Electronrider
Sharpshooter
So you have decided to go to your first indy 1500. Congradulations! The 1500 is probably thhe biggest and best show here in the midwest.
A few tips and tricks:
Budget a LOT of time for this show. I have a tendancy to walk the tables at a decent pace, and counting stopping half way through for a bite to eat, it takes me 4 to 5 hours. I like to check stuff out, even if it has no interest to my list of desirables for the show. You can learn a LOT about firearms just checking everyhting out. Last time I went, I got to check out a 20MM Lahti, which is a rare gun to see in real life. A high point of that show!
Be patient! You are going to be crammed in with about 5 gazillion other people! This is the only place in the world that has a line to get into the mens room! You will wait in line to get in, you will wait in line to pee, you will wait in line to check out vendors, and you will certainly wait in line to grab a bite to eat.
Know your prices! There are a wide range of deals to be had at the 1500. Some of them are great, some of them suck balls. Caveat Emptor.
Do not waffle! I cannot count the number of times I have been looking for something, seen a decent price at a table, and said that I would come back to this table if I could not find a better price. 1 of 2 things happens when you do this: Either the item has been sold by the time you return, or you end up not being able to find the table when you go back!
Once you find what you are looking for, stop looking for that item! Because sure as the sun rises, you will find it an hour later for a little less, and it will just make you mad
Secure your vehicle! The 1500 is in a poor area of town. Do not leave anything of value in your car, especially if you cant stash it out of sight. Park on the fairground parking areas. Parking in the fairgrounds makes your stuff marginally safer.
Cash is king! I like to take a nice bankroll of cash, ( and have a CC as backup). There are cash machines in the building, but you will be paying a hefty fee, and the machine may be out of cash if you are particularly unlucky.
Do not be afraid to negotiate! If I find something I want, i will almost always ask if that is the best price they can give me. If it is over 50 bucks ar so, I will also add in that I have cash. Sometimes you can get a good percentage off just by asking.
Bring a small pack. There is always one of us in our group that brings a small backpack. It is incredibly handy for all of the little things you will pick up that you didn't even know you wanted!
Do not be afraid to check out people that are carrying guns. Many people bring in guns to sell or trade, and there can be some SMOKING deals to be had from these folks. Be polite and respectful, and do not be afraid to haggle with them.
Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to circumvent the law. If some person offers you firearms that you know are not legal to abtain without proper governmant paperwork, WALK AWAY. Every now and agin you hear stories of people being approached by folks who are offering deals too good to be true, of NFA items "under the radar". The probability of these people being law enforcement is high. Does this happen a lot? who knows, but it IS something you need to be aware of.
Last and not least, Enjoy yourself! I tend to tune out all the negatives of a show this big. You will encounter people blocking rows justso they can **** chat, people who absolutely stink, tables that sell nothing gun related on the, These are all part of the experience.
Anyone else have anyhting to add?
A few tips and tricks:
Budget a LOT of time for this show. I have a tendancy to walk the tables at a decent pace, and counting stopping half way through for a bite to eat, it takes me 4 to 5 hours. I like to check stuff out, even if it has no interest to my list of desirables for the show. You can learn a LOT about firearms just checking everyhting out. Last time I went, I got to check out a 20MM Lahti, which is a rare gun to see in real life. A high point of that show!
Be patient! You are going to be crammed in with about 5 gazillion other people! This is the only place in the world that has a line to get into the mens room! You will wait in line to get in, you will wait in line to pee, you will wait in line to check out vendors, and you will certainly wait in line to grab a bite to eat.
Know your prices! There are a wide range of deals to be had at the 1500. Some of them are great, some of them suck balls. Caveat Emptor.
Do not waffle! I cannot count the number of times I have been looking for something, seen a decent price at a table, and said that I would come back to this table if I could not find a better price. 1 of 2 things happens when you do this: Either the item has been sold by the time you return, or you end up not being able to find the table when you go back!
Once you find what you are looking for, stop looking for that item! Because sure as the sun rises, you will find it an hour later for a little less, and it will just make you mad
Secure your vehicle! The 1500 is in a poor area of town. Do not leave anything of value in your car, especially if you cant stash it out of sight. Park on the fairground parking areas. Parking in the fairgrounds makes your stuff marginally safer.
Cash is king! I like to take a nice bankroll of cash, ( and have a CC as backup). There are cash machines in the building, but you will be paying a hefty fee, and the machine may be out of cash if you are particularly unlucky.
Do not be afraid to negotiate! If I find something I want, i will almost always ask if that is the best price they can give me. If it is over 50 bucks ar so, I will also add in that I have cash. Sometimes you can get a good percentage off just by asking.
Bring a small pack. There is always one of us in our group that brings a small backpack. It is incredibly handy for all of the little things you will pick up that you didn't even know you wanted!
Do not be afraid to check out people that are carrying guns. Many people bring in guns to sell or trade, and there can be some SMOKING deals to be had from these folks. Be polite and respectful, and do not be afraid to haggle with them.
Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to circumvent the law. If some person offers you firearms that you know are not legal to abtain without proper governmant paperwork, WALK AWAY. Every now and agin you hear stories of people being approached by folks who are offering deals too good to be true, of NFA items "under the radar". The probability of these people being law enforcement is high. Does this happen a lot? who knows, but it IS something you need to be aware of.
Last and not least, Enjoy yourself! I tend to tune out all the negatives of a show this big. You will encounter people blocking rows justso they can **** chat, people who absolutely stink, tables that sell nothing gun related on the, These are all part of the experience.
Anyone else have anyhting to add?