As I sit here typing out my topic for discussion. I realize that it more or less is going to turn into a rant. For reference here's a little history on myself. I'm 31 yrs old father of two with (Just found out yesterday) a third on the way. I didn't grow up in a military or LE family. To be honest my father is as far from an outdoorsman as one could get. My uncle's on the otherhand opened door's and exposed me to a lifelong passion and enjoyment. Now fast foward and I have spent my time reading,associating,practicing, and living the life most of us are guilty of. But what drives me crazy is when I walk into a retailer. Big or small it really doesn't matter. And instantly feel like there is an elite club that I can't seem to get into. Sadly our local ffl had family matters closed up and moved. Leaving my community with less than desirable options. I'm for the most part a very humble individual and don't walk around boasting my knowledge or trying to teach other's my way. But when I am trying to purchase a firearm why is it so hard to hire someone else who cares about the sport/addiction. If the salesman doesn't know his left from right hand maybe he'd/she'd be better stocking the shelves. I know most of this is directed toward's the larger stores. But the small one's are just as guilty. My experience is almost always worse. They don't know me , I'm not one of their buddies, just a young kid, if we ignore him he'll go away. Why is this? Don't we all care about the same thing. Doesn't our passion sprout from the same source? I know this really is a rant. I just wondered what your guy's thought's are? Am I the lonewolf in this situation or does this happen across the board?
Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
- Thread starter TaylorM
- Start date
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
Customer service and knowledge of what you sell is a dying art. Best bet for you is to use venues like this and educate yourself as much as possible. The more you know, the less you have to rely on the guy at the counter.
Customer service and knowledge of what you sell is a dying art. Best bet for you is to use venues like this and educate yourself as much as possible. The more you know, the less you have to rely on the guy at the counter.
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Slapchop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Customer service and knowledge of what you sell is a dying art. Best bet for you is to use venues like this and educate yourself as much as possible. The more you know, the less you have to rely on the guy at the counter. </div></div>
Slap nailed it!
I think it's very widespread so don't be intimidated by the "good ol' boy club" just get in and get out with your gear and to hell with their elitist BS or shop online. We have a shop just like that here (Jensens).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Slapchop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Customer service and knowledge of what you sell is a dying art. Best bet for you is to use venues like this and educate yourself as much as possible. The more you know, the less you have to rely on the guy at the counter. </div></div>
Slap nailed it!
I think it's very widespread so don't be intimidated by the "good ol' boy club" just get in and get out with your gear and to hell with their elitist BS or shop online. We have a shop just like that here (Jensens).
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think it's very widespread so don't be intimidated by the "good ol' boy club" just get in and get out with your gear and to hell with their elitist BS or shop online. We have a shop just like that here (Jensens). </div></div>
I went there a few years ago and vowed never to return. I looked at their website and it states that the shop is under new ownership and has "better customer service." Is there any truth to this claim of better service, or is it the SSDD?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think it's very widespread so don't be intimidated by the "good ol' boy club" just get in and get out with your gear and to hell with their elitist BS or shop online. We have a shop just like that here (Jensens). </div></div>
I went there a few years ago and vowed never to return. I looked at their website and it states that the shop is under new ownership and has "better customer service." Is there any truth to this claim of better service, or is it the SSDD?
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
Vacation agrees well with Slap, very straight forward and truthful answer.
The art of salesmanship seems to be a dying thing. We had a fire service equipment company that was hiring a salesman. One of my buddies applied for the position even though they wanted a college degree and he doesn't have one. He has 25 years in the fire service using the equipment and products that they sell. They hired a college "kid" that had no product knowledge or field experience with any of the products they sell.
There seems to be two trends with companies, regardless of size, one is to hire people with little or zero skills or knowledge in the area or field at a lower wage. The other is to hire the person with a college or trade school education with the thought or attitude that you can teach/train them how you wish. There are many factors that play into this but it appears the bottom line results are that you don't get experienced or knowledgable people where we the customers would like to see them.
As for those places where they make you feel unwelcome or that they are elitist, I say screw them there is bound to be someone somewhere that is willing to offer better customer service to get your business.
Vacation agrees well with Slap, very straight forward and truthful answer.
The art of salesmanship seems to be a dying thing. We had a fire service equipment company that was hiring a salesman. One of my buddies applied for the position even though they wanted a college degree and he doesn't have one. He has 25 years in the fire service using the equipment and products that they sell. They hired a college "kid" that had no product knowledge or field experience with any of the products they sell.
There seems to be two trends with companies, regardless of size, one is to hire people with little or zero skills or knowledge in the area or field at a lower wage. The other is to hire the person with a college or trade school education with the thought or attitude that you can teach/train them how you wish. There are many factors that play into this but it appears the bottom line results are that you don't get experienced or knowledgable people where we the customers would like to see them.
As for those places where they make you feel unwelcome or that they are elitist, I say screw them there is bound to be someone somewhere that is willing to offer better customer service to get your business.
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jcfd2201</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vacation agrees well with Slap, very straight forward and truthful answer.</div></div>
HA! True...on all counts.
Regardless of who I'll be dealing with, I don't set foot in any retail establishment without first arming myself with as much knowledge as possible. 9 out of 10 times I end up knowing more than the idiot sales clerk (who sadly...most times...wreaks of zit cream and only has a job because they have to pay for their $7,000 car stereo in their rusted-out, beat-to-hell Cavalier/Neon/Escort/etc. and could give 2 $#!T$ about what is going on in the world around them or with their job).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jcfd2201</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vacation agrees well with Slap, very straight forward and truthful answer.</div></div>
HA! True...on all counts.
Regardless of who I'll be dealing with, I don't set foot in any retail establishment without first arming myself with as much knowledge as possible. 9 out of 10 times I end up knowing more than the idiot sales clerk (who sadly...most times...wreaks of zit cream and only has a job because they have to pay for their $7,000 car stereo in their rusted-out, beat-to-hell Cavalier/Neon/Escort/etc. and could give 2 $#!T$ about what is going on in the world around them or with their job).
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timesublime</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think it's very widespread so don't be intimidated by the "good ol' boy club" just get in and get out with your gear and to hell with their elitist BS or shop online. We have a shop just like that here (Jensens). </div></div>
I went there a few years ago and vowed never to return. I looked at their website and it states that the shop is under new ownership and has "better customer service." Is there any truth to this claim of better service, or is it the SSDD? </div></div>
LMAO! "better customer service" that's funny. There's only one person in there that even knows what that means (the younger guy) but it's still t he same old Jensens it's always been. Rude and very elitist. I don't think it's under new ownership but I did hear that the owner had to have some kind of surgery or something like that so who knows but either way it's still the same staff.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timesublime</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I think it's very widespread so don't be intimidated by the "good ol' boy club" just get in and get out with your gear and to hell with their elitist BS or shop online. We have a shop just like that here (Jensens). </div></div>
I went there a few years ago and vowed never to return. I looked at their website and it states that the shop is under new ownership and has "better customer service." Is there any truth to this claim of better service, or is it the SSDD? </div></div>
LMAO! "better customer service" that's funny. There's only one person in there that even knows what that means (the younger guy) but it's still t he same old Jensens it's always been. Rude and very elitist. I don't think it's under new ownership but I did hear that the owner had to have some kind of surgery or something like that so who knows but either way it's still the same staff.
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
That's what I don't understand. As a business owner would you not want an employee that knows what they're selling? I don't expect every salesman to know everything gun related. But to understand some of the more common sense senerios. It's hard not to support local or semi local businesses. Poor service just because they don't know you is a poor excuse. Poor service because the salesman doesn't know any better seems to be the more common however.
That's what I don't understand. As a business owner would you not want an employee that knows what they're selling? I don't expect every salesman to know everything gun related. But to understand some of the more common sense senerios. It's hard not to support local or semi local businesses. Poor service just because they don't know you is a poor excuse. Poor service because the salesman doesn't know any better seems to be the more common however.
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
always expect incompetince...
it will save you time and mind ache...
as posted above, know what you want or at least know what you dont know, and use that to guide your questions...
do a double sneeky on the stupid bastard, and get what you need without him knowing he actually was being helpful
always expect incompetince...
it will save you time and mind ache...
as posted above, know what you want or at least know what you dont know, and use that to guide your questions...
do a double sneeky on the stupid bastard, and get what you need without him knowing he actually was being helpful
Re: Big Box Cookie Cutter Retailer vs Local Variety
They get paid just as much if they help you or bullshit with their buddies. Why would they bother themselves helping you?
I simply do not shop at any of those stores anymore.
They get paid just as much if they help you or bullshit with their buddies. Why would they bother themselves helping you?
I simply do not shop at any of those stores anymore.
