Handgun Ammo Behind the Counter

[team1320]

so now with handgun ammo behind the counter i have to wear my glasses every time i go to turners.. i get frustrated cause i cant see it up close or see the prices, grain, type, brands etc... i get so irritated i just leave.. i like to look at it close up and even open the boxes to look at the ammo.. walmart allows you to do this even though its behind glass.. cant stores who sell ammo do the same set up like walmart? ammo behind glass cabinets? anyone else bothered by this or is it just me?

[Greg-Dawg]

You can just holler at the sales person to bring the box to you.

[geeknow]

You can just holler at the sales person to bring the box to you.

we (ammo bros) have had to put the handgun ammo behind the counter too. I usually hand over the ammo for inspection before ringing it up.

the op is right there to some degree.

the boxes are little. the printing is smaller still.

for me, i want to make sure the customer has found the grain/bullet type/etc that they want before I make the long trek back to the register area with the incorrect ammo. nothing worse than making the customer stand there watching you walk back and forth...

we talked about putting them in a glass front display, but our 'informal poll' results showed us that the customers wanted to touch/hold/inspect at nose length the merchandise, and putting it into cases would just 'mess up the flow'.

we remain, however, open to suggestion.

g

[BadIndianSwamp]

I am glad that you posted this. I am a recent handgun enthusiast and I have been stunned by the low quality of service and merchandising in many gun stores.

The way that gun stores have placed their handgun ammo so far out of sight is absurd. I know the rule is absurd, but what these guys have done by hiding the ammo hurts their customers and their business. I like shopping for ammo and it is often ammo that brings me in to the gun shop in the first place. Once a customer is in the store, the business has an opportunity to sell more product. (If the store is managed properly, the employees should feel an obligation to gently and enthusiastically introduce customers to new or interesting products or store specials.) If a customer can't see the ammo clearly, the enjoyment of shopping for it is gone...and eventually, so is the customer.

Depending on available space I would offer the following suggestions:
1) White dry erase board listing of in stock handgun ammo w/prices and daily specials (if any). This is done effectively in almost every coin shop in America where people like to shop for coins that are too risky to have displayed.
2) Sample empty boxes of available handgun ammo on counter if there is space or on a table or shelf near an underproducing area of the shop.

3) Print larger descriptions of the ammo and tape it over/under/next to the
boxes so people can see what is available without having to strain to see it.

If it matters...I was in retail management for several decades, my last retail job was the East Coast district manager for a chain of grocery stores.

[VytamenC Tactical]

i like the way walmart displays there ammo out of all of them. this is what everbody should do just bug the hell out of the people behind the gun counter till they figure out a legal better way of doing it kinda like walmart does it

[jchen76@gmail.com]

Depending on available space I would offer the following suggestions:
1) White dry erase board listing of in stock handgun ammo w/prices and daily specials (if If it matters...

+ 1 on the whiteboard idea. Easy to manage and for everyone to see.

[loudninja]

i usually ask the employee if i could have a look at it up close behind the counter. if they give me some lame answer like employees only. i wont shop there again.

[Rob454]

Does the law specifically state behind the counter or simply unreachable by customers without store help? If it doesn't specifically NEED to be behind a counter why not put it behind the plastic walmart like ammo cabinets. This way they can still be in the store customers can walk up and look at the ammo and when they know what they want they can come get a salesman.

[tziggs]

we (ammo bros) have had to put the handgun ammo behind the counter too. I usually hand over the ammo for inspection before ringing it up.

the op is right there to some degree.

the boxes are little. the printing is smaller still.

for me, i want to make sure the customer has found the grain/bullet type/etc that they want before I make the long trek back to the register area with the incorrect ammo. nothing worse than making the customer stand there watching you walk back and forth...

we talked about putting them in a glass front display, but our 'informal poll' results showed us that the customers wanted to touch/hold/inspect at nose length the merchandise, and putting it into cases would just 'mess up the flow'.

we remain, however, open to suggestion.

g

I affirm the "behind glass...but easy to see" concept. It lets me see what you have without bothering you for all the details like pricing, quantity, etc. on every box. I know that it may mess with your systems a little bit, but it could help with the customer experience.

Just one guy's thoughts...

[team1320]

Does the law specifically state behind the counter or simply unreachable by customers without store help? If it doesn't specifically NEED to be behind a counter why not put it behind the plastic walmart like ammo cabinets. This way they can still be in the store customers can walk up and look at the ammo and when they know what they want they can come get a salesman.

x1000

[BadIndianSwamp]

Does the law specifically state behind the counter or simply unreachable by customers without store help? If it doesn't specifically NEED to be behind a counter why not put it behind the plastic walmart like ammo cabinets. This way they can still be in the store customers can walk up and look at the ammo and when they know what they want they can come get a salesman.

I am good with that plan.

I went to BassPro last week and couldn't see any of the handgun ammo. I asked a clerk where it was and he told me I had to take a number. So, I took a number. After a while I realized how ridiculous this was...waiting in line to take the clerks time to find out that their ammo was overpriced and not buy it anyway. What a waste of everyone's time.

[Greg-Dawg]

I am good with that plan...

Out of reach for customers because too many take advantage of the five finger discount.

[Rob454]

Out of reach for customers because too many take advantage of the five finger discount.

IMO some people should lose a few fingers when they do that. I bet stealing wont be a problem anymore after the first few lose a couple of digits.

Either way I think the behind glass door would be best. This way people can look and see what they want and the prices without having to have sales guys tied up to a customer when they want ammo. And maybe have two specific guys who are Johnny on the spot for ammo sales.