or you don't. Again, this is a VERY low margin business with new guns. Dealers have some room to haggle on used guns, but most "small time" dealers have very little (mostly no) room to negotiate on new gun prices. Honestly, for most pistols, I make more money doing a transfer than I do selling a gun (and I don't have to mess with quarterly and annual tax issues with transfers)

I see your point. Why exactly is the profit margin so small?

[OldCannon]

I went to a show a few weeks ago at the GRB in Houston and found the prices high and dealers unwilling to negotiate. I like to negotiate. Dave Ramsey says never pay full price when you have cash in hand!

Dave Ramsey clearly isn't a gun dealer. Some gun dealers don't like to bother with haggling. They set the price -- you like or you don't. Again, this is a VERY low margin business with new guns. Dealers have some room to haggle on used guns, but most "small time" dealers have very little (mostly no) room to negotiate on new gun prices. Honestly, for most pistols, I make more money doing a transfer than I do selling a gun (and I don't have to mess with quarterly and annual tax issues with transfers)

I see your point. Why exactly is the profit margin so small?

It's the nature of the gun business. Small dealers and retailers can't get significant volume discounts. This is especially true with handguns and more common rifles and shooting gear.

As an example, I don't sell Glocks. I love Glocks, but I'm trying to compete against volume dealers that sell BELOW what my cost per Glock would be _before_ shipping from a wholesaler -- they destroy me and they do it all from Gunbroker.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter. I knew about this going into the biz, and I knew I can't compete (I compete in other ways), but imagine you're a gun dealer trying to operate at a gun show: 1) You're packed in a place competing with other dealers that work with the same wholesalers as you so almost everybody's price is +/-$10, 2) you're playing by "the rules" when it comes to manufacturer's MAP pricing, meaning you can't advertise lower prices, 3) You're dealing with a crowd that is FAR more savvy on pricing than even 5 years ago -- people see a price on your gun, whip out their iPhone, and see they can get something for $20 less online and NO taxes, so they want to haggle you down by $70 to compensate AND get the instant gratifcation, putting your sale in the "loss" bracket to the tune of about $50.

Tell me again why I would want to work a gun show?

(Hint: It is possible to sell stuff and make a reasonable profit at a gun show, but the only people that make the real killing at the ones selling $0.25 worth of warm, flavored peanuts to people at $4.99 a bag )

[The Annoyed Man]

I've bought at gun shows, but I prefer a gun store.

[C-dub]

3) You're dealing with a crowd that is FAR more savvy on pricing than even 5 years ago -- people see a price on your gun, whip out their iPhone, and see they can get something for $20 less online and NO taxes, so they want to haggle you down by $70 to compensate AND get the instant gratifcation, putting your sale in the "loss" bracket to the tune of about $50.

I did that when I was looking for mags. The seller made mean offer of $12/each if I bought 10+ M4 PMAGs with cash. Couldn't find a better deal anywhere, so I took 10 mags home.

[77346]

The gun show near me in Pasadena does not charge parking. I did not know that other gun shows would be charge for parking. That is lame. say you gotta pay to park.

You have to pay to park for shows at GRB or Reliant. I haven't been to Pasadena or Conroe, so I may try that next time...

[Recall3613]

first two guns were at a pawn shop, no issues with them yet
next two were from a vendor at a gun show, different shows but same person, they have a shop a long way from me so helps me out with in a week of asking they had a Ruger 1911 for me.
last gun was bought at cheaper than dirt. still haven't shot it yet

i don't have any issue buying from any of them.

preference is if im looking for a certain gun, gun-shop or cheaper than dirt, if im just browsing gun show, be surprised what you can walk out with a lil $$

[jmorris]

The gun show near me in Pasadena does not charge parking. I did not know that other gun shows would be charge for parking. That is lame. say you gotta pay to park.

You have to pay to park for shows at GRB or Reliant. I haven't been to Pasadena or Conroe, so I may try that next time...

And it's not the gun show charging you for parking, it's the facility. The AT&T center in San Antonio charges for parking no matter what the event is and they keep the fees. There is no charge at the Live Oak Civic Center (yes, a *little* difference in size) or at the Scottish Auditorium(?) when the gun show was there.

[ffemt300]

I went to a show a few weeks ago at the GRB in Houston and found the prices high and dealers unwilling to negotiate. I like to negotiate. Dave Ramsey says never pay full price when you have cash in hand!

Dave Ramsey clearly isn't a gun dealer. Some gun dealers don't like to bother with haggling. They set the price -- you like or you don't. Again, this is a VERY low margin business with new guns. Dealers have some room to haggle on used guns, but most "small time" dealers have very little (mostly no) room to negotiate on new gun prices. Honestly, for most pistols, I make more money doing a transfer than I do selling a gun (and I don't have to mess with quarterly and annual tax issues with transfers)

I see your point. Why exactly is the profit margin so small?

It's the nature of the gun business. Small dealers and retailers can't get significant volume discounts. This is especially true with handguns and more common rifles and shooting gear.

As an example, I don't sell Glocks. I love Glocks, but I'm trying to compete against volume dealers that sell BELOW what my cost per Glock would be _before_ shipping from a wholesaler -- they destroy me and they do it all from Gunbroker.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter. I knew about this going into the biz, and I knew I can't compete (I compete in other ways), but imagine you're a gun dealer trying to operate at a gun show: 1) You're packed in a place competing with other dealers that work with the same wholesalers as you so almost everybody's price is +/-$10, 2) you're playing by "the rules" when it comes to manufacturer's MAP pricing, meaning you can't advertise lower prices, 3) You're dealing with a crowd that is FAR more savvy on pricing than even 5 years ago -- people see a price on your gun, whip out their iPhone, and see they can get something for $20 less online and NO taxes, so they want to haggle you down by $70 to compensate AND get the instant gratifcation, putting your sale in the "loss" bracket to the tune of about $50.

Tell me again why I would want to work a gun show?

(Hint: It is possible to sell stuff and make a reasonable profit at a gun show, but the only people that make the real killing at the ones selling $0.25 worth of warm, flavored peanuts to people at $4.99 a bag )

I see where you're coming from. Makes sense for new weapons. Is the margin still small with used? I made a guy an offer on a used pistol and he wouldn't budge either.

[alvins]

ive bought about half my guns from the gun show.ive bought several guns from collectors firearms because they had what i wanted and they were willing to work on the price with me.

ive gotten the worst customer service by several well know houston area gun stores so I dont bother with them.i own enough guns and class 3 to know what im doing.i dont need some jerk at a gun store offering his opinion when i didnt ask for it.

[ghostrider]

I buy from my fellow CHL holders on this forum and my local store.

[RPB]

I'd rather buy from an Individual. I feel more comfortable buying from individuals at gun shows than at a business where someone is trying to earn a living selling guns. If a gun store owner has a gun he's selling as an individual, ok, but there are more booths with guns for sale by individuals at shows and an individual sold be a great XD45 Stainless at a show near Kingsland, TX... however.... Walmart Parking lots work well too, I traded in one Walmart Parking Lot with forum members here a time or two.

[rentz]

i've bought 2 from shows. the first was my pm9 when my chl was in the mail inbound to me.
I knew i'd be paying slightly more than online but i found a deal close enough that i wanted it right then and there no wait.

also bought a range officer at another show for about 50 less than i'd seen it online, but adding in taxes and cc fee (didnt plan ahead with cash in hand) and it wasnt really any better deal.

After the last show i went to i've pretty much had my fill of them. the majority either seems to be people selling low end airsoft stuff and trying to tell people its grade a tactical equipment, or guys selling full msrp.
I understand markups not much for smaller dealers, i like giving business to little guys but i cant justify it when its such a large price gap.

But as others said if you know exactly what you want and how much the prices are you might find a deal. But i wouldnt expect to go into a show and find the latest greatest hard to find item below msrp if you find it at all.

If i go to another one i'm going to pay closer attention to the guys walking around with signs or the used private sale tables

[txhighlander]

I used to shop the gun shows a lot but the last few times it just wasn't what it used to be, but then what is. I try to buy from a local dealer if I can, keeps the money in the local economy. Also not to mention establishes that local contact who will call you when something you might like comes into the store. Though I must admit my wife doesn't like that perk .

[SQLGeek]

I don't know if I have to turn in my Texas residency for admitting this but I've never been to a gun show....