IS IT JUST ME!!!!

[Harrison]

Simple reason for the dumbing down of American youth. They are America's future generation. In not too many years us older guys that know how to think and can remember a better time will be gone. It is alot easier for politicians to lead the ignorent and gullible around, and to fool them.

 

[bobkk]

We have two Walmarts close to my house. Both have people in sporting goods that know about ammo and guns. Only thing I don't like is they want you to pay for ammo at the sporting good counter. Other one lets you pay at front checkout. Dicks put ammo in a plastic box until you check out. Cashier can open it but you can't. Don't buy there they don't have any good prices.

 

[vista461]

All 4 of the Dunhams by me are the same way. I think its company policy. LOL

 

[SharpshooterOPD]

It seems to me that for something as specialized and potentially dangerous as firearms and ammunition, managers would want to hire people with at least some knowledge of the product line. Then again, I don't claim to be a business mogul.

HRF

 

[brucev]

I live in a rural area. If I buy ammo, I just about have to go to Wal-Mart. They do normally have the calibers I shoot, except they seldom have .38 Special in anything but 125gr. JHP. The sales persons normally are very nice. They are not gun people. But they can usually be found and they don't have attitudes. Recently bought some WWB... $34.97/100 rds. Not cheap... but shoots really good in my S&W 625-2. The WWB .40 S&W works great in my Glock G-22. Normally goes for $28.97/100 rds.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Oh how I can relate to this!

I remember once when I went to the former Venture store at the age of 14 to buy some CO2 cartridges for my BB gun and the salesman asked to see my FOID card! Yes I had one, and yes I politely explained to him that I wasn't buying ammunition. Nothing doing, he proceeded to explain store policy to me! So I left and went to K-mart and got said catridges without the hassle!
Thats why I buy my ammo at gun stores that have guys and gals carrying, at least they know what they're selling. Dale

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Stories like this make me even more happy to be a reloader. That does not mean that those of you that do not should have to put up with this BS. I do believe that I would have told a manager about the situation along with the apparent apathy of said worker before leaving the building. I applaud you for keeping your cool.


WG840

 

[BE Mike]

I was thinking more along the lines of whoever decided to make the handgun ammo not self-service.

Unfortunately that is an anti-theft measure. A lot of ammo can walk away.

 

[LadySmithShooter]

Oh how I love a good rant. The more sarcasm.....the better. Sorry it's so frustrating out there......I feel ya.....but that was the best laugh I've had all day. Thank you.

Brenda

 

[Crazy88Fingers]

Well when the employer is offering a part-time minimum wage job, don't be surprised when you find a part-time minimum work employee. I try to avoid the chain stores because of this (no matter what I'm buying). I'd rather spend a few more bucks at a small local shop where people know what they're doing, and don't seem to hate me. Plus, my money stays local.

 

[scooter123]

The suits just hire the cheapest thing that can breath. Blame the educational system in this country. If you think the rant is upsetting, how are you going to feel when the vote and procreate?

IMO that's been going on for a couple of generations now.

In general whenever possible. I do my shopping an small local shops that are privately owned. Have a hardware store a couple of miles from home that only seems to hire kids who would qualify as Rhodes Scholars, it never ceases to amaze me that they have actually found and trained their employees to the level where they can actually answer any question you have or locate someone who can answer your question. Try finding repair parts for a 60 year old faucet at one of the big box stores and you'll either walk out with a brand new faucet or in a mood to nuke the house. Walk into that local hardware store and I have the correct parts in hand plus tips on how to do the repair with minimum fuss. As for the price differences, at my age keeping my blood pressure in the "safe" range is vastly more important than a few dollars.

Point is that a lot of the poor service that we see is a result of our accepting poor service in trade for lower prices. Hopefully someday people will start to realize that some things are actually more important than the price.

 

[SharpshooterOPD]

To all of you who have essentially said: "This is what you get for going to a large chain retailer instead of a small privately owned gun shop."

I wanted to tell you, you're right. Normally I try to patronize the small privately owned shops. There's nothing better than walking into a place where the owner knows you by name, and offers you a cup of coffee when you come through the door. Then you and he spend the next hour (or two, or three) talking guns, hunting, politics, or whatever. All the while purusing his wares and figuring out what he has that you can't live without.

I have many good memories of days just like that. Unfortunately, the small shops are vanishing one by one (around these parts anyway). Some of those good shop owners have gone on to their reward, others have just given up trying to compete with the big chains and closed their doors. There are a few left, and I get to them when I can.

On the day of my encounter, my travels took my near to the store I wrote about in my original post. Yes, I was hoping to save a buck or two, but I also didn't have a lot of other options. So maybe I got what I deserved, but I would have gladly gone to one of those old time shops if there was one close to where I was that day.