SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

[alpha6164]

Before i start i fully realize that the SHOT show is for people in the industry etc and not open for general public. I am a huge fan and having spent $40-60K in the last three years on firearms of all kinds i would love to be at the epicenter of it for once. If any of the vendors of individuals have the ability to get a pass i would highly appreciate it. I would of course over all costs associate with the pass etc and drinks on me in Vegas

 

[KYS]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

This was not the way to go about it....

Having spent 40-60K in the last three years means nothing is owed to you in getting to go to the show. Most dealers spend that in one order. Your best bet if you ever want to see it, is find a friend or a person with a store that is willing to take you if you pay your way and his. Thats about the only way short of getting an FFL and business going.

 

[alpha6164]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYS338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This was not the way to go about it....

Having spent 40-60K in the last three years means nothing is owed to you in getting to go to the show. Most dealers spend that in one order. Your best bet if you ever want to see it, is find a friend or a person with a store that is willing to take you if you pay your way and his. Thats about the only way short of getting an FFL and business going. </div></div>


I am not sure where you see in my post that i said that something is owed to me??? I just said i am an enthusiast and would love to go to the show. And yes dealers may order $40-60k in an order, but i would bet any dealer here would confirm that if a SINGLE individual dropped $40k with them that they consider them a very good customer.

 

[KYS]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

A good customer..... over 3 years. Sure.
But you came off as someone owed you a pass because of what you spent. And thats going to get you nowhere with these guys.

I was passing some knowledge along... take it or leave it.

 

[trophyhunter]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

not being a d!ck, but why don't you ask your dealer that you spent most of that money with. My dealer has mentioned it to me a few times if I wanted to go, I said no. YEAH RIGHT I told him i'd pay for hotel and airfare. Its worth a shot...

 

[KYS]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trophyhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not being a d!ck, but why don't you ask your dealer that you spent most of that money with. My dealer has mentioned it to me a few times if I wanted to go, I said no. YEAH RIGHT I told him i'd pay for hotel and airfare. Its worth a shot... </div></div>

There ya go. Good idea!

 

[alpha6164]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trophyhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not being a d!ck, but why don't you ask your dealer that you spent most of that money with. My dealer has mentioned it to me a few times if I wanted to go, I said no. YEAH RIGHT I told him i'd pay for hotel and airfare. Its worth a shot... </div></div>


I put out a call today to the dealer. I just didnt know if they have a set number of passes etc. I know several of their employees go every year. But needless to say i made the call today. We'll see what happens.

 

[trophyhunter]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

in all honesty i would probably have invested in a FFL license, (I'm thinking about it myself) if I was to spend that kind of money. Just in discounts you would save way more to cover the cost of license. FFL's are generally allowed a certain # of tickets to the SHOW. My dealer is a small business which he runs himself so he is allowed a buyer and a guest.

I'm that guest... I hope.

 

[alpha6164]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trophyhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">in all honesty i would probably have invested in a FFL license, (I'm thinking about it myself) if I was to spend that kind of money. Just in discounts you would save way more to cover the cost of license. FFL's are generally allowed a certain # of tickets to the SHOW. My dealer is a small business which he runs himself so he is allowed a buyer and a guest.

I'm that guest... I hope. </div></div>


I was under the impression that to have an FFL you need a store front or a place that this business is being operated. I am a physician with multiple practices but it would hardly pass for a gun store

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: alpha6164</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was under the impression that to have an FFL you need a store front or a place that this business is being operated. I am a physician with multiple practices but it would hardly pass for a gun store

</div></div>

Not true. There are plenty of guys who operate out of their houses and just have a llc or whatever. I have filled out all the paperwork, and have the companys's name reserved through the state, but have yet to file them.

 

[trophyhunter]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

dedicated business room, safe storage for firearms, hours of operation. This is what I found, could be incomplete on requirements of FFL "store"
I was going to use my home office, I have a safe, and I was going to sell by appointment only. Usually take 60days

 

[Phylodog]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

Surely some of the members who've been around awhile will remember some of the pics Alpha has posted over the past few years. I'd think someone would be willing to help him out in return...

 

[bachelorjack]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

As someone who has been to SHOT and doesn't want to take free passes and free tickets and free accomodations to go to another, let me explain to you why.

SHOT show is a place where dealers and manufacturers get together and make sales. That's why it exists and that's its entire purpose. If I go it's to make money. Otherwise I could have stayed home.

The problem with SHOT in recent years is the super influx of people who have no reason to be there. They cannot purchase directly usually. And they just stop by the booth to stay Hi, or to even compliment you on your products. Which is cool I guess. Unless you run into one of those situations.

Imagine Alpha and Jered from American Precision Arms come up to your booth at the same time. Jered asks a question, then alpha starts talking. Who do you talk to? Who do you as a manufacturer focus on? What impact does this wrong decision have on your potential sales? How much does it cost you to talk to Alpha as a retail customer and ignore Jered? I really hope this makes sense.

Often times people do not introduce themselves. You are stuck relying on their badges. Which if Alpha gets a badge won't show him as a valued customer, but as an industry entity. You can easily waste a whole day talking to guys like Alpha. And a booth will cost you easily $10k a day. So...

I'm not saying customers shouldn't be talked to. I am saying this is not the venue. After talking to others from all over the industry, I can state for certain that I'm not the only person who feels this way.

Customer appreciation day should be different than dealer recruitment day. That's my point.

 

[bigdog2084]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

I have been to shot the last 3 years and it is a great experience. It is great to see all of the stuff but if you are a buyer the companies don't have time for you unfortunately.

 

[Pat M]

Re: SHOT show 2012! Can anyone help with passes??

So your saying that to check out the new hot cars you should have to have a credit check to make sure you can afford it before the even smell the leather or god forbid you touch it.