I hate gun store know-nothings!

[The Real Hawkeye]

I have had too many such encounters in the past week to stand anymore. The other day I come in and asked one of them if they sold that estate sale external hammer double shotgun that came in recently, because I didn't see it in the rack behind the counter where they keep their high value used guns. He said, "Did you check the used gun rack?" I explained to him that it would not be there, as it is a high value piece. He demanded with an attitude that it would be, since that's where all the used guns go. Then I saw the manager and asked her if she sold it, and she said that it hadn't been priced yet, and that when she did price it, "it will be over there," she pointed to a rack behind the counter, "and not in the used gun section." I was glad she said this in front of the know-nothing.

Today I came in again and asked the same know-nothing about Light Magnum ammo for .30-06. He proceeded to "explain" to me that there was no such thing because they'd never put the word magnum on .30-06 ammo. Then I saw the gunsmith and asked him if they had any, and he said "of course." Again the know-nothing was there to hear it, which is good. I asked him if he had 180 grainers, to which he replied, "They don't make 180 grainers in the Light Magnums." To which I informed him that they did. He insisted, with an attitude, that they didn't, and I offered to bet the clean Inland M1 Carbine that was sitting on the gun rack over there that they did indeed make it. He didn't take me up on it, but just went to the computer to prove that they didn't. Naturally, they do make it.

Now, I don't mind gun store people not knowing something, but what bothers me is gun store people who don't know something but are sure they do, and that you don't, and no matter how many times they are proven wrong keep making the same mistake and getting proven wrong over and over, never learning that you know a little something about what has been your primary hobby since you were eight, now being forty-four. You have to come to them as if they were the local oracle of gun-related knowledge or they will take an attitude with you, and if you prove them wrong they take even more of an attitude with you, rather than realizing their mistake in assuming they knew more and you less.

Does this get under anyone else's skin, or am I being over sensitive?

 

[one45auto]

What gets under my skin are gun store know-it-all's. About two weeks or so ago I was in a local gun shop talking to the counter clerk about the Glock .45ACP series and causually mentioned the feeding problems I've had with my Glock 36. Of course he immediately puffed up, got all cocky, and proceeded to tell me how I must have been limp-wristing the gun.

I replied that that wasn't the case, and that even one of the Glock service personnel confided that the slimmer slide can cause problems with lighter loads - at least until the spring wears in. (I was shooting the 230gr whereas the factory uses the Blazer 185gr.) However he kept insisting that that was misinformation, and that I must have been limp-wristing the piece. When I stated that I always kept a firm grip upon the weapon he proceeded to tell me that grip doesn't matter, it's the wrist that counts. Well, duh, but try clutching something tightly and see if you can keep your wrist loose - it's physically impossible! What an unmitigated idiot.

 

[Polishrifleman]

It would probably get under my skin more since it is a private dealer. Was he new? That does not excuse the bad attitude toward a customer but could help with the lack of knowledge and store policy on expensive used guns. It sounds like he might be related to ownership.

What I don't understand is all the Wal-Mart bashing that goes on. I would think a lot of us would just be happy that wally world provides us a place to go. They can always stop carrying guns, ammo etc.. in the sporting goods section and then who can we blame but ourselves for always bashing and not taking a moment to be thankful such a place still exists across the country.

Do we think that they would actually be able to hire and pay someone with the knowledge that we would like to see? Hopefully someone that smart would be long gone from minnimum wage.

 

[caduckgunner]

We have a whole chain of stores full of them in SoCal. It's called Turners

 

[rustymaggot]

this problem isnt just at gun stores. the world is filling up with stupid people who think they know everything. ive known a few gunshops that were very very bad. luckily i found a shop i trust and the guys in it are not afraid to say they dont know if they dont really know.

now a related but off topic rant........auto parts stores and motorcycle shops tick me off the most. when a shop tells me they can get me the part i need and then after having to prepay for it before they are willing to order it. i wait 5 weeks calling them every 3 or 4 days asking if the part is there and they keep saying its sure to be in tomorrow. at the 5 weeks mark i actually drive out to the shop and demand to know where my part is after half an hour of trying to figure out the computer the clerk tells me the part is discontinued. then they tell me there is a 20 percent restocking fee on a part they couldnt even get me. i had to get a manager involved to get my full money back.

 

[EddieCoyle]

this problem isnt just at gun stores. the world is filling up with stupid people who think they know everything.

Remember, half the people in the world have below-average intelligence, and every last one of them thinks that they are smarter than they really are.

 

[f4t9r]

Its not what you say , Its how you say it

People with a attitude get under my skin

 

[Topgun]

Also don't forget that patronizing Walmart helps China which helps kill jobs here which helps divorces which helps kids to not have dads which helps the kids to NEVER learn about guns.

It's a complicated chain. America is now so "busy" that they don't have time to study what's happening to them.

Broken families and single moms and low paying jobs and an economy based on services instead of manufacturing is one more reason why we are losing our gun rights slowly but surely.

It's all over the country. There aren't even any gun SHOPS left. THAT was where you could get good info (at times) but now they're gone. Replaced by ignorance and needy underpaid help.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Not everybody's bright enough to flip hamburgers and put French fries in little cardboard containers.

 

[Farnham]

this problem isnt just at gun stores. the world is filling up with stupid people who think they know everything.

I keep telling people this is what'll happen with all the seat belt laws, helmet laws, no smoking laws, jaywalking laws, speed limits, airbags, OSHA, the EPA, Poison Control Hotlines, Suicide Hotlines, 911, and welfare.

We've finally created the only society in history that protects (and occasionally, rewards) morons. Be stupid enough to spill coffee on your lap, and you're set for life. Have more kids than you can support, and the system ups your monthly check. Crash your car while driving too fast and/or drunk, have your life saved by an airbag, and sue the car company for ruining your nose job.

Once upon a time, idiots got Darwinized, and we just shook our heads and tsk tsk'd, now we pass a law to keep their idiot offspring alive. Make the world sharp, pointy, hard, slippery, and electrified again, this fuzzy, fluffy s--t is making me sick.

S/F

Farnham

PS: I'm only partially kidding.

PPS: Before you get offended, I'm ranting. Get over it, Nancy.

 

[Bridger]

Pretty much every gun store I've been to in my area is like that or at least has employees like that. I hadn't really noticed the past year since I was mostly buying C&Rs with my license, but went to get a new shotgun earlier this year and ended up just tuning the sales guy out since I knew what I was looking for anyway.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I wish I could remember the source, but it was a number of years ago ... before Al Gore had invented the Internet. Some psychologist (or group thereof) did a study comparing competence at work with people's perceptions of their own competence. It probably won't surprise many people here, but it did surprise the psychologists, that the most competent people tended to rate themselves lowest in ability, and the least competent people universally rated themselves as superlative.

The conclusion being that those who are competent recognize that they are less than perfect and acknowledge room for improvement. Whereas those who are incompetent are so stupid that they cannot even recognize that they are stupid.

Of course, we knew that ... but isn't it nice to know that it's been scientifically proven?

 

[Kodiaz]

Darwinized where do I send the royalties when I use that one. Thank you very much.


Looters will be Darwinized. I like it

 

[LightningJoe]

Make the world sharp, pointy, hard, slippery, and electrified again, this fuzzy, fluffy s--t is making me sick.

Well, we've still got car wrecks and abortion, so cheer up.

 

[gremlin_bros]

know it alls

what i cant figure out is this crap of i go in and ask for a specfic item i know exactly what i want and the idot says they dont carry it any more as i am looking at what i want right behind the counter and then he trys to sell me somthing else totaly diffrent this happened with a small rifle i wanted an ar-7 this small rifle is a copy of the sruvival rifle used in the military for piolts im sitting there looking at one behind the counter price taged and all so i ask the guy to see one (they had several like 5 of them in diffrent finishes) oh they dont make it any more but then he trys to sell me several diffrent guns such as a model 60 marlin a ruger 10-22 and the new hwnery thats a 410 22 over under saying its what i realy want i got so tired of his crap and said no i know what i want then pointed out the 5 rifles right behind him and he looks at me like a dog listens to a high piched sound i finaly walked over to the manager told her the problem i was having that i couldnt get any service told her of the incident and informed her i would nolonger be shopping in thier store and would be informing people of the "service" i didnt recieve and the argumanative manor of the staff the manager then proceded to try to give me some discounts on equipment etc.etc. and i simply told her no i dont expect the salesman to know everything thats impossable but i do expect so respect and it isnt bad to look at a customer and say i dont know or i am unfamilar with that product but i can check the computer or find sombody who is more knowlageable in that subject to help then stick around and listen and god forbid learn somthing heavens no we cant learn from a customer they arnt smart enough to know what there talking about


sorry about the last part with all the sarcasm

ps. this happend several years ago and today that gunstore is out of busness go figure

 

[carp killer]

I think there are morons on both sides of the counter. It must be a real riot to listen to some fat assed bubba mall ninja security guard talking b.s. to the arrogant know-nothing brother of the owner gun store clerk.

 

[M-Rex]

what i cant figure out is this crap of i go in and ask for a specfic item i know exactly what i want and the idot says they dont carry it any more as i am looking at what i want right behind the counter and then he trys to sell me somthing else totaly diffrent this happened with a small rifle i wanted an ar-7 this small rifle is a copy of the sruvival rifle used in the military for piolts im sitting there looking at one behind the counter price taged and all so i ask the guy to see one (they had several like 5 of them in diffrent finishes) oh they dont make it any more but then he trys to sell me several diffrent guns such as a model 60 marlin a ruger 10-22 and the new hwnery thats a 410 22 over under saying its what i realy want i got so tired of his crap and said no i know what i want then pointed out the 5 rifles right behind him and he looks at me like a dog listens to a high piched sound i finaly walked over to the manager told her the problem i was having that i couldnt get any service told her of the incident and informed her i would nolonger be shopping in thier store and would be informing people of the "service" i didnt recieve and the argumanative manor of the staff the manager then proceded to try to give me some discounts on equipment etc.etc. and i simply told her no i dont expect the salesman to know everything thats impossable but i do expect so respect and it isnt bad to look at a customer and say i dont know or i am unfamilar with that product but i can check the computer or find sombody who is more knowlageable in that subject to help then stick around and listen and god forbid learn somthing heavens no we cant learn from a customer they arnt smart enough to know what there talking about


sorry about the last part with all the sarcasm

ps. this happend several years ago and today that gunstore is out of busness go figure

Um...

...do you realize that was all one sentence?

 

[Geno]

One45auto...I've met "Kimber" defenders who say the same thing.

This past summer I bought five (5) Kimbers...three (3) of them were Custom Shop models, and four had to be returned defective. I heard over and over "limp wrist". Odd, my Colts never suffered from my "limp wrists". Seems some people can simply not accept that they do not possess all knowledge. Nor can they accept that others know as much or perhaps even more than they. Well, I corrected my limp wrist problem...I sold my Kimbers and bought Colts! I did buy one new Kimber, a Warrior with the Series I safety and internal extractor. My Colts never failed in well over 5,000 rounds now. My Glock 17 has never failed...well over 5,000 rounds. I have to keep my Warrior pretty clean. But, it can go the first 100 or so rounds with no problems...that's good enough for my purposes, because I always carry two pistols anyhow. Limp wrists...bah-ha! By the way, thanks for the FYI on the G36. I think I'll stick with a G30 if I get a .45 ACP.

Doc2005

 

[Archie]

I must protest the comments about "Turner's" in California. The store in Signal Hill has several salespeople who are fairly conversant with firearms. Another couple are willing to learn from the fat guy with the fedora from time to time. In short, they are reasonable.

There have been a couple goobers, but they don't seem to last long.

No current information about any of the other Turner's.

 

[Rexrider]

Don't forget...
For every stupid person with an attitude behind the counter, somewhere in the world, there is a person equally stupid with an attitude in front of the counter.

Having said that, good customer service dictates the customer is always right and if a stupid customer is encountered, it should be considered an opportunity to educate said customer if they are willing to listen (which they usually are not).

I don't think it is just with gun shops either. My expectations with customer service in general are so low at this point in my life I no longer look for it. If I can just walk out of a store without being…. um….very upset, I think I did good.

I do all the research I can on whatever widget I am looking to buy before actually buying it. The less I have to talk to a so-called sales rep the happier I end up. The best shopping experience I can hope for is saying "I will take that one" and the sales rep just rings it up without saying a word.

It is a shame it has ended up this way. But this is what we get when we want the cheapest stuff possible. Granted sometimes we can only buy what we can afford but then so many people will drive 10 miles to buy something for $5 dollars less. Since employees are typically a company's greatest expense, that is where they have to do the most trimming to compete. Paying for skills and/or training is expensive.

 

[M-Rex]

<snip>

I don't think it is just with gun shops either. My expectations with customer service in general are so low at this point in my life I no longer look for it. If I can just walk out of a store without being…. um….very upset, I think I did good.

<snip>

Sadly, I must confess. I too have settled.

 

[jefnvk]

The 'Sandwich Artist' making my meatball sub told me today very definitively that they did not carry oregano leaves. The manager told her that the oregano was in her hands.

Idiots are everywhere.

 

[dzimmerm]

funny saying

My sister once mentioned this and I had to laugh.


"You who think you know it all are highly annoying to those of us who do"



Hehehe

dzimmerm

 

[gremlin_bros]

m-rex

sorry about the run on when i get started on a rant i kinda lose track

 

[M-Rex]

sorry about the run on when i get started on a rant i kinda lose track

I was just kiddin' around with you. Believe me. I've done the same thing.

Sorry bro.