who hates this?

[1mean76]

i wanna know if im alone on this one. ok who hates when people treat us like crap cuz we are younger and are into guns? ok cuz everytime i go to a gun shop the people dont even wanna help me cuz im not 60 or something

[AdamM]

I'd have to agree with you. When I went to buy my OLL I asked the guy if he handled OLL AR15's and he said, "No, and even if we did, you dont have enough money to even buy the grip" and I said "Oh, okay, I guess I'll have to take this elsewhere then " and showed him the $1300 I had in cash



Ended up going to another shop, completely customized the entire gun, had them build it for me, and made it mine for $834 including DROS and tax

[BillCA]

Well, I guess that depends on how young you are or look.

Remember, you are dealing with someone in the retail business. He knows that younger customers generally do not have the descretionary income to spend money on high dollar goods. If you look like you're under 25, then it is likely that's the case. There are many gun shops that look at youthful buyers as "lookie-loos" who come in to look and fondle without buying. From the dealer's perspective, many of these customers are "high labor, low value" customers because they consume at lot of time asking questions with little intent to purchase. And since under-25's are much more crime-prone, closer supervision is necessary.

Appearances count too. If you're in the shop on the weekend in saggy-baggies jeans and an oversized t-shirt with a HALO logo, I can see why you don't get much attention. If you wear something business casual you might be taken more seriously.

If all else fails, tell the owner/clerk you're expecting some O.T. or a bonus check and you're thinking of buying a "_________" with it. This says you are planning to spend money soon and are price shopping so the dealer may be able to persuade you to buy from him.

[vwynn]

Take business elsewhere n let that gun shop fall.

Never really had a problem buying a gun when i was 18 (a year ago) but yea.. Just have the greens in hand!

[CHS]

I have to agree with what Bill said. Appearances are EVERYTHING. It makes no matter how young you are. You don't have to go out of your way to dress up, but clean jeans and a tucked-in polo shirt (8$ at target) go a long way to get some attention.

When I was younger and buying guns at 18/19/20, I always went into the shops with just a simple, cheap, black tucked-in polo shirt and never got treated differently for being young. I still looked young, don't get me wrong, but I didn't act it.

[hamster]

Just make eye contact. I don't dress nice. Tee shirt with some band logo or a sci-fi show.... faded, worn out jeans and vans with the laces all messed up. I look around for what I want, and when I find it, make eye contact with one of the salesmen. Normally, if they aren't busy helping someone else, they come right over and get the business done.

[stuntdummy]

Remember, you are dealing with someone in the retail business. He knows that younger customers generally do not have the descretionary income to spend money on high dollar goods. If you look like you're under 25, then it is likely that's the case. There are many gun shops that look at youthful buyers as "lookie-loos" who come in to look and fondle without buying. From the dealer's perspective, many of these customers are "high labor, low value" customers because they consume at lot of time asking questions with little intent to purchase.

That is bad business if you ask me, sure he may not make a sale right away but a "lookie-loo" may save his money and be back to make a purchase down the road. I have a real problem with people who work in retail and give crap service. Retail is a service business, so I say swallow the attitude and and treat everyone with respect if that is your chosen profession. It's is easy to be a jerk, but only takes a little bit of effort to be courteous and helpful, and that can only help your business in the long run.

[Batbunny]

This happens to me sometimes as well, so I just don't spend my money there. I always thought that good business meant getting young people to develop brand/store loyalty? oh well...

[csmintel]

why don't you all stop making excuses fro dealers. They decided to make money off their hobby. Doesn't make them great salesmen or businessmen for that matter. In fact almost all of them ( and I use this lightly ) lack interpersonal and customer service skills. And it's ok, bacause we don't go there to be treated like we open new CD account at small, struggling, local comunity bank. We go there cause they have what we need. Again....this is buyers world because they are not the only shop in town. Vote with yo money. And spew the FUD.

[Axewound]

ive had bad service at a gun shop, i left and took it else where.
ive never been back...just remember to say please and thank you

[MrSlippyFist]

i wanna know if im alone on this one. ok who hates when people treat us like crap cuz we are younger and are into guns? ok cuz everytime i go to a gun shop the people dont even wanna help me cuz im not 60 or something

Like, I know! Right?

[1mean76]

This happens to me sometimes as well, so I just don't spend my money there. I always thought that good business meant getting young people to develop brand/store loyalty? oh well...

thats what im talking about! im the kinda guy that if i like the shop i will always go to that store even if it a lil pricey

[Fantasma]

I'd have to agree with you. When I went to buy my OLL I asked the guy if he handled OLL AR15's and he said, "No, and even if we did, you dont have enough money to even buy the grip" and I said "Oh, okay, I guess I'll have to take this elsewhere then " and showed him the $1300 I had in cash



Ended up going to another shop, completely customized the entire gun, had them build it for me, and made it mine for $834 including DROS and tax

I would so love to see the the expression on that guys face when you walked out... Great Story.

[andrewj]

i wanna know if im alone on this one. ok who hates when people treat us like crap cuz we are younger and are into guns? ok cuz everytime i go to a gun shop the people dont even wanna help me cuz im not 60 or something

I know exactly what you are talking about. I started a tornado of a thread regarding this topic:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=132751

[FS00008]

AdamM, where did you go to pick up your OLL for $834 out the door?

And I got that same kind of chit from the fellas in Martinez at Canyon Sports. Treated me like chit, so I went down teh road to Diablo Valey Gunworks and got some stuff from there that I had needed, but they didn't have the rifle I needed. Went to Contra Costa Collectible Firearms, they treated me fine. Sold me the Rifle I wanted and I wound up buying another one from them 11 days later when I picked up the first one. Great fellas there. They don't have any OLLs though :-/.