Howard County Fairgrounds July 14-15

[Alphabrew]

If I bring $1k I want the show to myself for an hour.

For 1k? Lol

 

[Art3]

If I bring $1k I want the show to myself for an hour.

For 1k? Lol

$999 with coupon

 

[lee2]

$999 with coupon

now we're talking!

 

[noddaz]

were any deals to be had?

Did low attendance mean deals? Just wondering.

 

[herkybird72]

midway usa has had a sale going for grade 1 cans $10 each. much better condition

Plus tax, plus shipping = $15 +

 

[38super]

Or, anyone who can show $500 CASH gets in free 1/2hr early. That way the dealers know everyone has at least that much cash in hand.

There was a promoter that used to do that. Preston Jones. He would sell you a ticket to get in when the dealers were setting up. This was back in the 1990's. When he did the three day show at the fairgrounds in Baltimore I think the early pass was almost 50.00 and he did not have any trouble selling early bird tickets.

 

[Rebel59]

Did low attendance mean deals? Just wondering.

I found a 250 round pack of UMC 40 S&W for $49

 

[Jimbob2.0]

For 1k? Lol

Don't worry he is used to those back alley strip joints where the bar is low.

Aside from the fact that this sets up for blatant robbery, petty theft already runs high at gunshows. I was talking to the Dennis Todd lady buying some mags and she noted how many pieces she lost just that day to thieves.

Imagine a sea of wallets with $1k. All someone has to do is have the amount to get in and game on.

That said, like a Casino anyone who brings serious folding money should get free admission!

 

[FFBWMD]

Ok, i'm going to put this out there. As a dealer at this show, some of the comments are absurd. Was there low attendance, yes. Was there fewer vendors, yes. Why? Well there are a bunch of reasons, not much in the way of advertising for the show for one thing. I overheard several people talking that they didnt even know there was a show until that day. Now for all the complainers on here, just because YOU cant find a deal on something does'nt mean the show sucked. If you had come by my tables and looked, you would not have found one item at MSRP price, i pride myself on not pricing at full retail! Yes there are some who price at retail or retail +, thats their problem and you can choose to not patronize them. As a retailer, I am not in business to make $20.00 on a $500.00 gun. If you can do it better, OPEN YOUR OWN STORE!! As far as the credit card fee's, we have had this discussion on here before. I get charged 3% for credit card transactions, yes i generally pass it on to the consumer same as if you came into my store. Will i work with you on the fee, maybe maybe not it depends on if i can afford to absorb the 3%. To all that say Basspro, Cabela's etc dont charge a fee, next time youre there, ask if they give a cash discount! Betcha they dont, cause the fee's are already figured into their prices! Now about people not willing to negotiate on prices, thats their choice. Dont like it, dont buy from them! People who think they are getting a better deal online, while the price may be cheaper there are still fee's associated with actually transferring the firearm. This also poses the qusestion, if you dont support your local brick and morter stores who is going to do your transfer in the future? Basspro? Dont think so. People need to be aware of what they wish for, for if they get it they may not like it! I'm done ranting, and to the 30+ people who patronized me at the show buying firearms and countless other's who purchased ammo and accessories from me THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FFBWMD]

21 years for me and I live nearby the fairgrounds.

I have a suggestion. If an attendee departs the show empty handed he gets his admission fee back.

So how is the show promoter supposed to make money then? You do realize thats how he makes his money. The money I pay as a dealer per table covers the rental of the building and tables.

 

[FFBWMD]

Here's a novel idea for all the experts out there, go out and put on your own gun show. Dont charge admission, and tell all the vendors what they can sell their wares for$. Have fun!

 

[toddtrain]

It stinks because I have been going to this show for over 20 years and yesterday was just sad. There was one dealer there that was just ripping people off. I saw a Keltec Sub2K on the table for over $600. I mean seriously. There are still some great vendors. I picked up a few small things from Mark at Precision Firearms and I picked up 2 of the pelican knockoffs mainly because the money was supposed to help an animal rescue. I was looking for a 22/45 and no one near by had a deal on one. I will tell you the dealer out of Hagerstown has the best deals going on Ruger stuff. his prices are awesome but I cant remember their name right now.

 

[themoose06]

The Colt LE6920 HBPW’s weren’t overpriced. They were just a bit more than Jlowe’s has them. Show definitely seemed smaller. Talked to one vendor who came from Georgia. They said they’ll come back one more time in October but that’ll likely be the last.

Saw some decent ammo prices there.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Not directed to anyone particular but

I haven't been to this show in years. Used to go and saw some deals off and on, sure its not York or Chantilly but generally a good show.

 

[j_h_smith]

This isn't the only show with less than stellar attendance or higher prices. The PA shows are getting to be just as bad. Gun shows aren't what they used to be and I can't see them getting any better. There are too many options for the consumer. I can remember going with a few hundred dollars back in the 90's and buying parts and accessories. These vendors today usually can't compete with on-line sales, nor would they be able to bring that much stock to the shows. As for the firearms, the vendors at these shows are selling to all types of consumers. The more seasoned buyer won't pay the mark up for most new firearms at the show. Since the dealers aren't selling new firearms, they have to mark up their used firearms to help pay for their tables. Having worked for a dealer at these shows, I don't know why dealers pack up their store, unload it at the show, set up, sell a few items, pack it back up to take back to the store. Then have to put everything back on the shelves. Then lets talk about the pay for the help. Usually, a gun shop owner will need more people at the show than they would need at the shop, so lets add that to the cost of selling at a show.

Sure, you might get a few gun show customers come into your store for secondary sales, but not that many.

I just don't see how the gun show business model can continue in today's world. It's just not profitable in my opinion.

 

[Rack&Roll]

FFBWMD, your post is right on, and as I said earlier thank you for years and years of running a classic gun show table with deals in every category. Keep up the good work.

One SCSG story: they have a box of mags shipped with firearms that can’t be sold to MD buyers. I go the the PA shows that SCSG participates in and boom, I am diving into boxes of new (orphan) mags at great prices.

They run a great table wherever they are and I tip my hat.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

This isn't the only show with less than stellar attendance or higher prices. The PA shows are getting to be just as bad. Gun shows aren't what they used to be and I can't see them getting any better. There are too many options for the consumer. I can remember going with a few hundred dollars back in the 90's and buying parts and accessories. These vendors today usually can't compete with on-line sales, nor would they be able to bring that much stock to the shows. As for the firearms, the vendors at these shows are selling to all types of consumers. The more seasoned buyer won't pay the mark up for most new firearms at the show. Since the dealers aren't selling new firearms, they have to mark up their used firearms to help pay for their tables. Having worked for a dealer at these shows, I don't know why dealers pack up their store, unload it at the show, set up, sell a few items, pack it back up to take back to the store. Then have to put everything back on the shelves. Then lets talk about the pay for the help. Usually, a gun shop owner will need more people at the show than they would need at the shop, so lets add that to the cost of selling at a show.

Sure, you might get a few gun show customers come into your store for secondary sales, but not that many.

I just don't see how the gun show business model can continue in today's world. It's just not profitable in my opinion.

Ya I would agree on this unless you have some low margin cash and carry option that works for a specific audience? Why the trouble?

Unless a huge surge of C&R or something happens that bans the direct shipment of ammo to consumers doors I don't see a "golden age". Gunshows are still great to check out what is in the market or whats cool in general, sort of like a car show, or for the fading old timers that always have the table of stuff with a markup that not sane person with 5 seconds on google would do (not talking about dealers charging reasonable in person margins)...…..not sure what there is beyond that. Even the really good shows get worse every year, fewer tables, more junk, same vendors each time with virtually the same guns.

Reality is good stuff is disappearing into collections. For C&R buyers nothing new is out there and stuff that would have made great C&R (e.g., CZ75s, 941Rs, other trade ins) are not old enough.

Its my opinion and only that but right now Gunshows are like going to a cluster of side by side dealers who have expensive brick and mortar ops. Sure we like a little bit of haggle but don't expect them not to need a margin, they found the guns, brought them to market, etc.

 

[Kicken Wing]

I am sorry to have missed it this time. I wanted to go on Saturday but had other things to take care of. I have always liked this show. It's small, yes, but somewhat close and I always walk out of there with something. I can always use some parts. I hope the fall show picks up the pace. I will be sure to attend and bring some friends along. I would hate to see this show fall to the wayside. The last show at the Mason Dixon Auto Auction was VERY small. Like 1/4 of what is usually is. 15 minutes and we walked the whole thing. I know the Mason Dixon show is an Appalachian show and not Silverado. Also PA instead of MD but close enough. The first time I went to Mason Dixon about 4 or 5 years ago, all of the rooms were full. This last show there was one room full and just a few people in a second room. The other rooms were vacant. As much as I like good prices, I sure would hate to see these local shows fade away.

 

[Rack&Roll]

It stinks because I have been going to this show for over 20 years and yesterday was just sad. There was one dealer there that was just ripping people off. I saw a Keltec Sub2K on the table for over $600. I mean seriously. There are still some great vendors. I picked up a few small things from Mark at Precision Firearms and I picked up 2 of the pelican knockoffs mainly because the money was supposed to help an animal rescue. I was looking for a 22/45 and no one near by had a deal on one. I will tell you the dealer out of Hagerstown has the best deals going on Ruger stuff. his prices are awesome but I cant remember their name right now.

Reality Check: There is NO SUCH THING as dealers “ripping people off” by attaching high prices to their items.

Dealers marking items the way they want, with potential buyers free to bypass those items is pure CAPITALISM at work.

Dealers who cheat their customers with fraudulent items, sell counterfeit goods, or sell products with known flaws are “ripping people off”.

Let’s just get that straight.

 

[Rack&Roll]

We’ve been lucky to be the generation that attended gun shows with crates stacked high with Mosin Nagants rifles, Russian, Chinese and Albanian SKS rifles, Swiss rifles and other Euro rifles.

Then consider our generation saw the LEO/ Armed Guard switchover from revolvers to semi-autos. So many police trade-ins—and even unfired wheelguns—available at fantastic prices from folks jumping into Glocks in the 80s and 90s.

Then, so many LE agencies trading in their Ruger Mini-14s to get ARs—meaning tables piled high with the Rugers. (Thanks Lou45!).

And in the late 2000s, I was one of many buying a “contractor AR” (Iraq) when companies rolled over or ended contracts.

All this turnover and supply at Black Friday prices occurred basically within one generation of gun buyers, and that era has ended.

The overwhelming door-buster fun of the past couple of decades is in the rear view mirror.

“Peak Gun Show” is what I call it, for lack of a better label.

Gun shows are different now. “Peak Gun Show” was great while it lasted!