Gun Show expectations

[Muzzle210]

I've noticed some comments from various people not liking a particular gun show.
I'm not going to get into who said what or what particular gun show was not so good. What I want to know from those who go to these shows is what do you expect to see at a gun show that would have you leaving thinking...dam that was a good gun show. Time well spent. What is it that you want to see that makes it a good gun show. Whats to be had that makes a gun show a good one.?

While I have gone to my share of shows,...I'm no expert and would appreciate insight from those the go with knowledge of whats to be expected of a top notch show.

Thanks in advance.

 

[n5wd]

I've only been to a few, and only one in the last five years, just a few weeks ago, so I'll remark about that one.

I thought it was a good show because (a) I had an idea of what I wanted to find, and the internet prices for the things I wanted and (b) I found most of what I wanted, at or below the prices I was willing to pay. I also enjoyed the show because of the variety of the vendors, because I wasn't worried too much about being barrel swept (only happened once that I know of, and she apologized immediately), because I met someone who had served at the same base in Vietnam where I was at about the same time but we had never met.

 

[smtimelevi]

I'd say the biggest things are variety and competition. I love looking at historical arms and talking to old timers having them educate me about the firearms. I wouldnt really buy an $8,000 Luger but enjoy the story behind that particular model etc. To me that is as good if not better than buying a new gun. Also the size of the show is important. If there's only one guy selling glocks they tend not to budge on prices and set them higher generally. If there's competition they know it they walk around before the show starts. You can get better deals by comparing prices and haggling for less $ or more accessories.

 

[Acera]

I like to keep track of the market trends, what is hot and what is not. Pricing, new products, etc.

They are a good place to pick up parts.

Occasionally I will find a person who walks in with something cool they want to sell at a bargain.

The entertainment value is high with me, spending $7 on a show that takes an hour or two to go to is better than spending $9 for a movie in a theater.

 

[The Lox]

I have been to multiple here in the DFW area that flat out blow. I expect to see at least 1 dealer selling AR parts and accessories, and I went to one in Mesquite that had none of either and the actual gun selection was pretty weak too. The best one I have been to is the show at Dallas Market Center. I won't go to any other show in this area again except for maybe the show they have over on Las Colinas because it was decent and is close to me.

 

[Charlie]

I went to he gunshow in Kerrpatch (I mean Kerrville ) this weekend and although I enjoyed many aspects of it like seeing friends and making a couple of new ones as well as talking to some knowledgeable and fiendly vendors, I was silently kinda' put off by what I overheard a couple of vendors talking about. As I made my way through the isle (right at opening time on Saturday) I overheard a couple of vendors sitting at their tables lamenting about how the visitors here never buy anyting, blah, blah, and people just come to look and not buy, etc. There tone was one of disrespect about the customers and loud enough for people in the isle to overhear easily. Going through my mind I was thinking what I should interject (but of course I didn't) along the lines of, well, I you werent' asking 10% over list price of a new gun for your used gun maybe you'd get more interest! There were some deals to be made but on guns and stuff that were almost "collector" items. I would say 90% of the vendors are very friendly and don't mind visiting with you about their wares but those few kinda' tick you off. Over all our small show was pretty good but I guess some folks don't really understand the basics of being a vendor. Just my two bits worth.

 

[chessplayer]

How about gun show thats 90% guns and gun related products rather than sundry kichy c**p that belongs in a flea market.

 

[wiredgeorge]

Went to Kerrville Saturday after getting to bed at 2:30 AM that morning. Was our fighting that big fire along 211/Hwy 90 mostly on the Medina Co. side. I was pretty tired but still enjoyed the show in Kerrville. It was smaller than the SAXET show but had free parking. They also had a very nice concession stand with reasonable burgers & dogs, etc. I got to meet Charlie and we had a chance to talk. Went with two other firefighters and one came out still wanting to find a firearm to buy and the other had brought a 9mm Sigma and traded it and some cash for an FNH 9mm. I think he got a good deal. My perspective of this show was that there were not that many hand guns. Many of the used hand gun that were on sale were much like you would find at a pawn shop. Probably a higher percentage of rifles than at the Saxet relative to handguns. Lots of knives and coins, etc. No big ammo sellers were there; but lots of reloading supplies. Pricing wasn't very good; most everything was set high but bargaining was expected (like most shows these days). I didn't see many folks selling their own stuff or wearing/carrying any signs they had weapons for sale. I enjoyed my day at the show then my nap when I got home.

 

[majormadmax]

I break gun shows down into their main three components: the show promoter, the vendors, and the participants/customers/buyers.

I have several expectations of the promoters, I believe they need to ensure that the venue is adequate, the floor layout supportive of the expected crowd, and that they are fair in the entrance fee and parking. I know it is a delicate balance they must maintain in keeping both vendors and buyers happy and to make money doing it. If they can't do the latter, than they won't last.

I have been very impressed by the folks at Premier Gun Shows, LLC out of Ft Worth who host the San Antonio Gun Show coming up next weekend. They have been very active in seeking feedback on what can be improved at their shows, and have engaged several of us on this forum for that info. I think they put on the best show in SA because of the venue (the Expo Center allows a lot of vendors but also wide aisles), they work to have an ATM machine on the floor of the show (something SAXET could learn from) and they truly seem to want to make the show an enjoyable experience for all involved.

As for the second group, the vendors, I expect them to realize that gun shows are more like flea markets than they are Walmart or Academy. People go to look, touch and sometimes negotiate deals on firearms, so don't get all bent out of shape when someone makes an offer below the asking price. If that is the asking price, than simply say so and don't insult someone for offering less.

Also, people go to gun shows to do some research, so don't get upset when they want to actually hold the weapons they are contemplating buying or even worse, put up a sign that says 'Lookers can look, buyers can touch.' Yes, there is one dealer at the SAXET show that has that sign, and I refuse to even look at the items they are selling based on principle. That is an unfriendly approach towards customers and I would rather hand over a little more cash to a vendor who appreciates their customers than to spend it at their table.

Lastly, there's the rest of us, the "participants/customers/buyers." These are the folks that make a gun show a success or failure. I consider them to be more social events, enjoyed more so when we get a group of friends to go. My 14-yr-old son always accompanies me, but the better shows are when we get a small compliment of good friends from this forum together for breakfast beforehand and go to the show as a group. Those who have been along on one of these adventures knows what I am talking about, it is always more enjoyable to go to a gun show with buds.

But people who attend the shows also need to realize that without their support (read: money), these vendors won't come back. I know that the prices are not always the greatest at the shows, and many times you can get things a little cheaper online; but please consider that you are supporting local firearms businesses when you shop at the shows and that ensures that there will be more shows in the future. There is a great benefit to being able to see and handle a firearm before buying it, and we all know that you will be hard-pressed to find better prices at the local gun shops, so just keep that in mind when attending these events.

Based on the above, I would rate the San Antonio Gun Show sponsored by Premier Gun Shows as the best event in SA. SAXET is pretty good and we usually go every month. In my opinion Texas Gun Shows has failed in many regards as a promoter, I won't belabor the reasons as I have spelled them all out in the past, but I have given them the benefit of the doubt several times only to be disappointed once more. I refuse to go to any of their shows anymore, they are simply a waste of time and money.

As for other shows, like the one in Kerrville this weekend; if you keep in perspective their size and don't try to compare them with the big SA shows, I tend to consider them successful. Sure, it was small and didn't have a lot that interested me (because my focus is outside of cowboy and hunting firearms), but it was an enjoyable experience and I would never tell anyone not to go. As long as they have an honest idea of what the show is geared towards, as we were told before going, there is no reason to expect otherwise.

I hope that answers your questions! At least from my perspective!

Cheers! M2

 

[shipwreck]

I only go to the one at the Reliant Center and the one at the George Brown Convention Center (both in Houston).

Those 2 are pretty big, and the only ones worth my time to drive from College Station

 

[jedwil]

I went to he gunshow in Kerrpatch (I mean Kerrville ) this weekend and although I enjoyed many aspects of it like seeing friends and making a couple of new ones as well as talking to some knowledgeable and fiendly vendors, I was silently kinda' put off by what I overheard a couple of vendors talking about. As I made my way through the isle (right at opening time on Saturday) I overheard a couple of vendors sitting at their tables lamenting about how the visitors here never buy anyting, blah, blah, and people just come to look and not buy, etc. There tone was one of disrespect about the customers and loud enough for people in the isle to overhear easily. Going through my mind I was thinking what I should interject (but of course I didn't) along the lines of, well, I you werent' asking 10% over list price of a new gun for your used gun maybe you'd get more interest! There were some deals to be made but on guns and stuff that were almost "collector" items. I would say 90% of the vendors are very friendly and don't mind visiting with you about their wares but those few kinda' tick you off. Over all our small show was pretty good but I guess some folks don't really understand the basics of being a vendor. Just my two bits worth.

I've been to a bunch of the shows in Kerrville. I've heard the same comments about "nobody buying anything". SO don't come back or maybe sell your stuff at a reasonable price. I have found bargains here and found, as you did, most of the vendors to very friendly.

 

[Muzzle210]

Thanks for the input. I see some good breaking down of what to expect/how to look at what goes into a gun show. Some of the comments give me a different perspective as the consumer/buyer. Keep the comments coming...

 

[just jk]

variety, competition are great

but for me - i like a show where there is a greater chance the dealer behind the table is actually willing to talk to me - rather than grunt and act put out that i'm "wasting their time"

i realize they put up with a ton of people - but nothing turns me off more than a table where I feel like i'm bothering the dealer - happens too frequently in my opinion

 

[just jk]

I have been to multiple here in the DFW area that flat out blow. I expect to see at least 1 dealer selling AR parts and accessories, and I went to one in Mesquite that had none of either and the actual gun selection was pretty weak too. The best one I have been to is the show at Dallas Market Center. I won't go to any other show in this area again except for maybe the show they have over on Las Colinas because it was decent and is close to me.

yeah i've found that the only one i'll go to in the area is the Dallas Arms Collectors show at Market Hall.......i've heard good things about the Fort Worth show as well

 

[majormadmax]

Muzzle210, come out to the gun show this upcoming weekend at the SA Expo Center behind Freeman Coliseum and you'll see how a gun show should be....

 

[Bithabus]

Jerky that is flavorful and not too dry, with no preservatives or corn syrup.

 

[shortround]

The entertainment value is high with me, spending $7 on a show that takes an hour or two to go to is better than spending $9 for a movie in a theater.[/QUOTE]

Exactly!

For entertainment value, you can't beat a gun show: It is an eclectic combination of weird characters, oddities of history, dealers too proud of their product to compete with the marketplace, and every now & then, you find a bargain you never would elsewhere.

Plus, when I go out side for a smoke, I don't miss any of the movie.

Be well.

 

[just jk]

definitely some first rate "people watching" at a gun show!

 

[smtimelevi]

definitely some first rate "people watching" at a gun show!

Wal-Mart level?

 

[just jk]

Wal-Mart level?

hills of West Virginia level....