I worked for the club at the show, there were as many vendors as at the club house but the layout made it seem smaller. I will agree it seemed like the vendors prices were out of sight. I have had the same conversation with the guy I work for part time who was there today. I keep telling him bring the prices down and you will move inventory. If folks can go to a near by gun shop and pay less than what your charging ...well you all know what I am talking about.
One vendor had a used Sharps, Italian made, for $2200.00. The exact same rifle I purchased from Hunters Trading Post for $800. I did see some S+W bodyguards for $380 and at the table next to it they were priced at $435.00.
The ammo was just way over priced.
I did get to talk with SKS Ray and LenS which was nice and for once I wasn't behind the sales table and actually enjoyed working the show.
The show next year will be at the club house and hopefully by then some of the prices will come down. We can hope anyway.
It was great talking with you today. Every other show I've seen you at you've been up to your eyeballs working. I'm sure you were here too, but much of it was before the show opened and after you close.
Yea, why would they price it so high? I don't get it. I thought the idea of these shows were to get good deals. Wolf 7.62x39 for $9 and $10 a box of 20? Crazy. I think even Four Seasons sell it for $7-$8.
As for prices (to answer both) . . . there seems to be a "unwritten policy" to up-price goods for gun shows.
Back some years ago I bought some stuff from a W. MA dealer at the Big E gun show and Mrs WildWeasel later informed me that she knew that shop well and the same exact items were a few bucks cheaper (we're talking $10 items here) at the shop.
So my theory (at least for the major gun shows) is that they are up-pricing to make up for the additional expenses of being at the show, to wit:
- Shows out of the area relative to the dealer's location means paying for hotel rooms for owner and helpers,
- Big E charges vendors $5/car/day parking too,
- Carol charges $50 for access to electricity and another $50 for access to the Internet (NICS, FA-10, ccs),
- Table costs (IIRC Carol charges ~$85/table),
- Eating out costs,
- Etc.
I'm not justifying it, just trying to explain what MIGHT be the rationale used by the vendors.
Obviously smaller shows like Holbrook don't get vendors who have to travel 100-200 miles from home base, so hotels shouldn't be part of their equation. But chances are they standardize their pricing based on the big shows and don't deviate for the smaller ones where expenses aren't as high.
Always keep in mind that the promoters (whether the "big dogs" or local gun club) have no say on what the vendor prices goods at!
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