Stigma towards younger gun generation?

[NavCop]

The issue is likely poor customer service from someone who has never been taught proper customer service. I'm old by anyone's standard, and stood directly in front of a vendor at a gun show for 5 minutes while he rearranged his displays, looked around the room, and continued to ignore me as I held a box of his ammo in my hand. When I sat it down and turned to leave, he decided to speak to me. I told him he had his chance, and walked away. Hopefully he learned something.

[jarhead714]

First gun store I ever went into is a place called the Fowler Gun Room in Orange. This was say, 30 years ago. Not only were they a-holes to younger folks but it was doubly so if you looked like you were from the adjoining city Santa Ana, which was about 300 yards away. If I went solely on how I was treated by that particular store I never would’ve set foot in another. For the record, they have not been that way for some time now as many of the moldy old figs who worked there have retired and/or died. It’s not you, it’s them.

[jarhead714]

“May I help you? Yes sir, no sir, F-you sir.” Those are words. No words is no words.

[EBR Works]

So OP, was this Bucky O'Neill Guns or High Country? There is no excuse for crappy customer service like that.

[TMB 1]

There is a flip side to this as well. Customers in general are cheapskates. Very common for random people to come in, spend hours holding every gun and accessory, asking questions galore, then ordering online to save a buck. In a free state with a lot less redtape/fees this is a bigger problem. Still it happens a lot with accessories here.

I doubt its an age thing, more of a tired of wasting their time thing. Right or wrong....that is the attitude I've encountered numerous times in a new (to me) gun shop. I generally know what I'm looking for/at and don't care if I'm ignored while browsing. If I want something, I'll speak up.

Not that this pertains to OP or this thread, but I will say spend a few bucks more on your accessories at your local gun shop. Long term it pays off. Took me many years to get that in my head. Now when unique stuff in my wheelhouse walks in the door at a couple of my local shops, I get a text or call.

Yep, I would have missed out on a lot of deals over the years if I expected to get my shoes shined before I would buy there like many of these guys do, have to earn the right to the shoe shine. lol

[OCEquestrian]

I'm 33, have been heavily involved in the firearm hobby for for 13 years. I'm into all of it, early guns, revolvers, guns with wood on them, oddball guns, modern stuff, and I know a fair amount about most aspects of this entire hobby. I've always felt there is a slight stigma from the "old guard" of gun owners/gun shop owners towards the younger crowd. When I was 18, 19 years old I used to dress up a bit to go to the gun shop as I thought it may help me be treated a bit better or at least given the time of day.

More recently (couple years ago) I walked into a shop in Prescott with 1k in my pocket ready to buy an AR. Stood there looking at them for 5 minutes (yes I timed it). NO ONE ELSE IN THE STORE, and the shop owner never walked over to ask if I wanted to see anything. YES I could have asked, but really that isn't the point. I have worked in a small business before, and customer service was a focus. I walked out, and found better service at the next shop and spent money on an AR.

Lastly, I have noticed the same level of "disregard" at gun shows. Look I'm not saying that young people are treated as second class citizens, but we are the future of the 2nd Amendment in this country and it certainly seems at times that the "old guard" isn't always willing to give the time of day. My feelings aren't hurt, nothing specific happened, but more this is an observation that I have made over the years from segments of our overall wonderful gun community. And before you accuse me of being a sensitive millennial, I assure you it isn't the case.

Thoughts?

Personally when buying guns or anything else that costs less than $10,000, I just like to go in and get what I want and get the heck out. The one thing that will have me walk out is a line or too long a wait. Being shown respect by a minimum wage counter clerk is never been high on my list of priorities and will not keep me from getting what I want at the price that I want.

One final thought... One of the many secrets to happiness in life is to manage your expectations of things you cannot control. Why anybody would go to a gun show and expect any level of customer service or respect from the carnies that work there I cannot fathom. Also, letting a counter clerk ruin your day is your own fault IMHO!

[HKAllTheThings]

This isn't Nam, this is bowling, there are rules.

[OCEquestrian]

This isn't Nam, this is bowling, there are rules.

What a GREAT scene in a great movie!!! Btw...that was NOT a Pomeranian...lol

[9mmContagion]

Why does everything with you millennials have to be a stigma or racist!?!? Walk in to a room with confidence and be affirmative! Ask to see something! Demand attention!

I’m 33 BTW, I’m not offended by anything. If I’m being brushed off after I ask to see something, I’ll leave. But I’m not just going to waste the time I spent driving there and walking in, by not asking to see what I want to see. I may make a smart *** comment such as, “It’s nice, I would have bought it from you had I had some better customer service.” Then probably find a used one in the CGN marketplace. Truth is, I usually waste the gun store’s time. I’m there to see what I may want in the future. If I really can’t find a good deal on a used one, I’ll buy it new. Unless it’s a used/consignment gun in the store.

A local shop I frequent always has good deals on used/consignment. And if I see a good deal on something when I walk in, you best believe I’m speaking up! I’m not waiting for them, or for someone else to catch that deal sitting there.

Sorry to be harsh, but I see it with friends and people all day. Walk confident and hold your head up! Doesn’t mean you’re a tough guy or a douche, it’s just confidence! You’d be surprised how far it gets you!

[DaveInOroValley]

Had a very similar experience when we first moved at a local Sportsman's Warehouse. Was ready to spend a bit over 2300.00 and was completely disregarded and this was after waiting 20 minutes for my "number" to be called.

I left, ordered what I wanted from another store online, shipped to my local home based FFL and never looked back. And I'm twice your age. So no that's not it as someone else already said find a local store that treats you as they should and patronize them.

[pythonfan]

This isn't Nam, this is bowling, there are rules.

I hope im missing the joke or movie quote here. Using a ww2 picture and referencing Vietnam War is confusing me.

[jyc]

I've never had a problem since I was 18. Half the battle is choosing a couple good gun shops and building a relationship. Vote with your feet and dollars. I avoid the tactitard and fudd shops as these seem to be the worst. Funny enough, the younger guys with FFLs seem to treat me right.

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[BajaJames83]

Thats actually the problem with the firearms industry. Far too often the grumpy old timers chase away new people from learning and enjoying the sport.

[BajaJames83]

It's a league game...



If they are democrats/liberal progressives who cares. Why give aid and comfort to the enemy? :bamghead:

I agree however therebare still plenty of non libs (many women) who are interested in firearms who get treated poorly at gun stores.

[OCEquestrian]

I hope im missing the joke or movie quote here. Using a ww2 picture and referencing Vietnam War is confusing me.

It's a league game...

Thats actually the problem with the firearms industry. Far too often the grumpy old timers chase away new people from learning and enjoying the sport.

If they are democrats/liberal progressives who cares. Why give aid, comfort AND WEAPONS to the enemy?