A Gun Store Pet Peeve.

[ezypikns]

Most of us here enjoy going to a gun store. We find a store where we're well treated (sometimes not an easy task). We enjoy talking about guns. We enjoy seeing what's new in the store. Maybe we're only the to do a few comparisons. Sometimes we need to evaluate the way certain firearms feel in our hand, what the sights look like, generally whether that firearm has that certain quality which let's us know it's for us...or not.
I generally know when I'm going in to buy, or at least seriously shop. There are only a limited number of salespeople to service a sometimes crowded store. If I'm just doing research or comparing one firearm to another, I try to minimize the time that I spend with a salesperson.
What really irritates me are the folks who seemingly have no intention of buying a firearm, but tie up the salespeople for ridiculous periods just BSing about this and that. Of course, the salesperson doesn't know who's serious and who's not (although they probably have a pretty good idea). And the fact that they (the salepeople) treat everyone as a potential customer is not a bad thing.
I suppose what I'd like to see is just a little common courtesy from those who have no intention of buying. Maybe limit your time with the salesperson if you're only doing research, or just wishing you could buy.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Amen Brother nothing worse than waiting on some one who in the End buys Nothing or the ones who buys one and spends 30 minutes asking questions that the Manuel would answer if they would just read it.

My Problem in DFW is that many GS salespeople are rude and knowitalls.

 

[BP Hunter]

I hear you dude. I visit my favorite gunstores alot, one I bought 3 guns from and another 2 from. When I am there, I am the same as you, I am looking and comparing guns for the next purcahse. Sometimes, I can't help it, I feel, that just because I am a "serious" gunowner and am not there purely for BSing the salesperson, I have to be entertained first. You have to admit, we gotta respect the guy "holding us up". He most probably own safes and safes of guns.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Kind of like NutnFancy?

 

[N003k]

I know what ya mean, personally if I'm going in just to look/compare/research, and they're busy, I'll just look around at guns not behind the counter until its less busy and everyones helped....always annoys me when I hear that one guy asking a ton of questions, taking a long time, and then just walking out without even the slightest indication he intends to buy it at any point...

 

[EvanWilliams]

I have found that DFW Guns (I think) on Mockingbird is OK. The Bullet Trap in Plano is full of 80 per cent jerks. Bullet traps prices are good, however. Gunmaster, plano, expensive, people so so.
I don't know what pathology is at work in the gunshop commando. I am wary of anyone not in LE who is dressed in tactical slacks and shirts 24 7. I do admit I own some tactical clothing.

BTW, NOO3K, There is a great gunshop in Monroe. Can't remember the name. I bought several shotguns there. Sometimes I miss Conn. But I ALWAYS LOVE Texas.

 

[MrCleanOK]

When I go into a shop just to look, I will tell the guy behind the counter right up front "I'm just looking today. You can help somebody else." If I have a question or want to see something, I'll wait and catch somebody who isn't busy trying to sell to a buying customer.

Just common courtesy.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Yeah, I agree with Mr. Clean.

There is one gun store here that has a guy who loves to chat it up with me, but he's kindof a weirdo.

 

[Mags]

I frequent a local Gun Shop in my area at least 3 times a week I go in shoot the SH!+ with em for a few hours during the mornings before I leave for work. Occasionaly about once every quarter I may purchase a firearm from them and about once every other week I purchase ammo, accessories or services. They know me very well and when a serious customer comes in we end our conversation and resume when the customers leave all while I throw in how great the gun is that the customer is looking at. Sure the prices are high but I appreciate them humoring my conversations and I enjoyhelping out the local guy.

 

[wvshooter]

If Obama would get off his a** and get a gun purchase stimulus bill passed every Tom, Dick and Jane would have a $500 US Govt coupon which could be used at their favorite gun store. Tell me this wouldn't be good for the economy. They could walk in pick something out and dispense with the blab sesion with the sales guy.

 

[Ethereal]

Me personally I won't ask to see something unless I'm 90% sure I'm gonna go for it anyways, and only to see if there's any deal breakers upon close inspection. I feel pretty bad about handing back guns without getting a 4473 in return...
When my regular job is slow and I've got some free time I like to help out at a couple funstores to feed the habit so to speak. You have no idea how many people do this on a regular basis; and they have no discretion as to what they'll hold on to with no intention of buying.

 

[SMMAssociates]

I've got a couple of favorite stores. My policy (I visit one very frequently) is to just tell the counterstaff to deal with the paying customers first. I tend to stand around and BS, and/or help the staff (and that may involve being very careful ) until things clear up enough to continue to BS or actually look at something.

If I can't hang around, and am not interested in buying, I'll tell everybody to have a nice day, and leave. If I'm serious about buying, I may hang around or not - depends on other intangibles. Usually, I've got more to fear from "closing time" than any issues of how long it takes, and getting bored there isn't easy.

One rule, though: I almost never ask to see something unless I'm serious, and "it's my turn".... Sometimes one of the guys will hand me something anyway, but that's another story.

Regards,

 

[bangkok]

I know most of the guys at the shops I go to and we shoot the sh*t quite a bit, I often notice that they will ignore potential customers and it is me that tells them to go ahead and help the guy!

 

[zeebo419]

I agree with SMMAssociates. Its all about whats going on at the time. I'll sit around and BS the gun store guy if there's clearly nothing else going on in the store, even if I'm probably not going to make a purchase, but if the store is busy just move along! Last time I was in the local Academy sports me and the gun dept dude just shot the breeze for 15 mins or so, there was no one else around, so who cares? When others eventually came to the counter I moved along. It is all about courtesy.

 

[cchris]

I spend my time looking around until a salesperson is free. If there are people behind me, I let them be helped first. Mostly I just ask to see a gun and don't speak to the salesperson unless I have specific questions about the gun and warranties/accessories, etc.

I spend more time looking around at guns, and end up buying on a whim - actually every gun I own was bought after a few minutes of looking at it and not researching it, and I can't complain about any of them. Just great deals I happened to come across.

 

[ezypikns]

Very well said!!!!

It is all about courtesy.

My original point exactly.

 

[Dravur]

I had a Pet Peeve once. I made a little cage for it, fed it lettuce and mealy worms. It was a great pet, once I got it house broken.

They can live a good long while. I think mine was 22 when it shuffled off.

 

[doc2rn]

I went to a store the other day and the BSer was the guy behind the counter! I walked in to actually buy a firearm and he hadnt even put any in the display. Now I have been going there a long time and we are on a first name basis. I told him what I wanted and he said he would find one and I let it go at that.
When I walked in 3 weeks later to my surprise he had brushed me off. Then he said he couldnt find one I went to the new store slightly worse on prices but stocked and he called in front of me and said yeah they got what you want and ordered one up.
I think I am gonna have to find a new store for my weapons.

 

[EdLaver]

I dont even go to local places anymore, only place I go is to gun shows or buy online and ship to FFL.