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gun store workers/owners

#2
Re: gun store workers/owners


Probably cause the dumbest most ignorant bastards go into gun shops and ask questions like " what bullets are best for killing someone?" or a couple of thug gangsters asking for the smallest pistol they can put in their pocket. Ive seen it first hand..
 
#3
Re: gun store workers/owners

I am sure that is a gross generalization. However if it isn't, perhpas it is a Cali thing? Maybe the dealers there are tired of the constant legislation trying to put them out of business?

Don't you still need to deal with a dealer when you order online?

Dave
 
#5
Re: gun store workers/owners

We have a local dealer here that pretends everyone who walks in the store is going to steal from him. He has employees follow you around through the store. A real business man! Also, they refuse to give prices over the phone. It's not 1950 anymore, I can look up the MSRP of anything in about 10 seconds for crying out loud!
 
#6
Re: gun store workers/owners

I claim no allegiance to either side in this discussion, but I have a friend that owns a local gun store. The nonsense that people come in and ask sometimes is mind-boggling. I think sometimes that we forget that most of the people in the lay public are no where near as educated about guns as most of the members of this site and unfortunately for the gun dealers, they do see a lot of this.
 
#7
Re: gun store workers/owners

if you were a gun store owner in california and had the brown shirts breathing down your neck every second,you'd be an asshole too.if i was a gun store owner in california,i'd move,wait...if i even lived in california,i'd move.
 
#8
Re: gun store workers/owners

I get it! The laws in this country are soo f-ed up! But at the very least when I go into a place of business I expect "bend over backwards service" If not I'll shop the millions of e-tailers out there. It's a new world folks - adapt or go out of business
 
#11
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: komifornian</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The laws in this country are soo f-ed up! </div></div>

Umm, please speak to the laws of your own state. And get your ass out and vote, lobby, etc if you do not like the PRK's laws.
 
#13
Re: gun store workers/owners

Some are salt of the earth best folks on the planet.

Others are children who play with guns to boost their sad little ego's.

My recommendation:

Spend your money the latter and do your best to avoid the former, regardless of price...

it'll be cheaper in the long run
 
#14
Re: gun store workers/owners

Try J&R Sport Supply in Livermore, CA. They are some of the nicest people I've dealt with in this hobby. They are very apologetic when stuff I was looking for is not in stock. Boss and employees seem to be very knowledgeable and willing to educate. Hats off to them.
 
#15
Re: gun store workers/owners

You want to know WHY gun shop owners can be such a$$holes ?

Go through the required financial effort, business planning and BATF scrutiny to get your FFL and open your own gun shop... so you can work for peanuts and slim profit margins... trying to stay alive and compete with the kitchen table FFL's for transfer fees and retail chain stores for everything else..

After a little while, you will see firsthand the kind of jackasses that walk through the door.
If I had known the average gun customer was going to be so damn stupid, I never would have started my business. I made the mistake of assuming most people were like me and had at least an average understanding of firearms.
Instead, I only see a handful of decent, knowledgeable gun owners... and the remaining 80% just don't have a fucking clue. Those 80% however... will be more than willing to stand at the counter blowing bad breath in your face, wasting your time telling stories about the gun they sold and wished they hadn't... or the monster buck they shot but got away... or the gun collection their uncle has... or how ammo at Walmart is $1 a box cheaper… or how much they like a particular gun you have for sale... but will need to "save-up" before buying... that is, unless you are willing to put it on layaway and take $20 a month for the next 2 years. They also like to brag about having to come back in the year 20XX because they were convicted of a felony... but would still like to browse and handle your guns.
You'll also get to see ghetto thugs come through the door occasionally. They are especially entertaining; because they usually bring at least one female with them that can legally own a gun. How ironic is it... that SHE is the only one that wants the gun. The three other guys are just along to help her make an educated choice. Of course they will all get tough and raise hell as you throw them out of the store... but you damn well better put your peachy face back on and have a loving smile for the next guy that comes in 3 minutes later... or else he will be sure to get on an internet forum and tell the world how much of a jerk you are for not kissing his ass with a smile and a free box of ammo.
 
#16
Re: gun store workers/owners

i'll just say this.....gun shops can be very interesting places to work with the huge variety of people who come in. I enjoy the work and most of the people who come in, but there's some that are just......damn. It's very hard to restrain myself from posting why gun shop owners can be cranky people. have to go find my BP meds now.
 
#17
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GasLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You still didn't address the question:

Don't you still have to go through a dealer to get an online firearm?

</div></div>

Yes you do but if you know a small business and the owner has a FFL thats all you need. I have bought my last three rifles online. Two bolt rifles and one AR-15. When laws come in play you learn how to get around them. The great thing about humans that learn how to adapt. There are a few firearm laws that are going to be fought in the court system to give us Kommifornia gun owners a little more freedom.

I know that most think OH SHIT Kommifornia but compared to the world we are still far away from a living hell. Like I said slowly slowly laws that go against us gun owners will be taken out of the system.
 
#18
Re: gun store workers/owners

If they don't like the business they are in, they should quit. No reason they should take it out on their customers. I have noticed the same thing. You have to go to a cabelas or bass pro to get friendly service
smile.gif
 
#19
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: komifornian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I could post this in any forum but chose this one because it generally has the most participants.

Why????? IN MOST CASES are gun store owners and employees a-holes???? I just don't get it. Because of this I've bought the last 5 guns online.

I just want honest answers..
</div></div>

I lived in Novato (5 years) and I only know of one gun store. And if memory serves me correctly, they weren't the best at customer service. But I'd be careful generalizing all gun store owners and employees. Marin county, what an f'd up place for the firearm enthusiast. I remember Natchez Shooter Supply could not ship me ammo there. I'm so glad to be out of that liberal breeding ground.
 
#20
Re: gun store workers/owners

I worked in a gunstore awhile back and yeah the people that come in do ask about the most retarded questions you could possibily imagine. But, I always tried to be professional and answer questions and crap with all the douchers with respect. It's part of being in business. I own a business now and always try to make my customers happy so, ill get return business and they'll tell their friends to give me a call when they need my services.
 
#21
Re: gun store workers/owners

Because the old saying "The Customer is Always Right" does not apply in this day and time. There are simply to many Idiots nowadays.
 
#22
Re: gun store workers/owners

I probably should have worded the question differently - The only reason made the original post is because I'm tired of the harsh no-it-all attitudes in MOST gun stores but not all. I work with etailers for a living and I can tell you that if these local gun stores don't start adapting to the 21st century their going to go out of business. It's just too easy to buy whatever you want from just about anywhere in the word from the comfort of your home. I honestly would prefer to support local business but these folks just need a change of attitude and to adapt to the way people buy theses days. Suggestion for gun store owners - Have both a brick and mortar store as well as an etail front. Additionally, offer transfer services at reasonable prices and without any hassle if someone found a gun online that you don't have in stock. Why? Because I'll buy ammo, cleaning supplies, targets ECT. and will be a loyal customer for whatever else I might need. Hell I might even buy a gun I see one I like….
 
#23
Re: gun store workers/owners

Most of the shoppers who ask "dumb" questions ask them because THEY DON'T KNOW, especially younger folks. I agree about store owners being dicks and most are, These two come to mind. Ray's Sporting Goods, Dallas Texas. This store is very old and at one time they had EVERYTHING!!! But the guys who worked there were pricks, big egoed pricks (except one) They would turn the lights out and usher everyone out of the store if shoppers were'nt buying. Their prices were rediculous too. but they had EVERYTHING. The other is Bullet Trap in Plano, texas. They mostly cater to pistoleros because the are an indoor range. But everytime I go in there the guys are always nice, knowelegable and don't act like dicks when you ask to see a gun. Their prices are too high. Varget...over $30 a pound and so on. I have begun to buy all my stuff, including guns online. Great service, great selections, decent prices, no sales tax on most and free shipping on some. The HAZMAT frees suck thanks to the FEDS but you can split powder/primer order with your shooting buds.
Back to the retail guys, if they keep running off the NEWBIES there will be no one to buy the shit.
 
#24
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: winxp_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes you do but if you know a small business and the owner has a FFL thats all you need.....When laws come in play you learn how to get around them. </div></div>

Shipping an online-purchased firearm to a FFL holder IS the law, last time I checked. Is the PRK somehow different? In the "free" world the law does not say you must ship to the SuperMega Gun-Mart Retail Outlet, but to a FFL holder. Said FFL holder must then run the NICS check to do the transfer. Suggesting that using a small business FFL holder is somehow skirting the law is not only irresponsible, it is just plain wrong.
 
#25
Re: gun store workers/owners

I have a great relationship with one gun shop. I go in and they call me by my name. Some however are Aholes. The one closest to me is one that I haven't established a relationship with yet. I'm not even sure if I want to yet. It seems like some of the guys there are fabricators of information...
They arent all Aholes, but, you have to establish a relationship first...and spend some money. LOL
 
#29
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PrestonG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If they don't like the business they are in, they should quit. No reason they should take it out on their customers. I have noticed the same thing. You have to go to a cabelas or bass pro to get friendly service
smile.gif

</div></div>

You've got to be kidding me those guys are the the worst of the worst.
 
#30
Re: gun store workers/owners

I would have to agree that if you don't appear to be a LEO or current/ex military you seem to get the "this guy is a douche" treatment.
I am new to the hobby and received this type of treatment when I asked about putting some sort of sight on my Mossberg 500. Was I trying to make my gun "Tacticool"?, yes. Did I then go spend my money with an e-tailer for the rest of my toys including my new Noveske, Trijicon scope etc? Yes I did. I also made sure to find another brick and mortar to do the FFL transfer as I didn't feel they even deserved the $45 dollars or to look at my Noveske as they "Had never heard of them" but were pushing a $3500 Les Baer on the counter. I would have to agree about getting out of the business if its not profitable and stressful. I had a job I didn't like for about 10 years. I quit and went back to school. Just my .02
 
#31
Re: gun store workers/owners

Here we seem to have the three chief varieties; the red neck story tellers, the self proclaimed gun experts and the super salesman.

I used to work at a local shop/pistol range and I dont know who ran me off faster. The customers or my fellow employees.

Someone tells me what they need, and I try to put the correct piece in their hands. But then I have Joe Retard employee running up behind me telling some poor woman who wants to be educated about a personal defense/purse gun that nothing smaller that a .45ACP or .357 will stop a man or "you can only depend on a GLOCK, everything else will get you killed." Now shes standing there looking at me lost and confused because she assumes people who work at these places know what theyre talking about, but now she has people telling her two different things. One of the other employees got laid off from his main job and I gave him all my shifts and havnt been back.

I always buy local first, but I have to admit it can be frustrating. the place i buy from now is a good shop but full of "super salesman."
 
#32
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dragracer_Art</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You want to know WHY gun shop owners can be such a$$holes ?

Go through the required financial effort, business planning and BATF scrutiny to get your FFL and open your own gun shop... so you can work for peanuts and slim profit margins... trying to stay alive and compete with the kitchen table FFL's for transfer fees and retail chain stores for everything else..

After a little while, you will see firsthand the kind of jackasses that walk through the door.
If I had known the average gun customer was going to be so damn stupid, I never would have started my business. I made the mistake of assuming most people were like me and had at least an average understanding of firearms.
Instead, I only see a handful of decent, knowledgeable gun owners... and the remaining 80% just don't have a fucking clue. Those 80% however... will be more than willing to stand at the counter blowing bad breath in your face, wasting your time telling stories about the gun they sold and wished they hadn't... or the monster buck they shot but got away... or the gun collection their uncle has... or how ammo at Walmart is $1 a box cheaper… or how much they like a particular gun you have for sale... but will need to "save-up" before buying... that is, unless you are willing to put it on layaway and take $20 a month for the next 2 years. They also like to brag about having to come back in the year 20XX because they were convicted of a felony... but would still like to browse and handle your guns.
You'll also get to see ghetto thugs come through the door occasionally. They are especially entertaining; because they usually bring at least one female with them that can legally own a gun. How ironic is it... that SHE is the only one that wants the gun. The three other guys are just along to help her make an educated choice. Of course they will all get tough and raise hell as you throw them out of the store... but you damn well better put your peachy face back on and have a loving smile for the next guy that comes in 3 minutes later... or else he will be sure to get on an internet forum and tell the world how much of a jerk you are for not kissing his ass with a smile and a free box of ammo.
</div></div>

I turned my FFL stuff in a few weeks ago, I pray to god I don't turn out to be as bitter..
 
#33
Re: gun store workers/owners

I work with a guy like you're talking about. Sorry, on a serious note, I would just go to a different shop. I work with Tracy Rifle and Pistol, J&R in Livermore, Irvington Arms and Valkyrie arms. All are great people. Really impressed with Tracy rifle and pistol.
I'm sorry you feel that way, I get that from time to time when I go to a new place. After a few visits they get to know you and warm up. I honestly don't think that all store employees are that way, but just shop around. Sometimes a drive and window shopping is a good thing.
 
#34
Re: gun store workers/owners

Don't forget that now even the big gun manf. are out to cut off retail sales. The conglomorate that now owns remy, bushmaster, marlin ect also owns many non gun companys. They are offering all employees of this conglomorate discount pricing on guns ordered straight thru headquarters.

Last one I transfered netted me a transfer and no additional sales. Cheap is as cheap does and most of the net jockys buy from the net, so as the op has stated otherwise, most transferies spend zero in the store that does the transfer.

I'm glad I see very few walk in customers looking for factory guns, they are a waste of my time and prevent me from earning an income. Unfortunatly I still feel the need to help out the local guy when he has a problem, duty I supose.
 
#35
Re: gun store workers/owners

I have been to some stores like that, its just a matter of not going back. I drive over an hour to shop at a store that is just amazing on customer service. Their prices are a bit higher than i can get on the next, but I pay the extra to handle the weapon first, and to be able to actually have a conversation with the person im shopping with. Silver Bullet Firearms in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will not dissapoint ever. That place is my favorite store in a 2.5 hour drive from my house. It took me 3 years to find it, and you just need to start looking around for yours!
 
#36
Re: gun store workers/owners

Adding in my own $.02 that you didn't pay for...

It doesn't matter where in the supply chain you are these days, there is a current reality of the way that consumers are demanding your product. You are either meeting one of those primary needs or you are relegated to a niche in the market.

I have commented on this several times but at the producing end of things, a lot custom builders out there are in positions where they maybe haven't planned for the stupid factor in customer communication. As a result when you have (to you) a genuine, no-shit question (like trying to get information on the manufacturer's warranty effect of treatment XYZ) you get a grumpy or short reply and then half the people on a forum trying to tell you that you shouldn't bother the manufacturer with such things because you are delaying other builds.

Bullshit.

Again, doesn't matter where in the supply chain you are, you have customers. You know day 1 before you ever sell a gun or cleaning kit or something that you have to deal with people.

I am sorry that you have had 50 people email you today who will likely never buy a rifle or action. I am sorry that the guys who DID buy one 3 months ago have sent you an aggregated total of 10 emails today to find out where the action you estimated in "6-8 weeks" is.

These communications are part of your business. And for the sake of the 50 who wont buy, you may have offended or turned off a handful in that stack who had the money in hand and you pushed a different way.

Ditto gun stores. You know when you work there (or at least should) what dealing with some of these bozos of the world is going to be like. Sorry about that. It sucks, I know. But its also why this is your JOB rather than your FUN
smile.gif
Dealing with the stupid of the earth in a reasonably pleasant manner can be trying but at lest when I am next in line after Bozo Homie who wants to know the best gun to shoot sideways and the dude who handled 20 guns before leaving empty handed, please understand I am not Bozo 1 or 2.

I am my own person to be judged on my own questions and actions. Give me the benefit of the doubt until I prove to you that I fit into one of the other categories, at least. I would prefer that I still garner some reasonable level of respect then, but at the VERY least, let me demonstrate my stupidity rather than have it assumed!

I have seen one gun store here in Colorado which has really pulled off the business balance in the "new economy" pretty well. Jensen Arms in Loveland, Colorado has one guy whose entire job it is to deal with internet sales. At any given time they have 500 guns on auction on Gunbroker or something like that. The retail store site could be far more useful but they at least understand why people call first or that there are other ways for them to make money rather than be 100% dependant on tom, dick, and joe coming through the door.

They keep a brisk retail business going because they stock the staples AND some interesting things AND the accessories for most of what they carry AND have a gunsmith as part of the business AND have branched out into another demand space: police equipment (the vests, hats, uniforms, badge holders, etc have to come from some place and if you are one of a handful in the area that someone can look at that stuff in person, there you go).

They have at least 2 or 3 guys behind the counter on the weekends plus a lady whose only job is to run the insta-checks and register. Importantly to avoid super-salesman they seem to have worked on their approach behind the scenes or have just worked together that long or something because I have yet to go in there and see one of their sales guys jump on another guy's lead. One sales guy. One customer.

I bought my 700SS 5-R from them and if they were a little closer to me they would get a lot more of my business. They might sell a box of federal GMM for $24 instead of $22 but to me there is a lot to be said to being able to hold that (pistol/shotgun/rifle/suppressor/bipod/optic/sling/box of ammo) in your hand before you decide to lay down plastic on it.
 
#37
Re: gun store workers/owners

There was a time, not so long ago, when the dude behind the gun store counter wasn't necessarily the "sage" in the crowd. After removing the father from the home, stopping CMP or similar youth oriented marksmanship programs, scouts no longer offering a marksmanship merit badge, urbanization,draconian gun laws, etc...there are an overabundance of firearms knowledge deficient individuals. Alot of them are working the counters at Cabelas and Bass pro Shops..
 
#38
Re: gun store workers/owners

I can understand both arguments here, but it comes down to knowing what you're getting yourself into.

If you went through all the paperwork, and hassels, that is required to open a gun shop and didn't take into consideration the morons that are going to walk through your door then you really didn't think it through.

I buddy of mine who knows nothing about guns wanted a pistol last year and requested that I give him some advice. we went to a local gunstore to look at pistols and were both treated like assholes, this dispite the fact that I knew a hella lot more about 99% of the shit he had there than the guy behind the counter. I do not know if he was the owner, or just an employee but it didn't matter. We looked at some of the pistols and walked out the door, no cash spent.

The following week we went to anoth shop and found the XDM thayt my buddy decided he wanted. It was $20 more than the last shop but at this place I wasn't treated like a moron. I simply told my friend, "would you rather save $20 and buy off an asshole or give a goodguy some business? Not to mention if you needed help in the future with a problem."

He walked out with the XDM and I bought a used browning buckmark.

I also hate talking to morons that pretend to have knowledge about guns and the like, but if it meant my livelyhood, I think I'd get over it.
 
#39
Re: gun store workers/owners

I only deal with 1 local shop who charges $5 transfer fees. This guy is always more than helpful. However at a recent gun show I was talking to an outfit from Hutch. KS. They had a FN pistol with a "suppressor". Had the lady let me look at it as suppressor ownership is new in this state. Unscrewed it and looked down the bore, no baffles, no serial#. I said this is no suppressor just a fancy barrel extension. Oh yes it is she replied. You obviously don't know what you're talking about. My reply: "Where's your NFA paperwork then?" She got pissed and walked away. I realize there are a bunch of dumbasses that don't know much about firearms. Me included. But it felt good to prove an arrogant gunshop owner wrong.
 
#40
Re: gun store workers/owners

I gotta agree, good shops are hard to find. The closest one to me that has a decent selection is 4hrs away. The closest FFL that doesn't stock anything is 1.5hrs away.

I have bought from other stores before, but I would never or will never buy from anyone that isn't into customer service. I have worked for customers since I was 13yrs old, so I have seen every type there is.

Thinking about getting my FFL it'll be probably another 8-10 months before I decide though.
 
#41
Re: gun store workers/owners

Up here in Canada, not only are Good shops hard to find, but actual Gun Shops are hard to find as well.

We have two in this city, which are more than a little hard to work with. They cater to the average weekend hunter. And they only sell what "corporate" has allowed them to stock. And they don't "special-order" anything. All brass for sale is Remington Brass. Who needs anything else?

While looking for a .45 for my wife, the one store has a large selection (7) of Kimber .45's. All very pretty, and all over $1,200.00 bucks. Only Kimber, nothing else, nope; can't order anything. The other one doesn't even have that, though they do have a half-a-dozen used handguns of various caliber to which you can't even handle. Just look through the glass, and pay's-your-money.

Have a nice day.

With names like Wholesa$& Spo#%$ and Cabe!@$ (no free advertising from me, no way) you'd think that the customer would actually matter. Nope, only the bottom line.

Drive out of town for two hours, you can then handle the items, talk with reasonably knowledgeable individuals, and even special-order AND import items in.
 
#42
Re: gun store workers/owners

You should try to make a living and comply with all of the regs and taxes and sidewalk Seals that know everything and every cheaper store down the road also so and so has them for such a price on line. Everybody has their breaking point when having to deal with assholes day in and day out. 95% of customers are good people to deal with and carry on discussions with then you have the friggin know it all's who make you question your profession.Before you run to your internet dealers then come into your local shop bitchin about YOUR prized screwup you bought at such a deal, think about supporting your local dealers!!! Which one will be there when your new toy needs repair or tuning??
 
#43
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FALex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We have a local dealer here that pretends everyone who walks in the store is going to steal from him. He has employees follow you around through the store. A real business man! Also, they refuse to give prices over the phone. It's not 1950 anymore, I can look up the MSRP of anything in about 10 seconds for crying out loud! </div></div>

You talking about Alpha Omega? First thing I noticed when walking around his store of jack assery, does he not realize that if I was going to steal something the 1 of 45.5 cameras would clearly catch me doing it and he doesnt need somebody walking around??
 
#44
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A.O.R.G.S-RemiG</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dragracer_Art</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You want to know WHY gun shop owners can be such a$$holes ?

Go through the required financial effort, business planning and BATF scrutiny to get your FFL and open your own gun shop... so you can work for peanuts and slim profit margins... trying to stay alive and compete with the kitchen table FFL's for transfer fees and retail chain stores for everything else..

After a little while, you will see firsthand the kind of jackasses that walk through the door.
If I had known the average gun customer was going to be so damn stupid, I never would have started my business. I made the mistake of assuming most people were like me and had at least an average understanding of firearms.
Instead, I only see a handful of decent, knowledgeable gun owners... and the remaining 80% just don't have a fucking clue. Those 80% however... will be more than willing to stand at the counter blowing bad breath in your face, wasting your time telling stories about the gun they sold and wished they hadn't... or the monster buck they shot but got away... or the gun collection their uncle has... or how ammo at Walmart is $1 a box cheaper… or how much they like a particular gun you have for sale... but will need to "save-up" before buying... that is, unless you are willing to put it on layaway and take $20 a month for the next 2 years. They also like to brag about having to come back in the year 20XX because they were convicted of a felony... but would still like to browse and handle your guns.
You'll also get to see ghetto thugs come through the door occasionally. They are especially entertaining; because they usually bring at least one female with them that can legally own a gun. How ironic is it... that SHE is the only one that wants the gun. The three other guys are just along to help her make an educated choice. Of course they will all get tough and raise hell as you throw them out of the store... but you damn well better put your peachy face back on and have a loving smile for the next guy that comes in 3 minutes later... or else he will be sure to get on an internet forum and tell the world how much of a jerk you are for not kissing his ass with a smile and a free box of ammo.
</div></div>

I turned my FFL stuff in a few weeks ago, I pray to god I don't turn out to be as bitter..</div></div>

Sadly this is true. I got my 01FFL in Sept. and 03SOT in Nov. I have at least 10 times the time and money into this venture than ever planned. Only thing I have going for me is I'm in a rural area, and I only deal with guns I want. I started by trying to please everyone, that is not possible. So I only do high end tactical and precision stuff. People who bitch about it and the price point, I tell them that Academy or Walmart will most likely have what they are looking for. I make no money doing it and I'm not willing to get to the point that I hate doing it either.

I enjoy guns and gear, but 95% of shooters do not have a clue. It gets very annoying answering the same questions time and time again. The most fun is explaining why brand X is XX% more than brand Y and having an "expert" in the store saying why brand Z that is 10% the cost is superior. People do not understand that you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once.
 
#45
Re: gun store workers/owners

My opinion below is not specifically about gun stores or owners ...

Money is the universal language of business. If owners in any business don't think they are going to make money, possibly they seem a bit short when off-the-wall questions are asked.

Possibly it is partly how a possible customer without business history approaches the business owner, but that could be another thread ...

When owners of any business are making money elsewhere with projects that need to be done, new walk in customers with one-of-a-kind difficult job ideas who want to pick someones brain without money up front to gain information may never see priority.

Good businesses have lots going on. Often a single owner-operated place barely has time to answer the phone while talking to walk ins, with their focus to complete existing projects that pay bills so continue to be open. Complicated by when a business has unique skills - if they give all their secrets away no one will pay.

Wisdom I learned watching my grandfather, working in the feed and hardware business (also a dealer for Winchester Arms, Remington Arms, CASE, Albers Feed, Alice Chalmers, Willy's Jeep, GMC Log Trucks, General Motors Marine Engines, Milwaukee Equipment like rear tine gas powered tillers, and ... while had the place and people to service everything they sold in Astoria, OR from the 1920s into the 1970s).
 
#46
Re: gun store workers/owners

As a dealer I like most of the folks that come in. I know it's going to go south when the first thing they say is I've been researching and then they lay it out. Researching is fine but you need to understand what you read here in lies the problem alto if not most have no idea what it was they read and lets face it I'll give you the 50 cent short version cause I don't get paid for talking it's when you want the long version and have me drank out every gun in the counter then say I have to think about it and that's fine. Where I get pissed is when you call me cause the gun you did buy at place X was 25 buck cheaper but it's to far to go and get part a replaced for free so since your right here can you fix this and then just send place X the bill. Yea Right that will fly.
 
#47
Re: gun store workers/owners

I guess I am lucky being in the area I am in. Maybe it is a Texas thing. Usually EVERY person in any gun store/shop around here is very helpful. Yes you have the few guys that work at Academy/Gnd Mtn. that don't know a 1911 from a 380 auto, but those stores I try to avoid anyways. Heck there is a young woman at our local Gander Mtn that can field strip any weapon in the store, and knows more about them than most men. I've got my local shops that I am a regular at, and I get treated like one. Same way with my 'smith. Either one will take any amount of time out of there day to help me out, even if it does not benefit them.
 
#48
Re: gun store workers/owners

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: komifornian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I could post this in any forum but chose this one because it generally has the most participants.

Why????? IN MOST CASES are gun store owners and employees a-holes???? I just don't get it. Because of this I've bought the last 5 guns online.

I just want honest answers..
</div></div>

I worked at GAT guns in Illinois (probably the largest in the state) for 2 years and I think I can honestly answer this question :)

The owner is the biggest asshole I've ever met for one reason, he only cares about the $$$. This guy doesn't even care for his own son, who just so happens to be a manager there. He's a selfish pr*ck who could care less about you, the customer, and has little or no respect for his own employees! One of my co-workers called OSHA on this guy for unsafe work conditions and he was fined because of it. He even lied to a couple of range cleanup kids who wanted their lead levels check. He said they came back fine, when they were actually 5 times over the state limit. OSHA fined him for that too :)))

As far as the employees go, most of the guys I worked with had gotten very tired of stupid questions. The average shooter doesn't know nearly as much about firearms as the average shooter on this site does. I've seen some pretty brutal answers to some not so stupid questions on this site. Sometimes we are pretty ruthless to people who don't ask the right questions. Maybe some people listened to much in grade school when the teacher said "there's no such thing as a stupid question". That is definitely not the case. I've always tried to be as helpful as possible while working there, but when a customer comes in wanting a 9mm magnum beretta 92fs and won't listen to you when you tell him there's no such thing, don't be surprised if the next customer gets a little attitude. It's unfortunate, but I think we're all guilty of it sometimes :-(
 
#49
Re: gun store workers/owners

I may have come off a little more harsh and bitter than I should have in my previous reply.
grin.gif


To set the record straight... the majority (95%) of my customers are fantastic people and we never have any problems with them. It's the remaining 5% that ruin it for everybody.

I've been on both sides of the counter... and there really is no possible way for the average gun owner/customer to understand what goes on in a shop unless they are in one 7 days a week or own one themselves. You really need to see and experience it firsthand to understand. It's easy to criticize or complain when you only have a small snapshot of the day to day activities at a gun shop. I may go a whole day or even a whole week without a run-in with ghetto thugs or unreasonable customer... but all it takes is one... to ruin the rest of your day. Sometimes, all I see all day long is troublemakers and criminals.
As luck usually has it... the very next customer is the most vocal and critical of your customer service. The next stop is an internet forum to complain.

I'm not defending ALL FFL's... as I know firsthand that some are just plain rude assholes 100% of the time.
My shop is run with absolute courtesy and professionalism. Unfortunately, I can't anticipate that .1% of the time I become an asshole because I just had to throw 4 thugs out of the store.
It's unfortunate, but as a new FFL... I'm quickly learning that it's just part of the business... and I'm gradually getting better at dealing with it.
 
#50
Re: gun store workers/owners

I have a couple shops pretty close to my home, about a 10 minute drive, but every time I go in these places I feel completely unwelcome. Thats why I drive about 40 minutes to go where any questions are met with good answers and no attitude. I agree a lot of shop owners can be a$$holes, but let them be and shop elsewhere, their loss
 
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