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My First Attempt at Gunshow Sale: Advice Needed

BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
I'm looking to trade my Norinco Sporter SKS in for something else, or perhaps sell it to anyone interested.I've never done this before. I dont have any real idea of the etiquitte, laws, or strategy involved in a non-dealer selling or trading in a gun at a gunshow.I live in New York State, and I dont think theres any laws precluding non-dealer selling at a gunshow. However, I dont know whether it'd be in bad taste or against show regulations.Also, what should I bring? Do I need to bring any documentation on the rifle's past?I'm really rather in the dark here. But I need to learn somehow, right?I really dont want to inadvertently disrespect the real dealers or piss anyone off. On the other hand, I dont want to trade in with a dealer and get ripped off. So if you can give me the skinny I'd appreciate it.Other thing: It's a Norinco Sporter SKS with a synthetic Monte-Carlo stock (unblemished). It takes detachable mags (hi-cap and otherwise).I put one 120 rnd. brick through it so far, all with non-corrosive ammo. Totally broken down and cleaned thoroughly after every session.The bluing is about 98% intact, the bore is near-mint, and the rifling is totally intact. The gas-ejection rod bears a few black marks, but is otherwise perfect.The bolt rails and the bolt have a few small scratches, but are otherwise perfect. The trigger assembly is great as far as I can see.The only area that bears some bad scratches is the area under the gas-ejection port cover lever. The lever is very kitschy and tough to move on the SKS, and the scratches are par for course according to several collectors I've talked to.If someone can give me a relatively good idea of what it's worth, I'd be thrilled. I dont want to walk in there with my rear hanging in the breeze.I could probably make a lot more if I sold to a private buyer instead of a dealer. I've been told the detachable mag capacity makes it undesireable as a collectors item, but potentially very desireable to those craving an SKS that can carry a big 30-round mag.
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Comments

  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Leave it home!You'll have to carry it around at the show, answering people's questions, and refusing ( while trying to be polite) their offers of $100 to $150 bucks.(Besides, you wouldn't want to sell it to a felon or terrorist--thousands of those flock to gun shows every weekend )
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    The gun show starts tomorrow morning, so I'd appreciate a few more responses tonight.If at all possible
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  • 5db5db Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What is the age limit for rifle ownership in the great state of NY?
    If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website
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  • oldfriendsoldfriends Member Posts: 167 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    To keep from answering questions, put a large lettered sign on your back. Put asking price and major particulars on sign. Don't worry about the dealers being upset about you trying to sell your gun. You have as much right as they do. When dealing with someone on the "other side of the table," just be sure you know what you will accept for your gun and don't take less. You may have to be willing to walk away and not look back. Stand your ground. You know what your stuff is worth. Remember though, the dealer will need to make a profit when he re-sells it. Don't forget that the dealer is already going to make a profit on what ever you trade for. Good luck. Don't be desperate and agree to a bad deal just because you want to "trade." There will be more shows and more buyers.
    Life is Tough!It's Tougher if You're Stupid
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  • 5db5db Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey "Sandwich sign guys" while both forms of advertising work, the best I've seen is the dowel rod that slips into the barrel with the sign on top. Easy to pull out for inspection and can be used to keep the little buggers in line for their turn to look and make an offer.
    If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website
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  • oldfriendsoldfriends Member Posts: 167 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    5db, I was going to say that but couldn't spell "dowell"
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  • WittumWittum Member Posts: 553 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sandwich, nice! Yeah, dont be one of those guys with the signs. Just carry it around and be cool. ALOT and i mean alot of people will mess with you and try to downgrade your stuff, but walk away stiff legged, always!Here are a few tips My father once told me about gun trading.1. NO BLACKPOWDER2. NO ARCHERY3. NO CUSTOMS4. NEVER TRUST PREACHERS TEACHERS OR COPS!5. DONT DO BUSINESS WITH ARKIES.SOME OF THEM I AGREE WITH, BUT I AM A TEACHER SO, TAKE IT HOW YOU WANT TO![This message has been edited by Wittum (edited 01-26-2002).]
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  • oldfriendsoldfriends Member Posts: 167 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    5db, I was going to say that but couldn't spell "dowel" But then you have to go find a dowel that fits the bore, write the sign, find the tape to attach to said dowel. Take extra tape for when the dowel breaks as the fat guy/gal bumps into you or the guy with the musket on a sling swings around and narrowly misses your teeth and breaks the dowel. It all works.
    Life is Tough!It's Tougher if You're Stupid
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    Thanks! I appreciate the advice.
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    All you have to do is carry it. People will either assume 1) that you bought it at the show, or 2) that you want to sell it. Anyone interested will ask you about it. I would NOT plan on selling to a dealer at the show -- they have plenty of access to SKSs and they will only offer wholesale. A few of them will ask you what you want for it. You will tell them and they will simply decline to be interested. Probably somebody walking through the show will ask you about it. Make the exchangeable magazines a FEATURE, not a drawback. It's not a collector's piece, it's a shooter, and most people who want one of these cheaper assault rifles will consider the mag thing an advantage. In fact, put a 30-rounder in it or rubber-band one to the stock (empty, with the action tied open) so everyone sees instantly that it's not a fixed mag gun.Figure out a comfortable way to carry it because it's going to get heavy and poke you after a while, unless you get lucky and sell it quick. See if someone will make a first offer, but be prepared to tell them what you have to have out of it to be happy. Check out prices at the tables to see if you are being realistic. If you're cheaper than the show guns, you're okay. If somebody asks to see it, hand it to them without much comment and let them tell you what they like about it. Don't talk about it too much. If a person offers to buy, ask to see their I.D. and maybe their permit. If they're happy to show you something, fine. If they get real nervous, think twice about whether the buyer is qualified to own the gun. Ask them outright if they're legally entitled to own it, if you want to. Otherwise, you might be selling to a dude with a record who can't buy off the tables. There's a little psychology about this, when I do it. Your mileage may differ. Last gun I sold at a show was a Glock, to an enthusiast who was referred to me by an armorer at the show. I just carried my gun case around in a clear plastic bag and everybody knew what I had with me. I could have sold the gun twice. I was delighted. It should sell if you're not too high. Only you can decide that. But keep in mind there are a lot of $250-300 AKs out there right now.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • 5db5db Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Look oldfriends, it would benefit me greatly if you didn't force this issue and just buy my book; "Gorilla marketing in today's Gun Shows" Published by I. Wish and sons, offered for sale at Barnes and Nobody's.Book one, Chapter two, clearly states; "finding a dowel rod to fit the barrel is a matter of taping a sign to your forehead that clearly states "THIS IS NOT A HOLD-UP I'M HERE FOR DOWEL" and take the gun in question into the local hardware store and test fit several dowels until finding the one that fits."In book two, you'll find where the advanced Walking Gun Show salesman will use what is commonly know as a Livestock stick. Made of fiberglass about 32" long with a taper measuring appx. .412 at the tip to 1.122 at the handle and is reversible for that "Professional fit". This "dowel" will avoid the problems you so accurately described. Of course using such professional equipment, the seller has to step up and sell guns with bigger holes in the barrels such as found in the Llama .45 pistol.
    If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    How am I going to find buyers?Should I just walk around in circles with my little sign and wait for someone to find me?
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    How am I going to find buyers?Should I just walk around in circles with my little sign and wait for someone to find me?
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    How am I going to find buyers?Should I just walk around in circles with my little sign and wait for someone to find me?
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    How am I going to find buyers?Should I just walk around in circles with my little sign and wait for someone to find me?I bought it for the slick Monte-Carlo stock and the hi-cap mag capacity. I paid $250. If I can get $250 or $275 I'll be thrilled.
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    So should I just walk around with my little sign and wait?I bought it for $250, and I'm asking $300. I'm hoping to at least get $250 for it. I'd be thrilled if I got $275.
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  • 5db5db Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bullzeye, hit the "submit" button just once. Do you know the age requirement to be in possession of a rifle in New York?
    If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website[This message has been edited by 5db (edited 01-26-2002).]
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The bad news is this. Since last march you have to get a backround check done on all gunshow sales in NYS. The NYS police do go to the shows undercover and try to buy from you. I know this from personal experience. There is an office for a NICS check at the show. DO NOT try and sell it off paper at the show. I've found it's best to have a dealer friend and just offer him a $10.00 or $15.00 commision if he can sell it off his table. Many dealers will do this after they sell a few guns, in order to keep their table full.WOODS
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Leave the gun in the trunk of your car. Go into the gun show and inquire with one of the dealers as to the legality of private sales within the confines of the show. I used to live in NY (18 months until last June) and I keep thinking that they don't allow private sales at gun shows anymore. You sling the rifle and walk around with it minding your own business and looking at the tables. Eventually you will be approached. Tell the person to meet you somewhere outside of the showgrounds to make the transaction. Don't tell the person if it is for sale while you are on the showgrounds. Simply say that you are willing to discuss it elsewhere and exit the building after giving the person instructions to meet you somewhere. Leave the show separately and space it out by a few minutes. Take a non-direct path towards your destination where the transaction will take place. They were talking about making the mere solicitation illegal on showgrounds so don't even say "yes" or "no" until you are clear of the area.
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  • boeboeboeboe Member Posts: 3,331
    edited November -1
    Why don't you just sell it at auction on gunbroker? Put your $275.00 reserve on it and relist it until it sells. Say in the listing you are an individual and must send to an FFL. You will probably do as good or better at that than selling it at a show.
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good grief, if you're in NY all bets are off. Normally, my methods work fine at gun shows in Indiana. In any case, you will not have to "find" buyers. I assume you're going to spend some time browsing the show, as I always do. If you're only there to sell the gun, you're less likely to be there long enough to get satisfactory results. Just carry the gun and see the show as you normally would.... unless, of course New York (if that's where you are) won't allow it. Then you may need a consignor. I'd pick a smaller table where the guy is selling a select few handguns and rifles and ask him if he'd like one more to attract people to his table. Then tell him how much you'll give him to sell it for X dollars. Give him a tiny bit of haggle room on your behalf.Anyway, that's my 4 cents. (Twice as much as necessary, no doubt).
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • COWBOYKIDDCOWBOYKIDD Member Posts: 239 ✭
    edited November -1
    Bullzeye.. I agree with boeboe. I put mine out there and its up to 140 after a couple days.. Not bad if you consider I traded and assault bag for it.
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  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    In the People's Demokratik Republik of Kalifornia you can sell at gun shows.Whether you can carry a sign depends on the people running the show.In all cases you will have to go through a dealer AND the dealer will have to take possession of the gun for the duration of the waiting period so you have to find a dealer convenient for the buyer.No matter what you need to get put a little more on your sign because NO ONE will everpay your asking price without trying to talk you down. (I don't, do you?) Just don't make it too high or you won't get any nibbles.
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  • WittumWittum Member Posts: 553 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    SAXTON,I clearly stated that i agree with some of these. I do not believe it was a racial slure and i am not racist. I was sleary quoting my father who was a great man. I didnt mean for it to create harm, but if you are going to cry about it i will delete that part. I didnt mean to offened anyone and i dont think i did. How was it vulgar? In any means? [This message has been edited by Wittum (edited 01-26-2002).]
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  • YankeeClipperYankeeClipper Member Posts: 669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wittum-You shouldn't be so hard on the folks from Arkanas:After all thats the home of Billy Boy.
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  • 5db5db Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sooo, what are you going to do? Seems several options given here, best bet the ol'boeboe suggestion GB auction is sound advice if legal to do so in New York. You never did say if you knew the age requirement for possession of a rifle, do you know? If so what is it?
    If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    18 in NY.I dont know what I'm doing yet.
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bullzeye,I've been looking for an SKS and you caught me with a little money on hand. I need a better description of the rifle though. When you say 'accepts detachable magazines' are you referring to the Norinco Sks Sporter Model-D which takes Ak mags, or are you referring to the lipped mags which work in all Sks's? Sporter style meaning it has the 16 inch barrel? Does it have the milled receiver and screw in barrel? Bayonet lug? What is the import date on it?thesupermonkey@hotmail.com
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  • BullzeyeBullzeye Member Posts: 3,560
    edited November -1
    It doesnt take the AK mags, but the SKS detachable mags dont work in just any SKS.You've got to have it specially configured and modified so it'll take em. You cant just rip out the fixed mag and slap in a detachable.It's postban, so no bayo lug, but that also means its in much newer and in better overall condition than most SKSs.Plus unless you plan to collect, what do you want a bayo for anyway?I just got an offer for $250 yesterday. So beat it if you want it.
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you got an offer for 250 TAKE IT!PostBan Norinco Sks's are easy to come by, and most run 150 to 200 depending on condition. I'm trying to find a pre-ban Model D with the 16inch barrel, that way I can have the folding stock... (Poor Monkey's Krinkov)
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