Shooting Show

[dromia]

I would challenge that it meets all the shooting needs, certainly a lot of stuff, especially new mainstream and fashionable, However my interests for example old, out of production and second hand aren't well represented as a minority market. The cost, as you have pointed out, cuts against the small, low volume, specialist interest business attending.

[Primer]

I agree Primer, given the price of a stand at the show the vendors are going to have to shift a lot of items to even recoup the stand costs so there is little incentive to sell at discounted prices.

As an example we were quoted GBP640 for a small stand with banner (Ex VAT) We would have had to sell a lot of stock to get that back, let alone make a profit if we discounted our items for the show.

I do not expect to find any true bargains at the show, yes some people may be knocking a fiver off here and there, the real advantage is it is a one stop shop for all of your shooting needs and you should be able to find everything from a broken case extractor to a .50BMG rifle if you so desire

We are there to meet up with people we know and have a peer at the latest products.

It would certainly be interesting to see the accounts for the organisers as someone is making money from it and its not the retailers for sure, also normally rule of thumb is that caterers are normally charged double if not triple the normal sellers fees, that's why the food and drink is so expensive in these places.

It's a good place to see a lot of stuff you would only ever see on the net or in magazines . A nice little lottery win this weekend would be good as then I could splash out on loads of stuff

[ovenpaa]

I would challenge that it meets all the shooting needs, certainly a lot of stuff, especially new mainstream and fashionable, However my interests for example old, out of production and second hand aren't well represented as a minority market. The cost, as you have pointed out, cuts against the small, low volume, specialist interest business attending.

Dromia, I do agree the Strange Old Wooden Rifle collector is not particularly well catered for at the Shooting Show and the older rifles are always optimistically priced if they are available. Is there such a thing as a bargain these days?

[BaconButty]

Ahh fair enough, well I've not got my FAC yet so won't be looking to buy much to be honest. Like the rest of you, I'm more interested in being able to see things all in one place.

Also the bacon butties promised in the car park.. if I'm honest, thats the *real* reason I'm going

[dromia]

I would challenge that it meets all the shooting needs, certainly a lot of stuff, especially new mainstream and fashionable, However my interests for example old, out of production and second hand aren't well represented as a minority market. The cost, as you have pointed out, cuts against the small, low volume, specialist interest business attending.

Dromia, I do agree the Strange Old Wooden Rifle collector is not particularly well catered for at the Shooting Show and the older rifles are always optimistically priced if they are available. Is there such a thing as a bargain these days?

So not the be all and end all of shooting shows as some would like us to believe more like a trade show for retail customers.

[TJC]

Got my ticket. Heading up Saturday.

[Rearlugs]

I would challenge that it meets all the shooting needs, certainly a lot of stuff, especially new mainstream and fashionable, However my interests for example old, out of production and second hand aren't well represented as a minority market. The cost, as you have pointed out, cuts against the small, low volume, specialist interest business attending.

Chris Smith and few other historic arms RFDs will be there; he'll have some of my stock with him. Problem is that our stuff is so low-margin and low-volume that its hard to cover show costs. I usually make a loss even on the Bisley arms fairs - I only do them for the social pleasure of meeting our shooting bretheren and seeing their happy faces. O.k., some of them are a bit dour, but its the thought that counts...

[Christel]

Chris Smith and few other historic arms RFDs will be there; he'll have some of my stock with him. Problem is that our stuff is so low-margin and low-volume that its hard to cover show costs. I usually make a loss even on the Bisley arms fairs - I only do them for the social pleasure of meeting our shooting bretheren and seeing their happy faces. O.k., some of them are a bit dour, but its the thought that counts...

Well said :lol: :lol:

[dromia]

I attend three Bisley fairs a year and so far have come out ahead on all of them. Won't make a second retirement on them though but as has been said its good to meet with like minded people occasionally and fly the flag, the Bisley fairs suit me for that.

Also I have seen some nice stuff there now and then.

Shooting show, naw. Too much like a shopping mall experience for my taste.

[majordisorder]

Having not been before is it worth taking a gun up I want to part-ex for something new?