I don't feel the need to be the price police at a gun show. I don't want to see someone get taken either. The seller can ask whatever he or she wants and if the price is way to high they will probably take it home. I wonder how many people that complain about high prices would correct a seller if he had his item undervalued by $500?
$1250 & $1500 No.4 Lee Enfields...Hanna AB gunshow
- Thread starter x westie
- Start date
Touché!
P.S. I have seen $400 SVTs and I have seen $4,000 SVTs, most of gun show visitor's won't see a difference. Five years ago I was not able to see difference too.
I sell stuff at the gun shows and you can ASK whatever you want! I try to price my items at just below market, and sometimes at cost just to get the money back in circulation. Everyone (myself included) goes to gun shows looking for a deal and/or something specific. That said, I agree with the OP. Some guys are totally out to lunch with their pricing AND arrogant about it. Screw 'em! That said, some buyers will try to skin you down to your skivvies. I understand the desire for a deal, but when I have a $2000 rifle for sale at $1300. and some putz offers me $600.???? Let's get real here folks! I don't waste time talking to, or dealing with, a-holes. Go, look around, do some research, and spend your money wisely.
I thought it was a good show i drove up from Medicine Hat and walked away with a Hakim and an AG42B for less than one would sell for on this forum. Sold a couple rifles to one of the dealers when he was passing through town the day before as well so came ahead still 
. My dad bought some leather goods and my daughter got some polished rocks and a doll. Everyone had a good day out.
. My dad bought some leather goods and my daughter got some polished rocks and a doll. Everyone had a good day out.
If the sellers price is way too high, then the thing just won't sell. Wait till the last minute before closing and make an offer. I picked up a 22 for almost half the original asking price about 30 minutes before closing at one show recently. I usually get decent deals and anybody can if you know how. The seller is not a crook just because he is asking a high price.
- Location
- pallisers triangle
not sure who would have been the bigger dik
I have to agree that people are entitled to ask what they want. Their item - their price. HOWEVER!! When sellers outright lie about an item in an attempt to take advantage of somebody less knowledgeable that crosses a line as far as I'm concerned. I find most vendors great, and very helpful. I'm not a milsurp guy, but I've learned a lot by talking with guys at gun shows. I'm still not comfortable enough with the nuances to be able to tell the difference between a $400 rifle, and a $4000 rifle, so I avoid sales like that. I would need time to research, and somebody a whole lot more knowledgeable , whom I trust and respect, before I would make a commitment like that.
The arrogant guys just amuse me. Although when it's combined with a lack of knowledge or outright ignorance it can be bad. Several years ago I picked up a 52/57 at a show. The bayonet had been removed and the stock had been textured/painted a grey color. The seller then proceeded to tell me that they removed the bayo, and did the stock like that for winter/urban camouflage. I could tell that he actually believed it. And I could see a couple of the guys beside me getting interested, because he stated it so loudly and with conviction. It must be really RARE! I mean the opportunity to own a 52/57 in urban camo, with the bayonet removed.
The look on his face was priceless when I started to laugh out loud and told him that somebody fed him a line of BS. That all he had was a bubba that somebody had done, and they'd actually reduced the value of it with their "improvements". On the other side, he was only asking $325, so the price wasn't way out of line.
HEY WAIT! Maybe one of you milsurp guys better chime in. Was I wrong. Did I pass up the deal of a lifetime?
The arrogant guys just amuse me. Although when it's combined with a lack of knowledge or outright ignorance it can be bad. Several years ago I picked up a 52/57 at a show. The bayonet had been removed and the stock had been textured/painted a grey color. The seller then proceeded to tell me that they removed the bayo, and did the stock like that for winter/urban camouflage. I could tell that he actually believed it. And I could see a couple of the guys beside me getting interested, because he stated it so loudly and with conviction. It must be really RARE! I mean the opportunity to own a 52/57 in urban camo, with the bayonet removed.
The look on his face was priceless when I started to laugh out loud and told him that somebody fed him a line of BS. That all he had was a bubba that somebody had done, and they'd actually reduced the value of it with their "improvements". On the other side, he was only asking $325, so the price wasn't way out of line.
HEY WAIT! Maybe one of you milsurp guys better chime in. Was I wrong. Did I pass up the deal of a lifetime?
Wow...consider yourself lucky that you weren't just "punched in the face" or generally lynched as some of the yankers
jerkit here would have you believe Lol! I think you did ok, by walking away with loud and mocking laughter filling the hall. Here's hoping the dealers tail is tucked so tightly up his a$$ it took 8 months for him to show his face again...here's also hoping when that happened not only was the "story" adapted to reflect reality, but also the price.Most of us are pretty sure.
That's weird....I thought I was on your ignore list.
Anyhow what he did, and what you, as the internet tough guy suggested doing, are 2 different things. He actually engaged the seller by picking up the rifle. You just wanted to act like an all around ####.
Its like you were actually there! Magic, pure f'ing magic.
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I'm not a loud mocking laughter type of guy. I was still interested in the rifle. Good shooter, not a safe queen, and a "project" for the winter. Just not interested at the price, for the amount of work I'd have to do. But I also made sure that others around me knew the truth, as did the seller, so that he couldn't use that BS to take in some poor schmuck. ( at least not in good conscience )
When I go to a show, or an auction, I buy the item, not the story that goes with it. "Uncle Joe brought it back from the pacific, and used it to kill five japs on Iwo". Without provenance it's nothing, and I don't pay more for a story
When I go to a show, or an auction, I buy the item, not the story that goes with it. "Uncle Joe brought it back from the pacific, and used it to kill five japs on Iwo". Without provenance it's nothing, and I don't pay more for a story
infideleggwelder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have found that some gun shows are exactly that...gun shows. some sellers/collectors seem to like showing their collections off, with no intention of selling, or selling the junk they don't want/need. their stuff is priced not to sell, and rarely does it. there is a guy on the south-eastern ontario circuit that does just that. his table is identical year after year. $500 for a sporterized No1, new prices on a couple of abused lever guns, $5 for one SKS ammo clip, (because next year they`ll be illegal, get it while its hot!!!)
The next tables are selling out of the same stuff, and it don`t seem to bother the guy. i saw a guy bring in an original Snider complete with bayonet and as pristine of a bore as you`ll get. he offered it to the collector guy for $1000, the guy said it wasn`t worth 200......no sale etc
The next tables are selling out of the same stuff, and it don`t seem to bother the guy. i saw a guy bring in an original Snider complete with bayonet and as pristine of a bore as you`ll get. he offered it to the collector guy for $1000, the guy said it wasn`t worth 200......no sale etc
You miss the point of those firearms. They did get your attention and you did look over the other offerings.
I have a couple of DCRA No4 MkI* rifles in Excellent condition. They saw very little use and are set up for match shooting with sights appropriate for the time period. One is chambered in 303 British and one is chambered in 7.62 Nato. Both shoot better than I can hold. I have put them on my tables at selected shows. They are priced very high for what they are. My biggest problem is keeping the LOOKY LOOS from trying to pull them out of the rack without permission, even though there is a cable lock through the triggerguard.
I get ridiculous offers to purchase the stocks or insulting low ball offers regularly. Mostly by people that have zero idea of what they are looking at.
I really don't expect to sell those rifles anytime soon. Maybe even years down the road, if ever, but they are like a beacon to those folks that are looking for really clean No4 MkI rifles. They usually can't afford the two rifles they are interested in but there are other rifles on the tables and in the racks that are well within reasonable price ranges.
I do very well at most shows. Over the last 10 years I have sold an average of 8 rifles per show. Now that we can bring handguns with us as well without the hassle of getting a STATT for each show they have been selling very well also.
It seems like most of the shows in the Eastern provinces are loaded up with commercial sellers. That's to bad. At most of the shows I go to the commercial folks bring some NEW firearms and mostly USED firearms to offer. This works out reasonably well for me because my prices look like real jewels in comparison. Mind you my prices are reasonable so I tend to move a lot of stuff while other vendors go home with the girls they brung.
It's pretty easy to see the vendors that are new to the game or just can't bear to make a few dollars less profit. They are often disgruntled and blame the gun show organizers for their poor sales.
I saw exactly that situation at one of the early spring shows this year. Lots of people through the doors showed the organizers did their job and got out the word to interested folks. Many of the vendors just couldn't persuade them to part with any cash. Not only that, even with several pieces of ID many vendors won't accept personal checks. I have taken dozens of personal checks and have never had one bounce that was the fault of the person writing it. Only on one occasion was there an issue and it turned out to be with the bank.
People in the firearms community are some of the most trustworthy folks I know. They usually have a good attitude towards life and those around them. Of course there are always a few looking for the worst case scenarios and fixating on those obsessively. I usually just ignore them unless they insist on continuing to stay in my face. Some people will stand in front of me with their hand on a firearm insisting I have to cut my price in half to suit their budget and give me a heart wrenching story to support their insistence. Once in a while I will acquiesce for a junior shooter but not often. Some folks are very good actors and I often get a big smile on my face watching/listening to the performances and watching the antics.
On more than one occasion I have asked people to move away from the firearm they want so other people can look at it and make an offer. This usually shuts them down pretty quickly.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Hope that means that your an "expert" that knows everything, rather than a "know it all" who knows nothing.
Typically when a guy picks up a Winchester 1886 and proceeds to tell their kids about "...the marlin 336 I had exactly like this one, in fact it may be the same one, hey did you steal it from me...??"
Or a G43/SVT40/VZ52 and starts blathering about it being an overpriced SKS....
Look to our collective handles as to who thinks who is an expert!? Thanks for coming out Skippy.
