Author Topic: Gun Show cover charges (Read 2420 times)

Perd Hapley · « **on:** March 15, 2019, 02:33:25 PM »

About 15 years ago, the local VFW charged $5/head for their gun show. Several years ago, the St. Charles Convention Center started hosting a much larger show about 2 or 3 times a year, and they charged $8. The VFW raised their rates, as well. Now the big show is charging $12.

How are the rates where you live?

French G. · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2019, 02:37:20 PM »

$8. Volunteer with your local gun group see if it gets you in free, then run around with your exhibitor ID to see if you get discounts.

charby · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2019, 02:38:10 PM »

My club runs 2 shows a year, usually 140-180 tables with 40 or so dealers. We charge $5 a day or $8 for a 2 day pass.

The promotional shows are $8-10 a day.

K Frame · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2019, 02:55:23 PM »

It's been awhile since I've been to one, but the last time I went to the Nation's Gun Show in DC I think it was $12.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:03:17 PM »

Quote from: French G. on March 15, 2019, 02:37:20 PM

$8. Volunteer with your local gun group see if it gets you in free, then run around with your exhibitor ID to see if you get discounts.

You mean like a state gun rights org, or do you mean the Midwest Arms Collectors (the people who run the show)?

MechAg94 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:05:50 PM »

I usually see $8 to $10. Parking is the big cost at some around Houston.

T.O.M. · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:11:53 PM »

A bunch of us used to go to gun shows monthly when we were in law school. It was $5 to get in, drop a couple of bucks on a hot dog and coke, and it was good cheap entertainment for a few hours. I just looked it up. It's now $10 to get in, and now they are charging $5 for parking as well.

Best thing used to be cheap ammo. You could get 50 rounds of Blazer in .38 for $5. A brick of .22 was $10-15. For $25-30 bucks, you'd get enough ammo for a few hours on the range.

lee n. field · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:21:56 PM »

Quote from: fistful on March 15, 2019, 02:33:25 PM

About 15 years ago, the local VFW charged $5/head for their gun show. Several years ago, the St. Charles Convention Center started hosting a much larger show about 2 or 3 times a year, and they charged $8. The VFW raised their rates, as well. Now the big show is charging $12.

How are the rates where you live?

The only one I go to has been $5.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:22:21 PM »

Wanenmacher's mega-show (Tulsa, OK) charges $10 at the door. Parking was free when I went, but that was 15 years ago. No idea if that's still the case. Even if you paid a few bucks to park it's worth it. Advertised at 4200 tables. If someone there doesn't have what you're looking for, no one will. Friggin incredible show.

We have two different local shows. The smaller one (fairgrounds) is $5, the larger (Civic Center) is $8. Free parking for both. Even with that, both verge on being overpriced given the dearth of actual firearms-related vendors. On the flip side there is a great selection of fudge, candy, beef jerky, and essential oils.

Brad

Scout26 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2019, 03:25:38 PM »

Kane County Gun show is still $5 and free parking.

bedlamite · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2019, 06:00:43 PM »

BobandRocco shows here in WI are $6, A few others locally are $5

French G. · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2019, 08:07:16 PM »

Quote from: fistful on March 15, 2019, 03:03:17 PM

You mean like a state gun rights org, or do you mean the Midwest Arms Collectors (the people who run the show)?

Local rights group or NRA. I used to take off with my VCDL exhibitor badge and clean out Georgia Arms of ammo for a 10% discount.

freakazoid · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2019, 08:43:53 PM »

Quote from: Mike Irwin on March 15, 2019, 02:55:23 PM

It's been awhile since I've been to one, but the last time I went to the Nation's Gun Show in DC I think it was $12.

It was that or $15 when I went to that one last month.

Quote from: Brad Johnson on March 15, 2019, 03:22:21 PM

Wanenmacher's mega-show (Tulsa, OK) charges $10 at the door. Parking was free when I went, but that was 15 years ago. No idea if that's still the case. Even if you paid a few bucks to park it's worth it. Advertised at 4200 tables. If someone there doesn't have what you're looking for, no one will. Friggin incredible show.

We have two different local shows. The smaller one (fairgrounds) is $5, the larger (Civic Center) is $8. Free parking for both. Even with that, both verge on being overpriced given the dearth of actual firearms-related vendors. On the flip side there is a great selection of fudge, candy, beef jerky, and essential oils.

Brad

Haven't ever been to that one and I was really wanting to go to it next month, but I think I might not be able to. I will be going to the Knob Creek instead though.

Andiron · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2019, 09:44:03 PM »

Conrad and Dowdell shows around here are 6 bones. The smartphone killed off getting any deals but it's still fun to visit the guns.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2019, 11:40:05 PM »

$7.00, but they e-mail a coupon for $2.00 so if you fill out a little form, you're on their list which is forwarded to the C. I. A., the trilateral commitee, the Bilderbergers, the United Nations, and the Greys.

K Frame · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2019, 06:57:26 AM »

"It was that or $15 when I went to that one last month."

Yikes!

That's to the point where I may not go back. Gone are the days when you could get a really good deal on a gun over the shops in the area. About the only thing I'd go back for now is reloading supplies and maybe if I'm looking for a specific older handgun.

Scout26 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2019, 02:57:42 PM »

Quote from: Amy Schumer on March 15, 2019, 03:25:38 PM

Kane County Gun show is still $5 and free parking.

And to add onto Chris's post. If can wait until the last hour (around 1-2pm) burgers and hot dogs are 1/2 off. Drinks are still full price.

dogmush · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2019, 03:11:47 PM »

My local one is $11 to get in and $12 for parking.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2019, 03:54:25 PM »

Been a few years since I went to one. Internet, my LGS, and Palmetto State Armory have my needs covered without having to pay $5 parking and $10 to get in.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2019, 04:06:09 PM »

Quote from: dogmush on March 16, 2019, 03:11:47 PM

My local one is $11 to get in and $12 for parking.

"That's a dumb planet."

dogmush · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2019, 04:28:23 PM »

Quote from: fistful on March 16, 2019, 04:06:09 PM

"That's a dumb planet."

The .local one is at the fairgrounds, and the venue handles and sets price for parking.

The same show over in Lakeland is $5 for parking. But the fairgrounds are 8 miles from my house, so super convenient.

Ben · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2019, 04:43:05 PM »

Quote from: dogmush on March 16, 2019, 03:11:47 PM

My local one is $11 to get in and $12 for parking.

I haven't been to a show in a good ten years, but that parking thing is why I stopped going. I was paying around the above for the show and parking back then in CA. I was mostly just buying ammo at the time, and twenty extra bucks just to get in kinda killed any discounts. Looks like the ones near me in Idaho are $5 & $8, with free parking listed at one of them.

zxcvbob · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2019, 10:08:10 PM »

Do they have anything besides beef jerky and fake Nazi memorabilia?

freakazoid · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2019, 12:39:39 AM »

When I had gone to the last one I mentioned, and first one I'd been to in over 3 years, I got a pretty good deal on a bayonet.
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=369807

Sideways_8 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 17, 2019, 05:13:51 AM »

Quote from: dogmush on March 16, 2019, 03:11:47 PM

My local one is $11 to get in and $12 for parking.

Parking in downtown San Antonio is cheaper than that.

News:

Author Topic: Gun Show cover charges (Read 2420 times)