Range etiquette question

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Dilettante

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I'm a member at an outdoor range close to where I live. In this season they close at 5pm.
It's easier for me to slip out of work after 4 or so, so often I start shooting around 4:30 and go for half an hour. This works fine for me, since it's cheap, and not far from home.
But the lady in the office always gives me a hard time, and I have the feeling she doesn't like it. Am I creating an inconvenience by showing up for the last half-hour?
The other day I got in at 4:35 and it was clear that they didn't want me to shoot, although there were still people on the firing line itself. I think I have a good record of getting out quickly and easily; AFAIK I've never caused anyone to stay late or do extra cleanup. But maybe there are other reasons why it's just bothersome to have someone arrive near the end of the day, or maybe they don't want to encourage it in general.

Have I been inconsiderate so far? When is the "real" closing time for an outdoor range that closes at 5?
 
This doesn't really answer your question, but I think some working people have jobs where they can leave a little early if everyone has gone. It's just sort of human nature to want everyone to leave under those circumstances. Not that you should defer to them and leave.
 
I tend to think that's the real explanation. By the way, people still shoot until 5, if they're already signed in. When I arrived the other day, the staff were already outside the office, hanging around chatting. It was one of those situations--if they had felt like signing me in, it probably would've just meant stepping inside the office. I would have shot for 20 min. and left at the same time as the guy who was still shooting. (And they pretty much know this from past experience.)
So I think it means that they don't like having people show up after 4:30.
 
Staff? At an outdoor shooting range? How strange.

I've always considered it inconsiderate to stay until closing time at any business. I always try to get out at least 5 minutes before then.
 
If they close at 5, I would leave by 5.

Not shoot till 5 and spend 10 minutes cleaning up, of course.

Not show up at ten till and stay all night because I got there before closing.

But if they want me to leave before 5 they should change thier hours.
 
I've got an idea for you: Show up at 4:25 with a nice cup of Starbuck's coffee (or some high-end local coffee place) for the lady in the office. Bring sugar in packets, those cutsie little creamer thingies, etc, so she can fix her coffee just the way she likes it.

When she wonders what the heck you're doing that for, explain that you like to get in a nice, short, range session from 4:30 to 5:00, but you realize that it inconveniences her for you to do it, so you're expressing your appreciation. Let her know that you realize they want to close at 5:00 and assure her that you'll be ready to scoot at the door precisely at 5:00.

Then, enjoy your half hour. From then on, when you come in at 4:30, she'll say, "Hi! Nice to see you."

If you can't beat 'em, charm 'em!
 
Well, there's usually 3 or 4 people there, and I'm not sure they like Starbucks at all...but RANash may be on to something. :)
Or I could time things a little better and get there by 4:15.
 
I used to work at a place that required about 15 minutes of clean-up and shut down, which could only be done after all customers left. Problem was that we were only paid until closing time. We actively discouraged persons from coming in close to closing, and even kicked people out before posted closing time. Not a great business solution, but I was getting paid minimum wage at the time and wasn't going to give away any free time. Now is it wrong for the business to post 5 as closing if it really closes at 4:45? Yes, but it may not be the fault of the peon behind the counter.

I like RANash's idea.
 
A local range that I frequent has a strict policy about this. Last check-in has to be at least 45 min. before closing time. When it's policy, everyone knows the rules, and nobody's feelings get hurt.
 
You're a regular so this may not apply.

For most ranges, someone showing up very close to closing time is a possible danger signal. Like he has something in mind that needs to take place at closing time that won't take long...such as robbery or suicide.
 
This a commecial range where the staff are paid to be there? Or a private club where you pay dues? Either way, help with the clean up/shut down or whatever and your troubles will go away. And the coffee idea isn't bad either. Why do they close at 5?
 
on RANash's idea...

Make sure she likes/drinks coffee. I don't.
 
I've got a buddy that works at an indoor range. They don't mind people there until closing, the time that it gets to them is if they've had a very busy day. It does take them a while to close up (count receipts, clean up, put away guns etc.) so if someone is there until closing that just means they have to stick aroung that much longer to close. I'm not condoning their actions...if you hire on to do a job, you should be mature enough to go as long as you've signed up for.
If you only have 30 minutes to shoot & you're gone by closing time, enjoy yourself. If the employees give you a tough time, talk to the manager or the owner!
 
Seems like folks should be more concerned with doing they're job and serving their customers, instead of concerning themselves with locking up and being out the door at exactly 5:00 pm. Especially if the customer is a regular.
 
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