SHOT SHOW SLAUGHTER

[SteyrAUG]

You're fellow m4c members don't want you in the SHOT show.

Just the ones that are FFLs trying to conduct business at Shot. A decade ago I was able to put together some great deals since I was able to talk to owners or key reps. A couple small shop manufacturers told me I sold more than anyone else that year.

But at some point I ended up standing in lines 20-40 deep with guys trying to grab free calendars and other swag at the HK and FN booths and I said screw it and walked away. Shot is there for what, four days? They should just have a non FFL day at $150 a ticket and then give actual industry people a couple days to do business.

Guys who are "in the industry" because they make homemade paracord survival bracelets and other crafts that they sell on ebay and then go to shot to fill a push cart with free promotional material which they then sell on ebay have no business there at all.

Never fails, if I'm not there on day ONE I don't get a HK law enforcement catalog because some jackhole has grabbed all of them to sell. It's not exactly free to be a FFL / SOT but it seems I'm in line behind the "free shit for me" crowd all the time.

[Sam]

But at some point I ended up standing in lines 20-40 deep with guys trying to grab free calendars and other swag at the HK and FN booths and I said screw it and walked away. Shot is there for what, four days? They should just have a non FFL day at $150 a ticket and then give actual industry people a couple days to do business.

Guys who are "in the industry" because they make homemade paracord survival bracelets and other crafts that they sell on ebay and then go to shot to fill a push cart with free promotional material which they then sell on ebay have no business there at all.

Never fails, if I'm not there on day ONE I don't get a HK law enforcement catalog because some jackhole has grabbed all of them to sell. It's not exactly free to be a FFL / SOT but it seems I'm in line behind the "free shit for me" crowd all the time.

Agreed with all of this. I'll save you all the catalogs. LOL.

[lowprone]

If anyone thinks their going to offset a trip to SHOT/Vegas by selling swag, good luck with that.

[C4IGrant]

Less people? I would call that winning! If you are not a REAL BUYER (with at least $100k in your bank account) stay home and just go to the NRA show.


C4

[caporider]

Less people? I would call that winning! If you are not a REAL BUYER (with at least $100k in your bank account) stay home and just go to the NRA show.


C4

Agreed!

I went to SHOT for years as a buyer and you could not pay me to go back as a non-industry dude. I'd much rather sip my coffee in the comfort of my home and watch the bazillion videos that showcase all the cool stuff. And really, half the stuff you're seeing is unavailable, will never be available, or will become available and suck.

[Renegade]

Less people? I would call that winning! If you are not a REAL BUYER (with at least $100k in your bank account) stay home and just go to the NRA show.


C4

LOL

A lot of vendors would not be allowed in!

[SteyrAUG]

If anyone thinks their going to offset a trip to SHOT/Vegas by selling swag, good luck with that.

But these guys are fine with "beer money" profits. They don't have FFLs, it's usually a hobby business and they have a day job or live in their parents basement.

Vegas is the part that also sucks. Getting a suite in Orlando was almost free by comparison. Just more reasons I don't bother with Shot any more.

[SteyrAUG]

LOL

A lot of vendors would not be allowed in!

No kidding. I have 100k in inventory, but not in my bank account.

[High Tower]

Less people? I would call that winning! If you are not a REAL BUYER (with at least $100k in your bank account) stay home and just go to the NRA show.


C4

100% agree. I don't mind the attendance, but it is frustrating when buyers cannot access reps, products, etc because people who will never write an order are taking up space in the booths.

[SilverBullet432]

Reading through this makes me curious: If you are a buyer, and go to the H&K booth for example and let’s say you want to buy 100 MP5’s (for example) will H&K sell them to you directly as a buyer or would you have to go through their “distributors”. I’d imagine it varies by manufacturer of course. I attend a similar trade show for my industry (Permian Basin International Oil Show) which is really for industry folks and buyers only, Not open to the public, and many products are only available through distribution and not direct. It seems like the manufacturers are only there to show off the newest toys. The free swag is cool, of course.