Poll - What is most important to you in a Gun Store

[PBIR]

In an effort to thwart the types of mistakes that sour individuals on gun stores, I would like to gather some data on what people consider their number 1 priority in a gun store. If you feel motivated, rate the whole list most-to-least important in a post after you vote. Thanks for participating!

 

[Cool Hand Luke 22:36]

Here's my priority list:


Price
Great Customer Service: I'll walk out on a good price if I'm treated badly
Friendliness
Large Firearm Inventory
A Good On-Site Smith
Knowledgeable Staff: Not important to me, I research before I buy
Cleanliness
Lounge Area: Why? I can't think of any place I'd rather hang out less than at a gun store


One suggestion:

Don't make me wait around for 1/2 hour just to buy ammo or ring up a bottle of Hoppes. Have one person cover that end of the store at all times.

 

[PBIR]

Lounge Area: Why? I can't think of any place I'd rather hang out less than at a gun store

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not (hard to tell online) so I'll clarify. Many customers do hang out for quiet awhile. Some would qualify for full-time employees based on the number of hours on-site. Not that it is a bad thing mind you, they are usually very helpful and good company.

 

[Mixlesplick]

Friendliness is the most important to me closely followed by price. There are a few places where I have not felt welcome (the "curmudgion factor") so I rarely go there anymore.

Price is a close second. I know people need to make money but in the internet age the deals are out there and easier to find. When I ask about a gun and the price quoted is the manufacturer's suggested retail price I know I can find something better almost anywhere else.

 

[mcmoyer]

Great customer service
Price
Friendliness
Large inventory

Then all the rest.

If a shop gives great service I will buy from them even if it means paying more, and I will continue to buy from them. I'll walk out in a heartbeat if I get the impression that the person behind the counter is doing me a huge favor by waiting on me...I don't care how good their prices are.

I also like it when a shop has a good inventory of reloading supplies and books...I'm a sucker for books.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I voted for friendliness, which is closely associated with
customer service I reckon? Which has PRICE running neck n'
neck.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[El Tejon]

Range babes.

 

[carp killer]

Large amount of guns. More the better.


If the gun store has no inventory, why go? That is the reason I would go to a gun store, to buy a gun I want. That is why I go to gun shows. Large selection.

Price- I know my prices.
Knowledgeble staff- I already know all about what I want.
Friendliness- I don't care. I'm there to buy, not to visit.
Cleanliness- see above answer
Customer service- I can wait.
Gunsmith on site- I do my own smithing.
Lounge area-

 

[PBIR]

If the gun store has no inventory, why go?

Speaking for my store alone, we can order a vast array of firearms and have them in hand 2-3 business days after order 95% of the time. We are a relatively new store, so we pay for our inventory as we go. A huge inventory on-hand just ain't in the cards yet. Our customers don't seem to mind the couple of day wait.

 

[Chut1st]

Customer Service and friendly atmosphere tie for first. I take a lot of first time shooters/gun owners to a local store that treats them like like long-time customers. Great way to start a new pro-Second-Amendment supporter and we need all of those we can get, especially in an election year.

Almost everything else is secondary. I can order unusual pieces and have the gun shop handle the transfer and background check. Do almost all of my own gunsmithing so that's a non-starter. If they have a gun I want in stock, I'll pay their price (usually not unreasonable) to help keep them in business.

Chut1st (ask questions later)

NRA Patron Member
Safari Club Int'l Life Member
Law Enforcement Alliance of America Life Member

 

[MNCCW]

Price, and customer service tie for first.

1. Price
1. Customer service
3. Selection (gun)
4. Selection (acc)
5. Cleanliness
6. Knowledgeable staff

Friendliness, gunsmith, lounge area all rate way at the bottom, I will find a gunsmith, if I need one it's not the same thing as running a retail shop in my mind, it's like getting your auto work done at a dealership. And I really don't care if the guy is friendly or not, as long as he is prompt, and helpful.

 

[PBIR]

A little off-topic, but at my age (30) I reckon I fall somewhere between the Tom's Hardware & Seed and the Wal-mart generations. Just looking at the responses here is an interesting excercise in guessing who else falls where on the timeline. I must be getting old, I catch myself starting to say "I remember when..."

sigh.


BTW, no promises on the timeframe, but I will be compiling all this data into a report that I will make available to anyone interested. Let me stress that it might take awhile, I have many irons in the fire right now.

 

[Knives]

Large firearm inventory.

 

[Valkman]

For me it's great customer service followed by knowledgeable staff, followed by price. Then friendliness, then gun selection (pistol). Gunsmithing is towards the bottom for me.

If all I wanted was price I could go to Wal-Mart. I named the above in that order because it fits my favorite shop, Masters Shooter's Supply and the owner Floyd. He is very knowledgeable and has helped me with reloading questions. I go there just to BS sometimes and hear the stories (which get better with time I'm sure). No lounge area, which I think is smart as some of us would never leave!

He also handles my transfers and takes guns from private parties, which some FFL's here do not.

 

[SDAL]

For me it's Friendliness. Short story when I was about 15 a gunshop opened in my neck of the woods, and as a kid I would hang out for hours in that place. Then When I was 21 I started helping part time. To make this story even shorter today (29) the clerk that used to put up me is like a brother to me. Their is more to be gained than a good deal at gunshops.

 

[T.Stahl]

Fortunately I know a dealer who's not only friendly and knowledgeable and has a great customer service, he also has the best prices.

 

[sfhogman]

What Valkman said. A truly knowledegable staff is a great thing; there's always something more for me to learn, thankfully.

 

[mdsteele]

I had to vote Price! But I have usually done my homework. Me thinks that the most important thing a gun store should have(for the public) is knowledgable staff, which we sorely lack in these parts.

 

[MountainPeak]

The poll lists many things that are important. Since I've been a firearm owner for 41 years, I pretty much know what I want, and have knowledge of why I want it. Friendly customer service is nice, but then, I go to 8-12 gun shows a year. I'm use to rude people, on BOTH sides of the table. Is there such a thing, as a GOOD smith, that's not cantankerous? Come on, SOMEWHERE there must be ONE! I voted price.

 

[556A2]

Customer Service, but friendliness should be lumped in with that. Price is very important, but I would rather pay a little more feel like a member of the family so to speak. I must be watched over by stars, I've only came across 1 gunshop where there are jerks.

 

[Old Dog]

Inventory is important, but knowledgeble staff and friendliness of the staff are one way to insure that new, or prospective, gun-buyers have a good first experience. If we want to grow lots of new gun-owners and shooters, which will help us keep our 2nd Amendment rights, retailers should make sure they're taking care of new customers and giving out accurate information on the products! Just because we experienced gun-persons can deal with rude staff and know how to get what we want ... doesn't mean our own priorities as far as gun shops go should concern only how well the shop takes care of us.
Recently, a large retailer opened in my area, and I spend quite a while just listening to the staff at the gun counters ... I was appalled at some of the information I heard being provided to novice gun customers. Some totally inaccurate, just plain wrong stuff being told to customers. I submit that too many gun dealers don't go out of their way to keep those folks new to gun-buying and shooting feeling good about their gun-shop experiences.

 

[GrayBear]

MINORITY VOTE -

I voted for the good smith on site. Without one or more smiths they're just another buy-sell-trade operation. For price with no service, go to a discount store. Friendliness and customer service aren't much good if you bring back a problem piece and they have to send it out for even a minor problem.

JMHO

GrayBear

 

[Harbinger]

Large inventory.
Price.
The rest are nice extras, but don't care if they're not present.

 

[spacemanspiff]

this might sound like a shameless plug, but it really isnt.

when i first started getting into guns i went to a few shops and perused. i bought from one shop and walmart, and had the rest transferred through FFL's. i never really found the right place that had people who made me want to become a repeat customer.

so then i started hearing some really horrible stuff about a shop that has a member who posts here. i got curious about the testimonials of 'a-hole' workers, overpriced inventory, and a gruff mean attitude.

i must've said the magic word when i went in there cause i have yet to be treated like poo.

i have walked into gunshops and had the distinct feeling that i was not welcome. all i expect is to be treated like a shooter.

 

[t driver]

I voted friendliness first, but great customer service is a close second.