Gun store rudeness?

[Carter]

in fact i'll be picking up a new rifle from them tomorrow.

Tell Dustin to call Robinson Armament and hurry up with my XCR! The last 5 or 6 weeks have been murder! (sits in corner and rocks back and forth). Congrats on the new rifle. What'd you get?

 

[wobble]

To add to my earlier post, I was visiting my brother last year in Memphis and went with him to a popular gun store nearby. It was one of those places in a "bad" part of town with bars on the windows and doors. Half the "customers" looked like gang-bangers. The clerks were the coldest and least friendly (although not rude) of any gun store I've ever been in. They looked like they were expecting a shoot-out robbery any minute -- probably for good reason. As I remember, they were all armed. It wasn't exactly my kind of gun store. We soon left with making a purchase.

 

[Lakeshore]

I frequent two gun shops on a regular basis. The only rudeness I've ever seen in either one was by customers directed toward the employees. That seems to happen more on weekends when when the stores are busier and people are impatient about having to wait their turn.

A lot of the way you're treated -not just in gun stores - is determined by your age, how you're attired, and how you comport yourself once you walk in the door.

 

[Maverick223]

Tell Dustin to call Robinson Armament and hurry up with my XCR! The last 5 or 6 weeks have been murder! (sits in corner and rocks back and forth). Congrats on the new rifle. What'd you get?

You have a fine rifle comin'...I think you'll like it. Dustin didn't tell you it was already there...he is just function checking it for you. Wouldn't want to give you a unreliable gun ya' know.

Mine is a new VZ.58...always liked em'...finally bought one.

 

[Carter]

You have a fine rifle comin'...I think you'll like it. Dustin didn't tell you it was already there...he is just function checking it for you. Wouldn't want to give you a unreliable gun ya' know.

Mine is a new VZ.58...always liked em'...finally bought one.

Always wanted to shoot one of those. Lucky.

Ironically when I went in there to ask a legal question they had a used XCR that someone brought in. One of the older gentleman working there bought it for himself. I probably would have too.

Function check, hm...That sounds like something Dustin would do

 

[Tacbandit]

For those in the Huntsville, Al area...you're very lucky to have Larry's Pistol & Pawn gun shop & range. They have it all, pretty much...or they'll get it for you. I've bought guns there as a local resident, and an "out-of-stater". All of my dealings have been great with them, they've always been very helpful and courteous, even when shipping out of state for me. Lots of good buys on bulk ammo, too. They even have a website, though I've not used it for any purchases.
www.larryswholesalegun.com/

 

[DustyVermonter]

OMG!!!! Its maddening isn't it? Actually one of my first threads was related to this matter. It is really annoying going to places where you routinely go and spend $$$ and consistently get a holier than thou attitude, like they are eyeing you up and down and doing a screening process of their own based on how you look. I am only 21 yrs old and I have gotten downright rotten attitudes from clerks litterally after spending thousands of dollars in a visit. Stuff like THEM:"You need somethin back there!!!? ME:"Nah, just lookin" THEM: "Looking with your hands!!!?". All kinds of rude crap. But I guess the stuff we must endure as gun enthusiast's make us more or less enthusiastic, I just suck it up and deal with it. I feel like a kid in a candystore when I'm in a gunshop and it just a kill joy to be talked down to but whatever, a jerk is a jerk is a jerk. One day ill be old and have a big flannel shirt covering my big fat belly and maybe then ill be more acceptable, until then ill go home after the gunshop to have my fun.

 

[primetime]

I have to say...the gunstore/range that i frequent does have rude counter salesmen.. There's a couple nicer guys too. But yes, they all have this attitude about how they know it all, and you don't...no matter what your backround is. If you happen to know a thing or two about guns, then they're a little nicer to you. Sort of like this "Oh finally i'm talking to a customer who actually knows something about guns" type of attitude. So fortunately for me, once they discovered this they were decently helpful...

But, I've witnessed plenty of times when i'd be browsing after some range time (it gets hot in the range sometimes, gotta cool off!) and the sales guys are just so annoyed with the customers in there who are nice people usually, but aren't exactly gun nuts and knowledgeable either...I don't like seeing that..I don't care if you're annoyed...You work there..Its your job!!! If you want to act that way do it at home while watching the game with your drinking buddies..Don't treat people rudely when your job is in service/sales...Don't like it? Get a new job...Can't get a new job? Then tough cookies..deal with the customers and be NICE..

 

[Hatterasguy]

After working retail for years I can safely say that its crap. My favorite saying is the average person is a moron.


I could write a book about what I have seen.

 

[Enachos]

Maverick 223,

You're yet another satisfied customer there! Eagle Guns is BY FAR my favorite gun shop! I'm making a trip there this friday to see what else they have in stock and you're right about how they are honest about prices. I'm hoping to find me a nice Jericho 941 or a decently priced G22.

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THEM! We need to help fund their shooting range so it can open sooner than expected!!!!!!!

 

[katsumushi]

Jimmy0622,
I too have encountered that same attitude and mentality when visiting most gun shops here in Florida.
Salesmen that act like they are doing you a favor by talking to you, let alone "waste their time" helping you out, even though your there to spend one grand or more, they have that arrogance. Seen the same thing at Harley dealerships too.
I have only encountered on place here in central Florida that that attitude doesnt exist and thats Florida Gun Exchange.
This attitude makes you wonder...if they dont want to answer questions or help they should get into another line of work and not be salesmen, I dont care how many times they have answered that same question all week. They are there to help, answer questions and sell, thats what they get paid to do.
I wont patronize any store that has rude employees or managers.

 

[Erik M]

Ive had good experiences at Bud's retail outlet in Lexington Ky. They have knowledgeaboe salesmen there, not enthusiasts that want to tell you what they think you should buy.

The local mom and pop stores where I live are nice places to visit. The BassPro and the local competing store arent so friendly, Ive had alot of the previously mentioned occurances when visiting these places. What aggrivates me most is when a sales person stands over your shoulder or doesnt leave when you let them know u are just window shopping. I quit going to the largest local store because if you werent there to buy, or at least acting like u were going to spend money the owner/operator and staff would tell you to move out of the way for paying customers to browse.

 

[Deckard]

Most of the rudeness I've experienced looking at guns has been at the larger chains like Bass Pro and Gander Mt. A few years ago I was looking to buy a cheap semi-auto .22 and went in to Dick's to buy a 10/22. The guy at the gun counter wouldn't sell to me because I had a PO Box address on my license. I live in a town so small the post office doesn't bother to deliver mail so everyone has to go pick it up from them. You don't have your PO box on your license and important stuff doesn't get to you. I tried to tell him that and explained that I had already bought half a dozen guns using that ID but he wouldn't have it and refused to call his manager to for confirmation. So I just went down the street to Walmart and bought a Marlin Mod 60 from them. In the end I'm glad for it as I like the Marlin a whole lot more.

I've had a lot of positive experiences at the smaller places. Newington Gun Exchange in CT is one of my favorites.

 

[Maverick223]

Always wanted to shoot one of those. Lucky.

You can get one for less than a high end AK...and it is so much nicer. TGI has (or had) them on sale for $589.00 + shipping, a smoking price for a D-Technik gun. I shot it today, and while I didn't really shoot for accuracy (more of a plinking, function check), I am confident it is pretty accurate because I was easily hitting pretty small targets at 100yds with the stock irons. I might not add optics after all.

Maverick 223, You're yet another satisfied customer there! Eagle Guns is BY FAR my favorite gun shop! I'm making a trip there this friday to see what else they have in stock and you're right about how they are honest about prices.

If they don't have what you are looking for i'd be willing to bet they can get it for you. My first purchase there was an HK USP-45 for cost + shipping + about $20.00 (yep, he had to order it for me, and charged less than a transfer fee)...from that point I didn't look back. BTW, are you looking for a new or used Jericho...what chambering? I have a acquaintance that told me that he may want to sell his (9mm)...let me know and I will ask him if he still has it, still wants to sell it, and how much he wants for it.

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THEM! We need to help fund their shooting range so it can open sooner than expected!!!!!!!

I don't think money was the problem, IIRC it was delays because of permitting. Either way, I tell anyone looking for a new firearm that Eagle is the place to go. Don't think I will spend much time in the range though, i'm not much of a pistol shooter, and it is a decent drive for me.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

Maybe its just my personality, but I love when they are rude to me. That makes me smile. I just look around and wait for someone to walk in the frontdoor and ask a question, usually they are more than happy to help women that are alone, or people that don't have any idea what they want. Then I listen to their response and call them out on all of their inaccuracies. I explain how gun shop employees have an inflated ego about their gun knowledge, when usually (although not always) they are incorrect. I then direct them down the street and tell them that they may pay a little more, but they will have an individual that will help them because they care about their safety and comfort with a firearm, and not just trying to sound like the all knowing big man.

 

[Dazen]

I too have encountered that same attitude and mentality when visiting most gun shops here in Florida.
Salesmen that act like they are doing you a favor by talking to you, let alone "waste their time" helping you out, even though your there to spend one grand or more, they have that arrogance

You just described Academy Sports in Midland Texas down to a tee! Those guys are so bad there that I have and will still pay 200 to 300 bucks more buying from some of the local gun shops.

 

[Superlite27]

To add to my earlier post, I was visiting my brother last year in Memphis and went with him to a popular gun store nearby. It was one of those places in a "bad" part of town with bars on the windows and doors. Half the "customers" looked like gang-bangers. The clerks were the coldest and least friendly (although not rude) of any gun store I've ever been in. They looked like they were expecting a shoot-out robbery any minute -- probably for good reason. As I remember, they were all armed. It wasn't exactly my kind of gun store. We soon left with making a purchase.

So, let me get this straight: The clerks weren't exactly rude and were armed. The looked as if they were expecting to be robbed at any moment.

So you'd much rather buy a firearm from a place that looks like they have less practical experience?

You may be fine with shiny, good looking appearances, but I'd much rather take advice, do business with, and purchase a firearm from folks who actually know what they're doing because they live it, than from someone who merely has the appearance of it.

Your post comes off as a little "elitist". Yeah. Who want's to buy a gun from people who look like they are familiar with their use? Much safer to make your purchases where they only talk about using them.

Now, I'm not saying that you aren't correct in your dealings. YOU were the one patronizing the store, therefore, YOU get to make the call on their business practices. They may very well have been a "seedy" gun store.

But to simply base your patronage on the appearance that the employees are actually familiar with the items they are selling instead of trying to appear like it doesn't mean much to me.

I've found that many things defy appearances. I've had the best food I've ever tasted in places that appear to be dumps, I've met some of the nicest folks in places many people wouldn't enter without wearing body armor, and I've learned some of the most interesting things from people that you probably wouldn't ask for directions on how to cross the street.

If you were unsettled by the situation, this is fine. It's every consumer's right to buy and sell according to their own preferences. You evidently don't prefer to buy from folks who appear to actually need their own type of merchandise. Fine. I get that.

I'm just pointing out that dismissing them out of hand for their appearance doesn't mean that they are untrustworthy.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Yeah I always prefer to buy my guns when they are still warm from the last drive buy. Lots of experiance their.

 

[sv51macross]

@Hatterasguy, I'll give you that I fell out of my chair laughing. That aside, it really isn't the most appropriate comment to make. Just because a gun shop is in a bad area, that means all the merchandise is hot? I think what Superlite27 is getting at is the employees are more apt to take things seriously and not BS, unlike the horror stories of dishonest and rude salesmanship being posted here.

 

[wyocarp]

Some of us would benifit from spending a week behind a gun counter.

It can be very trying at times to listen to all the stories about what others have, have your brain picked all day long to see if you know everything about whatever gun is on the customer's mind at the moment, to have customers come in that never buy anything but want to handle a dozen guns while talking about the great deal they got at the last gun show, or have to talk to guys who smell like they haven't seen the inside of a shower in a week.

And that's a good day sometimes.

 

[fase3]

Was in Dick's the other day and there was a older gentleman (I'm 70 so that should tell you something) with a list in his hand and he is buying Win. AA HS shells for a friend. He turns to the clerk and and says it(the list) calls for one oz. "is that powder or shot?". Having reloaded for 50 yrs I told him as calmly as I could "Sir that is one oz. of shot". I can understand why some employees get a little terse!

 

[Erik M]

i worked in sporting goods for a year when I was in college. I never claimed to know more than what was written in the instruction manuals for the guns we sold. In my opinion the reason for some of the attitudes people experience is that as a retail salesman all i did was take crap off ignorant and indignant customers, it was really easy to just treat everyone like crap but not doing so made me feel professional and respectful to the people who deserved it.