The local gun store “fly”

Stefan A

Stefan A

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2020
Messages
531
Location
Southern York County, Pa.
Please excuse me, but I have a bit of a rant. Went into one of my LGS the other day 95% sure I was walking out with a gun. Already knew what I wanted and already knew the price. This shop is an outbuilding attached to the owners house and inside it’s about 10’ X 12’. So, when you go in there’s no way to just relax and look around because you’re front and center and being watched.

There were 2 employees including the owner behind the glass showcases and 2 customers gabbing to the owner. One of them sitting on a stool in the middle of the floor. I call them flies - as in bar flies. But gun store flies. Sorry if this describes some of you…. Anyway, not only am I being watched by the employees but the 2 guys are watching me too. I walk to the case and look for the gun I was interested in. The employee is staring me down, and behind my back I can feel the eyes of the flies bearing down on me. So, I knew that I was going to have to inspect this gun while being watched by these 2. Thankfully one left while I was looking. Then I noticed the price of the gun said “cash” next to it. So I asked the employee what the non cash price is. Before the employee could respond, the guy on the stool starts explaining to me that the shop gets charged for using a credit card so that’s why they have 2 different prices. I remained polite and just turned to the owner so he could give me the answer to the actual question I was asking. Yes Mr. Fly, I understand the concept, but I wasn’t asking you nor was I asking that question…. So then I had a few other questions and then bought the gun.

I’m no gun store rookie but I guess there’s still this lingering self conscious feeling I get in a small store like this. My 3 lgs are all like this. Small and usually a few gabbing regulars (to be a bit less offensive). But please, mind your own business. If I were brand new to the lgs scene, I’d walk right out at least until they were gone.
 
I can really understand this. Try walking into a music store to buy your first guitar, you are truly a pilgrim in an unholy land, or more lately a "luxury" watch. The attitude in that place did nothing but tick me off.

Shame you only have three to work off of, I would have left it no matter how badly I wanted it, but then I have a great many choices. A long drive and a special order, and even a larger price tag would have been acceptable to me.
 
Back in the olden days when the mom & pops stores were the rule. The local hardware, service station, garage and others had their own "Flies" as you call them. Mostly all good friendly people. They didn't bother anybody and they were expected there every day. If one didn't show up one day the others would be asking where he was. Just hung around to talk of what was going on that day, spin yarns, tell stories around the wood/coal stove in the winter or anywhere in the shade in the summer. Sometimes some may help out a little. Whatever time the store opened they would be there or soon after and be there most several hours. I remember there was always a coke box around somewhere. As a kid I loved going down to the garage or service station and listen to the stories and yarns.
They werent "Flies" then. They were friends and neighbours. Mostly just friendly folks. Back then everybody didn't hate everybody like they do today. Mostly.
 
Remington1911 said:
I can really understand this. Try walking into a music store to buy your first guitar, you are truly a pilgrim in an unholy land, or more lately a "luxury" watch. The attitude in that place did nothing but tick me off.

Shame you only have three to work off of, I would have left it no matter how badly I wanted it, but then I have a great many choices. A long drive and a special order, and even a larger price tag would have been acceptable to me.
Click to expand...

The day before this I was at a different shop, which is 1:15 drive. They had the same gun for $50 more dollars. Much bigger but not a chain. Employee was super nice and toed the line between being available and unobtrusive. It was a good experience. I really should have gotten it there.

I’m a musician so fortunately I’m completely at ease in a music store. Occasionally I’ll start gabbing with the owner or lead repair tech at the local store. But I always get out of the way and mind my own business if another customer needs help.
 
tws3b2 said:
Back in the olden days when the mom & pops stores were the rule. The local hardware, service station, garage and others had their own "Flies" as you call them. Mostly all good friendly people. They didn't bother anybody and they were expected there every day. If one didn't show up one day the others would be asking where he was. Just hung around to talk of what was going on that day, spin yarns, tell stories around the wood/coal stove in the winter or anywhere in the shade in the summer. Sometimes some may help out a little. Whatever time the store opened they would be there or soon after and be there most several hours. I remember there was always a coke box around somewhere. As a kid I loved going down to the garage or service station and listen to the stories and yarns.
They werent "Flies" then. They were friends and neighbours. Mostly just friendly folks. Back then everybody didn't hate everybody like they do today. Mostly.
Click to expand...

i think a lot of it has to do with your personality. If I were another type of person, I probably could have walked into that shop and felt completely at ease. But I just get self conscious in that kind of situation. I have friends that seem to be able to strike up a conversation with anyone - as if they’ve always known them. That’s not me. But I’m not hateful.
 
I worked at a LGS. The owner intentionally did not have any chairs in the showroom area to discourage this type behavior. You’d have a few hang around but it was manageable. When they had to stand it limited their dwell time.

The exception was old Joe. He was long retired, his wife had passed and his days were empty. He would come in, sit in the corner and mind his own business. When he left the chair got put in the back.
 
I don't see LGS "flies" any different than forum members on Social Media. Same concept......socialization with folks that have similar interests. Like with forum members, there are all kinds. Some like to give unsolicited advice, while some try to impress you with their intelligence. Some are always negative and some want to argue over everthing and anything. Then there are those that just sit and observe.

Anytime you are out in public, you will encounter folks that either make you feel uneasy or just plain irritate you. I have gotten very good at ignoring those types, while having no issue acknowledging those that don't bother me. Have had just as many "know it alls" address me over my shoulder while at a gun case, as those sitting in a chair in the middle of the floor.
 
Stefan A said:
i think a lot of it has to do with your personality. If I were another type of person, I probably could have walked into that shop and felt completely at ease. But I just get self conscious in that kind of situation. I have friends that seem to be able to strike up a conversation with anyone - as if they’ve always known them. That’s not me. But I’m not hateful.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a chance to develop that ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. I'm guessing you tend towards introversion, as I do. Yet my job is in sales. Not the type like used car sales, and I'm only comfortable selling something I know well, and/ use myself. In my case it's glasses. It could be guns, done that in the past, or musical instruments and the accompanying tech. (Pedals, etc.)
The internet is a wonderful resource to learn about any subject under, and including, the sun. Boning up on a certain gun or type of gun before poking around in a shop can boost one's self confidence about the subject.
Yes, there are guys that hang out in gun shops with varying amounts of information, right or wrong, about guns. Some are out in front of the cases and racks, some behind them.
Educate yourself some and it will boost your self confidence!
 
Stefan A said:
The day before this I was at a different shop, which is 1:15 drive. They had the same gun for $50 more dollars. Much bigger but not a chain. Employee was super nice and toed the line between being available and unobtrusive. It was a good experience. I really should have gotten it there.

I’m a musician so fortunately I’m completely at ease in a music store. Occasionally I’ll start gabbing with the owner or lead repair tech at the local store. But I always get out of the way and mind my own business if another customer needs help.
Click to expand...

I am sure you have seen it at different music stores....I know I have, likely because middle aged balding dudes did not buy guitars back then.
 
Stefan A said:
Please excuse me, but I have a bit of a rant. Went into one of my LGS the other day 95% sure I was walking out with a gun. Already knew what I wanted and already knew the price. This shop is an outbuilding attached to the owners house and inside it’s about 10’ X 12’. So, when you go in there’s no way to just relax and look around because you’re front and center and being watched.

There were 2 employees including the owner behind the glass showcases and 2 customers gabbing to the owner. One of them sitting on a stool in the middle of the floor. I call them flies - as in bar flies. But gun store flies. Sorry if this describes some of you…. Anyway, not only am I being watched by the employees but the 2 guys are watching me too. I walk to the case and look for the gun I was interested in. The employee is staring me down, and behind my back I can feel the eyes of the flies bearing down on me. So, I knew that I was going to have to inspect this gun while being watched by these 2. Thankfully one left while I was looking. Then I noticed the price of the gun said “cash” next to it. So I asked the employee what the non cash price is. Before the employee could respond, the guy on the stool starts explaining to me that the shop gets charged for using a credit card so that’s why they have 2 different prices. I remained polite and just turned to the owner so he could give me the answer to the actual question I was asking. Yes Mr. Fly, I understand the concept, but I wasn’t asking you nor was I asking that question…. So then I had a few other questions and then bought the gun.

I’m no gun store rookie but I guess there’s still this lingering self conscious feeling I get in a small store like this. My 3 lgs are all like this. Small and usually a few gabbing regulars (to be a bit less offensive). But please, mind your own business. If I were brand new to the lgs scene, I’d walk right out at least until they were gone.
Click to expand...
Totally get it. I've had similar situations play out in other aspects of life and feel the same way. Keep your nose on your face and out of my business unless you are invited......

I also get the frustration of maybe being in a hurry and you're looking to get in and out and the regulars are standing there yammering away just eating up precious time. In those times I may be a lil more forward and interject with an "excuse me", in polite a fashion as possible. On the subject of bar flies, there was a guy in my town who went by "birdman bill". There was 1 "budweiser bill" and 2 "birdman bills". Anyway, one of the birdman bills was hanging out at my LGS. Me and the owner were pretty friendly so he was explaining one day that birdman was coming in every day and not buying anything but taking up enormous amounts of time yammering and it got to be a lil much so the owner unfortunately had to excuse him out of the store.
 
tws3b2 said:
Back in the olden days when the mom & pops stores were the rule. The local hardware, service station, garage and others had their own "Flies" as you call them. Mostly all good friendly people. They didn't bother anybody and they were expected there every day. If one didn't show up one day the others would be asking where he was. Just hung around to talk of what was going on that day, spin yarns, tell stories around the wood/coal stove in the winter or anywhere in the shade in the summer. Sometimes some may help out a little. Whatever time the store opened they would be there or soon after and be there most several hours. I remember there was always a coke box around somewhere. As a kid I loved going down to the garage or service station and listen to the stories and yarns.
They werent "Flies" then. They were friends and neighbours. Mostly just friendly folks. Back then everybody didn't hate everybody like they do today. Mostly.
Click to expand...
I remember those places. The hardware store, seed & feed stores. Heck, where I grew up driving the country roads you would get a nod or wave from a passing car. There are still some folks like that, but a lot of city people have moved out into the country. So it's different now.
 
Stefan A said:
Please excuse me, but I have a bit of a rant. Went into one of my LGS the other day 95% sure I was walking out with a gun. Already knew what I wanted and already knew the price. This shop is an outbuilding attached to the owners house and inside it’s about 10’ X 12’. So, when you go in there’s no way to just relax and look around because you’re front and center and being watched.

There were 2 employees including the owner behind the glass showcases and 2 customers gabbing to the owner. One of them sitting on a stool in the middle of the floor. I call them flies - as in bar flies. But gun store flies. Sorry if this describes some of you…. Anyway, not only am I being watched by the employees but the 2 guys are watching me too. I walk to the case and look for the gun I was interested in. The employee is staring me down, and behind my back I can feel the eyes of the flies bearing down on me. So, I knew that I was going to have to inspect this gun while being watched by these 2. Thankfully one left while I was looking. Then I noticed the price of the gun said “cash” next to it. So I asked the employee what the non cash price is. Before the employee could respond, the guy on the stool starts explaining to me that the shop gets charged for using a credit card so that’s why they have 2 different prices. I remained polite and just turned to the owner so he could give me the answer to the actual question I was asking. Yes Mr. Fly, I understand the concept, but I wasn’t asking you nor was I asking that question…. So then I had a few other questions and then bought the gun.

I’m no gun store rookie but I guess there’s still this lingering self conscious feeling I get in a small store like this. My 3 lgs are all like this. Small and usually a few gabbing regulars (to be a bit less offensive). But please, mind your own business. If I were brand new to the lgs scene, I’d walk right out at least until they were gone.
Click to expand...
I had this exact experience yesterday when I went to gun shop with my dad. It is a tiny place, and when we walked in, there were 2 guys sitting behind the counter, and 5 guys just hanging out. No customers at all. And when we walked in, it was similar to the feeling of an out of towner walking into a saloon in the old west. Everybody stopped chatting and all eyes were on us. My dad knew the owner somewhat, because he had sold guns to him in the past, but this was my first time there.

My dad didn't seem phased, he told me to go there a few times and they wouldn't pay any attention to me anymore. Either way, that feeling keeps me from going to places like this. I just can't stand being the center of attention.
 
I can remember as a youngster going to a really old, genuine original gun shop, complete with a somewhat musty smell, creaky wooden plank flooring, and a barrel with WWI German Mausers haphazardly sticking out of it! I mean this place just oozed "the good ol' days" sort of atmosphere and I loved it!

My mom would take me there whenever I had a doctor's appointment as his office was right around the corner from the gun shop. Since I was extremely limited in what I could buy (and what I could afford), I usually picked up a couple of gun magazines (the reading kind), and just settled for looking at the handguns in the display case.

At the time that was enough for a 7 year old kid!
 
I was friends with a guy who owned a small gun store, so I may have been a fly. But I would never have inserted my opinion into a discussion with a customer.

I had an experience similar to Freudianfloyd. Walked into a shop. Owner and flys treated me as if I were going to shoplift or rob the place. Hostile vibes. That was in a year I had spent several thousand dollars on firearms. I didn't stay long and never went back. They were out of business within a few months.
 
Been in many shops like that, whether it's a problem or not depends on the staff. If they promptly excuse themselves from discourse with the "flies" to help customers, no problem. If they ignore or are curt/rude to them, business deserves to fail.

I used to be friends with several of the staff at a prominent LGS and would frequently hang out at the counter and chat (back when I had time to do that...). When a customer approached, I stepped back and let them do their job.
 
Counterpoint, I is, was, are one of them guys. Even when I was younger (mid 20's). My absolute favorite shop was Village Sports in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The owner passed away a couple years ago. That shop had retired old timers that were without a doubt the nicest most down to earth gentlemen around. They were in there everyday with a pot of coffee going. I'd join them on my days off and always had an enjoyable experience. A good gun shop, in my opinion, with a friendly owner will have old timers and regulars hanging out at it. Most gun shops like that will have a nice selection of used guns.

When I moved to Missouri, I made some great new friends by hanging out at the local gun shop. We would help the owner open up and close down the shop. I'd even work the counter for him selling guns and accessories. The shop closed down but I still have those friendships.

There are some rules to being a regular at gun shop. Violating the 1st 2 rules will see you kicked out and banned from the shop.
1. Don't mess with / interrupt the owner's business. It's his business to make a profit on guns by buying low and selling high.
2. Don't try to outbid the owner when he is buying a gun off another customer.
3. Do help the shop owner sell guns.
4. Do spend $$$$ at the shop.
 
I think what it comes down to is not the "flies", but the owner.

If the owner disengages from the group to come over and assist you and acts like he's glad you came in rather than sit there and stare at you, I could deal with that.

There's a small shop around here with a small group of "flies", and all talk stopped when I walked in. The owner did not disengage, but stared along with the group. My asking "does anyone work here?" probably didn't endear me.

On the other hand, their prices on small items was very good, and they had a sort of "junk" area I found some pretty good scores in.
 
I think it has as much to do with your upbringing and region of the county as it does personality.
Around here we talk to and get talked to by total strangers like we've known each other all our lives. It's almost expected. Other parts of the country you are expected not to talk to someone unless you are addressed directly or doing business with them.
 
Hi...
I used to frequent a lgs that was a sort of gathering spot for hunters and shooters.
I bought a few firearms there and quickly became friends with the owner.
I would stop by a couple of times a week to see what might be new in the gun cases and spend an hour or so socializing.
Eventually, he learned the types of guns I was interested in and would at times hold a used firearm he acquired by sale or trade until I stopped in to see if I was interested in buying it.

That led to me acquiring several very nice handguns over the years at very good prices.

Because of health related issues he had to close the shop some years ago and take a job that provided paid health insurance.

Haven't found another shop or shop owner quite like that one since he closed up shop.
 
I am not exactly an outgoing person but have never been bothered by people in a gunshop or any other store "looking" at me. Like Hugger's area we are a friendly and mostly helpful bunch in these parts. I remember pulling into a McDonald's in Lubbock, TX a few years ago and one of the employees met me at the back of my suv when I got out to go inside out pointing to a low tire. There were immediately four customers showing me where I could get it fixed and in just a couple of minutes another person pulled up behind me and stepped out with a 12 volt compressor to air up my tire so I could make it to the nearest tire shop. Complete strangers all. It's the same over here in southeastern NM.
 
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