Received poor service at a gun store. (Formerly "not really a gun discussion...")

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WaltonS

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I just feel like ranting about people in the firearms industry with an inflamed superiority complex. Pardon the long story, but if you've got one to share, let's hear it.
I live in the city of Abilene, TX, if anyone's at all familiar with it. We have just one indoor pistol range (buckshot/slugs and .22 rifles OK), a clay sports field, and an outdoor range. Since presently my collection consists of an odd handful of pistols and a pair of shotguns, my wife and I (as well as a few friends/old co-workers) made trips to that indoor range at least once a month. Note, I said MADE.
Generally speaking the staff is pretty friendly and knowledgeable. Admittedly, their selection of guns for SALE is pretty scarce -- dozens of 1911s and Glocks, mostly.
Anyway. A friend came with me once and decided he wanted to rent a Beretta 92. Overall he was satisfied, and we were discussing his experience in the front office, and comparing the Beretta to the Taurus PT92. For the life of me, I couldn't remember what the one minor improvement in the Taurus was, and as I mentioned this, the guy at the counter glares over at me and says "There's absolutely NOTHING good about the Taurus."
My friend looks at him, shrugs, and turns back to me. "The safety's on the frame instead of the slide. Makes it easier to reach."
The clerk continued to glare as we left. Whatever.
Fast-forward a few months and my wife tags along with me and the same friend as before. We arrive at the range, and the office is full, the lanes are all occupied. We decide we'll wait, sign in and pay our fees. As we're waiting, my wife suggests to me that we share a lane. I agree that it'd probably be a good idea, when the same clerk butts in and says "Well, you guys better do SOMETHING, because I've got people waiting."
At that point, three things happen. My wife turns and snaps at him "I was talking to my HUSBAND. Not you," as I grab all our gear and say "y'know what? It's fine. Give me my money back and I'll leave." Lastly, the other gentleman behind the counter says "Hey, it's fine, I just sent a guy in. All the booths are full, it's not like they (referring to my wife and I) are holding up the line." Rude clerk sneers and goes back to his computer, I'm seriously debating walking out anyway, and my wife is still somewhat pissed, while the rest of the customers watch the events unfolding in the crowded office.
What do y'all think? Are we overreacting by taking our business elsewhere? Does that clerk need some lessons in customer service? Are we just being overly sensitive and thin-skinned? I want honest opinions.

And with that said, it's income tax time. Any suggestions on a fun range toy for the outdoor (rifle-friendly) range? :D
 
I've had to deal with at least one guy like that in every gun store I've ever been to. The best thing to do is to shrug it off and try to avoid dealing with him if possible. For everyone like that, I've been able to find someone who works there that provides excellent customer service.
 
I don't think you overreacted. There are several people in the firearms industry that have an over-inflated ego. While you can't make others walk out of the venue, you can. I would have. I would also write a letter to the store manager or owner about my experience, and tell them that you, a repeat customer, are going to be taking your business elsewhere, along with your other repeat customer friends. Its such a shame to see soo many ranges turning this way.
 
I've had to deal with at least one guy like that in every gun store I've ever been to.
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Same here.
I'm not sure why but the firearms business seems to attract a lot of jerks.
You'd think you'd be a happier camper being around hunting and shooting stuff all day.
 
Go to your state gun forms and tell of your experience, and name the gun shop by name(do it here as well). Once the thread gets large, send them an email with the link to the thread. Tell them that they are losing out on your money, and perhaps they'll see that they've turned other customers away if others reply similarly to your thread. It's probably the most effective way...more than a single letter I would think.

This is the only way they will change...thay have to see that poor customer service is hurting their bottom line. Tell them you are taking your tax return elsewhere.
 
The range doesn't really HAVE a name -- "Abilene Indoor Gun Range." Most anyone who knows of it will know EXACTLY which one is being referenced here.
 
I think we have a mutual friend. Haha

I had this experience once over a rental gun. I wanted to rent something (was thinking about buying one for myself and wanted to try it out first) but he was selling Glocks and was adamant about me renting one. When I politely told him no thanks as I'm not a fan of the ergonomics on Glocks, he said, "Ahh so you're a rookie. It's ok. If you knew anything about guns you'd be all over this Glock." I explained to him that I was not an IPSC grandmaster or anything but had been shooting for a number of years. He continued with his "If you don't shoot Glock then you're an idiot" and was more than rude and used language not appropriate for THR. I then proceeded to tell him exactly what he could do with his beloved Glock, walked out, and started shooting soon thereafter at a friends home built shooting range. Since then I've not set foot into that range or any other pay range and I couldn't be happier.
 
This was at the Abilene gun range? If so, PM me a description of the guy and I'll tell you if that's the one.
 
Does that clerk need some lessons in customer service?
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Of course, no one will disagree that he is rude. Unless someone complain to his manager, no one will know how rude he is. If I'm upset enough to take my business elsewhere, I will inform the manager why I am leaving. Sometimes they offer to fix it in an acceptable manner. Other times the manager may be rude, as well. Then there was the time that the sales manager ran out of the store and to my car door to offer me the right price (invoice, invoice slip in hand) on an item after I had been dealing with the salesman from %$#@. The guy tried so hard to earn my business that I felt obligated to buy at that point. Sometimes great customer service comes after the find out the bad apple of an employee is mistreating a customer.
 
I've had the same experience in a few gun shops, and in each case I've asked to speak to a manager or owner immediately. Upon speaking to the manager and explaining the incident, one of two things have happened:

1. The owner/manager has spoken with the employee in question and taken care of the problem.

2. The owner/manager has told me to pound sand, and I've taken my business elsewhere and informed others to do the same.

It really does need to be discussed with someone in authority, though. It's only fair that an owner gets a chance to correct a wayward employee before he loses potential business over it.
 
He's a jerk, get over it, life's too short, world is full of idiots, why let them bother you.
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Well, there is more to it than that. Yes, life is too short to deal with idiots, but I would vote with your wallet and go somewhere else. Oh, and make sure that all of your friends hear the story, too. This is not the old USSR. Consumers *DO* have a choice.

The firearms industry is full of egotistical, condescending, sneering jerks who go out of their way to push their overwhelming "superiority" on customers and the general public. Of course, there are many nice people, too, but my experience has been that there are more jerks in this industry than most others that I have dealt with. Most of the offenders (again, just MY EXPERIENCE) seem to be irascible curmudgeons who should be at home yelling at the TV rather than dealing with the public.

We have had similar problems with the shops/ranges here in the Raleigh area. I have found the ones that I like and ONLY DEAL WITH THEM. The same goes for the Wake County FETC. There are nice guys there, too, but not enough of them to compensate for the resident jerks. Sayonara.
 
+1 on Kingpin008...

It's not the rude employee that would take the hit if you take your business elsewhere. It's the owner, that may or may not know that he has a problem. It's only fair to point it out, and then make a decision based on expected performance...
 
The firearms industry is full of egotistical, condescending, sneering jerks who go out of their way to push their overwhelming "superiority" on customers and the general public.
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Wouldn't you say this is EVERY industry? As long as people are in charge there's bound to be a few jerks here and there.
 
Wouldn't you say this is EVERY industry? As long as people are in charge there's bound to be a few jerks here and there.
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No, this is not true of every industry. As I said before, there are many nice people in this industry, but the higher-than-average jerk ratio is due to the specialized knowledge needed to serve the customer base and the lack of pervasive competition (an opposing example would be the restaurant industry).
 
Sadly, it's not limited to just gun shops. Pretty much everywhere I've been where the items being sold is considered 'fringe' or 'cool' has guys like that. Tattoo shops, motorcycle shops, etc have d-bags working in sales. They have a holier than thou approach because they work in 'a cool place and you don't.' I work for Coca-Cola but I'm not dogging on people or belittling them because they prefer Pepsi or RC. Generally, the people who have the biggest elitist attitudes are the ones who know very little about the product they are selling and latch onto tidbits like a drowning man to a raft, i.e. the Glock fanatics. No disrespect to those who love their Glocks, but there are those of us who just can't learn to love 'em. Not a big deal. but we're not rookies because of it, either.
 
No, this is not true of every industry. As I said before, there are many nice people in this industry, but the higher-than-average jerk ratio is due to the specialized knowledge needed to serve the customer base and the lack of pervasive competition (an opposing example would be the restaurant industry).
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Just trying to understannd your reasoning 9mm+...

You're saying there aren't jerks or there are LESS jerks in every other industry? Particularly the restaurant industry because there is a larger customer base and heavy competition? Having worked in the restaurant industry AND frequenting restaurants I'd have to say there are quite a few jerks in it.

I understand your thoughts about the specialized knowledge and lack of competition meaning people don't have more options, but I was just pointing out that every industry has jerks. Not that there are more in any particular one than another.
 
Hi Ebbs -- Yes, you are correct. Every industry has jerks in it (restaurants included), but those that don't serve their customers in a satisfactory way usually don't stay in business for long (most of the Raleigh area restaurants with despicable service have since closed). Unfortunately, many of the gun shops and ranges still stay in business, despite being staffed by a small handful of the biggest jerks I have ever seen.

Other industries that fit this model include hobby shops and collectibles (comics, etc.) where there isn't fierce competition for the small customer base but specialized knowledge in that industry is needed.
 
The jerks are not all on one side of the counter. For every bad gun shop story there are probably 20 bad gun shop customer stories.
Yes, some people shouldn't be in customer service. But that's all over.

I went to the Walgreens to get the Sunday paper a couple of weeks ago. I had a couple of other things and they had the paper by the door. I sent my son over to pick one up. No one behind me on line, nothing else going on early Sunday morning. My son takes a minute to make sure the comics (most important part) are there. The crabby lady says "just pick one up and bring it over." I tell her he's checking to make sure the comics are there and she says "oh no I don't have time for that."
 
Hi Ebbs -- Yes, you are correct. Every industry has jerks in it (restaurants included), but those that don't serve their customers in a satisfactory way usually don't stay in business for long (most of the Raleigh area restaurants with despicable service have since closed). Unfortunately, many of the gun shops and ranges still stay in business, despite being staffed by a small handful of the biggest jerks I have ever seen.

Other industries that fit this model include hobby shops and collectibles (comics, etc.) where there isn't fierce competition for the small customer base but specialized knowledge in that industry is needed.
Click to expand...

Okay, we're definitely on the same page then. Thanks for clarifying, makes perfect sense.
 
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