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Gunsmithing Just have to vent to someone....

N

nfitton

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
May 15, 2011
28
4
52
Mid Georgia
I had a guy come in today asking for a scope mount for his SKS. Took him over and showed him a couple of options. He said no he already had that, he needed the things that held the scope on... "You mean rings?" "Yeah, the ones I have now don't work". He proceeded to tell me he needed really high ones. I showed him the ring selection and asked him what was going on. He explained at 300 yards, he was hitting way too low and couldn't adjust the scope any more, so he wanted higher rings and wanted the ones that came in two different "sizes". Apparently the guy at the local pawn shop that sold him the gun told him that if he used rings with two different heights, it would compensate for running out of elevation. I tried to explain that this only works if this takes place in the scope base itself. That you couldn't mount a scope using rings of different heights. He then proceeded to tell me that I didn't know what I was talking about. That just because I didn't have them that I had a poor selection and I shouldn't be working with firearms...

Please tell me that I am not the only one out there with customers this bad...

Feel free to post your own nightmare conversations and make me feel like I'm in good company...
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Biting my tongue reading this - but only in the south is the first thing that comes to mind. No offense, of course.
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Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Just remember, the customer is always right.
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Re: Just have to vent to someone....

I'm not a gunsmith, but in my business,,,,,, there are certain customers I just cannot afford. Hello, thanks for thinking of us, so sorry we can't help you. Bye.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

I would have told him to get out of the store. Just leave don't come back until you are willing to listen. Then if he gets mouthy or doesn't want to leave I call the cops.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jayman_10X</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Biting my tongue reading this - but only in the south is the first thing that comes to mind. No offense, of course.
smile.gif
</div></div>

First thing that came to mind after reading your post was

"Well, I heard ole jayman put her down
Well, I hope jayman_10x will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow".

No offense, of course.
smile.gif
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Burris signature zee rings would have worked he probably just didn't remember what they were called
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

You can lead a novice to knowledge, but you can't make him believe...

You may want to stop expecting everyone to get it the first time through.

Or not...; your call...

Greg
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

It's ultimately a business decision - do you invest the time in educating a customer in the hopes that it brings more business (usually a longer-term investment), or do you push the customer off on someone else? It's one of the most difficult decisions to make when running a business. I would certainly advise that one leave behind any condescending attitude while making this decision (and that's tough; trust me, I know!).

In this case, opening a catalog and showing the customer a set of Burris Signature rings probably would have earned some business.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Let him have it his way. He wants two different ring heights, sell em to him. You did your best to explain it, rest is on him.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

If any of you are in retail, I'm sure like me you you deal with this every day... The guys who hang out in the shop always ask me how I keep from strangling half the people who come in.

I think one of my favorites is this guy who comes in occasionally (of course he is a self proclaimed marine force recon sniper...),who always talks shit. One of my ranger buddies was in one day and he graced us with his pleasure. I have to bite my tongue because of trying to make a sale, but I encouraged my buddy to do as he thought appropriate. Needless to say my customers actual military service was brought into question, along with other things, but the guy even after being outed kept on. He went on to tell us we couldn't shoot especially compared to him. He says he regularly shoots 1200 yards. Which in and of itself isn't a big deal until he said it was with his sks. I had to intercede at that point and challenge him saying it couldn't be done. His response... "Well I do use a scope, even I couldn't do it with iron sights..." I asked is this a once in a while deal on a sheet of plywood? He said no, it was every time, on a standard target. I tried to explain that no matter how good a shooter you are, the ballistics of the round prohibit it from being that accurate at that distance. He still insisted he does it. Needless to say everyone in the store bet him $100 for it to be done. He Tried to get out of it. I upped my bet to $1000 and then upped it to $1000 and he only had to do it at 800yds... Needless to say, he hasn't taken us up on the bet yet (there is always an excuse) even after I offered the prize of any weapon in the store... If he ever does back up his mouth, I will video it and nominate him sniper of the year if he wins...
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nfitton</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> He went on to tell us we couldn't shoot especially compared to him. He says he regularly shoots 1200 yards. Which in and of itself isn't a big deal until he said it was with his sks. </div></div>

This reminds me of a guy who once told me he could shoot 3 shot groups with the M-1 Garand at 300 yards and have the holes touch every time. First off I thought shooting sub .616 moa with a garand at 300 yards with iron sights is pretty f-in impressive. Especially with a government training rifle with training ammo.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Every time I buy 7-08 brass and 6.5mm bullets to handload for my 260, my dealer reminds me that they are two different calibers.

I appreciate him looking out for me.

He knows I know, but he still does his due diligence. I think that's precisely the right response.

Greg
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: E. Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's ultimately a business decision - do you invest the time in educating a customer in the hopes that it brings more business (usually a longer-term investment), or do you push the customer off on someone else? It's one of the most difficult decisions to make when running a business. I would certainly advise that one leave behind any condescending attitude while making this decision (and that's tough; trust me, I know!).

In this case, opening a catalog and showing the customer a set of Burris Signature rings probably would have earned some business. </div></div>
Thats what I would have done too. What's more irritating to me than a customer who thinks he knows something is a clerk who thinks he knows everything. Most employees in gun shops act like since they are the one behind the counter thats some kind of magic trump card.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Been on both sides of this at various shops/brag sessions and at the range. Most of us on here that have shot and competed know pretty quickly when the BS starts and when to listen up and pay attention cause we might learn something.

Don't know how many times we've talked to shooters that shoot this and that and are hitting targets so far away you can't see them with the naked eye but we seem to have a really hard time getting any to even come for a fun practice day let alone a match.

But I've also been on the other side of the coin, I get the same rolled eyes and smirks when I mention we use LR pistols to shoot out to 1000 yards at some pretty damn small targets with the rifle guys. I know I've been the one that they think is a loon and wanna be after I walk away. I've gotten used to the snickers and accept the fact I have no clue what I'm talking about. Just another Internet Wanna-Be.

Oh well, sometimes those tall tales have some truth to them but most times when we hear those hard to believe stories we need to have the boots close by and just enjoy listening to them share their stories.

Always love to hear these tales, most times it's just uninformed shooters wanting to join in and be part of the crowd. We try to inform them when we can but sometimes you just have to keep quiet and bite your tongue and hope someday you get the chance to see them put up or shut up.

Trying to inform a customer should be first on the list, being a good listener even when it hurts is hard but sometimes that person with the wild tales really don't know and is only passing along the BS that his uninformed friends throw at him.

Topstrap
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYpatriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let him have it his way. He wants two different ring heights, sell em to him. You did your best to explain it, rest is on him. </div></div>

Pulling a move like this just to spite a customer is no way to run a business. You pull this shit just once, and not only will that customer not come back, but he'll spent a lot of time voicing his dissatisfaction to anyone who will listen. It's not worth it for a few moments of superiority and smugness. Either spend the time required to educate the customer, or politely decline to help and send him on his way.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BPTactical</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Every customer brings happiness.........

Some when they walk in the door, others when they walk out the door </div></div>

Heh! Gonna need to remember that one.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nfitton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had a guy come in today asking for a scope mount for his SKS. Took him over and showed him a couple of options. He said no he already had that, he needed the things that held the scope on... "You mean rings?" "Yeah, the ones I have now don't work". He proceeded to tell me he needed really high ones. I showed him the ring selection and asked him what was going on. He explained at 300 yards, he was hitting way too low and couldn't adjust the scope any more, so he wanted higher rings and wanted the ones that came in two different "sizes". Apparently the guy at the local pawn shop that sold him the gun told him that if he used rings with two different heights, it would compensate for running out of elevation. I tried to explain that this only works if this takes place in the scope base itself. That you couldn't mount a scope using rings of different heights. He then proceeded to tell me that I didn't know what I was talking about. That just because I didn't have them that I had a poor selection and I shouldn't be working with firearms...

Please tell me that I am not the only one out there with customers this bad...

Feel free to post your own nightmare conversations and make me feel like I'm in good company... </div></div>

YOU ARE NOT ALONE my friend. It is amazing the STUPIDITY of people. (especially in Kalifornia) And to think, these people drive vehicles, they vote and they have lived past the age of 17. Sorry to hear about your encounter with a subhuman moron. Those little bastards are everywhere.
P.S. I know Kalifornia is actually spelled with a C, but due to the stupidity level in this socialist republic, Starting it with a "K" seems more appropriate.
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Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Sometimes they are entertaining... On some days you just want to hide in the gunsmith room and be left the fuck alone...
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nfitton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes they are entertaining... On some days you just want to hide in the gunsmith room and be left the fuck alone... </div></div>
Holy shit so I'm not the only one that does this? Go back and unplug the phone and computer and run the lathe all day catching up on projects just ignoring the bell. That or go reload with the everything unplugged.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Best thing about this story is that the customer was actually more correct than the clerk. The scope zeroing issue CAN be resolved with a set of rings. He may have been incorrect in stating they are two different heights, but maybe he misunderstood the pawnshop guy who explained what he needed to fix the issue:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/712472/...005-010-and-020

I have not seen a canted base for an SKS, as I am sure this problem doesn't come up very often. I am guessing you will never have to eat crow on this one, as I am sure he will just find the proper answer somewhere else.

I guess sometimes we just want to be right more than we want the customer's money and continued business. Everyone was a gun-related moron before they were educated, and not everyone had the good fortune to learn that from their parents and or peers until a later age.

I agree you can't educate everyone and it can certainly be frustrating to hear the same ole shit all the time, but it seems to me that this situation could have been avoided in several ways.

Just my $.02
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nfitton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sometimes they are entertaining... On some days you just want to hide in the gunsmith room and be left the fuck alone... </div></div>

Same here. I equate leaving the gunsmithing shop with Cookie leaving the boat for mangos in Apocalypse Now. When the counter guys see me they say "you'd better get back on the boat."

I deal with lots of AR builder bail-outs. Some are honest mistakes and some are pure stupidity. Just a few minutes ago a kid complained because I charged him an hour of labor and shop supplies for finishing his AR build. When he saw the bill he told the guy working the counter "an hour!? that's BS, I saw a guy on youtube do it in 10 minutes..."

Another thing that used to drive me crazy are the lies people tell about what happened to their gun. Customers lie like rugs sometimes. "No way did I take my new revolver apart, it just stopped working." Never mind the screwdriver marks. "I never use reloads" is one of my favorites. One thing they haven't factored into the lie is the gun; guns always tell the truth.
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Irt the adapters gaslight was speaking of are different. He was actually told the rings were different heights, and while I didn't mention it, he wanted me to break two packs of rings and sell him one out of each pack... Supposedly the pawn shop couldn't do it because they only had hi and low, not high and med...

Irt lucky jack... How often do you get the guy with the blown out stock, mag well and bolt. First thing you ask is about reloads, which they deny... But then you look at the caliber and ask them what cal they were shooting and you get the response 300, 270 or whatever... Then you ask again (for instance) "300 what" and they give you this quizzical look as you are staring down a 300 weatherby mag on the barrel...
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nfitton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Irt the adapters gaslight was speaking of are different. He was actually told the rings were different heights, and while I didn't mention it, he wanted me to break two packs of rings and sell him one out of each pack... Supposedly the pawn shop couldn't do it because they only had hi and low, not high and med...

Irt lucky jack... How often do you get the guy with the blown out stock, mag well and bolt. First thing you ask is about reloads, which they deny... But then you look at the caliber and ask them what cal they were shooting and you get the response 300, 270 or whatever... Then you ask again (for instance) "300 what" and they give you this quizzical look as you are staring down a 300 weatherby mag on the barrel... </div></div>

I love guys like that! The guy who blew up the gun pictured below swore up and down that he didn't do anything wrong when his 270wsm decided to allah akbar on him...after much difficulty I was able to open the bolt and voila, a 7-08 comes out. His response was "how the hell did that happen the 7-08 was on the other bench?"

52021_1450912034625_7194848_o.jpg
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

A little bit too much case head expansion . . . . .
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There is a reason I stopped owning a 303 Brit, 30-40 Krag, and 30-30 at the same time (I was having trouble avoiding the wrong ammo/right gun problem).

Amazing no one got hurt. :thumbsup:

BMT
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

I think it is funny that he believed the pawn shop clerk, but not you. Although the pawn shop probably sees more sks.

Greg, how long is it going to take before you figure out you can buy 260 brass?
smile.gif
 
Re: Just have to vent to someone....

Good ole boys a fudds come in all the time wanting see-through scope rings on their AR so they can use their "peep sights" that they will never use.

I keep telling them there is no good way to do that, nor would you want to and I give them a detailed description as to why.

But some end up buying cheap chinese scope risers and extra high rings....
 
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