Even if I wasn't new to the lgs scene, I'd walk right out until they were gone. I don't know how you'd even fit five people and useful-sized display cases in a 10x12 shed.
The local gun store “fly”
- Thread starter Stefan A
- Start date
Even if I wasn't new to the lgs scene, I'd walk right out until they were gone. I don't know how you'd even fit five people and useful-sized display cases in a 10x12 shed.
I love visiting my smaller lgs in theory. The local flies didn't bother me so much in the past, but now I go everywhere with a service dog. I really don't care for the extra attention or the extra opinions. Anymore, I only stop in to buy ammo because I don't care for reliving every "9mm or 45" thread in real life.
AJC1
Member
There are guys that hang out a just about every hobby venue. Fishing stores music stores and gun stores all the same. The difference in a gun store is the modern area, people are trying to assess if your a threat. I'm not saying bobs tackle hasn't ever been robbed but Joe's gun store is much more likely. As to being a conversationalist. That's just a practiced skill.
Every retail establishment has a culture of its own, and each of us has a different comfort level with social interaction. It is a matter of finding a good fit. I hang out at my local LGS most Saturday mornings for an hour or so, but the owner does a good job of focusing on customers and I busy myself with other things when business is being conducted. I pick up guns or ammunition from time to time, don't offer information when it is not requested, and try to learn a thing or two without being a PITA. It's a friendly place, and I would hate to think I made anyone uneasy.
bubbaturbo
Member
It's the leaners that bug me. Guy and his wife. 4 glass fronted cases in an L shape. They stand side by side in the corner of the L and even though you are obviously looking at the guns for sale, they don't have enough consideration to move and they continue blocking 50% of the guns.They are either not saying a word, just standing and looking at the wall or are holding forth on M1 rifles.
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,122
There are various types of "flies".
1. The Fudds
2. The boasters. braggarts, know-it-alls.
3. The wannabes and pretend they ares.
4. The would be "experts"-"Well, I read once...."
1. The Fudds
2. The boasters. braggarts, know-it-alls.
3. The wannabes and pretend they ares.
4. The would be "experts"-"Well, I read once...."
dogtown tom
Member
Thats the size of my dining room.
Flies are only a problem when the gun dealer lets them be.
1. "Socializers" are fine until they begin to detract from the purpose of the business.
2. Every minute the dealer or clerks spend yapping is one less minute that they could be assisting a buyer.
3. Dealers and clerks darn well better know how to disengage from a conversation and take care of business.
4. If people want to socialize with the dealer or staff, its a good thing. It means the dealer and his staff aren't complete jerks.
5. If the atmosphere, aura and ambiance of your gun store is not welcoming to strangers you are doing it wrong. An Old Boys Club vibe will drive women out the door and quite a few men too.
6. Absolutely always greet the customer when he enters the door. If you can't attend to him immediately, let him know "I'll be right with you". If you continue to tell war stories do not be surprised when the customer leaves.
7. If socializers are a problem in your store its your own fault. Get rid of chairs, stools and the free coffee.
8. Remember that socializers will offer up other customers unsolicited, bad, erroneous and even illegal advice, may kill a potential sale and will cost you customers.
9. I've been in a gun store where I thought the guy talking to me worked there......he didn't he was another customer. (The Bullet Trap in Plano, TX)
Scooter22
Member
I call them "clingons" they are all over in other places besides gun shops. I look and find what I want and push in if they are blocking me. If they give me an issue I tell them I'm looking to buy with cash loudly. That gets to counter guys attention and a clear space.
deadeye dick
Member
To me it's not the lgs, don't go to many of them but in my case it's the same only different. Started riding motorcycles at age 18, the drinking age, in 1956.on Long Island N Y. To me the local bike shop or dealership was a haven for anything bikes. We had the local hangerson also. Fast forward 66 years, I live in S.C. for the past 22 years and have a range in my back yard and have a bunch of hand guns. Even as a Yankee things are all good. at the gun shows we have the usual assortments of people. People are a lot friendlier than up north. Bikers and gun "nuts" are the same only different.
Thomas Mayberry
Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2018
- Messages
- 298
I well remember my first trip into the LGS when I was about 5 years old, Jefferson Arms in Pine Bluff AR (60 years ago). Rustic (i.e. old) building, pot belly stove, chairs, and cigarette/cigar/pipe smoke. Old timers sitting around shooting the breeze. Relaxed atmosphere. Went there many times with my dad and it was always the same, no rush talk a little and buy what you wanted. It closed down about ten years later, such a shame.
I don't let LGS hangarounds bother me. If I need service, I'll ask. You want to look at me? Go ahead it won't bother me at all. I'll probably smile and give then a good morning greeting, might even get an interesting conversation started.
I don't let LGS hangarounds bother me. If I need service, I'll ask. You want to look at me? Go ahead it won't bother me at all. I'll probably smile and give then a good morning greeting, might even get an interesting conversation started.
I run my own business. I do NOT have two different prices and anyone who does is lining their pocket. Yes, the card companies have a fee. But, the tax code allows you to deduct that fee as a business expense. Anytime I get quoted that nonsense I remind them of that. The extra cost suddenly disappears.
Kevin
Freudianfloyd
Member
Of course at the other extreme is one run like Vance Outdoors near me. They are a high volume dealer, but their process keeps me from shopping there.
You have to pull a number and then wait behind a roped off gun display until your number is called. Then you are escorted around the gun display by an employee. So no more window shopping without feeling like you are completely wasting the salesman time.
My eyes aren't as young as they used to be, so I have a hard time reading the tags from beyond the rope and I really hate the feeling of somebody watching every move I make.
You have to pull a number and then wait behind a roped off gun display until your number is called. Then you are escorted around the gun display by an employee. So no more window shopping without feeling like you are completely wasting the salesman time.
My eyes aren't as young as they used to be, so I have a hard time reading the tags from beyond the rope and I really hate the feeling of somebody watching every move I make.
OP
OP
Stefan A
Member
Good to know.
earlthegoat2
Member
Guns and cars seem to attract a disproportionate amount of know it alls and people who just want to be a bigger part of that culture for no other reason than it seems “cool”. Neither enhance the culture for anyone else involved.
Some of the flys are a product of that…but not all of them.
Without getting into details or my own opinions on the matter and this may sound arrogant but social media like this very site, among others, also attract flys just like the gun shops. Both good and bad.
Some of the flys are a product of that…but not all of them.
Without getting into details or my own opinions on the matter and this may sound arrogant but social media like this very site, among others, also attract flys just like the gun shops. Both good and bad.
Many years ago, many card processing agreements prohibited or discouraged adding additional fees when a credit card was used. Those fees often included a basic transaction fee plus a percentage fee that varied based upon gross sales, type of sales, type of card (mag swipe/chip/back number, etc) and was higher on cash back/affinity/air miles cards. These were expenses the seller paid when a charge card was used. They did reduce taxable income, but that just meant that the processing and use fees were not taxed. They still came out of store revenue. That may have changed, but it still puts money in the pocket of the card issuer and processor who really don't add any benefit for me or the shop owner.
I have discussed this with my shop owner, and I write a check for purchases. That way he gets the full benefit of our deal and I forego the Cabela's points that currently exceed $1600 anyway. Sorry to get into the weeds on this thread, but cards do cost the shop significant $$.
There’s a shop about 20 miles from where I live in a small, rural town. It’s on the way to my hunting camp so I used to stop in frequently.
It got to where every time I stopped, there were a couple of good-ol-boys at the counter hanging out and talking with the clerk. When I walked in they made me feel like this was their clubhouse and I wasn’t in the club. I quit stopping in and I used to buy a few guns and quite a few accessories.
In my opinion, the worst thing a gunshop owner can do for business is let his friends hang around.
It got to where every time I stopped, there were a couple of good-ol-boys at the counter hanging out and talking with the clerk. When I walked in they made me feel like this was their clubhouse and I wasn’t in the club. I quit stopping in and I used to buy a few guns and quite a few accessories.
In my opinion, the worst thing a gunshop owner can do for business is let his friends hang around.
epags
Member
Two experiences.
The first was in Missouri. The military had me going to college for an engineering degree. While there I visited a small town gun store, that I found out later, was a major supplier of all things gun related. The owner was super friendly and after a few visits encouraged me to get an FFL and mentored me through the process. Needless to say we ended up doing a lot of business before I was sent overseas.
The second was years later in California, my LGS did a good business but was in a tight little shop that could not handle much more than 5 customers at time due to its size. Over time I bought a goodly amount of reloading supplies and then had them sell a portion of my firearms on consignment during which I became friendly with the owner and the staff. However, due to their success, they were able to move into a much larger store and their business continued to boom. They seemed to forget about the folks that helped them grow. Now when I go in they don't acknowledge me and I feel like I am just another 'number'. Not a happy place to go to any more. Maybe it is just me?
The first was in Missouri. The military had me going to college for an engineering degree. While there I visited a small town gun store, that I found out later, was a major supplier of all things gun related. The owner was super friendly and after a few visits encouraged me to get an FFL and mentored me through the process. Needless to say we ended up doing a lot of business before I was sent overseas.
The second was years later in California, my LGS did a good business but was in a tight little shop that could not handle much more than 5 customers at time due to its size. Over time I bought a goodly amount of reloading supplies and then had them sell a portion of my firearms on consignment during which I became friendly with the owner and the staff. However, due to their success, they were able to move into a much larger store and their business continued to boom. They seemed to forget about the folks that helped them grow. Now when I go in they don't acknowledge me and I feel like I am just another 'number'. Not a happy place to go to any more. Maybe it is just me?
Simple Shooter
Member
Definitely understand where the OP is coming. I checked out a new LGS that opened not far from my place a few years ago. The owner was behind the counter and his buddy was sitting on a stool across from him. I asked to look at a Buckmark. The owner said, "After we finish our coffee." and continued to gab with his buddy. I walked out. The shop was closed in less than a month.
I like the above classification of flies and would add one more: The lonely old guys. They aren't there to offer unsolicited information or brag. They are just happy if someone exchanges a few words with them. I like them and go out of my way to say hello.
Now, the boasters, braggarts and wannabes... I have no use for them and am always willing to put them in their place. Years ago I was looking at a revolver when one of these fine individuals spouted off that .38 spl is useless and he knew a guy who had been shot with one and did not even need medical treatment. Long story short, I told him I would buy the gun, we would go outside, and I would shoot him with it. If he was unharmed I would give him the gun. He scurried out with his tail between his legs, much to the amusement of the guys behind the counter.
I like the above classification of flies and would add one more: The lonely old guys. They aren't there to offer unsolicited information or brag. They are just happy if someone exchanges a few words with them. I like them and go out of my way to say hello.
Now, the boasters, braggarts and wannabes... I have no use for them and am always willing to put them in their place. Years ago I was looking at a revolver when one of these fine individuals spouted off that .38 spl is useless and he knew a guy who had been shot with one and did not even need medical treatment. Long story short, I told him I would buy the gun, we would go outside, and I would shoot him with it. If he was unharmed I would give him the gun. He scurried out with his tail between his legs, much to the amusement of the guys behind the counter.
hemiram
Member
I used to use an old guy for my FFL. He had a couple of guys, both in their later 60's-early '70's, who were there all the time. It took many visits and a couple of guns coming in from GB sellers that interested them to get them to stop giving me the coldest of shoulders. Lots of opinions about guns I've had owned several examples of over the last 40 years or so, saying they are "no good", not trustworthy, "junk", etc. But for one of the guns they like, they all want to check it out, and play with it. One thing they love are S&W revolvers to the point of almost getting turned on when they handle a 50+ year old N frame.
One guy, doing it for free(!) was reloading ammo in the middle of the store for the owner. I guess he got lunch or something. I asked a friend who knew all of them, and he said the guy was doing it for a favor while the owner waited on customers. I've seen guys hanging out before at LGS's, but never almost all the time like these guys do/did. I guess one of them has passed away and a new 50 something guy is there instead. I don't know who has the FFL now as the owner was busted a while back for straw purchases. It's still open, so someone has it. There are several new ranges/stores opened over the last couple of years, so I don't need or want to go back.
'
One guy, doing it for free(!) was reloading ammo in the middle of the store for the owner. I guess he got lunch or something. I asked a friend who knew all of them, and he said the guy was doing it for a favor while the owner waited on customers. I've seen guys hanging out before at LGS's, but never almost all the time like these guys do/did. I guess one of them has passed away and a new 50 something guy is there instead. I don't know who has the FFL now as the owner was busted a while back for straw purchases. It's still open, so someone has it. There are several new ranges/stores opened over the last couple of years, so I don't need or want to go back.
'
peeplwtchr
Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2019
- Messages
- 1,608
I see the flies at the reloading shop too. I went in a couple days ago to get dies for 308, and asked the guy that works there if he neck sizes or full length sizes. The fly interrupted him and told me to never neck size. So I keep talking to the first guy, then the fly puts his phone in front of my eyes, with a meme about why to not neck size. I keep talking ro guy #1, then eric cortina's video about not to neck size starts playing loudly on the fly's phone. I ignored it, then I asked guy #1 if he has any IMR 8208 coming, guess who replies, "They haven't had any since.....". I felt like telling him to **** and go find a purpose.
peeplwtchr
Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2019
- Messages
- 1,608
OP
OP
Stefan A
Member
Wow - that's pretty annoying.
From this thread I have learned that I am not alone in this. OTOH, I have also learned that it's good to feel out the situation, as the guys hanging around (see, I'm getting nicer
) may be very friendly and worth chatting with.
buddyd157
Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2020
- Messages
- 452
Wow - that's pretty annoying.
From this thread I have learned that I am not alone in this. OTOH, I have also learned that it's good to feel out the situation, as the guys hanging around (see, I'm getting nicer
a long time ago, i watched several videos on gun store etiquette, where the # 1 thing was to NOT interrupt a customer with your opinions
i adhere to that. when i am at the larger gun store, there are many "bar stools" to sit at the counter while you are being served. i was sitting, waiting for my purchase approval, and i got up to let a guy look inside the case. he said i didn't have to move, but i wanted him to see all that he wanted.
at another store, a mom/pop place, (that is also a bait/tackle store) i get my reloaded ammo and cast bullets, and an occasional gun. they have those "flies" and yes, i am one. in fact i go at least once a day, sometimes twice.
it is like mentioned, "a culture"
but i sit with another "fly" and we talk about reloading and other things, and we NEVER interrupt another customer, asking questions.
HOWEVER, the 2 store owners, and the manager know what guns we have, and THEY will ask us to tell the potential customer about our particular gun. more often than not, that customer starts to fill out the 4473 form!
that plus, the place has a regular flow of local cops that for whatever reason, seem to be "flies" sometimes too.....either for fishing supplies, or guns......lol
