Bad LGS experiences

I don't know why I was thinking about this today, but I thought It'd make for some interesting responses.

A few years ago when I was in the Navy, I went to my LGS and picked out a nice Marlin 444. I brought it to the counter and prepared to do all the paperwork. When they asked for my ID I showed them my Military ID.

Them: "Sorry but we need a letter from your commanding officer that says you can have this gun."
Me: "Uhh...no you don't. I don't live on base."
Them: "Sorry sir, but yes we do."
I whipped out my driver's license and said "Well, now I'm buying it as a regular citizen."
Them: "Sorry, sir."
After a heated, but civil, couple of minutes trying to explain that as an American Citizen, living in a civilian home, I should not need any permission to purchase a firearm, they were unconvinced, so I walked out. One of the guys chased me to my car and apologized, then said :"Why don't you just get the letter from your CO..." :banghead: Another short, heated, but civil (no cussing or yelling) minute of trying to reason with the guy (who I believe genuinely didn't agree with store policy), then I left.
The next day I drove an hour or so out of my way to purchase my rifle at another store (those in Hookset, NH, you know where I'm talking about) and found it for less, and no tax.

So anyone else had bad LGS experiences?

There's a couple of places I just don't shop for guns anymore... nothing as bad as your story but its the experiences with the LGS staff that think they know vastly more than anyone else and let you know it that make me abandon specific shops. Don't tell me that my choice is bad without real evidence and then why are you selling it if its bad?

There's another one around here that I haven't bought anything at and won't because they were making fun of someone holding a Glock with their support thumb over the gun hand and getting their hand chewed up by the slide. Why didn't they go in and help the poor guy? Bad customer service there.

I went into a gun shop in CT looking to purchase a WWII M1911a1 knowing that they had a few there. I had a big lump of cash in my pocket ready to buy one.

I picked out the one I wanted and asked how much they wanted for it. The shop owner said to me "you can't afford it".

I started laughing and walked out. I had more than enough on me, and was ready to spend it until he was rude to me. I had seen the gun on gunsamerica and knew the price range they were looking to get and I was more than ready to pay what they wanted, but the guns in this store have no price tags on them.

I ended up finding a nicer one, and cheaper a few weeks later somewhere else.

There is one LGS that I refuse to even shop nowadays. The owner is always a JERK and the prices are WAY to high on EVERYTHING. His loss not mine. Last year, I spent over $6K on new guns alone (don't even mention accessories and ammo) at his biggest competitor across town and a few hundred at his competitor literally down the street. It's unfortunate because his counter staff are good BUT he's such a tool that I won't even set foot inside the store anymore.

Equally, I really like the other two LGS in town.

The biggest thing I run into is how the employees act as though they are doing you a favor helping you. I mean I try my best to give local shops money, but if you don't treat me right, I'll buy online cheaper and all you'll get from me is the $20 for the transfer....

There's a LGS/range that I will never buy from. I called to ask about their transfer fee and the lady asked what kind of gun it was. When I told her it was an AK (SLG-21), she said it would be $100.:what: After laughing at her and hanging up the phone, I realized I wouldn't be doing business with them unless it was to use the range.

The 2 lgs I go to, the one has great customer service and a great group of gun guys working there that are quick to greet you when entering and will gladly help you with anything you need. The downside is they usually have slightly higher prices and a smaller selection. The other store has a very large selection and great prices on their used guns, the downside here though is no one will come help you. You have to go to the counter and wait till someone feels like helping you. They do this to me at this store and I have purchased 3 firearms from this in the last few months, plus brought in a friend who has purchased from them.

There always seem to be a few shops in any large town that don't really want customers. I've been in a few here that were outright hostile to me just for taking up their air. I can only assume the storefront was a tax dodge of some sort and not for any real business purpose. There are also stores notorious for being rude on principle. I value service over prices, and will pay a little more sticker price for it.

I just don't go back to the rude places.

A few years ago when I was in the Navy, I went to my LGS and picked out a nice Marlin 444. I brought it to the counter and prepared to do all the paperwork. When they asked for my ID I showed them my Military ID

Saw your other posts - prior USN and Border Patrol?
Cool... where were you stationed in NH back then in the Nav?

We mighta' been stationed the same place up there!

I once visited a large, well-stocked and well-staffed gun shop in Eglin IL, with an indoor range. It was a two or three story building with two of everything (cough cough GAT Guns), a counter probably 100 feet long (seemed that way at the time, anyway) and enough counter staff that you did not have to take a number.

Unfortunately, all the counter help were real monkeys--they would take a pistol from the counter, rack the slide, point it at their co-workers' posterior, press the trigger and say "huh huh huh...dude...I just shot your butt!" I thought I was in a real-life Beavis and Butthead episode.

I didn't stick around long, and never went back. Not sure if they are still in business, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that an employee or customer had been shot and they had been sued out of existence.

I left IL about 7 years ago, and I miss a lot of things about the Midwest. On the other hand, there are a lot of things I don't miss one bit...

I was stationed in Kittery, ME. Didn't want to give away the name of the store there, but anyone from there knows what store it is.
There from '02 to '06.

Since no gunstore owners/employees have chimed in yet, thought i'd do so. My worst gunstore experience was a few weeks ago when an elderly man passed out, fell over on 2 fishing rod racks broke a bunch of <deleted> and then his grand daughter screams... "he's not breathing!!" I've never flown up a flight of stairs more swiftly in my life. By the time I got there he was coming around. He and his family then exited quickly and left no information, and refused our offers to call an ambulance. Oh, and I love it when the omish guys come in and cut the zip-ties off the compound bows so they can dry fire them. Oh, and I also love it when those "bargain sharks" come in and beat you up on price and insist on getting free ammo to boot. Come on man, I took 5% off the gun and the ammo is on sale. I always hear about gunstore patrons that complain about the LGS. & I bet some places are really that bad. Hell I've been into some stores that really get on my nerves, but think of the totally awsome people we (as gunstores have to deal with everyday) "I'm a veteran! I deserve a discount!" Ya dude so am I. You already get free healthcare (OIF, War on Terror vets) and an awsome GI Bill (I'm using mine, its sweet) no reason at all to mooch anymore. We don't deserve a free ride just because we got paid realtively well to carry a gun and body armor and be idolized for it. SPOILED!. Sorry for that tangent. I'm just trying to voice the opinion that, granted for every one good, responsible gunstore patron; there are 3 guys behind them that bring loaded guns into the store and try to trade them. Or say their gun isn't working properly and proceed to load the gun in the store and show you. (Ripped the gun from his hands in this instance and asked him to leave.) So, don't go downplaying your LGS. Its tough to be chipper and super friendly with some of the award winning customers we deal with. Oh wait, I forgot the escaped felon that tried to buy a gun, the wife beater that lied on his gun form, the drugged up guy that told me he was buying the gun to go shoot his dad.... the list goes on. Firearms attract all kinds. =/

Was the shop in Kittery?

My worst gunstore experience was a few weeks ago when an elderly man passed out, fell over on 2 fishing rod racks broke a bunch of <deleted> and then his grand daughter screams... "he's not breathing!!" I've never flown up a flight of stairs more swiftly in my life. By the time I got there he was coming around. He and his family then exited quickly and left no information, and refused our offers to call an ambulance.

WATCH OUT! This sort of thing is often used as a diversion to distract employees while an accomplis walks out with merchandise. A friend worked in a drug store once where a customer had a "siezure". It was convincing enough that nobody noticed as her boyfriend ducked behind the counter and made off with a bunch of prescription drugs. Nobody even noticed untill they watched the security tapes.

WATCH OUT! This sort of thing is often used as a diversion to distract employees while an accomp walks out with merchandise. A friend worked in a drug store once where a customer had a "siezu was convincing enough that nobody noticed as her boyfriend ducked behind the counter and ma with a bunch of prescription drugs. Nobody even noticed untill they watched the security tapes.

I thought about this, but no firearms where missing nor cash. I was more worried about a tumped up lawsuit coming down the pipe honestly. If they wanna go through all that, i'd rather a gun stolen (insurance) than a lawsuit that could cripple the buisness.

Was the shop in Kittery?
The biggest one there. (Only one I think)
To be fair, I really don't blame the counter guys, as they were just following store policy. They weren't jerks about it, just had to stick to their rules. But thier rules sucked.

I actually like my local store, Gunrunners, there are a number of LGS's around Anchorage, and they have told me to go ahead and get a better deal, they wouldn't lower it any more...

But the will talk to you about the guns, they have a hell of a display, better than most museums, hanging on their walls, and always have a few interesting pieces, they are more likely to throw a milk crate or ammo case of accessories on the counter and say "if it's in the store, it'll be in this one or that one" and if it isn't, you write it in the book, and if they get something in, they'll call, unless the lost the book (again)

Oh and they had a gun I wanted 2 days after ordering in, good timing on my part, and a willingness to add it to their distributor order that was shipping that day.

They are crusty, they are (somewhat) crude, and they know their stuff, and what they don't, they will go through a rather impressive collection of books to find out. Nicest customer service is the police supply store, as long as you are spending, otherwise, call them over when you are ready to purchase.

Unfortunately I have quite a few. Just try being an 18-20 year old guy in a gun store... I'm actually surprised that I still buy ammo and guns from some of these places. I won't even bother with the cat calls of "you only wana see that gun cause you play Call of Duty" Yes, exactly why I chose the shorty "DSA Para SA 58" over the full length with bipod and asked for it by name. Never mind that I had two grand in cash in my pocket and was looking for a new gun :rolleyes:

Some of the more interesting ones have been when I went in to look at some pistols to decide what type of pistol fit my hand best and the employee ended up pulling a random 1911 out of the display (not clearing it) and then repeatedly dry firing it into my chest. He then proceeded to leave me holding a M&P 45 while he took a phone call to assure some poor guy that "bird shot for HD is exactly what I use in my shotgun. Just aim for the throat and he'll bleed out before the medics arrive"

One time I was in another store buying night sights for my Sig 228 and they offered to install them for free so I sent it back with them and started looking over a few of their pistols in their cabinet. Then I look up and see the same guy who I sent my pistol back with handing MY GUN to some random guy who just walked up. Thankfully this guy was nice and told the clerk that it wasn't his gun. I hate to think of what would have happened if I hadn't seen it and he'd not been so ethical... :uhoh:

A third store had some holsters I wanted to look at, but they wouldn't let me use one of their floor models to check the fit of the gun (perfectly understandable). But when I brought my gun in the clerk grabbed it out of my hands and started yelling at me asking where I'd gotten it, and didn't I know it was illegal for someone my age to even dare to touch a pistol? (look at my sig if you have any questions about that little law...) and the threat to keeep (Re: steal) my pistol as it would be illegal for me to leave his business with it. Only a threat to bring a police officer over and show him my copy of AL and FED code convinced him to give me my gun back.

Same gun store a few years later tried to refuse to transfer (not even sell, but just transfer) me a folding AK because it was illegal for them to transfer someone under 21 a PGO shotgun. He didn't seem to believe me that a Underfolder AK was not in any way, shape or form a shotgun, but it still took his boss (store owner) to clear that up. I now only deal with the owner (who apart from hiring complete idiots who may end up getting him sued, is a pretty nice guy)

Had another guy (a gunsmith FFL, not a gun store) tell me while I was asking him to be an intermediary FFL while selling one of my pistols (buyer's FFL would only receive from another FFL) "oh, don't worry about the fed law that says you can't ship a pistol to another guy through the post office, I do it all the time! just hide it in a box and label it 'machine parts' and ship it to his FFL". I don't think I ever got through to him that I needed him to do the transfer and that he could legally ship through the post office because he had a FFL...

but this is also the same guy that made me spend an hour on the phone trying to get him on this website (with his own user name) so that he could see my PMs to someone else about selling the gun, and then berated me because I was using PMs instead of an open question and answer session.

He also spent another half hour telling me just how illegal it was for me to own a pistol while under 21, and that even HE could go to jail for just knowing about it. He then proceeded to accuse me of lying on my applications for my multiple CCWs and then offered to "look the other way" because we were "friends". I haven't talked to this guy since and will in no way recommend his gunsmithing services. Morals in business are pretty important to me and his offer to "work around these pesky federal laws" just didn't work for me.

So, don't go downplaying your LGS. Its tough to be chipper and super friendly with some of the award winning customers we deal with.

Don't mean to contradict you, but there is no reason I should be treated the way I have by FFLs. I believe that any business should be judged by the way they treat all of their customers, and to treat someone this way while he is actually trying to pay for services is just insane! IMO they deserve to have their business practices questioned on public forums.

Does anyone remember the old, now closed B&B Sales in North Hollywood, Ca?
'Nuff said.

Having worked in retail, I know it works both ways. I can't imagine some of the idiots who wander into a gun store completely clueless. I would imagine generally it's split up between people who know what they want, and clueless people who have some vague idea about which end the bullet comes out. And sometimes, especially at Big Box, idiots will slip through the cracks and end up behind the counter.

i had $700 in my pocket ready to buy a nice semi .22lr and i stop at "NATIONAL GUNS" in miami not the nicest place but their ammo was cheap so long story short, i drove down there and saw an ak-22 (wasr 22lr) at $299... i give it back, then i ask to see a sig 522 for 399 (at this point i wanted to buy them both) so i ask him "how much for both?" he got a bad look on his face and told me to wait, then he went back there to "ask" the owner when i over heard them talking in spanish... traslation goes like..

seller- there is a dumb guy looking at all the weapons and asking for prices, now he want to know if you can lower this...
owner- nahh ___:cuss:____ that, that's the price... (also with an attitude)

then i just put a smile on my face and told him...

if i'm a dumb, you guys are complete ____:cuss:___ with an attitude. at this point the seller knew that i could speak spanish and i just walk away( keeping my cool), another kid just follow me replying...____:cuss:____ them ...lol....

that same day i went to another store and got 2 savage 22lr for $250 out the door (a Mark 2 and model 64)

Time for me to post my tale of woe also. There is a very large gun store in my area that not only sells firearms but everything else for the outdoorsman (not Cabela's). The clerks are friendly and for the most part knowledgeable. Haven't a complaint there. However thr store's owner has a pricing policy of list price on firearms. I doubt if he has any idea how many people come into the store just to "play with'' a particular firearm and end up buying it elsewhere. I am one of these people and buy from a mom and pop shop a few mies away. Actually much better prices and more personal service.

Wow,
I must be one lucky SOB. In the past few years, I've dealt with 4 LGS'. One was a little over the top with a gun store, bow, pistol and rifle range, and an entire fitness center complete with boxing ring. The owner basically bought out an entire strip mall and converted it to one big place. The gun shop guys (who played double duty as RSOs) were generally very pleasant to deal with, but their prices were through the roof. $250 for a Maverick 88 12 gauge :rolleyes: $550 for a used Sig 226, older model without the rail, etc. They also dealt on commission, so those were priced okay. I kick myself to this day for not buying the Ruger Security Six in .38 special being sold for $250.

2nd LGS I used was a small mom and pop shop. Not a lot on display, very small inventory. Good place to wander in and BS for awhile. Most of his sales were done on transfers, orders, and gunsmithing services.

I now split my time and money between two LGS', another small mom and pop who is geared more toward hunting (bows, rifles, shotguns, MLs and revolvers), and the one I usually use with a massive inventory.

So far, I've not had a bad experience in any of them.

I went into a gun shop in CT looking to purchase a WWII M1911a1 knowing that they had a few there. I had a big lump of cash in my pocket ready to buy one.

I picked out the one I wanted and asked how much they wanted for it. The shop owner said to me "you can't afford it".

I started laughing and walked out. I had more than enough on me, and was ready to spend it until he was rude to me. I had seen the gun on gunsamerica and knew the price range they were looking to get and I was more than ready to pay what they wanted, but the guns in this store have no price tags on them.

I ended up finding a nicer one, and cheaper a few weeks later somewhere else.

at that point, i would have 'accidentally' dropped my wad of cash on the floor....

and as im picking it up say "yeah, your probably right....hey, could you do me a favor and hand me that hundred by your foot...".....and just walk out the door.

No real bad experiences, but I do get "snubbed" quite often. I am only 23 and I look young on top of that, plus I have tattoos on both of my forearms and I am always sporting a black eye or broken nose(MMA/Boxing) and cauliflower ear. Needless to say I get treated as if I shouldn't own/couldn't afford in many instances. Luckily there are two fairly new local shops run by younger guys who are great to work with.

I miss a store called Pepper's Sporting Goods that was on North Ave in Carol Stream, IL. They were always very helpful but got shut down due to a straw purchase. Guess they were TOO helpful...

The biggest one there. (Only one I think)
To be fair, I really don't blame the counter guys, as they were just following store policy. They weren't jerks about it, just had to stick to their rules. But thier rules sucked.

They told me I have to be 21 to SELL a handgun to them and they told me it was the law. I will admit I went for a job interview a few months ago mostly because of the discount but they have some things that aren't quite right.

Unfortunately I have quite a few. Just try being an 18-20 year old guy in a gun store... I'm actually surprised that I still buy ammo and guns from some of these places. I won't even bother with the cat calls of "you only wana see that gun cause you play Call of Duty" Yes, exactly why I chose the shorty "DSA Para SA 58" over the full length with bipod and asked for it by name. Never mind that I had two grand in cash in my pocket and was looking for a new gun

Luckily my LGS is extremely friendly and will let me, even though I'm 18, see any gun in his shop including handguns. His prices are a bit high but its worth it to support his business.

Sometimes you just have to have a thicker skin. A lot of gun shop folks I've found aren't really 'people persons' so they may come off a little sharp not meaning to. Now I've had some bad experiences but generally if the closest LGS isn't exorbitantly priced and its overtly hostile, I'll go there. If I got upset over every gun shop that was 10-15% over internet prices + shipping, and who wasn't overly friendly when I came in, there's hardly a gunshop around that would keep me as a customer. So I don't sweat it!

Found a LGS that did $25 transfers, and bought an old shotgun from Gun Broker and went through them. The guy was slow, but civil. Tried it again a couple of months later with a PA-63 I found that I thought was in fair shape, but looked a little rough in the pictures, and it was clear this guy thought I should be buying from him, and told me the gun was rusty.

"pretty sure that's old cosmoline on the slide"

"what about all the rust on the frame?"

"pretty sure that's the same thing"

"Well I have one, and the one I have is in much nicer condition than that, you overpaid"

Apparently he doesn't want my transfer business. The PA-63 has an aluminum frame. It cleaned up great, and I just sold it a good friend for what I paid, and he thinks I'm nuts to sell it. It is in nice condition, barely shot.

I usually go to a range/FFL/gunshop. The owner lets you shoot 5 rounds through any weapon you want to purchase and if there are problems he either fixes and fires the gun himself or sends it back to where he got it from. Over the last few years he has become a friend and I have enjoyed being around his place and the people who frequent there. I was going to buy a .22 once but out of the 5 shots two did not go bang. Pistol was returned after trying it out. My favorite kinda place.

The other few LGS around here are stocked but I never find a real deal at any of them and their prices are usually a few percentage points higher.

Found a LGS that did $25 transfers, and bought an old shotgun from Gun Broker and went through them. The guy was slow, but civil. Tried it again a couple of months later with a PA-63 I found that I thought was in fair shape, but looked a little rough in the pictures, and it was clear this guy thought I should be buying from him, and told me the gun was rusty.

"pretty sure that's old cosmoline on the slide"

"what about all the rust on the frame?"

"pretty sure that's the same thing"

"Well I have one, and the one I have is in much nicer condition than that, you overpaid"

Apparently he doesn't want my transfer business. The PA-63 has an aluminum frame. It cleaned up great, and I just sold it a good friend for what I paid, and he thinks I'm nuts to sell it. It is in nice condition, barely shot.
I was wondering how he thought Iron Oxide showed up on an Aluminum frame :rolleyes:

I can't blame FFL's that get cranky when they do a transfer on something they can supply or even have on the shelf. The one transfer I did through an FFL was for my M-44, and he didn't have one or an immediate source for one. He was happy with his $25.

But if he had one on the rack, I'm sure he would have rather sold me his and make more than $25.

A couple of weeks ago I drove 2 1/2 hours to the biggest gun shop in KY (so the claim, probably truthfully). I was looking for a specific rifle and they had many in stock.
Getting help was difficult and the salesmen did an inferior job, imo.
I found one I was interested in and was told to approach the grossly obese man at the front.
I did. I had a specific rifle I might have wanted to trade.
He proceeded to lie about the trade and gave me the "take it or leave it" attitude.
This was after I had introduced myself as a gun shop owner and told him I had my FFl and cash in hand.
I didnt take to that attitude and left without buying anything.
I learned:
If you take the attitude that you don't care whether you sell a gun or not, you probably wont.
If you lie to customers, you probably won't sell a gun
Everyone likes to be treated in a friendly cordial manner, even if theyre being told "no".
Everyone likes to be treated like a special customer, even if it's their first time there.

I can't blame FFL's that get cranky when they do a transfer on something they can supply or even have on the shelf. The one transfer I did through an FFL was for my M-44, and he didn't have one or an immediate source for one. He was happy with his $25.
Quite understandable. I would definetly check the local store before buying on-line, and get if from the local unless the price was totally out of line. I'm willing to spend a little more to support a local shop, but I won't allow myself to be robbed.

I guess I've been pretty lucky with my local shops. The wost I can remember recently is going into the big local store on a weekend and it being so crowded with people I couldn't browse the mercendice properly. :p

I learned:
If you take the attitude that you don't care whether you sell a gun or not, you probably wont.
If you lie to customers, you probably won't sell a gun
Everyone likes to be treated in a friendly cordial manner, even if theyre being told "no".
Everyone likes to be treated like a special customer, even if it's their first time there.

You've just learned the basics of running a service business without it costing you your credit rating. :)
I've toyed with the idea of opening a gun shop at some point but my personal knowlege level of both guns and business are keeping me from doing so.

I've had good and bad experiences locally.

Bad: One LGS has a good range of products even if their prices are on the high side. Some of the staff are friendly and knowledgable and some of them are not. The owner, however, seems to be permanently angry at life which is strange because he is moving a lot of product at top prices. Perhaps he took a dislike to me. I lost a bottom to a magazine at his range and said obviously I can't look for it but if you find it during your brass clearup could you give me a call. He said, 'Well that gun is a piece of crap I am not surprised.' It was not crap - it was 3 months old and I bought it from his shop. It wasn't the first time he'd snapped like that for no discernible reason. I quietly resolved not to shop there any more.

Good: Another LGS has a reasonable range of products at fair prices and will even haggle a bit if you buy more than one item. The staff are largely good. The owner is a gunsmith and very softly spoken. I'm not very gentle on firearms, especially hunting ones. One time I took a rifle in because I had knocked the scope so far out of alignment I wondered about damage. He said quietly, 'What happened here'? I sheepishly said, 'Well, I was hunting at night on a ranch I didn't know very well. And I fell over into a small ditch. Erm. Backwards.". Yeah, I did feel embarrassed. He smiled and quietly said, I think I can fix this.

I have a few 'dangerous' interests. Hunting, sportsbikes (used to race), and horses. In my experience you get two types of people in these passtimes - normal, friendly folk and people who conflate the inherent dangers involved in them with machismo and some delusion of superiority.

It's tedious but you can always vote with your wallet. I always have. :D

bubba613 sounds to me like you went to whittakers (sp) i stopped in there the one time i was in kentucky back in 06 and loved the selection but wasnt impressed with the employees and i remember an impressively fat man sitting up front acting like he thought he was god.

Most of my experiences at LGS have been favorable. The bad experiences usually involve crank old malcontents that are way behind the times and vastly underestimate how much more informed the average customer is today compared to 10 or 20 years ago. Nine times out of ten I know more about the product I am buying than the guy behind the counter does and I venture to guess most average informed gun buyers do as well. The internet has a wealth of gun info just a few clicks away and gone are the days of being held hostage by what is available at a local shop. This isn't limited to gun shops of course but all brick and mortar businesses. I don't doubt that gun stores draw large crowds of idiots, but nowadays the owners and shop personal need to assume the customer knows what he is talking about until he proves otherwise.

I have bought a few guns from Whittakers in KY. They have a great selection and good prices. I have no complaints from them. I like being able to walk around and pick up all the rifles. It is hard to look at the handguns there though, and I have never dealt with "the big guy."

I don't have any bad gun shop experiences, and as long as I stay out of the local Gander Mountain, I don't have any complaints about sporting good stores.

Yup. Joe's Bait & Switch Shop on Bath Ave.

Before any AWB, my brother-in-law and I went to Joe's. Offered me a lightly used AR with big camo scope. We drove back across the county the next weekend with cash. Joe started taking the scope off. I asked him why and he said the price was without the scope! My brother-in-law, a wholesale dealer Joe knew, confirmed that wasn't true. Joe maintained the lie but "gave in." But then couldn't find the gun in his log.

The next weekend, there we were and there was the gun on the shelf. He had us waiting two hours while he puttered. In the meantime a guy walked in and gave him a box full of receivers and barrels which Joe carefully took out and put away without logging. He explained he had another set of "books" for some guns, hadn't found my gun in either, and we'd have to come back a fourth time.

Startled, I reported him to the BATF (no "E" then) instead.

I was at one gun store in Charlotte that has notoriously high prices. $800 dollar glocks, $700 century ak's...you get the idea. Well I was just looking and the fondling (I always make it clear I'm not buying). I really liked the fn2000 I held and said I'd love to buy it but just bought a rifle from my usual place. They laughed like I was an idiot for going to the store I named and went in to a little spiel about how they're the best and they have an in house gunsmith to fix any problems and how my store didn't have a gunsmith (they do). I replied, "Isn't that what the warranty is for?" They got even huffier and walked away.

The funniest thing I've heard was a salesman telling me that a particular ar-15 was chambered for 5.56 so I could shoot through UN troops helmets when they invade.

Never had a bad experience at a LGS.

Talking about testing guns. At one pawn shop (that will remain nameless) if you asked if a gun worked the owner would hand you a round of ammo and point to a 5 gallon bucket filled with river sand.

"Talking about testing guns. At one pawn shop (that will remain nameless) if you asked if a gun worked the owner would hand you a round of ammo and point to a 5 gallon bucket filled with river sand."

Not being funny but some of the best rifles I bought came from pawn shops...:cool:

Ever seen what they offer a seller? :eek:

"and was told to approach the grossly obese man at the front."

Now, I am not that overweight nor am I thin skinned but this is kind of offensive. It adds nothing to your story and has nothing to do with his attitude.



On another note, I CAN'T STAND LGS's that make you feel that you have to earn their help.

You'd think they'd be extremely happy to even have a customer with the way things are.

Splithoof "Does anyone remember the old, now closed B&B Sales in North Hollywood, Ca?
'Nuff said."

Sure do. If memory serves me right, they were the ones that supplied AR's to the LAPD during the North Hollywood B of A shoot out. Then B&B, Pony Express, and most others GS's all went out of business complements of LA city council's anti-gun ordinances. I've always wondered if they ever got their guns back from LAPD.

I like Whittaker's. I shop there a lot, and Mr. Whitaker is a big man, as is his son; I think it's genetic. But, he's a nice guy, and knowledgeable. The reason he is take it or leave it is because that's the way his business is. He sells very close to wholesale on damn near everything because he has so many guns. Just because he doesn't want your trade does not make him a jerk. Chances are, you were misinformed about the value of your trade that guy probably knows more about gun selling than I could ever learn.

That being said, I've found that their pistol guys do better service because all of them are locked up. Long guns, you pretty much look on your own, then ask questions at the counter.

I find their ammo prices to be fair, most gun prices to be good, and selection to be phenomenal. Only place I know that has a good probability of having a Winchester Model 97, a FN SCAR, a Colt Woodsman, and high end Kimbers/HKs all in stock on the same day (to name some less prevalent/rare guns)

I fall into the category of "too young to even be remotely knowledgeable about anything halfway related to firearms."

My city has one dedicated gun shop, the rest are pawnshops with guns in them.

I have had too many bad experiences to list here, but most recently;
I'm in a shop looking for a Hi-Point 995 for my GF (she loves em, I personally am not a fan.) After the guy hands me the hi-point behind the counter he says "If you like that thing you'll LOVE this!"

I see him reach for a Ruger PC40. I say "Ah, you guys have a PC40?"
Him: "I don't know what a PC40 is, you probably need to read up on your guns. This is a Ruger 10/22 chambered in .40 S&W"

I look at the tag to show him where it says PC4/PC40 on it.... tag says "10/22 chambered in 40S&W" $289 (the price of their 10/22's) I bought it, thanked god for them having no idea what they were doing, shot it for about 6 months, sold it on Gunbroker for $500.

What a doofus. Although it's based on the 10/22, it is not a 10/22. Good score on the PC40. Practically stole it from him.

LGS #1 When I was shopping for my replacement 10/22, I came to a gunshop with the one I wanted hanging on the wall. As I entered, they handed the gun to an obvious rookie who dropped it in the process. After that guy wandered off, I asked to look at it. I'm sure it would function, but it had seen a rough life already. The stock was scratched and there were rusty marks from a dozen sweaty hands. I told him I'd buy now if he could give me one that wasnt on display. He informed me that what is on display is what is for sale. I asked if I could get a 'used' price to negate the damage on the gun. He scoffed at me and told me its part of the 'character' of the gun. I dont mind some character, as long as I was the one who 'characterized' it. As I handed it back I noticed the pile of boxed 10/22s in the back. Would it be so hard to sell me one that was still taped shut?

LGS #2 The place I learned to shoot is under new ownership. The new people are spending all their money making the place look nice, instead of selection. I dont care if I buy a gun in a 'pretty' building. As I entered, they guy behind the counter sized me up and decided I wasn't buying anything. He went back to his conversation, turning his back to me as if to make a point. I was looking at the 6 guns in their display case and was about to ask about a consigned weapon. I could overhear the conversation, he was complaining about all these "broke *** MFs" that waste his day. To be fair, I dont wear new clothes, I wear "working man" clothes. But just to prove my point, after trying in vain to get his attention several times in this empty store, I took out $1000 cash and started fanning myself with it. He immediately snapped to and came down super friendly, "How can I help you?" I looked him straight in the face and said, "I have immaculate hearing, work on your attitude." Then walked out.

LGS #2 (range) Same place has a range, different employees run it. I took my friend down there to shoot his brand new gun. We stood in line and waited as the counter guy berated an obviously new shooter who asked genuine questions. When we got up there I scanned the display, they were all Glocks. They were trying to sell us on a "rent all" thing. When I told the counterperson I didnt want to rent 10 versions of the same gun, he ranted on about how little I knew about "real" guns. I thought, "I hate to tell you this, but I could probably outshoot you and your Glock with my XD." I almost got into an arguement, but instead pulled my buddy back outta there. I called my brother, told him to bring his glock. And the three of us went out of town and shot down a tree or three.

I'll go back in a year, hopefully they will have changed their ways. I miss the old owners.

LGS #3 My fave LGS earns major points for treating everyone with respect. I looked thru the case and they didnt have "Exactly" what I wanted. I said, "I want a gun you dont have on display." He scanned the case and asked, "What don't I have?!" I rattled off the specifics of what I was looking for. He grinned and said, "Yeah, I dont have that, but I'll get it for you." As he went to get his order book he hollared to the other counterperson, "Thats a GUN PERSON." The other customers eyed me like I was Rambo or something, it felt great. It arrived from the factory a day or two later. When I entered he was finishing a handgun sale. The customer paid, and the counterguy said, "I'll see you in three days." The customer started making a scene and yelling, "I want my gun! This is Bull S---". Cool as a fan, the counterguy said, "Yes it is! You should write your congressman!" He thumbed thru a booklet, and laid it in front of the customer, pointing out an address. He looked up to me and then said, "Do you have your CPL?" I grinned and pulled out the CPL, and reciept. He looked them over and handed me my gun. As I left the customer went off again. That range is the furthest one from me, but I go there 1st everytime.

Twiki357:
Yes, they were the ones who supplied LAPD with a few guns. I think that was good to do for the individual officers who needed rifles at the time, but I also think that the higher-ups in the department and some of their cronies should have been prosecuted for improper transfers, and then fired & jailed. Their terrible treatment to the good citizens of that city in terms of CCW issues to my mind justifies some harsh medicine. Yes, most of the other LGS's have been long run out of town.

Does anyone remember the old, now closed B&B Sales in North Hollywood, Ca?
'Nuff said.

Yes, I do. Had to take a number to talk to a salesman. Was looking for a Remington Mountain Rifle. They didn't have one in the caliber I wanted. They did have a Winchester in the right caliber, but I didn't want a Winchester. Told him thank you, but no and he started in with a "You think you'll be able to sleep at night?" routine.

My brother had a bad experience with them trying to buy a Springfield M1A.

They did pass out AR carbines to police officers to deal with the North Hollywood bank robbers. They ran into a bit of legal problems for it, but somebody explained things to the Powers That Be and got them out of hot water. Later, they put a mark up on the ARs and sold them as the carbines used to take out the badguys. Maybe they were

As soon as I walk in and see the guy behind the counter and the weird-looking gump sitting on the stool on the other side I leave. Where do these people come from? Thank God for the internet.

I have a story about a LGS. I had two Colt OEM 7-round 1911 mags I wanted to trade for a box or two of 45 ammo. I brought the two mags in, brand-new, looking to trade them for two boxes of PMC 45 ACP ammo they had on sale. The gun shop agreed. They then did the paperwork (just a receipt), and upon asking for my ID and realizing my age, they refused on the basis that they cannot sell me handgun ammo. Mind you, I showed them my MILITARY ID, told them I was active duty, and they didn't care. I was 19 at the time but so what? I already owned the Colt 1911 in the first place and NM state laws say 18 is the minimum age to own a handgun but these clowns didn't want to trade my HANDGUN mags for HANDGUN ammo. I ALREADY have the gun, nothing they do or refuse to do is going to change the fact that this 19-year-old had a Colt in the car. They were just being jerks following their arbitrary gun shop policies. Another policy of theirs was no discounts for active duty military but big discounts of you're a cop. I never shop there anymore.

Um, it is illegal under Federal law for a dealer to sell handgun ammunition to anyone under 21. There is no exemption for military personnel.
The clerks in the shop were not the jerks here.

Um, it is illegal under Federal law for a dealer to sell handgun ammunition to anyone under 21. There is no exemption for military personnel.
The clerks in the shop were not the jerks here.

Then why bother selling pistol-caliber rifles to people under 21 like any other rifle if they can't buy the ammo? This is why I only buy my ammo online, I only have to be 18 and can buy any caliber I want.

Because someone between 18 and 21 may purchase a long gun. And he can purchase ammunition for that long gun, even where it might be a pistol caliber.

I always ask customers who might be under 21 what they are shooting the ammo in. If they say a pistol then I ask for ID and if under 21 deny the sale.

It's a gun law. It doesn't have to make sense.

Yep. Stoopid, but true. You can own a handgun at 18, buy one from a private party at 18. But you can't buy a retail gun or the ammo for it until you are 21.

Sometimes when I buy pistol ammo from Wal-Mart they ask if it is for a hand gun. That's why. I'm in my 30's, so I'm well over the legal age. If it wasn't just part of their jobs, I'd give them a snarky comment and let them stew for awhile, but it wouldn't serve any purpose.

Yeah, laws don't make sense. I can't buy ammo in Illinois. I didn't know this, and commented that I should get some of that too when my friend, who lives there, grabbed some.

The clerk, who had heard I was not from there said, "We won't sell ammo to you, you don't have a FOID card" to which I responded something like "I wouldn't want ammo bought from your commie libtard state anyways, it would probably make me gay and socialist." or words to that effect.

You do realize the people enforcing the laws aren't the ones that made them right? But good going, give that clerk just doing their job hell.

In an attempt to get this thread back on track, I remembered another one...

I'm in a LGS that I have spent literally thousands of dollars is... I'm on the brink of being a loyal customer. I find a gun online that he doesn't have in stock, and says that he couldn't get for me. I win an auction for a Romanian PSL, and have it shipped to his shop for a transfer (previous conversations with the shop owner had yielded me the information that FFL transfers were $10.)

Gun gets there. Before we do the paperwork he walks over to the register and says "That'll be $70."
Shocked I said, "you told me transfers were $10!"
Him: "Yea, transfer is $10 then $60 in sales tax."
Me: "The gun is from Iowa, I don't have to pay sales tax..."
A sly smile spreads across his face knowing that he had been caught (again, I'm obviously waaay too young to know about firearms) He says: "Look son, the gun is here, and it'll cost ya $30 to ship it back, and another $30 to get it shipped to another FFL... so if you wanna walk outta this shop with that gun, it'll be $50."

I don't know if any of you have ever been 20 years old before... but the sheer amount of testosterone pulsing through my veins made it almost impossible not to clobber him... after regaining composure I realized he had me by the proverbial testicles... I didnt really want to get the police involved (Did I mention he was the Mayor of the town) so I quietly paid him $50, and never returned...

From this day forward everyone that I meet that is even marginally interested in guns, I tell them "Stay out of Gun City in Barling, AR"

Last I had heard, he had so much inventory that isn't moving, he cant even afford to take a trade... has to have cash. Poor saps with NO BUSINESS SENSE