Dick's Poor Experience

[Duke of Doubt]

Their incompetence? They got you out of their store without you going postal over your inability to force them to perform a transaction they didn't want to perform, and without giving you a raincheck. Then they actually went out of their way to find some ammunition to sell you at your preferred price. Sounds pretty competent to me.

 

[mrsig]

I am sure this thread will be locked shortly, but I do not see why people are attacking “Poor Richard.” He asked a question and was blown off by the District Manager. His post was long, but not worth of anyone’s condescension. I have been to one Dick’s a single time. The store was empty and the employees were busy talking to each other. They did not even recognize my presence. Does stating this make me a whiner too?

- Sig

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Not unless you complained to your state government about not getting enough attention in the store.

 

[average_shooter]

So Duke, on this forum are you really sure you want to be the advocate for the corporation breaking state law?

I thought one of the tenets of this board was that discussion of breaking laws was not acceptable here.

If you don't like the law you can go ahead and work to change it.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I'm not convinced they did "break the law," and if they did, it was not a criminal violation.

 

[jerkface11]

His state requires rainchecks to be issued. Dicks policy doesn't pre-empt state law. From the threads I've seen they have a habit of advertising things as on sale then not carrying them till the sale is over.

 

[StockKahr]

Quote:
They bought out another chain a while back, can't remember the name now.

Around here it used to be Galyans. I bought hiking boots and a couple pieces of climbing gear there before they got bought out.

Yep, they bought Galyans, and turned all of the Indiana handgun-friendly Galyans stores (where I bought 2 of my handguns, BTW), into anti-handgun stores. Heck, not only do they not carry pistols or revolvers (Galyans always had a nice selection and good prices), they don't even carry holsters any more. And they carry absolutely no variety of handgun-caliber ammunition... Just 1 or 2 choices in each caliber.

I just plain don't shop there any more. It ticks me off too much.

 

[joeg26er]

just goes to show

bigger is not always better
for stores...LOL

At any rate- all of the folks at my local Gander mountain stores are good people and good service
the prices are not the best but can be if you are a smart shopper

 

[eventer289]

Despite what Duke of Doubt said, I definitely think you pursued the right course of action. Businesses have to comply with the law, and if Dick's wasn't, then you definitely were in the right. I'm tired of the mentality that because company X is so big, that it can do what ever it wants.

That's too bad that you had that experience at Dick's. The store near where I live has very friendly and knowledgeable gun counter clerks that have always taken great care of me. I've purchased two guns from that location for that very reason.

 

[Jolly Rogers]

Despite what Duke of Doubt said, I definitely think you pursued the right course of action. Businesses have to comply with the law, and if Dick's wasn't, then you definitely were in the right. I'm tired of the mentality that because company X is so big, that it can do what ever it wants.

That's too bad that you had that experience at Dick's. The store near where I live has very friendly and knowledgeable gun counter clerks that have always taken great care of me. I've purchased two guns from that location for that very reason.
__________________
"If you outlaw guns, only the outlaws will have guns."
And believe it they WILL have guns!

Hope you don't mind my addition.
Joe

 

[MaterDei]

Wow, what a diatribe!

After reading all this I'm convinced that Dicks is better off without your business. You need a hobby dude.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I am totally surprised that some people are siding with Dick's on this issue. Whether you like the state law or not, it sounds like Dicks was legally required to issue the raincheck, which they did not do. Then a district manager was rude to a customer.

The issue about the ammo raincheck was only resolved because of involvement of the state attorney general. The issue with the district manager was never resolved.

 

[22-rimfire]

The district manager issue is one for Dicks to deal with, not a customer. Many customers complain. I was not there with regards to "rude" and frankly OP pushed the whole deal a bit far from my perspective from his opening summary speech. When does NO mean NO?

You get the state government or someone at the attorney general's office involved over a raincheck. I think they have far better things to do.

I got upset at JC Penney's once.... complained.... I was probably a bit pushy, but I was right..... I got that poor kid fired. I regret that.

Like I said over on THR.US, I will continue to trade at Dicks sporting goods stores.

Reading this confirms that I would never want to work retail.

 

[Just One Shot]

I am beginning to think that some people troll this board looking to attack fellow members just wanting someone to react to their negative post so they can make people as miserable as they are. So much for the high road!

To the OP, you were right in your actions. I worked in retail for 13 yrs. and I have continued to deal with the public for the last 13 +. When I'm on the other side of the counter I expect the same courtesy that I give to my customers.

I understand (as some fail to :banghead that it stopped being about the rain check and started being about customer service the moment the first clerk stated that Dick's doesn't care.

 

[22-rimfire]

To the OP, you were right in your actions.

Yes, he was right. But the end does not always justify the means.

Lots of clerks say incorrect stuff at stores. Lots of posters here say incorrect "facts". Life is too short.

 

[schnarrgj]

When you are in business it is required that you obey the state laws. If you do not want to abide by the state laws, don't open. Going to the AG was a good idea. There is no excuse for rudeness in the retail or anyother business.

 

[Robert]

Yes he was so irked by this that it took months to get around to posting about it.

I worked at Dick's for almost 8 months last year, and yes it is not the greatest place on earth. The pay is crappy, for someone of my education and work history, and the management is sometimes terrible. But keep in mind that people would walk up to my counter and ask me for 50 boxes at a time of mainly the 9mm you speak of. So Dick's came up with the no rain checks on ammo policy. I highly doubt that Dick's vast legal team would ok doing something that would violate the law, at least in a manner that they could not over come... This is not the first I hate Dick's post, nor will it be that last. Knowing this you still went to Dick's and were unhappy, imagine that. And I wonder, do you know word for word the policy of where you work? I have seen the 4 four inch think binders that make up Dick's store policy, as well as other information, and am not in the least surprised that even the manager did not know it line for line. Dick's got its name from the man that started the company. He was an avid outdoors man and hunter, his son plays golf.

 

[effengee]

the good, the bad, and the ugly...

This is just my two cents worth, having had a few flaming trolls on my back I can say to you all that this guy did nothing wrong, nor does he need a hobby.
He's a gun nut on the high road ain't he? I think he's already got a hobby.
Too often our first reaction to a situation is to immediately form a firing line plinking order and say "I got the best gun and your gun stinks"

He stated very clearly that at no time was it his intention to start anything.
We've all had at least one gun/ammo purchase that went something along these lines... Just because it's a gun purchase some manager is gonna treat you like an infectious disease...

I've been banned from stores for a year solely because I was exercising my second amendment rights, and some I've boycotted and actively degraded to anyone who would listen, I've I told the corporate office that here in Vermont I have the right to carry and they told me they have the right to refuse service to ANYONE... so what did I do? I called a buddy of mine who used to be chief of police in my hometown and he called the manager of that one store I can't help but go into every week that starts with W and ends in mart, a guy whom he knew for years, and Voila! I was no longer banned from entering so long as I kept my firearm well concealled...
Which is what I do now...
But which sucks, because by state law I don't need a permit and I can carry openly or concealled any darn place I want!!!

:banghead:

OK I'm done now,

Eff humbly steps off the soap box and hopes that we, as gun owners, can just get along as the brothers and sisters in arms that we should be...

 

[john1911]

Poor Me for having to read Poor Richards's 3000 word manifesto about not being issued a silly ass raincheck........

Door is that way ------------>

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Certain obscure state consumer regulations in some states require merchants do a lot of things you might not guess. I remain unconvinced Dick's was in violation of any law.

Actually tipping off the state goons over a "rain check" and making a fuss over a store manager with a low tolerance threshhold for time wasters is the behavior of a gestapo informant, not someone on a high road.

How much ammunition do you expect a retail store to have on hand? A million boxes? If you want that much, order it from a wholesaler or manufacturer. Regardless, "denouncing" the store to the goons speaks volumes as to the character of the denouncer, as well as that of his supporters.

 

[Kindrox]

Duke, read it before you open your mouth.

Well this thread once again shows that half the population is below average.

I commend Richard for sticking up for himself which protects us all. Dicks knows the law and obviously figgures that as few people complain when they break it, Dicks can do what ever they want.

My wife runs a business and I help out. Sometimes we make a mistake on amounts we charge, ect. Some people check and point things out. Far from being unhappy about it, I am glad. We would be honest in business, but its those folks who keep everybody else honest.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Kindrox: "Far from being unhappy about it, I am glad. We would be honest in business, but its those folks who keep everybody else honest."

Do you dial 911 whenever you spot a speeder or jaywalker in your neighborhood? Do you call the state police when you see real wine given in communion to underage teens? Do you report football pools and penny ante poker to the gambling control board? Denunciation and complaining to authority ("Momma! Dick won't sell me ammo for cheap!") is fun for people with nothing better to do with their time. Makes them feel important and virtuous, when what they really are is not fit for print in a family newspaper.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Duke, I think the point that you're choosing to ignore here is that the OP had the legal right to a rain check per state law. When he ran into resistance, it became a larger issue, which he chose to pursue.
Walking away meekly accepting illegal and rude behaviour only encourages more.
Rain check laws are in place to preclude the routine of "loss leader" advertising designed to get someone into a store so you can then steer them over to a higher-priced item. Legitimate "limited offer" sales will state that there are limited quantities on hand - and at that point, the law is complied with and there is nothing further to be said.
Instead, they advertised, go overwhelmed (presumedly) by the response, and ran out. Common sense (and good CR) and THE LAW would dictate that you provide a rain check. Stories such as this told on public forums are often perused by various stores/retailers to help them judge the impact of their policies - seeing strings such as this will often cause them to rethink some of them.
As to the length of the post - if it's too long, go on to the next one. Personally, I found it informative in detailing just what steps he took, and how carefully he detailed to them just what he wanted.

 

[Master Blaster]

Duke of Doubt is a District Manager for Dicks.

I learned long ago not to waste my time going into a DICKS, there are other stores with better prices and better selection. And most importantly a much better attitude than:

If we dont stock it we wont order it, if you dont like it tough.

That is Dicks Corporate policy, No customer service.

 

[22-rimfire]

I am going to assume that everything stated by the OP is correct (as in swear on the bible or whatever book you like correct).

I'm not a lawyer, but I suspect he is correct about the rain check thing and district manager should not have gotten upset. He should know better and I'm sure he does. He just lost his cool a little bit.

What is the possible result of such actions?

Dicks may no longer sell ammunition in Michigan. They dropped handguns a long time ago. Maybe they will drop rifles too? Maybe they will just drop the whole firearm department and add more space for fishing stuff, athletic shoes, or golf?

Walmart may learn about this and just drop their ammo completely. Who wins? One or two customers win and the rest loose.