Dealer ever give you a hard time?

[USAF385]

I want to know if anyone else out there has ever encountered a dealer who gave them a hard time about looking at guns.

I was recently at a somewhat large chain store who's name may make one thing of a male goose. I asked to see a two S&W M&Ps. The gentleman behind the counter removed them from the case, took off the locks, and let me look them over and get a feel for them. No issue.

Two days later I went back and asked to see one of the same guns, and the employee asked "are you actually planning on buying it". To which I responded with something along the lines of "haven't decided yet". He sighed (SERIOUSLY) and took out the M&P40c. I started to look it over and asked if he could remove the lock like the other guy did two days ago. He gave me an almost disgusted look and said there was no way he could do that. I asked him why since I was allowed to see it without the lock just two days earlier and he said it was a safety issue.

Now..... to me this was pretty odd because every privately owned dealer I've been to has no problem with this. Half don't even lock them in the case. It was even more annoying because he said it was a safety issue, yet I was standing there with my CCL and my 642. I didn't have the time or patience do deal with the situation, so I simply gave the gun back and told the employee he lost a sale. Unfortunately I still did make a purchase from the store (I found two boxes of .357s).

Anyone else ever have to deal with anything similar?

 

[USAF385]

I want to know if anyone else out there has ever encountered a dealer who gave them a hard time about looking at guns.

I was recently at a somewhat large chain store who's name may make one thing of a male goose. I asked to see a two S&W M&Ps. The gentleman behind the counter removed them from the case, took off the locks, and let me look them over and get a feel for them. No issue.

Two days later I went back and asked to see one of the same guns, and the employee asked "are you actually planning on buying it". To which I responded with something along the lines of "haven't decided yet". He sighed (SERIOUSLY) and took out the M&P40c. I started to look it over and asked if he could remove the lock like the other guy did two days ago. He gave me an almost disgusted look and said there was no way he could do that. I asked him why since I was allowed to see it without the lock just two days earlier and he said it was a safety issue.

Now..... to me this was pretty odd because every privately owned dealer I've been to has no problem with this. Half don't even lock them in the case. It was even more annoying because he said it was a safety issue, yet I was standing there with my CCL and my 642. I didn't have the time or patience do deal with the situation, so I simply gave the gun back and told the employee he lost a sale. Unfortunately I still did make a purchase from the store (I found two boxes of .357s).

Anyone else ever have to deal with anything similar?

 

[truckemup97]

Believe it or not, some folks don't actually enjoy their job. It appears you encountered one. I have encountered many, also, though not very often in a gun store.

Truckstop waitresses are WAY under appreciated. Many's the time I have seen one harassed by a rude customer and said, "This would be a great job if it weren't for the customers." That usually gets a laugh or a smile. Unfortunately, many people actually feel that way about their jobs.

 

[BlackAgnes]

The way handgun buying from a dealer in New York State works is this:

1) Find a gun

2) Place a deposit on the gun (or pay in full)

3) Get a receipt for whatever amount you paid, take the receipt and a permit amendment form to the Sheriff's Department


4) Sheriff's Department enters the new handgun on your permit and gives you a "purchase coupon".

5) Take "purchase coupon" to the dealer, pay the balance, fill out the 4473, and you're done.

I recently bought a handgun from Gander Mountain in Cicero, NY. I placed a deposit on it and asked the clerk for a receipt so that I could have it added to my permit.

NOPE.

"If I give you a receipt, that indicates that you have possession of the gun, which is not legal"

HUH!!!???

"You have to pay for the gun in full before I can give you any kind of receipt"

HUH??? Wouldn't that indicate possession just like a receipt for a deposit? (the whole argument was ridiculous--I wasn't taking possession of anything)

I got nowhere with logic with this nitwit--so I paid for the gun in full right then and there, and got my receipt!

Who trains these people?

Tim

 

[parallel]

I wouldn't call the majority of the punks that are behind the counter of the large chain stores a "dealer". Those people are often less knowledgeable about firearms than the people they are selling to. Of course... there are small gun shop owners and employees who are just as bad. I wouldn't buy a gun from anyone who knows nothing about guns unless the price was irresistible... I somehow doubt the the male goose stores price would fit that description.

To answer your question, yes... I have had dealers give me grief over many things. The one thing that truly bugs me is when they tell me that I don't know what I want... that I should be buying (insert brand of whatever he is pushing that day). I have found that I prefer to buy guns from the one local source who is not a tool and/or from the several internet sources I have had the pleasure of dealing with.

 

[USAF385]

Originally posted by BlackAgnes:
The way handgun buying from a dealer in New York State works is this:

1) Find a gun

2) Place a deposit on the gun (or pay in full)

3) Get a receipt for whatever amount you paid, take the receipt and a permit amendment form to the Sheriff's Department


4) Sheriff's Department enters the new handgun on your permit and gives you a "purchase coupon".

5) Take "purchase coupon" to the dealer, pay the balance, fill out the 4473, and you're done.

Wow it sure is easier in PA. We don't have handgun permits. All we have is a record of sale, dealt with by the dealer. Seriously you can have your handgun in as fast as you can fill out a short form and the dealer can do the background check. Easily in 10 minutes (provided you're not flagged by the background check)

I'm "starting" to feel that Gander Mtn. may not be the best place to purchase guns.

 

[BlackAgnes]

USAF385-- Yeah, I wish it were that easy!

By the way, are you currently on AD?

I'm a retired 1C5.

Tim

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

In Louisiana.
Me: I want that one
Clerk: Here. fill this out...give me a minute to call...good to go.
Me: Here's da money
Clerk: here's your receipt-you want fries with that ( I threw that last one in just for chuckles).

 

[pred]

Lycoming county store,,,, HUH?
I was in there a last year and found that the guys were, Well a bit offputting to me,
I wanted to make a purchase and it was an expensive one and said, If I can get out of here in 20 min I will take it, I had the dog in the car, Their reply was it took about an hour or more,,, I was the only Person trying to buy, store was nearly empty.....
I left and went down the road to Dugans in Hughesville and had a great time with those guys!
Peter

 

[USAF385]

Originally posted by BlackAgnes:
USAF385-- Yeah, I wish it were that easy!

By the way, are you currently on AD?

I'm a retired 1C5.

Tim

I'm no longer AD. I actually got out a few months back after 4 years of being a ac-130 aerial gunner. I'm pretty bored now, so I may go Reserve, and I'm starting school in the fall!

 

[danski]

In 45 years, I can't say I've had but a few bad experiences and they were quickly forgotten, but then I've been a patron of privately-owned shops and not box stores.

The only time I really ran into grief, and not over guns, was at a McDonald's where I asked to speak to the head chef to discuss how I wanted my burger prepared.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Gander Mountain employees, which I assume is where this happened, are hourly. They don't make any additional money for making a sale. Sometimes they get tired of people fondling the merchandise and not buying, but that can happen anywhere. For whatever reason, perhaps the terrible prices, Gander Mountain stores seem to get a lot of people who window shop and then obtain the products elsewhere. That may be demoralizing for the staff, I don't know.

 

[m657]

If my treatment by the seller deteriorates, I may well mention the impending change in status, from "potential purchaser" to "You're Fired"....

Not often an issue, yet immensely satisfying to keep your own senses about you. There are other shops and other deals.

The issue for me is....*I'm* the ***customer***....if you want to keep that relationship as defined, treat me properly.

 

[K.38]

Went to a large gun shop down in Colorado Springs a few years ago and asked to look at a new S&W .44 Special. Clerk goes into his being an ex super military something or other and then goes on about how only an idiot would buy a .44 Special. Real men and super military operators would only use a .44 Magnum. Needless to say the store lost a sale.

 

[USAF385]

Originally posted by K.38:
Went to a large gun shop down in Colorado Springs a few years ago and asked to look at a new S&W .44 Special. Clerk goes into his being an ex super military something or other and then goes on about how only an idiot would buy a .44 Special. Real men and super military operators would only use a .44 Magnum. Needless to say the store lost a sale.

THAT is a common/annoying character! "To each his own" as people who.. like to say old sayings would say. It always amuses me how often I run into someone (most often customers in my personal experience) who happen to be carrying the best/most powerful/most manly handgun.

 

[bigolddave]

I have little problem with ignorant, it's the clerks who know a lot that isn't so that bother me. Sometimes I like to just hang around the gun department at our local Gander Mountain just to hear the conversations.

Once in a while, the clerk knows more than the customer, but not very often. Usually the old semi-retired guys working there are pretty sharp, but the kids are hopeless.

 

[Mediumbore]

As someone who sells guns part-time for a small retailer, I would simply say "sorry" and that that should never happen no matter what you are buying. Unfortunately, that seems to be a fairly common attitude among retailers in general, no matter whether they sell guns or books or shoes. Many people in this country have developed the attitude that retail is the job they do until their "ship comes in" instead of doing the job to the best of their ability. They seem to believe it is beneath them. Some work in a specialty store to be close to the merchandise and actually see customers as taking away from their time there.

Leadership is the answer. If management refuses to address such issues, it becomes an indicator that you need a new place to shop. I would suggest a letter or phone call to the manager/owner with the employees name or description. The more we settle for such behavior, the worse it will get.

 

[ChadW]

YEP! Same chain.... after the fourth gun I asked to see I started getting the "you're wasting my time" expressions. Someone earlier said there is often one older semi retired guy there who actually is helpful and likes his job... I've noticed that too!

Small private owned places are usually better, but I have had a bad experience at one of those even. The guy behind the counter was really trying to push a Kimber on me that I just didn't want. He basically ignored my requests to see other guns for 5 minutes as he went on and on about the Kimber.

 

[Andy Griffith]

It's a bit easier here in Georgia if you have your "Georgia Firearms License"- AKA: concealed handgun permit.

Fill out the 4473...
Clerk takes numbers off of permit...
Pay him and leave with handgun(s) of choice.

This is great because I've done been through the stink'n check once when I got the permit.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Some people don't like to work and attempt to do as little as possible for as long as possible. We call them clients.
Other people work hard for a living, many enjoy their work and have pride in a job well done. We call them tax payers.