Gun shop ethics. Where to draw the line?

[JTHunter]

Sorry Sentry but the CS I was referring to is NOT Curt Smith's. Their prices are not very good either but they aren't a "discount store". I was talking about the shop on North Illinois with the gun range in the building. I just didn't want to say their name as some people might like the place. Some of the clerks in there seem to think we should be glad for them to help us when they get around to it.
And they aren't that good on ammo prices either - they just have a broader selection.

 

[greginVa]

Sounds like opportunity is knocking. Get your FFL and go to work.

 

[fredthecat]

By the way, it takes about $200-$300 for the FFL, a background check, compliance with local zonning and vending ordinances, and possibly a few other hoops and you can start your own gun store business. Not that hard. If things are that bad, you may need a new gunstore in your neighborhood, whether you or someone else works up the moxy to go for the license.

True, but buying guns from your own gunstore is frowned upon by the ATF, so you're still gonna have to buy your own guns elsewhere.

Killing with kindness, always works for me.

Does Midway stock some +p kindness?

 

[Hobie]

I find the comments about gun store clerks very interesting because I've been on both sides of the counter at the same store.

Just like the military, it is the commander (the owner) who sets the tone. An involved owner, who prioritizes service will hire folks who feel the same way and encourage that sort of behavior. Where one gets arrogant, condescending behavior from the clerks one can expect the same from the owner. I've been such places, once.

I like where I work because when I didn't work there I got service. Being polite IS customer service. Doing your best to get the customer what they want (even if they come in not knowing exactly what they want) IS customer service. I got such service and I'm allowed to take all the time I want to give such service. That service has paid off for the owner and he knows it.

However, every once in a while a customer comes in who expects that they should get something for nothing at all or even more. On top of that, some are rude, arrogant and condescending to the staff. While most will try to put up with such shenanigans, sometimes such a customer will push the clerk too far. I think that as a customer, one still has a certain self-interest in being polite.

 

[BADUNAME37]

We have a gun store that is run by a mom and pop operation, quite literally, the guy and his wife.
=guy; =wife

Whenever I have called them about anything it seems, whenever the woman would answer, her remark was always exactly the same remark:

"WE USED TO HAVE THOSE, WE DON'T CARRY THOSE ANY MORE!"

Almost saying it in such an "uppity-way" so as to say "any gun store that still carries (name the item here) is running in the dark ages!"

I'm talking about things like:
Federal Bench Rest Primers (all sizes)
Uncle Mikes Holsters
Solid Brass Cleaning Rods
Leupold Single-Piece Scope Mounts
Leupold Rings
Quality Spotting Scopes or Quality Binoculars
Range Estimators (Finders)
Leather Military-Type Slings that are the two-piece with a number of holes for adjustment around the upper portion of forward supporting arm
MTM Case Guard Ammo Boxes
Many RCBS Reloading Supplies
Leather Holsters

And, the list goes on-and-on as I only put down things I remember calling them about and having her uppity-attitude shine right through. The person who I aways went there with noticed the EXACT same response, and it even happens when they happen to just be out of something you need in particular, like a certain Hornady bullet that you have been loading for 20 years! She then tries to sell something else, telling me that they are "all the same!" For my tack-driver rifle, I am sorry, but they are NOT all the same, in fact I bet the point of impact is even different! Sure, I am going to spend two weeks working up another accurate tack-driving load just because SHE DOESN'T CARRY THAT ANY MORE!

Heck, I will just order it all from Midway if I have to and not deal with her arrogant attitude.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Actually, the same holds true to the very local Radio Shack!

The manager always pulls that one when they are all out of what it was you were looking for! It could be a 1/4" mono phone plug (for speakers). The guy gives you the impression that, since he does not have what I am looking for, it is obviously something that I do NOT NEED!

Excuse me?
Please EXPLAIN why it is that "the big box store" sells them if they are simply not necessary?

 

[the_skunk]

Supply and demand

As the internet progresses and people can rate gun stores, the store owners are becoming more respondsible.

 

[NMGonzo]

I am so happy with my gun stores that I even started a thread about them.

 

[Sentry71]

Sorry Sentry but the CS I was referring to is NOT Curt Smith's. Their prices are not very good either but they aren't a "discount store". I was talking about the shop on North Illinois with the gun range in the building. I just didn't want to say their name as some people might like the place.

Thanks for the clarification.

I personally won't deal with the North Illinois store at all.

 

[Bubbles]

buying guns from your own gunstore is frowned upon by the ATF

No it's not. The ATF won't issue an FFL solely so that someone can enhance his own collection by purchasing guns from distributors at wholesale prices. OTOH there's no problem if an FFL transfers one to himself from time to time as long as the transfer is done lawfully (4473, etc).

 

[Lex Luthier]

Agreed. As a recovering customer service staff member, I can relate. Too many "customers" are under the false impression that a store is their living room, and that the dude at the counter is destined to be the graced beneficiary of their opinions and time wasting. It seems that I am always saving someone from a needless chat in an attempt to do some actual revenue generating business. Courtesy plays both ways and being cheap gets you cheap.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Gunshop Ethics .... isn't that a liittle bit like "Rules in a knifefight?"

(you sure you used enough dynamite there Butch?)

 

[impartial]

same here

I absolutely hate going into gun shops. Just the other day I called and asked if one of my local shops had a saiga .308 in stock. He said no I don't have one right here I would have to order one.

To which I replied oh thats fine, about how much would that run me?

he said "Well I'm not going to just give you a price over the phone."

to which I replied
"Oh well I see now thats just a freakin brilliant business model you got there now isn't it? I tell you what I'm going to call across the street and see if they have one." which I did and they did indeed have one which I did Indeed purchase and I told them why they got the business and the jack ass across the street did not.

They laughed and said yeah we hear stuff like that all the time about him.

So you see its that beautiful little thing called the free market system. We have the freedom to pick and choose where we buy and what we buy. That is one of the major advantages of being an American.

No matter where I am or what I am buying, if I feel like I am not being treated with respect and gratitude. I will simply just go somewhere else. I am not afraid to tell the merchant exactly how I feel. Sometimes they will make good for you and keep your business, sometimes they don't care and I go across the street.

God Bless America. Not only do I have the freedom to choose who I buy from but they merchant has the freedom to choose who they sell to. Its a beautiful thing.