Gun shops should be shops first, gun places second.

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I just would like to see large print legible tags on rifles and pistols stating what they are and how much they are asking. I like to browse through gun shops, but usually the only way you can actually look at the guns and prices is to have the salesman wait on you hand and foot telling you about the guns and what they cost. Usually, they don't want to do that. Half the time, they have to find someone else to tell them how much that rifle is. It really wouldn't take much effort to put some hand written tags near the racks. Most gun stores are lacking in this area. If you don't know exactly what you want, it is difficult to browse.

I can live with rudeness or attitudes, I just want information. I usually have a fixed amount of money to spend and don't want to waste time asking about guns that are obviously out of my price range. I don't want to have to guess whether that levergun on the rack is 30/30 or .44 when the sales guy is talking to someone else.
 
I have a hunch an awful lot of "gun shop" people are hobbyists taking home less than the minimum wage. It's fine with me if they're no more ambitious than that, but I personally prefer real gun shops.
 
Eat your hearts out, although the narrow aisles make it a bit difficult to get to all 4000+ guns when it's crowded.

www.greentophuntfish.com

As far as the run-of-the-mill run down gun store goes I like being helpful when I shop. I say things like "Is that a revolver in there, the glass is so dirty I can't tell and I didn't bring a flashlight." If they can't take a joke... ;)
 
Gunstop -- I've looked at a gun while it was balanced on that rack of candy.:)

If you've never been there...there are dozens of pre-64 Winchester Model 70s on that right hand wall. The picture doesn't capture all the rifles and shotguns piled up in racks to the left. You can look at those all by yourself.

The place just has the feel of a good gun at a good price to be found.
 
Gun Stop

I must have gone to the Gun Stop located in Bizzaroworld (Though I woulda sworn I was in Minnetonka) because I can't think of a shop that was worse.
I went in because so many had praised them, looking for a P3-AT. They were quite busy so I really didn't think much of it when it took them several minutes to get to me. I asked if they had any P3-ATs, and I was shown the display case that contained it, and the clerk ran off. Since I was just looking to verify they had one, this wasn't a big deal, but a day ot two later I came back with a pocket full of cash and a burning desire to spend it.
Unlike before, the place was quiet. There were 2 guys working there, and one customer that was just there for chatter and donuts. I walked in and was ignored for several minutes while they chatted about random stuff and milled around behind the counter. When my presence was finally acknowledged, I told him I'm going to buy that P3-AT right there. No tire kicking, no haggling, I got some dead presidents and I wanna trade 'em for that gun. After 5 more minutes of milling around and BS'ing, one of them finally said "well I guess you better fill out the form."
It wasn't until I started counting out the greenbacks that I got anything even remotely resembling service.
I wasn't rude and I don't look like a scumbag. (Heck I was on my lunch break, so I was in business casual) So I don't know why my experience was so different from everyone elses.

That said, they were the only shop I found that had a P3-AT and the price was fair. (Which is the only reason I didn't walk out)
 
Gunstop isn't exactly knock your socks off service. Not too cool if they won't show you a gun, but they have a great variety of guns and many are at a good price. I recently bought a $100 Wingmaster there.

Maybe I just like the place because they DON'T hover over you. I've only bought guns off the rack there, so no issues with waiting for them to pull a gun out.
 
oleg, i feel your pain. at first, i thought from your description that i knew exactly which store you were talking about, but then it occured to me that it could be more than one that fit that description.
 
I stopped in Story's Sporting Goods in Opalica, AL to get some gun powder. A little of everything except a triple serving of smoke. I thought I'd tough it out. As the owner laid three cans of gun powder on the counter, he lit up a cig with one hand whule holding a dented can. I paid quickly and I'm never coming back.

Who would buy their camo clothes/smoke filters hanging from the ceiling is beyond me.
 
How about offering to buy the gun store when they are on the verge of going out-of-business?

Implement your changes.
Manage the current employees.
Hire some new ones.

Offer to sell it back to them after you turn it around.
 
It depends of the individual store. A local privately owned gun shop I like to visit is very laid back. There are always regulars in there sitting around a table chatting. The owner even sells beer. He doesn't even care whether or not he sells anything. I really do like going in and drinking a cold one while talking with all the guys. This is a great southern gun store but definitelty not the type of store that can or should be run everywhere by everyone.

What I really do dislike are "Pawn and Gun" stores that have just a handful of guns to look at. Why bother having "gun" in their title? How about "Pawn and stereo stuff"? A place should only have "gun" in thier title if guns are their primary business focus. A close second are Army/Navy surplus stores that have a single display case of handguns and single rack of rifles on the wall but advertise as a gun store as well as an Army/Navy store. We have one such store that is bearable because their prices aren't that bad and they don't try to act like they are a gun store.
 
My hometown gunstore, J&P Sporting goods in West Branch Michigan only stocks a couple hundred guns...

but I am called BY NAME when I enter, with a friendly hello... from either the owner or his wife!

I get phonecalls about things I might like to buy (used firearms),

I can order ANYTHING with no money down, oddball firearms in the 1 to 2 grand pricerange included...

he keeps a ledger of what used guns his patrons want, and price they'll pay... and if one comes his way, he just BUYS it and calls you...

he gets 95% of my business... and for good reason! money alone can't buy that kind of loyalty!
 
Thats how it is at the local goods store: Brady's Sportman's Surplus.

Damned if they don't have a 1/3 of what the Wally-World of goods does, Sportsman's Warehouse, but it is homely, the people working there are great, and it feels alot better to be in there than at the larger chain stores. If I don't have that feeling, I usually don't shop there.
 
I've seen the same thing happen here in Bowling Green with Gaming (D&D and wargame type stuff) stores. Every one that opens is run as a hobby for the owner. Consequently, they all go under in less than two years. We haven't had a good one since the 80's. Sigh.
 
One gun store I liked closed down.

I do like places that are not smoky
 
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