Gun shop question

[Eddietruett]

There is a local shop here that I can never figure out how it does the business it does. They are rude and act like they are doing you a favor to wait on you. The 2nd and last time I went in, I headed for the Used case and normally they will not even wait on anyone looking at used guns, you almost have to beg. But that day a young man walked over and asked if I was looking for anything. I told him used Smith and Wesson Revolvers. He said, we don't put them out, we take them to the gun shows because people around here can't afford them. That just totally pissed me off. I got a little loud and told him he had no clue what I could afford and that I could go to the bank and buy the entire business and then fire his sorry ass. That was sort of stretching the truth, but he didn't know that. I got the owner's attention and he came over to see what was happening and I told him what happened and I had never been so insulted in all my life and would never step foot inside his place again and all my friends would certainly hear how they treated customers. Turned around and walked out with him following me all the way out the door saying how sorry he was. I ignored him and I have told everyone I know about my experience. Probably haven't cost him a dime, but maybe one day it will.

 

[jonnyc]

I stopped going to the LGS I worked at! Way too much lying (to me and customers). Finally had it out with the "clandestine" owner over some illegal stuff they were doing and only went back to get my last paycheck and a pistol that was already on the way. Been at another LGS for about a year and love the people and the shop. Interested to see what the future will bring for the former.

 

[jmr40]

I lost a lot of respect for a guy who ran a small local gun shop. For a long time he was the only real gun shop in town and he could charge whatever he wanted. He never could adjust to changing times and marketing. Bigger guys came along who could buy guns in bulk and sell them at better prices. He was charging $30-$50 more per gun and I have no doubts he wasn't making as much money due to the low volume he carried. But he was a nice enough older guy and I'd go in there from time to time and occasionally found a used gun at a decent price.

He had a used custom rifle he had bought off someone who had lost their job that had been sitting on the rack for at least 2 years priced at $2100. It included a West German high end Zeiss scope. I asked about just buying the scope and he made me an offer for the whole rig for $1000. Said he was tired of looking at it. Considering the scope was worth $500-$700 I told him I'd pay 1/2 now, and 1/2 in a few weeks and he agreed to the terms.

It didn't influence my decision, but he made a comment that I knew was an outright lie while I was looking over the rifle. He told me the previous owner had told him the rifle had been built by some gunsmith named Kenny Jarrett. Then he played dumb and pretended not to know who Kenny Jarrett was.

I knew that was BS, but after buying the rifle contacted Jarrett just to be sure. My plan was to keep the scope and flip the rifle anyway and if it had been be built by Jarrett and I could get documentation that would effect price. But as I suspected Jarrett did not build it. I strongly suspect it was put together by a decent gunsmith who lives in the next county to the south of here.

That was 10-12 years ago and I don't think I ever went back into his shop. The guy died last Fall and his shop closed up.

 

[jmr40]

I told him used Smith and Wesson Revolvers. He said, we don't put them out, we take them to the gun shows because people around here can't afford them. That just totally pissed me off.

That reminds me of another small gun shop. It was literally a hole in the wall, not room for more than 3 customers at a time to go inside. But the guy bought in volume and had good prices. He did very well at gun shows for years. Even though his shop was tiny, he had one of the bigger displays at gun shows in the North GA area. I never had any real issue with the owner. He was opinionated and could be a jerk, but he did people right.

Unfortunately he got cancer and and died in his early 60's. He had a son about my age who was a good mechanic, but didn't really know guns who tried to keep the business going. Once again I had no issue with the new owner, but he hired some A-Holes to run the gun shows. Another older retired guy whom I greatly respected ran the small shop.

For whatever reason the guys running the shows put up a sign on their tables that said

"Unless you are trading in an older Smith & Wesson, Colt or Winchester don't even ask, you can keep your junk"

That didn't sit well with anyone at the gunshows. I was in the shop and told the older guy who really knew guns that I was disappointed that they only carried junk guns. He was puzzled until I told him about the sign on their gun show table. And since I didn't see a single old Smith, Colt or Winchester in the store they apparently only sold junk.

That sign wasn't up at the next gun show, but the damage was already done. They didn't stay in business long after the original owner died.

 

[Eddietruett]

So many businesses these days and not just gun shops were started by people in my and previous generations that were honest and tried to make a fair living. A handshake was more valuable than any contract on paper. The business is very successful because of this and then greedy children take it over and run it in the ground. They have no conscience and no morals. Sometimes its just a sad world to live in.

 

[cc-hangfire]

I’ve already posted a gripe, so I’ll shine a little sunshine. Only one of the seven LGS’s that are close enough to drive to has treated me badly - see my earlier post.

The other six shops have owners and staff who are knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming. A couple of them still only charge $20 for an FFL transfer, & four of the owners know me by name. It’s always enjoyable to stop in and see what’s in the case.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I had an LGS owner that was 2 miles from my house treat me like I’m stupid for buying what I bought once. The same guy was charging 10% more for a gun from Sig than anyone else, that came with a red dot optic standard, and was trying to sell the optic separate.

Nope, I’m done. I don’t know how he’s still in business but he’ll never see me again in his store. His kids are the same type of arrogant swindlers too.

I now elect for an 80 mile round trip to deal with an awesome LGS that’s been the best in the community for over 25 years. The one thing they could do that would push me away is if I witnessed them taking advantage of a widow, or exhibiting racism or bigotry. I have no tolerance for any of those behaviors, but fortunately they area a very stand up bunch.

 

[stillquietvoice]

My last long gun purchase was my m11 savage in 223 his price was 450. It had a monarch 3 4-16x42 mildot, Harris 6-9 swivel bipod, and a rifle basix trigger. I asked if he would do 425, he said yes, then while doing paperwork said he made an error but made the deal anyway.

 

[welldoya]

Nothing will keep me out of a gun shop like the owner’s friends hanging around staring at every customer and listening in on every transaction.

 

[RA40]

Turners has a bad rap for the location I go to. In all the times I've been, they have treated me as a valued customer and are pleasant. Some of the guys get cranky dealing with noobs and we can attribute that to their poor handling skills when they flag the shop of people, slam the slide closed or fling the cylinder shut. So no, most shops I've been into here Id go back to but may not due to prices.

 

[Trey Veston]

No real bad experiences. Closest dedicated LGS is 50 miles. Probably 5 or so in that town.

Went to one that was relatively new after hearing how "cool" it was.

Went in and it was about as tacticool as it gets with bearded and tatted special ops types in 511 outfits working there and nothing but high-end ARs and the like for sale along with every imaginable tacticool accessory. I looked around a bit and found the employees a bit aloof, the prices much higher than online, but some very cool black guns. I won't be back, but not because I was offended. Just not my thing.

 

[mrmike7189]

With Walmart , dicks, and other chain stores stopping gun sales.......there will be less places to buy and you will HAVE TO Find a local gun shop that you trust.
Good luck

 

[OneFreeTexan]

There is a local shop here that I can never figure out how it does the business it does. They are rude and act like they are doing you a favor to wait on you. The 2nd and last time I went in, I headed for the Used case and normally they will not even wait on anyone looking at used guns, you almost have to beg. But that day a young man walked over and asked if I was looking for anything. I told him used Smith and Wesson Revolvers. He said, we don't put them out, we take them to the gun shows because people around here can't afford them. That just totally pissed me off. I got a little loud and told him he had no clue what I could afford and that I could go to the bank and buy the entire business and then fire his sorry ass. That was sort of stretching the truth, but he didn't know that. I got the owner's attention and he came over to see what was happening and I told him what happened and I had never been so insulted in all my life and would never step foot inside his place again and all my friends would certainly hear how they treated customers. Turned around and walked out with him following me all the way out the door saying how sorry he was. I ignored him and I have told everyone I know about my experience. Probably haven't cost him a dime, but maybe one day it will.

A little harsh,, perhaps.???

 

[tark]

“Here is that brass you claim I stole.

I would have mashed the brass flat with a hammer and told him where to shove it.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would have mashed the brass flat with a hammer and told him where to shove it.

Darn! Yep, shoulda done that.

 

[Reinz]

What Chapped me were the shops during the Clinton ban that robbed the extra hi cap mags and downright lie and tell you that the gun only came from the factory with one mag. Then they would scalp customers with those mags. I never went back

You knew they were telling the truth if the gun came with a factory note/coupon saying just one mag was shipped and you could send the coupon in for a free 10 rounder.