Window shoppers

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I've read complaints on here about long lines and "window shoppers" taking up time at an LGS.
For those of you angry about this, how else are people supposed to handle and learn more about firearms they're interested in purchasing....isn't this the whole point of a store?

[CouchOperator]

Yep. Do it if you want to, window shoppers actively pursuing a decision or people curious about guns just wanting hands-on with a firearm are no less important than the dude waiting to blow $6,000 on a shiny Desert Tech. Gun stores are this weird place where they think "waiting" shouldnt exist even though theres tons of other ordinary places that waiting is a part of life. People need to suck it up and understand its life.

[myk]

Yup. We were ALL window shoppers at some point. Just because we're all veterans of punching paper in BLM-istan doesn't make us any more valuable than the new gun owner...

[ZombieLivesMatter]

I agree with you both, I went to Gun Effects last week to plop $1000 down on a gun and knew which one I wanted already, but there was a long line. Some of the people were first time buyers and even though they didn't buy I was cool they were interested in being gun owners. Two old guys came in and barely waited two minutes before complaining loudly how long it's taking to get help. I tell him to calm down we're all in the same boat, he tells me his time is important, I tell him all of our time is important.

[Mitch]

I've read complaints on here about long lines and "window shoppers" taking up time at an LGS.
For those of you angry about this, how else are people supposed to handle and learn more about firearms they're interested in purchasing....isn't this the whole point of a store?

Absolutely.

It can be frustrating during busy times, but it is what it is. RifleGear was especially notorious for this back in the day, because their dudes were just always so damned helpful, especially with n00bs. Meanwhile, ticket holders would have to wait and wait. The solution was to come back when it wasn't so busy.

After Sandy Hook, I tried to pick up (I had already DROSed it) a .22 rifle at Turners. It took forever, because there were so many completely clueless people showing up at the store to be schooled in firearms.

Just a cost of getting more people owning guns.

[nedro]

New gun owners?
What is this strange creature you speak of?
Only super owners buy guns.
Isn't that what they tell us?

[CouchOperator]

Id put it this way to any douche whining about waiting: That "window shopper" is "taking time" away from the dude ready to buy.... But that dude ready to buy is wanting to take time away from the "window shopper"? Life aint fair buddy, try waking up an hour earlier.

[NYT]

people who are truly interested in buying a gun imo arent window shoppers. these are the people who go into lgs and ask questions, handle the weapon and then leave in a timely manner.

tire kickers are the problem. these are the people who go into a lgs without money to spend, handle guns and just want to shoot the sh_t with the staff. these people are just wasting other people's time.

[Mitch]

tire kickers are the problem. these are the people who go into a lgs without money to spend, handle guns and just want to shoot the sh_t with the staff. these people are just wasting other people's time.

Ah, but those guys aren't n00bs. We've all seen those guys. It's a fair guess than a not insignificant proportion of Calguns' membership fits this description.

[j15w]

I actually despise going into gun stores because of this. I always do my research, call before going to check availability, and have all my docs in hand. It's the least people could do.

[NYT]

Ah, but those guys aren't n00bs. We've all seen those guys. It's a fair guess than a not insignificant proportion of Calguns' membership fits this description.

without a doubt, my father is guilty of this behavior. it tends to be the retirees who are just wanting to kill time. i am fine with shooting the sh_t while the store is dead but if there are people waiting, be conscious of other people's time and step aside.

[Sky_DiveR]

I guess some can't understand that it's the nature of the beast. If it really bugs 'em they can always get their own FFL. Viola! No waiting! Except for Fred-X.

The funny thing is, at my LGS I frequent, if I walk up and open the door only to immediately see somebody's back, I just turn around and come back at another time.

[Mitch]

I actually despise going into gun stores because of this. I always do my research, call before going to check availability, and have all my docs in hand. It's the least people could do.

That's nice, but most people depend on retail stores when deciding on a purchase. That's what the stores are there for. I certainly wasn't going to spend a lot of time on-line at home researching washers and dryers when I could walk into a store and ask about the models right there on the floor in front of me.

[NytWolf]

I actually despise going into gun stores because of this. I always do my research, call before going to check availability, and have all my docs in hand. It's the least people could do.

I can do all the research that I want and decide on a gun beforehand, but I won't ever know for sure until I actually handle a gun. You can do all the research you want, but I assure you, nobody can tell you exactly how a gun will feel in your hands until you actually touch one. No point in having to order a gun, just to have it show up and it doesn't fit you ergonomically.

When people go into the LGS, they are test-fitting themselves. They are doing their due diligence. Don't assume they haven't done some homework as their level of homework will be based upon the level of their knowledge to begin with.

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Disclaimer: I know nothing about running a gun store.

Would it reduce conflict and encourage business if a store had a no-wait policy to pick up a firearm at the end of the 10-day wait? Would that require extra staffing/resources?