Why are gun store employees such Jerks?

Ok. For those who haven't followed a thread that I started in the 1961 to 1980 section, I asked about purchasing 2 rather hot and valuable Model 27-2 models. One is a 3 12" blue with everything (wood case, ALL paperwork, accessories and looks unfired since test firing at the factory) and a, believe it or not, a 4" blue with nothing but a set of Pachmayrs. Both were $2,250, $1,250 for the 3 1/2 " er and $1,000 for the 4" er. The 4" er is in great condition, looking like it hasn't been used much, if at all....

So, I am dealing with one employee who is trying to help me. I have asked the helpful employee to hold the guns while I see if the owner will come down some for a "package deal." That was done. In the mean time, I have some work obligations (this was last week starting on Wednesday. Had work on Thursday involving a 13 hour day.... Helpful employee is off Friday and so am I. I text this employee and ask about the call to the guns owner. No response... No problem. Employee is off Friday. Send text today to ask about owner response. Response is "owner says only $50 off." I text back "I'll take the offer and I will buy the guns."

I have bought about 10-15 guns from this gun store since it began selling guns 20 years ago and have purchased accessories, ammunition, parts, and whatever else was needed for my hobby. The employees have been there from the beginning. It is a family owned-operated store. So, today, I get a response from helpful employee who tells me that the owner will come down $50. I text "I accept the offer" and ask for the hold to continue. Helpful employee tells me that the other (older) employee has taken the guns from hold and put them back on the wall (for sale)....! Older employee is related to helpful employee... I am dumbfounded. I ask helpful to remind older that I have made numerous purchases and thought that my word was still honorable. Helpful texts that they are uncomfortable being "in the middle." I agree. I ask if I should call owner of store. No response. I understand and do not want helpful to be in this any longer. I call store owner and explain. He says that he had no idea. I understand and he conforms that I have always honored my commitments to the store. So he says that he will take care f the matter and does so. I get text from helpful emp. that guns are now in safe. And can wait until I can get the money up for full payment after the 21st....

Ok, long-winded explanation. Sorry. To my question: Why are some gun store employees such Adam Henry's? Older employee was NEVER in this deal. Wasn't asked to be in deal and didn't need to be involved. Just took it upon himself to put the guns back on display even after being told that they were for me..... I know this guy. I have never had cross words or difficulties. Have discussed guns and related things and have even asked his opinion about guns. Just don't understand. But this: If he was the store owner... This would have been the last transaction I would ever had made in this store.....

So he says that he will take care f the matter and does so. I get text from helpful emp. that guns are now in safe. And can wait until I can get the money up for full payment after the 21st....

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In your shoes, I would just say "All's well that ends well."

I don't know, but I hope the $50 was worth it.

Mountain meet mole hill.

Just two quick opinions off the top of my head. In any business with
several employees there may be a lack of communication between
them about any one transaction. Also it isn't the store's problem that
you might have a long work day. You expect them to take two
expensive guns off the market, possibly losing a sale, on your word
alone when you haven't even put down any deposit. The store
employees might be asking the same question as you are; why are
some customers such Adam Henrys?

Possible that the older employee has been burned a few times by people who said hold it and never came back or finished the deal. I bet its not all that uncommon. It may have been different if the older guy had dealt with you before. Seems the problem wasn't that hard to fix and everyone came out happy. You are happy to have the guns, right?

Why are store employees such **********?

It comes from dealing with the public. Contrary to a commonly quoted misapprehension, the customer is actually wrong about 97% of the time, but even when faced with a well trained specialist, will argue any point.

Congrats on purchasing what sounds like 2 nice guns. I'd be happy about that and move on.

Jack Flash said:

In your shoes, I would just say "All's well that ends well."

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Yeah, pretty much this. I'm glad it ended well. I've had similar situations end not so successfully.

I can't tell from the OP whether these were shop-owned guns or consignment guns... ... but no shop around me would ever hold a consignment gun for 21 days for me under any circumstances (let alone 2 guns). And if these are shop-owned guns, the shops around me would still want a hefty deposit and layaway agreement to hold a gun that long (again, let alone 2 guns). I think you are very lucky.

Cash is king. Then again I don't carry that much scratch.

You can bet I got enough down to hold the deal until I can get to the bank.

Lets make a deal.

Nice guns. I have learned that if you see them and want them give the store a deposit until you get paid, go to bank whatever.

For $2,250.00 whats $50??

Aircrewman said:

...If he was the store owner... This would have been the last transaction I would ever had made in this store.....

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That's pretty much the situation I am in.

I have been a steady, regular, dependable customer at my family-owned LGS for 25 years. Whenever I go in there, I make it a point to buy something, even if it's only a box of .22 or a bore brush, so I can support a local business. (It's tough times for gun shops in my state, and there is a Wal-Mart less than a mile away.)

I have never had an issue of any kind in this store. I have referred friends there on many occasions. I walk in the door and they know me. I've bought and transferred a lot of guns from them over the years. They generally price their guns fairly, and I don't haggle over the price.

The store changed hands about 18 months ago, with one brother -- who'd been the original owner -- buying it back from his younger sibling. And man, did things change!

About eight months ago, I was looking to trade in a lightly used Series 80 XSE Colt Government Model. I'd bought it new, and had put less than 100 rounds through it...it's in pristine condition, not a scratch or mark anywhere on it. The owner looked at it, declared that it "obviously" had had a lot of use, and made me a ridiculously low offer, which I didn't accept. (I still have the Colt.)

Then, in mid-April, while browsing in the store, I noticed a 1960s-vintage Browning Challenger. I looked at it and decided to buy it, and again, I didn't haggle over the price. However, the owner informed me that he no longer accepts personal checks. When I expressed my incredulity, given my long relationship with the store, he demurred, and told me that well, okay, he would accept a check from me...but I would have to wait for it to clear before picking up the gun. I politely told him that I would never do business with him again...

Still shaking my head over this, but it is what it is...

Rule3 said:

Nice guns. I have learned that if you see them and want them give the store a deposit until you get paid, go to bank whatever.

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Absolutely! No deposit = No deal. You want them? Then get to an ATM or give a charge card number and prove it.

And I just saw from the other thread that these are, in fact, consignment guns. In my world, getting a shop to hold a consignment gun without a deposit for 21 days is nothing short of a miracle. I find that amazing. My own brother (bless his soul) wouldn't do that for me!

Rule3 said:

For $2,250.00 whats $50??

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For poor old me, $50.00 is still $50.00 whether it's on top of a hundred dollar purchase or a $5K purchase. I've walked away from guns over as little as $20.00. Sometimes principles matter more than adding another gun to the accumulation.

Beemerguy53 said:

About eight months ago, I was looking to trade in a lightly used Series 80 XSE Colt Government Model. I'd bought it new, and had put less than 100 rounds through it...it's in pristine condition, not a scratch or mark anywhere on it. The owner looked at it, declared that it "obviously" had had a lot of use, and made me a ridiculously low offer, which I didn't accept. (I still have the Colt.)

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I've never tried to trade-in one gun for another, but I've certainly watched the process enough times to know that dealers aren't inclined to give the big bucks for anything. Even the very best and most honest dealers out there still want to make a few bucks and hopefully stay in business. Your dealer may have over-played his hand a bit, but I'd never hold it against any dealer who saw less value in a potential trade-in gun than I saw in it. Better to sell it outright or put it on consignment (if that's more convenient) in order to get your target price for it.

Negotiating a deal through a guy who isn't the decision maker with money that's not in pocket... that leaves plenty of room for issues to arise.

As far as the particulars of this situation.... I have no clue. But I can say this with all certainty-- It is quite common for an employer/boss to say one thing to a worker (directly or in a general offhand comment) but do another, particularly when talking to the customer. So maybe the employee was recently chewed out for holding guns for guys who eventually didn't show, or made a general comment that he's tired of getting screwed over holding guns... who knows...

When any type of deal doesn't work out as planned or has snags along the way I look at what I could do differently next time. That's generally worked well for me.

Not to defend the employees, but selling firearms is a bit different from used cars. I expect a serious demeanor, not a plaid sport coat and big smile. First time I walked into what's become my LGS of choice, the hired help all looked at me like I owed them money. That's all changed in the interim, but at the time I couldn't help thinking WTH.

Absolutely! No deposit = No deal.

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It's the old saw, money talks and **** walks.

Perhaps one exception to the above. If I were dealing with a long time client, I may hold something for a max. of two hours.

If I'm selling them and the offer is less than full price, I wouldn't hold them for more than the rest of the day without a deposit of some sort, in the chance a full price offer came along. Even with the deposit, the end of the month is a long time . . .

I'm glad you were able to purchase the firearms you wanted. I do a fair amount of business with a couple of local gun stores and one independent FFL holder. I would not expect any of these to hold $2200 of merchandise for a substantial amount of time without a cash deposit or at least a valid credit card number regardless of our relationship. I suspect there are not a large number of customers who are in the market for niche firearms in the four figure price range. To categorize gun store employees as AHs based on the situation described is unfair on your part in my opinion.

As a gun sales person many years ago I can assure you that there are great object lessons on both sides. The public at large is stupid about guns and make some awful comments and some very awful gun handling. My past experience is make a deposit to hold and then always follow up. I have gotten several great deals with a small deposit to hold while I raised the cash. I even have left $10 to take off the sales floor for one week with the agreement that if no contact they get to keep the $10. Works for me!