BiG fIvE cUsToMeR sErVeS

[Rogerbutthead]

Big 5 has some of the worst gun sales staff I have ever met in 40 odd years of collecting.

The worst did not want to help sell guns, would only allow you to see one of the surplus weapons and took a long time to serve me. I recall one in South San Jose who's manager wouldn't even let me work the action on a Mosin Nagant rifle. Had to drive to Milpitas to find a friendlier store. This was back in the 80's when they sold a lot of cheap surplus weapons.

[JunkYrdDog]

As a person who use to be in management at the Big nickle but cast aside when the company went public I can tell you that IMHO they only really want to sell shoes, every employee is just a glorified Al Bundy (same attitudes as well)

It was my love and above average knowledge of fishing gear, firearms and ammo that originally got me the job 20 yrs or so ago, and I shot through the ranks faster than any other trainee at the time.

When I started as a sales clerk, I kept sneaking to those departments to help customers B4 they ask for help and behind the gun counter was like home. Since management felt bothered by people in those 2 departments, I ended up being called there any time someone needed help because I wanted to help next thing I knew sales had increased and I had customers that would drive a little farther to come see me because I would call them when I new what they either were waiting for or wanted, like curios with all matching serial #'rs.

I admit I was a little scorned when they decided to part ways with me, I was one step from my own store, but when the Comp. went public things really changed and IMHO not for the better.

[smoothy8500]

I wonder what the OP does to the disabled kid working at the supermarket bagging groceries...Yeah, I worked at Big 5 when I was a kid and made dumb suggestions. At least back then customers would correct my error and I would learn something.

[fiveflat]

And if the kid would have told him "I have 38 special, but there's a difference between the two...."

This thread would have likely gone something like this:

"The kid tried to educate me. Just sell me what I ask for!"

[Jwalt]

He's 19 and he works at Big5.

Just educate him. "Oh, that won't work and it could be dangerous. .38 S&W isn't the same as the more common .38 special"

"Oh, I didn't know that. We only have the .38 special. "

Then he doesn't do it again and everyone moves on and he doesn't try to dodge the jerky old guy trying to make him feel like crap just for being a dumb 19 year old kid.

[Mickey D]

OP, Why by a gun that takes damn near obsolete ammunition?
Hope you got a screaming deal on it.

[edgerly779]

Some dummies think you can out 38 spl in 38 SW. Wrong you can put 38SW in a 38 spl and case will split. Selling 38 spl to owner of 38sw is not unsafe .

[deadcoyote]

It happens everywhere. It’s just a side effect to big box stores selling ammo and not really having firearms educated staff. Our local sportsman’s warehouse (Eureka) told me 6.5 creedmore would chamber and shoot fine in a 6.5x55 Mauser, and told me I could save money by shooting .45 acp out of a .45 colt rifle.

[Rogerbutthead]

The OP is a collector.

No one buys a 38 Smith & Wesson to defend themselves these days.

Probably watched "Zulu" like I did, got a .455 Webley and started to collect break open Brit revolvers so bought a 38S&W Enfield or Webley when they were really cheap in the 80's.

[cgseanp1]

What’s with the annoying *** title? Why go out of your way to capitalize half the letters?

[Barang]

. The moment the second employee left he pulled out all the binoculars form the case and gave them all to the older man and continued to stall to avoid talking to me. I left shortly after.

not safe for the newbies to go buy ammo there.

[Endless]

[sass2924]

[Rogerbutthead]

I believe I bought some 38 S&W at Big 5 in the 80's - only reloaded the few times I have fired them since then.

[Notpc]

Yeah, what is up with that? Is it something the cool kids are doing? I have seen it on other posts as well. Just figured their keyboard is/was broken, not that they are tarded or something.