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Schultz
08-25-2008, 07:28 AM
I read this on another forum and thought I'd post it here, Kinda sums up most shows don't it.

The Know it ALL dealer:

The know it all dealer can tell you the entire history of every gun in the place. He can be a great help to a newbie but the fact is he doesn't know crap. In his perfect memory (fantasy) the guns on his table are truly unique and one of a kind. Never mind the serial numbers being in the 4 million range. When doing you the large favor of just acknowledging your presence, he can and will make you the deal of a lifetime. The AR15 on his table? Yep, sure enough it's the one issued to Carlos Hathcock. The Norinco .45? You guessed it, Audie Murphy carried that one. The hi-cap AR mags? Of course they are the "real deal" buster. These were carried in 'nam. None of the imitation USGI crap here man, the real thing. They have 10% of the original finish left and are worth $60 each, and you are damn lucky he is in a good mood.

The Wannabe:

This guy is usually in his late teens or early twenties. Hasn't been laid but once in his life and wants you to believe you are an inch away from a sure, swift, horrific death just because he walked within 5 feet of you on an aisle. Sporting the trendy "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" new t-shirt and a pair of Danner copies. His pants are stuffed in his boot tops, he is DAMN sure he can handle any weapon at the show and is the first guy in line to by from Mr. Know it ALL dealer. He is spec-ops material for sure. If he ever saves enough money to buy gas to go over to the enlistment office he will offer his services to this fine country of ours. As long as he can skip boot camp, not have to cut his hair and can lead some really cool Ranger outfit. Otherwise, it's too much trouble. He watches movies about war and sits and loudly elaborates on how he would have done things if he had been in charge of the movie outfit.

The Class III dealer:

This guy is one way cooool dude. He has twenty five guns lined out on his table with the little signs "Please don't touch" every two or three inches. If you ask him ANY question he looks scornfully at you and let's you know you are a waste of good usable oxygen. He has the same guns at every show, and the same crappy accessories in his little glass case. The reason he hangs on to his stuff forever is he wants 13k for a registered receiver Uzi in about 70%. This along with the BANNED SAR48 Springfield for $9500 in 80%. The mags in the case? Well they are there for serious customers only. Yep, Glock hi-caps are $125 each and oh yes, the MP5 curved 30 rd mags at $100 each used is only for a "serious" buyer. Sadly he doesn't realize just how much business he pisses away when answering every question with an angry, hostile response. He doesn't at all understand money or the international exchange rate of same. This is evident because this idiot full auto bastard MUST have everything priced based on Canadian dollars. Why would he be 40% high on everything?

The JUNK guy:

This fine fellow will bring 8 tables worth of rusted crud you never recognize. He has several boxes of stuff on his tables. Too lazy to unload, tag or price any of it, he is assuming that every s.o.b at the show is going to stop in and immediately recognize something from the mess. Goes to EVERY show, you see the same crud and when you walk buy, he is sitting on his ass talking to a buddy and ignoring anyone or anything around his tables. If you happen to be so lucky as to get his attention and ask about a specific item in the hopes that the all elusive magic part you need may be hidden away in his junk, he simply says "yeah I have one, check back with me in about an hour, I will see if I can find it". You, being most patient and amenable agree and walk on. After an hour, you drop back by his table and ask if he found your wonderzap springs. "What was that? Yeah I think I have one of those, check back with me in an hour or so"

The Mag Guy:

This fellow sells only mags. He may wear a white straw cowboy hat. His attitude is the worst of any seller in the show. He has hundreds of mags, all thrown out on a table. Many are rusted and worn beyond recognition. If you happen to ask about a specific mag, he snaps at you and informs you "yeah $140". WHAT! Who knew a CZ mag would be worth that much? If you ask him to confirm the price, he gets furious and barks for you to move on since you can't afford squat anyway. Never mind the black Steyr you are carrying and the 5k in cash you brought.

The Kinda Shady Guy:

This person has two tables. It is covered with things ranging from LEO mags to screwed-up home job AR kit guns. His willingness to let you in on the "really good deals" on junk you can't get ANYWHERE else is a testament to his fine demeanor. "Yeah those are LEO mags, but hey do you REALLY think they're gonna check you? Hell, those BATF guys don't care about this kind of stuff, they are out looking for gun runners. They're too stupid to even know what's legal and what isn't anyway. If the LEO mags bother you, I have a ********-load of ones I just refinished myself. You can't see the LEO markings on them at all."

The AR kit guns all have selector switches that rotate 180 degrees and some have an M bolt. He isn't going to tell anyone about them so just buy it and keep quiet...ok? You can have an AR with MACHINE GUN parts in it. How cool is that? The Ar's are right next to the Prue-81 $179 drop in sears with the copied letter in the little bag, just so you can be "legal".

The Beanie Baby/Ammo guy:

He is selling ammo and beanie babies. Well actually his wife and kid are selling the beanie babies. Cavim .308 for $200 a case and Pooch the Snoot (or WT ever) beanie baby for $25 bucks. Never mind the fact that he bought the Cavim from the guy across the aisle who still has quite a bit left selling for $149 a case. He opens up boxes of IMI SS109 from Cole and puts a few on stripper clips and sells it to The Wannabe for $60 a clip. If you happen to be so bold as to inquire why in hell he would try to sell ammo right across the aisle from the same ammo priced $50 less a case, he just looks real confused at you and says I got two cases, you interested in a Beanie Baby today?

The Knife Guy:

This guy is sharp. He is in the zone when it comes to gun shows. He buys every piece of merchandise he sells off the Shop At Home cable show. The daggers, the swords and oh yes the tactical folders with a boot, belt or pocket clip. Where the hell else is Wannabe going to get the really cool survival knife for 18 bucks out the door?

The Beef Jerky guy:

This fellow has lost sight of the fact that "THIS - IS - A - GUN SHOW". He puts his two coolers of shrink wrapped jerky on the table, a cooler of cold drinks and a little sign reading "free cold drink with every purchase". He spends the entire gun show giving out samples to passers-by. He sells beef jerky to the Beanie Baby/Ammo guy because he is too cheap to buy his wife and kid a hot dog from the concession stand, the FREE cold drink cinched it. The trips, three purchases and viola ! free lunch and drinks. The Jerky guy thinks he is doing well because three customers have bought his beef jerky in the last 10 minutes. He has no idea the reason his table always seems so crowded is because he is setup right in front of the concession stand at all those people are in line to get nachos.

The Doofus Guy:

This fellow is in his late 50's or 60's and works gun shows part time with the misses. She sits behind the table all day, talking baby talk to her little mut and smoking like a chimney. She is wearing sequins and makes damn sure everyone she speaks with KNOWS she drove here in a Lincoln. They are trying to sell things like Leapers scopes, lame videos, cheapo cleaning stuff and aftermarket sights. They don't know jack about what goes with or on what and their only response to any question is "what we have is on display" He is pussy whipped beyond belief and at random times (when safe) he has an outburst just to confirm his manhood (as long as Mama says it is ok). No warranty, no refund, all sales final. If you buy anything from him and it breaks well, you should have known that before you bought it.

tony
08-25-2008, 07:51 AM
That about sums it up:thumbup:
I went to one yesterday, drove a hour to get there. Walked through once and drove back home. What a waste.
Had forgotten why I quit going to them I guess, or just needed a reason to get out of the house.

Gunny_Frost
08-25-2008, 08:41 AM
Shultz,

Went to the Indy 1500 show on Friday, and saw everyone you listed there.:icon_confused:

Great post!

SteelCore
08-25-2008, 08:46 AM
This must be an old article...most would give a digit or two nowdays for a 200dollar case of CAVIM.

okie shooter
08-25-2008, 09:14 AM
You all need to come to the big shows in tulsa, far less of the beanie babies, and jerky, and far more guns, they keep it that way.

But on most shows, wheres the jewlery/crystals guy and lately there are plenty of airsoft guys too.

deth502
08-25-2008, 03:24 PM
yeah, ive seen most of those guys.

:lol:

your missing the rock seller and the arisoft seller. oh, and the "make your own fireworks at home" guy. there's never anyone at the table, but there IS a video playing to answere any questions you might have!!

Schultz
08-25-2008, 04:43 PM
Never seen a rock guy but have seen the fireworks and airsoft guys.

brewskzilla
08-25-2008, 04:47 PM
HEY! You forgot about the WWII colectibles guy who sell Nazi daggers, armbands and shiznet. OH, and dont forget about the moron selling airsoft crap. Ah, and remember the 103 year old holster guy...

nevada
08-25-2008, 05:06 PM
I like the 103 year old holster guy!

From Barbara Steisands record:

People. Old and senile people. Are the funkiest people in the world.

GearShanty
08-25-2008, 06:42 PM
I'm one of the gunshow guys, but I didn't recognize myself anywhere on there. I will probably wake up at about 3AM with deep introspect and go into a deep, deep funk, but for right now, I don't see myself as any of those. ...hmm.

The beef jerky guy keeps me alive at shows. I loves me some lanjagers. Two of them, a piece of the kids' string cheese and a diet Dr Pepper is the only way to go. Sure beats an $8 soy burger with wilted lettuce.

I was actually next to a version of the 103yr old holster guy. This guy sold grips and kept me laughing the whole time. He came complete with the waxed handlebar mustache.

deth502
08-25-2008, 08:11 PM
Never seen a rock guy but have seen the fireworks and airsoft guys.

they've been popping up lately, bunch of fossils, those little petrified snail things, fossil hark teeth, geodes and stuff.


and there's the tool guy too. dremmel accessories, dental picks, needle files, tweezers, pliers and stuff.

i think the tool guy evolved from the "carve your own grips from blanks" guy, as they always seem to have a bunch of old exotic wood grip blanks stacke on the corner of the table.

damn, i think i go to too many gun shows!!:eek:

Sidecarnutz
08-25-2008, 08:13 PM
I'd appreciate it if you stop dis'ing the Beef Jerky Guy.
He's the only reason I have left to attend shows in my area! At least it's some damn good jerky.
You get free sodas with yours????? We don't get that here. Now I'm jealous!

deth502
08-25-2008, 08:16 PM
I'm one of the gunshow guys, but I didn't recognize myself anywhere on there. ....

The beef jerky guy keeps me alive at shows. ........ Two of them, a piece of the kids' string cheese and a diet Dr Pepper is the only way to go. Sure beats an $8 soy burger with wilted lettuce.





He sells beef jerky to the Beanie Baby/Ammo guy because he is too cheap to buy his wife and kid a hot dog from the concession stand,


hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

you sell beenie babies????

:lolgreen::lolgreen:

GearShanty
08-25-2008, 09:26 PM
hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

you sell beenie babies????

:lolgreen::lolgreen:

DOH! :eek:

nevada
08-25-2008, 10:36 PM
You don't clean you gun with dental picks? What kind of a heartless gunowner ARE you?!?

Gunscrubber. The only way to clean your fingernails.

CGSteve
08-25-2008, 10:37 PM
HEY! You forgot about the WWII colectibles guy who sell Nazi daggers, armbands and shiznet. OH, and dont forget about the moron selling airsoft crap. Ah, and remember the 103 year old holster guy...

Maybe you'll see a guy with genuine WWII stuff but I'm more familiar with the reproduction, cheap ripoff WWII items guy. :nonono:

Don't forget the less than lethal booth where because of his table, you can hear the sound of a taser being activated every 5 mins while walking around.

I think that guy is usually near the laser guy where you can see a green or red laser along the wall or on the ceiling the whole time you're at the show.

The Beanie Baby guys now have competition with the new production cheap manufacture Chinese/Asian stuff booth where you can buy all kinds of swords, little water flowing plant thingies, cheap lights, cheap knives, cheap...everything.

As for patrons, the wannabe guy can sometimes be confused for an actual military member who is new and overly moto and still wears those moto service shirts that you get from the PX.

Don't forget the thug types that walk around talking their slang, using incorrect, horrible firearms terminology and go crazy when seeing Glocks, and "assault weapons". It has always been my experience to walk by or stand next to them while undergoing the purchase, they fail the NICS/PICS check, and they are surprised.

Also, the bored girlfriend or wife types, always letting the whole place know their discomfort too. The father/boyfriend who has not realized the chain is getting shorter who still attends the show with all his kids...one sitting on his shoulders, one in his arms, and one being pushed in the baby cart.

The "I have a rifle slung on my shoulder that I am selling WAY overpriced guy".

Allwater
08-25-2008, 11:43 PM
I stopped going to shows last year - I used to go to the Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA all the time. Some vendors had sour attitudes, but then I always figured that was just the "Show" in Gun Show... Maybe it was just an act to keep the wimps out - Hey, you want to ask a question, you better be wearing your big-boy pants... no big deal...

And yeah, the whole beanie baby thing was annoying, but it was just easy enough to steer clear of those - you could see them a mile away... A couple other times, I remember seeing odd vendors like "gas powered brush cutter guy with headset microphone on volume 11" and another with gold digging supplies - no big deal

But then last year, at the Puyallup show, the last straw that broke the camels back was the #$%@ airsoft crap - it was everywhere - the margins must be awesome!!!! It was very frustrating - especially when mixed in with real/used stuff! You'd cruise by - think you see something worthwhile - so you wait and/or squeeze your way up to the table, then BAM - more junk!!! :wall:

I had my very last "oh cool... aw crap...there it is!...darn it" day last year when looking for a scope mount for my Cetme - I'd see those "MP5" mounts everywhere, and very few with posted prices - so you're forced to ask and then you'd just get a scowl - very odd way of doing business... I'm mostly web shopping now - better prices and you can actually return something if it breaks...

KMURPHY
08-26-2008, 12:17 AM
Dont forget the ammo guy that accosts you for not wanting to pay 1.00/rd for Indian 7.62, "dont you know it is exactly the same"...I would not want it for .10 /rd.

nevada
08-26-2008, 03:32 AM
The guy selling only genuine HK stuff at nigerian prices. "well, if you HAVE to ask (sniff) that piece is 1.5 million. I'll take gold or blood diamonds."

Hey Ace! Lemme clean your glasses!

Looking for a place to spit out the jerky sample. (Beef or dog?)

Most of the women I've seen at the shows here seem more informed than some of the 'experts' cruising the aisles.

The mexicans all gathered at the siphon pump table.

The investor who paid a huge premium for pre ban ARs demanding to know why they are now worth half of what he paid, and the vendor who did not sell them to him trying to be nice. Just for a minute.

Planning
08-26-2008, 08:33 AM
gun shows, not really...:nonono:

simi-organized flea market with gun stuff, maybe.

have gun shows have become a thing of the past. probably.

1. most everything that gun dealers made their money on, the public can order on the internet at the same price as the dealer pays. ( sometimes cheaper)

2. table rental cost have more than doubled in the last 5 years. if you have 4 tables it takes about $2000 to $3000 in sales before you make a profit. (that is with a 10% to 20% markup.)
4 tables rented = $300 to $400
parking fee= $20 ( dealers have to pay to park also)
gas for 3 days, ( going to a from the gun show= $65 to $85
misc.= $25
stolen or damaged items= $100 to $500 ( sometime more, this is a real problem at gun shows) i never had a gun show where something was not stolen or damage buy some one. i don't know of many dealers that has not happened to.

the cost of gun show insurance has gone up a lot for the promoters, now they have to let the other type vendors in to fill up the space. extra security cost, ( they use to use the employees for security, now the promoters have to hire outside security, more cost.)

dealing with the public, not much fun. always a few smart a$$'s to deal with and know it all's. not many of them, but it make it not worth the trouble.

it is very time consuming to do a gun show. it takes 2 days (wed & thur) to get ready, fridays to set up, sat. and sun. to do the show ( long hours), sun. to take everything down. monday to get your books done, tues to inventory and reorder for the next show.

there is just not much profit in doing gunshows and many of the dealer have just quit doing them. ( most sell on the internet now or just quit the gun business).

dealers that think they are going to make a lot of money, but quickly find out they don't know enough about guns to sell them and lose the a$$ on them. sell at cost or below cost just to get out of debt.

bad gun dealers, ( fill in the rest, everyone has a story)

that leaves the other type of vendors to fill in the gaps in the tables that the gun dealers once had. now at least 1/2 the tables at the gun show are not really gun related. just flea market items.

now, gun shows are just a place to go to look at stuff and every now and then find something you think you need.. it is a social gatherning of sorts.

cwo4uscgret
08-26-2008, 08:57 AM
Although I take offense to the description of the Knife Guy - mainly because those things sold by the Home Shopping Network aren't really knives!

I am a custom knife dealer and collector. Although I uusally attend knife shows I have set up at two gun shows this year. I've sold a total of 8 guns in a effort to reduce my collection - I need to remember not to buy any though!

I do agree with all the other descriptions though - a few more that need to be added though:

The Zombie Killer - dressed in black, T-Shirt says Kill all Zombies - the one I saw had a machete hanging from his belt...

The Gang Banger - looking for that Tec-9 or I want an AK or a four-five

THE WORST ONE OF THE LOT?

The Be-Back - you know the type, I really want this gun but I just got here and need to walk the show first. I'll come back later. Two hours later - here they come; wanting to know the best price you'll take. I had a sticker on a gun for $350. A be-back said what's the best price you'll take for it - he was offended when I said $500. He told me I had $350 on it. I said if you gave me $500 for a $350 gun that would be the best...for me! If I wasted time waiting for the be-backs I'd be stupid; although I've had 3 people at two different shows come back with less then 15 minutes in the show and buy the things they were looking at - for the prices listed!

One thing to think about though - if you don't like a particular dealer - just walk on by...if enough people ignore them - they will eventually get the message.

robocop10mm
08-26-2008, 10:07 AM
For me a gun show is an opportunity to socialize with some like minded people and re-aquaint myself with some of the better dealers from the by-gone era.

About the only thing I have bought at a gun show in the past year is a stack of ammo cans. .30 cal cans, $3 each/4 for $10. Not bad. I got all I could carry in one load...8.

deth502
08-26-2008, 03:21 PM
......... #$%@ airsoft crap - it was everywhere - the margins must be awesome!!!!.............


actually, thats what i hear.

ive already gotten a sales pitch to try to become a dealer, they wee stating up to a 75% profit.

brewskzilla
08-26-2008, 06:13 PM
I actually had an airsoft guy try to sell me a scope mount for my CETME. It was dye-cast peuter from what I could tell, but he SWORE it was just as good as a real claw-mount,

The real problem was that he wanted EXACTLY the same amount as an actual G-3 claw mount. What a jerk!

Enigma Nostra
08-26-2008, 06:38 PM
Well, the big problem I have is people wanting to pay insulting prices when im trying to sell. People were offended that I was asking 90% of BB on a rifle as opening bid, and thats WITH an extra stock thrown in.

I couldnt tell you the number of times ive heard "I can get an AK for that" or a counter offer of 150 or something.

So not always are we "people asking too much" as much as "people not trying to get ripped off".

Id rather not sell a rifle than sell it to some jackoff who thinks that lowballing is the same as "offer me less than half my pricetag"

jerkoffs.

-E

MID
08-26-2008, 09:20 PM
What about the numbers matching guy, and the first two parts you look at have different numbers.

The ar guy that doesnt have a front sight tool?

The guy with the sks all decked out in tracticool gear, and no compliance parts.

Allwater
08-26-2008, 09:28 PM
up to a 75% profit.

...as much - good to know...

13amu
08-27-2008, 08:26 PM
Brethren,

Let us not forget the worst offender of the lot. The Book Guy!!! You are all familiar with this deviant type. Most of his table is covered, absolutely covered with wicked Gun Porn!! Perverting the young and impressionable minds that just happen to pass by. Enticing them with sordid military manuals. Gun porn mags with exploded views of AK's and AR's and heaven knows what else. Why this incorrigible pervert might even have the gall, gall I tell you to display such filth as books about military vehicles and aircraft some of which are picture books. Sinners, Sinners the whole putrid lot! Let us pray...:rolleyes:

<Sarcasm Off>

Matt

okie shooter
08-27-2008, 11:33 PM
I will say at gunshows, If you are dilligant, you can get better prices or as good as mail order, and not have to pay shipping on stuff. On ammo, that can add up for sure.

The last couple of shows have been good, ar kits, shotguns, pistols and more.

nevada
08-28-2008, 04:20 PM
I confess! I look at the books. I TOUCH the books. I BUY THE BOOKS!!

Then, back home, ignoring all else (pissed off wife) I 'read' them, I stare at the pictures, I drool a little, I sigh.

SCGrotz
08-29-2008, 12:13 AM
and tell everyone you bought them for the articles?

on a side note i was reminded of why i rarely do more than skim any article in a gun magazine

has guns and ammo ever said any gun was less than "the most awesomest thing since sliced bread!"

nevada
08-29-2008, 02:12 AM
Ah yes. Guns and Scammo. Pictures of staff barely controlling the awesome recoil of .22 caliber pistols and rifles, barrels headed skyward, finger knocked completely out of the trigger guard. :bull: