who hates this?

[JeffM]

I agree with a lot of what's been said.

Gun shops, or any business for that matter, shouldn't treat the young, or any other group, differently.

Sadly it happens.

There are a few ways to limit it though:

Looks: Like it's been said before, put on a clean pair of jeans or slacks and a collared shirt. Don't wear your pants lower than your ***.

Speech: Talk like you mean business. Know what you want, or at least know that you want something and have an idea about how the person at the counter can help you. If you don't know what you're talking about, it reinforces the "young & dumb" vibe. I went Christmas shopping a few weeks ago right after work. I was greasy, had 3 days worth of stubble, and had bags under my eyes like I hadn't slept in days. I looked quite homeless. When I went into a really nice shop, I grabbed a big-ticket item that I was getting as a gift and went strait to the counter. I said "can I leave this here while I shop for a few more things? And do you have a bag that I can take so I don't have to carry everything in my arms?" They said "no problem" and were very helpful with the rest of my purchasing. They knew I was there to throw money at them and it didn't matter what I looked like.

Attitude: Goes along with speech; know what you want, and be willing to go after it. Mean business. When I go into a busy bar and want to order a drink, I always have cash in hand and when the bartender sees it, it doesn't matter who was there first or last - he or she comes strait over to take my order.

[pingpong]

I can't really fault the gun shops for passing over the young guys, since so many are just lookers and feelers. I just turned 21, but probably look 19. At some of the ranges and shops, they never asked if I needed help; I would always have to go up to them and tell them what I needed. Needless to say I didn't by anything substantial from them; I'd rather pay more for service than save money from buying from those dicks.

I remember going to the car dealership the week after I graduated college and was basically ignored by every car salesmen there. No joke, I had to go up to one of them, show them my bank statement and job offer letter (with the salary highlighted) before they took me seriously.

Of course, I didn't actually buy from them in the end because the price they gave me was crap; they probably thought I would pay anything told me was a good deal, and treated me like I knew nothing about cars. Ended up negotiating a price on the same car and hammering it down over the phone at a different dealership before even meeting with the salesman. The look on his face when he saw me was absolutely priceless.

[thinkinblue613]

My first experience at a gun store I was with a buddy and the older man behind the counter helped me out. I could tell he was agitated as I asked him really dumb noobish questions but when I got home I did my research. Came back a week later and bought my first gun. Boom. Ever since then, I've been fine and actually bought another gun.

I've been to that store so many times each worker has done paperwork with me. hahaha

And Big 5 was the best because some of the workers there don't even know anything about the guns. This one guy couldn't get a gun off the rack as he was trying to pull the holders. He didn't realize all you had to do was push it upwards instead of pulling it. lol He was all red after that. Moments later, as I was examining a 91/30, a customer asked about the 10/22. He was asking the guy questions and he had no clue so I answered them all.

I came in the next day to buy the gun and the 10/22 was gone.

[SD13]

I remember going to the car dealership the week after I graduated college and was basically ignored by every car salesmen there. No joke, I had to go up to one of them, show them my bank statement and job offer letter (with the salary highlighted) before they took me seriously.

When i bought my last car same thing happened to me, given i prob wouldnt have approached someone who looks like me either. But the only salesman to ask me if I needed any help was another young kid who had never made a sale before.

[Vacaville]

Most gun store workers treat us all like crap. They aren't particular about age.

[sytfu_RR]

Money talks, if you're young; as I am, just make sure you're informed about what you plan to buy, don't act like some mall ninja, and don't take anything the salesperson says to the heart. Generally they assume you don't know anything. Let them know, hey I have intent to buy, but I want to check this out before I do..etc I've had only minor issues with the attitude at firearm related stores. I get it more from dealerships and other places.

[bornproud]

A lot of "gun people" that work in gun shop are not very personable, This has been said many time and I have to agree with it. I have worked in a gun shop before I have tried my best not to put anybody off, but it has happened sometimes. I think I have sold more to younger people than older people. I think gun shops need to hire younger staff. Younger staff will not be as judgementle as some older lady's and gents are.

I really want to open my own shop. I would do my best to pay my staff well. This will give me more motovated workers. I will open my own shop/complex one of these days. Some gun shop owners are retarded D!*KS and just take out on the workers and then the workers take it out on the customers.

But on the other hand, not all customers are CALGUN members and can drive someone up a wall. This is where I give my shout out to CALGUNS because this is the best forum out on the net PERIOD. Full of great people here and am proud to be a member.

[ZirconJohn]

When you, a young feller, go into a gun store to purchase a firearm... and makes no difference on exact age. Let's just say this; I'm 52 years of age, and you are say under 30... You are a young feller to me.

I worked in a gun store for about 4 years, and now operate my own place.

It makes NO difference to me what you think, moreover, I seriously care less how you FEEL about it. Here is what I will red light you on, and remember... I have the store; I am in charge, you ARE NOT.

Be a good and respectable person, and I will be the very best sales associate I can possibly be for your purchase... "I work for you", and I give you my word of honor on that. I can assure you of one thing, I like guns as much as you… possibly more than you do.

Very sorry if this sounds harsh, I am very sorry and I apologize in advance. This not meant to hurt your feelings. All you have to do is be a respectable person and adhere to the following. Anything less is disrespect and I do not care if you take your business elsewhere... if you are disrespectful, I DO NOT want your type of 'disrespectful' business - therefore we would agree and so GET OUT!

Gun Dealers get enough disrespect from the gun grabbers and their politicians... we sure as hale don't need it from you!

Here are a few of my peeves:

Do not walk up to the gun counter acting like a tough-guy, because it DOES NOT make you appear older.

Take OFF the sunglasses!

Do not get all mouthy with me when I ask you for your I.D. if you want me to take a gun out of the glass case or from the rack so you can demo it. When I say "sure, may I first see your I.D. and verify your age?" – Please don’t say anything, simply get your wallet, open it, take your I.D. out and peacefully hand it to me. I will verify your age, and then if all is good... we may continue, period. In most cases, I am not only checking your age, I am checking your attitude as well, so please don’t blow it.

Do not wear your baseball cap sideways! - Turn your baseball cap straight where the bill is above your forehead... or even turn it all the way straight back, bill over your neck... I am okay with that. But, dude... sideways just REALLY makes you look (excuse me) DUMB! Moreover, I DO NOT care to sell a gun to someone what looks DUMB!

Before you come to a gun store... get those ridiculous baggy pants with the crotch wayyyyyyy down between your knees and your underwear showing all the way up to your NECK! Dude... I seen girls your own age LAUGH at you young fellers thinking it's cool... well it aint... and IT AINT cool especially in a gun shop, let alone what your dang girlfriend laughing at you!

Note, a little baggy is the fashion… I can go with that. Hey, I wore bell-bottoms when I was a kid, so I understand. The thing I’m talking about is the extreme mega baggy… well, you know. Just think a little before you go firearm shopping.

Do NOT wear gang colors and expect to get two steps inside my door! I DO NOT want to hear "oh, I'm not in a gang...", because if you are a kid, excuse me... if you are 'young' then you KNOW what gang colors are, and SO DO I know what they are... I will call you on it. I figure if you have enough b@lls to walk in a gun store wearing gang clothing and expect me to show you a firearm... I have enough b@lls to call you on it!

I wish I had a Polaroid and look on the face when I say "hey... NO GANG CLOTHING in here, you gonna have to leave!"

Well, I am certain I may have left something out, but suffice it to say 'I think y'all git my point!'

Respectable is the key word here gents... respect me the older guy, and I will respect you ten fold, I guarantee it!

Then when you get your own shop, you can do what you want.

[pingpong]

^^
All those are valid things. Obviously as a gun shop, you have to filter out the riffraff, and appearances is the number one thing people judge others on. Still, when I go in wearing a dress shirt and slacks (or at least nice jeans), some of the stores (not just only gun stores) still don't take me seriously. It sucks sometimes, but that's the way it is I guess. For these guys, money talks, so I dress like it, but sometimes it's still not enough.

[andrewj]

Remind me to never shop at your store. I refuse to shop at someone's store who bases the type of service he will give on one's ball cap configuration or choice in colors.

One of your quotes sums it up well:
"Be a good and respectable person, and I will be the very best sales associate I can possibly be for your purchase"

^^^ That should be enough; your "pet peeves" should not be included into the equation. Of course, its your store, and your rules. Do as you wish.

[pingpong]

^^
The gang colors is legitimate though. If school's won't allow you to wear gang colors on campus, it's only logical that a gun shop probably shouldn't either. The last thing any store wants is to do is have people associate their store with gangs; it's worse for a gun store since it may give people the impression that you're arming the gangs, too. You would have to be monumentally crazy/retarded to be wearing local gang colors when you're not in a gang; since dealers can't sell guns to mentally handicapped or insane people, it makes no sense to let them in :P.

[ZirconJohn]

^^
All those are valid things. Obviously as a gun shop, you have to filter out the riffraff, and appearances is the number one thing people judge others on. Still, when I go in wearing a dress shirt and slacks (or at least nice jeans), some of the stores (not just only gun stores) still don't take me seriously. It sucks sometimes, but that's the way it is I guess. For these guys, money talks, so I dress like it, but sometimes it's still not enough.

Yes Sir... you are exactly correct. This is a very tough business, and we Dealers must answer to, not only one authority, we answer to many higher authorities. We have a lot to constantly be aware of and it's not easy.

Suggestion, find a Dealer you get to know on first name basis, Introduce yourself, and when doing so maintain casual and constant eye contact and just be yourself.

Thank you for your comment, as I said in my post... sometimes I am looking for attitude compromised. We are behind the counter, and are therefore very acute to various moods and attitudes. You have the good attitude, very personable.

Thank you very much for your post, much appreciated.

[ZirconJohn]

Remind me to never shop at your store. I refuse to shop at someone's store who bases the type of service he will give on one's ball cap configuration or choice in colors.

One of your quotes sums it up well:
"Be a good and respectable person, and I will be the very best sales associate I can possibly be for your purchase"

^^^ That should be enough; your "pet peeves" should not be included into the equation. Of course, its your store, and your rules. Do as you wish.

Thank you, nothing personal... but much respect to you sir, and thank you.

[SD13]

Remind me to never shop at your store. I refuse to shop at someone's store who bases the type of service he will give on one's ball cap configuration or choice in colors.

One of your quotes sums it up well:
"Be a good and respectable person, and I will be the very best sales associate I can possibly be for your purchase"

^^^ That should be enough; your "pet peeves" should not be included into the equation. Of course, its your store, and your rules. Do as you wish.

Id have to agree Id take my business elsewhere, part of respect is respecting ones choice to wear what they feel comfortable in. I can even see where your coming from with knowing what a banger looks like, I grew up in LA so I know where your coming from. I can tell if a person just likes red or blue or if their banging, but what about bikers, skinheads, woods, southsiders/MM (none of these are associated with baggy jeans and colors).

Like you said we are the consumers as a retail business owner you work for us we put the food on your table. Being a law abiding citizen should be the only prerequisite I need for purchasing a rifle or gun.

[B.D.Dubloon]

What is is with older guys in gunstores being self righteous jerks? Maybe it is being conservative in California for so many years makes you standoffish and overbearing when you have the chance. I agree that people shouldn't dress like they are gang members or wear hats sideways, but to deny them service you are only hurting yourself. If they were real gang members, they'd buy stolen ones off the street for a fraction of what you are selling them for. Plus, if your header is to be believed, you live in Ukiah, WHAT GANGS?

Anyway, as it's been stated, do as you please, it's your store. But don't think that by being incredibly inflexible you are helping get the younger generation into shooting sports and save our hobby. You probably don't care since you'll be dead by the time our rights are in mortal jeopardy, and you probably already have your fun stuff grandfathered in so the bans and restrictions don't hit you so hard.

BDD