Gun snobbery...

[jimmyjamonit]

I do my best to support my local gun shop, but it's getting tougher every visit. I repeatedly give them my business yet I am treated like **** everytime I set foot in the place. I've noticed lots of dealers both at stores and gun shows who seem to have this "attitude" problem. It really pisses me off, especially when considering that I am always courteous and polite. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[twoclones]

Nope. Quite the opposite here.

 

[GEM]

Two big stores here - one snob, one nice and friendly. Easy choice.

 

[50caliber123]

In SE Michigan, most gun dealers are trying to sell or in some cases, buy up privately owned guns from people because they can't get anthing. If you're looking for any gun with a 20" barrel or shorter thats used, good luck finding one right now. I haven't seen a shotgun with a barrel under 28" in a while now either.

That being said, most dealers are polite, trying to talk people into "that one" because of the high deman in the market right now.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I have experienced both good and bad treatment by dealers. Mostly good but a few have been not -so--good. I no longer deal with one shop for that reason even though he has a great inventory including mil-surps.

 

[jimmyjamonit]

Maybe I shouldnt go in wearing Boss jeans and a G-Unit hoodie. Next time I'll take out my gold grill before i ask to "see that gat dawg".

 

[Sixtigers]

Yep. I used to buy at the premier local store, but even though I've been doing business there for 10 years--and folks, we're talking well over $10K--the owner just won't warm up. Don't know why, not my problem.

Customer service is getting to be a problem with pretty much all services...anyone else notice?

No problem. I now do business with a smaller, but much friendlier guy.

 

[fingerbanger]

I thought it was just me. I find the same thing around here. The place is really beautiful but the owner is rather stand-off-ish. Hey his shop he can do what he wants. But then there are the hangers-on. People who hang around eyeing my every move, waching me look at this or that. Makes me feel uncomfortable and pressured to buy just because I handled it. Last time I used it as a learning experience. Do my customers feel that way or do they feel welcome and at ease? I hope they do. Different industry but the same sales principles apply.

 

[Travis Bickle]

I do my best to support my local gun shop, but it's getting tougher every visit. I repeatedly give them my business yet I am treated like **** everytime I set foot in the place. I've noticed lots of dealers both at stores and gun shows who seem to have this "attitude" problem. It really pisses me off, especially when considering that I am always courteous and polite. Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes. However, it's almost understandable when you consider some of the jackasses that gun shop workers have to put up with on a daily basis.

 

[doc540]

Combine "I have strong opinions" with "I think I'm an expert" and you get a cross between Dirty Harry and John Podesta.

It's not unusual in the world of firearms.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

That is no excuse. If you want MY business, you WILL treat me with respect. I don't care how many jackasses a dealer has to content with. I am not one of them. If you want my money act like you are glad to see me(even if you aren't).

 

[Travis Bickle]

That is no excuse.

Yes, I know. That's why I said it's almost understandable.

 

[orionhawk]

I had the same problem. Gun shop/smith 2 miles from home. Ended up in a 30-second cursing match with the owner. I went back a couple hours later, after I calmed down, to apologize (and see if he would - he didn't). Haven't been back in the year and a half since. Spent about $5k in that time, but had to drive 40 miles (1-way) to do it. I'm debating stopping by before I move to point that out to him. (politely)

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I don't go in for polite converstation, or an ego boost. I am there to purchase a firearm. If they have what I want at the price I am willing to pay I buy it. I could care less about the guy behind the counter, and I'm sure he feels the same way .....and that relationship works for me.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I go to get something. Kind of hard to avoid hellos and greetings and run into folks who... are interesting. But Im there to get something and go.

So far so good.

 

[orionhawk]

I had taken in a malfunctioning Kel-Tec PF9. (I had "tinkered" with it). The action would not cycle. They said they could fix it. The action now cycled, but the takedown pin would FALL OUT if the gun was tilted to the left while the slide was back, and the slide stop no longer stopped the slide. The actual argument started when I pointed this out to the "gentleman" behind the counter. He started the profanity, not me.

 

[BBQLS1]

I don't deal with the bad shops. I have had very good luck with a few in my area.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

jimmyraythomason: "If you want MY business, you WILL treat me with respect. I don't care how many jackasses a dealer has to content with. I am not one of them. If you want my money act like you are glad to see me(even if you aren't)."

I wouldn't want your business.

 

[Cannonball888]

Reminds me of some of the codgers at the gunshows who just want to belittle or yell at people all day, then they get frustrated that no one will buy anything from them. They are their own worst enemies.

 

[CoRoMo]

I repeatedly give them my business yet I am treated like **** everytime

If we refuse to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.

I've got several of these type shops in my area, and I plan to visit one of them in the next few hours. I'm not going to be extra polite as they act like a bunch of jerks, but I'm not going to get down on their level either. I'll only buy from them if they have something that I can't find anywhere else for a comparable price. Their selection is exactly that. They have stuff that nobody else even comes close to stocking, therefore they have the luxury of conducting themselves like complete @**h*l*s.

You pay for what you get.

 

[dobrzemetal]

don't feel bad man, I too have felt the cold shoulder of the gun-shop trolls. However, that all changed one day when the guy got into an argument with me over ammo, needless to say I schooled him up with some math and it shut him up, they were courteous afterwards. Chances are YOU know more than they do, they just act elitist because they work in the gun store.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Duke of Doubt,considering your line of business I am VERY glad. I hope I NEVER have need of your services.

 

[austin360]

"Reminds me of some of the codgers at the gunshows who just want to belittle or yell at people all day, then they get frustrated that no one will buy anything from them. They are their own worst enemies."

Bingo. Those guys drive me nuts!

 

[Norinco982lover]

I drive 35 minutes one way to get good service at a small gunshop. There are closer gunshops but none as friendly as this one. I occasionally buy a little ammo but besides that I have only used them for xfers (they don't stock much). My next gun purchase will most likely be straight from them...their prices are affordable and they deserve my business.

~Norinco

 

[Duke of Doubt]

jimmyraythomason: "Duke of Doubt,considering your line of business I am VERY glad. I hope I NEVER have need of your services."

Heh. Fair enough. I'll admit some of my attitude and demeanor comes from dealing on regular professional basis with dimwitted people having bad attitudes and an entitlement mentality, yet demanding great respect. Probably you aren't one of those sort. I'll also admit my attitude and demeanor probably would be different if I was an art dealer to generous patrons.