While I too have seen several gun shows take a downward turn for the quality, the offerings, & pricing,, I have also been quite capable of weeding out the stuff not for me.
As Ron has mentioned, the OGCA show is a real gun show,, and only members or an invited guest can attend. You can only attend as a guest twice in your lifetime. While that may seem restrictive,, it helps keep out the criminal element for the most part. You also wear a badge with your name on it. And at around 700 tables,, of which some are just "Display Only" (ROCS for example,) you don't see flea market crap. It's against their rules.
I enjoy that one quite well. And I've managed to find goodies each & every time I've gone. Guns, as well as parts or other goodies.
Locally,, I just attended one this past weekend. Partly to meet up with (2) guys who had stuff for sale,, which had been offered on a local website,, AND to wander around looking for potential reasonable buys. My buddy bought a like new,, but shown as "used" Mossberg "Shockwave" for $375.00. He & I went together & bought (5) Magpul AR-15 30 round magazines for $45. I also bought a NIB,, DPMS AR-15 complete lower assy for $165.00. He picked up a few other little items. I also found a scope cape of the type I liked in a "grab box" and the guy just gave it to me.
Parking was free,, and show entry fee was $11.00.
All in all,, it was a good way to spend a casual Saturday & potentially see some stuff that MIGHT be useful to us.
I've also been a vendor for many years at a couple of gun shows,, and understand being on the other side of the table. Table rent fees,, travel,, motel if too far from home, gas & food can run up expenses. The promoter also has to make money,,, and the event centers have increased their fees as well. But if you have stuff people WANT,, and your prices are FAIR,, then you will have people buying, and you can cover expenses. But as a vendor,, you can also get in early,, see other dealers, and see if they happen to have something "good" for yourself. And if you happen to have a good spot,, you may well pick up a good walk in deal as well.
But I also see vendors selling stuff at prices well above local gun shop prices. I just smile & walk on by. Often,, they are their own worst enemy.
But lets look at things from a different angle.
If we all stopped going to gun shows,, what will happen then? They stop having them. Then the anti-gunners win. They will have eliminated another source of guns & their related goodies. And we'll be another step closer to LOSING our rights.
What can we do?
LET THE PROMOTERS KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FLEA MARKET STUFF. Once we get a lot of that gone,,it'll be an actual gun show.
Next,, strike up a POLITE conversation with a single vendor who has stuff well above retail. Casual, polite,, & share your local pricing of items,, by referencing places they can go & see the stuff for sale at lower prices. Ask them if they really sell enough stuff at their price point to be competitive with local shops? Ask THEM what will they do if gun shows were stopped? You might pizz some of them off,,, but in reality,,, if they are smart,, they will eventually reflect upon your polite wisdom,,, and MAYBE realize they are not too fair in their business model. Maybe not,, but it can't hurt to try.
There is a member here,, whom I visited with at this past weekend show. He's smart enough to price stuff FAIRLY,, and when I first went by his table,, he was in the process of selling a gun. When I came back by,, he had a few moments,, and then his son came over with another gun sale for him to do. He was selling stuff,, AND staying busy enough to where it was likely a good show for him.
We all can complain & refuse to go to them or whatever. But I do enjoy looking at stuff,, being around a lot of like minded folks,, and seeking out those little jewels that enhance our desires.
I guess we can all mow grass,,, or do yard work, or work on the wife's "honey-do" list if we don't have any gun shows.
