Gun Show Etiquette

[enfieldphile]

The #1. unwritten rule of a gun show is: While it's in one mans hand, he has first dibs to purchase. I was @ a show and picked up a S&W Brazilian 1937 Contract Revolver in 45ACP. It was in wonderful shape and the price was right. I was about to say, "I'll take it" when a fellow known to be a bit of a bully suddenly stood right near me. I noticed his eyes were locked on the S&W. I pretended to begin to put it down and he began to lean in. I stopped and checked the serial # and began to slowly thumb back the hammer on each notch. Then I made like I was going to put it back again. In he leans again. I said, I'll take it" to the fellow that had the table and the bully disappeared into the crowd!


I did not see this, but I heard the story. A fellow and his buddy see a rifle on a table. The fellow picks it up and sees it's a rare caliber for that model and the price is right. Between them, they don't have enough $$. The buddy says, "Hey, ___________ is here @ the show. He's always holding a wad of $$. He'll stake you till you can get to the bank. I'll go find him and borrow the $$ on your behalf."

However, there's another fellow that arrived @ the table right after the first guy picked up the gun. The new guy says to the vendor, "I'll give you your price now!" The vendor says, "As long as he's holding it and will pay me my price, it's his." The other guy wanting the rifle fumes for 5 minutes. The buddy comes back w/ the $$ and the first Guy buys the rifle.


The #2. unwritten rule of a gun show is: Rule #1 does not apply to dickering IF there is another buyer willing to pay the tagged price. Fellow A is holding the gun. Fellow B & his buddy stroll up to the table. Fellow B pipes up to his buddy that with him, "If he doesn't buy @ the tagged price, I will." Fellow A now has to either poo or get off the pot as it were. He really isn't in a position to dicker. He either pays the tagged price or lets the gun go.

[MOcaster]

#3: Always, and I mean ALWAYS, be polite. More so at gun shows than anywhere else, in my opinion. With so many people and so many guns, better safe than sorry if there are some crazies.

[bruce drake]

Agreed.

[Jammersix]

I'm glad I never pay attention to unwritten rules.

If they're rules, write them down. Otherwise, stay angry.

And have a nice day with that.

[MtGun44]

Some people insist on being the sand in the gears of polite society.

Bill

[Jammersix]

They're easy to recognize, though. They think there are unwritten rules.

The problem with unwritten rules is that not everyone agrees on what they are, how they're worded or when and where they apply. Let alone who they apply to.

[Ithaca Gunner]

I quit going to gunshows 5-6 yrs. ago because of the rudeness and bull-headed stupidity of some of the dealers, not the patrons.

[enfieldphile]

Right you are MOcaster!

Rule 3.: Be polite, even if the other guy is bull-headed.

Once, I was @ a show, it as almost closing time and a fellow from my club comes up to me and says, Did you see that M1Grannd @ the table by the back? Come walk over with me, I talked to the dealer before. I think I'll buy it."

We walk over and the minute the dealer see's the fellow from my club, the dealer gets an upset look on his face and says, "I'm not selling you the M1!".

As we walked away, the fellow from my club said, "I guess me and the dealer got crossways."


#3: Always, and I mean ALWAYS, be polite. More so at gun shows than anywhere else, in my opinion. With so many people and so many guns, better safe than sorry if there are some crazies.

Now, here in Texas, as a general rule, people tend toward politeness. The only person I ever saw removed from a gun show by security was a fellow from the local tax office. He was harassing table renters (private individuals, not actual business's) about collecting sales tax! The show promoters had security escort him out and told him to stay out.

[richhodg66]

In my experiemce, there tends to be a HUGE difference between city gun shows and the real small town ones. There's one around here that makes it's way around to three or four little towns and they are always real friendly, down home types of things, the local scout troop usually has a fund raiser and they tend to have a lot of old collections of cool stuff. There's another one like that over in Council Grove I get to every couple of years.

Topeka has one every other month or so and I just go in there to look for reloading components, basically. There are some nice folks and interesting collections, but when I go in a city show, I tend to move fast and not look long or talk much. A small town show is as much a social event as a shopping excursion to me.

[Adam10mm]

A small town show is as much a social event as a shopping excursion to me.
Yup. Small town up here and the two shows up here are wonderful. I've been a dealer at them for 6 years and never had drama with anyone. It's neat to see the same people over and over through the years. Lot of characters, like 22 Bob. Bob is a .22LR fanatic and has hundreds of rifles. Always looking for a "gunsmith special" to work on and get shooting again. Never sells, never trades. He only buys. Cash money and a solid handshake. He's always willing to help a guy out if he needs parts or guidance on what needs fixing or what rifles are known to have quirks.

The who's who of my area are at the gun shows. Those are the people with the power and money around this area.

[Recluse]

Rule #1 for gunshows for me--

Stay away from them. They're not even close to what they once were.

:coffee:

[Love Life]

Ahhh. Rules.

I go to enjoy myself. I won't get bent out of shape if somebody bumps into me, undercuts me on a buy (shouldn't have haggled so hard), or whatever.

I've got better things to do with my time then get in ruckus over trivial issues. I'm young, time is on my side, so if I lose a purchase then I can always wait for another one to come around.

Life sucks if you're looking for a reason to be offended all the time. Now an auction is a different story!!

[Ed Barrett]

Etiquette must be learned, and some people never learn anything.

[dragon813gt]

I don't agree w/ #2. The second party has no reason to get involved w/ the transaction. If you're trying to work a deal would you want someone coming in and saying they will pay the tagged price? IMO if someone else is negotiating then you wait until they're over. Now if the dealer brings a second part in then all is fair game as it's his merchandise.

[montana_charlie]

Etiquette must be learned, and some people never learn anything.
And 'etiquette' is the real name for 'unwritten rule' when the 'rule' applies to conduct.
Those who can't be bothered with unwritten conduct rules probably have little use for etiquette, also.

CM

[montana_charlie]

I don't agree w/ #2. The second party has no reason to get involved w/ the transaction.
But, that's perfectly okay here.
You can ask a 'seller' a question about his item (which is like holding it in your hand) but if another member says 'I'll take it' before you get your answer, you just had it jerked out of your paws.

I waited four days, once, for an answer to a publicly stated question. Finally, I PM'd to ask why it was taking so long.
The seller said he got a PM saying 'I'll take it', so he didn't bother to answer me.

The accepted 'etiquette' on this site says both of those jerks (seller and buyer) were justified in their actions.

CM

[sparky45]

Money talks, case closed.

[Jammersix]

And 'etiquette' is the real name for 'unwritten rule' when the 'rule' applies to conduct.
Those who can't be bothered with unwritten conduct rules probably have little use for etiquette, also.

Written etiquette guides are a dime a dozen. Real etiquette has been written down for a long time. Newspapers run weekly columns on the subject.

Next case.

[dragon813gt]

But, that's perfectly okay here.
You can ask a 'seller' a question about his item (which is like holding it in your hand) but if another member says 'I'll take it' before you get your answer, you just had it jerked out of your paws.

I waited four days, once, for an answer to a publicly stated question. Finally, I PM'd to ask why it was taking so long.
The seller said he got a PM saying 'I'll take it', so he didn't bother to answer me.

The accepted 'etiquette' on this site says both of those jerks (seller and buyer) were justified in their actions.

CM

Fair enough, but it doesn't mean I like it. I also never conduct business that way. I used to sell hard to obtain parts for VWs as a hobby. It was all through forum sales like here. There were plenty of times where just that scenario happened and I told the second guy he had to wait. The first guy did have a time limit as to when I would move on. And this did cost me money sometimes. But I was already involved in a transaction w/ the first party so I saw no need to sell to the second even though they were willing to pay more. So this is why I don't agree w/ #2.

[longusmc]

#2 can be a tough call to either party in the tranaction buying the gun. The original buyer loses the ability to barter but on the other hand he's holding the gun and could notice a someting wrong that the second buyer hasn't seen and now just commited to buying. This puts the second party who "snipped" the gun from the first buyer out because of the flaw discovered by the first buyer. The only one who comes out on top is the seller.

[Jammersix]

Money talks, case closed.

There it is.

[waksupi]

I've had people tell me more than once that they would purchase a firearm, they just had to go get the money. Then they would wander off, and I would see them the next couple days at the show, and never cough up the dough. I no longer hold onto a gun for people that I don't know very well. I tell them the first guy with cash in hand takes it home.

[dagger dog]

If you wait for Mr.I. L. Beback you won't sell much of anything. The long green trumps all !

[onceabull]

It's just darn amazing how many couples named a kid Beback Laiter. and you will meet 6 to 9 of them at even a small town gunshow.... Onceabul

[Love Life]

Best gunshow experience I had was at the NCBS when you (Onceabull) let me shoot the snubnosed 44 specials. Oh how I almost left with one.

[onceabull]

Love life: Both of those went away pronto, at the Filer,Id.shows,to a couple of those high dollar farmer/ranchers in that country..The last one really went high,as I had it marked up as a keeper,,I got lucky when you went home without... Onceabull

[Jammersix]

Yup.

I bet if you're holding the weapon, and I start counting out twenties, I end up holding the weapon.

[LUBEDUDE]

Rule#4 The Seller makes the Rules

[Fishman]

Yup.

I bet if you're holding the weapon, and I start counting out twenties, I end up holding the weapon.

Not if I am the seller and am negotiating with another buyer. I don't agree with number 2 either. Some people think they can bull their way into anything and get their way and it doesn't work with everyone.

Note that this is because its my property and I will sell it in the manner of my choosing. I happen to think etiquette and my sense of right and wrong is more important than getting a few extra dollars.

[waksupi]

Yup.

I bet if you're holding the weapon, and I start counting out twenties, I end up holding the weapon.

When I am selling, if someone acts obnoxious and pushy, there is a very good chance they will not be buying anything from me. I also discriminate against any potential purchaser that looks like a ne'er do well.

[country gent]

Over the years I have seen many things take place at gun shows that were borderline. The "bullies" rude people are a pain. I was talking with a friend about a long range rifle he had built ( rifle wasnt at the show even) and decided to sell. I was interested in it and we were discussing it when a guy came up ( I had made his aqquaintance at the local club once before) apparently he had been listening from behind me to conversation as he strated in and was trying to buy the rifle sight unseen at a bargain price. As far as I know he only shot at 200 yds and this rifle wouldnt zero at 200 yds even. I didnt care for the stock my friend had used so passed but gave him the name of another guy on the state team who used and liked that stock desighn. The other guy didnt get a chance to buy it as my friend wanted it to be used and enjoyed not a safe queen. This guy had more money than brains. Im sure he thought the scope and irons could be used at the same time with out change over. Im sure he thought he could buy 30 378 weatherby off of hte shelf back then. Im sure he had no idea what he was getting into. But since I was interested he was to.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

My wife and I have sold at the big Pamona gun show a few times but mostly we sold gun parts and gun related items and old west related pieces such as spurs, bridles and other calvary items. I did have an MI Garand at one show. It was made by Winchester and was brought home from WWII by a friend. I put a price of $425 on the gun. A man came to our table and said he would like to buy the rifle if I would let a friend look at it. When I asked where the friend was he said he has a table at the show. I picked up the gun and followed him to the table of his friend. I handed the man the rifle and he proceded to try and dismantle the piece. When I asked what he thought he was doing, the potiontial buyer said, " some of these guns have been cut and rewelded". I said this one sure as h--- hasn't and I grabbed the rifle back. I was very upset by then and about that time two other men had asked me what I was asking for the rifle. I told them and they said they would take it. At that time buyer #1 said, here is the money. I used to like going to gunshows whether I was selling or buying but I haven't been to one in years. Twenty years ago you could go to a gushow and find gun parts or occasionally even find a gun with a reasonable price and buy it. The last gun I bought at a show is a Marlen model 39A carbine for $125. When I started to see such outragious prices on old wore out antiques I gave up. Who decided that a beat up old rolling block with a shot out barrel was worth six to seven hundred dollars. You had to spend an equal amount on it to make a shooter out of it.You could buy a new Pedersoli for the same money and if you found a used one it would be even less. I also got fed up with all the camo and tacticle ****. I care nothing for the black guns and never will. I suppose time has passed me by. I have lived in much better times. Enough of my rant.

[tengaugetx]

When I am selling, if someone acts obnoxious and pushy, there is a very good chance they will not be buying anything from me. I also discriminate against any potential purchaser that looks like a ne'er do well.

Same here...a contributor to this thread would get a polite "please move along".

[Jammersix]

Not if I am the seller and am negotiating with another buyer. I don't agree with number 2 either. Some people think they can bull their way into anything and get their way and it doesn't work with everyone.

Note that this is because its my property and I will sell it in the manner of my choosing. I happen to think etiquette and my sense of right and wrong is more important than getting a few extra dollars.

No problem at all. I'll just pick up my twenties, smile, wish you a good day and walk away.

You can keep negotiating with my partner, I mean your buyer. She loves dealing with sellers who aren't about money. She'll tell you how she appreciates it, too. She'll be your new best friend, and agree with you about how deals in gun shows should be run. She'll smile at you, you'll like it, and she'll buy your gun.

Business is about business, but how you do business is completely up to you. :-o

[Jammersix]

l just realized I didn't make my point.

My point is simple: business, any business, is about money.

If you vary from that, if you treat people differently because of whatever reason, race, color, gender or place in line, that variance in treatment can be turned against you, and you will be paid in exactly the coin you ask for.

You will be fed a woman, a white man with short hair, someone with no nose ring, a polite person or a person who was "first in line", and you can feel good about dealing with them.

Take the money, take something else, or take your product back home.

Business 301.

[wv109323]

The thing that always bugged me at gun shows was the guy that stands in front of a table blocking it. And strikes up a 30 minute conversation with the Dealer like" My great uncle had one just like this and you could hit a fly at 100 yards every time. It was the first gun I shot. I always used to shoot the squirrel in the head so that there was no loss of meat....."
Or two or three guys blocking an aisle having a good ole boy conversation about past times.

[Idaho Mule]

Love life: Both of those went away pronto, at the Filer,Id.shows,to a couple of those high dollar farmer/ranchers in that country..The last one really went high,as I had it marked up as a keeper,,I got lucky when you went home without... Onceabull I sure hope ya don't smack me when ya see how well that 356 shoots. JW

[Jammersix]

The thing that always bugged me at gun shows was the guy that stands in front of a table blocking it.

Heh. Another reason to avoid gun shows.

Gun shows shoot themselves in their collective feet in so many ways, and then wonder where everyone went.

[M-Tecs]

I have been doing a couple of show for the past 20 years. I am always polite to a customer but cash in the hand is the only thing that seals the deal unless I know them.

Several years ago I had a gentleman wanting to purchase a firearm first thing Saturday morning but he didn’t have the cash in hand but said he would come back on Sunday. I told him I would be glad to sell it to him on Sunday if I still had it. He stated he would leave me $50.00 earnest money. I said OK but the earnest money was not refundable. He came back on Sunday 20 minutes before closing time wanting is money back. Said the wife said no. I had it priced to sell and I could have sold several times at that price. He pissed and moaned until I gave him is money back. I sat on it of six or seven months until I did the next show.

I now have one simple rule. First person with the cash in hand gets it.

[Love Life]

Geez. What ever happened to going to the shows to just look around and have a good time? Now there is an issue with a person getting nostalgic, and god forbid people have a face to face conversation instead of texting it to each other.

Go to the gunshow, mind you own business, and have a good time.

[Frank46]

It's not always the buyer's who need a crash course in how to behave. Was at a local show and a new dealer would walk the show and when someone would pick up on of the ruger semi auto 22's and start talking to that dealer he would tell the prospective buyer in front of the dealer that he has them at a better price. Well that didn't last long and he was booted out of the show that day. Never saw him again at any of the local shows so his stupidity and greed probably cost him more than his cut rate price. Frank

[waksupi]

I am thankful for the people who set up at our local shows, and am once more reminded why I no longer go to gun shows in the Seattle area.

[starmac]

l just realized I didn't make my point.

My point is simple: business, any business, is about money.

If you vary from that, if you treat people differently because of whatever reason, race, color, gender or place in line, that variance in treatment can be turned against you, and you will be paid in exactly the coin you ask for.

You will be fed a woman, a white man with short hair, someone with no nose ring, a polite person or a person who was "first in line", and you can feel good about dealing with them.

Take the money, take something else, or take your product back home.

Business 301.

My view is that there are many, many things in life more important than money, one never has to deal with pricks, buying or selling or any other reason for that matter.

I am with Love Life gun shows are a form of entertainment, and usually cost less than a movie.

[Fishman]

l just realized I didn't make my point.

My point is simple: business, any business, is about money.

If you vary from that, if you treat people differently because of whatever reason, race, color, gender or place in line, that variance in treatment can be turned against you, and you will be paid in exactly the coin you ask for.

You will be fed a woman, a white man with short hair, someone with no nose ring, a polite person or a person who was "first in line", and you can feel good about dealing with them.

Take the money, take something else, or take your product back home.

Business 301.

You should probably quit attempting to justify your position because you are getting further and further behind and making even less sense. Successful human interaction ALWAYS involves more than money, and the fact that you can't grasp that fact or won't admit it is very telling.

[jcwit]

My wife had a spot at the Shipshewana Flea Market for 20 years. She/we met some of the nicest folks on the face of the earth. She/we also met a few of the most obnoxious a-ho!es on the face of the earth. The few sure tried to spoil the day for the rest but in the end the good overshadowed the bad.

BTW it works both ways, at times the seller is the obnoxious a-ho!e.

[onceabull]

JW: I just KNEW I would come to regret selling that rifle for $375...Oh,well, at least you can blame your lady for convincing you to pay up....[smilie=1: Onceabull

[montana_charlie]

The thing that always bugged me at gun shows was the guy that stands in front of a table blocking it.

Or two or three guys blocking an aisle having a good ole boy conversation about past times.
I like to spend time talking with sellers. Not so much about the stuff they have for sale, but just to converse with somebody I don't already know.
It's pretty easy to pick out those sellers who are bored enough to want some 'company', and I keep track of who might be stopping to look at his wares.

If a potential customer steps up in the middle of the conversation, and stands there waiting for a opportunity to 'intrude', I make sure to give him that entry point. I'll say something spontaneous, but it will be like ... 'Hey, bud. There's BOUND to be something here you want to buy. So, I'm gonna toddle on down the line and you can have my share.'

But, if he just horns in like a jerk I will let the seller pick the reaction of noticing ... or ignoring ... him.
If the seller chooses to let him stew in his own juice, I will stay and hold up one end of the conversation as long as the seller indicates a wilingness to do that.

I call that 'fun' ...


As for the 'knot' of buddies in the aisle, there's various ways to handle that, too.

CM

[DCP]

So the guy just stands there. He just looks at the gun, and says nothing.

" I pretended to begin to put it down." "Then I made like I was going to put it back again."


So who is the real bully here!



The #1. unwritten rule of a gun show is: While it's in one mans hand, he has first dibs to purchase. I was @ a show and picked up a S&W Brazilian 1937 Contract Revolver in 45ACP. It was in wonderful shape and the price was right. I was about to say, "I'll take it" when a fellow known to be a bit of a bully suddenly stood right near me. I noticed his eyes were locked on the S&W. I pretended to begin to put it down and he began to lean in. I stopped and checked the serial # and began to slowly thumb back the hammer on each notch. Then I made like I was going to put it back again. In he leans again. I said, I'll take it" to the fellow that had the table and the bully disappeared into the crowd!

[Jammersix]

So who is the real bully here!

Don't complicate the issue-- they're trying to write down unwritten rules. (Sort of like proving a negative.)

That's hard enough without someone making inconvenient points about their logic.

[DCP]

Don't complicate the issue-- they're trying to write down unwritten rules. (Sort of like proving a negative.)

That's hard enough without someone making inconvenient points about their logic.

It not complicated. You wrote what you wrote.
You want to make-write down unwritten rules.

You messed with the man. Not cool

[Love Life]

To summarize this thread:

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

[enfieldphile]

Gentlemen,

Please! The purpose of the thread was NOT to cause any of you to have to double up on your blood pressure medication! The idea was simply to bring up a some food for thought and invite us to share experiences or things we have observed or been party to @ a gun show. We all agree on our second amendment rights and our love for our families, countries etc. There are plenty of things we can (politely) disagree upon.

Regards, Enfieldphile