Gun show dealers are so polite!

[stevekl]

Just Jim said:
The dealer was rude because he was mad and he was made mad because someone is wasteing his time and money who had no intention of buying a gun.

I was not wasting his time. I didn't ask him to talk to me. I only responded to his questions. If I wasted his time, it's not my fault.
EDIT: I want to make it clear that he initiated conversation with me. I am pretty shy and I had no intention of asking him about the gun or talking to him at all.

Cessiumsponge said:
I usually ask if I could handle anything before I pick it up. I thought that was typical unspoken etiquette.

Well if it is, I didn't know that. I usually pick up everything unless it says don't touch,and I see everyone else doing the same thing. From now on, I will ask.

Sorry but I don't really see a problem, if you have no intention of buying the gun then don't screw around it.

okay, but everyone does it. I know that's not a good reason, but you must be going to another kind of gun show than I go to.

I don't have time to play twenty questions to find out what your buying status is

I didn't want him to ask me anything.

A gun show is to show guns that are for sale, if you have no money then don't handle the guns.

I'll ask next time, but going to a gun show to just handle guns is a legitimate thing to do. Sorry if that bothers you but I don't go to shows to make the dealers happy, I go to entertain myself. I've only bought one gun ever at a show. If you don't like people like me, fine. Just tell me *politely* to go away, but don't shoo me away.

FN2000? Did you mean FS2000 or is the FN2000 something different that I'm not aware of. I've shot the FS2000 at an FN sponsored event (only 10 rounds), and I figured there were better ways to spend in access of $2000.

Hm I thought it was the FN 2000. It's the one with the bullpup configuration, which takes magazines, and has forward-ejection.

Dark Sun is a little strange, but they get my business because they've never tried shoveling any BS on me and have some really good prices.

Rabbit Ridge. Hmmm. What did this guy look like. Large guy? Glasses? Might have them confused with another dealer, but if you're referring to who I think you are, They're on my never buy from list too. Also on my friends never buy from list because of a separate incident.

I like Dark Sun. I bought a K31 from them. They're usually very very very busy, though, so it's hard to buy stuff.

Rabbit Ridge was staffed by two guys, pretty large, neither of them had glasses. The one who shooed me was pretty fat.

In closing: I honestly, truly did not know I was supposed to ask before handling. No one ever told me. Live and learn.

 

[joab]

With all due respect, this is the life of the retail business. If someone does not like it, there are other career choices. The other retail enterprises do the exact same thing, seven days a week. This whole thing if you do not have money or credit card, do not touch is a pure crap. One wonder how these people stay in business.

With all due respect to you
If you are going to comment on one of my comments please keep your comment relevant to my comment
You will notice in my comment I made no comment about having money to handle one of my guns it was about wasting my time and keeping real buyers from looking at the gun
I have no problem with polite tire kickers if it doesn't interfere with a sale

Normal etiquette applies at gun shows just as it does in real life

Real gun people act like gun people

 

[jerkface11]

Just because you don't have the money to buy it right now doesn't mean you can't pick it up to see if it fits right. Why bother saving the money up for an FN2000 if it isn't going to feel right? Oh you don't have to because you handled one last month at a gunshow and KNOW what it feels like. You also know who not to buy it from.

 

[camacho]

If you are going to comment on one of my comments please keep your comment relevant to my comment
You will notice in my comment I made no comment about having money to handle one of my guns

That is correct, you did not mention that. I just jumped to the issue of the original poster. However, the point I was trying to make is that in retail business you just have to deal with people who touch, ask questions, and then walk away. It is the nature of it. As others pointed here, good behavior and attitude can always bring that customer later.

it was about wasting my time and keeping real buyers from looking at the gun

This goes back to the I was just wrote, they will become buyers later if you treat them good.

 

[joab]

Just to claryfy
My repeated use of the word comment was meant to show that I was not taking your comment as offensive and that my comment was not to be meant as offensive

This goes back to the I was just wrote, they will become buyers later if you treat them good.

But I lose a buyer now if I don't treat him good

Last show
I had a father son team come and look at a Norinco .22 I had on the table for $200
They left and came back about four times with a different mentor each time they would hang out for about ten minutes and hover over the table preventing others from looking while telling me what a crappy example of a good gun it was and how he could by the real Browning for the same price
The last time I had already come down to $150 and he points to a small scratch on the scope ring and throws a $100 on the table and starts to hand the gun off to his son who was in the aisle
I had noticed another father son team behind them and the kid was about to pee himself over the gun
So I told the first father to let me see the defect
The new father looked me in the eye while whispering something to his son and I winked at him
When i took the gun from the first father daddy two had already had $200 in his hand and passed it to me

Was I a jerk?
Probably, but my guns are there to be sold not fondled
If you do not have the funds or are not willing to pay the price then don't monopolize my time and table and prevent willing buyers from buying

 

[politicalgeek]

Every business owner has a right to refuse service to anyone he sees fit. I don't think that was being a jerk. If anything, after the 2nd time of hovering, you could have asked him to move on if he wasn't going to buy.

A lot of us are trying getting across that there shouldn't be sweeping generalizations of gun buyers. Lumped into the legitimate buyers, either those purchasing at the moment or window shopping for a later time, are those like the father and son team above. They give us a bad name. Don't treat every customer like the ones you hate to deal with. You may not make the sale that one time, but with good service we will reward you. If I'm not going to make a purchase, but just window shopping, I usually let the dealer know. Often times I'll know a particular model I want to look at and as I tell them I am thinking of a CCW or other use, they start pointing out other models similar... a great way to research. Simply dismissing me because I have no money or no intention to buy at the moment serves no one, especially the dealer who will surely lose that sale and more. Both sides have valid points.

 

[camacho]

My repeated use of the word comment was meant to show that I was not taking your comment as offensive and that my comment was not to be meant as offensive

No offense intended on my part, and no taken on my part either

Was I a jerk?

In my opinion you were not, this was obviously a case of arrogant customers (throwing money on the table, etc.). The original poster though did not exhibit any of the behavior you described, however, in my opinion he received a pretty rude and unjustified treatment.

 

[joab]

The original poster though did not exhibit any of the behavior you described

But don't you wonder how my customer tells his version of the story (I just happen to know it)
I rudely snatched the gun out of his hand because I didn't like his offer and gave him a smart alec wink as I gave it to the other guy

I suspect that the truth is somewhere in the middle

 

[Caimlas]

If a gun is oging to be damaged by casual handling, then it should be in a glass case, or have a sign "do not handle" on it. This is a gun show we're talking about, here, fer cryin' out loud.

This particular event isn't even an issue of the potential client damaging the gun, because he hadn't even handled it. You an't only cater to "experienced" buyers, because you'll eventually run out of 'em. New customers have to come from somewhere, and if they've got to deal with a prick to do so, they're not likely to do so.

 

[craig]

most (not all) the dealers around here are okay with you handling their guns at the shows, but some aren't. it seems the no handle unless you're buying guys have the same stuff at every show.

i ran into a don't touch unless you're gonna buy snapdragon at the last show i went to. i was checking out an xd 45 and asked if i could handle it. "not unless you're gonna buy it."

went over to the next table, the guy said "go ahead and handle it if you want." i bought it.

we HAD a local dealer who wanted to charge $50.00 (to cover his time if you didn't buy) to look at his guns if you weren't a member of his club/range. he's no longer in business.

 

[jerkface11]

I know I never buy from the guys with signs that say "do not handle without permission" They never pay attention when you try to ask for permission. So they must not want to sell their guns.

 

[camacho]

we HAD a local dealer who wanted to charge $50.00 (to cover his time if you didn't buy) to look at his guns if you weren't a member of his club/range.

Wow! Never heard anything like that!

he's no longer in business.

I wonder why

 

[98C5]

Luckily, the gun show dealers around me are pretty nice. I only ran into a rude one at Dark Sun Surplus years ago. It was the long-haired guy. I asked him a couple questions about a used Glock 20. He sighed several times and it seemed that I was just annoying him. He finally asked if I wanted to buy it. I said yes, but not from you. Went to another table and bought a new one instead. He could have had a bad day, but HE was there to sell guns, and I was there to buy them. DON'T treat potential customers as bothersome. You will soon find yourself out of business.

This past gun show, I traded my Dan Wesson 10mm for a S&W 29-2 with a 8 3/4" barrel. This gun was MINT. It has the deepest bluing I have ever seen. I had to have it. Now, this dealer had all of his nicer guns under glass. I told him up front, I am very interested in trading for the 29. We chatted for a while and he asked ME if I would like to see it. Very polite and courteous. I now own the 29. Point being, he will get more of my business in the future. Customer service goes a LONG way with customers. I know, I work in Sales/Customer Service. He was a smaller dealer, so he could be more one-on-one with the customers.

I do understand the frustration of the posters here about the handling of their firearms. There are ways to help curb the potential dings/mishandling/etc.

1. Post signs: "Please ask before handling firearms" or a variant.
2. Use zip ties in the revolvers to keep someone from spinning it or repeatedly cocking the hammer.
3. Have extra people to help watch.
4. If your the only one there, reduce inventory on display.
5. Use glass cases for higher $$$$ guns. (One guy at the shows here uses a clear plastic he drapes over his choice WWI & WWII rifles and handguns.)


As previous posters here have said, they should pass out "Gun Handling Etiquette" flyers at these events. I think that is a great idea. Hell, I'll be happy to make copies!!

98

 

[Clipper]

Geez...Why overcomplicate something that is (to me, anyway) so simple? We're supposed to be good people. Remember something called the Golden Rule? If you wouldn't appreciate someone reaching into your gun cabinet and grabbing and fondling and cycling and disassembling your guns without your leave-be, why would you do it to the seller's guns? Just because they're for sale, doesn't mean they're no longer his. What's it cost you to ask before handling? If for no other reason than he knows he has to wipe fingerprints and skin oil off that one now. Our manners don't have to go out the window just because it's a gun show. I like to take mine with me everywhere...

 

[Gunnerpalace]

" He finally asked if I wanted to buy it. I said yes, but not from you. Went to another table and bought a new one instead"

Ouch! you reap what you sew has never been so true.

 

[NASCAR_MAN]

Steve,

In addition to seeing the type of Boor you describe at the gun show, I more often than not see this same species at Gun Shops and Shooting Ranges. As a result, I never – ever – take anyone who is not a gun owner to a gun shop or gun range unless I can thoroughly brief them as to the type of social misfits (the guys who run the places) they are about to encounter. Otherwise, based on a shocking first experience, I believe these people could fast become anti-gun – and with very good reason.

In fact, I would bet that the Boorish behavior of a lot of Gun Show, Gun Shop and Shooting Range owners has done a lot to hurt the second-amendment cause.

 

[Conqueror]

If you wouldn't appreciate someone reaching into your gun cabinet and grabbing and fondling and cycling and disassembling your guns without your leave-be, why would you do it to the seller's guns?

For sale = You may examine this item, in my book.

Would you buy from a supermarket that doesn't let you inspect the fruit? Would you buy from a car dealer that doesn't allow test drives? My personal guns have nothing to do with this discussion. If I put a rifle for sale in the newspaper, I would damn well expect people to ask to inspect it and handle it before purchasing it.

This whole "the people might damage it" argument is bogus. That can happen even with a cased gun at a gun store. Someone asks to handle it, then they accidentally drop it. It's a risk you take dealing in ANY physical commodity - you may sometimes get damaged goods by accident. If you want to minimize that risk at the gun show, you keep things under glass and supervise all weapon handling. But putting a table of guns out with no "Hands Off" sign has ALWAYS been a clear indicator that handling is OK at gun shows.

That said, I do always ask permission. But a smart dealer doesn't say "hands off if you're not buying" because you never know who might have bought something from you the next day or the next week.

 

[Clipper]

If I put a rifle for sale in the newspaper, I would damn well expect people to ASK to inspect it and handle it before purchasing it.

(My emphasis)

Isn't that EXACTLY what I just said, Einstein?

 

[Just Jim]

So I guess the answer is, if you don't want a bunch of window shoppers beating your stuff up, to not take your stuff to a gunshow. Let all the stores run the gunshows.

If a man wants to sell his stuff then put it up on the net with pictures. How many guns are sold that way without a single numbnut handleing them? The guys here that say they are there to handle guns will have to handle the new stuff then

You guys sure convinced me to stop setting up a table and it's too bad cause it just drives the cost up when you buy over the net.

Merry Christmas

jj

 

[joplinsks]

I've never told a dealer that I have no intention of buying or that I have no money. Why does he need to know? As far as I'm concerned, I am always a potential customer, even long after I've walked away from the table. I usually make a few rounds of the whole show before I decide to buy.

The OP is commended for being honest, but having no money is nobody's business except your own... so why tell others? Sometimes giving too much info hurts more than it helps. If a kid goes to a gun show and tells the vendors they have no money, then expect to be treated as such.

 

[inherentical]

it's too bad cause it just drives the cost up when you buy over the net.

The opposite is true. I either go to large chain stores, or buy from reputable dealers on the internet because I can find better prices and better service. Maybe it's just the area I live in, but I stopped going to gun shows because the dealers apparently thought their merchandise was worth marking up an extra 10% just because they were behind the table.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

i guess i try to make it a policy never to patronize a$$holes...

Me too...Thats why I have to drive about 50min/hr and across state lines to find a firearm.

Unless I use this great little invention Al Gore came up with called the internet.

 

[walking arsenal]

I used to work for a shop that made a majority of its money from gun shows.

I didn't mind having people pick up our guns. If they handled them poorly I politely stopped them and corrected them. If they kept at it I steered them away.

I told them all about the guns on our table.

Any questions the asked about the merchandise I tried to have an answer for.

Yes, folks who had no money handled the stuff. I treated them the same as i did the guy flashing a wad of 100$ dollar bills.

Why?

Because, the guy that has no money on him, he stops in two weeks later and buys two guns. He tells his friends what great people work at X gun shop.

His friends come in and they get the same treatment. They tell their friends who post good things about it on internet gun forums and we end up selling a rifle to a guy in Utah who heard about us from his cousin.

Thats why.

We had people looking for us at shows all the time, because we were nice.

Not that hard.

 

[Just Jim]

Any store or shop can write off the damages on his stock. Joe average has to eat it when Numbnuts handles his stuff and abuses it. When you guys complain aboutthe gun shows not being much anymore just remember this thread.

jj

 

[1911Tuner]

Basic common courtesy...and SOP at a gun show is to ASK to see the piece.
The dealer will pick it up and hand it to you because...as Jim mentioned...I've seen people drop guns onto the others on the table more times than I can remember...and the dealer doesn't have much recourse in such a case except to get rude and shoo them away.

Ask first. If he's okay with you handling it/working the action, etc. then do it...but ASK FIRST. If he says no...try to be understanding. He's there to make money, not to provide the masses with gun-fantasy entertainment.