Dealer ever give you a hard time?

[11B Lifer]

Dealers have lost a number of sales to my wife-she'll ask to see a firearm-tell the clerk "please point it in a safe direction (not at me) and open it". Half the time a macho smart a--- will tell her something like "oh its empty sweet heart". End of sale-
We also have a dealer in our area who supports gun control! Now thats a problem!

 

[USAF385]

Originally posted by 11B Lifer:
We also have a dealer in our area who supports gun control!

Uh.. well that sounds like a walking oxymoron...

 

[BarbC]

that sounds like a walking <STRIKE>oxy</STRIKE>moron...

 

[cmort666]

Originally posted by BarbC:

that sounds like a walking <STRIKE>oxy</STRIKE>moron...

There used to be a gunstore in Milan, Ohio run by a bunch of cops. The guy who ran the safety and security forces for us at NASA Plum Brook worked there part time, so every time I went to Plum Brook, I'd drop by.

One day I was looking around and I heard one of the cops wax idiotic to another about how all private sales should be banned and every firearms purchase should have to be through an FFL. I never bought anything else there and apparently others took the same approach since they're now out of business.

 

[zercool]

Originally posted by BarbC:
The Gander Mountain out in Middletown, NY wouldn't even let me hold a gun because I didn't have a New York permit.

Barb, just to clarify, that's not a Gander policy, that's NY law. No dealer in NY <STRIKE>will</STRIKE> is supposed to allow anyone to possess (and in NY that means "hold") a handgun without showing a valid NYS pistol permit.

My dealers have declined to let me fondle a gun when I didn't have my permit with me. They both know me by sight, know I have a permit, but they have to protect their business first, and I respect that. They're always courteous about it.

 

[MrJT]

I was at a shop today... looking at a used model 22.

I gave it a good look over. Pretty dirty by my standards, but not a huge issue. I was testing the ejector rod when I got some rust colored oil on my hand... and then from the cylinder arm joint... more rust colored oil. All of a sudden I notice every "crack or seam" has funky looking oil coming out of it.

I asked the guy if they cleaned their used guns befre putting them out and he got all huffy!

After that It was all I could do to get his attention if I wanted to see a gun. I ended up going home empty handed.... Too bad for him. I had $1,000 in cash on me.

 

[Camster]

Small thing,but I noted this a few times.In my area,all dealers have their pistols locked in the cases.(some have learned the hard way about someone leaning over and stealing one.)
That said, I have gone to stores to browse,and find the clerk virtually matching my steps from case to case as I look.I find it annoying-I'm 56 y.o.square guy,who wouldn't ask to see anything without presenting my NY PL or having a real interest, not a punk looking to smash the case and run.If I need their help, I can summon them from a few steps down the counter.

 

[USAF385]

Small thing,but I noted this a few times.In my area,all dealers have their pistols locked in the cases.(some have learned the hard way about someone leaning over and stealing one.)
That said, I have gone to stores to browse,and find the clerk virtually matching my steps from case to case as I look.I find it annoying-I'm 56 y.o.square guy,who wouldn't ask to see anything without presenting my NY PL or having a real interest, not a punk looking to smash the case and run.If I need their help, I can summon them from a few steps down the counter.

I was in one of the local shops I frequent the other day.... Nobody in sight. I was looking through the case for a good minute or two before I noticed the older gent who works there was in the back. He poked his head out and asked if I needed anything, then went back to unpacking guns in the back... I'm sure he has cameras and a monitor, but I could have easily stolen a used rifle (which are out in the middle of the store) or a handgun that was on the wall behind the counter (some are locked in the glass case, other are on the wall behind.)

OBVIOUSLY I didn't take anything.. but man anyone could have..

 

[bmhiii]

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).

Works that way here in Missouri also.

But I thought the clerk in the above example would offer up a pound or two of mud bugs instead of the fries!

 

[Camster]

I'm in New York with the same purchase scenario mentioned by someone above.Sure, not as easy as some of you have,but no 10 day thing, no limit to how many I can buy, and if I want to do the road time in getting the purchase order from PD headquarters 40 miles away, I can have the gun in my possession in the same day I buy it.Of course, I have to do the same road trip within 10 days of getting it,to have it added to my PL.All handguns and their ser# are indicated on a NY PL.

 

[gunlovingirl]

I've never had a problem with a lgs allowing me to handle a gun, but at one lgs, where I had purchased a gun a couple months earlier, I did have a problem with the resident gunsmith. I called him, looking for a part, and was told "I probably have it, but I don't want to spend 15 minutes looking for it. Call the manufacturer." Now, I'm sure he was busy, and it wouldn't have involved a lot of profit, but I expected a little more than I got. Like maybe, I'm busy now, but if you want to call back later in the day, I'll look for the part. I complained to the owner, who knew me from previous purchases, and needless to say, the gunsmith denied telling me that. I now go to a different lgs. By the way USAF385, if I were behind the counter and you needed assistance with anything, you'd get whatever you asked for, with a smile!

 

[Photog]

There was a shop in my town that lasted about 2 years. The owner had more money than brains and has some very nice stuff, such as first gen Colt SAA's in original boxes, a collection of Walther PPK's, and other Colt's that would make a collector cry.
I was in there one day looking for a magazine for a Walther PPK. He had about 75 of them in a case, I asked the price. He said anywhere from 350 to 5000 dollars depending...never did find out what depending was since he turned away and went back to his desk.
A few minutes later the door opened and in walked, or tried to walk in, a man and his teenage son. The owner looked up and said, "Unless you are going to purchase something worth my time, don't bother to come in."
He went out of business not too long after that. Good riddance!

 

[USAF385]

By the way USAF385, if I were behind the counter and you needed assistance with anything, you'd get whatever you asked for, with a smile!

Well THANK YOU Misty. and I'm sure I'd be back since customer service can really make or break the deal with me!

 

[dick44]

Hard Time from a dealer

Hello this doesnot relate to guns. Back in the early 60ths.
I worked in a chevy parts dept at nite 3-11. I had a good parts customer that bought
lots of truck parts.{He owed a building demolition co.} Any way he asked if I knew a
good salesmans { always dressed in bib overhauls} A couple of days later he was back
for some more parts. I asked if he got helped he said he stood around for 10 mins or
so and then left went up the street to another Chev dealer and bought 15 new 3/4 ton
pickups paid cash on the spot. Anyway I seen the salesmans the next day and asked
why he didn't wait on the guy? He said you mean that dirty bum you sent over here
I said yes he went up the street and bought 15 new 3/4 pickup and paid cash about
38000 dollars talk about him being mad.

dick44

 

[ingmansinc]

I would have told the clerk that I was profit and he was overhead. Take off the lock now or go get me someone who can.

 

[minuteman]

Yes, Bass Pro Shop/Outdoor World in Charlotte refused to take a lock off a handgun so I could look at it. I don't know if this was just a jerk sales person or if this is store policy. Doesn't matter now, they've lost my business.

 

[phenson]

I was at the Dothan, AL gunshow on the 4th of July this year. It seemed everyone was a little angry, maybe the economy, I don't know. I had a couple of revolvers in a case and sat them down on a vendor's table for just a second to talk to an acquaintence. This part of the table had no merchandise on it. As soon as I sat my case down the vendor came running over and informed me he had paid for the table and I had not, and I needed to get my stuff off of it. He was selling ammo, and my next move was going to be to buy some ammo from him. I'm sure he sold it all that day or the next, but not to me. That was one of about 3 bad experiences I had there in about a 2 hour period. I don't think I'm going to go back again. I used to really enjoy gun shows but lately it seems there are more and more bad attitudes there.

 

[afriqueart]

I have a local dealer who is a retired gun shop owner. He now has a shop in his basement. He can get anything new that I want. Price isn't as good as a big box store but, I'd gladly pay more to keep a local mom and pop in business.

I just completed a purchase from a forum member. No problem and I will do business with him again.

I'm a nostalgic about most everything I purchase. There are few made in China products that will stand up to a vintage US made product. I almost always will opt for used if I can and depending on the item. I buy a lot of "stuff" on the internet and have never really had a problem (what I might pay for shipping is usually less than the sales tax I would have paid here).

If I encounter a rude sales person, I always contact the manager and explain why I will not be making a purchase. Likewise, if I find an exceptional person, I will go out of my way to let management know about that experience.

There are too many businesses with good staff who truly want to earn my business. I don't ever do business with those who don't prove that they value me as a customer. I go out of my way to avoid them.

 

[Mike Boyd]

Great Customer Service!!!

I work part time in a "sporting good store." We sell guns, archery equipment and fishing equipment. I'm one of the gun guys and admittedly know virtually nothing about archery or fishing. Sometimes, I'm the only person on the sales floor. I take customers one at a time, in the order they come in. Some people have to wait a long time. I explain the situation and if they choose to leave, so be it. The neophyte who knows nothing gets the same respect/attention that a regular customer gets. I tell potential customers I'll be glad to show them every gun in the display case.

I get a lot of first time gun buyers looking for "a Glock." They generally know nothing about guns but saw a Glock in a movie. I ask them if they really want that particular gun, or would they like suggestions. I tell them I'll sell them whatever gun they want, but if they want my opinion, I'll give it to them. I also suggest they get Rolan Craps' (David Steier's) book, Guns 101. I tell them I used to collect coins and there was a saying, "Buy the book first." I suggest they get some gun books and do a bit of internet searching, so they don't get something they won't like. I even suggest they go to a range and rent a few guns before they buy. I have spent hours with a potential customer, who leaves, saying, "Thanks." I tell my boss I'm "planting seeds." He agrees and has no problem with that. Sometimes, the people come back and buy, and sometimes they don't.

I get to handle all sorts of guns and get paid for it. What else can a person want out of a job? Arrogant people on both sides of the counter get what they deserve. I get people coming in acting like total jerks. If they cross the invisible line, I'll ask them to leave, saying I don't get paid to put up with their crap. This is an extremely rare situation. Most, about 99.99% of our customers are polite and respectful.

If any of you are ever in the Tinley Park, IL area, stop by Freddie Bear Sports and say hello. I work Thursday and Friday afternoons and all day Sunday (after church of course). I'm the fat guy with the leather vest.

You most likely have groupies by now. It is so refreshing to hear about someone who knows how important it is to make that good first impression, since you only get ONE opportunity to do so! The NEWBIE is tomorrow's enthusiast, who could be spending a bundle collecting what you have to sale. Good customers know when you are busy, and often will wait patiently for the turn at good service. I have found good service, believe it or not at WalMart and Academy, usually from older people who knew what they were talking about.

Sam Walton said that the customer hires us when he or she shops from us and FIRES us when poor customer service invites them to spend their money some place else!! Babalooie, Keep up your great service, just wish you were at a gun shop here in San Antonio! I would be spending my money in your store