Why are gun shop employees/owners predominately dicks?

[churchmouse]

You are not alone. I have experienced this in a few shops all over the state. I roll some distance in my line of work and stop in at shops when ever I see one. You never know when the "Honey hole" will pop up. Un-fortunatly if the owner does not know you they treat you with an aire of suspicion mixed with arrogance for the most part. Once treated this way I will take myself and my money elsewhere. I am not scared of spending money on the right piece.
We have found 4 local shops that fill all of our needs.

 

[sepe]

I have never had that happen to me! I believe as soon as it had, I would be on my way out the door!
Are you sure your not exaggerating?

I've had it happen in several shops. I've heard more dumb stuff at a gun counter in a shop than I have at the gun counter at the Plymouth Walmart. In the bigger shops, I'll just deal with someone else. In a small shop, I leave.

As for Midwest in Mishawaka, there are quite a few clock watchers and some outright rude counter guys in addition to the 2-3 decent ones.

 

[spqr]

BTW, I forgot to mention that I am not just looking for a firearm for myself, but I am trying to help a couple of first-time, prospective gun owners find a firearm. With one phone call, my former favorite shop lost 3 sales!

 

[churchmouse]

Well, along these same lines, I had an eye-opening experience today! Called a gunshop where I have purchased 20 or so guns over the years (no exaggeration) and an employee I don't know (and I guess he didn't know me) answered and told me that he couldn't be bothered answering my questions (I only asked two yes or no questions), told me to visit the store (I live 45 minutes away), and hung up! I then called the Ingo "gun shop of the year" (where I have purchased exactly 2 guns in the past 10 years) and a salesman I don't know (and I suppose he didn't know me) answered the phone...he was very polite and answered all of my questions! Guess where I am going to drive to look for my next purchase? Can't anyone figure out that people are still willing to pay for customer service in this country?

Same experience today with Bradis....I may see you there tomorrow.

 

[nova512]

ive had it happen to me all to many times, one store on 3 different trips, i ask if they have x they do not have x,, they then shove 4 other guns in my hands that are not even close to what im looking for.i am a specific buyer ive been into guns since a very early age ive shot alot i know what im looking for and dont really want to hear thier crap that they know so much more then me***my come back is oh could you be an olympic shooter? i almost was stfu.long story as to why i wasnt.

 

[eSC]

Some gun shop employees are dicks. Some gun shop customers are dicks.

I'd like to point out that you never see gun shop employees on here talking about the dicks they have to deal with.

Look around. If everybody you run into is a dick, maybe it's you and not them.

Just sayin'.

One huge difference Rob, they won't B&M about customers because it's in their best interest not too.

I, on the other hand, can because I have something to gain as well, better customer service.

Also, if it were me, would I not experience similar frustrations at the hundreds of retail establishments I frequent?

Yup, process of elimination - complete.

Just sayin'

.

 

[UncleMike]

Just look at them and tell them that you all ready have two of the thing they are pushing so you don't need any more! and then ask to see the item you wanted to see! works every time!!

And in the case of "some people", that's the truth......

 

[DanVoils]

What amazes me isn't that some people can be *******s and dicks but that a lot of people here seem to not only allow it but make excuses for it. I guess in their world they are idiots as well so it's no big deal to have someone be that way to them.

 

[HavokCycle]

Well, along these same lines, I had an eye-opening experience today! Called a gunshop where I have purchased 20 or so guns over the years (no exaggeration) and an employee I don't know (and I guess he didn't know me) answered and told me that he couldn't be bothered answering my questions (I only asked two yes or no questions), told me to visit the store (I live 45 minutes away), and hung up! I then called the Ingo "gun shop of the year" (where I have purchased exactly 2 guns in the past 10 years) and a salesman I don't know (and I suppose he didn't know me) answered the phone...he was very polite and answered all of my questions! Guess where I am going to drive to look for my next purchase? Can't anyone figure out that people are still willing to pay for customer service in this country?

call them out about it. why bother *****ing if you're not intent on lodging a specific complaint? the great thing about the internet, INGO has 27000 members, and you have a voice.
if they address it, or how they do so, is up to them.

I called out my LGS recently on here, and whether or not i agree with their stance, the owner took the time to address my concerns, which to me speaks volumes.

to address the OP concerns, yes, you're right. MANY many times i've been into gun shops over the years (not just recently) and have encountered a sense of aloofness and haughtiness.
'i have the guns, so thus i have the power'
i've become intensely aware of that attitude and i don't re-visit those places. i'm not asking for counter-men to strike up a whole conversation, but how about some mutual respect.

 

[Excalibur]

Rude gun shop guys? I've never had a problem with my local Blythe's or Westforth and I've bought guns and things from both places. Westforth, I know them more and chat with the guys behind the counter all the time. Bythe's is more business friendly.

 

[eSC]

BTW, I forgot to mention that I am not just looking for a firearm for myself, but I am trying to help a couple of first-time, prospective gun owners find a firearm. With one phone call, my former favorite shop lost 3 sales!

That's awful, it's like they don't care that at all that they are competing with other shops/online suppliers.

Myopic newspaper owners come to mind.

.

 

[Andy219]

I've had that issue at both Cabelas and Bass Pro. At Bass Pro in Portage, the guy couldn't fathom why I would want a S&W 500. At Cabelas the guy just couldn't figure out for the life of him why I wanted a Desert Eagle 50ae.

That being said most of my purchases are at the local places like Westforth and now Blythes in Valpo. Never had anyone question why I wanted something except at the big box stores.

 

[digitalphoenix]

Well it hasn't happened to me yet but you gotta consider this. They deal with a BUNCH of morons who are too lazy to do their own research every single day. These morons are the ones that instantly jump on a bandwagon because their friend, coworker, or some idiot moron (like James Yeager) said X gun is better than Y gun. It's like the stupidity the debate of a 1911 Vs. a Glock.

I like the 1911 because it's heavy, thin, and reliable. I like the Glock because it has more capacity than a 1911 and it's proven reliability.

It's all in preference. My preference just so happens to be in favor of all handguns that fit my hand perfectly.

Whoever tells you that you should get this brand because they like it is an idiot. YOU get what YOU like, not what others like.

 

[bstewrat3]

I have had bad experiences in shops over the years as well, but I am happy with my local shop BGF. The guy at the range counter took the time to address me by my first name when I was checking out yesterday and made me feel like we were friends from way back, which we aren't. Unfortunately all it takes is one person to ruin a good visit if they treat you different than you expect to be treated.

 

[HavokCycle]

Rude gun shop guys? I've never had a problem with my local Blythe's or Westforth and I've bought guns and things from both places. Westforth, I know them more and chat with the guys behind the counter all the time. Bythe's is more business friendly.

on the terms business friendly - i'm business minded in everything i do. every purchase i make, be it a TV, a tablet, a gun, etc, i act the same.

ive done my research, and know what i want to buy. i seem to have a demeanor of making snap judgements, when in fact, i know what i want to buy, and what i want to pay - on the flip side, i can make a snap judgement seem like it was planned the entire time.

i don't mess around and lead salesmen around. if i say' gimme a few to think on it' it means i'll buy, i just need convice myself to spend the cash. if i didn't want to buy or pay the price, i'd leave.
salesmen know this. they know each other and know their tactics.

however, i'm also intensely loyal, by i may be alone in this.
but i promise you, the attitude of the seller and buyer QUITE impacts the deal to be done.
if you come in acting like a knob, spouting information i CLEARLY know is wrong, or otherwise being a dick, i PROMISE you you're not going to get a deal, or pleasant treatment. in fact, you'll probably get ripped for being a wanker.

 

[Gunaria]

Not sure of what store you are talking about in Paoli because one of them just opened up this past summer and one just closed this past fall.

 

[Dodgerdoob]

In the past two weeks I've gone into 2 LSG looking for a specific pistol. Both times I was told that they "don't have that but this is pretty close". If I was asking about features and they made suggestions, it would be fine, but if I'm asking for a specific model. If you went into a restaurant and they pulled that, you'd talk to the manager or leave. "Can I get a double cheeseburger?" " I'm out of the burgers, but I've got a chicken taco, thats pretty close".

 

[DRob]

Not just you OP

I just find it funny that every time somebody posts something like this there are always replies by guys saying they don't have this problem!

Maybe it's just a matter of expectations.

 

[eSC]

call them out about it. why bother *****ing if you're not intent on lodging a specific complaint? the great thing about the internet, INGO has 27000 members, and you have a voice.
if they address it, or how they do so, is up to them.

I called out my LGS recently on here, and whether or not i agree with their stance, the owner took the time to address my concerns, which to me speaks volumes.

to address the OP concerns, yes, you're right. MANY many times i've been into gun shops over the years (not just recently) and have encountered a sense of aloofness and haughtiness.
'i have the guns, so thus i have the power'
i've become intensely aware of that attitude and i don't re-visit those places. i'm not asking for counter-men to strike up a whole conversation, but how about some mutual respect.

You are absolutely right, and since you asked, it was Pops (also in case you didn't get my earlier hint - hehe)

Just looking around, he asked if he could help me (nice enough), I said;" No thanks, just looking" and then, after some holster banter I asked; "oh, you don't happen to have a Colt Mustang do you?" to which he replyed, 'No, you don't want a Mustang, they misfire all the time, you need to get you one of these' and pulled out a P238 right from his pocket. ($450 P238 v $600 Mustang I might add)

Nothing wrong with a P238 mind you, but I don't want a f'in P238, want a f'in Mustang! I need it for my collection! He didn't even try to figure out why I wanted that particular model, or why a P238 meant nothing to me, just immediately sh*t on it, telling me that the Mustang was inferior yanking the Ruger out of his pocket. And that pissed me off.

So, I politely thanked him, told him I was going to keep looking and walked out, and yeah, I don't think I'll be back. Too many other options.

The real trouble is, this is but one of many experiences as stated in my OP.

.

 

[drillsgt]

Well, along these same lines, I had an eye-opening experience today! Called a gunshop where I have purchased 20 or so guns over the years (no exaggeration) and an employee I don't know (and I guess he didn't know me) answered and told me that he couldn't be bothered answering my questions (I only asked two yes or no questions), told me to visit the store (I live 45 minutes away), and hung up! I then called the Ingo "gun shop of the year" (where I have purchased exactly 2 guns in the past 10 years) and a salesman I don't know (and I suppose he didn't know me) answered the phone...he was very polite and answered all of my questions! Guess where I am going to drive to look for my next purchase? Can't anyone figure out that people are still willing to pay for customer service in this country?

It's a sellers market right now they don't need customer service.