What would a good gun show look like to you?

L

LewSchiller

New member
I started this as a reply to the earlier "I don't know why I bother going to gun shows" thread but thought it should really be a stand alone so here goes...

In your opinion, what would make for an ideal gun show?
I don't mean in fantasy land where everything you've ever wanted is there at half price, but really because I see a need for gun shows to change some and would like to know the collective opinion.
 
WE have pretty good shows in this area. I think it all depends on the promoter. I like shows that are a good mix of modern and vintage fireamrs of all sorts. If I can go to a show and see everything from hunting arms, to fine blackpowder muzzleloaders, then walk a few steps and see modern semi-autos then I am pretty pleased.
Those things along with a god supply of ammo, accessories, and stuff you don't usually see at gun shops.
I like when shows offer the ability to handle and really check out items that are often not available elsewhere.
 
Right - that would be the mix of private and commercial sellers issue. Not sure how you get that right since you can't control the private seller table count other than to make sure tables are available for them.
 
IMO, a good GS should be about "guns" & things associated with "guns". Take the circus out of it. NO jewelry, blenders, toy helicopters, candles, aroma therapy, kitchen knives, religious pamphlets, flea market junk, etc.

There should be an eating area but discourage people from walking around with food. Venders shouldn't be eating either. People are attending to shop, socialize & spend money, so don't gouge them with a ridiculous door fee. Even $5 is a bit high unless it is a really big show.

JIMHO...

..bug:rolleyes:
 
Ditto the comment on mix between commercial and private sellers. Private sellers really bring in the interesting things. Sure, sometimes they want 3x more than what its worth - that really doesn't matter, though.

I would think gun show promoters would go out of their way to make sure they have enough good private sellers. That drives traffic.
 
Am I just too dang picky are there any others that feel the same way?

0) A show that makes me want to come back!
1) free parking- why do I want to start off the equivalent of a box of shells in the hole and a feeling I'm about to get further zinged in the wallet before I see my first gun?
2) ADVERTISED reasonable entry fee. I'm too old to play the "worlds greatest come now" only to find a cheesy show for $25-30 entry fee.
3) Both small and large vendors
4) A list of vendors published BEFORE the show - if it's primarily C&R wouldn't you like to know that up front?
5) No grossly unrelated products- I've only been to a couple like this but 1/2 the vendors shouldn't be selling window cleaners, feminine hygine products, car headline restoration, Snuggies, and other items with no direct connections to guns.
6) Factory vendors. They don't come to many but having a factory rep (even from Glock:) is a big deal and signifies the big guys recognize that show.
7) Reasonable security and a dress code and gang banger prohibition. Went to one show at the AZ state fair where it seemed like a banger convention focused on their buying from private sellers. Weird air to it.

Am I just too dang picky are there any others that feel the same way?
 
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I totally agree about private sellers. Not sure how one would insure a high turnout of them but I agree.

I can see the problem being that private sellers are unreliable. If you block 50 tables out of 300 for private sellers and then they don't show you're out a chunk of change. OTOH regular vendors are reliable and fil the hall but then your show becomes the same vendors with the same stuff every time and attendance drops accordingly.

As for the door charge, I don't know how much it costs to buy an insurance policy for a gun show but I have to believe it isn't cheap. Couple that with hall rent, labor to set up, tear down and clean the hall, advertising and promotion, staff on hand during show days and it's apparent that it's not cheap to put on an event. Around here $8 is the going rate. Coupons are available - one promoter's shows are $8 for both days, the other is $8 for one $12 for both. I think they're both fair prices.

Eating at the tables - well - I get that as well but a lot of vendors work alone. A lot bring their food in because it's healthier than Gun Show Hot Dogs and less expensive. It's inappropriate to take the food vendors tables to go eat your Subway lunch and while it's not something you'd be able to enforce as a promoter, vendors sloppily eating at their tables isn't particularly conducive to doing business.

Parking - agreed - all of the existing shows around here do offer free parking. One has valet that you pay for but that's your choice and in Gun Frenzy Days parking can be a challenge.
 
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IMO, a good GS should be about "guns" & things associated with "guns". Take the circus out of it. NO jewelry, blenders, toy helicopters, candles, aroma therapy, kitchen knives, religious pamphlets, flea market junk, etc.
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This is a big one and I agree about most of it. What about prepper stuff - food preservation - MRE's - off the grid living? Stun guns and pepper spray? What about political action groups?

There are a lot of women attending shows these days. Some are there for guns and accessories - others are there with their family, husband or S.O.. If they aren't into firearms is it ok to exclude things that might be of interest to them? I dunno. I would have thought the Sensy Candle vendor(s) wouldn't do a lot of business at a gun show but they always seem to be busy.
 
a good GS should be about "guns" & things associated with "guns". Take the circus out of it. NO jewelry, blenders, toy helicopters, candles, aroma therapy, kitchen knives, religious pamphlets, flea market junk, etc.
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Pretty much what her said.

I'd also like to see more gun smiths, no one really offers services, just products.
 
I totally agree about private sellers. Not sure how one would insure a high turnout of them but I agree.
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Simple: Advertise at the gun show. In fact, just include on the back of the card with the gunshow schedule they hand out a coupon for 25% of tables for private sellers with more than 10 guns for sale....private sellers can combine inventory to meet quota requirement. Heck, promoters cold facilitate this by putting private sellers in touch with each other so they can split the cost of a table if they have only a few guns and other gun related stuff to sell.
 
Never "Ideal" just better

Pretty much agree with most of what has been posted, that would make it better but never ideal as we don't live in a perfect world, do we??
1) I'd like to see more M/L stuff and less, yard-sale items.
2) Lower entry fees.
3) Kinda wish the "Egg-Roll" guy would come back. .... ;)

7) Reasonable security and a dress code and gang banger prohibition. Went to one show at the AZ state fair where it seemed like a banger convention focused on their buying from private sellers. Weird air to it.
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Now we are talking about the fantasy world ....
1) Showers and deodorants required the night before.
2) Biker guys out and Biker gals in. .... :)
3) Strange looking guys out but then I couldn't get in.
4) Gals with Tattoos; I don't mind looking at them, just hard to read.

Be Safe !!!
 
traders

I would like to go to a gun show with alot of guys carrying around guns for trade. I always have a gun I want to trade, but can't get what I want for my gun from a store.
 
I'm not bothered by people selling non gun stuff. I simply choose not to pay much attention to them. I don't go to a lot of gun shows but I've never been to one where the non gun stuff outweighed the gun stuff.

For me at least, the things that turn me off to some gunshows is not anything under control of the promoters. You can't really demand people have good hygiene. Personally, and I'll prolly catch flack for this, I see no need to bring infants, particularly in strollers.

I realize it's an expensive proposition to produce a gun show. They have to charge enough to make a profit. Still at some point, I'm likely not to go if I have to pay 20 bucks for entrance and another 7 to park.

FWIW, I feel the same way about ham fests and any other hobby meet-greet-swap. They're generally more of a social event than they are a place to find bargains. That seems particularly true in today's gas prices and online convience.

Couple of mouse clicks and I can buy essentially anything that I could find at the gun show. I might pay a couple dollars more, but I might pay a couple dollars less (or a lot less). And I don't have to deal with parking, driving, BO, screaming kids etc.


Sgt Lumpy
 
While I don't mind weeding through a few misc items, there should certainly be a mandate on a percentage of non related venders vs guns, ammo and accessories venders. Like five or ten percent. Get rid of the aggressive satellite TV hucksters, eye glass cleaners, and anyone that stands in the isle like a carnival barker. If I want to look at your merchandise I will stop and look, if not, leave me alone. Vendors need to take a serious look at their pricing. Why do I want to drive 120 miles round trip, fight the crowds, park a mile away, and pay eight bucks to be offered products at 30% higher than I can get them at my LGS. Have some deals, show specials, give me a reason to tolerate the aforementioned inconveniences. Venders should rotate their stock, I swear I have seen the same piles of worn out overpriced used junk holsters at some tables for literally years. If it aint selling, there's a reason, drop the prices, and get it off you're table, get some new items. Venders should have some obligation to be there for the duration, once again if I pay full entry fee I don't expect that 30% of the tables are packed up early or not open for business the first half of the day because because the venders were hungover or wanted to get back to the hotel to watch a football game. If we paid $60 for concert tickets to see three bands play and one didn't show up, we would expect part of our money back. At least start dropping the admission fee for the last couple hours so the poor smucks that had to work and couldn't get there earlier catch a break.
Personally I would like to see more holsters, not the cheap one size fits none types but good stuff. Here is a place where factory reps could generate business for their company and there venders. Show up with examples of all your products, and bring lots of the biggest sellers with you.
I could go on and on but ultimately its up to the show promoters to revive it or kill it. I have had the feeling for years that as long as they can get people to pay for tables and admission, they will milk it until its dead rather than try to bring back the atmosphere that used to make us look forward to going. As long as there are naive first time gun buyers that don't realize you need not pay $400 for a used Bersa 380, and a nylon shoulder holster is not a good idea for daily carry, it will stay the same. :(
 
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Yep, get rid of all the junk and I may even consider setting up at some shows again.
However they could drop the ridiculous prices they are charging for table rental some.
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What's the price for a table in your area?
Do non gun personal defense products count in your view?
How about general security items?

Loknload - Sounds like we might go to the same shows. What - or whose - holsters would you want to see ?
 
Reno, when I lived there, had one of the best around at the big MGM (don't know what the new name is) - two rooms, over 1200 tables and not a lot of the other crap so prevalent today. BP to full auto, all kinds of dealing going on, ammo and components, etc.
 
Gun safes and gun locks would be fine, no security cameras, chains, padlocks no defense items other then firearms in my opinion.
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There's a show in Cheyenne WY that I'm told is much like what you envision. I'm also told that few people attend and that it ends up vendors selling to vendors. But that's another way to go as well.
 
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