Rude Gun Shops ?

[Capt. Speirs]

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.

Ignorant? No one person knows everything about every gun out there. Nothing wrong with ignorance, it is miss information that upsets me. If I don't know the answer, I will find it if possible. If I can't get the information while the customer is in store, I offer to take their contact information and let them know what I found out.

[winnre]

Maybe my problem is that when I walk in to the gunstore here my wallet is in my pocket. I get ignored while salesmen chat with friends or visitors. I can understand it when you are in the middle of a deal, but when a customer walks in and looks all around and is not even acknowledged with the sales folks right there, well that gets old. And don't tell me to call back when your phone goes to a full voicemail box and it is not even answered in the store while I too am ignored.

Business must be good for the gun stores where they can treat folks like this. Based on my experiences, best to worst in order around here are:
1. Turner's San Bernardino
2. Big 5 Fontana
3. Big 5 Redlands
4. Cold War Shooters Highland
5. Bass Pro shops Victoria Gardens

[hollowpoint]

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

It's amazing, I have always wanted to do the same because I know a good gun store w/ good customer service would thrive in the Fresno area. Most of the Gun shops here in Fresno have terrible customer service, I can't believe some of these places are still in business. I usually stick to Breco in Clovis off Tollhouse & the Range Pistol Club - prob. because I'm a member and there are some good guys that work there yet there prices are on the high end yet with my 10% off membership perk I can't complain too much. Good luck with your venture, again a good gun shop if Fresno would thrive.

[C.W.M.V.]

I really don't think it gets much better than Breco. Nice little place with cool dudes and lots p guns. PRK has done right by me too, will go to both of these guys when I'm looking to buy again

[spencerhut]

Rob is a hell of a nice guy. Breco is the only place in Fresno I have purchased anything from in many years.

[slobson]

not in fresno

but I have observed the same phenomenon in other locations, most notably the Turner's in Redondo Beach. I'm by no means an expert, but I am proficient in basic firearm safety/etc, and was talked down to and basically treated like garbage when doing a PPT in the store. What was even more disturbing was the manner in which a woman was treated when picking up a shotgun, what must have been her first purchase. The clerk showed her the basic functions of the weapon in a brisk walk through, and when she asked for him to go over it again the man rolled his eyes and sighed in a way I would expect my seven year old nephew to behave when told he must finish his dinner before he can have dessert. Not only is this poor customer service, but it goes against the mandate to be a good steward of the second amendment and to welcome others into shooting with friendly encouragement. needless to say I will never be doing business there again

[G60]

They've got a really bad reputation, but Fresno Firearms on blackstone can order just about anything you want for a good price. they don't have hardly anything on hand though, but if you know what you want, it's worth a visit.

i paid under MSRP for my mossberg 590A1 including tax and DROS at fresno firearms.

Herb Bauer wouldn't even give me the time of day when i asked if they could order one.
I've also overheard one of the guys at Herb Bauer's flat out tell a customer they don't do PPT's.

[greasemonkey]

I really don't think it gets much better than Breco. Nice little place with cool dudes and lots p guns. PRK has done right by me too, will go to both of these guys when I'm looking to buy again

^^Exact same experience for me, too; and I'm no high rollin big spender, either, just another cheap SOB, yet they've both treated me well and have been very helpful to me.

[Nicky D]

-1 for Herb Bauer

Herb Bauer wouldn't even give me the time of day when i asked if they could order one.
I've also overheard one of the guys at Herb Bauer's flat out tell a customer they don't do PPT's.

I was just going chime in with my 2 cents about the Bauer's. Every time I went in there, every employee acts deaf. I ask for a box of 30-30's, they just pretend they cant hear me.
Thats why I dont go there anymore. Which sucks, because they are one of the biggest dealers in town

[khw9mm]

I did a transfer at Gunrunners in Duarte and when I went in to pay first ($100 - which is quite high) the short fat old guy asks me what do I need, I tell him I'm paying for a transfer....He just turned around and helped the guy that came in about 20 minutes after me. That's right, I was waiting for 20 minutes for them to say a word to me. Meanwhile, the whole store had 1 customer. So guy came from the back and eventually helped me.

When I went back 10 days later to pick up, the younger guy that usually works on the guns (I think Kevin was his name) was having a discussion with another employee at the store for about 8-10 minutes before he said a word to me, but before he said it he turned to the other employee and said "look how much patience this guy has" referring to me...I was thinking WTF but didn't say a word because they still had my gun which I was there to pick up.

Reason I went there even knowing of their poor customer service: my usual FFL started charging tax on transfers... =(

[khw9mm]

Sorry, didn't mean to make it sound like I'm ranting but when I read what the OP wrote just thought people should know about poor customer service.

We should have some kind of a rating score with our experiences with gunshops. I'm sure we'll see an improvement.

[gn3hz3ku1*]

it's because cold war shooters was one of the first to sell us black rifles and they get plenty of business and it just seems like he doesn't care much..apparently he is suppose to be a nice guy once you get to know him. but now there are other shops opening in his area he is starting to turn around a bit.

[winnre]

it's because cold war shooters was one of the first to sell us black rifles and they get plenty of business and it just seems like he doesn't care much..apparently he is suppose to be a nice guy once you get to know him. but now there are other shops opening in his area he is starting to turn around a bit.

Yea they pretty much ignore me when I am there. Maybe if I buy more from them they will stop texting friends and show me a gun. Or maybe not.

[vsy05]

If I had to guess why gun shops are so rude is because of the nature of the industry.

I'm not trying to make any excuses for poor customer service, I'm just trying to provide some insight and constuctive discussion.

They are constantly being monitored and check by the governments (federal, state, and local). They are constantly attacked by politicians, the press, etc. People are constantly watching them to make a mistake, and to shut them down.

I'm guessing that the BATF and DOJ aren't that friendly to them either. Maybe the attitude is contagious and flows downhill to the customers.

This is one of the most regulated industry and always under constant change. You will not find a industry that has a more difficult time running a business. The rules doesn't make sense and it is filled with grey areas. All this confusion makes it harder on the employees and owners.

In addition to all these problems in the back end, they have to make sales and run a business.

[kemasa]

It could also be looky-loos. What is the point in wasting time with people who won't really buy anything? Of course, you really don't know the answer to that and if you ignore them and/or are rude, then they will not buy anything.

Many people come in and look and then want the same deal that they can find on the Internet sites/auctions. That can also be a waste of time.

None of this is an excuse, but it causes the situation.

I really don't see the government aspects as being an issue. It can stress the FFL out and that can cause issues. I personally have not seen the BATF or the DOJ being unfriendly.