Thanks for all the responses to my previous query about buying from dealers at the upcoming show. Now lets hear about the buying from individuals process. I know lots of people show up with trades and get their feelings hurt, so I figure that's where the decent buys can be had. How does this process work? Should I walk around with a sign indicating I'm a buyer for certain brands etc? Should I just lurk and listen? Hope I'm not asking a bunch of questions that are silly, just new to the whole scene and you guys have provided me with really good feedback.
Buying from individuals at the gun show
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I see a lot of folks walking the floor with stuff for sale, and some with signs looking to buy. Not unusual at all. Have the cash in hand (pocket), and know what's a fair price. Fair for both of yall.
Not silly questions at all. If I don't know something, I'll ask around til I find the answer. Good luck in your hunt.
Not silly questions at all. If I don't know something, I'll ask around til I find the answer. Good luck in your hunt.
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5,000 Posts
To me, "individuals" could be one of two types: the guy walking around with a hunting rifle he's trying to sell or someone with a small accumulation for sale that has a table. Personally I pretty much ignore the walkers, although they are sometimes pretty amusing to watch and do have some entertaining interactions with dealers looking at their wares. (apologies to any forum members that resemble this...you know who you are 
).
The guys with a table on the other hand, that's where you find the "deals". Generally nothing is priced...so you look, ask to handle it, conversation starts... They tend to be much more flexible on price as well. Like everything in life, every individual is different. If somebody creeps you out or irritates you, just move on and leave him to deal with whatever his problem is.
Just go, wander around, look, listen...you'll know what to do. You're probably overthinking this a little.
).The guys with a table on the other hand, that's where you find the "deals". Generally nothing is priced...so you look, ask to handle it, conversation starts... They tend to be much more flexible on price as well. Like everything in life, every individual is different. If somebody creeps you out or irritates you, just move on and leave him to deal with whatever his problem is.
Just go, wander around, look, listen...you'll know what to do. You're probably overthinking this a little.
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As has been said, you'll never know what you'll run into at a gun show. I was leaving the last one very happy that I'd gotten out with my checkbook intact. When I got to my truck, the car next to me had its door open and I couldn't get into my truck. Well, to make a long story short, the guy next to me was taking a 1/2 dozen or so guns into the show to sell. We got to talking and I bought one of them - right there in the parking lot - and it has turned out to be the premier piece in my C&R collection. Again - ya just never know -
Just go and enjoy the show, meet and talk with some folks, make some friends - it's all good and if you find something you like - that's great -
Papa
Just go and enjoy the show, meet and talk with some folks, make some friends - it's all good and if you find something you like - that's great -
Papa
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445 Posts
I do have one particular annoyance when I take a gun to sell at a show. If I put a price on it, it's a price based on what I see from other private sales (generally online).
Inevitably, at least once or twice per row, a dealer will call out, "Hey, whatcha got there? Whatcha want for it?"
I'll tell them my asking price, and then they proceed to lecture me on what their wholesale price is, and how they couldn't make any money off it, and so on and so on.
Well, okay, buddy, but I didn't bring it to improve your inventory, and I'm not standing here telling you that you have to buy it.
Inevitably, at least once or twice per row, a dealer will call out, "Hey, whatcha got there? Whatcha want for it?"
I'll tell them my asking price, and then they proceed to lecture me on what their wholesale price is, and how they couldn't make any money off it, and so on and so on.
Well, okay, buddy, but I didn't bring it to improve your inventory, and I'm not standing here telling you that you have to buy it.
PapaDawg, you hit the nail on the head....after the last few shows I've gone to, with NO sucesses beating down one single penny from a gun on a table.... I thought for the next couple of shows I'd try vulturing the parking lot and strike up a conversation with anyone carrying in a gun I'm interested in....
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I know that 99.99999% of gun sales by individuals are legitimate, but I would kind of like some way of making sure a potential purchase is not on a stolen gun list somewhere.
Not necessarily that the seller stole it or even knew that it was stolen.
But can one check a serial number using an iPhone or BlackBerry while standing on the floor at a gun show?
Just wondering...
PS: I plan to be at the gun show in Jackson this weekend.
Not necessarily that the seller stole it or even knew that it was stolen.
But can one check a serial number using an iPhone or BlackBerry while standing on the floor at a gun show?
Just wondering...
PS: I plan to be at the gun show in Jackson this weekend.
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445 Posts
So far as I know, the stolen gun registry is only available to LEOs. If you are friendly with your local department, you could call them and have them run the #, but otherwise, there aren't really any other options.
Your will get a far better deal with an individual than the dealers trying to lowball anyone selling and screw anyone buying. The talk is always the same..what you got there? You want howww much? OOOwee that's high. And then you see the stuff on their table marked up a couple hundred over the internet price from well known folks like bud's gun shop. Do they think no one has the internet at home or on their I phone?
I would rather pay another individual an extra $50 for no bs, no sales tax and a positive attitude.
Been that way for many a year.. in a number of states..only the names are different. YMMV
I would rather pay another individual an extra $50 for no bs, no sales tax and a positive attitude.
Been that way for many a year.. in a number of states..only the names are different. YMMV
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14,288 Posts
I always carry at least one with me and sometimes several to use for trading in case I find something I just have to have. When the dealers ask me what I've got and how much I want for it I usually tell them I just bought it and it's not for sale.
I decided to take a little different approach for what I am looking for, probably wont do any good but I know what I am looking for tomorow. So I went to gunbroker and researched every model of the two different rifles I want and printed out the low NIB or just low price. If I find one and its priced high, I am going to let the seller know how much I can really get it for and when he starts BSing I am going to show him the printout. Might not do any good but maybe if they see they are going to lose a sale to gunbroker I can get them the deal. Just about every dang dealer item there is overpriced and they know it.
I have no problem with a good business man/woman making a profit. It's the BS that they spew out, treating me like a moron that is much more offensive. If my business doesn't make profit, I don't get a pay check for long. Happily.. I don't have to insult people or treat them like idiots to survive.
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That approach wont accomplish much,ive done that... i had one smart a$$ argue with me on how his prices were actually cheap. I had buds website open on my phone and showed him he was about 35% more than them. He didnt know what to say. Thats one more table i will skip completely from now on. Gun he had was a s&w sigma 40, his price was $450... buds is $285. I just laughed at him and walked on... dont think he sold a single gun that day, at least not i saw.TankerHC said:
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theres really only a small handful of the regular dealers who are fairly priced. Mike Smith is one, the others i dont know their names but know them on site. The guy with the 10/22 and other accessories bob(cant remember his last name) varies on prices, but ive known him for years and get a little better deal from him than others do. In fact im taking several extra 10/22 parts tomorrow just to trade on with him.
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Yeah, I've always seen Mike to have VERY competitive prices - cheaper than most on most stuff.Slngblde said:
I've bought a lot of stuff out of the parking lot at shows. Sometimes I'll hang around at the entry door having a smoke just to eyeball the stuff coming in. Bought a nice CMP Winchester Garand at the New Orleans show that way. Guy had $550 flagged on it, I offered $500 and he accepted. If he'd made it into the show, the first dealer that saw it would've given him $550 and then put it on his table marked to $850 simply because it was a Winny.
To avoid legal problems I always ask them if they'll sign a bill of sale. I just get a piece of paper out of the truck and write up a dirt-simple BOS with their name and addy and maybe DL number and have them sign it. I've never had one refuse yet. I figure if they're selling something stolen they'll run like hell when I ask for the signed BOS.
I just love the a**hole dealers who give you a ration of sh*t when they find out you've bought something in the parking lot. There's this one guy in particular that all you gun show regulars would know. Older fat guy with thick glasses and a walrus mustache - kinda would remind you of Wilford Brimley and always has WWII stuff for sale - mag pouches, bayos, sometimes insignia and stuff, but usually only has sh*t guns on his table. He caught me right inside the door at the N.O. show where I bought the Garand. I told him I wasn't interested in selling it as I'd just bought it outside. Then he starts into his spiel about "Well you know it's us DEALERS who are paying to rent tables at this thing, blah, blah, blah......." The last time he pulled that on me was at that show. I answered him, "Maybe you're just a dumbass. Maybe you ought not rent any tables and just hang around outside."
8)
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I have dealt with the "Wilford Brimley" look-alike as well. A really unpleasant individual, to be polite. Tried to buy a Mauser pistol from him once, it was 3 days before payday so I offered to come to his house / shop whatever and get it in 3 days. He refused to do so, said he didn't want anyone to know where he was from. He had that pistol on his table for the next 2 years, I made a point of talking to him and saying "still got the pistol, huh?"
Back when Doug B. had Great Southern Arms I worked the gun shows with him in Jackson and Hattiesburg. LOTS of the dealers came to out tables to ask Doug his opinion on the C&R rifles they were offered in trade / for sale. The dealers were always cordial to Doug, and to me (I guess since I was working with Doug) but I was appalled at how they treated some of the attendees who were trying to buy or sell stuff- some were real jerks.
We had individuals come to the table with bubbaized Swedes, Mosin Nagants, etc., who weren't too happy when Doug told them their rifle had no collector value due to the modifications. One I remember in particular had apparently been shooting corrosive ammo in his MN rifle for 20 years or so without cleaning, barrel had stuff growing in it. Tried to explain that the corroded barrel could lead to a bullet shedding the jacket, and the next round would explode the barrel. He thought we were trying to cheat him. But we weren't buying anyway, we were selling rifles, just offering genuine advice. This is the same guy who tried to tell us it was a "sniper" rifle 'cause the rear sight flipped up...
Back when Doug B. had Great Southern Arms I worked the gun shows with him in Jackson and Hattiesburg. LOTS of the dealers came to out tables to ask Doug his opinion on the C&R rifles they were offered in trade / for sale. The dealers were always cordial to Doug, and to me (I guess since I was working with Doug) but I was appalled at how they treated some of the attendees who were trying to buy or sell stuff- some were real jerks.
We had individuals come to the table with bubbaized Swedes, Mosin Nagants, etc., who weren't too happy when Doug told them their rifle had no collector value due to the modifications. One I remember in particular had apparently been shooting corrosive ammo in his MN rifle for 20 years or so without cleaning, barrel had stuff growing in it. Tried to explain that the corroded barrel could lead to a bullet shedding the jacket, and the next round would explode the barrel. He thought we were trying to cheat him. But we weren't buying anyway, we were selling rifles, just offering genuine advice. This is the same guy who tried to tell us it was a "sniper" rifle 'cause the rear sight flipped up...
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