My Oshman's experience

[geegee]

Last week, I went to a new Oshman's store in Watauga, TX. My reason for going there was that it had recently opened, and had sent out discount coupons to residents in the area. I needed some ammo, so off I went.

As the clerk at the firearms counter was ringing up my sale, he asked me for my telephone number. "I think I'll take a pass on that," I said. Once he was finished, I asked him if I could see the new Smith & Wesson 1911 in the display case. "Sure," he said. "Just need to see your driver's license." "You need to see my driver's license for me to handle a handgun?" "Yup," he said. "Store policy."

He then hands me the pistol, with the trigger lock still completely covering the trigger (this wasn't a cable, but the type of lock that completely covers and blocks the trigger). I said "Are you going to take this lock off? It's kind of hard to get a feel for this with this lock on." "Nope-can't-store policy." I just put it down, grabbed my ammo, and left. Are they kidding?

While I was there, I noticed they had a rack filled with "comment cards." I didn't fill one out then, but did take one with me, and today emailed athe following letter to their Vice President of Consumer Affairs, expressing my disgust with their ridiculous policies.

To Whom It May Concern:

Last Friday morning (04/30/04), I went to your new store in Watauga, TX. I had recently received a promotional post
card, with coupons attached, to be used only at this store. I went with the intent of buying some handgun ammunition.
Before I left, I noticed there were comment cards in a rack on the counter, and since I my shopping experience in your
Watauga store was so poor, I thought I'd email you my comments.

Once I selected three boxes of ammunition to buy, I was asked for my telephone number. I don't know when
this annoying and intrusive marketing approach started, but it's certainly time to end it. If you want my phone
number collected at the point of sale, you're not getting it (for a whole lot of reasons). I'm sure you're hearing
complaints about this obnoxious practice, so maybe it's time to put an end to it. Or continue to annoy your
customers, whichever makes the most sense to you.

After the clerk rang up my sale, I asked him if I could see the new Smith and Wesson Model 1911, located in
the display case. He said I could, but then asked me for my driver's license. To hold a handgun from the display
case now requires the presentation of a driver's license....huh? To what end is this required? I suppose asking for
a telephone number while I'm paying for some merchandise isn't enough of an annoyance, now Oshman's requires
that I present my driver's license to hold a handgun. Nowhere else in this state have I ever had that requested of me,
but now that's apparently necessary when shopping at Oshman's.

Here's the part that really displayed just how out of touch you folks are from your customers. Once the clerk
handed me the pistol, I asked him if he could remove the gun lock blocking the trigger. No, he couldn't, as this
is apparently another brilliant policy designed by Oshman's (a policy I'm guessing was the brainchild of someone
who has never shot a gun in their life).

I don't know if anyone there has ever bought a pistol before, but it's really rather difficult to get a good feel for a pistol
without being able to hold it properly, and that does require gripping it completely, without being hindered by the large
block of metal surrounding the trigger. I really have to wonder when the decision was made whether anyone asked the
question "Gee, do you think a potential customer will spend $500-1,000.00 for a handgun they can't properly hold, as they
attempt to check the weight, balance, and hopefully trigger pull, of that pistol?" Or is it the general consensus in your
company that someone will just see a pistol in a case, then pay for it and hope all those elements just match up with
what they need, once they get the pistol home? Could you possibly display more ignorance?

No, my Oshman's experience wasn't very good, and the way I view your company is certainly impacted by this visit.
I'm a member of several internet firearm discussion groups, and you can be sure I'll be sharing this experience with other
firearms enthusiasts online.

Sincerely,

Anyone else ever go through this, while shopping there?

 

[orangeninja]

Yes, at a place called Ft. Worth Sports whom went out of business. A guy refused to show ME a handgun because my brother who was under age was WITH me.

 

[RRTX]

I don't ever remember being asked my phone # at Oshman's, but always my ZIP code, of course I don't shop their very often since their prices always seem to be high. I ran into the same scenario with a trigger lock last week though, only it was on a rifle at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine.

 

[TXBera]

This is probably the individual store's policy as I went to a Oshman's in Stafford and they took the trigger lock off. I still handed over my ID just to comply but I wasn't happy with it either. The good news is the salesman wasn't interested in copying down all my personal info off the DL, he was just interested in making the sale.

And their prices are a little inflated, I have seen a similar Colt Series 80 on Gunbroker for $600 NIB. Where as the series 80 in Oshman's was $729.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

In MA you can't handle a gun without presenting an FID or LTC.(They do take the trigger lock of though.)

 

[Skankabilly]

Is Oshman's a new chain? I've never heard of it.

 

[drannor]

Wow, that's considerably different than the Oshman's I've visited in Austin. I've handled firearms at two different locations without presenting or being asked for ID. They did have the annoying locks, but the clerk removed them before hading the piece over.

OTOH, they do ask for ID when I buy ammo, which I find somewhat annoying. I give them my CHL, figure that should do. Perhaps they are lifting my zip code off that? I will check next time.

I buy ammo from them, usually 9mm as it's actually cheaper there then online. While I've looked at pistols in their stores, I've never purchased one. I prefer to give the business to local gunstores even at a slight premium.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I'm anxious to hear if you get a response, geegee, and what it contains. I've handled a pistol at the Oshmans in Plano off Plano Parkway and 75 (across from the new Fry's) sometime back and there wasn't a request for my DL.

Must have been a fluke, because I look pretty disreputable.

I suppose if the opportunity arises that I'm in an Oshmans and I happen to see something that I want to smear my grubby paws on I'll politely decline any attempt to ID me by the minion, smile, and politely let him know I see no need for him to learn my place of residence. I look every bit of my advancing old age and that should be enough for him to know I meet any fed.gov age requirement.

See...I've got the curmudgeon lessons down pat.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[c_yeager]

We have an Oshman's at an outlet mall near Seattle. They dont CARRY handguns at all.

 

[Turkish]

Man, this forum has made me feel really bad about what people have to put up with in other states. Here in Arizona I've had no problems at a gun store. When i recently bought my cz-52 at my local gunshop, they had no problem with me handling the gun, except that they had to hand it to my dad who was then allowed to hand it to me. I also have had no problem going in there with my 18 year old friend, and occasionally another minor, walking around picking out ammo and any other supplies we need for half an hour, then having everyone walk up to the counter with arm loads of ammo, setting it down on the counter and having my friend pay for it

 

[geegee]

The most ridiculous part of this episode is that during the entire encounter, I was standing there wearing a cocked and locked .45! I wasn't about to show my CHL, nor was I going to raise the issue to the clerk, but good grief, this isn't Massachusetts.

For the record, I have been in a different Oshman's and had the clerk ask me for my zip code, but the phone number is a new one. I'll probably go back a time or two to finish using their coupons to buy some more ammo, but that will pretty well finish off my shopping time at Oshman's.

 

[CatsDieNow]

The Oshman's in south Fort Worth has a sign that wants you to check all handguns at the counter before shopping. Since this sign (not 30.06) is on the inside of the storefront wall and I can't see it until I am in line to pay, I just ignore it. I'd probably get the police called on me if I pulled out a handgun and asked them to check it anyway.

They usually ask me if they can have my zipcode or phone number, and I simply say no. Clerk punches in all sevens and then takes my money - no big deal.

The store I will not go into because of information collection is Circuit City. They do that "instore warranty" crap.

 

[geegee]

The Oshman's in south Fort Worth has a sign that wants you to check all handguns at the counter before shopping.

Now there's a handgun safety policy we can all applaud.

Hey, wait just a minute. What would happen if a guy went in there to rob the place and shoot people inside? The thought just occurred to me: I'd be unarmed, and he probably wouldn't check his gun! Maybe one of us should call Oshman's to let them know we've found a chink in the armor.

 

[CatsDieNow]

Yeah, but it's on the wall with the front door. You don't even see it until you are ready to leave.

Maybe someone was told they had to post it and found the least obnoxious place to put it.

 

[sturmruger]

My new favorite retail store to shop at is called Sportsmans Wharehouse. I think they are based in UT. Great store with a aweseome display of handguns. Pricewise they are right in line with what I normally see at gun shows, which isn't too bad in my book.

 

[Rebel Gunman HK]

I have an Oshmans in my local mall. Losy selection, but good prices. They have started asking for drivers licenses for the past year or two. I guess they are afraid that someone will grab the gun & run?? I dunno.

I just heard that The Sports Authority just bought them and the S.A. is gonna carry handguns again. So thats good. My local Oshmans at least takes the trigger lock off before they hand it to you. Big 5 however leaves it on until you say your gonna buy it.

 

[R.H. Lee]

The Oshman's here in Templeton, Calif carries no ammo, and certainly no firearms. They are an overpriced version of Sears. The only reason I go there is for Craftsman tools.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I had the same experience at a Sportmart (same parent company as Oshman's) here in Minnesota a few years ago. The clerk asked for my Minnesota Permit to Purchase a Pistol (Minnesota's infringement on handguns AND "assault rifles" ) before I could look at a Beretta. I said a few choice words, walked out and sent off an e-mail to their President. No response. The store has since stopped selling either handguns or rifles, just a few shotguns and air rifles. I now give most of my sporting goods business to Galyan's and other realistic stores

 

[bobs1066]

Oshman's is the outfit that owned the second incarnation of Abercrombie & Fitch. A&F was still carried firearms & sporting goods when I worked for them back in the mid-80's. Oshman's sold them to the soulless rag merchants that own A&F now.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's geegee my friend-

The stores actions make "NO SENSE". Before I'm going
to plunk down hard earned cash for any firearm, I
want to at least have the option to test all of its
features. Looks to me like the salesperson (and the
Oshman's outlet you visited), weren't really interested
in making a sale. I would fill out the customer complaint
card; and give them bad marks all the way across! Go
somewhere else, that is "customer friendly".

I guess this "bird" (salesperson) thought that you had
the proper ammunition on you to fit the weapon? Only
a guess, but he/she was too paranoid! Most sales
persons that work in my favorite shop are armed
anyway!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[chink]

I have had to hand over DL a couple times when I was at a pawn shop looking at revolvers. I figured the purpose was twofold 1) to make sure I was old enough 2) should I decide to run off with the gun there is a possibility that my ID really is me. I also had to give a store my ID to handle knives I figured it was to deter theives

 

[Standing Wolf]

I spend my dollars at real gun shops, not imitations.

 

[RustyHammer]

I just put it down, grabbed my ammo, and left.

.... wasn't 45 ACP by chance, was it?

 

[larry_minn]

My normal response to places that want my zip code is 50210... For phone number either 867-5309 or 555-1212 If asked my name I ask for their name. Then say thats my name as well....who would have thunk it?


Thing is some places I don't mind. I.E. renting apts they want ID before they take you in and show you apts. Single gal taking unknown folks into different apts in large complex.... Makes sense to me. I do demand they give me photocopy when I leave. (they copy DL/ID and leave copy with person in Office. )

 

[CrudeGT]

LArry, when you give them the # 867-5309 do any of them catch on? you chould start telling them your name is Jenny too

CatsDieNow: The curiousity would be too great for me, I would walk up the counter and thunk down my handgun just to see the expression on their faces. I wouldn't do it without a BUG on me too, and without taking out the ammo. Hell, I might even field strip it just so I knew some dumbass wasn;t back there dry firing my baby.

That sounds rediculous that they would ask for a DL to handle a gun, and then not take off the trigger guard. Hopefully this is only because they are a new store, and they policy will fade once they realize they aren't selling any gun because no one can get a good feel for them... We've got stores like that here in Utah, Sportsman's Warehouse for one, but I only shop for guns at the local gun store, I hate dealing with people who don't know crap about what they're selling and it's rare to find someone working the counter at one of these outdoor chainstores who knows enough to satisfy me.