What's your strategy at gun shows?

[Rembo]

Off the top of my head here are a few of the deals I gotten at gunshows in the last year or two.

Almost NIB, in the box stainless Marlin XL7 bolt action in 308.......$240

1958 Remington 725 in 30-06, very good bore, decent blueing,......$360

Early walnut/blued Model 7 in 308, probably 95%....$480

1993 Rem 700 VS 22-250, model with the HS stock, very good shape.....$600

But, like they say..."there are no good deals at a gunshow"

[FoxAlpha]

My strategy is simple. Avoid them, until people stop asking more than brand new prices on used items.

[TANK1867]

[QUOTE=Claybuster;11317903]Before you trash anyone for "drivel" (even sunray) you should check your facts. The shows in and around the GTA and South Central Ontario are Sunday only and run from 7:30-1pm. There are other shows but it is not accurate to say all Ontario gun shows run two days from 9 to 5.

http://www.ontariogunshows.com/


I sincerely apologise, I was only going by me experience in the Ottawa area. It seems wrong to me that a gun show would only run for a few hours on a Sunday, where the heck is the fun in that? To be even more clear, I apologise again to Sunray, even if some of your posts drive me crazy it is your right to say whatever you want even if I disagree.
Dave

[linderhof]

My strategy for gunshows is to walk through the door right at opening and then quickly walk the room to get a quick look at anything interesting. After that initial pass I will slow down and dig deeper. Very few good deals on firearms but can be great places to find rare stuff. Know your prices and learn to dicker. Also I find asking for permission to pickup a firearm is not only polite but starts a far more productive conversation with the sellers.

[Mark-II]

I price stuff fairly, and if you're not a gearbox I will give you a better price, but if you keep insisting that 50% off is reasonable I just say No and smile.

I find that most people are happy with the 10% off rule, which is how I counter. I've learned that I don't HAVE to give my stuff away.

I've also learned that it's ok to say No to pre sale dealers trying to take my pants down - if it's still there at the end if the sale maybe we can talk.

Buying I look for fair prices, or look to "put together a package" like those picker guys say. I ask for the best price, and don't piss about wasting time if its not close to what I want to pay.

If I go around with a smile and a positive attitude, the deals that are worth it tend to make themselves happen.

And just because you didn't get something for 50% off of its value (and grump about it online) doesn't mean that gun shows suck.

Ta

[Outcast]

At the shows here the best deals are made before the doors are open to the public amongst the vendors.

Exactly... Hence I don't waste the gas money.

[fenceline]

I price stuff fairly, and if you're not a gearbox I will give you a better price, but if you keep insisting that 50% off is reasonable I just say No and smile.

I find that most people are happy with the 10% off rule, which is how I counter. I've learned that I don't HAVE to give my stuff away.

I've also learned that it's ok to say No to pre sale dealers trying to take my pants down - if it's still there at the end if the sale maybe we can talk.

Buying I look for fair prices, or look to "put together a package" like those picker guys say. I ask for the best price, and don't piss about wasting time if its not close to what I want to pay.

If I go around with a smile and a positive attitude, the deals that are worth it tend to make themselves happen.

And just because you didn't get something for 50% off of its value (and grump about it online) doesn't mean that gun shows suck.

Ta

Bingo.