Gun Shop Malpractice?
- Thread starter Yoda
- Start date
- Status
Yoda
Member
I asked for your views, and you all gave them. I listened, and today I went back to the gun shop and apologized.
The dealer said he didn't recall me getting out of line, but maybe he was just being nice. Before I left, I put some money down on a new gun.
For what it's worth, a few years ago, in a different store, I was listening to a customer ask some very specific questions, and the salesman was blowing smoke. He was trying to sell her a .22 revolver for self defense in the home. She asked if she could use it to shoot an attacker through a bedroom or bathroom door. Rather than answer her question, he just told her that she could load it with rat shot, and that would "surprise and scare" any intruder.
What would you do in THAT situation?
- - - Yoda
The dealer said he didn't recall me getting out of line, but maybe he was just being nice. Before I left, I put some money down on a new gun.
For what it's worth, a few years ago, in a different store, I was listening to a customer ask some very specific questions, and the salesman was blowing smoke. He was trying to sell her a .22 revolver for self defense in the home. She asked if she could use it to shoot an attacker through a bedroom or bathroom door. Rather than answer her question, he just told her that she could load it with rat shot, and that would "surprise and scare" any intruder.
What would you do in THAT situation?
- - - Yoda
blarby
Member
Very well done, Yoda.
Its a mark of a real man who can recognize his faults.
You did the right thing.
As to the last part........its still dangerous territory. We know that a 22lr isn't optimal for self defense, and that ratshot certainly isnt either. Without context or intonation, I'd almost consider that line a joke. Not being there, I can't tell. ( For the record, in any and all fairness to the dealers stupidity if that wasn't a joke....mebbe she couldn't handle a larger weapon.... I have seen 22's sail through drywall, and hollowcore doors at the range)
Maybe this is why I don't involve myself in others' sales transactions.... It's often better not knowing how some folks make a living.... Thats a sad statement, but true.
If you were there, and someones safety was in jeopardy, and you made a call to "buck up" and say something, I wouldn't hold it against ya. I doubt anyone reasonably could... its safety, after all.
Its a mark of a real man who can recognize his faults.
You did the right thing.
As to the last part........its still dangerous territory. We know that a 22lr isn't optimal for self defense, and that ratshot certainly isnt either. Without context or intonation, I'd almost consider that line a joke. Not being there, I can't tell. ( For the record, in any and all fairness to the dealers stupidity if that wasn't a joke....mebbe she couldn't handle a larger weapon.... I have seen 22's sail through drywall, and hollowcore doors at the range)
Maybe this is why I don't involve myself in others' sales transactions.... It's often better not knowing how some folks make a living.... Thats a sad statement, but true.
If you were there, and someones safety was in jeopardy, and you made a call to "buck up" and say something, I wouldn't hold it against ya. I doubt anyone reasonably could... its safety, after all.
blarby
Member
Ya know, I thought about that one for a second or two...
And if I couldn't tell right away it was a joke...YA, I would say something too.
Matters of preference and upselling are one thing, but thats just not right.
And if I couldn't tell right away it was a joke...YA, I would say something too.
Matters of preference and upselling are one thing, but thats just not right.
cyclopsshooter
Member
damn good question!
i too applaud you going back and standing up. honor like that is lost to most people.. im not surprised he said he didn't remember, he was likely off to his next customer in short order.. and its not healthy to dwell on the small stuff
lefteyedom
Member
I Sunday 03/18/12 it will have been 30 years since I bought my first firearm from a gun shop.The truth as I know it, is that gun prices have gone through the roof and gun store staff have gotten more ignorant and arrogant.(NOT ALL) but many.
I do not expect a someone selling a pump shotgun at Walmart to know features of products they sell. It is just part of the deal at a big box store. If someone hangs a shingle up and starts doing business as a gun shop it is reasonable to expect the staff to understand more than just the bare basics.
Case in point, left handed shooter on a bit of a budget was looking to buy a shotgun. The sells staff at a gun-shop did not understand why the Mossberg 500 that they had on the shelf, would be a better fit for him than 870 Remington.
At another pawn/gunshop a few days later I over heard a "Numb Skull" trying to convince a customer that 9mm Nato would blow a much BIGGER hole in the (Insert Racial Slur here) that are robbing houses than a 380 Auto or a 38 Special. The other "near-dee-well" working the other end of the counter was telling a young lady that "with the Judge you can load up some 410 buck shot and blow that (Insert different ethnic slur here) away clean through the front door".
I pointed out the Mossberg out to the young hunter and explain why the safety location was lefty friendly. The staff nodded in agreement. At the pawn shop I just shook my head quietly and walk over use power tools then left.
Maybe it I am apathetic or it is weariness from years of seeing poor professionalism in the gun retail trade that makes me not want spend time or money in most shops.
I have a local gunsmith that has done right by me and he handles my FFLs transfers for a fair price. Gunbroker, Arms list, and face to face sells have been the source of my last 1/2 dozen gun purchases. Hopefully I will find a good gun-shop. I am not holding my breath but I am holding my tongue...
I do not expect a someone selling a pump shotgun at Walmart to know features of products they sell. It is just part of the deal at a big box store. If someone hangs a shingle up and starts doing business as a gun shop it is reasonable to expect the staff to understand more than just the bare basics.
Case in point, left handed shooter on a bit of a budget was looking to buy a shotgun. The sells staff at a gun-shop did not understand why the Mossberg 500 that they had on the shelf, would be a better fit for him than 870 Remington.
At another pawn/gunshop a few days later I over heard a "Numb Skull" trying to convince a customer that 9mm Nato would blow a much BIGGER hole in the (Insert Racial Slur here) that are robbing houses than a 380 Auto or a 38 Special. The other "near-dee-well" working the other end of the counter was telling a young lady that "with the Judge you can load up some 410 buck shot and blow that (Insert different ethnic slur here) away clean through the front door".
I pointed out the Mossberg out to the young hunter and explain why the safety location was lefty friendly. The staff nodded in agreement. At the pawn shop I just shook my head quietly and walk over use power tools then left.
Maybe it I am apathetic or it is weariness from years of seeing poor professionalism in the gun retail trade that makes me not want spend time or money in most shops.
I have a local gunsmith that has done right by me and he handles my FFLs transfers for a fair price. Gunbroker, Arms list, and face to face sells have been the source of my last 1/2 dozen gun purchases. Hopefully I will find a good gun-shop. I am not holding my breath but I am holding my tongue...
cyclopsshooter
Member
Shops like this scare me.. they give both gun owners and the pawn industry a bad name. Fortunately the majority are not like that.. (I do admit to stepping over a few tools in my own shop from time to time though
)- Status
Similar threads
