[Decguns]

Even as someone who has been in the gun business for 30yrs, I can relate. Many shops treat you like a contagious disease unless you're a regular customer. It's not right, and it's not good business.

Now let me tell what it's like working behind that gun counter. Every day, 100+ people come in putting their greasy hands all over your guns, asking really stupid questions, telling tall tales, bashing every caliber but their beloved hammer of Thor, and wanting to spit on every politician and cop in the country. Only 1 in 100 who ask to handle the guns will actually buy one. This daily mary-go-round of idiots gets really old.. really quick.

Just for instance, today, a burly biker dude comes into the store with a Polish Tantal (mag inserted) over his shoulder. After getting him to remove the mag and clear the weapon (it was loaded). He wants to sell his used Tantal for $800. He paid $700 for it a few months ago, shot it, now figures it has appreciated $100 in value. I nicely show him I sell the same gun, new, for half of what he's asking and politely offer him $250. He gets mad, yells, threatens my life, insults my mother, etc.. etc... Just another day at the gun shop... Next, customer please!

 

[Cambo]

Even as someone who has been in the gun business for 30yrs, I can relate. Many shops treat you like a contagious disease unless you're a regular customer. It's not right, and it's not good business.

Now let me tell what it's like working behind that gun counter. Every day, 100+ people come in putting their greasy hands all over your guns, asking really stupid questions, telling tall tales, bashing every caliber but their beloved hammer of Thor, and wanting to spit on every politician and cop in the country. Only 1 in 100 who ask to handle the guns will actually buy one. This daily mary-go-round of idiots gets really old.. really quick.

Just for instance, today, a burly biker dude comes into the store with a Polish Tantal (mag inserted) over his shoulder. After getting him to remove the mag and clear the weapon (it was loaded). He wants to sell his used Tantal for $800. He paid $700 for it a few months ago, shot it, now figures it has appreciated $100 in value. I nicely show him I sell the same gun, new, for half of what he's asking and politely offer him $250. He gets mad, yells, threatens my life, insults my mother, etc.. etc... Just another day at the gun shop... Next, customer please!

I don't doubt that you have to put up with crap like that, I am sure all gun stores do. That said, you would think that people in the business would be thrilled to have everyday normal people in their shop to perhaps buy something. Why would you(not you, others) treat EVERYONE poorly?

 

[Ummagumma]

After dealing with a couple LGS, I bought my gun on the internet. Not only because of the price - I'd have no problem spending extra $50 if I could support a local business, didn't have to wait for a week, and could come back in case of a problem. It was the come back part, though, that really made me want to buy on the net. With the attitude I was given, I really started thinking that in case of a problem I'd have better luck dealing with someone in Arizona over email. Constant look of annoyed arrogance doesn't help to run a successful sales business.

 

[Chris Brines]

Well I ended up going back to that same store today. Put a deposit on my soon to be GP100. Can't wait to get that gun. It is a very hard gun to find used, and new they are around $650-$700. The GP100 is $500 Now I have a Blackhawk I need to sell. Anyone interested, send me a PM.

 

[Gregg702]

Well I ended up going back to that same store today. Put a deposit on my soon to be GP100. Can't wait to get that gun. It is a very hard gun to find used, and new they are around $650-$700. The GP100 is $500 Now I have a Blackhawk I need to sell. Anyone interested, send me a PM.

Wow, GP100's sure have gone up in price since I bought mine 2 years ago. I paid $550 for a brand new Royal Phoenix edition GP100.

 

[ftw13]

there's a reason the internet is killing gun shops

 

[Beretta92guy]

I am so glad to hear that one of these scum had to close down, I hope I hear more stories like that. At the same time, I want to hear about customer service oriented gun stores succeeding and doing well for themselves.

oh yeah, like i said in an earlier post....

Buds Gun Shop retail store is in my town (Lexington) and it is by far the BEST gun shop in town, and ill even go out on a limb and say the state, or even the country.....

you go in Buds and they are always asking if you need help....if you are standing at the counter the sales clerks go out of their way to come ask you if you need anything...

got questions, they will spend all day with you if you need it...

go back to the rifle/shotgun room and finger-bang an AR all day, and they will not treat you like a criminal and watch your every move like you are going to steal it......

pick up an accessory in the store and walk around with it in your hand, they will not watch you like a tree-full of owls thinking you are going to steal it like a lot of shops do....

buying a new gun???? you get a fresh one from the back that has not been dry-fired, finger banged and booger-infected hands laid on by nasty people....

I love Buds.....will by guns from them even if its $50 higher than the schmuck selling the same thing across town....

Buds guns shop is a rare breed, and a lot of gun shops should take lessons from them, they might last longer

ps. i don't work there, just a satisfied customer

 

[carbuncle]

Uncalled for.

Agreed, and seconded.

 

[Chris Brines]

Wow, GP100's sure have gone up in price since I bought mine 2 years ago. I paid $550 for a brand new Royal Phoenix edition GP100.

Yeah I was mistaken. Idk if they went up in price for a while or if I was thinking of a totally different gun. They are about that price you mentioned lol. I guess $50 less is better than nothing. This gun looks like it's never been fired.

 

[Gregg702]

Yeah I was mistaken. Idk if they went up in price for a while or if I was thinking of a totally different gun. They are about that price you mentioned lol. I guess $50 less is better than nothing. This gun looks like it's never been fired.

I am talking brand new. A used GP100 should be around $400-$450 tops.

 

[Chris Brines]

I am talking brand new. A used GP100 should be around $400-$450 tops.

Yeah they have a used SP101 (more used than the GP100) they are charging $500 for. The store down the street's prices are pretty much the same. I looked on Impact Guns (the online store I normally order my guns from), theirs are between $500 and $600 brand new. I've never seen a GP100 priced for under $500 but then again I've only been "gun shopping" for about the last 8 months. Either way, it's already on lay away so it's pretty much a done deal.

I guess I'm not coming out ahead on this one.

Which sucks but considering I never plan on selling this gun (but may trade it for another GP100, this one has a 6 inch barrel I think I'd rather a 3 inch so I can carry it if I want to), it's not gonna ruin my day. I've been to several local stores and none of them have had these guns (which is kinda odd for a city this size), used or new. And Impact Guns has had them on backorder for a LONG time.

http://www.impactguns.com/search.aspx?keyword=Ruger GP100

Guess I should have checked Bud's website, they have a few and their SP101's are down to $475

(Of course the one that they have one left of is the one I want. Idk if they do layaway though, which is the only reason I can get this gun, till I sell my Blackhawk)

 

[Gregg702]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/76/products_id/70255

GP100, brand new, $520.

 

[Chris Brines]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/76/products_id/70255

GP100, brand new, $520.

Ha. Yeah, I saw that as you were typing this message. Guess that's what I get for not looking at Bud's. I had been browsing around for this gun for months and every site had it on backorder (Including Buds). I finally just gave up and started looking for new and/or used ones in LGS's. Every LGS told me "good luck finding that one", and I just happen to see one at the store across the street. I bet Bud's does layaway too. If I hadn't already given these other people my money I'd probably get this gun right now.

 

[SevenSixtyTwo]

Women browse. Men go in and buy what they want.

 

[Chris Brines]

Women browse. Men go in and buy what they want.

Ha...yeah and that's exactly what I did. I had been looking online for one of these guns brand new for a good while. It seems like it's easier to get guns and gun parts today than it was 4 months ago. EVERYTHING was on backorder. Bud's, Impact Guns, and pretty much every other online store I dealt with, didn't have SP101's or GP100's. So although I know I could have probably done better if I'd have looked at Bud's before putting my $$$ down, I still don't consider it a loss by any means. This is gonna be a gun that stays with me for life.

 

[Darkangel1846]

I've seen this happen many a time. when I start getting smart assed remarks from the sales person I just ask if they are trying to get me to take my business else where. They always give me that shocked look and say "well no" If they continue I just say "well you don't seem interested in having my business so I'll just go elsewhere." then I walk out.You treat you clintel well or don't count on their business.

 

[Top_Shot_31]

I work Loss Prevention at a major sporting goods store and I spend a lot of time walking through our firearms area when I am walking the floor. We are plainclothes, so I get to shop for guns while I'm working .

Even I get discriminated against by some of the older gun sellers, even though every gun seller knows who I am and what I do, some of the older guys just don't even want to give me the time of day, with the exception of a couple guys who are retired LEOs that took a liking to me and several other guys in LP because of our career aspirations. Typically, I look for a few younger salesmen to go to if I have questions about anything. They're all very knowledgeable and always steer me in the right direction.

There's another gun store across town that I go to because they have a gunsmith. All of the gun sellers know that I pretty much never buy from them because of my job and discount at the other store, but I am always treated like absolute royalty when I am there. They don't bother me unless I ask for help, they don't ever try to force a sale on me, none of that. Very good group of guys.

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

It's the practice in many specialty shops. A fancy cheese store once opened near where I live. The clerks were just the same as we've complained about here. They folded. There is a new fancy cheese shop where the clerks are wonderful.

In San Antonio, we have several gun shops. The main two - one is the horror. I once wanted to negotiate on a discontinued knife (marked as such) and the older woman in charge snarled at me. Another time, I wanted to browse at the used guns. The clerk followed me from case to case with a glower and arms folded. Never bought a thing from them.

They do the bubba bonding with 'tough guys' who don't realize they are being taken.

Sadly, some of their clerks shoot competitions with our groups. When they mention their job - they get an earful.

The other store - use their gunsmiths. Buy their used guns. They helped me out with some nuances I didn't know.

 

[chewybaca67]

1st impressions can say more about the person judging than the person being judged. I've gotton that at times. Hard to confirm, but at some gunshops I've been to in Albuquerque employees may gaze or comment quitely, with one of them giving a light huff, thenalmost reluctantly ask me if I need some help. Unless it's a gun I really-really want, I'll leave and take my business to a more 'Indin friendly shop. Just part of the package I guess.
There ain't really nothin' someone could tell me about being Navajo that I ain't already heard. So I usually just let it go without wasting my energy or time on it. But for the love of Budda, this is the 21st Cen, not the friggin' 1880s.
Other shops have been urber friendly of course and that's where my business, money and verbal support goes.

 

[ftw13]

treating people right does wonders,people will open their wallets. a good experience is worth more than a good deal.