To our valued customers...

[shootergirl88]

Mkay. I work in a privately owned gun store. Despite this, my fellow employees and I are polite, helpful, and for the most part knowledgeable. Which is kind of nice. However, a sadly large percent of our clientèle do not do unto us as we do unto them; many of our customers are rude, overbearing, and completely unwilling to do their part in keeping our store as customer-service oriented as it is. So here are a few suggestions for helping my coworkers and me stay motivated to help you:

If several signs say "employees only behind counter," don't go there.

If a sign conveniently located on the door through which you exit the range asks you to please return the cardboard target backers to the bin, do it.

Oh, and please (though this is apparently a stretch), try not to assume that just because a gun store employee is female, she is totally ignorant of anything firearms-related. Yes, I realize that a significant number of women really don't know **** about guns; however, stereotyping me like that is the same thing as if I, knowing that an equally significant number of hominid mammals are apes, considered you an ape based on your taxonomic order alone.



Thank you.




PS: And for the last time, no, we do NOT carry "clips (do you mean magazines?) for a Jimenez (pronounced: JIM-uh-NEEZ) foh'-five (I thinkthat means .45)." Okay? Okay.

 

[Avenger29]

I am very polite and courteous at any store...But I think that your rant will not have much effect here, as the people it is intended to reach do not visit here at THR. At least, I would hope not. And I assume that if they are behind the counter, that they are an employee and can help me, no matter their gender, race, or age.

PS: And for the last time, no, we do NOT carry "clips (do you mean magazines?) for a Jimenez (pronounced: JIM-uh-NEEZ) foh'-five (I thinkthat means .45)." Okay? Okay.

What in the heck is a Jimenez foh'-five?

And the famed Tamara, who I do believe is a mod here, is in a very similar situation as yours. And she makes me look as if I can't tell a firearm from a pointy stick, especially with her knowledge of milsurps.

 

[shootergirl88]

I appreciate people like you. <3

Jimenez Arms is kind of like High Point, but different. Same quality though, or lack thereof.

 

[razorburn]

Every job dealing with customers or members is like that. You're not alone in feeling that way about customers, everybody who's worked a job where you have to interact with people have felt it too. Every employee of every store/gym/restaurant/whatever, etc you passed on the way to work deal with it too. You just gotta deal with it or quit. No sense in crying about it to us.

 

[Avenger29]

Ah got it! Jennings...just takes a while to sort throught the ol ghetto-filter!

And I was raised right by my momma, who would whup my butt even today if I acted bad in a store...

 

[Monkeybear]

You just gotta deal with it or quit. No sense in crying about it to us.

People on this board complain about customer service from gunstores on a regular basis, this being the case I think its perfectly valid for someone to express the same fustration from a different angle.

 

[razorburn]

Well, the people complaining about gun shops can just put up with that or shop somewhere else too!

 

[Steelbanger]

Many years ago I was calling many gun shops, trying to locate a magazine for a Remington rifle. At one department store that carried Remingtons, I asked for the sporting department and a woman answered. I asked if they had a magazine for a Remington Model 788, cal. 6mm. She responded with a question. "Do you mean that little book you get with a new gun?". I replied with "No, I mean the clip.". Then she knew what I meant and told me they didn't have any in stock.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

People on this board complain about customer service from gunstores on a regular basis, this being the case I think its perfectly valid for someone to express the same fustration from a different angle.

While that is true, her complaints were not about ALL of their customers, only a small percentage. If it was not a small percentage, then I suggest that is the stores fault.
Overall, people's complaints are about a small number of gun shops, but that is usually the entire gun shop.
I have found (so of course there are numerous exceptions out there) that gun store attitudes are driven from the top down, so usually everyone there is similar in demenor, attitude, and knowledge.
Also, as far as men treating a woman as if she know nothing about guns, of course this happens. Look at the percentages and you can see why. Humans are wired to see patterns and behave accordingly. It is survival. You see someone dressed like a punk moving toward you on a dark street at night, you think he is going to hurt you and act accordingly.
Should it be that way? No, but it is, and if you let that get to you then you are going to be seeing it everywhere you go. Eventually it is going to get down to,"Are they assuming you know nothing about guns because you are a woman, OR are YOU assuming they are assuming you know nothing about guns becuase they are male?"
I have seen that in a few folks I deal with, the self-fulfilling prophecy. It is hard not to be angered by it, but remember right now it is THEIR problem when they assume you do not know anything about guns, don't let it turn into YOUR problem.
You deal with the public. Some are good, some are asses. If you cannot deal with that, then you are in the wrong business. I, for one, am not in a business that has me dealing with the public becuase I know that I do not suffer fools easily. I learned that about myself and made my carrer choices with it in mind.
Good luck, keep a good attitude and just remember only a very small percentage of people are jerks on purpose, most are just trying and failing.

 

[Mandirigma]

Many years ago I was calling many gun shops, trying to locate a magazine for a Remington rifle. At one department store that carried Remingtons, I asked for the sporting department and a woman answered. I asked if they had a magazine for a Remington Model 788, cal. 6mm. She responded with a question. "Do you mean that little book you get with a new gun?". I replied with "No, I mean the clip.". Then she knew what I meant and told me they didn't have any in stock.

With respect (and no bashing intended) you called a department store. Totally different from a "gun shop". You won't find basketballs, bats, golf clubs, fishing rods and etc for sale in a gun store. I can see her confusion until you clarified yourself (to her).


For all intents and purposes while we gunnie snobs know to call it a magazine most non's call it a clip

 

[the pistolero]

People on this board complain about customer service from gunstores on a regular basis, this being the case I think its perfectly valid for someone to express the same fustration from a different angle.

Indeed. I know if I was a female working at a specialized establishment like a gun store and people made the assumption that I knew nothing about the product I peddled just because of my gender, I'd have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, too. If you work in a place like that, it should be safe to think you know enough about what you sell to provide decent customer service and stay in business.

 

[LSCurrier]

I appreciate people like you. <3

We appreciate gun store people like you.

Jimenez Arms is kind of like High Point, but different. Same quality though, or lack thereof.

What is the matter with High Point handguns? I have two in .45 ACP that I carry in a dual shoulder holster rig.


Luke


PS - The comment above about the two High Point's in the dual shoulder holster rig is a joke. For some reason your comment gave me a vision that I HAD to share.

 

[Walkalong]

My apologies for the A holes of the world. It is hard to look past them, they are everywhere. As stated above, I do not think many reside here, but we can commiserate with you.

" Don't let the Bastards get you Down" Unknown Author

 

[saddlebum]

after being in the gun business for 20 years i realized, some people will love ya some will hate ya. and some you couldn't please if you gave them a back rub and free ammo every time they came in.

 

[22-rimfire]

Don't forget the customers that do no service by volunteering to "help" other customers! I have caught myself doing that, then I back peddle. Not my place to interject my opinion unless asked.

Don't mind in the least if a beautiful young lady helps me at a gun shop.

 

[shootergirl88]

Dr. Dickie - thanks for the input. I hadn't thought of that, but will now consciously make an effort not to overreact or make stupid assumptions of my own. : )

As for customers offering opinions to other customers without being asked, I think the general consensus among gun store employees is that if you know what you're talking about and said opinion is relevant to the conversation between the employee and the other customer, it's fine. I've learned a lot through people doing just that.

 

[one-shot-one]

3 types

i think that there are three basic types of people (lots of sub types):

1. jerks, always does not matter who they are dealing with they act the same way.

2. average, treat most others the way that they want to be treated unless given cause to do other wise.

3. saints, treat others better than themselves nearly always.

just do the best you can with what you got.

 

[Werewolf]

So here are a few suggestions for helping my coworkers and me stay motivated to help you:

Been in retail long? A business' and therefore it's employees' motivation for helping customers is MONEY! Dealing with customers who are less than stellar examples of humanity goes with the territory; it is part of the job. Deal with it with a smile on your face and make MONEY; don't and you will not make MONEY. If you're an employee you also will not have a job and if the business owner will not have a business. That's the way the system works. Its called capitalism.

 

[Atticus]

I agree that working with the public can be a real challenge...just keep in mind that just because the last guy was a jerk, you need not greet, or treat, the next customer like one.

 

[mustanger98]

Well, I don't know the shop in the original post, but I have as I've said before had dealings with gun shops I'll never go back to as well as having had dealings with shops I'll return to based on good experiences. This one gun shop I do most of my business with now- they're a married couple and we're like neighbors. The main one I think of having had trouble with them... I was a repeat customer for the last 15 years and they started acting like a snobby caveman trying to sell used cars but not wanting the tires kicked.

With regard to women vs. men behind the counter, I mostly just want knowledgeable assistance from someone who doesn't try to sell me a bunch of crap I don't want or need. Now, if I'm being knowledgeably assisted by a nice good-lookin' lady, that's icing on the cake.

 

[Lupinus]

I don't work in a gunshop but I do work retail

I feel your pain

 

[Glockfan.45]

and some you couldn't please if you gave them a back rub and free ammo every time they came in.

Well you could try it . Actually I wouldnt even want to think about getting a back rub from the guy that mans the counter at the shop I visit . Just wanted to add that I have been the "helpful customer" in the shop before. A little pawn/gun shop here in town (that is now out of business) had a used mak90 postban for sale, this was in 05 by the way. $500 would get you a thumbholed, no lug, muzzle nut, worn out AK with a 10 round mag. I went in one day to pick up some wolf 7.62x39 as it was the only place close by that carried it and the owner was showing said AK to some kid who looked totally lost. The kid decides to buy it and the owner runs back to the office to make the phone call. While hes back there I just had to tell this kid how bad he was getting screwed, and that at another local shop he could buy a brand new ban free AK with two 30 round mags for $400. The kid couldnt get out of the door fast enough. As a mods sig line here says "we know each and every noob is precious and dont take kindly to those who abuse them".

 

[M110]

PS: And for the last time, no, we do NOT carry "clips

No Garand en-bloc clips at all?


Wont be shopping in your store

 

[jhco50]

First of all, I am always polite to the sales clerks in any establishment unless they try to blow smoke at me. I'm too old to put up with the BS.

Why does it matter whether it is called a magazine or a clip? It is like the gun writers telling us to use minute of angle instead of inches. Who cares. I grew up using inches, I understand inches, and I like inches. We are in this hobby for fun and not all of us are "Tactically" minded.

 

[Dr.Who]

Shootergirl88....


You should talk with Tamara.... Sounds like you has allot in common.

The Golden Rule is Always a good way to go.....