You would resort to such immaturity over being asked to pay the same deposit they ask of all their other customers? On what basis? You would actually attempt to ruin a business's reputation because they asked you to make a small deposit on a pair of say $25 grips? Seriously?? You have a right to your opinion, but I think causing such a ruckus over being treated like they treat every other customer is a bit much. don't shop there if you don't want to, but badmouthing a business to anyone who will listen over something so genuinely petty amazes me. You have a right to complain when you've been genuinely wronged....not when you are treated in the same manner as every other customer. If their policies offend you, shop elsewhere, but your reaction seems extreme considering the situation outlined by the OP
Gunstore Opinion
- Thread starter BikerRN
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I'm a bit surprised that so many seem to be aligning with the LGS rather than the perspective of the OP. Seems to me that he is a customer in good standing for more than two decades. Has gotten to know the staff and management and has brought many times his own purchases to their firm via referrals and the like. So, as before, when he asks to have a small part ordered, as before, he should continue to expect that no downpayment (in person no less) is required.
I understand that their policy may have changed. And for new customers, so be it. But it's well known in business that the cost of maintaining a customer pales in comparison to the cost of acquiring new customers. That's why in my business (enterprise software/hardware) when a good customer needs a shipment and their business depended on it, we'd put in on the trucks and pay overnight Fed Ex air to ensure their business continuity. This could be a repair, some upgrades or add-ons, new software licenses or whole racks of loaded servers and storage. It's value could be in the millions. But so what? They're a good customer who depends on us. Some weeks later when the urgency subsided, the account owner would meet with them to figure out how much it all was and when it should be payed. No big deal. You do this for your good customers and it has to be a key difference between face to face transactions at a LGS and internet dealings where these things are a lot harder to support.
So, if I were the OP, I'd calmly meet with the manager, ask for his/her perspective and remind he/she of his long-standing relationship with the LGS. If the answer is a dogmatic 'it's the new policy', then I'd call that relationship done with, and only shop there if or when they had a lower price on some desired item. No emotion, no demands. Just understanding the new rules by which they want to play and how it will affect their business and the customers behavior henceforth.
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I understand that their policy may have changed. And for new customers, so be it. But it's well known in business that the cost of maintaining a customer pales in comparison to the cost of acquiring new customers. That's why in my business (enterprise software/hardware) when a good customer needs a shipment and their business depended on it, we'd put in on the trucks and pay overnight Fed Ex air to ensure their business continuity. This could be a repair, some upgrades or add-ons, new software licenses or whole racks of loaded servers and storage. It's value could be in the millions. But so what? They're a good customer who depends on us. Some weeks later when the urgency subsided, the account owner would meet with them to figure out how much it all was and when it should be payed. No big deal. You do this for your good customers and it has to be a key difference between face to face transactions at a LGS and internet dealings where these things are a lot harder to support.
So, if I were the OP, I'd calmly meet with the manager, ask for his/her perspective and remind he/she of his long-standing relationship with the LGS. If the answer is a dogmatic 'it's the new policy', then I'd call that relationship done with, and only shop there if or when they had a lower price on some desired item. No emotion, no demands. Just understanding the new rules by which they want to play and how it will affect their business and the customers behavior henceforth.
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SwampWolf
Member
Crap! Now I learn that I've been a technical crook.
Ghost Tracker
Member
Seems to me that if he is such a long-time customer held in such high regard by the staff & owner of the LGS, responsible for multiple referrals, etc. then this thread never would have started to begin with. They would have bought him the grips for his birthday. I don't know the OP or the LGS. But I DO know we've only heard one side of the story and have spent 103 posts guessing wildly at the rest.
22-rimfire
Member
As a small business owner, I have been stiffed more times than I want to even put on paper and this isn't for $50; I'm talking thousands. A person's word isn't worth much anymore. I still do a fair amount of business on a handshake, but I try to judge one's character on such things and I miss sometimes. MY word is worth more than any written and executed "contract" and I will pay for what I ask other people to do even to the point of restricting my ability to put food on the table.
I think in your case, a $50 order should not have required a deposit. But, if the item is something that they are likely to never sell once they receive it, a deposit at least insures some responsibilty on both ends.
A few stories.... about "business".
I have seldom purchased guns on line. It is not something that I want to do even if I pay more at the local gunshop. But I recently purchased a collector grade gun and a local dealer was going to do the transfer. Everything was upfront-fees etc. But after I agreed to the deal, I was in another local shop who would have done the same transfer for almost half of what I paid. I have purchased guns from the LGS in question, but not the "new" one. This has kind of tilted my thinking about this shop a bit. I am borderline between not doing business with them anymore and forgetting about it competely. But it still affects any personal decision I make when I am driving by to even stop and browse what they have in stock... business...
I have ordered several guns at one LGS and they have not requred me to make a deposit even though I thought it justified. Their trust resulted in my picking it up and paying for the firearm as soon as they notified me the gun came in. I technically could have put the guns on layaway after they came in and paid over time with no interest charge.
Another LGS was supposed to order a gun for me and I never heard anything from them. I called several times and they didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Then a week or so later I drop by and the gun I had them order was in the glass case being handled by other customers... I was very irritated. I bought the gun, but never set foot in their store again. They are out of business now.
Ghost Tracker
Member
Right there's the capitalist, free-market system in it's purest form. Let's revisit this a year from now. If the OP's LGS is still doing a brisk business without his patronage, then they don't miss him or his money. If they're a yoga studio/coffee shop then they should have changed their policy & ordered his grips.
NinjaFeint
Member
The biggest LGS near me has terrible service but great prices. I am not sure about there policy on orders but I can tell you plenty of customers have stopped going there.
I can also tell you that finding a parking spot anytime after 5 or on a weekend is almost impossible. Low prices trump all.
As for your situation, you have to do whatever you are comfortable with. Having been in small business, you get screwed by the regulars just as much as the walk ins. It's worse with the regulars because you want to maintain that relationship yet still get paid for the item you have obtained, not a fun tightrope.
I can also tell you that finding a parking spot anytime after 5 or on a weekend is almost impossible. Low prices trump all.
As for your situation, you have to do whatever you are comfortable with. Having been in small business, you get screwed by the regulars just as much as the walk ins. It's worse with the regulars because you want to maintain that relationship yet still get paid for the item you have obtained, not a fun tightrope.
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