Gun Store Clerks

[code_blue]

Lol, Kitty. It always makes me chuckle to hear the, "My dad's friend's uncle's step-sister's husband's horse's trainer is a COP and [insert stupid line here]."

That being said, there is a difference between trying to upsale someone and determining whether or not the individual truly chose the pistol they wanted.

I tend to ask a few confirming questions to help prevent buyer's remorse or something that they'll hate. I've saved many by helping them find options that they didn't know where available because GLOCK or a revolver was all they ever heard of or the dreaded "smaller gun because I'm a smaller person" ideology or "My XXXXXX told me to get this, but I don't know anything about it."

That being said, I've also let a bunch get what they were so adamant about and came back later to tell me that they hated it, can't shoot it, or some other thing. You're right though, some folks just walk in with "I want that" and don't want to hear anything more. Can't save em all.

[BadKitty]

Oh yeah, I don't object at all to a salesperson asking me a few clarifying questions. I had one guy ask me if I had considered the Ruger LCP and he got it out to show me. I explained that I had considered it already and ruled it out for XYZ reasons. Usually the clerk realizes at that point that I've probably thought about and researched a few things prior to walking in. Or, sometimes I'll even mention right up front that I've researched a number of models already and would he please show me guns A and B.

When I went to buy my first rifle, I researched my stuff in advance and had an idea of what I was looking for. However, I *did* announce to the clerk that I don't know squat about rifles and asked him if he would please help guide me in deciding between 2-3 models.

So, it's not usually a problem if a clerk is genuinely trying to help clarify. That's not the same thing as when a man makes a diminutive comment towards his female customers. I've told the story here on CalGuns already about walking up to a booth at a gun show. There was a rack of shotguns on the table and I stopped momentarily to scan the rack. The vendor said something to me like, "It's ok. You can pick them up, miss. They're not heavy". Uhm...what? Why was there an assumption made that I had any concern about the weight of a shotgun? I bet he would have never said that to a male customer.

Edited to add -- This is also why I like to develop a relationship with my local gun stores. These guys know me and treat me like a regular customer. They know if I'm walking in to legit buy something, that I will actually go through with the purchase and not waste their time.

[BadKitty]

Whenever someone wants to argue with me about how they think that .380 and 9mm don't have stopping power, I offer a solution. I offer to let him stand down range while I pump two rounds to his chest. If my .380 doesn't stop him, I'll concede the argument.

[The Gleam]

Would love to sport a Detonics Combatmaster wherever and whenever, but it's going to be a bit obvious in most any Zegna or Armani jacket I'd be wearing in public, which is about 95% of the time. The wool is a bit thin, by design.

So KelTec P38T (.380) it is - and nobody ever knows it's there. Not even while I'm sitting right next to half the Anti-2nd Amendment dip****s at Spagos.

It will do the job and do it well; you're a fool or a criminal if you think it won't, with either apt to find out just how effective .380ACP can be.

[baranski]

The moral of the story - let the lady purchase what she wants.

Don't make a BadKitty a MadKitty, I've seen her shoot!

[BonnieB]

BK rocks !

And I say again, shot placement trumps caliber every time....

[SSGTSemperFI]

The local store that I support is operated by two guys and their wives. The husbands have day jobs, so one of the two ladies operate the store until 17:30. All four of them are nothing short of awesome.

When I finally convinced my mother to pick up a home defense handgun, we stopped by Turner's first (just so happened to be we were going to be passing it on the way home), the guy behind the counter had naught but two minutes to dedicate to her. The following day, I took her to their store, and spent a solid 4-5 hours there, getting a feel for basically everything they had to show, talking about what home defense really means, how you practice with your firearm, ETC, ETC. It was nothing I hadn't told my mother already, but hearing it from another woman, really solidified it, it cemented it in her mind that she could own and fire a handgun in self defense. So, yeah, it might have been a little boring for me (even in a gun store - yes, you can only fondle a KSG so many times before you accept that you can't afford it right now :P) but it was the most well spent boring time of my life. I even managed to learn a thing or two. I'm not "too proud" to say that both the ladies that operate the store can outshoot me any day of the week. Not once did she give the appearance of "get out of here lady" or "i'm sick of you". Much to the contrary, she encouraged my mother to come back if she had any questions at all, big or small.

At the end of that day, all four of them (by this time, the husbands had shown up) turned us away with a "you're not ready to buy a firearm yet" They encouraged her to get to a range, rent a few different calibers, different models, ETC, and then return once she's had a feel for what it means to fire an LCP, an 1911, an M&P Shield, ETC. Not once was an LCP touted as a must-have, but inversely, not once was a 1911 touted as the best.

In the end, she picked up a 686-6, and while, ideally, it would be just a slight bit smaller, she's well capable of firing the thing with solid accuracy.

[cvigue]

So KelTec P38T (.380) it is - and nobody ever knows ....

P3AT?

[valleyM]

I look at purchasing a gun the same way I purchase a car. Plenty of research, looking at reviews, price, performance, etc. Overall I have had better experiences buying guns from male LGS clerks than I have had buying cars from Car Dealership salesmen.

If I'm going to drop $30-40K on a car, I expect to be treated as a customer worthy of respect. I have often found that when I go to the dealership for a test drive and potential purchase, the salesman will either try to point me toward a different car ("You will find this model easier to drive") or be surprised that I have a reason for picking the car that I did ("Gee, you know something about this car"). Don't patronize me, bud.

When I go to an LGS, only once have I gotten real attitude from a sales clerk. I asked what they had in .308; the clerk replied, "You must mean .380. We have some nice ladies' guns." The attitude stopped when the manager, who knew me by name, happened to come over to say hello. I didn't buy anything that day, and I haven't seen that clerk since. Kudos to places like VC Defense, where I am treated as a valued customer. Not a female customer, but a customer.

[movie zombie]

I look at purchasing a gun the same way I purchase a car. Plenty of research, looking at reviews, price, performance, etc. Overall I have had better experiences buying guns from male LGS clerks than I have had buying cars from Car Dealership salesmen.

If I'm going to drop $30-40K on a car, I expect to be treated as a customer worthy of respect. I have often found that when I go to the dealership for a test drive and potential purchase, the salesman will either try to point me toward a different car ("You will find this model easier to drive") or be surprised that I have a reason for picking the car that I did ("Gee, you know something about this car"). Don't patronize me, bud.

When I go to an LGS, only once have I gotten real attitude from a sales clerk. I asked what they had in .308; the clerk replied, "You must mean .380. We have some nice ladies' guns." The attitude stopped when the manager, who knew me by name, happened to come over to say hello. I didn't buy anything that day, and I haven't seen that clerk since. Kudos to places like VC Defense, where I am treated as a valued customer. Not a female customer, but a customer.

amen.

[2761377]

Lol, Kitty. It always makes me chuckle to hear the, "My dad's friend's uncle's step-sister's husband's horse's trainer is a COP and [insert stupid line here]."

That being said, there is a difference between trying to upsale someone and determining whether or not the individual truly chose the pistol they wanted.

I tend to ask a few confirming questions to help prevent buyer's remorse or something that they'll hate. I've saved many by helping them find options that they didn't know where available because GLOCK or a revolver was all they ever heard of or the dreaded "smaller gun because I'm a smaller person" ideology or "My XXXXXX told me to get this, but I don't know anything about it."

That being said, I've also let a bunch get what they were so adamant about and came back later to tell me that they hated it, can't shoot it, or some other thing. You're right though, some folks just walk in with "I want that" and don't want to hear anything more. Can't save em all.

no offense, but it's not your job to "save" any of them. customer comes in with "I want that" your job is to provide the example they'll take home, a pen and the 4473. anything else is second guessing. sure, every once in a while it might be a service but mostly not. if a gun knob tried to change my mind, I'd be short and rude and eager to leave.

also, having spent time behind a gun counter, and accompanying women gun buyers, let me assert the majority of gun salesmen are straight up misogynists.

[movie zombie]

no offense, but it's not your job to "save" any of them. customer comes in with "I want that" your job is to provide the example they'll take home, a pen and the 4473. anything else is second guessing. sure, every once in a while it might be a service but mostly not. if a gun knob tried to change my mind, I'd be short and rude and eager to leave.

also, having spent time behind a gun counter, and accompanying women gun buyers, let me assert the majority of gun salesmen are straight up misogynists.

yep.

[johninRC]

Does that store have a Wendy's across the street?
If so, I agree. Great little store.

The local store that I support is operated by two guys and their wives. The husbands have day jobs, so one of the two ladies operate the store until 17:30. All four of them are nothing short of awesome.

When I finally convinced my mother to pick up a home defense handgun, we stopped by Turner's first (just so happened to be we were going to be passing it on the way home), the guy behind the counter had naught but two minutes to dedicate to her. The following day, I took her to their store, and spent a solid 4-5 hours there, getting a feel for basically everything they had to show, talking about what home defense really means, how you practice with your firearm, ETC, ETC. It was nothing I hadn't told my mother already, but hearing it from another woman, really solidified it, it cemented it in her mind that she could own and fire a handgun in self defense. So, yeah, it might have been a little boring for me (even in a gun store - yes, you can only fondle a KSG so many times before you accept that you can't afford it right now :P) but it was the most well spent boring time of my life. I even managed to learn a thing or two. I'm not "too proud" to say that both the ladies that operate the store can outshoot me any day of the week. Not once did she give the appearance of "get out of here lady" or "i'm sick of you". Much to the contrary, she encouraged my mother to come back if she had any questions at all, big or small.

At the end of that day, all four of them (by this time, the husbands had shown up) turned us away with a "you're not ready to buy a firearm yet" They encouraged her to get to a range, rent a few different calibers, different models, ETC, and then return once she's had a feel for what it means to fire an LCP, an 1911, an M&P Shield, ETC. Not once was an LCP touted as a must-have, but inversely, not once was a 1911 touted as the best.

In the end, she picked up a 686-6, and while, ideally, it would be just a slight bit smaller, she's well capable of firing the thing with solid accuracy.

[code_blue]

no offense, but it's not your job to "save" any of them. customer comes in with "I want that" your job is to provide the example they'll take home, a pen and the 4473. anything else is second guessing. sure, every once in a while it might be a service but mostly not. if a gun knob tried to change my mind, I'd be short and rude and eager to leave.

also, having spent time behind a gun counter, and accompanying women gun buyers, let me assert the majority of gun salesmen are straight up misogynists.

None taken. No, it's not my job to "save" anyone; it is my duty as a firearms enthusiast and instructor to ensure that they have what they need not necessarily what they want or think they want.

Now I can obviously tell a semi-newbie from an experienced shooter. I will treat each different depending on the conversation. Newbies need a few lessons and they will ask for advice.

My job is to ensure that transactions are handled in accordance with the law. It also my job to delay or simply not move forward with transactions when these same people fail to clear safety demonstrations with the weapon that they thought would work for them, but were unable to show proficiency in operation.

Insufficient documentation? You didn't know? Sorry, no pen and no 4473.

[SSGTSemperFI]

Does that store have a Wendy's across the street?
If so, I agree. Great little store.

That store has a Wendy's across the street.. :P

I support them whenever I can, even if it means paying a little more than I would from somewhere like Amazon or wally world.