Retiring to a LGS

[wuluf]

I'll be retiring soon and going to work part time at my local gun shop. Worked retail before and customer service for 40 plus years but never in guns. Any advice for an old newbie?

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[Laketime]

What a great way to retire and spend all your earnings.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

My first boss in the retail business -- a haberdashery -- taught me a key to success: know your wares.

His sage advice served me well when I went to work part time in the gun department of a major sporting goods store in 1980. I was a S&W revolver guy and had to learn a lot about pistols, shotguns, rifles, ammo, scopes, and the rest.

Don't try to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. They'll see right through you, and your credibility will suffer.

Have fun!

 

[Doug627]

Prepare yourself. Practice smiling in a mirror while listening to rap music. Practice pausing before answering questions. You will meet some very knowledgeable people and you will learn from them. You will also meet people who know nothing about firearms. Many will be looking to you for guidance. Others won't want you to say anything but "Have a nice day and thank you for your business". Be very careful when giving sage advice. Don't embarrass customers it's not your shop. Carry a bottle of Tylenol in your pocket. Don't be hesitant to tell a customer you don't know something. Find another employee who does know to help the customer. Then stick around to learn the answer for future reference. Above all, have a good time.

 

[poprivit]

The ones that go round and round are called "revolvers".
The ones that go back and forth are semi-autos.

 

[Baxter6551]

Direct deposit your paycheck into your wife's account. Otherwise - at least me anyways - I would never see a dime. Just would need a bigger safe.

 

[Bekeart]

Be Honest

#1: Know what you know.

#2: Know what you do not know.

#3: When you do not know an answer, try to find out.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The ones that go round and round are called "revolvers".
The ones that go back and forth are semi-autos.

Well said!

 

[sigp220.45]

Sell the customer what they want, not what you need to sell.

 

[Bald1]

Be prepared for tactiCOOL millennials referencing Call of Duty while looking at plastic guns

 

[Skeet 028]

Some good advice above. I started my own shop. Loved shooting!. Remember when you work at something you really like....It turns into another job. And yeah../leave cash, checks and credit cards HOME. Always keep a side stash for those grail guns

 

[Chuck24]

When I retired and went to work in a pawn shop to help get his firearm business going, I was unprepared for the amount of time I would spend in court for the people that lied on the state and federal background check forms. Also one thing my boss impressed on me was that I was not obligated to sell a gun to anyone, regardless of background check, if their actions or speech made me uncomfortable. Watch for straw purchases, especially guys that look at a gun and then send someone else in to buy it.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Watch out for people bringing in loaded guns. Some of them don't have a clue. Be picky about where they point and wave them around.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Congratulations. With you having long been successful in retail and CS you obviously know how to listen.

Just continue to do that.

 

[Fishinfool]

Congrats - I hope you enjoy it.

Don't forget the 50% discount for all S&W Forum members.....

Larry

 

[jdh]

Treat the people on the other side of the counter the way you would expect to be treated if the roles were reversed.

 

[Maddog 521]

I learned that my customers were the greatest people in the world and respect is mandatory.

 

[pawngal]

OK, 30+ years experience on both sides of the counter........
Treat women as real customers, we control much of money in this country and are buying guns in record numbers. Also, you never know, she might know more about guns that you do.
Encourage newbies to ask questions, show how the gun operates, emphasize safety, training and practice.
A small (like J frame) double action only is not a good choice for a new shooter.
Shotguns: A .410 is not a good choice for a child or smaller woman, make it a 20ga and they can enjoy it for a lifetime.
Rifles, don't know a lot about them other than .22lr.
Know the hunting laws in your state, when and what firearms can be used.
Know your state and local laws regarding open carry, conceal carry, in the home, in your car, stand your ground and all that legalize.
Watch for signs of a straw purchase, you CAN deny a sale or transfer, I have done it.
Don't deal with drunks and druggies.
In the firearms business, the customer is not always right!

 

[UncleEd]

The ones that go round and round are called "revolvers".
The ones that go back and forth are semi-autos.

Finally someone has explained
the difference to me---I think.

Now off to the fishing department to
learn about bottom feeders.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Becky, there is iron in your words of life.

Well stated.

 

[mckenney99]

Watch out for people bringing in loaded guns. Some of them don't have a clue. Be picky about where they point and wave them around.

Amen, I had more loaded guns pointed at me in 9 years working in gun shops than I had in 26 years of active law enforcement.
I had to disarm the same older customer twice when he repeatedly pointed his loaded pistol at me while trying to remember how to unload it.
To be honest, the folks that open carried were my biggest headache, because they had an overwhelming urge to "show" their gun to everyone.
Also as warned above, watch for "straw purchase" behaviors, pay attention to your customers and watch who is pointing out what to look at and handle and then buy. BATFE, news organizations and anti-gun organizations can, have and will attempt to bait you into making "straw purchases".

 

[H Richard]

I could only hope that this job will pay you more than you will spend there.

If your store does trading, I'd be broke in a week buying up all the great items people want to trade off.

 

[pawngal]

Becky, there is iron in your words of life.

Well stated.

Thank you. I can't begin to count the number of times I've been ignored or talked down to in various gun departments of big box stores, gun shows and especially at live auctions. Not so much in smaller independent gun stores.

To add to my original post......
Whatever system the store has set up for the NICS check, double check everything, expired DL, no go. Different address on DL, no go. Does the shop go ahead and transfer a delayed transaction after 3 business days? You are not required to do so.
One more, when handing a gun to a customer, open the action to show it is not loaded. A good first step in gun safety.
Also, there are several monthly publications that are free to firearms businesses, if the shop gets the print versions, read them. Otherwise you can get them online. One is Shooting Industry, another is Shooting Sports Retailer

 

[Rustyt1953]

Thank you. I can't begin to count the number of times I've been ignored or talked down to in various gun departments of big box stores, gun shows and especially at live auctions.

Sadly I have witnessed this all too often with Ruthie. As you know she was blessed with the same firey hair color as you and her being 4'10" I have seen many men talk down to her as if she had wandered to the grownups table by accident.


I say nothing as I watch her reduce them to ashes.

 

[wuluf]

Thank you all for the words of wisdom. I appreciate this thread and will take it to heart. I know I have much to learn.

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[Rudi]

Will you get an employee discount?

 

[Rlg#17]

Have fun! But be firm on safety! After working in various shops, including Police Supply stores that catered mostly to Leo's, I have seen more ADs in the shops then 31 years in Law Enforcement.

Most everything you make will be spent on items in the store!

Again, safety is a non-negotiation item. Be polite, but firm. Lotsa newbies out there.

Regards, Rick Gibbs

 

[pawncop]

The pointy end of the bullet goes towards the barrel.

Sorry, I could not resist.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Treat women as real customers, we control much of money in this country and are buying guns in record numbers. Also, you never know, she might know more about guns that you do.

So true. This deserves repeating.

A guy with a big, macho ego can kill a sale to a lady in seconds.

 

[wuluf]

Will you get an employee discount?

I'm afraid to ask, I actually need the income!

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