Why not to give bad clerks a second chance.

[longdayjake]

I had posted earlier my story on the thread titled "Things that store clerks say." Here is a copy of my post.

I went into a shop a while ago looking to buy a used glock for my wife. I am in law enforcement so I know how easy it is to take the slide off of a glock and check the barrel. I figured that since I was a common visitor and that glocks are not even remotely difficult to put back together, there would be no problem. The clerk then begins to lecture me about how he wouldn't go into my house and start taking apart my toaster or tv and I should not have done that without asking first. Maybe he has a point, but treating a potential customer like that was very offensive. I can spend my money else where without being lectured. So, I put it back together in about 2 seconds, handed it back to him, and apoligized for my misdeed left not intending to return. The best part is he was the type of clerk that had no clue what he was talking about unless it involved doing something illegal. For that he was a pro.

Anyway, several ensuing posts defended the clerk saying that I should have asked to take it apart first. I figured that I could take the blame for this one and give this store one more try today. After all I try to be forgiving and understanding if I can be.

I needed some reloading components: bullets, powder, and casings. I planned on spending about $75 bucks. Anyway, as I was going into the store I noticed an ad for black lab puppies next to the door, so for a few seconds (not more than 5) I held the door open to look for the price of the puppies. I found the price (way too much) and entered the store. Before I took 3 steps into the store the same clerk spouts loud enough for everyone in the store to hear, "How about I go to your house and hold the door open with the air conditioning on?"

I turned around and said, "see ya later." At which point he realized that his rudeness was going to lose a customer so he quickly said, "I'm sorry sir." I decided not to stay, but in hindsight I should have let him try to make it good by giving me a discount on something but alas I am a doof. Anyway, I just wanted to write this mostly to just ask store clerks to be patient with your dumb customers. This store lost thousands of dollars in future business from me simply by making me feel unwelcome both times that I went into the store to buy something. I had previously bought reloading components, slings, cleaning kits, and done ffl transfers from this business that will have to go to somewhere else. I hate to give my money to big businesses like Sportmans Warehouse, but atleast they ask to help me rather than make me feel like a jerk.

I am feeling a little bad about this since both times I was doing something that he had somewhat valid complaints about, so I just want to ask if I am wrong in storming out of the store? Should I go back and apologize and tell the clerk why I was so upset. I think he probably recognized me but I am not sure if he realized that he had already given me the "I'm gonna go to your house and blow it up," speech.

 

[MinnMooney]

Well, no one can say that the clerk was only having ONE bad day. He's just a jerk and shouldn't be working retail.

I wouldn't have given him a 2nd chance after that 1st bebuff.

 

[Viking88]

I would have turned around and left too. Sounds to me like he didn't get enough attention as a kid.

 

[General Geoff]

Unless it's the owner of the business, I wouldn't put too much stock in what the employee does. Just write a letter and snail-mail it to the owner and let him know your concerns about his employee.

 

[armoredman]

Done deal - you could call the store owner/manager and explain why you won't be returning, in detail. Heaven only knows how much business this guy has cost the store.

 

[Seancass]

i think you should avoid storming out in general. the employee probably just shrugged it off and didnt learn any lesson. store clerks can have bad days too. No they shouldn't take it out on you, but you can learn to shrug stuff off too, don't take clerks to seriously or personally. I barely even pay attention to the people behind the counter unless they're handing me a gun.

 

[Old School]

I am no saint on this topic for sure. I imagine I have written off good businesses based on employee behavior many times over the years. However, I am with armoredman on this one. Sometimes business owners aren't aware that they have an employee that is hurting their business. The owner himself might be a really solid guy. You might be doing him a huge favor by sharing your experience with him.

 

[Brent J]

If the business doesn't want the guns disassembled, then they should post a notice at or behind the counter that they would prefer to take a gun apart.
As for the door, then don't put notices on the door!
What gets me are the people who hold open a door to a re4staurant for who knows how long waiting for the other(s) in their party to even get to the door, all the while letting in flies, gnats, et al.

 

[DragonFire]

Even if what you did was completely wrong, and I'm not saying it was, it was completely wrong for him to respond they way he did. I wouldn't appologize to him, but I might give him one more chance.

Be prepared to act differently if he give you another lecture. Instead of just walking out, point out his stupidity and see if he apologizes. Maybe ask to talk to a manager or owner, so you can tell them how the clerk is driving away customers.

But you should make a decision for yourself before you go back. Is there any real reason to give him another chance? What will you gain from it? Sometimes it's worth the hassle, and sometimes it just isn't.


I have a "custom" gun shop just down the road from me. From what I've heard, the owner is a great gun smith for big custom-built rifles and such. From experience I know he hates to have to run a retail store. When I first started getting into reloading, I bought a press at a big discount from a distributor a good many miles away. I then went to the custom shop to get all the components. I started saying "I just ordered a press and I was wondering", and couldn't get another word out before he started lecturing me on how he couldn't afford to give me a bunch of free advice after a bought a press from someone else.

I had intended to ask which reloading manual he thought would be good for a newbie reloader. I still bought the manual from him, but kept the other couple of hundred bucks I had intended to spend in my pocket. The second time I was in his shop I could barely get enough of his time to check out with a red dot scope.

The third (and last) time I was there I was looking for a used, single stage reloading press (long story why). He brought out a rusty, grime encrusted, hunk of metal he called a press (I forget what brand/model he said it was). He said it was $100, and I'd be a complete idiot if I didn't just grab it, because if he cleaned it up it would be worth twice the price (even though I bought a Dillion SQB for just about $250). I said no thanks, and he said something to the fact that "so you're going to be an idiot?".

I never said another word as I left the shop, and I will NEVER go back. I've thought about it a couple of times, and I just can't see any reason to go back.

 

[ctdonath]

The term is "not suffering fools gladly."
I'm rapidly getting that way. It's easy to ask for a superior, or just walk out. We customers don't have to sheepishly take it; there are plenty of other venues eager for our business. Life is too short to spend time bickering with twits and then wallowing in the negativity long afterwards.

Contrary to social programming: you can just walk away from a conversation. You can hang up on telemarketers with nary a word. You can drop the Glock parts on the counter and walk out of the store. You can ask the matre 'd for a different waiter, or just step out of the restraunt. You can close the door in the solicitor's face. Correcting their social ettiquite isn't your problem.

 

[musher]

Depends on how much energy you want to invest, but if I were the owner, I would appreciate a short note describing the two incidents (as you have here).

 

[Old School]

"Contrary to social programming: you can just walk away from a conversation. You can hang up on telemarketers with nary a word. You can drop the Glock parts on the counter and walk out of the store. You can ask the matre 'd for a different waiter, or just step out of the restraunt. You can close the door in the solicitor's face. Correcting their social ettiquite isn't your problem."

I have done all of these things at one time or another. I still do just hang up on telemarketers. Face to face, I choose to show as much compassion as I can muster. It is hard sometimes for me but, I think I like myself better when I am curtius as possible. Also, I like to make sure I am not making unneccesary enemies. I have had run ins with people in the past, only to have them appear in my life later creating an awkward situation.

 

[longdayjake]

I have decided to write to the owner and let him know about my two experiences. I don't know how much good it will do since I know that the owner and this clerk are "buddies." But I figure I may let let him know that he has lost a customer. Worst part about it is that the store is exactly one block from my house and I often walk there to get little stuff when I run out while reloading. Their prices are higher than everyone elses, but sometimes the convenience is worth the prices for me. I want to return but I don't really think that I could feel welcome anymore. Oh well. Thanks for the responses guys!

 

[Mr White]

Write the owner. Include copies of receipts from other stores and let him know why your money will no longer be going to his store.

When a store owner sees in bladk and white just how much money his clerk's rudeness has cost his business, that will make him take notice.

 

[longdayjake]

Include copies of receipts from other stores and let him know why your money will no longer be going to his store.

Good idea. I went to Sportsman's to get my stuff and will just send a copy along with my letter.

 

[Rachen]

The clerk then begins to lecture me about how he wouldn't go into my house and start taking apart my toaster or tv and I should not have done that without asking first. Maybe he has a point, but treating a potential customer like that was very offensive.

I don't know, but does anyone else find the clerk's statements hilariously FUNNY?

Heck, I am laughing so hard right now I can't even stop.

Going into peoples' houses and taking apart TVs and toasters, oh my!

 

[Cosmoline]

I always given them one or two chances before leaving for good. Sometimes folks just have a bad day. But then again sometimes the clerks are jerks and the owner is a jerk. Jerks all around. Best to avoid such places I find. Life is too short.

 

[longdayjake]

funny in a stupid sort of way or funny like he was trying to make a joke? Cause his tone was definately not joking. However, I tell my friends about it and we all have a good chuckle because they know exactly which clerk I am talking about.

 

[Rachen]

funny in a stupid sort of way or funny like he was trying to make a joke? Cause his tone was definately not joking.

Of course, funny in a stupid sort of way! Why the heck would someone go into someone elses' house and start taking apart the TV or toaster or whatever? The TV/toaster isn't being sold?, unlike the Glock you were looking at? Right?

And even if someone was selling a TV or toaster, there would be no reason for the customer to take them apart. When I purchased my 1911A1, it was my first instinct to check it out a bit, of course, after making sure it is unloaded and everything. And the store owner encouraged it, since he wanted his customers to spend the greatest time shopping at his place.

OMG I am still laughing!

 

[Tom609]

I am now old enough to sound like my father. I do not believe that it is my responsibility to educate employers about their hired help, or to look for the good in the inept counter help. Life is too short and there are too many of them these days. I move on and leave my money with the merchant that acts like he appreciates my business.

 

[Old School]

"Life is too short and there are too many of them these days."

LOL, it does seem like that some days.

 

[mhinagoya]

ctdonath

You are on the money.

I am a 'one strike' shopper. If you are going to give me a bad time, get your money's worth, because it is the only shot you will ever get.

I don't call or talk to the owner and I don't write "E" mails or letters. I don't bad mouth the store to other people either. It is the responsibility of the owner and/or manager to run the business. It is entirely up to them to run it in to the ground or in to the future.

I absolutely will not pay someone to treat me poorly.

Bill.

 

[shouldifail]

my first instinct would have been to walk out...
second instinct would be to have used his "how bout i come to your house.." logic and turned it around on him by saying something along the lines of "how bout i leave YOUR store, and spend my money elsewhere"...

upon the second visit...seeing a pattern with the guy and his "your house" mantra, i might have just come out with something like "well howzabout i go to your house and hide dill pickles in your wifes panty drawer/ poop in your bathtub/shave your dog...etc"
sometimes getting a laugh out of someone breaks the ice enough to negate errors on both parties behalf..

perhaps you might make an effort to talk to the clerk. explain that you would like to continue to do business there, but don't appreciate being treated rudely. also let him know that you have NO problems spending your hard earned money elsewhere.

maybe he'll make it right? maybe he's just a crotchety old fool? maybe he starts all conversations with something about coming over to your house?...

you know what they say...3rd time is a charm. either make it or break it.

 

[longdayjake]

I have discussed this with one of my buddies and we are planning to have him do the same thing. First he is going to hold open the door for a while before he goes in. Next he is going to go and ask to look at a glock and then start taking it apart. We were thinking about having a digital recorder to document the occasion. If he screws up again we will have evidence of his actions to send to the owner. I have nothing better to do and I figure that we could see if he learned his lesson.

 

[Brian Dale]

You've given the clerk his second chance already, longdayjake. The thing that I see in favor of giving the store that unusual third chance is that it's a block from your house. If the owner turns out to be someone that you can deal with, then it'll have been worth it.