Anyone else get this attitude because of age?

[Maleficarum]

I went into a new gun shop (to me at least) in the East Bay. I'm down here for the summer and cannot yet purchase my own handgun for another two days (turning 21.) That aside i went shopping around anyways to see what was available. This place was really well stocked but once my age got out of the bag, the attitude of the older (not-so)gentleman helping me changed drastically. I bascially got the cold shoulder and he came off extremely distrustful, and became very short, snappy, and condescending.

My question is does anyone else of similar age bracket (under 21 specifically) catch this sort of flak? I was rather broadsided by this old man's attitude (my usual stores in the further-northerly california areas are EXTREMELY friendly, even before i got to first-name basis with the clerks and owners) and began to wonder if anyone else has had this sort of experience?

[BayAreaShooter]

If your in the East Bay you should check out J&R in Livermore. They treat everyone with respect no matter your age, race, or anything else you could think of.

[TheChief]

Nah, you just got some old piss and vinegar for blood coot.

From a business stand point, he is driving off potential life long customers.

[Us3rName]

yeah the guy that helped you have some dirt in his vag.

Most shops I've gone to have been fairly respectful given whatever is happening at the time (busy or not) regardless of age bracket.


just dont be an idiot

[Chontkleer]

You probably just reminded him of himself when he was young, peppy, and buying his first gun with his best girl Sue. Now it's Viagra, internet porn, and telling people in all caps that the chemtrails are going to take away his medicare.

[CessnaDriver]

It's been a long time since I bought at 21 but there were no issues then.
But it was a military town so young guys was probably nothing new at all.

He is a fool, young people involved in firearms is the future security of the 2nd amendment.
Every young person showing interest is golden.

[Cen Cal Gunner]

It hasnt happend to me because of age but because im an AR newbie and dont know every part by memory yet and some gun shops just dont want to take the time to give some knowledge and information but if thats the case I dont want to waste my time giving them buisness. If you have some free time you should check out US Fireams in Sunnyvale I went in there just to check it out and Mike took the time to awnser any quetions I had and let me hand a couple of rifles and uppers and they carry handguns as well.

[Maleficarum]

Nah, you just got some old piss and vinegar for blood coot.

From a business stand point, he is driving off potential life long customers.

after the encounter i figured that's what happened but I still think I deserve some semblance of polite respect.

Ah well.
Maybe i'll take a long lunch one of these days and check out J&R.

[G-forceJunkie]

Ya, cranky old guys tired of kids wasting their time is nothing new. Too many young looky loos spoils it for others. When i was your age, I went into a local gun store, With $1500 in my pocket, to look at .308 bolt actions as i wanted a long range bolt gun. The old guy answered my questions with short, kurt answers, and despite my obvious interest, never offered to hand me a rifle to check out. left, went to another store (B&B in north hollywood, i miss that place) and bought a Remington PSS within 5 minutes of walking through the doors. They got alot of my buisness over the years.

[winnre]

I know stores that will not even say hi to you unless you are 21. How bad can it be? The kid goes home and tells Mom he fondled a 1911, so Mom calls the cops, BATF and Brady group? How bad can life legally be made for the gun shop?

[Cuerno_de_Chivo]

Yea, i was looking at some rifles from a used rack they have at my local shop and the owner asks me "Sir are you 18? If your not you cannot be handling those rifles." in a kind of annoyed tone but you know whats funny? I had picked up my AK from there about 3 days earlier from him -___-

[Maleficarum]

Yea, i was looking at some rifles from a used rack they have at my local shop and the owner asks me "Sir are you 18? If your not you cannot be handling those rifles." in a kind of annoyed tone but you know whats funny? I had picked up my AK from there about 3 days earlier from him -___-

That seems like something i'd expect outta this guy. Only wants your money, not thinking of future business. Once you've given him what he wants he forgets your face.

I don't expect to be on first-name basis with every gun store i go into in my life but a little courtesy goes a HELL of a long way.
Back home I have a gun store that i love to go to. Little mom an' pop place with a friendly demeanor and always super helpful. When i go there I really don't mind paying a little more than the other guys just because they're so flippin' accommodating. I figure they deserve my business.

[alfred1222]

That seems like something i'd expect outta this guy. Only wants your money, not thinking of future business. Once you've given him what he wants he forgets your face.

I don't expect to be on first-name basis with every gun store i go into in my life but a little courtesy goes a HELL of a long way.
Back home I have a gun store that i love to go to. Little mom an' pop place with a friendly demeanor and always super helpful. When i go there I really don't mind paying a little more than the other guys just because they're so flippin' accommodating. I figure they deserve my business.

I know it might not be close, but Bay Area Gun Vault has gotten alot of my business because they actually took the time to help me understand what i was buying rather than just trying to make a sale. it might be overpriced now a days, but the guys that work there are pretty good about remembering you and our purchases.

[Whiterabbit]

Funny, the people at bay area gun vault make it much easier for me as well to spend extra on the same product I could buy off the internet from a random faceless business. Calgunners even told me I was making poor decisions by buying dies there rather than the midways and cheaper than dirts out there. I agree with you Alfred.

I went into a new gun shop (to me at least) in the East Bay. I'm down here for the summer and cannot yet purchase my own handgun for another two days (turning 21.) That aside i went shopping around anyways to see what was available. This place was really well stocked but once my age got out of the bag, the attitude of the older (not-so)gentleman helping me changed drastically. I bascially got the cold shoulder and he came off extremely distrustful, and became very short, snappy, and condescending.

My question is does anyone else of similar age bracket (under 21 specifically) catch this sort of flak? I was rather broadsided by this old man's attitude (my usual stores in the further-northerly california areas are EXTREMELY friendly, even before i got to first-name basis with the clerks and owners) and began to wonder if anyone else has had this sort of experience?

you BET. But not under 21 specifically. Get used to it. Get some nice shirts, wear dockers and khakis, if you don't wear glasses, get some fake ones, if you wear contacts, ditch them. nice shoes and nice watch. Speak in complete sentences (don't ditch contractions though). Look at people in the eyes (and take note whether they do or do not.) It's amazing the difference.

Shake hands with your palm facing downward, just slightly. This all probably sounds stupid, but people do judge a book by its cover and you are already at an age disadvantage.

Being tall and white and male helps in this country too.

[sava]

I've had it happen to me a couple times.

This example was the worst. I was coming back from the lake and was wearing my swim shorts, wife beater, bandana, and aviators. As soon as I walked in the salesmen started glaring at me. When I asked to see a Springfield 1911 that my dad wanted to purchase, they immediately asked for ID. I explained that I was not 21 and that dad was planning on buying the pistol and that I wanted to examine it. In an extremely condescending tone he said, "well come back with your dad so that he can supervise you". At that point I just smiled and walked out.

A local gun shop didn't want to sell me 7.62x54 because I was under 21, and because I could use the ammo in a pistol....riiiiiiight. I argued with them and said that it was for my Mosin, but they wouldn't hear any of it. Although legal purchasing age is 18 for rifle ammo, they twisted it and said that I could use it as pistol ammo.

Being respectful, polite, and friendly is not always a surefire way to get people to work with you. Some people think that because we are young, we are irresonsible, negligent, and overall stupid. Whatever. I definitely know which shops have lost a great potential customer.