• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Who has worked behind a gun counter? A few pointers before your next trip

I

idahowitzer

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
May 10, 2011
33
0
35
Boise, ID
I've done my fare share of working behind a gun counter and I've had some great times, but there have been times when customers have nearly given me an aneurysm.

If you haven't worked behind a gun counter, here's a few things I've learned from being on the other side:
1. Just because I work here, doesn't mean I'm supposed to know everything about every firearm. Guys behind the counter get quizzed on everything multiple times a day. Some of us do our best to learn as much as we can, but there are literally several hundred different firearms and I cannot know everything about every one. Don't expect my coworker who cleans every IDPA event he competes in to teach you about waterfowl hunting. We're a mixed batch, and everyone has their specialty. If you want to get the knitty gritty, ask "who's the #1 guy you have on ...," it goes a LONG way. Which leads to #2.

2. Respect goes a long way. I'm 25 and sometimes I get harassed for my age by some old farts, but the 18 and 19 year old kids get worked over by customers. Everyone was born at a young age. You'd be surprised what some highschool kids know about reloading, or archery hunting.
There's no reason to be disrespectful to someone who is providing you a service. If you are waiting to be helped, it is not rude to let them know you are waiting, but don't be rude unless they are rude first. I understand, some guys at retail joints can have a shoe up their you know what, and they deserve to be punished. Give them a chance to help you, realize they're just human.

3. If you ask for my opinion, don't let your feelings get hurt when I give it to you. If you have your heart set on an 870, and ask my opinion, don't get pissed when I tell you I think every new 870 sucks because we send 1 in 3 back for jamming. If you tell me you want to shoot to 1,000 yards and I say it is impossible to be accurate at that range with the 100 dollar scope you want that has the green laser pointer attached to it, don't let it get your feelers. Which leads to #4

4. Don't expect to satisfy your champagne appetite with a soda-pop budget. I cringe just about every single time a guy wants to buy the nicest rifle he can get and has nothing left for optics, or better yet mounts. I'd sooner mount a Nightforce on a Ruger American than a Simmons to a Sako. I wouldn't be saying this if I hadn't done the latter. And lastly, #5:

5. Just because this is a place where guns are sold doesn't mean the safety rules go bye bye when you walk in. Treat EVERY SINGLE FREAKING WEAPON AS IF IT WERE LOADED. That's right, do not dry fire that weapon at anything you do not want to shoot. In my state there is a statute that says you can NEVER point a firearm at anyone even if you have no il-intention. You will receive one warning, and then I am taking the guns away from you. We have received weapons from the factory with rounds in the chamber. If I see that you are going to dry-fire a weapon in the direction of another human being, I will do everything necessary to prevent you from doing so- including immediate physical dis-armament or a corrective push. This is not a joke. It seems to usually be a problem with handguns. There have been 3 accidental discharges inside the location I work and two of them came INCHES from killing somebody.

Thanks for taking the time for reading my rant.
If you've been on my side of the counter, chime in. If you are a regular customer somewhere and have a complaint, or advice for employees of such establishments PLEASE chime in too.
 
All your points are well made and I'm sure will be taken to heart by the members HERE! It's the first time buyers or users at the range that really bother me. Just yesterday at at my indoor range, a young guy with his girlfriend was shooting a rented AR and had a FTF. He was trying to open the breech and I went over and grabbed the rifle and told him to leave it closed for at least 30 seconds and get a range officer to help him. Accidents only take seconds, but the results can last a lifetime. Thanks
 
If you are at the point where you know more about firearms than everyone that's usually when you find yourself getting in trouble.
 
idahowitzer said:
I've done my fare share of working behind a gun counter and I've had some great times, but there have been times when customers have nearly given me an aneurysm.

If you haven't worked behind a gun counter, here's a few things I've learned from being on the other side:
1. Just because I work here, doesn't mean I'm supposed to know everything about every firearm. Guys behind the counter get quizzed on everything multiple times a day. Some of us do our best to learn as much as we can, but there are literally several hundred different firearms and I cannot know everything about every one. Don't expect my coworker who cleans every IDPA event he competes in to teach you about waterfowl hunting. We're a mixed batch, and everyone has their specialty. If you want to get the knitty gritty, ask "who's the #1 guy you have on ...," it goes a LONG way. Which leads to #2.

2. Respect goes a long way. I'm 25 and sometimes I get harassed for my age by some old farts, but the 18 and 19 year old kids get worked over by customers. Everyone was born at a young age. You'd be surprised what some highschool kids know about reloading, or archery hunting.
There's no reason to be disrespectful to someone who is providing you a service. If you are waiting to be helped, it is not rude to let them know you are waiting, but don't be rude unless they are rude first. I understand, some guys at retail joints can have a shoe up their you know what, and they deserve to be punished. Give them a chance to help you, realize they're just human.

3. If you ask for my opinion, don't let your feelings get hurt when I give it to you. If you have your heart set on an 870, and ask my opinion, don't get pissed when I tell you I think every new 870 sucks because we send 1 in 3 back for jamming. If you tell me you want to shoot to 1,000 yards and I say it is impossible to be accurate at that range with the 100 dollar scope you want that has the green laser pointer attached to it, don't let it get your feelers. Which leads to #4

4. Don't expect to satisfy your champagne appetite with a soda-pop budget. I cringe just about every single time a guy wants to buy the nicest rifle he can get and has nothing left for optics, or better yet mounts. I'd sooner mount a Nightforce on a Ruger American than a Simmons to a Sako. I wouldn't be saying this if I hadn't done the latter. And lastly, #5:

5. Just because this is a place where guns are sold doesn't mean the safety rules go bye bye when you walk in. Treat EVERY SINGLE FREAKING WEAPON AS IF IT WERE LOADED. That's right, do not dry fire that weapon at anything you do not want to shoot. In my state there is a statute that says you can NEVER point a firearm at anyone even if you have no il-intention. You will receive one warning, and then I am taking the guns away from you. We have received weapons from the factory with rounds in the chamber. If I see that you are going to dry-fire a weapon in the direction of another human being, I will do everything necessary to prevent you from doing so- including immediate physical dis-armament or a corrective push. This is not a joke. It seems to usually be a problem with handguns. There have been 3 accidental discharges inside the location I work and two of them came INCHES from killing somebody.

Thanks for taking the time for reading my rant.
If you've been on my side of the counter, chime in. If you are a regular customer somewhere and have a complaint, or advice for employees of such establishments PLEASE chime in too.
Click to expand...
i am the same "guy" behind the counter only in western pa. bless you and i hope management backs you.
 
Ya know, i treat the guys behind the counter with as much respect as i can. I do the same for all retail guys though. ive been there and done that and know how much flak you get over stupid crap from people. The main gun store i go to has had some pretty awesome guys and never had an issue there though!

But the gun store guys hwo think they are better than me/you just because they work at a gun counter annoy me. Same with the ones who lie to make a sale. I was at a store near me and there was a guy who obviously knew barely anything on reloading talking to the counter guy. Customer was complaining of heavy leading while shooting his glock with reloads. GUn counter guy doesnt ask for any more inf and just goes...well you have to use bulleye powder that will fix that. I just sort of stared at them in disbelief. Guy went on and on about how he uses bulleye for EVERYTHING and has never had leading at all and he doesnt even use a manual and all this crap. I just couldnt believe it. Luckily the guy got away from the ocunter guy and i went up and explained a couple things ot him, like the glocks polygonal rifling not always being th ebest for lead and if he was seeing heavy leading he should back his powder charge off by a good amount. Make sure he was using lead bullet data and starting at the minimum charges. You know all the stuff normally tossed out when having a problem.

Same store but different guy. Couple was in there looking for a shotgun and a pistol for home defense. The guy had done some research (thankfully) and was talking about the mossberg 500 and Remington 870 and how he heard those were great choices for home defense (and they are!). But the counter guy wouldnt have nay of it. kept trying to upsell them. O you should check out the semi auto shotguns, or this or that. Thankfully the male wasnt having any of it. Then when they went to pistols the counter guy started telling them how the cheap handguns rivaled the 1k+ guns. Rather than explaining features or WHY there is a price difference he just flat out said the cheaper guns were better. Polymer made them lighter and this and that. Again just taking advantage of people who dont know guns.


Thankfully i got to a store who doesnt allow that kind of crap and the guys there are friendly and helpful. Never heard them lie like above cause im sure their coworkers would just call them out!
 
I did it for 8 years and probably could write a book on some of the dumb and crazy shit I've seen!

One of my favorites was a guy that came in and was looking at the S&W 500 which had just came out. When he pulled up I noticed he had bullet hole stickers on his tailgate. I told him that 500 would put way cooler holes in his tailgate then stickers. He looked at me and said that's a great idea? I said you buy the box of ammo and I'd take it behind the store on our employee range and I'd put a few holes in it for ya. So he bought a box and I grabbed the 500 out of the counter and drove behind the store. He took his tailgate off and we set it up on the berm and I put a nice group of 5 shots in it. That was my idea of customer satisfaction!
 
long range newbie said:
...I will say surgeon rifles or ga precision and they'll be like "what?".
Click to expand...

Why should a gun counter guy at a sporting good store know about Surgeon or GAP? Theyre custom actions / rifles and theyre not sold there. You ever seen a Surgeon or a GAP at Academy? No, of course not.

Ease up on the arrogance.
 
long range newbie said:
yeah I know more than everyone at my big sporting goods store, I mean they don't know the company AI. I'm 14.... I reload my own ammo, clean my own guns, I maintain them, and I know a lot about rifles. I also handle firearms better than most adults. I can tell you tons of action makers, rifle makers, well known rifle builders, barrels, twists used for that caliber (if I know it), and I mean I will say surgeon rifles or ga precision and they'll be like "what?". I don't like it when I go to a store and they NOTHING about rifles like my dad said that once he went to a sporting goods store and this dude is like (its 308 vs 243 for antelope hunting for a women) get the 308 it had more power and it has less drop, its also better in the wind. if your going to choose a rifle and you don't know the calibers at least ask for help.
I swear I know more about guns than EVERYONE in my school.
Click to expand...

With all due respect...you are 14. Enough said.
 
Was at Cabela's last year, with my Lady. I was looking at a particular pistol for her. Asked the dude behind the counter to see it. He brought it out. (used section, by-the-way). As he handed it to me, (after checking my license to verify that I could actually possess such a device) he then firmly stated "DO NOT OPEN THE ACTION OR ANYTHING". I then asked why not? He stated "NO FUNCTIONING OF ANY KIND".

I asked "what about the trigger-lock? Are you telling me, that I cannot get this thing removed, so that I can actually take a look at the condition of this used item?" He said "no".

All I was able to do, was hold it in my hand. Essentially, the same view as what was behind the glass, but I had the luxury of turning it over and seeing the other side of it.

I asked him about this ridiculousness, and he replied: Someone at one of their other stores, inserted a live round and committed suicide right then and there. Since then, Corporate Policy, nobody functions firearms anymore.

I haven't been back since. With logic like that, vehicles would be in museums only, etc; etc; etc. There are other venue's who deserve our funds and patronage. I, for one, do not make my purchases based on "pictures". Too many others, do.
 
Long range newbie.... while you're not forgetting about guns (your words) check out the concepts of respect, humility, and etiquette. Just a suggestion. After all, this is someone else's thread.
 
newbie; were you in western pa recently? i had a youngster that know EVERTHING except basic firearm safety. through him out and told his father that the boy was not welcome until he passed a nra basic course. father was back tonight and son stayed outside. ps he pointed a handgun at my chest and pulled the trigger. i let him have it with both barrels verbally.
 
no1special said:
newbie; were you in western pa recently? i had a youngster that know EVERTHING except basic firearm safety. through him out and told his father that the boy was not welcome until he passed a nra basic course. father was back tonight and son stayed outside. ps he pointed a handgun at my chest and pulled the trigger. i let him have it with both barrels verbally.
Click to expand...

Holy crap! Some of this is crazy to me... I have never worked behind the counter, but I just can't imagine someone doing that. What did the dad say when he pulled the trigger on you? I don't think I would have lived to tell about it if I had done something like that in front of my dad. People are just unbelievable to me sometimes.
 
I remember a great bumper-sticker from my youth: "Kids, leave home and pay your own way. Now, while you still know everything."
 
I always appreciate a knowledgable friendly counter man. If I am in any way waffling in buying some thing I really don't need it is usually a friendly knowledgable counter man that can set the hook.

As for fourteen year olds who know about guns, I wish I knew as much about guns as my 14 year old knows about computers. That being said I'll take cocky and arrogant over shy and introverted any day. Cocky will find out life lessons the hard way and that is OK.
 
Most of the time I spend in a Cabelas is spent trying to NOT hear what the gun counter people say. That being said I was at ours the other day, middle of the day and week so it was empty, and got to spend some time talking to one of the counter people that actually knew his stuff. Got to talk to him not only about some handgun choices I am mulling over but also about long range shooting which he actually knew quite a bit about. It was nice to find someone who speaks the language for a change.
 
Sean the Nailer said:
Was at Cabela's last year, with my Lady. I was looking at a particular pistol for her. Asked the dude behind the counter to see it. He brought it out. (used section, by-the-way). As he handed it to me, (after checking my license to verify that I could actually possess such a device) he then firmly stated "DO NOT OPEN THE ACTION OR ANYTHING". I then asked why not? He stated "NO FUNCTIONING OF ANY KIND".

I asked "what about the trigger-lock? Are you telling me, that I cannot get this thing removed, so that I can actually take a look at the condition of this used item?" He said "no".

All I was able to do, was hold it in my hand. Essentially, the same view as what was behind the glass, but I had the luxury of turning it over and seeing the other side of it.

I asked him about this ridiculousness, and he replied: Someone at one of their other stores, inserted a live round and committed suicide right then and there. Since then, Corporate Policy, nobody functions firearms anymore.

I haven't been back since. With logic like that, vehicles would be in museums only, etc; etc; etc. There are other venue's who deserve our funds and patronage. I, for one, do not make my purchases based on "pictures". Too many others, do.
Click to expand...


Cabelas in Allen Texas is not like that, not at all.
 
long range newbie said:
yeah I know more than everyone at my big sporting goods store, I mean they don't know the company AI. I'm 14.... I reload my own ammo, clean my own guns, I maintain them, and I know a lot about rifles. I also handle firearms better than most adults. I can tell you tons of action makers, rifle makers, well known rifle builders, barrels, twists used for that caliber (if I know it), and I mean I will say surgeon rifles or ga precision and they'll be like "what?". I don't like it when I go to a store and they NOTHING about rifles like my dad said that once he went to a sporting goods store and this dude is like (its 308 vs 243 for antelope hunting for a women) get the 308 it had more power and it has less drop, its also better in the wind. if your going to choose a rifle and you don't know the calibers at least ask for help.


I swear I know more about guns than EVERYONE in my school.
Click to expand...

Be humble.

I think you need to do some research on a 105 grain 6mm ballisitics and 175 grain .308 ballistics you would prove your self wrong very fast..

You may think you know more about guns than everyone in your school, but their alot of people who have forgotten more than you and me both know.
 
Last edited:
Long Range Newbie
I knew you were 14, good for you, glad to see you are interested in protecting and excercising your true freedoms, for that I applaud you.

You will now be treated to a trip out behind the virtual woodshed. You are coming off pretty fargin cocky for a kid who could'nt have 10 years of real "experience" if you jumped from your momma's twat toting a full boogie MP5 in one hand and a Wilson Combat 1911 in the other. Yes indeed I was 14 at one time, and just like you I had a lot to learn. I am now 44 and I learn new stuff quite often. I made a hell of a lot of mistakes over a shooting career that has spanned 37 years. When I was 14 I cleaned my own guns too, big deal, that is one of the first things you should learn anyway. I loaded my own ammunition at 13..and still do, BFD, I taught my daughter when she was 9, doesn't make her an expert either. I can tell either one of my daughters to go crank me out 200 rounds of 9mm out on my Dillon...so? Knowing a custom gun from a mater stake is no real skill either. Talkin the talk is cool as hell, but at best is a great party trick without a hell of a lot of mileage. I knew more about animal husbandry than anyone in my school, not really a big trick since I was the only one in my school who lived on anything bigger than a quarter acre of land. Again a hell of a party favor but not unusual nor impressive. Knowing more about guns than your classmates in the schools of today don't recommend you much. Most kids have never even seen a gun that wasn't an image on a screen. All you have indicated can be learned in 10 minutes on a "Google Run", congrats. We didn't have Google when I was a kid, we had to read teh exploits of great writers in G&A, Shooting Times, Field and Stream, and if you were really lucky Precision Shooting(damn I miss that one). The first article I ever read on long range shooting was by Ross Seyfried in G&A, I wish I still had the article. He was shooting a wildcat based on the 416 Rigby necked down to 30cal the best I remember. You have a great resource at your disposal. Don't squander your opportunities by thinking you have "arrived". You don't know it all yet sonny Jim. Be humble and listen son, your elders are talking.
 
long range newbie said:
I have have a couple reminders up top... but I listen enough and so no need to get mad cause I can do stuff thats an easy skill. never said I was an expert.... never said I was an expert at anything? never said I knew everything. I know A LOT not everything. reminding me tons of times doesn't change nothing so this thread is all fighting because I said I knew stuff I'm done so I'm not going to respond to you if you reply. Its enough that you think I'm just a punk kid who know nothing or thanks what you acting like so stop beating the dead horse I'm done
Click to expand...

If only you spent as much time studying the English language as you have on your firearms hobby...sigh.
 
hey if its the internet I have absolutely no care for my grammar since its not an essay nor something thats important I don't feel like spending time making sure everything is right. So stop making waves, I'm positive we've all made grammar mistakes before so stop causing problems.
 
long range newbie said:
hey if its the internet I have absolutely no care for my grammar since its not an essay nor something thats important I don't feel like spending time making sure everything is right. So stop making waves, I'm positive we've all made grammar mistakes before so stop causing problems.
Click to expand...

Making waves? Have you read your own posts? I haven't caused a problem -- or did I get you in trouble by pointing out you sounded barely literate? I don't expect you to write perfectly on a web forum. But your writing was incredibly poor in the paragraph I commented on. I believe that if your efforts in learning English were greater, your writing would be better without any extra effort "spending time making sure everything is right". If, at 14, you know all you need to know about what skills are needed to get a job in the grown-up world, that's good for you sport. Don't bother spending as much time studying academic subjects as you do learning about the gun hobby. And just ignore my posts rather than get upset and start causing trouble and fights with strangers. And if someday you find yourself cooking fries or working the drive-through window a little later in life than you imagined you would, I hope you finally realize that not everyone who is nice to you is doing you a favour, and that sometimes people who criticize you are actually trying to help. Good luck to you.
 
Last edited:
sib1948 said:
This interesting thread is really starting to become a "pissing match".
Click to expand...

I don't get in pissing matches with children. He's given his opinion and then some. Some of us have given ours. Hopefully he'll stop whining and complaining when he doesn't like what he's hearing.
 
sib1948 said:
This interesting thread is really starting to become a "pissing match".
Click to expand...

It seems as though most threads do that if allowed to go on long enough. Frustrating.

To all of you who make/made your living behind the gun counters, I salute you, sincerely. I have long thought that working a gun counter has got to be one of the greatest and most infuriating jobs out there. The true professionals that give sound advice and occasionally talk someone OUT of an irresponsible purchase are many times the first "gun-people" that the non-shooting (new to guns) public encounter. Their experience at the gun counter may well shape their outlook on gun ownership for the rest of their time. I don't think the importance of what ya'll do can be overstated.

A good gun shop or counter person is golden. I currently choose to pay more for what I want because I like the people at my gunshop so much. I could get a better "deal" somewhere else, but their customer service is worth the extra money. I'm treated like an old friend, which by now I am. I have the owners' cell numbers and they've called me and delivered items (not guns) that have come in at the end of the day when they knew I was waiting on it.

My only "peeve" is being talked down to. I'm 40yrs old and learn new stuff constantly, that's why I'm a member here. I love being around people smarter than me and learning about stuff I didn't even know existed. However, one of the shops in my area caters to the super-rich area of town and when I have to go there in search of something I get subjected to this attitude like I'm not "good enough" to shop there, and treated like an idiot when I ask a question. When I was still on the PD, I went in one day in uniform as an experiment to see if I got a little more respect, if anything it was worse as though I was just wasting their time because I couldn't possibly afford their items. I later figured out that every section of that store is the same way, had a guy in the shoe section talking down to me about the model of running shoe I wore in there that day and he was "certain that THEY had not sold me THOSE".

Sorry for the rant :mad:

Again gents, for those of ya'll that deal with the variety of folks that stroll up to a gun counter, my hat is off to you, THANK YOU for being the guys that can talk me around a problem and offer a solution or alternative I never would have considered. The great guy at the counter is one of those things the internet can't replace.
 
Cartman said:
I don't get in pissing matches with children. He's given his opinion and then some. Some of us have given ours. Hopefully he'll stop whining and complaining when he doesn't like what he's hearing.
Click to expand...

I sure hope so. If his attitude doesn't change, I feel he's going to be in for a hard life!
 
sib1948 said:
I sure hope so. If his attitude doesn't change, I feel he's going to be in for a hard life!
Click to expand...

I guess a few of us just come across as the proverbial "Red Foreman" from That 70's Show. But, painful as it is to admit, many of us just hear ourselves or friends from our youth and think "uh oh -- I remember Johnny (or myself) sounding this way and then [fill in blank how things didn't go well]. We've all been 14 and know what being 14 is all about. This kid has never been 40 with a wife and kid thinking "why the hell didn't I [fill in the blank] my life could have been so much easier...

Anyway, regarding the original subject matter. I've encountered guys working at gun shops who were arrogant jerks who in reality didn't know their arses from a hole in the ground. I've also met some who were able to steer me away from some products that they've had complaints on that I didn't know about. Or point out features I wasn't aware of. I've known customers who've known more than anyone in the shop. And I've met clueless customers who just couldn't be straightened out to save their lives.

It really seems to be just like everywhere else in life -- some people know some things and some people don't. Some know a lot, and some know a little. And some are jerks and some are nice.

I think you have to take people as individuals for the most part. But there are some businesses that instill a certain culture in the operations that effects the way the staff operate. I think it is helpful to post stories that talk about helpful businesses and employees as well as nightmare experiences. I'm not sure any blanket set of standards or assumptions always holds true.
 
Well said!!! I've learned a lot from several of the people at my LGS. At least now that I am more knowledgeable, I am better to judge what hype and what's fact. All of you guys have a great day today.
 
"Easy Skill" Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I rest my case.

Not in a pissing match with the kid. Just pointing out the hypocrisy of his post, hoping he could learn something.

Yes I have met lots of folks in gun stores, gun shows, and even the internet, that talked a mean streak of cane shit. When invited to a match or just a friendly trip to the range, their schedule became exceedingly jammed up for months. Gun store clerks by and large have a thankless job, many having to be everything to everyone. For that matter the guy working the plumbing aisle at Home Depot has no less thankless job and the same, if not worse, headaches.

When I go to a gun store I know what I am there for, if I get smart shit from a clerk I can smile and walk out. I have had good experiences with gun store clerks, it is the customers that usually get on my nerves. I sure as hell don't want to be a counter man in a gunstore.

A couple of the guys I shoot with and myself have a deal. If one of us wins the Powerball, we are gonna open a no bullshit tactical gear, ammo, custom gunsmithing, gun emporium. A virtual Costco of gun shit if you will. One guy is a smith, and another has actually been a counter man, damn good one. They give me shit about it when we talk about our pipe dream. Everyone agrees, I will be in internet sales...no direct customer contact.
 
long range newbie said:
yeah I know more than everyone at my big sporting goods store,
I swear I know more about guns than EVERYONE in my school.
Click to expand...



Hmm you need to just settle down a bit there...

I don't doubt that you now a thing or two about shooting but at 14 you've got a hell of a lot to learn, I'v been shooting longer than you've been alive and I am still learning.
 
idahowitzer said:
I've done my fare share of working behind a gun counter and I've had some great times, but there have been times when customers have nearly given me an aneurysm.
Click to expand...


Very well written post and you make good points I have never worked a gun store but I appreciate a good man behind the counter.
 
People ask knowledge questions of people who work at gun stores? Seriously?

The only thing I ask people behind the gun counter is "Do you have XYZ product in stock?" And that's only cuz I don't want to waste time looking.
 
garandman said:
People ask knowledge questions of people who work at gun stores? Seriously?
Click to expand...

a customer was heavily debating about a Swiss military rifle in mint conditions with the man behind the counter_
the main topic was price-related, of course, and the customer tried to have some price rebate sayin' that "the rifle could not have any historical value, NOT HAVING SEEN THE WAR"_
The answer of the well-hassled gunshop owner was : "YOU TOO DON'T HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY WAR,ALSO : NOTWITHSTANDING THAT, WHY YOU CONTINUE TO PISS US OFF ?"
.... I was there...
 
It seems arrogant even as I type it, but when the typical gun store employee asks me "Can I help you?" my immediate reaction is "I doubt it."
 
garandman said:
It seems arrogant even as I type it, but when the typical gun store employee asks me "Can I help you?" my immediate reaction is "I doubt it."
Click to expand...

This reminds me of when I was looking for an SPS Tactical. I had scanned the shelves looking for one with no luck. A guy behind the counter asked if he could help, so I told him what I was looking for and my plans to basically just use the barreled action, and then it started. He went over grabbed a 5r and told me that it was what I needed and then I wouldn't have to trade out the stock, had a trued action and match grade trigger. I just simply stated that I just needed an SPS Tactical. " This is an M24 just like I used when I was a sniper in the army its already set up for what you want to do." This guy was maybe 5'7 and probably close to 250 pounds. In my experience special forces guys stay in decent shape even once they're out. I just looked at him, "No its not, and no you didn't." Walked over to an older guy behind the counter told him what I needed first thing he asked "throwing it in a McMillan or AICS? Either way its a great set up." Placed the order and that was that.

I was only 19 at the time, guess he figured his bogus story would bring a better sale.
 
I am a part owner in a gun shop/ammo manufacturer, and work the counter daily. Every customer deserves to feel welcomed. More often than not, I have to bite my tongue, but thats what customer service is about.

Dave
 
damit said:
I am a part owner in a gun shop/ammo manufacturer, and work the counter daily. Every customer deserves to feel welcomed. More often than not, I have to bite my tongue, but thats what customer service is about.

Dave
Click to expand...

And that is what is hard about retail. You have to cater to your client. So that means one might be explaining the basics like safeties and double stack and then your very next client you could be talking about custom actions, nightforce scopes, and reloading theory. It's what truly makes retail hard and also what makes a great salesmen. Most of the guys I've had who are good ask things to place me in a sort of mentality for them. Like o hey this guy knows a lot so I don't need to explain that this is a trigger kind of thing.

But as in anyjob some guys just don't get that and are jerks to everyone. Or they think they are some operator cause they sell guns. I just walk away from those guys
 
Went over to the local gun shop and asked the mid 30's looking guy behind the counter if he had any remington 700's chambered in 338 Lapua.

He handed me an Armalite 338 and told me remington doesnt even make a 700 in 338. I handed it back and walked out. Same place that told me the only 1911 worth a damn is a SIG.
 
I'm not angry at all I just deleted all of those posts but I do feel that some of you didn't get what I meant. I don't live a hard life, I don't fight often I just think the dude was bored and started a fight with a "Kid" and discriminating kids makes kids want not to do things. I'm done with the pissing contest.
 
long range newbie said:
yeah my dad says the same thing.
Click to expand...

Why don't you either learn how to multiquote or just make one post rather than four or five in a row? Are you trying to raise your post count so people think you know what you're talking about? If so, it's not working.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mcrider55
To those who say lower cost guns aren't "accurate"..
Replies
746
Views
13K
diggler1833
diggler1833
Lowlight
Some of you guys are in for a surprise
Replies
675
Views
20K
DarnYankeeUSMC
DarnYankeeUSMC
Lowlight
Hurt Feelings Reports
Replies
194
Views
5K
Threadcutter308
Threadcutter308
Gunfighter14e2
Remember when
Replies
107
Views
2K
thejeep
thejeep
C
Who got a new gun for Christmas?
Replies
25
Views
592
Srgt. Hulka
Srgt. Hulka
Top Bottom
Back