Gun Shop Clerk interaction....

[GypsmJim]

I had been dealing with the same LGS for over 40 years. He had a brick and mortar store, but in the early years he went to gun shows as well. Bought many a gun from him and he was my reloading component store as well.

Last year I wanted a micro nine and a check of his web site showed he had the 4 most popular models in stock. My entry into the shop showed a major change in the checkout / cash register and the clerk was a young gurl (I'm an old fart so they all look young to me.)

Behind the gun counter was another youngin. Looked wet behind the ears. I asked and was quickly showed the 4 models. I liked one and said I'll take it. But I had a trade. It was an old P1. At this point I was willing to cough up a couple hundred on top of the the trade, based on my Gunboards review of sold items. I got it from the car and he went into the back room to look online. When he came back, it was how about an even trade, no sales tax. I hesitated (not to look too anxious), but accepted the deal.

While doing the 4473 we talked and found out that the "kid" was as knowledgeable as any other store clerk I ever met, and the girlie was his wife and the new owner of the store.

One of the best trades I ever had. You never know. They are my new goto.

 

[Buford57]

A family owned shop near us has the closest indoor range. I had some short-term testing to do (15 minutes or so), so I went to the range while my wife shopped. When I came out, she was in the car, and steaming. She had spotted several handguns she wanted to see. All three 20 something male clerks stood at the opposite end of the counter (20 feet away) laughing and telling stories while she cleared her throat, tapped on the glass, stared at them (they stared back). None had asked to help or even acknowledged her presence. I went back the next time the (female) manager worked. Told her what happened. She was defensive at first. I reminded her that I bought 5 or 6 guns a year from her and suggested she keep an eye on her boys. There are a half dozen gun shops in the county, but I only have one wife. They straightened up, kept my business and eventually got hers back.

 

[TXBryan]

Sometimes it's like rolling dice.

I used to frequent a well-known LGS in a large Central Texas city. I've walked in there in less-than pristine clothing and I've perused their counters in a suit, white starched shirt, and tie. No matter how I was dressed there was always about an equal chance I'd be ignored or treated like a third-grader. Seemed to depend on the particular employees working that day and their mood - mostly older, knowledgeable guys but with attitude. They seemed to prefer customers that weren't educated or ignorant. The reloading room guy was always a pleasure and very helpful - so naturally they got rid of him (in fairness they were obviously making a strategic decision to de-emphasize the reloading components portion of their business).

It did not pay, at this particular establishment, to express concerns to the owner as he was regularly on the floor and one of the more abusive staffers. A right-fine example.

I did purchase firearms there on occasion. If you knew exactly what you were looking for, and they had it in stock, it was your lucky day. They didn't like ordering things seemingly preferring you should assist them with inventory reduction.

After they canned the reloading guy I ceased stopping by. Seems he was the only reason I knew my trip would be worthwhile. They're still in business and everyone I know that trades with them complains about the way they get treated there. Go figure.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My wife can hold her own when discussing a new gun at any gun store. She knows what she wants and what to look for, be it pistols or rifles. Usually she lets the counter guy dig his own hole, then proceeds to bury him. I usually stand close enough to hear the conversation…the best one was when the sales guy tried to talk her into something not suitable for EDC. She politely asked him what he carried for EDC…turns out he didn’t own any guns!

She would rather shop for guns than shoes…..and she’s been my first wife for 56 years!

 

[RobertJ.]

I'm sorry about your experience. He needs a new job elsewhere!

I had one, just a little more light-hearted. My wife and I were in a gun store in the Seattle area. I was looking at handguns, and while my wife waited, she played with the Crimson Trace display, putting the little red dot on various targets on the wall. The clerk said to her, "Those are completely adjustable for elevation and windage". She got a confused look and asked, "You have to adjust it according to the weather?" I could tell he wanted to laugh, but he held it together. I said, no that's not exactly what he means. I looked at him and asked, "You'll be telling that one later, won't you?" He said, "Oh, yeah!"

 

[GTS197]

My buddy owns a shop here locally, and I help him out every now and then. His staff is pretty good, but sometimes I witness teachable moments when it comes to CS. What I try to get across, is that in a majority of the cases, the customer knows exactly what it is they want…find them that item. Do not voice opinion unless asked for it and go in to each interaction believing that the customer knows more than you.

The “I know all” attitude exhibited by most counter help really aggravates me.


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