Howard county gun show!

[Anotherpyr]

I believe it's Thompson Safes out of Frederick http://www.thompsonsafes.com

 

[Doctor_M]

Actually, I was a bit disappointed with the show this go around. Lots of space where tables should be but weren't... lots of tools and non-FA related stuff... but nothing that really screamed for me to take it home. Got some ammo, some targets, and a pre-1899 revolver from Ben the Thailand Trinket guy, but I didn't come away with any super treasures this time. Well... there's always the next show.

 

[tsmith1499]

You know it was funny. I don't remember Frank doing the Pledge on Sunday. Maybe was in the back and just missed it.

 

[ItsThePinstripes]

To the person who bought the 10/22 with the side-folder...

You're not my friend any more.

Saw it, went to look around for anything comparable, and by then it was gone. I knew I should have gone back while Lou and the Missus were chatting!!



Good talking with the few folks I did see.

As for Foxy? I slow-trolled past a couple times, but no clue if he noticed.

Sorry about that Mr H. I told the guy I'm going to look around and probably be back. I came back and offered the fella $225 and he took it.

It's apart at the moment getting some TLC. Will post some pic's when it's all done up.

IMHO Howard County is the best show in Central, Md.

 

[Mr H]

Sorry about that Mr H. I told the guy I'm going to look around and probably be back. I came back and offered the fella $225 and he took it.

It's apart at the moment getting some TLC. Will post some pic's when it's all done up.

IMHO Howard County is the best show in Central, Md.

Bummer...

I was going to go $230!

SB281 Blaster... disregard the PM!

 

[tsmith1499]

This is not aimed at ay particular dealer out there. There was a discussion about it on Sunday. There are a lot of dealers out there that DO NOT participate in these gun shows and are complaining about sales being down. If I had a place to go for 2 days where my target audience was going to be of roughly 1600-2000 people. Wouldn't it make sense to go there??? Don't you stand a better chance of selling something there than waiting for 1600 people to come into your shop in 2 days?? Just a thought.

 

[mcbruzdzinski]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who stopped by the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association table!

Good to see some familiar faces and make some new friends too!

 

[smdub]

audience was going to be of roughly 1600-2000 people. Wouldn't it make sense to go there???

Depends. Once you factor the extra time and effort involved to move your inventory (twice), table fees, OT for employees to work both days, and lost sales at your storefront shop due to closing it on a weekend it likely isn't worth it.

 

[tsmith1499]

Depends. Once you factor the extra time and effort involved to move your inventory (twice), table fees, OT for employees to work both days, and lost sales at your storefront shop due to closing it on a weekend it likely isn't worth it.

If the prices are decent and the service is good you SHOULD make money. I don't think Lou at Shooters Discount had any problems selling inventory this weekend. Everytime I saw him even on Sunday, he was doing paperwork.

 

[tsmith1499]

tsmith - its a double edged sword. True, if you don't go - you don't make money BUT it takes time and money to go down there and set up as well. If you can't make that back plus a profit with your sales being down, vendors will stay away.

Take me for example. I come from pittsburgh and my expenses are pretty darn high.

1, Diesel - $200-$230 easy
2, Travel time - 9 hours without traffic (round trip)
3, W/T on vehicle and trailer - I have to travel in an F350 with a 34' Trailer.
4, Food for two men - $50-$75 easy
5, Tables - $720
6, Hotel - $230

That is $1200.00 in expenses easy just to get down there and setup for the weekend.

1600-2000 may sound like alot of people, however sales have alot of hidden factors people don't take notice of. Factors such as:

1, Average household income
2, County/State that the show is taking place in
3, How often shows are in this area
4, Size of show
5, Quality of the merchandise that will be there (which often directly correlates to the people that come out.)

Id rather go to a show that draws 1500 people @ 300 or so tables, than a 2,000 table show that draws 10,000 people. Silverado shows provides a quality show, and the caliber of people he brings in keeps me coming back everytime.

NEO. I understand EXACTLY what your saying. This particular scenario would sort of exclude you. They were talking more about "local" dealers. I understand that it isn't suitable for everyone, but when "local" dealers won't even try and then complain about slow or low sales it makes you kind of wonder. I would think that they might at least try it once to see what happens. I use the term "local" meaning dealers within a few counties of where the particular show might be held. Like I said, it was just an interesting conversation that came up Sunday. Not singling anyone out at all.

I like both the HoCo. and Frederick shows. Hell, I wish they still had them at the MoCo fairgrounds. But that's another animal entirely. I'll leave that one alone!!

 

[BigDaddy]

Admittedly, I don't know what most of the markings mean.

You can find out about it's date of manufacturer lots of other stuff, over at P38forum.com.
With so many variations and 3 wartime manufactures, it's a collectors dream.

 

[Lou45]

This is not aimed at ay particular dealer out there. There was a discussion about it on Sunday. There are a lot of dealers out there that DO NOT participate in these gun shows and are complaining about sales being down. If I had a place to go for 2 days where my target audience was going to be of roughly 1600-2000 people. Wouldn't it make sense to go there??? Don't you stand a better chance of selling something there than waiting for 1600 people to come into your shop in 2 days?? Just a thought.

Read on........

Depends. Once you factor the extra time and effort involved to move your inventory (twice), table fees, OT for employees to work both days, and lost sales at your storefront shop due to closing it on a weekend it likely isn't worth it.

Rread on............

If the prices are decent and the service is good you SHOULD make money. I don't think Lou at Shooters Discount had any problems selling inventory this weekend. Everytime I saw him even on Sunday, he was doing paperwork.

Read on...................

tsmith - its a double edged sword. True, if you don't go - you don't make money BUT it takes time and money to go down there and set up as well. If you can't make that back plus a profit with your sales being down, vendors will stay away.

Take me for example. I come from pittsburgh and my expenses are pretty darn high.

1, Diesel - $200-$230 easy
2, Travel time - 9 hours without traffic (round trip)
3, W/T on vehicle and trailer - I have to travel in an F350 with a 34' Trailer.
4, Food for two men - $50-$75 easy
5, Tables - $720
6, Hotel - $230

That is $1200.00 in expenses easy just to get down there and setup for the weekend.

1600-2000 may sound like alot of people, however sales have alot of hidden factors people don't take notice of. Factors such as:

1, Average household income
2, County/State that the show is taking place in
3, How often shows are in this area
4, Size of show
5, Quality of the merchandise that will be there (which often directly correlates to the people that come out.)

Id rather go to a show that draws 1500 people @ 300 or so tables, than a 2,000 table show that draws 10,000 people. Silverado shows provides a quality show, and the caliber of people he brings in keeps me coming back everytime.

It cost an average of about a $900.00+ layout in direct related expenses (show only, NOT including other expenses) for Shooters Discount to do a local show such as Howard County, Frederick, or Timonium, and we're a "local dealer" in tsmith's words.

NEO. I understand EXACTLY what your saying. This particular scenario would sort of exclude you. They were talking more about "local" dealers. I understand that it isn't suitable for everyone, but when "local" dealers won't even try and then complain about slow or low sales it makes you kind of wonder. I would think that they might at least try it once to see what happens. I use the term "local" meaning dealers within a few counties of where the particular show might be held. Like I said, it was just an interesting conversation that came up Sunday. Not singling anyone out at all.

I like both the HoCo. and Frederick shows. Hell, I wish they still had them at the MoCo fairgrounds. But that's another animal entirely. I'll leave that one alone!!

You don't want to know my true thoughts on having a MoCo show; you wouldn't be offended by it b'cuz I know you well. So let's leave that stinky mushy turd be.

The total expense of doing any given show has to be offset not only by sales profits from that show, but also including the overhead of the shop AND potential profit in the shop for the same time period. This is why we don't do ALL the gun shows in the state; some shows are just not worth doing when I can stay in the shop (not do a given show) and make the same or more profit than I would if I did the show in question. As general rule of thumb, only with a good sense of business accompanied with lengthly experience (30 years worth) of same can one quite reliably make the right call.

 

[tsmith1499]

I was hoping you would comment on this. You are FAR more knowledgeable on this issue than I. I know it's not cheap and you have to weigh the costs vs. profit part of it. I know for my company, we sometimes do shows just so people know we exist. Not necessarilly the best use of funds for a small business though.

 

[Lou45]

I was hoping you would comment on this. You are FAR more knowledgeable on this issue than I. I know it's not cheap and you have to weigh the costs vs. profit part of it. I know for my company, we sometimes do shows just so people know we exist. Not necessarilly the best use of funds for a small business though.

Yeah, that's why "word of mouth" advertising is the best advertising there is, and it's free.

A business has to get out there (especially a NEW business) to become known in the public eye to have a chance to succeed and become established. This takes money and time to accomplish. Once a business has been established and successful for a LOOOOONG time, so long as the quality of service is maintained or enhanced for the better, "word of mouth" advertising really does well. This doesn't mean a business can eliminate other forms of advertising, but perhaps a minor scale down of paid advertising could be in order.

 

[Oldcarjunkie]

Obviously, I parked in the wrong place today.

Should have called me , i would have went with ya brother, i was bored yesterday.

 

[dist1646]

You know it was funny. I don't remember Frank doing the Pledge on Sunday. Maybe was in the back and just missed it.

Now that you mention it, I was there most of the day and I don't recall the pledge either.

 

[Schipperke]

You don't want to know my true thoughts on having a MoCo show; you wouldn't be offended by it b'cuz I know you well. So let's leave that stinky mushy turd be.

I'd like to know. Монтгомери is such a nice sector of the People's Republic of Maryland.

 

[Mr H]

I'd like to know. Монтгомери is such a nice sector of the People's Republic of Maryland.

IMO, it would meet the same fate as the Upper Marlboro show.... particularly a non-starter if someone wants to consider a MNCPPC location for it.

 

[Pinecone]

Was the safe guy Continental Arms or someone else? If someone else do you have the name?

I believe it's Thompson Safes out of Frederick http://www.thompsonsafes.com

Yes, Thompson Safes was the one at the show.

NICE safes.

 

[Sirex]

If what Fox was doing with Mags was to caught and make the news then it would be bad for gun shows in MD, 2A, all involved, and possibly crap/new legislation against possession. This should be brought up in the correct way to the show promoter if not the proper authority in MD. Somehow without MDS being involved so Fox won't relate it to our community. Any ideas? Am I wrong? Just my opinion and curious as to what others think.

Sorry for asking a dumb question ( I have been absent off the forum a bit and I did search but found nothing), what happened between MDS and Fox? If there is not a thread, PM me??