Selling at Wanenmacher?

[adamsredlines]

Anybody got advice? My grandpa was asking me about it today. He's thinking of getting a table or three...not sure yet.

How do you deal with general buyers? Do you ID everybody who wants to buy? Do you ask "Are you legal to buy from me" and call it good?
Its not as much of a concern to me with local shows as I dont think anybody is driving from South Carolina to go to the Grand National show...but with Wanenmacher drawing a bigger crowd....

How many tables can 3 guys realistically watch over? We're talking long guns, so it would be hard to pocket something quickly...but the show gets crowded and there's some substantial value here.

If you're doing private party...is there a real reason to get the power? I cant think of a real reason to need electricity but who knows?

How many shotguns fit on a 6' table without overcrowding it?

I'm all ears, fellas!

 

[Perplexed]

I’ve had tables at the big show several times, hawking M1 Garands and the like. I only look at the potential buyer to see if he or she looks old enough to buy a rifle, and call it good. No need to ask for ID or other documentation if the firearm isn’t restricted.

Three guys - well, it depends on how talkative they are. Being engaged in an interesting conversation can be a big distraction, but as you said, long guns don’t grow legs often. It’s the pistols and parts that seem to disappear the most.

As for an electrical connection, it depends on how quickly you drain the power in your phones and if you like to be irredeemable and play games on a laptop. It’s not necessary though to enjoy riding a table.

A six foot table can hold about 10-12 shotguns if you’re concerned about them dinging each other. One thing you might consider is a vertical rifle rack to increase the table’s holding power - put the rack(s) at either end of the table, and lay down shotguns in between. A nice thing about racks is you can easily run a locking cable through the wares on the racks, if the contents are that valuable.

It’s a fun experience!

 

[tRidiot]

I agree on the locking cable. Cheap and easy.

 

[crrcboatz]

Have purchased a table from a longtime user a few times. Location I think is a plus. He has 14 tables located just to the right as you enter near the golden driller. There is a bathroom, and snack bar right across from him. That location gets unreal traffic, is easy to find something to eat, and use the restroom. That holds true for many many people not counting those who have just come through the entrance and turned right.
It truly is an experience.

 

[adamsredlines]

I spoke with my grandpa and he's thinking of testing the waters with 12-20 guns. I think 2 tables would be sufficient for that and give us some space without being overwhelming.

I know this is really vague...but what price point is the "sweet spot" for the show?

Will there be people there who realistically buy $5k guns? I'm thinking an assortment that has a few from each "price level" to spread it out some.

 

[sedona]

The people that can afford the $5000.00 shotguns will be at that show.I have seen a lot of rednecks in overalls pull a wad of $100.00 bills out that would choke a horse when they find something they like.

 

[Perplexed]

People are always going to want to steal a deal. My buddy and I usually had the lowest prices on Garands at the show, by a considerable margin - and yet, people still wanted to haggle on the price. We would sometimes factor in a little bit of wiggle room, so they could feel good about the deal. Often, we ended up telling them to go look around, and come back once they realized we had the best prices at the show. Oh, and to write down the table location for when they had that inevitable epiphany

One thing your grandpa might do is tether a couple helium balloons on his table, to make it easier to locate for the skinflints returning after they’ve shopped around.

 

[dennishoddy]

I spoke with my grandpa and he's thinking of testing the waters with 12-20 guns. I think 2 tables would be sufficient for that and give us some space without being overwhelming.

I know this is really vague...but what price point is the "sweet spot" for the show?

Will there be people there who realistically buy $5k guns? I'm thinking an assortment that has a few from each "price level" to spread it out some.

I've seen guns costing way more than $5K go out the door. That price is not even close to some of the classic shotguns that get sold there.
Champlin Arms from Enid advertised they would be there and had a table with shotguns in the $35K range. ( I got to shoulder one) He said they had sold a couple although I doubt the transaction occurred there with that kind of money. I'm sure a deposit was left, and the sale was completed back at the store, but I can't confirm that.

 

[adamsredlines]

Good to know, I've seen lots of expensive guns there...just didnt know if any actually SOLD.
I kinda hope he goes this route, I think it would be fun. I think he needs to decide sooner than later so we can get tables and start planning.

 

[surjimmy]

Tables are $175 each, and you need to get them yesterday.