I was offered a job today...

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Deer Hunter

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So there I am, making my way through Academy, looking for neat gifts for my dad for christmas. I pass the gun counter, like I always do, and ask my girlfriend if she sees any pistols she likes. She likes the 1911s and some Taurus guns, especially the ones with pink and pearl grips.

So while I was there, a guy, who appears to be around 20 or a little older, asks the counter clerks (whom were all sitting around, BSing, while people browsed) if they had any 7.62x54R in stock.

Most of them look clueless. One terns to the other, "That's that weird one, right?"

They tell the guy that they don't think they stock it.

... I had to jump in.

"Excuse me," I started, "But is this for a Mosin?" They said yes, it was. "Well your best bet locally is Gander Mountain, or one of the smaller gun shops in town."

The mosin-guy says "Well it shoots 150ish grain loads better, and all I could find in town so far is 180 and above."

I told him that the closest store that I know would have something is in Brenham, which is thirty miles away. Other than that, I told him a few websites he could order ammo off of. I also told him about surplus ammo that was available for cheap. He said he had heard of it, but wasn't sure about it.

So I go through the cleaning with ammonia, describing what made the ammo "corrosive", etc.

He thanked me and I went on looking at the pistols. Until I felt eyes upon me....

The guys at the counter said to me, "Hey, you want a job?

:evil:

They openly admitted to not understanding a fifth of the conversation, and said that someone who actually knew a lot about guns and ammunition would be a good asset.

I might take them up on that, if the hospital isn't hireing.
 
I've been there, and it's usually too awkward to stick around... ;)

I have to do an internship, and I found out today that one of my options is with the ATF. :eek:
 
I'd say go for it. You'll end up loving it because talking about guns is great...AND you get paid for it.

Or at least do it part time. I'm working at a range part time and it's great. I get to do what I love and meet people who love guns too.
 
one of my options is with the ATF.
Click to expand...

That might not be a bad idea you know. See how the other half lives. Maybe you could bring some positive attitude and accurate propaganda free ideas to the agency.
 
That might not be a bad idea you know. See how the other half lives. Maybe you could bring some positive attitude and accurate propaganda free ideas to the agency.
Click to expand...

It's only an internship. Consequently, it's my first choice. It will not fail to be interesting, I know that. I don't want to drift the thread. I might start one on the idea later.
 
I worked the gun counter at academy here in Austin and it wasn't to bad. A lot of it depends on your manager. Only had one other associate who really knew guns well so it was funny to listen to some of our co-workers try and talk guns :rolleyes: I'd say go for it if you need a decent part time job.
 
Oh hell, that's right! Ammo discount!

I'm in! Now if only they sold reloading equipment...
 
I say take it! If Dick's out here was hiring at the gun counter, I'd jump ship on my current crap job.

be prepared, though: it's a retail job, and you will have customers that think they know more about your job than you do, and ninety percent of the time they're wrong.
 
Let's look at the benefits of working for Academy:

15% off on firearms/handgun ammo
25% off on rifle/shotgun ammo, knives, clothes, etc.

Now let's look at the negatives of working for Academy:
Retail
Cleaning the hunting and fishing department
zoning the store before a walkthrough by GM's, DM's, etc.
Putting up with the store director and manager's BS.
Putting up those stupid flags for the sales every Saturday night and putting the price on them if they're a "Right Now" price.
Carrying gun safes out to the front.
Boat sales
Enjoying customers that take out their frustration on you, and blame you for whatever the situation is, regardless how out of control it is.
Working well past 11PM if you're closing.
Doing inventory twice a year.
Rearranging shelves and inventory frequently because apparently it makes sense to rearrange everything when they aren't selling to make it look better for the customer. In many cases, not realistic because the product being sold is a "buy-when-needed" (Trailer lights, fuses, trailer hitch, etc) product, not impulse buys.
 
TXState101 pretty much has it down :D The discounts are great, but the enviroment you work in depends a lot on your manager. I was lucky to have a really cool manager who used to give us insane discounts on partially stolen boxes of ammo and such...I have a box of 19 .308 Winchester and 19 .204 Ruger that are worth about $40 together that I got for $1.00 :D
 
Oh hell, that's right! Ammo discount!

I'm in! Now if only they sold reloading equipment...
Click to expand...

well, take the job, then talk them into starting a reloading section, and volunteer to be the department manager!
 
Well, i was offered something similar when i was a teen... Not old enugh though:(:(

Go for it. If at least you can teach some (trust me, they show up all over) misguided people that ask for help. You may even become manager or firearms. Or at least you would here where i am...
 
Yeah, Lurp, I worked at the store on 1604/NW Military Dr in San Antonio for about 8 months.

I got a free box of 30-30 shells because somebody stole three out of there, and while I don't own one yet, someday I will.

Other than that, I can't complain much, except that I got my O/U for $915 after tax and usual price is $999.

Other than those bonuses, I can't think of much else for working at Academy. Also, have to work there for two weeks before your discount is in effect. I used to really like them because it was locally grown, but after experiencing Academy's corporate culture (low man on the totem pole and crap rolls downhill!), I decided that I only go in there unless I have to go.
 
Retail definitely has its ups and downs. Sometimes it's great fun, and sometimes you just want to hit your customer with a blunt object. It pretty much balanced out for me when I was working retail.
I've found that I get very mixed receptions from store clerks when I help confused customers. I try to only do it if the clerk is looking confused, clueless, or anxious. They tend to be a lot warmer toward you if they see you as "helping with the sale" rather than "alienating the customer" from them. :p
 
I also got a part-time job at a gun range just for fun. It doesn't pay much, but I enjoy it so much, I'd almost do it for free.
 
Don't do it unless you can withstand the anonymous criticism of a bunch of internet shooters.

Otherwise if you got thickskin, a desire to serve, an ability to put up with a bunch of tire kickers, a little humility and a few disposable hours a week worth $10 an hour I'd say go for it. ;)
 
$10 an hour eh?

Back in July workin' at Academy after a raise, it was 7.50, one hour long lunch break on a 9 hour shift that sometimes, if you were closing, lasted 10 - 13 hours, no breaks(supposedly 2 15 minute breaks, but there was never any time), and no tobacco on company property.

I won't even mention the possibilities if you go postal!
 
I'm surprised the didn't just run you off for suggesting the competitors :p

I'd take it, could be fun times, and you get to be the "smart one" and train some people in the fine arts :)
 
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