Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Handloader · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Mom and Pop gunshops seem to have personalities all their own. When you visit the smaller owner operated shops, what are some of your pet peeves? What appeals to you? If you owned a gunshop, what would you do differently from the ones you visit?

chambered221 · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

The biggest thing I’ve noticed with the local shops is, the longer their in business the less of a tolerance they have for dealing with a certain class of customers that walk through the door.

I use to have a vision of owning a gun shop, that vision came to an end after spending hours at other local shops and seeing what I’d be dealing with.
I can tell you stories that would make you laugh all night long and leave you scratching and shaking your head.

One of the most memorable was the guy that wanted ammo for his 7mm.
The shop owner asked for what 7mm he needed it for and the fun began.
This guy had no idea there was more than one 7mm ever made, and trying to explain to him the different 7mm’s available only lead to more hostilities, the use of bad language and a customer getting asked to leave and not willing to do so without his ammo.

My biggest pet peeve deals with pets themselves!!!
I do not like being greeted by a barking or growling dog or one that wants to hump your leg every time you walk through the door.
For those of you that let your dogs roam your shop, guess what ??? Not everybody likes it or is comfortable with it.
There is one shop I absolutely refuse to go back to and one that I will not take my boy to because of dogs.
It’s not that I don’t like pets mind you, I just don’t think it’s the right place for them. The fact that I have a severe allergy to dog and cat dander doesn‘t help either.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Wow chambered! You must have hit the same gun shops I have! Seriously, I much prefer the older mom and pop shops. I love browsing through their wares and finding oddities among their trading stock. You don't find customized Martini Cadets in .218 Mashburn Bee at your local WalMart. Yes, some have developed personalities that need an adjustment, but most are helpful and are usually knowledgeable.

And as to the humping dog...I think I might want to wear long pants when I went in there! Shocked

wiersy111 · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

There are two gun shops I frequent near home. One is the shop run by an elderly guy that has the oddities that are very hard to find. His gun prices aren't to bad but the ammo price is crazy. I can sit in there and BS with him for hours. I stop a lot because it's close, every once in a while he catches me off guard with something nice. If I don't have the cash he will put it on lay away for how ever long I need to with no finance charge.

The other shop is 30 miles or so but has better prices and has some reloading goodies. It is owned by three brothers two of whom are really nice and easy to deal with the third is just not real friendly. The problem I find there is it's more of a tourist town and some of the people that go in there. I run in to a lot of out of towners that seem to think they are more important then anyone else. Today I was in there buying a gun when one of these such yuppie's walked right up to the counter as the owner and I were making the deal and just interrupted us asking if he could just grab his gun that was being fixed and take it. It just amazed me that he would think he was important enough to interrupt a $700 deal. The owner got a little gruff with him because he didn't know who he was, what his gun was if it was done, or how much the repairs cost. I must say MR Yuppie left there with out his gun but he did have a brand new bad attitude. Mad

Gil Martin · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:20 am Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Over the years, I have been in a lot of gun shops. I only patronize those that treat me as valued customer. These shops have friendly, knowledgeable folks working there. They hold stuff that I might like, give me discounts and opened a store account for me. I really like them. All the best...
Gil

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

I'd prefer to deal with a local business when I can. I've been some places where the guys behind the counter were knowledgeable and helpful. They might even work with you some on the price. I don't mind traveling some to buy from them.

I've been to others where the guys were full of BS, just trying to sell something. "Nobody even makes magnum shotgun primers, you want these right here..." "Shooting FMJ bullets in your gun will ruin the bore but I have these softpoints over here..." Even worse, when talking to a woman that had no experience with shooting, "No ma'am, this .45 hardly kicks at all but will knock a man clean off his feet..." Now I can't tell you for sure whether these guys were that uninformed or that dishonest but I can tell that I generally don't go back to those places.

Handloader · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Both sides of the counter can do better, but, it is the place of the gunshop to make the first move and do what they can to help, objectively, the customer. I've had to let sales people go because they can't get around their own personal prejudice for or against certain brands, certain cartridges, etc.

Funny story, happened today. A guy comes in and was easy to notice because he was loud. Interested in a specific Ruger BH, he decided to get it and was filling out the 4473 when he came to the question about domestic violence. He answered "yes". That, of course, disqualifies him for purchase and when so informed his reply was, " . . . well doesn't every married man have a DV arrest at one time or another?!" Leaving the store, he responded to a question from his wife about why he didn't get the handgun to which he said, "shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you!" Big guy, pot belly. Worse, far worse, he wore his ballcap backward ( a sure sign of immaturity); fittingly, it was a Dodger hat. Very Happy

We operate under the adage that 3% of the customers will give you 97% of your problems. Fire them, send them down the road. The same ration probably works out for employees. There are simply too many courteous and sincere folks out there to put up with the louts.

One other thing. No one knows it all, regardless of experience or background. Every week there are new things learned, often from the customer, sometimes from other sources. Listening is one of the more important virtues of being adept at sales and enjoying our fellow man. Unless its Obama, of course.

gelandangan · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

here in the Great Land Of Oz,
we just dont have enough gun shops to pick and choose as you 'mericans do.
Yes there are a few gun shops in the city I live in, but when you are out of town,
you got to take whatever you can get.

Due to the "politically incorrect" business of selling guns and ammunitions,
not many people willing to jump through the hoops to get the permit to sell guns and ammo.
In fact, in the last 10 years, I believe, I do not know of any new gunshop open in Sydney,
On the other hand, I know of a few gunshops closed.. Most notably is Mick's in the City.

New regulations were made here every day to make it harder for licensed law abiding citizens to get guns,
for good experienced dealer to sell guns and
for newer enthusiasts to get license.
On the other hand, if you want just a gun and dont care about how or from whom or law in general,
crims for instance, can get guns anywhere, and their "gun shops" are thriving...

I run a shop that got to do with shooting (cameras, not guns) and I agree with Handloader,
there are characters on both side of the counter that leave much to be desired.

And that 7mm story by Chambered? yup.. happens in every type of business.
Customers thought we can read minds.... then again maybe we can.. Very Happy

So.. every 3 months or so, I go out to the bush and KILL something Evil or Very Mad

Bwahahahahahaha

sniper · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

gelandangan wrote:

So.. every 3 months or so, I go out to the bush and KILL something Evil or Very Mad

Bwahahahahahaha

Gelan, you are beginning to worry me! Hiding

wiersy111 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

It's simple whenever homicidal tendencies hit go hunting, best therapy in the world. Very Happy

stovepipe · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

There's a few shops left around here that aint been run out of town by the Left.

A couple are complete grouches. I got a little put off at first but then ignored it then, realised what these poor devils have to work with every day.

John Q. Public, out here, is about the most over-educated yet STUPID bunch you have ever met. They see a movie and want to go to a store or indoor range, rent a firearm and "git sum". Or- try to engage the range officer in a conversation about same or a purchase. That never ends well. Laughing

Day in, day out. Idoits on parade.
No wonder the counter help around here is grouchy.

I just do my thing and every once in a while someone will say 'hi' to me by name, between them escorting the idiots out.

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

It wasn't all that long ago that I was corrected by some snot-nosed candy azz punk that swore I was referring to "short" AR's as "carbon" guns. When I explained that I was shooting the "long" ones Uncle Sam supplied before he was shootin' turds into diapers, he really copped an attitude with me, and insisted I had no idea what the M16 even consisted of.

This was in a local shop that I've known the owner for years. Needless to say, my friend fired him. Since then CandyAzzBoy flunked outta "Border Patrol"school, and is tryin to sign on with any local Police Dept. that will hire him.

wiersy111 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

That's just the type of walking attitude I would want as law enforcement.

English Mike · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Though it's not a gun shop, I'm someone with a view from the other side of the counter as I own a fishing tackle shop & there are similarities.

I treat ALL customers to the same degree of politeness & interest in their needs until I get to know them.
After that, it depends on how they've treated me............

Just like firearms people, there are good, bad & downright dim types & very occasionally my exasperation with the latter might show through.:bonk:

Sure beats working for a living.

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Gunshops, Pros and Cons

Hey English Mike, I caught a fish one time that was sooooo big the picture I took of it weighed over 5lbs. !!! Laughing