Uneducated employees at gun shops...

[Phydeaux642]

Uneducated employees at gun shops...

I was in a gunshop earlier this year and heard the owner say that Taurus was the best gun for the money. (Flame suit on)

I was a salesman long enough to learn that the best product is the one you have in stock.

Man, I'm glad I never had you as a salesman. I'm in sales and that has never been my philosophy. I ask questions to find out the customer's needs and tell them if I think a product is poor quality. I even turned away a good sized sale this week after telling the customer that he didn't really need what he was asking for. He thanked me for being honest, and when he is ready to upgrade he'll remember that. Maybe that's why I've been the top seller for five years in a row.

 

[John Wayne]

I try my best to be patient with employees who work in sporting goods stores. I realize they're underpaid and receive little or no training on the rather confusing system of ammo classification.

With that said, I have more stories concerning Wal-Mart than I'd like to name. For example:

ME: "I'd take one of those white 100 round bulk packs of 9mm, please (the only bulk pack on the shelf)."

The clerk then proceeds to grab the green 50 round box of Remington UMC 9mm next to it. I correct her, and after paying, wait 2 minutes and 17 seconds for her to count out 74 cents in change. No lie, I timed her. I felt like I became less intelligent just from being around her.

Another common mistake is confusing two calibers which are labeled alike, to a person who has never been around guns, like when you ask for .308 and they proceed to name off the .380 ACP selections. Now I realize that if you're dyslexic the two sound the same and first instinct is to recommend a like product in the absence of the requested one, but I've never asked for D cell batteries to have a sales clerk tell me they're out, but have several brands of AAA.

Or when purchasing pistol caliber ammo for a carbine, being asked whether it's for a pistol or rifle. Now granted, I'm old enough to buy either but since they ask, I tell them. I had one person flat out tell me there was no such thing as a 9mm rifle.

Or another time at Academy Sports, who usually have good prices on guns:

ME: "Where are your blackpowder supplies?"
CLERK (pointing): "Over there on that aisle."

I go over to said aisle looking for percussion caps, and find none. I walk back to the counter, where the clerk is ''helping'' another customer. I spot a tin of CCI caps next to the .17 HMR ammunition.

ME: "Can I get one tin of #11 caps?"
CLERK: "All our blackpowder stuff is over yonder (pointing again)."
ME: "Well, I can see it right behind you, I just need you to hand it to me."

Every now and then, I get fed up enough to consider paying the rediculous markup at some locally owned stores. I happened to be passing right by one particular store, the Southern Sportsman. I walk in and note the limited selection of pistols in the case. Pretty much every Glock model you can imagine, about $50 higher than even the pawn shops and a few others. While browsing, the clerk (wearing a Glock shirt, go figure) proceeded to tell me about a new wonder lube and solvent "recently adopted by the US Military." He then proceeded to tell me it worked better than Hoppes No. 9, and did all the manufacturers claimed it would. I picked up a brochure and proceeded to read that said product was supposed to increase bullet velocity 360 feet per second. Needless to say, I walked out without wasting my money.

 

[Chihuahua Floyd]

My favorite was a few years ago. K-Mart still had a store in Raleigh that sold ammo. I had just picked up a 6.5X55 Swede from Roses of all places and could not find ammo. Guy in WM asked what I wanted, I told him 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser. He don't know what that is. I tell him that is an old Swedish military rifle. "We don't carry any military calibers here!" was his reply.
I pointed out that the 30-06, 308, 223, 45-70, 38 Spl, 45 ACP and 9mm where/had been military calibers and left. Would have included the 45 Colt, but they did not have that on the shelf.

 

[SpamHandler]

Here's an experience that I had. I purchased a '97 Winchester but didn't know its' value. I took it to a gun store and was referred to their 'expert on older guns', a guy in his mid 20's. He gave it a once-over and informed me that I had a model 12. "No, it's a model 97" I replied. He smugly pointed at the stamp on the barrel and said "See, it says '12' right here". My response....."That's because it's a 12 gauge. Why don't you give that back to me before you hurt yourself". Admittedly, it was a cruel thing to say, but when a self-styled 'expert' can't tell an open actioned knuckle buster from a model 12, then it's time to go.

 

[Alpine Storm]

On $11 per hour, it takes along time to by anything worth while. Hence I feel bad for people who work at gun stores. Others roll in and buy the guns they can only fondle, and then roll out to shoot them. They get to look, dream and touch.

It's the same explanation for why some cops hate people like us. Many of us not only have nicer guns, but more of them. They joined the force to get in the action, and get stuck with department issued crap. My cop friend once proudly showed me a taser and said, "you can buy one of these you know" I replied, non lethal force is for you guys, not me.

 

[mgregg85]

I don't really mind 'uneducated' employees, as long as they are safe. What does bug me is pushy, know it all employees who are quick to tell you all of their opinions as if they were infallible.

I've had a few tell me that XD pistols are junk copies of glocks. I've had one guy tell me that I really need to sell my P3AT and buy an LCP because they are "oh so much better", he even pulled his out of his pocket to show me. He didn't like it when I laughingly warned him to be sure not to drop that suicide special(I know they aren't bad guns so please don't flame me).

 

[expvideo]

Man, I'm glad I never had you as a salesman. I'm in sales and that has never been my philosophy. I ask questions to find out the customer's needs and tell them if I think a product is poor quality. I even turned away a good sized sale this week after telling the customer that he didn't really need what he was asking for. He thanked me for being honest, and when he is ready to upgrade he'll remember that. Maybe that's why I've been the top seller for five years in a row.

Uh huh. I've already backed up this statement, and I stand by it. Obviously you didn't bother reading that, but that's your problem and I'm not typing it up again.

 

[N003k]

Personally, I stick to local gun shops rather then chains, even the largest gunstore around me I don't like going into often because the employees are always in a rush to sell and get to the next person. The two shops I often go to, as long as the shops not packed and there aren't customers waiting, they're more then happy to talk to you, share experiences, and give the best advice they can. Heck, one time I was ready to pay 700$ for a poor condition M1 Carbine from one of the stores, the clerk rather then taking the sale told me to go to the CMP. Before then I hadn't heard of them, went home, ended up getting a Garand instead.

Worst experience I've had is one of the clerks at one of the stores told me that bipods that weren't attached by some type of hardware to a rifle counted towards one of the assault weapon attributes for my states AWB....which I've since discovered doesn't...same store ironically, I'm starting to wonder if they're trying to avoid sales....

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

I went into a local shop, "Gun runners" and wanted to order a new H & K USP45 for duty use. They were so lazy it took 10-15 mins to get a reply on how much it would cost. Talk about a fat turd sitting on a stool. Well I walked out and bought my new gun at another shop. I will not go back to that shop for even cleaning supplies. What surprised me was they had no patrons there and didnt seen to want to sell anything. If they treat all their customers so rude how can they stay in busness.

 

[Davek1977]

I guess I'm pretty lucky. I live in South Dakota, and, as you can imagine,many if not most households have a few guns. Even Walmart is kind enough to hire knowledgeable people to work the sporting goods counter. ASide from Walmart, there are 3 more gun dealers in town.... Dakotamart, which is kind of an "all in one" store...they sell guns, groceries, have a credit union, a pharmacy, a clothing department, etc...but the sporting goods department is large, with a great selection of all things guns and ammo. Prices aaren't amazing, but fair usually. Then we have our newest gun dealer, which is Runnings Farm and Fleet....again, knowledgeable people, with a good selection, and IMO, prices that often seem untouchable by others. For example, I spent $200 for a NIB S&W Sigma....It was marked at $300, but they were offering a $50 gift card with every gun, and when combined with the factory rebate, the price was so unreal I was chomping at the bit to get it bought. Finally, we have what is my favorite shop, Teton River TRraders, offering not only sales, but reputable gunsmithing at reasonable rates. Prices are higher, but negotiable. Owner is a great guy, who amazingly has a knack for remembering names....In all honesty, I've been stopping at this shop on and off since I was 12 or so.(31 now)...and whether its been one week or 3-4 years since I've crossed the threshold, I get called by name the minute I walk in the door. THAT ALONE makes the shop stand out far and away above the others. The customer service is superb in every way possible, and even though I'm more of a lurker and looker than a buyer, he has no problem letting me fondle every gun in the case, and can answer damn near every question I throw at him, or will find it out for me. If I can get service like that, I honestly don't mind spending a few more dollars than I might elsewhere. The atmosphere, the friendliness, the overall attitude sells the place IMO. I have a variety of places that all offer decent selections and reasonable prices, but its the little things that seperate the shops that excel from those the merely survive

 

[BacSi67]

uneducated employees

Those who THINK they know everything are very annoying to those of us who DO know everything!
BacSi67:banghead:

 

[ChCx2744]

Alpine Storm:

It's the same explanation for why some cops hate people like us. Many of us not only have nicer guns, but more of them. They joined the force to get in the action, and get stuck with department issued crap.

I was reading your "Increadibly intelligent response," when I realized that you typed, "..some cops.." instead of "...cops..." But I am going to dignify your feeble comment with my analysis.

Do not bias an opinion on some fantasy you might believe from that little city department situation you may be talking about. I personally know many, MANY state troopers and county C.I.D. that have extensive licensing in Class III privelages and take advantage of them; And I'm not talking about mutual department allowances.

 

[Threeband]

Class III privelages

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[Just Jim]

uneducated employees

At least they speak english.

jj

 

[CountGlockula]

What about uneducated customers coming in gun stores?

It's a two way street. Working at a gun store/range I get Darwins every single day!

 

[buck460XVR]

What about uneducated customers coming in gun stores?

It's a two way street. Working at a gun store/range I get Darwins every single day!

How true......sometime makes one wonder how these people find their way down the street and back home again.

Altho uniformed salespeople are frustrating, it's not their fault. They're just trying to make a living. It's the shop owner that wants to only pay minimum wage that is the culprit. Years ago gun shops used to take pride in their knowledgeable staff and paid them accordingly. Nowadays the bottom line is profit.....and those that go to Walmart to buy guns don't want info, they just want a cheap gun. I'm lucky, we still have a old school gun shop close by, where all the old guys go for coffee everyday just to shoot the sugar. Altho the salestaff is very knowledgeable, if they can't answer your question, one of the old farts sittin there can. Problem is, it's hard to get in and get out with all those guys in the way......

 

[Just Jim]

I'm lucky, we still have a old school gun shop close by, where all the old guys go for coffee everyday just to shoot the sugar. Altho the salestaff is very knowledgeable, if they can't answer your question, one of the old farts sittin there can. Problem is, it's hard to get in and get out with all those guys in the way......

A decent fellow would buy them old farts a cup of coffee after getting information from them.



Like I have said before, you ask for free information and you get what you paid for.

jj

 

[ZRX61]

There's a kid who works saturdays at one of the local shops who can reel off info like he's wired into google or something.
He sounds like he knows *** he is talking about which I guess is a good thing..

 

[DirtyDUSN]

I went with my friend that was looking for AK74 mags at this local pawnshop 2 weeks ago. This pawn shop has a mini store just for guns inside it, and we asked the man that I guess were monitoring the guns if they had any AK74 mags. "You mean AK47?" I said "no the AK74" He said "No you mean AK47 correct?" I said again "AK74" He asked if it was a new version of the AK47 I responded that its been around for some time. And I told him that it shot the 5.45x39 round and he must of thought I was from the future or some **** because he never heard of either the 74 or the ammo that they chew up. And this guy was wearing a Marine cap and was around 40ish.

 

[DirtyDUSN]

LOL! And another one I just forgot! This happened back in early september because my best gun buddy had just moved back down. We went into this place call "Firearms Emporium", and my friend wanted to buy this Norinco SKS paratrooper for $300. Well he told the salesguy(which looked like he was strung out on heroin) that he wanted to buy it and the guy asked my buddy how old he was, 19, well he told him he couldnt sell it to us because it had a bayonet on it with a hi-cap 30rd mag! Told us he had to be 21 because it was an "Assault Rifle". I didnt know whether to laugh or be mad...we had mixed emotions about it the entire day.

 

[LSU Fan]

I was in Academy the other day, and I overheard the guy behind the counter talking to a guy who looked to be about 18 and his mom. He's showing them all the pistols and when he gets to the glock I had to cringe when he said,

"The thing about this gun is it doesn't have any kind of safety at all. The only way to safely carry a glock is without one in the chamber, and you have to rack the slide if you need to shoot it."

I realize they're salespeople and they don't really know much about firearms, but I don't see any mother in her right mind buying her son a pistol "without any kind of safety"

 

[expvideo]

I think a bigger problem than the gun shop worker not knowing everything about guns is the customer that thinks they do, and goes to them for advice on guns or the law.

I think of myself as very knowledgable on the subject of guns. I never paid anything for knowledge. When I wanted to buy an AK, I didn't go into the gun shop and ask which AK was the best. I went to AK47.net and researched for about a week, learning nearly everything there was to know about AKs. By doing this, I was able to make an informed decision and get the right AK. I did the same thing when I was going for an AR. This is free information that anyone can find.

If you think that a gun shop salesman is the best source of gun advice or legal advice, then you deserve the advice that you get.

 

[hadmanysons]

I prefer the uneducated ones to the fat knowitalls on stools.

I don't mind people so knowledgeable that they're arrogant. I just want an honest, unbiased answer to my question. Not some fat jerk on a stool telling me that anything less than blah blah blah is useless crap and I should just save up more money.

 

[DRZinn]

Years ago gun shops used to take pride in their knowledgeable staff and paid them accordingly. Nowadays the bottom line is profit.....and those that go to Walmart to buy guns don't want info, they just want a cheap gun.

The bottom line was always profit. Years ago, information was valuable, and you'd pay a premium to get it. Now, it's all available for free on the Internet, so you can gather what you need and buy what you want from whoever sells it for less.

 

[Explorer1]

The industry offers too many options and too many variations for anyone to be an expert on it all, or even really familar with it all. That said, there are MANY, MANY folks who have not a clue what they are sellling - they just know what they were taught and that's not much.
That is the very reason I held my FFL for a couple cycles, until Mr. Klinton decided he did not want my support and raised the fees and the headaches to hold one.