I thought an interesting thread might be why or why not you are going to the gun show at the fairgrounds this weekend. I have sat it out For a dozen or so years but think I'll go to check out anything in the Steel and wood department. What y'all think?
Parking and admission costs are too high, that's mainly why I rarely attend this show. I still go once in a while, but I just don't get excited about it. Lots of non-gun related flea market junk too. 20+ years ago when there were multiple stocking NFA dealers at the show and no flea market junk, it was one of the best shows around and I always looked forward to it - bought lots of stuff too. Nowadays I find just as much good stuff at the small shows and without the high cost of parking and admission that the 1500 charges.
I'm going just because it's the biggest one of the year and a buddy wants to go. Otherwise the overpriced 8 dollar parking fee and entry puts you at $20 bucks to see mostly overpriced stuff. There are a few good vendors but they seem to get fewer and fewer. Also be sure to hide everything in your vehicle.
I like the November show and enjoy the 1500 in general. However, I am not looking to buy or sell much of anything right now and sciatica is keeping me from getting around much anyway.
Nothing I need, and I'm not paying $8 to park, then another what, $12? $15? just to get in? So ~$20 just to be there and nothing yet to show for it. No thanks.
Once in the heat of the panic when they had it in the South Pavilion, I actually ate the $5 parking and walked away without getting in. I got there around 4 on Friday when I expected there to be less people. I walked up to the line, which the end was by the west Pavillion almost to the main entrance. I stood there for 5-10 minutes barely moving. When I got maybe 10', and realized the entrance was clear around on the east side of the building, I said screw it. I wasnt waiting at least 45 minutes, then paying to get in and then be packed in like a sardine with many guys who havent even considered a bath in a week. No thanks.
EDIT: Apparently they were at capacity and doing the FIFO thing. Nobody got in until somebody left. So the line was slooooow.
Still up in the air if I'm attending. The cost of parking and entry fee is flat out crazy and a huge turn off. With the upcoming move to Arizona part of me want s to see it before I leave forever and another part of me say I need to save money. It doesn't help that I bought four pistols in the past month so all of my mad money is used up. The flea market garbage is also a huge waste of space and I'm more interested in historic "Old West" guns than new stuff.
Like others, I see no reason to spend 20 just to enter the door and then find higher than retail prices for stuff I dont really need. It would be nice to coon finger a few things but its just not worth it.
I'm trying to go. I always enjoy attending and just looking around if nothing else; I never know what I may find. I've seen the quality of the booths decline over the last years, but I guess since you can buy decent entry level AR's for under $400 out there, the contents of the booths have also gotten cheaper and there is too much flea market crap like candy, jewelry and other misc. things, but I still think seeing the gun and knife items is worth it.
Cost too much to get in.
I hate people especially during sick season.
People stink and like to crop dust.
Everything is overpriced.
Nothing I couldnt order via my phone and have on my door step.
Too far to drive.