[longdayjake]

I had posted earlier my story on the thread titled "Things that store clerks say." Here is a copy of my post.
I went into a shop a while ago looking to buy a used glock for my wife. I am in law enforcement so I know how easy it is to take the slide off of a glock and check the barrel. I figured that since I was a common visitor and that glocks are not even remotely difficult to put back together, there would be no problem. The clerk then begins to lecture me about how he wouldn't go into my house and start taking apart my toaster or tv and I should not have done that without asking first. Maybe he has a point, but treating a potential customer like that was very offensive. I can spend my money else where without being lectured. So, I put it back together in about 2 seconds, handed it back to him, and apoligized for my misdeed left not intending to return. The best part is he was the type of clerk that had no clue what he was talking about unless it involved doing something illegal. For that he was a pro.

Anyway, several ensuing posts defended the clerk saying that I should have asked to take it apart first. I figured that I could take the blame for this one and give this store one more try today. After all I try to be forgiving and understanding if I can be.

I needed some reloading components: bullets, powder, and casings. I planned on spending about $75 bucks. Anyway, as I was going into the store I noticed an ad for black lab puppies next to the door, so for a few seconds (not more than 5) I held the door open to look for the price of the puppies. I found the price (way too much) and entered the store. Before I took 3 steps into the store the same clerk spouts loud enough for everyone in the store to hear, "How about I go to your house and hold the door open with the air conditioning on?"

I turned around and said, "see ya later." At which point he realized that his rudeness was going to lose a customer so he quickly said, "I'm sorry sir." I decided not to stay, but in hindsight I should have let him try to make it good by giving me a discount on something but alas I am a doof. Anyway, I just wanted to write this mostly to just ask store clerks to be patient with your dumb customers. This store lost thousands of dollars in future business from me simply by making me feel unwelcome both times that I went into the store to buy something. I had previously bought reloading components, slings, cleaning kits, and done ffl transfers from this business that will have to go to somewhere else. I hate to give my money to big businesses like Sportmans Warehouse, but atleast they ask to help me rather than make me feel like a jerk.

I am feeling a little bad about this since both times I was doing something that he had somewhat valid complaints about, so I just want to ask if I am wrong in storming out of the store? Should I go back and apologize and tell the clerk why I was so upset. I think he probably recognized me but I am not sure if he realized that he had already given me the "I'm gonna go to your house and blow it up," speech.

[MinnMooney]

Well, no one can say that the clerk was only having ONE bad day. He's just a jerk and shouldn't be working retail.

I wouldn't have given him a 2nd chance after that 1st bebuff.

[Viking88]

I would have turned around and left too. Sounds to me like he didn't get enough attention as a kid.

[General Geoff]

Unless it's the owner of the business, I wouldn't put too much stock in what the employee does. Just write a letter and snail-mail it to the owner and let him know your concerns about his employee.

[armoredman]

Done deal - you could call the store owner/manager and explain why you won't be returning, in detail. Heaven only knows how much business this guy has cost the store.

[Seancass]

i think you should avoid storming out in general. the employee probably just shrugged it off and didnt learn any lesson. store clerks can have bad days too. No they shouldn't take it out on you, but you can learn to shrug stuff off too, don't take clerks to seriously or personally. I barely even pay attention to the people behind the counter unless they're handing me a gun.

[Old School]

I am no saint on this topic for sure. I imagine I have written off good businesses based on employee behavior many times over the years. However, I am with armoredman on this one. Sometimes business owners aren't aware that they have an employee that is hurting their business. The owner himself might be a really solid guy. You might be doing him a huge favor by sharing your experience with him.

[Brent J]

If the business doesn't want the guns disassembled, then they should post a notice at or behind the counter that they would prefer to take a gun apart.
As for the door, then don't put notices on the door!
What gets me are the people who hold open a door to a re4staurant for who knows how long waiting for the other(s) in their party to even get to the door, all the while letting in flies, gnats, et al.

[DragonFire]

Even if what you did was completely wrong, and I'm not saying it was, it was completely wrong for him to respond they way he did. I wouldn't appologize to him, but I might give him one more chance.

Be prepared to act differently if he give you another lecture. Instead of just walking out, point out his stupidity and see if he apologizes. Maybe ask to talk to a manager or owner, so you can tell them how the clerk is driving away customers.

But you should make a decision for yourself before you go back. Is there any real reason to give him another chance? What will you gain from it? Sometimes it's worth the hassle, and sometimes it just isn't.


I have a "custom" gun shop just down the road from me. From what I've heard, the owner is a great gun smith for big custom-built rifles and such. From experience I know he hates to have to run a retail store. When I first started getting into reloading, I bought a press at a big discount from a distributor a good many miles away. I then went to the custom shop to get all the components. I started saying "I just ordered a press and I was wondering", and couldn't get another word out before he started lecturing me on how he couldn't afford to give me a bunch of free advice after a bought a press from someone else.

I had intended to ask which reloading manual he thought would be good for a newbie reloader. I still bought the manual from him, but kept the other couple of hundred bucks I had intended to spend in my pocket. The second time I was in his shop I could barely get enough of his time to check out with a red dot scope.

The third (and last) time I was there I was looking for a used, single stage reloading press (long story why). He brought out a rusty, grime encrusted, hunk of metal he called a press (I forget what brand/model he said it was). He said it was $100, and I'd be a complete idiot if I didn't just grab it, because if he cleaned it up it would be worth twice the price (even though I bought a Dillion SQB for just about $250). I said no thanks, and he said something to the fact that "so you're going to be an idiot?".

I never said another word as I left the shop, and I will NEVER go back. I've thought about it a couple of times, and I just can't see any reason to go back.

[ctdonath]

The term is "not suffering fools gladly."
I'm rapidly getting that way. It's easy to ask for a superior, or just walk out. We customers don't have to sheepishly take it; there are plenty of other venues eager for our business. Life is too short to spend time bickering with twits and then wallowing in the negativity long afterwards.

Contrary to social programming: you can just walk away from a conversation. You can hang up on telemarketers with nary a word. You can drop the Glock parts on the counter and walk out of the store. You can ask the matre 'd for a different waiter, or just step out of the restraunt. You can close the door in the solicitor's face. Correcting their social ettiquite isn't your problem.

[musher]

Depends on how much energy you want to invest, but if I were the owner, I would appreciate a short note describing the two incidents (as you have here).

[Old School]

"Contrary to social programming: you can just walk away from a conversation. You can hang up on telemarketers with nary a word. You can drop the Glock parts on the counter and walk out of the store. You can ask the matre 'd for a different waiter, or just step out of the restraunt. You can close the door in the solicitor's face. Correcting their social ettiquite isn't your problem."

I have done all of these things at one time or another. I still do just hang up on telemarketers. Face to face, I choose to show as much compassion as I can muster. It is hard sometimes for me but, I think I like myself better when I am curtius as possible. Also, I like to make sure I am not making unneccesary enemies. I have had run ins with people in the past, only to have them appear in my life later creating an awkward situation.

[longdayjake]

I have decided to write to the owner and let him know about my two experiences. I don't know how much good it will do since I know that the owner and this clerk are "buddies." But I figure I may let let him know that he has lost a customer. Worst part about it is that the store is exactly one block from my house and I often walk there to get little stuff when I run out while reloading. Their prices are higher than everyone elses, but sometimes the convenience is worth the prices for me. I want to return but I don't really think that I could feel welcome anymore. Oh well. Thanks for the responses guys!

[Mr White]

Write the owner. Include copies of receipts from other stores and let him know why your money will no longer be going to his store.

When a store owner sees in bladk and white just how much money his clerk's rudeness has cost his business, that will make him take notice.

[longdayjake]

Include copies of receipts from other stores and let him know why your money will no longer be going to his store.

Good idea. I went to Sportsman's to get my stuff and will just send a copy along with my letter.

[Rachen]

The clerk then begins to lecture me about how he wouldn't go into my house and start taking apart my toaster or tv and I should not have done that without asking first. Maybe he has a point, but treating a potential customer like that was very offensive.

I don't know, but does anyone else find the clerk's statements hilariously FUNNY?

Heck, I am laughing so hard right now I can't even stop.:D

Going into peoples' houses and taking apart TVs and toasters, oh my!

[Cosmoline]

I always given them one or two chances before leaving for good. Sometimes folks just have a bad day. But then again sometimes the clerks are jerks and the owner is a jerk. Jerks all around. Best to avoid such places I find. Life is too short.

[longdayjake]

funny in a stupid sort of way or funny like he was trying to make a joke? Cause his tone was definately not joking. However, I tell my friends about it and we all have a good chuckle because they know exactly which clerk I am talking about.

[Rachen]

funny in a stupid sort of way or funny like he was trying to make a joke? Cause his tone was definately not joking.

Of course, funny in a stupid sort of way!:D Why the heck would someone go into someone elses' house and start taking apart the TV or toaster or whatever? The TV/toaster isn't being sold?, unlike the Glock you were looking at? Right?

And even if someone was selling a TV or toaster, there would be no reason for the customer to take them apart. When I purchased my 1911A1, it was my first instinct to check it out a bit, of course, after making sure it is unloaded and everything. And the store owner encouraged it, since he wanted his customers to spend the greatest time shopping at his place.

OMG I am still laughing!

[K96771]

I am now old enough to sound like my father. I do not believe that it is my responsibility to educate employers about their hired help, or to look for the good in the inept counter help. Life is too short and there are too many of them these days. I move on and leave my money with the merchant that acts like he appreciates my business.

[Old School]

"Life is too short and there are too many of them these days."

LOL, it does seem like that some days.

[mhinagoya]

ctdonath

You are on the money.

I am a 'one strike' shopper. If you are going to give me a bad time, get your money's worth, because it is the only shot you will ever get.

I don't call or talk to the owner and I don't write "E" mails or letters. I don't bad mouth the store to other people either. It is the responsibility of the owner and/or manager to run the business. It is entirely up to them to run it in to the ground or in to the future.

I absolutely will not pay someone to treat me poorly.

Bill.

[shouldifail]

my first instinct would have been to walk out...
second instinct would be to have used his "how bout i come to your house.." logic and turned it around on him by saying something along the lines of "how bout i leave YOUR store, and spend my money elsewhere"...

upon the second visit...seeing a pattern with the guy and his "your house" mantra, i might have just come out with something like "well howzabout i go to your house and hide dill pickles in your wifes panty drawer/ poop in your bathtub/shave your dog...etc"
sometimes getting a laugh out of someone breaks the ice enough to negate errors on both parties behalf..

perhaps you might make an effort to talk to the clerk. explain that you would like to continue to do business there, but don't appreciate being treated rudely. also let him know that you have NO problems spending your hard earned money elsewhere.

maybe he'll make it right? maybe he's just a crotchety old fool? maybe he starts all conversations with something about coming over to your house?...

you know what they say...3rd time is a charm. either make it or break it.

[longdayjake]

I have discussed this with one of my buddies and we are planning to have him do the same thing. First he is going to hold open the door for a while before he goes in. Next he is going to go and ask to look at a glock and then start taking it apart. We were thinking about having a digital recorder to document the occasion. If he screws up again we will have evidence of his actions to send to the owner. I have nothing better to do and I figure that we could see if he learned his lesson.

[Brian Dale]

You've given the clerk his second chance already, longdayjake. The thing that I see in favor of giving the store that unusual third chance is that it's a block from your house. If the owner turns out to be someone that you can deal with, then it'll have been worth it.

[TxState101]

If I have a bad experience with a place, I will tell people about it if it comes up in the general course of discussion. But otherwise, most of the people I associate with know I dislike certain stores.

As an employee at Academy, I realize I have to humble myself. What I would chastise certain people about at my home or a friend's home, I can't do at the store. Simply because I am getting paid to fix what they screw up. I can't press my values or anything on any customer, unless they specifically ask for my advice and I tell them what I honestly believe.

I was chewed out for about thirty minutes by one of my managers because one customer felt compelled to complain to them about how I handled them. Something about me not knowing the exact details about a certain reel behind the counter and him over-exaggerating what he was planning on doing. Said he was going to spend over $400 at the store on a rod and reel setup, but he was really looking at a $60 reel, and our most expensive rod is about $120.

Anyway, several weeks later, some prick explodes on us because we can't give him every last detail on some reel, and so I get fairly rude and snippy with him, and I fully expected him to complain to a manager, but he refrained. Mostly, I just called him out on what he wanted to find and answered his questions with damn rude answers.

Sometimes, employees can't deal with certain situations due to past experiences. Had the second situation been the first time, I wouldn't have minded so much. But because I know how ridiculous some people can be, especially now that I have more experience under my belt, I know what to expect. I'll treat everybody polite and respectful and go the whole way for them. But if somebody decides that they're better than me and treat me like horse crap, then yes, I will not treat them like a customer, and I could really care less what management, co-workers, or other customers think of that. If they believe I did right, then great, if they believe I did wrong, oh well.

Point is, sometimes employees have bad days, bad experiences, but if I had a bad experience at a store, I would avoid going back to it if I could. If it happens more than once, you can't blame it on bad days, don't give them any more chances.

[ScotZ]

Gun shops are a pet peave of mine. I seem to either get complete idiots behind the counter or condesending elitist. Not much in between. A nice friendly gun shop seems to be almost an oxy moron. The elitist will tell you they are grouchy because they have to deal with complete morons all day and the idiots will tell you the same thing:D:what:. I thought sharing your knowledge and helping others, kind of went with the territory.

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Write the owner. It will at least give you peace of mind knowing that either a) the clerk was berated or b) the owner is a jackass too.

Also, in a best case scenario there is a good chance that he will give you a discount or a freebie. I'd include a couple of things in your letter that you actual want like the reloading supplies. Or mention that you will go to the big box store because the glock is $50 cheaper - and see if he discounts it.

[woof]

In both cases I would have told the clerk in question I wanted to speak to the manager/owner immediately. Then I would simply ask whether that is the behavior they want the employees to exhibit or not. Yes I leave, no I stay. As for the Glock, I feel that when a gun store cleark hands me a gun it is reasonable to expect that I am going to examine it as thoroughly as they did when they took it in and that includes removing the slide. If they don't want me doing that, they should say so up front, and perhaps offer to do it themselves.

[1911Tuner]

Store property...Store rules. Why would you assume...not being
a regular and well enough aquainted with the counterman for him to know your skill level...that it would be okay to disassemble a gun without first getting permission?

I'm well-known in local gun shops, and they all know that I'm fully qualified...and I always ask first.
It's just the proper thing to do.

For the record, I don't think that the clerk was at all out of line. My response would have been pretty much the same...except I wouldn't have been as polite.

[woof]

I guess the disagreement on this explains why some people go to some stores and some don't.

[longdayjake]

For the record, I don't think that the clerk was at all out of line. My response would have been pretty much the same...except I wouldn't have been as polite.

Just curious, but what would you have said? And what is wrong with being polite? Isn't that the high road to take? In fact it is one of the rules on this forum. Also, it would be more conducive to selling stuff to people. But I guess if being right outweighs the desire to make a living then perhaps Darwin had something going when he came up with natural selection. As is the case in most of the posts on this thread, most people upon hearing this story would not want to enter a store that is constantly going to make you feel like an idiot and a jerk every time you make minute mistakes.

[SapperMapper]

Different location, similar situation. There are two ranges about 2 miles apart near me. When I first moved here, I had could have gone to either, but one had a decent website, so that's where I started doing my shooting. I took my CHL course there, taught my wife to shoot clays there, and never had a problem. At the end of March, my wife's cousin was in town. He'd never shot a gun before, so off to the range we went. There was a Mexican dude there, shooting with his whole family:wife, 3 kids, brother; and all of them having a great time. We had similar .22LR target pistols, and traded back and forth. We moved to the 50 yd range to fire our .22 rifles. He had a spinner set up, and let us shoot that, too. Real nice guy. Suddenly, here comes one of the range staff.

"Boy, you must be made of money to be shootin' that thing!"

Me and Pedro: "Huh?"

"I just hope you got the money to pay for fixing up the damage you caused!"

again, "Huh?!?", Pedro, "What do you mean, sir?"

"That spinner! It's sitting right in front of my railroad ties and tearing them to pieces. You keep shooting that thing, you're buying me a new railroad tie!"

At this point it would be appropriate to point out that the range is pretty low budget. Target stands are pretty rickety and typically shot to hell.

Pedro took the spinner down, and left after letting his 7yr old daughter finish drilling out the bullseye with Dad's bolt-action .17. If the RO had simply asked clearly in the first place, it wouldn't have been such a big deal. But our inability to immediately understand his cryptic comments only made him angrier about what was really a trivial problem. I started wondering how long it would be before one of the staff treated me the same way. Or would they never treat me wrong, because I'm not Mexican (white)? I decided that I didn't need to go back.

Lo and behold, the range up the street is cheaper, and the folks are courteous and professional.

Moral of the story: You don't have to tolerate poor treatment of yourself or others.

[DFW1911]

Anyway, I just wanted to write this mostly to just ask store clerks to be patient with your dumb customers.

You are not a dumb customer: you are an experienced and informed customer. Do any of us buy an auto without breaking it down first? I don't.

I think what may have happened is he realized you knew more about firearms than he did. To save face he came up with that ridiculous response.

The others have nailed it: send the owner of firearms you intent to buy and why you'll be taking your business elsewhere. I would imagine as an LEO the owner is going to cringe a bit since you'll not recommend that store to fellow officers, unless there are some deep discounts available and you don't have to work with that guy again (see where I'm going with this?) :)

Don't let his ignorance supplant your knowledge as the least common denominator. You did the right thing and he just didn't know how to handle it.

Thanks,
DFW1911

[evan price]

"Boy, you must be made of money to be shootin' that thing!"

Me and Pedro: {edited} "Don't call me Boy."

Nuff said.

[Huckle2]

Rude clerk at a gun shop? You gave him one more chance than deserved. Rudeness is a habit for this person. I would have let him know the first time how much money the business would be losing. He would not care, he gets paid either way, just make me feel better.

[1911Tuner]

Just curious, but what would you have said?

In a clear, distinct tone, somethin' along the lines of:

"Uh...Say buddy! You wanna ask somebody before ya start takin' liberties with our guns?"

Easy to tell the ones here who haven't been on the other side of the counter...

[DragonFire]

Uh...Say buddy! You wanna ask somebody before ya start takin' liberties with our guns

And if he had asked would you have let him? If so, than while the customer may have been wrong for not asking, it wouldn't/shouldn't have been a big deal. Certainly not a big enough deal to be rude about.


And you're reply isn't very impolite. You get the point across without making the customer feel like an idiot or that he's being yelled at.

[1911Tuner]

And if he had asked would you have let him?

No. Not unless I knew him AND had knowledge that he was experienced enough not to damage the gun.

And you're reply isn't very impolite.

Oh, trust me. My tone and facial expression would be plenty impolite. Been there and done that.

If you'd just bought a new pistol, and headed out to your car with your prize...and somebody you'd never met before asked to see it...and he immediately started taking it apart without asking...what would your reaction be?

After having worked the other side of the counter, I still never cease to be amazed at the people who feel like just because they MIGHT buy something...that it somehow entitles them to do as they please with somebody else's property.

[kevindsingleton]

I'm a little surprised that the LEO is suggesting that he'd clandestinely record a gun store clerk's conversation! Wouldn't that be illegal?

I never let service people get away with being rude to me, any more. I did when I was young and dumb. Stand up to the idiots, and make sure the manager is aware (sometimes you may have to get a little loud). In any retail business, money talks. Make sure they know what it's costing them to be rude to you. Even if you don't get what you came for, it feels good when you leave, and a couple other customers leave with you.

Life's too short, eh?

[TexasSkyhawk]

For the record, I don't think that the clerk was at all out of line. My response would have been pretty much the same...except I wouldn't have been as polite.

Oh, trust me. My tone and facial expression would be plenty impolite. Been there and done that.

Random thoughts. . .

[TexasSkyhawk]

For the record, I don't think that the clerk was at all out of line. My response would have been pretty much the same...except I wouldn't have been as polite.

Oh, trust me. My tone and facial expression would be plenty impolite. Been there and done that.

Random thoughts. . .

• I've been on both sides of the counter. Used to help out a partner in a sister agency who owned a gun store/indoor shooting range. Lot of us fed boys helped him out. You would have lasted about one, maybe two days working for us with that kind of attitude.

• What never ceases to amaze me is how many clerks seem to know more about the law than most law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges all put together.

• Likewise, the same goes for gun-store groupies.

• The second thing that amazes me is that to listen to most gun store clerks talk about their own weapons and their shooting abilities and experience, Rob Leatham, Elmer Keith, Audie Murphy, John Wayne and Rambo would bow down in awe.

• Likewise, the same goes for gun-store groupies.

• It may be "your property" all right, but if you want me to buy it, you'd damn well better let me look over it and check it out. When I'm looking at cars, I don't ask permission to pop the hood.

• While some folks can tear up a crowbar and anvil, it's pretty hard to damage most modern era handguns by breaking them down into barrel, slide, spring. If your guns are that fragile, no thanks--I'll stick to my guns that aren't.

• A lot of folks who are shopping for guns are novice owners. They may not know or be aware of all the etiquette surrounding gun stores. You can either make a customer for life by how you treat them, or you can make a detractor for life by how you treat them. Choose wisely.

• Conversations like this one remind me why I do as little business as human possible with retail gun stores.

• Conversations like this one remind us all why online gun "e-tailers" are booming while brick and mortar gun retailers are busting.

Jeff

[Hawk]

I'm waffling on this one.

I'm in the process of "breaking in" a new dealer so we're back to square one where I ask permission to do much of anything. Thus far this has mostly been dry-firing revolvers that didn't yet have a turn line. (The response has been a reasonable "Go ahead but once or twice only, please.")

I can't say for certain I'd have been as circumspect about taking the slide off a Glock - it's not like these things have mirror polished blue surfaces. On the other hand, I can't much imagine why I'd feel compelled to do so - unless Glocks have a history of rare yet visible barrel issues.

But I'd probably take my medicine if he advised me the Glock slide was the same as a NIB model 40 or an STI Legend in his view. It's his Glock.

One thing for certain: if it started with a lecture about holding the door open, matters would never have gotten as far as the manner in which I inspect the merchandise.

[Sergeant Sabre]

I'm a little surprised that the LEO is suggesting that he'd clandestinely record a gun store clerk's conversation! Wouldn't that be illegal?

Depends on state law. Would not be illegal in Michigan if done in person. Would be a felony if done on the phone.

[DragonFire]

Not unless I knew him AND had knowledge that he was experienced enough not to damage the gun.

But this customer already disassebled the gun, without problem, and without damaging the gun. So why lecture him? Maybe politely inform him that he should have asked, by why be rude over something the could have happened (damaging the gun) but DIDN'T!

If you'd just bought a new pistol, and headed out to your car with your prize...and somebody you'd never met before asked to see it...and he immediately started taking it apart without asking...what would your reaction be?

I wouldn't let him see it! BUT, if I was trying to sell it, I certainly would allow him to inspect it, and actually would expect him to.

I still never cease to be amazed at the people who feel like just because they MIGHT buy something...that it somehow entitles them to do as they please with somebody else's property.

It's called "doing business". It's not doing "as they please", it's doing what any reasonable person would be expected to do. You are not justified in being rude to a customer just because they MIGHT do something to damage the merchandise. And even if some customer gives you cause, why be rude when being polite might serve the same purpose while not driving the customer away!

[230RN]

I dood dat once.

One of my two most embarrassing moments with firearms.

This was back in about '65, when you could buy a German Luger for about 10% of what you can nowadays.

I got interested in them and did a little book-research, and found out how to strip one (no, I don't remember how anymore, and there was no internet back then) and walked into a gun shop.

Asked to see a Luger, asked if I could strip it to check it out (I really just wanted to show off my "expertise"), the guy said sure, and I stripped it down quite professionally.

I looked at the mechanical guts all critical-like, poking my eyeballs here and there, flexing the toggle, holding it up to the light and all that "perfeshinal" crap, said ok, and tried to put it back together.

For about five minutes.

Getting redder and redder with each second.

You know the end of the story, don't you?

You know how a bad dog looks when he skulks away from you?

I guess there are jerks on both sides of the counter.

I'm one of them.

[La Pistoletta]

for a few seconds (not more than 5) I held the door open to look for the price of the puppies...the same clerk spouts loud enough for everyone in the store to hear, "How about I go to your house and hold the door open with the air conditioning on."

Wow, that's uncalled for. A "could you close the door please, the air conditioning is on" would have sufficed. It's not like you did it out of spite. Judging by your recount of the situation, you did the right thing not to do business there.

[falling down]

I engage a rude person, calmly.
Much of the world will tolerate that behavior and that's why they keep being rude.

I'm not looking for a fight but to clear the air. Rude people do not expect a conversation, they are used to drive by comments or insults. This works 80% of the time. ( I'll admit it helps being NFL sized..)

It's evident in all retail not just gun stores. Customers can be a pain in the ass however you are getting paid to sell to them. Seek employment elsewhere if you are miserable.

[skywarp_]

Alot of wrong in this

First off being LE doesnt mean squat about knowing about guns. Ive worked with LE ROs and had to watch them hold many officers hands at cleaning their own wepons. Same officers every 4 months.

Next off, it's the store's property. Why should they let random dudes take things apart? Working at a store I've had to redo a glock after people missed a rail and rammed it together. You could have broken it.

[SG1]

While I can see the point of the clerk not being comfortable with you field stripping the gun, I don't see that it's an excuse to be rude. Bottom line is, most people work hard for their money and most hobbies are expensive. And shooting is an expensive hobby (for me anyway). I absolutely refuse to spend my hard earned cash in a place that doesn't find it necessary to be courteous to me. I'm not asking for them to kiss my butt, but I think they could at least be professional enough to be kind. And if I got that kind of attitude a second time, before I even got in the door, I would never return.

They obviously don't need your business.

[FlyinBryan]

it was inappropriate for you to field strip the gun. i would have responded in a similar fashion.

i do not work at a gun store and never have. i have never worked in sales for any product.

now i have something else to think about everytime i purchase a new firearm however, "who has taken this apart before?"

if it was, did they know what they were doing?

"i hope so" is the most positive answer i can think of right now to that question.

[1911Tuner]

It's called "doing business".

No. "Doing business" is showing a potential customer a gun, answering his questions, and haggling on the price...and that's where it ends.

There's a little thing known as "Respecting other folks' property" that most people have a grasp on.

Doing business doesn't include an on-the-spot teardown without asking for permission first.

230RN said:

I really just wanted to show off my "expertise",

That's usually the real reason that most of'em want to do it, and when they scratch a new gun...none that I've had experience with are willing to buy the gun after they damage it. Then, the guy who does want to buy it notices the damage...and asks for 50 or 75 bucks off the cost...and there goes the dealer's profit.

Wanna show off? Fine. BYOG or buy the one you insist on disassembling.

[longdayjake]

I went into a shop a while ago looking to buy a used glock for my wife.

1911Tuner,
Okay, first of all I just wanted to clarify that this was a used Glock. Second of all it was not like this was the first time I had entered the store. I mentioned that I live only one block from this store, so I had been in there numerous times. I had transfered Ar15 lowers to them before as well as bought hundreds of dollars worth of reloading supplies from them. I know he had to have recognized that I was at the very least a repeat customer. Though I must admit that he had no way of knowing that I am in law enforcement.

Now, is there anyone that has been on the "other side of the counter" that would claim that they don't buy used guns for much much less than what they sell them for. Especially a glock since they flood the market. Would anyone here think that a used glock of any kind not require a take down? And does anyone think that a dealer would lower the price on a used gun if another customer just happened to scratch it? The answer is no. I have yet to meet a gun salesman that would haggle over a scratch on a used gun.

Also, I don't have a gun store, but obviously my job requires me to deal with a lot of dumb and down right disgusting individuals. These people don't give me money or buy things from me yet I treat them better than some would say I should. Why? Because I consider myself a professional and I am here to serve rather than to be served. If you are in business only to make money then your customers will pick up on that because your attitude and body language will tell them that you care nothing for them but just want their money. All I ask is the benefit of the doubt. If you think that rudly lecturing me about taking the slide off of a used glock is more beneficial than saying something like, "good to see someone that actually knows how to correctly field strip a glock, but could you ask next time before you take anything else down?" It sounds to me like you have what we call "us Vs. them" syndrome. After a while cops get the idea that everyone is a thug or criminal and starts to treat everyone as though they were. I imagine the same thing can happen to clerks that deal with stupid people a lot. It may be tempting to treat someone as though they are stupid, but in the end who really ends up looking like the stupid person? The one that takes his money elsewhere or the one that loses business because they had to make a point?

[TexasSkyhawk]

No. "Doing business" is showing a potential customer a gun, answering his questions, and haggling on the price...and that's where it ends.

There's a little thing known as "Respecting other folks' property" that most people have a grasp on.

Doing business doesn't include an on-the-spot teardown without asking for permission first.

Will all due and sincere respect to your position. . .

My wife and I have two big Browning safes full of guns, plus a smaller safe in our airplane hangar with guns in it.

We have bought dozens upon dozens of guns of all makes, models and calibers.

The vast majority have been through private individuals--helluva lot easier to do business with them. Your story and a few others remind me of similarly bad experiences I've had in gun stores going all the way back to my service and law enforcement days.

Yet at the range and gun store we all pitched in and helped run for one of our sister agency's agent, we sold guns out the wazoo because we insisted on having the polar opposite attitude of the gun stores we'd been to in our careers. And seeing as how we were all feds, we'd all been stationed and scattered about the country--yet, we could all tell the same stories about gun stores that were simply an insulting pain in the butt experience to deal with.

I'll happily admit there is a line when it comes to customers handling guns. But we came up with a novel approach when we handed a gun to a potential customer--

"Let me know if you'd like to dry fire it--we've got some snap caps we'll put in. And if you want to field strip it, let me know and I'll show you how."

Holy cow we sold a lot of guns. Every cop in town ordered their personal firearms from us, and as you know, new and novice owners go where the cops go.

The owner of this place was an old-time FBI RAC who'd done a number of years with HRT, at Quantico as an instructor, etc etc. His mantra was, "Don't ever berate the customer; educate the customer."

Worked pretty well.

Jeff

[preachertim]

I agree with you longdayjake and I feel the same way. I am not rich but i would rather spend a little more money in a place where i am talked to and not at. I hope he does nt work off comission.

[ctdonath]

I'm increasingly abiding by the phrase "no harm, no foul" in interpersonal relations. I may not like what someone does, but so long as it works out OK there isn't much point in wasting breath on it. Maybe it's a Golden Rule thing, as I don't like people getting on my case about how I do something as I usually manage to do it different than they would - and get tired of getting beat up for the difference, not the result.

[1911Tuner]

" And if you want to field strip it, let me know and I'll show you how."

A good policy and one that works well if you have the time and/or the manpower to pull it off. We'd offer to do that, too...when we had time.
Some small shops often have only one or two people behind the counter...and sometimes the hired help doesn't know how to field-strip every model that's in the display case.

[TexasSkyhawk]

A good policy and one that works well if you have the time and/or the manpower to pull it off. We'd offer to do that, too...when we had time.

Have some signs made up--you can do them yourself at Kinkos for a few bucks each, and they'll look nice and professional.

That's what we did.

Tuner, believe me--I understand your frustration in dealing with the general public. But in today's business climate, especially with the brick & mortar stores, reputation is everything.

Jeff

[ConfuseUs]

In the first case the clerk was wrong to forbid stripping a used firearm for examination prior to purchase. The way he handled it was unprofessional and poor customer relations. The clerk should offer assistance if the customer starts to strip a gun instead of comparing the customer to a rude houseguest who disassembles appliances for the hell of it. It is a place of business stocked with guns that will be sold, not the clerk's home and the clerk's guns. The rules are different and the clerk should know that and act accordingly.

I have no idea why some of the other posters think that the customer shall not be allowed to examine used guns prior to purchase. It is the same as buying a used car: nobody seriously considers buying a used car without popping the hood and checking things like fluid levels, fluid condition, taking a look at the tire tread, or checking the undercarriage. No serious buyer of a used gun would consider buying it if he/she didn't check the condition of the bore, examine the moving parts for excessive wear, or check parts prone to breakage. It's not unreasonable even to check a new gun out for defects either, especially if the customer is not familiar with that company's products.

In the second case, the clerk may have been joking about not cooling the outdoors, but that strikes me as the kind of joke one makes with familiars rather than strangers. It may be OK with customers the clerk knows well but definitely not OK with better than 90% of people entering the shop. The OP implies that he didn't know the clerk well so that was clearly inappropriate. That merits a complaint to the owner since he may not have a clue about it. OTOH, many gun shop owners aren't interested in the finer points of customer service. I think a lot of gun shops would see their revenues increase dramatically if they made a basic investment in customer service and sales training for their employees.

[SCKimberFan]

If I read the OP correctly, this is about the clerk being rude, not once, but twice to the same customer. He then relates that his buddies know the clerk he was talking about because of his actions. It really wasn't about field stripping the used gun, or holding the door open. I would have probably done the same - turned and walked out. I would take the time however to let the owner know of BOTH situations. The fact that his buddies knew the clerk he was talking about indicates the clerk is just a jerk more often than not. I think it behooves us to let the owners of businesses know about their employees.

[CountGlockula]

Different strokes for different folks.

Can we clone every gun employee to be the most professional, knowledgeable, hospitable and pleasant human beings on earth? No, but we wish we can to make the world a better place for gunners.

I've learned to accept people for who they are. You and I may be different. I'm more the "forgive and forget" type. Usually when I forgive, I actually end up being a better person...and majority of the time, the forgiven gets to see the true self and change for the better. It's all about positive confrontations. People, especially gunners have a dry sense of humor and say things out of emotions; they don't consider the outcome until they've realized what they said.

I've been behind the counter. I've had my taste of thugs, rookies, know it alls, plain Johns and psychos. I treat everyone equal and make sure that what I say doesn't offend. If I do, then I apologize.

Give those guys a second, third, fourth, etc. chance. They're human just like you and me.

[Hoppy590]

iv worked in customer service before. and you have to have atleast 1 of 2 things

Competence
people skills

the two must sum up to a normal person. you can be dumb as crap but aslong as you dont try to argue me, smile, nod and say " yes sir" "no sir" "i dont know but i can find out" your fine

you can be jeffrey dahmer, but if you can field strip anything i hand you while blind folded while reciting the difference in AK models by country... alphabetically. your fine

the worst is one of 3 guys at a local shop who has no personality, and tells you "they dont make those" despite the owner showing you the item in the catalog and saying "come back tomorrow and we can order it!"