Rude Gun Shops ?

[eyeluv2fish]

[corrupt]

I have wondered this as well. Could it also be that people with the knowledge of firearms (laughable at some shops) and trust needed to work in a shop is pretty thin already, so finding people who also have decent customer service skills is even harder?

[Cali-Shooter]

eyeluv2fish, First off just to let you know, I am just a gun owner just like you.

I've heard a lot about piss-poor service in gun stores and FFL's, but luckily I've never experienced half as bad service as from accounts of what people posted online complained about. Apparently some Turner's Outdoorsmans are crappy.
Can you give details as to how the five offending gun stores were rude? Did they prejudge you, 'size' you up by your wallet, were unresponsive, or something else?
My most irritating experience with rude gun store people was with Ade's Gun Shop in Orange, Ca. I went in there to browse their inventory and see if they had ammo for my rifles. I had one rifle too many for my personal collection, so I decided to take them up to their word for it to sell one of them (yes, they advertised that they buy guns on their website) to make some quick cash. However, the big, burly guy who works there seemed very hesitant to accept guns to be sold to the store, and so I guess he tried to eke out a 'compromise,' and offered $50 for a $400 gun which I would have accepted $200 for. Needless to say, I stopped wasting my time and cash there ever since, and I sold the rifle to a pawn shop for $220, which seems quite fairer and much less douche baggish than Ade's.

[corrupt]

I think the rude shops really don't know how much it affects their business. I for instance, only shop at places that people say are good-great shops here on calguns. I won't even step in to a shop that I've heard bad stories about. I have found that there is typically at least ONE good shop in each area, and guess what, that's where I go! Do you know why I don't even bother shopping at the other places? Because I have had such amazingly good luck with all of the places recommended here on calguns and word of mouth.

Some of the really GREAT places that have been recommended on Calguns are Sportsmans Arms in Petaluma, Parallax Tactical in San Diego, P2K range, etc. I went there based on reputation on here, and I was not disappointed in any of them. I would rather not have some terrible story in the first place, so I only go to the shops that have A GOOD REPUTATION. That's ten of thousands of dollars that other shops that I've heard bad things about will never see, and I'm sure there are hundreds others just like me.

There's a shop just down the road from me that I know nothing about, but I'd rather go some where that has a good reputation. Guess I'm silly that way.

Edited to add that there are actually a lot of great shops down here in San Diego, but I tend to frequent the ones with EBRs which limits it even more.

[spencerhut]

This is why I am opening up my own shop in Fresno, I know I can do better.

[CSACANNONEER]

Which shop have you decided that you like?

[Just-in]

If they aren't rude they are ignorant. Friendly knowledgeable people are hard to come by in a lot of stores not just guns it's contagious. Not to say the folks aren't out there just good luck coming across them.

[Rob454]

I think a lot of store owners get on a high horse mode. And they become experts on whatever they are selling and even when wrong they are still right. We have a guy at work that is like that. he knows everything about anything.
You did right. I ALWAYS vote with my wallet and make my decisions and it all depends on how I get treated as a customer.

[tenpercentfirearms]

I don't get it either. No matter what business you are in, it has to be about customer service. You should make customers think they are the greatest thing to ever happen to your store. It really isn't that hard. Just be a servant.

[eyeluv2fish]

I'd rather not mention any one shop or give a specific example as it would single someone out. I'm really hoping a shop owner or employee might enlighten us.

[stitchnicklas]

i have found that some gun shops get many window shoppers that just want handle the guns then leave and never spend a dime. one gun shop in riverside has that problem but they make a point to tolerate it,i went there 10 times and did the window/handle,then i bought a xd.45 from them then bluing kit,then a stripped lower then,etc,etc.....now they know me when i come in and browse,some gun shops like turners get employees that are just pissy then they get the helpful ones. big 5 in riverside plaza area has people that are always friendly and very patient too.

[tenpercentfirearms]

I'd rather not mention any one shop or give a specific example as it would single someone out. I'm really hoping a shop owner or employee might enlighten us.

LOL. Are you expecting a rude gun shop employee or bastard gun shop owner to come on here and tell them why they think you are a douche bag and why you don't deserve to buy guns from them? Or I am misunderstanding what you are asking?

It is simple. People don't understand customer service. If they did, they wouldn't act this way.

They would tolerate the bad customers, come on here and complain about them for laughs, have a bunch of hyper-sensitive types get butt hurt about it and then those hypersensitive types would swear never to set foot in the complainer's shop (despite living hundreds of miles away), and then the customers who know from experience will back the good shop up and say "relax".

The really, really good shops don't even complain about stupid customers online! That is why my shop is second rate.

Anyway, there is no reason for a gun shop to treat a person badly. You should greet people at the door with a "Hello, how are you doing today?". If you are busy you should say, "Hello, I will be with you in just a few minutes." If the current customer you are working on might take a while you say, "Is there anything I can real quick I can help you with? No? Ok, I will be with you as soon as I can." It also helps that my shop is a little larger than most closets and I can talk to any customer that comes into the shop in a normal voice as soon as they step through the door.

[AR u Ready]

What i've noticed in most gun shops that aren't a larger chain is the employees are just themselves. No training in how to put on a fake smile and give you a robot greeting and kiss your ***. Some people take this as rudeness, i prefer it. If you want the best customer service in east county San Diego go to Hirams in El Cajon on washington and magnolia, best customer service and if the dude doesn't have it, he'll get it for you.

[4 Brigada]

This is why I am opening up my own shop in Fresno, I know I can do better

Looking forward to visiting your shop. Keep us posted.

[Just-in]

What i've noticed in most gun shops that aren't a larger chain is the employees are just themselves. No training in how to put on a fake smile and give you a robot greeting and kiss your ***.

This is very true. No BS...
I hate going to places like Big 5 I'd rather deal with a crotchity fella who knows his **** and won't Bull**** me than a kid at Big 5 in the mall who won't sell me shotgun shells because I'm not 21. Or don't look it at least...

Did I miss that memo is there a new law in Ca that you have to be 21 to buy ammo for long guns or since folks in there don't know the difference in what they sell theres a store policy 21 for everything we just say it's the law and try to humiliate our customers who look "underage" trying to buy ammunition.