gamestalker
member
Complaints aside, I don't like the new age online business concept one bit, and I refuse to support it. Call me old fashioned, ignorant, or just plain stupid, but I refuse to do business with a computer.
GS
GS
What bothers you most about brick and mortar gun stores?
- Thread starter Teachu2
- Start date
- Status
It's not old fashioned or ignorant. If you find a good BM business the advantages are quite real and not imagined.
I like not having to pay postage or wait for shipping (shipping wait bothers me most) two ways if I have to return a simple defective item that a BM store can swap on the spot.
Not being able to check out your merchandise on the spot to determine if it is what you want to buy and not defective is another disadvantage of online ordering. Those people may very well just look at part numbers and box items without knowing what they are let alone function checking them.
I do a lot of my online ordering because I feel I don't have a choice. If I can't find what I want or get reasonable service I am left with no alternative.
I like not having to pay postage or wait for shipping (shipping wait bothers me most) two ways if I have to return a simple defective item that a BM store can swap on the spot.
Not being able to check out your merchandise on the spot to determine if it is what you want to buy and not defective is another disadvantage of online ordering. Those people may very well just look at part numbers and box items without knowing what they are let alone function checking them.
I do a lot of my online ordering because I feel I don't have a choice. If I can't find what I want or get reasonable service I am left with no alternative.
Last edited:
CajunBass
Member
Can't think of anything really except they don't have a coffee bar in house.
But if they did, they'd never get rid of certain old coots like me.
But if they did, they'd never get rid of certain old coots like me.
It doesn't matter what the products are, guns, jewelry, clothing, food, coffee, furniture, etc. It doesn't matter. There are merchants I like and those I don't like. The ones I like get my business. The ones I don't like don't get my business, or get very little of it.
The guy who owns the business is responsible for deciding how he's going to run it. How good he is at making those kinds of choices will determine, in part, how successful he will be. If he's willing live with the economic and social consequences of running his business in ways that result in folks not wanting to come into his store or do business with him, that's his choice.
I'm not going to get worked up about guys who run their businesses poorly.
The guy who owns the business is responsible for deciding how he's going to run it. How good he is at making those kinds of choices will determine, in part, how successful he will be. If he's willing live with the economic and social consequences of running his business in ways that result in folks not wanting to come into his store or do business with him, that's his choice.
I'm not going to get worked up about guys who run their businesses poorly.
TanklessPro
Member
No problem from the LGS's I use.
I can't stand it when the employees of a LGS look burned out, bored, and have an attitude like they have to put up with you, and are doing you a favor. Never smiles on their faces, they look like they can't stand working there. And they probably can't. I have one LGS that is that way. It's dirty, crowded (for some reason), and the minute I walk in, I am looking forward to leaving.
On the other side of the coin, I have another LGS that is just the opposite: friendly helpful guys (actually women, too) who try to remember your name, and enough of them so they are not burned out, but instead look happy and like they enjoy working there. The place is clean, they have plenty of stock on things, and I almost always find myself wanting to hang around there.
The key to a good LGS is almost always it's management. Find a good LGS and meet it's owner(s) and you will find they are probably the kind of people you appreciate and want to hang with.
Lou
On the other side of the coin, I have another LGS that is just the opposite: friendly helpful guys (actually women, too) who try to remember your name, and enough of them so they are not burned out, but instead look happy and like they enjoy working there. The place is clean, they have plenty of stock on things, and I almost always find myself wanting to hang around there.
The key to a good LGS is almost always it's management. Find a good LGS and meet it's owner(s) and you will find they are probably the kind of people you appreciate and want to hang with.
Lou
srtolly
Member
I felt with one LGS several years ago one time. The guys behind the counter were disrespectful and condescending. I stayed away for almost 20 years. I went there with a friend a couple years ago and the one guy behind the counter was pleasant and courteous and very respectful. He also knew every gun in the place and there were thousands.
Over the next couple years I bought more than a dozen guns from him. He always let me know when there was something I might be interested in and I often times bought it.
He left a couple months ago and most of the others I have dealt with are the same as it was years ago. Their powder prices are better than most but that's all I buy there now.
I was a salesman in a previous life and sales can be a tough gig when your an a$$.
Over the next couple years I bought more than a dozen guns from him. He always let me know when there was something I might be interested in and I often times bought it.
He left a couple months ago and most of the others I have dealt with are the same as it was years ago. Their powder prices are better than most but that's all I buy there now.
I was a salesman in a previous life and sales can be a tough gig when your an a$$.
Jason_W
Member
I've been on both sides of the gun counter. The shops that bother me the most are the ones that are clearly just a good old boy hangout and they make it clear you're not welcome in their shop as an "outsider".
I don't understand the shops that get up tight when you ask them to run a transfer. When I worked at a shop, we used to love doing transfers. It was minimal time/effort for the staff and was a risk free $40.
As a gun customer, I don't expect the staff to know every gun in the shop inside and out. That's just unreasonable, especially for new staff members. Over time, I'm sure they'll learn new things and naturally become more knowledgeable, so I cut people slack in that area.
I'll also never try to sell a gun at an LGS because I understand how profit works. One of the worst parts of working at a gun shop was getting anger when we offered a customer half of what we thought we might be able to get for a used gun.
I don't understand the shops that get up tight when you ask them to run a transfer. When I worked at a shop, we used to love doing transfers. It was minimal time/effort for the staff and was a risk free $40.
As a gun customer, I don't expect the staff to know every gun in the shop inside and out. That's just unreasonable, especially for new staff members. Over time, I'm sure they'll learn new things and naturally become more knowledgeable, so I cut people slack in that area.
I'll also never try to sell a gun at an LGS because I understand how profit works. One of the worst parts of working at a gun shop was getting anger when we offered a customer half of what we thought we might be able to get for a used gun.
Old Dog
Member
I can only echo Frank Ettin's comments in post #54 ... he stated my views better than I might have.
I did hear a gun counter clerk (in a Sportsman's Warehouse) the other day tell an older customer that carrying a 1911 at "half-cock" was a viable and commonly accepted method of carrying this platform. Sigh.
For the most part, I'm simply glad that brick'n'mortar gunshops still exist!
I did hear a gun counter clerk (in a Sportsman's Warehouse) the other day tell an older customer that carrying a 1911 at "half-cock" was a viable and commonly accepted method of carrying this platform. Sigh.
For the most part, I'm simply glad that brick'n'mortar gunshops still exist!
TomJ
Contributing Member
We have one in our area who's owner is completely void of ethics. I stopped buying from him once I learned firsthand of his character, or lack of it. Fortunately, we also have 2 great ones. The first has a great supply, ethical business practices, knowledgeable staff and fair prices. The owner of second one greets you with a smile and handshake, is knowledgeable and honest. His prices are also competitive. While I can usually find lower prices online, it's worth it to me to pay $30 to $50 more per gun for the advice and support I receive if I have a problem. Being able to walk into a store and physically examine the gun is also worth something, as I'm not comfortable buying one sight unseen.
downunderhunter
Member
Maybe its just due to our laws here, but in a lot of places I get the feeling that they think they are doing me a favour by selling me things like guns, ammo, and components. If I had more choice, I would treat that attitude like I would when dealing with any other business and never go there again. Treat me right, and you'll get my business even if you aren't the cheapest, because you're the local guy.
Well, there is that dimension. Sometimes a sense of necessity will require dealing with people you don't like. You'll have to decide if what you want/need is worth putting up with a merchant you'd rather not do business with. Doing business under such circumstance requires a certain self discipline and mental toughness.downunderhunter said:
But remember. It's just a business transaction. You're not marrying the guy.
Nick Burkhardt
Member
Minimal stock on hand and Sky-high pricing on what they do have. Still 60% of my purchases were from LGS. Oh and the new store charges full MSRP for CC purchases with a discount for cash.
evan price
Member
I totally support my local shop. They are small, limited inventory, and prices are reasonable, but they are friendly, know me by face and name, and polite and knowledgeable. Comes of being in a little crossroads that is barely a spot on the map.
The gun store on the other side of town is run by a cantankerous old coot who I swear just has it for a hobby. He never seems to have any real inventory other than the same handful of very old long guns and a few handguns, never has much ammo, and what he does have is usually jumbled around on racks and counters with no price tags. You really don't know what's for sale versus what he took out of his pockets 3 years ago and forgot to put away. And did I mention the dust and debris? I don't think he's ever swept the floor or dusted, ever.
I think the thing that chaps my britches the worst is so many places try to sell used guns for the price of new. Sure, I know that the high volume stores can price things low. But don't try to tell me that a used Glock is $525 with one magazine or a police trade S&W Model 10 is $375.
The gun store on the other side of town is run by a cantankerous old coot who I swear just has it for a hobby. He never seems to have any real inventory other than the same handful of very old long guns and a few handguns, never has much ammo, and what he does have is usually jumbled around on racks and counters with no price tags. You really don't know what's for sale versus what he took out of his pockets 3 years ago and forgot to put away. And did I mention the dust and debris? I don't think he's ever swept the floor or dusted, ever.
I think the thing that chaps my britches the worst is so many places try to sell used guns for the price of new. Sure, I know that the high volume stores can price things low. But don't try to tell me that a used Glock is $525 with one magazine or a police trade S&W Model 10 is $375.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I like my LGS and the people who work there. In the rare times I am going to buy a NEW gun, I will give them the business as they order quickly and their delivered price is only slightly higher than other options. They have a good selection of reloading stuff, and often have good deals on used or consignment guns.
If I have a beef, it is the combination of "Minimal stock on hand" and "High transfer fees," especially the latter. Because their fees are so high, I work with another FFL who is farther away for the transfer of used guns. I'd like to give the LGS the business, but not at the price they charge. And yes, I've told them so.
If I have a beef, it is the combination of "Minimal stock on hand" and "High transfer fees," especially the latter. Because their fees are so high, I work with another FFL who is farther away for the transfer of used guns. I'd like to give the LGS the business, but not at the price they charge. And yes, I've told them so.
Sad but true story.....went into the newest small store which opened about a year ago. I've been in several times and would like to patronize them if they have product I want and prices that are not through the roof. They finally had some Hornady 17gr V-Max for which I normally pay $12-$13 a box of 50. The guy spent several minutes looking it up on the computer to decide how much to charge for it and finally said "$24.95". I didn't get angry, but did burst out laughing and told him that is twice what I normally pay. He mumbled something about not being a "preferred" store like Cabela's so they don't get the same wholesale prices. I try to defend these guys because they are just getting started and clearly have a lot to learn. One problem they have been having is getting products. The store looks mostly empty and they tell me they have "tons of stuff on order", but can't get it in. Who knows?
Our LGS had extremely high prices. I priced a new Sig P938 from them and they quoted me $789.99 (they had to special order it). I checked gunbroker and picked one up for $590 shipped. I love supporting the local guys, but a $200 difference? No thank you!
HoosierQ
Member
It's funny that "sky-high" pricing is leading the pack. Around here, with a few exceptions of course, the brick and mortar store is the best price point. Now I am talking the LGS, not the big box. Although one of our big box stores can have some really good prices on rifles and shotguns.
firemanstrickland
Member
I was absolutely literally forced to check every single one of them.
Mr.510
Member
I don't like super macho/tough guy/operator-type gun store employees. The guys that come across as pretty much the stereotype of who and what the antis think all of us are: A bunch of blood thirsty knuckle draggers. If someone is on the fence about guns and has never been exposed to them, who are the first people on 'our side' they are likely to encounter? Gun store employees. (All the indoor ranges here are also gun stores.) "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
I must be lucky to live in an area with decent gun shops. Not all of them are for sure. There are some I wouldn't do business with no matter what. For example during the first ammo shortage I went into a LGS looking for .22 ammo (there was a good bit around in 2009 during that shortage). That shop had some on the shelf at obviously gouge style prices. I told them I could buy the same ammo for half what they had it for just up the road and they actually asked me where. Yeah I'm going to tell them where to go buy up all the decently priced ammo and put it on their shelves for double the price. That was pretty bad IMO. I don't use that gun shop. They're arrogant jerks anyway.
That shop changed ownership not too long before that incident. The guy who ran it before was top notch. He convinced me to buy a Sig when I didn't know a Sig from a Sag. Yes it was many years ago. I had a small problem with that pistol early on (turned out to be ammo related) so I asked that owner about it and he told me to meet him at a local gun range that evening so we could do some testing. When I got there he handed me a full auto M-16 (loaded too) and said "that thing is worth about $30,000". I thought wow this guy really trusts me a lot. I could have been a crazy killer for all he knew. He actually had 3 full auto guns with him and thousands of round of ammo for them. He had an H-K 9mm and some .308 I wasn't familiar with. We test fired my .45 (Sig P220) and he told me what was wrong (it's never had that problem since either) and then he offered to let me shoot his guns. We must have shot up $3000 worth of ammo that day. People in the neighborhood (as in a mile away) wrote letters to the editor in the local paper complaining about how much noise we made. It had to sound like Khe Sanh up on that hill. I could have bought more than a couple of Sigs for the money he had in that ammo. He reloaded it all but still it had to be very expensive. He had cases of it ready to roll and wow did we shoot it up. That was one of the most fun days I ever had shooting and that's saying a lot.
I've had other LGS owners steer me toward guns I wouldn't have thought about buying and they were right about them too. Sure there have been some bozos along the way but it isn't like stereo salesmen. No Crazy Eddie stuff. I've seen stereo salesmen be total slime balls. I actually had a manager stand behind me one day coaching a salesman on how to insult me to try to get me to spend more money. In my youth I would probably have tossed both of those jerks through a nearby window but I don't play that way now.
I've had some excellent dealings with guns shops in my area. I've had them order ammo for me at cut rate prices. I still have some of the ammo I got from one gun shop back in the 1990's when I was buying 7.62 x 39 like it was candy. I still have a bunch of it actually. I've had them give me great prices on stuff that no big box store could match. I've had them help me get guns fixed where I would have had issues dealing with a manufacturer but they had a lot more clout because they sell a lot of stuff. I've had them tell me they would replace a door pocket setup for my safe a year after it was out of warranty. These are just the things off the top of my head. Most gun dealers in my area are good people. We have a shared interest and they are in it for the fun of it to a big extent. Sure I see crazy prices from time to time but not that often. Most of what I find is way better than the deals I can get in mom and pop gun stores in big cities too. I really have no room to complain at all about 95% of the gun shops I've dealt with.
That shop changed ownership not too long before that incident. The guy who ran it before was top notch. He convinced me to buy a Sig when I didn't know a Sig from a Sag. Yes it was many years ago. I had a small problem with that pistol early on (turned out to be ammo related) so I asked that owner about it and he told me to meet him at a local gun range that evening so we could do some testing. When I got there he handed me a full auto M-16 (loaded too) and said "that thing is worth about $30,000". I thought wow this guy really trusts me a lot. I could have been a crazy killer for all he knew. He actually had 3 full auto guns with him and thousands of round of ammo for them. He had an H-K 9mm and some .308 I wasn't familiar with. We test fired my .45 (Sig P220) and he told me what was wrong (it's never had that problem since either) and then he offered to let me shoot his guns. We must have shot up $3000 worth of ammo that day. People in the neighborhood (as in a mile away) wrote letters to the editor in the local paper complaining about how much noise we made. It had to sound like Khe Sanh up on that hill. I could have bought more than a couple of Sigs for the money he had in that ammo. He reloaded it all but still it had to be very expensive. He had cases of it ready to roll and wow did we shoot it up. That was one of the most fun days I ever had shooting and that's saying a lot.
I've had other LGS owners steer me toward guns I wouldn't have thought about buying and they were right about them too. Sure there have been some bozos along the way but it isn't like stereo salesmen. No Crazy Eddie stuff. I've seen stereo salesmen be total slime balls. I actually had a manager stand behind me one day coaching a salesman on how to insult me to try to get me to spend more money. In my youth I would probably have tossed both of those jerks through a nearby window but I don't play that way now.
I've had some excellent dealings with guns shops in my area. I've had them order ammo for me at cut rate prices. I still have some of the ammo I got from one gun shop back in the 1990's when I was buying 7.62 x 39 like it was candy. I still have a bunch of it actually. I've had them give me great prices on stuff that no big box store could match. I've had them help me get guns fixed where I would have had issues dealing with a manufacturer but they had a lot more clout because they sell a lot of stuff. I've had them tell me they would replace a door pocket setup for my safe a year after it was out of warranty. These are just the things off the top of my head. Most gun dealers in my area are good people. We have a shared interest and they are in it for the fun of it to a big extent. Sure I see crazy prices from time to time but not that often. Most of what I find is way better than the deals I can get in mom and pop gun stores in big cities too. I really have no room to complain at all about 95% of the gun shops I've dealt with.
Last edited:
Old Dog
Member
Funny, I've seen the opposite situation here as well. Recently watched my friend's younger (20s) son (Asian, dressed in current urban fashion) -- who coincidently was recently returned from A-stan -- get ignored by the old geezers behind the counters while the old non-buying white dudes (including me) got all the attention.
Suspect that most stores cater to whomever represents most of the store's business model ... What I see up here are some stores that have mostly black guns and accessories out, others that service the hunters (rifles, shotguns) and collectors (lots of used revolvers, etc.). Few stores in my area have a good mix of both.
Iggy Wrote
"The service personnel won't even acknowledge an older guy in the store. They'll spend hours talking black guns to tacticool dudes with no money and ignore a older cash customer.
__________________
Old Geezer "
I notice that too.
In this day and age when one can find anything they want online for cheaper, if potential customers are going to get more information, help, and respect as well as save a bunch of money by reading google searches than they will going to the local gun store, well any fool can guess what is going to happen next.
That is a business run by stooges and they have themselves only to blame when no one feels bad about their business being driven to the ground by online sales.
They need to wake up and compete in a time when their lively hood is in serious peril and I really feel sorry for them after the steam cools down and I visualize the big picture of what is in store for them down the line.
"The service personnel won't even acknowledge an older guy in the store. They'll spend hours talking black guns to tacticool dudes with no money and ignore a older cash customer.
__________________
Old Geezer "
I notice that too.
In this day and age when one can find anything they want online for cheaper, if potential customers are going to get more information, help, and respect as well as save a bunch of money by reading google searches than they will going to the local gun store, well any fool can guess what is going to happen next.
That is a business run by stooges and they have themselves only to blame when no one feels bad about their business being driven to the ground by online sales.
They need to wake up and compete in a time when their lively hood is in serious peril and I really feel sorry for them after the steam cools down and I visualize the big picture of what is in store for them down the line.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Poll
