See, that's disheartening. Like I said earlier, I've never been to a local gun show before, but reading this makes me want to avoid them.
Are there any products at gun shows that are significantly cheaper than local stores? Maybe accessories?
Gunshow, Gunshow, Gunshow, OKC Fairgrounds this weekend 10/13,14,/2012
- Thread starter Nighthawk
- Start Date
See, that's disheartening. Like I said earlier, I've never been to a local gun show before, but reading this makes me want to avoid them.
Are there any products at gun shows that are significantly cheaper than local stores? Maybe accessories?
Not really. I love gun shows. I go to look around and talk to the people I see at all the shows. I have found a few deals, but not many. Most of the deals I have found were from people walking around the show. I look at it as a way to kill some time and maybe get lucky. When it cost $13-14 to get in the door, that is money I could have spent with SuperDave, SSP, or Outdoor America. SuperDave is bringing the shows back to the way it used to be. When tables are cheap, more non-dealers set up. This is where you get you better deals and these guys will trade for something they want. The more the tables cost the venders, the higher their prices are going to be. The last gun show I went to had 6 position stock kits for $65.00. Botach has the same kits for $39 and free shipping. "plus it does not cost me $14, just to shop."
You have to look at it as a way to kill time. I have seen very few dealers at gun shows that can compete with SSP, or Outdoor America on price.
That said. Would I pay $10-12 to go to a SuperDave show? Yes I would, because I know how he feels about OSA and the 2nd Amendment people. I just will not spend my money with people like Metcalf.
Significantly cheaper - No! Competitive - Yes! You just have to be patient and know the value of what you're looking for. As far as firearms go, the best deals at gunshows are the other guys just like you who brought their guns to the show to sell. After getting prices (or not getting prices) from dealers at the show, they are more than happy to talk to other customers who are looking to buy. Some of the very best gun buys I've ever made were from people just like me.
Other good firearms buys can sometimes be had from the one table dealers/individuals with a half dozen pieces on their table.
Both of the above generally involve used guns of various ages and conditions. If you're looking for new and black, it gets a little tougher. But, even then, a good many of the "dealers" are often owners of brick and mortar stores. If you get serious with them, there's no reason they won't dicker just like they would back at the store. Their problem is that they have to recover the cost of their tables and other expenses of setting up at the show.
It is incumbent upon you, the buyer, to know the product and the street value of the product before you walk into the gun show or the retail store. It's your money, they can't make you spend it.
Accessories, ammo, and beanie babies are another matter which I won't get into.
Thanks for both your responses. I agree that the conversation and atmosphere is one major draw to a gun show, or any show. I used to deal trading cards, so card shows were great ways to meet other collectors/enthusiasts, as well as sell product. Though, none of the card shows I ever went to cost money to enter, ha.
Including gas and entrance fee, driving up to an OKC show from Norman would run about $16. I'm in agreement that that $16 could be used toward other things, like supporting the local range.
I'd like to think I can get a lot of my firearms/hobby discussion here on the forums, where there's also a very active marketplace, all without the entrance fee. But I also know for every member OSA has, there are five people out there who don't use this forum to converse, and buy and sell. So by going to a gun show, I'm potentially increasing chances of running into an individual who has what I've been looking for at the price I'm comfortable paying, and running into individuals with shared interests and even differing opinions on things related to firearms.
Pros and cons on each side. Just seems to come down to if people think the extra exposure is worth the price.
I'm not talking about Metcalf, I'm talking about the gun business owners that have posted in this thread that have set up at a Metcalf show.
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I am too.
Just about any gun show is a good opportunity for the dealers to get in front of a lot of people at one time. There's no reason they should pass that up. As consumers we can choose which shows to attend and which to skip just as we can with local dealers. If the dealers that are members of OSA can go to a Metcalf show and do well, more power to them. They are in business to make a few dollars doing something they enjoy. I personally wouldn't refuse to do business with anybody who sets up at a Metcalf show. But it won't be at that show.
The vast majority of the shooting public in Oklahoma has never heard of this board. Many here have the reda$$ at Metcalf, most with good reason. But for every member here who won't patronize these shows there are hundreds who will show up, pay the admission, and maybe buy something from these guys. We shouldn't be bashing on these guys for running their business as they see fit.
The vast majority of the shooting public in Oklahoma has never heard of this board. Many here have the reda$$ at Metcalf, most with good reason. But for every member here who won't patronize these shows there are hundreds who will show up, pay the admission, and maybe buy something from these guys. We shouldn't be bashing on these guys for running their business as they see fit.
I love Starbucks coffee drinks. I consider it a treat. If Starbucks was outwardly anti 2A, I wouldn't spend a dime there.
I like seeing movies at Warren Theater. If they didn't allow carry at all, I'd never buy another ticket.
I enjoy gun shows. Metlaugh has attacked others who want to enter the business, and I got to see what a D-Bag he is. I'd rather drive 90 miles to Tulsa for a show than to drive the 2 miles to the Fairgrounds if Metcrap is in OKC on a given weekend.
Do I fault the vendors who choose to go to Metcrap's show? No a bit. There are plenty of people who either don't know wat a creep that Warren Metcalf is, or just don't care. Someone needs to sell stuff to them, right?
But coming here and comparing us to Antis because we refuse to attend Metcalf's show is ludicrous. And will cost you business as well as friends. I hope we all misunderstood you and you come back and clear all this up... or just eat some shoe leather and apologize.
I like seeing movies at Warren Theater. If they didn't allow carry at all, I'd never buy another ticket.
I enjoy gun shows. Metlaugh has attacked others who want to enter the business, and I got to see what a D-Bag he is. I'd rather drive 90 miles to Tulsa for a show than to drive the 2 miles to the Fairgrounds if Metcrap is in OKC on a given weekend.
Do I fault the vendors who choose to go to Metcrap's show? No a bit. There are plenty of people who either don't know wat a creep that Warren Metcalf is, or just don't care. Someone needs to sell stuff to them, right?
But coming here and comparing us to Antis because we refuse to attend Metcalf's show is ludicrous. And will cost you business as well as friends. I hope we all misunderstood you and you come back and clear all this up... or just eat some shoe leather and apologize.
No real savings at all by going on guns or most ammunition. I went back today and got in for free cause i still had a stamp on my hand.
A box of 9mm of 250 rounds at Walmart was $45 , at gun show $69 same brand. The charge of 4% on cc was outrageous to be honest, i asked around today and most tables were not charging a fee and one would refund your entrance money if you purchased a fire arm from them. I will do a better research next time but will never go back to this one.
