employed at gunshop, bought gun elsewhere

Status
Not open for further replies.
Cabelas hurt the Mom & Pops around here........

so I have no problem buying elsewhere-------------The whole Cabelas issue here was a list of broken promises and small-town politics.

If Cabelas was within 5-10% of another shop's cost---I would buy it!
But 20-30% MORE is just crazy.

The other shops carry no where near the inventory---so hands on is a plus.
And I'm close enough to go off peak----------I have never noticed that another customer was waiting while I browsed...................
 
Thanks for your support and understanding

I've read other threads here at THR about patronizing gun shops that provide good customer service. It's strange how my coworkers and I, who have the least to gain from the success of the business, work the hardest to develop relationships with the customers and to provide an easy-going atmosphere for anyone interested in becoming acquainted with firearms. It's a great gunshop/range because of the people who work there. They're regular guys. They don't act like you should feel privileged to hear them speak. If I had to work with the owner I would not work there.

BTW, if I had bothered the owner to tell him that I needed to have him order me a gun or quote me a price, he would have looked at me like I was stupid (he thinks he is very smart and that everyone else IS actually stupid) and told me to fill out a "Special Order" form. This is why I avoided this unnecessary and unpleasant step and simply filled out the form. IF he had even looked at the form he would have known it was for me (one of his employees) because my name was on the form where it says "customer name".

As employees we get free range time and can shoot the rental guns free of charge (ammunition and targets are not free). I have met some great customers in the four months that I have worked there; a few have been kind enough to invite me to shoot their guns with them.

This is not my only job, nor is it the main source of my income. I work there because I love guns and I really enjoy being around other people who love and appreciate guns (that's why I love THR). I have worked with customers in retail for nearly 20 years. I am a supervisor at a grocery store where I have worked for 16 years. I have learned the importance of treating every person like a valuable customer. Some of what I know I had to learn the hard and humbling way.

Something else that my boss doesn't understand: When I have money to spend on a gun, I need to hurry up and buy a gun or else I will end up squandering my gun money on rent and utility bills.
 
Every gun I have ever sold has been a "Special Order".

Running my gun business off of my kitchen table did not leave much room for a massive inventory.

My customers would state that they wanted to purchase a XXXX, model XXXX in .40S&W, and ask "Can you get it, and how much?".

I would usually let them know within an hour, and I would make it a point to find the cheapest wholesaler and pass the savings along.

I guess people like me are hard to find........
 
I had much the same experience when looking for a New Vaquero. Finally I went to a shop owned by a high school friend (female) who doesn't actually work at the store (it is one of several businesses she owns). The young lady behind the counter agressively pursued the sale and had the gun ordered within 5 minutes. I put my money down, returned 2 days later and had the gun. Why no other store would do this, even when asked directly by me standing there with cash in hand (literally) is beyond me. One of these shops calls me by name as I walk in. You would think that they would get the idea that the main part of their business is SERVICE.

BTW, not all $8 an hour employees are as loyal as you are.
 
Sir Aardvark said:
Every gun I have ever sold has been a "Special Order".

Running my gun business off of my kitchen table did not leave much room for a massive inventory.

My customers would state that they wanted to purchase a XXXX, model XXXX in .40S&W, and ask "Can you get it, and how much?".

I would usually let them know within an hour, and I would make it a point to find the cheapest wholesaler and pass the savings along.

I guess people like me are hard to find........
Click to expand...

Yes, people like you are hard to find. How did you get your business? Did you advertise, were you listed in the yellow pages, word of mouth? I recently found a local guy to do my transfers and I believe he will order anything as well, but it took me a few years to find him and that was thanks to a board like this.:)
 
I love the gunshop I go to (shameless plug for Raleigh THRers: PDHSC), great staff, great service, etc. etc..

I asked for a quote on a CZ 452 Lux, got a number back a few hours ish later.
 
How about starting a gun shop totally devoted to special orders? Few places carry what I want, nor have the expertise to knowledgeably address obscure questions about models & options. Rather than carrying inventory which few want - and considering there's a multi-day Brady delay in many jurisdictions - focus on information: answering every question a customer asks, and getting delivery in fast. I know something like it can be had from many stores, and may sound like a glorified kitchen-table shop, but is just a degree of niche I haven't seen fulfilled yet. Yes, fondling guns on the rack is important - but that's what other stores provide to varying success.

Almost talking myself into it. "Honey, would you object if I opened a gun shop next month?"

Gotta say: any shop that provides such bad service that employees go elsewhere for it is in trouble.
 
You know, that's a really good idea, if the demand's there. All you would need would be a small storefront and a big-ass safe. I don't know what the requirements are for an FFL, though.
 
Thats basically what I do, I carry only a very few items in inventory at any given time.

The problem is that most people want to be able to fondle the merchandise or at least put their hands on some kind of gun when they visit a "gunshop", or at least I do.

The small shops that dont carry merchandise, dont get much business from me and never did simply because I was there to BUY something, NOT order it.

Besides its never as much fun perusing a catalog as it is to handle the guns.

just my obversations
 
Interesting thread! Made me stop lurking and post for once ;)

I wanted/wished to enter this hobby for a long time. As it stands, I don't have any friends locally who are into firearms whatsoever. Buffalo, NY does not seem to be the ideal place for gun owners.

Anyways, the final straw was witnessing Katrina, and knowing that I'm also in a "welfare state" where looting/rioting seems to be just a pin-drop away at any given time... I don't feel comfortable being unable to defend my household.

The biggest obstacle in gun ownership was not knowing anybody, unclear laws, and general lack of knowledge on how to proceed. I guess I was "gun shy" :eek:

The forums, this and a few others, provided lots of info... but, I still needed a good FFL dealer, as the gunshops and gunshows here are very overpriced, and not at all customer service oriented. That is, unless you're loaded and spending like mad on whatever they tell you is "good". That's not me ;)

I found a listing on, Gunsamerica I think it was, for a guy just around the corner. I called him up... and we must have spent about 2hrs. discussing laws and legalities, and firearms in general too. He's a really nice guy!

Since, I've done multiple transactions with him. Not for everything, the internet often offers better prices than his "cost" etc... but we both understand that and he's OK with it... I help him find new sources and better prices too.

He's happy with the $25 transfer fees, as doing enough of those keeps him in ammo, which is why he's in business... to help support his own hobby... not to make a fortune off of unwealthy guys like me. He does his best to beat anyone else's price, and sometimes he can, sometimes not, nonetheless he'll still be there for ya to transfer it for $25

And no problems getting price quotes, or things ordered, or fast and good service of any sort, this guy is tops. :) He has turned out to be more of a friend than just a "dealer". I've been thinking about leaving this state, but he's one aspect of living here that I'd really miss.

There should be a central list someplace of "The Good Ones" to deal with. It would make it easier for new guys to get started in this hobby if they could find an honest knowledgeable dealer to talk with.
 
I would never have this problem because I would likely never special order a gun--IF I HAD TO PAY FOR IT IN ADVANCE, and did not have right of refusal.

Have seen too many NEW rifles w/ chatter in the bbl rifling, poor wood, or horrible triggers in handguns, scratches, etc. for me to ever buy sight unseen.

NS
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Gun Store Experience
2 3
Replies
56
Views
2K
Robert
Robert
A
  • Locked
Do's and don'ts of running a gunshop?
2 3 4 5
Replies
121
Views
7K
JohnKSa
JohnKSa
M
  • Locked
So . . . Are the People at Your Local Gunshop a Bunch of Jerks?
2 3 4 5
Replies
117
Views
5K
Judicator
J
N
  • Locked
Maybe Wal-Mart should get out of the gun business
Replies
13
Views
927
ArfinGreebly
ArfinGreebly
L
  • Locked
Perspective on gun dealers and FFL transfer fees
2 3
Replies
63
Views
4K
Jorg Nysgerrig
J
Back
Top