Local gun store, How much is too much?

[MountainBear]

I am my LGS. That is, I own the LGS in my town. I am a one-man band, chief cook and bottle washer, so to speak. I don't get the crowds like a big town shop will, and I rather enjoy it that way. I get to spend time with my customers and get to know them. I have worked at big box stores before and they put such emphasis on movement, that personal service goes right out the window.

One thing I will mention, its very common not to process a gun until you come in to pick it up. If you open the package, or I open the package in front of you, and there is damage to the gun, there is no doubt as to where it came from. But if the gun is already opened when you get here and you see damage you weren't expecting, how do you know where it came from?

My personal issue is that I tend to give too much information. Not in a condescending manner, I'm not rude about it, I do not treat people like they are idiots for not knowing something. But I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to guns. Selling them, repairing them, building them, and learning about them. So when someone asks a simple question, sometimes they get too long an answer. Sometimes if my wife or brother in law are here they will nudge me. I just like to talk guns. Owning a small shop gives me a good way to do that.

 

[Wishoot]

That's the beauty of the internet. No line, no crap service, no waiting to check out. Guns, ammo, accessories. Couple that with a close FFL who works out of his house and charges next to nothing for transfers.

If I need to check out a gun before I make a purchase, I have Cabelas and Gander Mtn nearby. In the highly unlikely event they're prices are competitive, I'll buy from them. Otherwise, it's my FFL.

I'm done with the LGS's around here with their condescending attitudes and inflexibility too.

 

[Okcafe86]

I've gotten to where I buy three things local. That about it. Firearms, powder and primers. The rest is cheaper online.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Don't you know? Service is not important anymore. Lowest price wins.... that is all.

Especially the folks of my generation. We use Google, and amazon, and yelp and we research everything ourselves. We're to skeptical to believe what the guy behind the counter says, and to cheap to pay the price of service.

Service is dead. Also unnecessary.

 

[MountainBear]

Service is not dead. If you aren't finding it where you're shopping, look elsewhere.

 

[TomJ]

I've had similarly bad experiences, and I've taken my business elsewhere. It's worth driving a few more minutes to avoid the aggravation. Remember, the business world is full of stories of once successful businesses who treated customers poorly, and ultimately went under. It sounds like this store is ripe for a competitor to come in and take their customers.

 

[Swing]

That's the beauty of the internet. No line, no crap service, no waiting to check out. Guns, ammo, accessories. Couple that with a close FFL who works out of his house and charges next to nothing for transfers.

+1. There is zero value added by dealing with the LGS and a decent amount of annoyance avoided by not patronizing said. And the only reason the FFL is seeing a $20 is due to a pre-web, nearly 50-year old law (GCA68) that requires transfers to go via said licensee.

 

[LockedBreech]

+1. There is zero value added by dealing with the LGS and a decent amount of annoyance avoided by not patronizing said. And the only reason the FFL is seeing a $20 is due to a pre-web, nearly 50-year old law (GCA68) that requires transfers to go via said licensee.

Yep. If I could pay an annual fee, say $50-100, to get gun deliveries, that'd be the end of my LGS interactions.

 

[Cee Zee]

Sounds like a case for Yogi Berra. He famously said, "No one goes there anymore. It's too crowded." That's what I would do. Saving a dollar or two isn't worth wasting an hour or two of my time. Unless they are just super cheap compared to other stores I'd go elsewhere. If they are super cheap that explains why they are busy. If that's the case and you would rather save the money then suck it up and deal with it. If they hire more and better help prices will likely go up.

 

[Rock185]

I've sure been in gun stores, both large and small, where owner and employees displayed that attitude. As an example, A very nice LGS opened in this area several years ago. With a decent customer service attitude I believe it could have easily been the preemininent gun shop in an extended multi- town area. But, it was not to be. Owner, and especially adult son, displayed a we don't need your buiness, consume excrement and expire attitude. We live in a very "word of mouth'" type area. Their business did not survive....

BTW, I dealt with a larger, busy, successful shop in a large metro area for years. No matter how busy, someone would greet you, take care of you ASAP, always wanted your business, and acted like it. What a concept!

 

[Twiki357]

I guess I’m pretty lucky. All my local gun stores are pretty good, although the two guys that run one of them can get a little testy at times. Unfortunately it’s the only shop that carries most everything in reloading supplies. Yes, powder, primers, bullets, brass, no shortages there.

One that is especially good, believe it or not, is J&G Sales. With most of their business being from online sales, the service in the store is outstanding. Makes it worth driving the 12 miles and past 7 other gun stores to go there.

 

[duanebuck.schultz]

I do my best to go to private owned gun shops and only give repeat business if it is a good shop with customer service, selection, etc.

I have a favorite that I try to buy all my guns at.

I never go to places like Gander Mountain or big box places, unless they are the only place to have what I need.

 

[duanebuck.schultz]

Also, I hate it when gun shop owners or employees talk down to me. Just because I have a question, doesn't mean I'm an idiot and I won't be treated like one.

 

[Cee Zee]

Most of the time duanebuck the employee doesn't know as much as the customer in today's world where working in a gun shop is just another McJob. No training needed except how to work the cash register. But they become instant experts as soon as they put on their frock because "they are a professional who works in the gun industry". It's like that for way too many things. Try finding a good hardware store these days. Or try finding that odd left handed nut in a metric size at Walmart or even Lowes. If they have it no one knows where. What kills me is to see people with real expertise have to go to work at a McJob because their company went out of business because of the big box store. Then you have a guy with 25 years experience answering to a pimple faced kid who doesn't know a jigsaw from an Irish dance that somebody watched. Worse yet is to see a store get turned over to the son when the son has majored in "party hearty" all his life and doesn't know anything that isn't played with a controller and some sort of tv screen. They think they inherited all the knowledge pop has without ever even trying. They will try to sell you stuff at double the going rate and then act like you're an idiot for thinking it's too high. All they want is the quick cash. Give me a guy who started a gun shop as a hobby every time. Some of them are jerks but some actually know what they're doing and they will help you along with it. The problem is sifting through them finding out which ones know their stuff and which ones just want your money. I've gotten some very good advice from good salesmen but they are too few and far between these days.

BTW the only reason for buying anything from Gander Mtn. is they have an extra year warranty on guns they sell. At least they did the last time I bought something there which has been a good while back. But try getting them to honor their warranty. It's an uphill battle.

 

[evan price]

So you paid for the overpriced speed loader?
Why should the store change, you don't care to do anything besides vent on an internet forum, and you still don't name the place.
Vote with your wallet! Don't reward their bad service.
You can often find stuff online for cheaper, including shipping.
I picked up five brand new revolver speed loaders on ebay for $31 shipped a couple weeks ago.