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Not sure if something that happened today is normal or not, so I figured I'd toss it out there and see what everyone else thinks...

As it so happens, I was running errands earlier and found myself about a block from my friendly neighborhood gun store. I hadn't been in there in months, but am planning to make a purchase as soon as the tax check comes back, so.... I figured I'd wander in, look around, price some things, and maybe chat a bit.

Well, they were pretty busy when I walked in. Not swamped, but clearly busy. Ok. No big deal, all the prices are clearly labeled anyway. I wander over to the pistol cases and take a peek, looking for the guns I have in my head as options for me, as well as a couple that may entice the woman at home to try putting some rounds downrange as well. Just browsing.

After about 30 seconds of this, an employee in his late 50's (not one that I've dealt with before) wanders over and asks me if he can help me. I tell him honestly that I'm not looking to buy today -waiting on my refund check- just checking prices and seeing what's out there. He asks me if I've ever shot before. I tell him yes, though it's been a while. He asks what I plan to do with the gun, and I reply mostly plinking and defensive carry. He asks what guns I've been looking at and I tell him. He gives me his advice, which pretty much goes hand in hand with what others have told me. He tells me about 5 different guns, the five best deals in his opinion. But he tells me about them in a bit of a jumble, and I quickly forget which are in stock, more coming in, or just plain unavailable.

This is where it gets weird to me. I asked him about one of the guns and when they'd have it back in stock so I could take a look at it. His reply was "oh we have plenty of them upstairs, but you're not buying today anyway." Now maybe it's my northerner upbringing, but when I'm in a store, ready to plunk down money or not, and I express interest in looking at something, I kinda expect them to at least offer to show it to me.

He asked if I had anything else I needed ***today***, and I said no. This is where strangeness #2 happens. On the counter between us was about a half-dozen different shotgun shells of different sizes. He reaches out to shake my hand and in the process knocks three of them. They fly and hit me in the chest. I pick them up and hand them back to him and I smile, laugh a little, and say "looks like you shot me". In retrospect, probably not the funniest joke to make in a gunstore, but it was pretty obvious as an attempt at humor. His response was to laugh and say "that's what you get for browsing in a gun store". I laugh a little and leave. 5 minutes tops, in an out the door.

Now I will freely admit to more than a few nerves still being around when I head into a gun store. I've never purchased a gun and still feel very much like a total newbie to all this. An eager, excited newbie, but a total novice nonetheless. But I find myself wondering if this is a typical gun store experience.... Was it unusual for him to not offer to show me the actual gun since I wasn't buying today? Honestly, while I'm waiting for Uncle Sam, I don't *have to*. If they'd made me an offer, or if I drooled too much today, I could easily have walked out with a new shiny. Of course, by not showing me the gun, that becomes a whole lot less likely.

newTexan wrote:This is where it gets weird to me. I asked him about one of the guns and when they'd have it back in stock so I could take a look at it. His reply was "oh we have plenty of them upstairs, but you're not buying today anyway." Now maybe it's my northerner upbringing, but when I'm in a store, ready to plunk down money or not, and I express interest in looking at something, I kinda expect them to at least offer to show it to me.

If it's right there, sure. If they have to get it out of storage and you told them you won't buy it today, that's a different story. Especially if they're busy.

I don't think it would be much different if you go into a busy camera store up north and ask to see a SLR from the storage room after you tell them you're not buying today.

newTexan wrote:I laugh a little and leave. 5 minutes tops, in an out the door.

You made a joke. He made a joke.

Okeydokey.

I came out with a strange vibe, but figured that could have been me. Sounds like it was. I must confess I'm still not totally processing the subtle cultural differences between North and South perfectly yet.

Thanks for your time. Nothing to see here. Moving along...

newTexan wrote:Okeydokey.

I came out with a strange vibe, but figured that could have been me. Sounds like it was. I must confess I'm still not totally processing the subtle cultural differences between North and South perfectly yet.

Thanks for your time. Nothing to see here. Moving along...

As a rule, Texans are about as friendly a race of people as you'll find anywhere when met with friendliness. That's just one of the reasons Mrs. Oldgringo and I decided to call Texas home some 15 years ago. That said, Texas is not without its share of horse's hind ends and Texas is a big place; ergo, lots of horses. A busy Saturday may not be the best time to browse for much of anything, North or South, if you can avoid it. I hope you have better luck next time.

Sorry for your bad experience at you first attempt to buy a gun. However, I really do think, under the circumstances (they were some what busy), that had you told him that you have shot before, but this is your first time to purchase a gun and you were just looking, and not mention that you did not intend on buying today. Don't be embarrassed there are a lot of people buying their first gun in these days and I am sure they will be more than glad to help you...if not, go somewhere else! Most of the gun stores I have been to have bent over backwards to find something I like and, therefore, may buy. It may be just me, but I usually shop at a small gun stores and not the big chains, I like for them to recognize me when I come in and they know I have spent money with them before.

Anyway, I want to wish you well and good luck on finding the perfect guy for you and your wife. Please do not let one seemly bad experience make you think all gun stores in Texas and all Texans are that way.

By the way...welcome to the forum!

-geo

bryang wrote:Sorry for your bad experience at you first attempt to buy a gun. However, I really do think, under the circumstances (they were some what busy), that had you told him that you have shot before, but this is your first time to purchase a gun and you were just looking, and not mention that you did not intend on buying today. Don't be embarrassed there are a lot of people buying their first gun in these days and I am sure they will be more than glad to help you...if not, go somewhere else! Most of the gun stores I have been to have bent over backwards to find something I like and, therefore, may buy. It may be just me, but I usually shop at a small gun stores and not the big chains, I like for them to recognize me when I come in and they know I have spent money with them before.

Anyway, I want to wish you well and good luck on finding the perfect guy for you and your wife. Please do not let one seemly bad experience make you think all gun stores in Texas and all Texans are that way.

By the way...welcome to the forum!

-geo

I have a background in sales - this guy does not deserve your sale! In my opinion he is a lousy sales "professional" - and needs to upgrade his skills. Just because someone says that they are not ready to buy today - does not equate to: "I don't want to buy EVER."

He needs to spend some genuine time to understand what the customer wants, build a rapport with them, build trust with them and they more than likely will come back to them.

If I were you - I would actually go somewhere else where the sales people are genuinely interested in YOU and your needs and wants rather than deal with a guy who may tell you what you think you need to hear for a quick commission!

Good Luck in your search for your gun!!

I have found that a lot of gun store people are not real good salespeople. That may be because they are more gun people than sales people. I wouldn't count this place out just because of this encounter. A lot of gun store people have kind of a rough exterior. But if you can work your way through that you will find a number that will give you a lot of good information. (Unfortunately you will find some that don't have the slightest idea of what they are talking about.

Having said that, if you want to go look and hold guns that you are interested in, go to a gun show. You won't get a lot of attention but you will be able to see up close any gun you are interested in. Try renting the guns you are interested in at a range as well.

Well, I guess I can kind of see the other posters point about his being busy and you not wanting to buy, but my experience has been just the opposite. As a general rule, I would have expected him to offer to get it for you to look at. I would not be too upset if he did not because I, as a general rule, would have told him not to bother unless I was seriously looking to buy. I think good customer service should have included his offer to go get the pistol for you to look at (along with an attempt to get the sale that day, but not a high pressure attempt). There is always the possibility that you would change your mind and buy now if you have the gun in your hand (ask any car salesman about test drives).

On the second strange point, I will chalk that up to your being nervous. Your joke was okay to make and I probably would have said something similar - or maybe commenting on how that was not a good one shot stop round. And his answer was also just a joke along the same lines.

Overall, I would suggest trying this place again. He seemed to be interested in answering your questions and friendly enough to joke around with you.

It also depends on the person. I frequent one gun store, when I can afford it. One of the salesman is a nice guy, but a little quick to go to the next customer if you hesitate. Two others, including the manager, are great. They have spent time with me, answered my questions, etc. And I've purchased several guns from them as a result.

Go back, try another person. Don't be nervous. I still remember when gun store personnel used to carry sidearms. That'll make you a nervous, especially if you're new to the sport.

/mas

The gun store I frequented in Abilene still do carry sidearms and are not bashful about it. They were great guys and would spend as much time with you as you needed. They loved to talk guns! However, I had to be friendly in order to make friends with them, just like everything else in life. Perhaps because you were nervous and felt uncomfortable you probably projected that to the clerk. He is probably a real nice guy. Let them know you are a first time buyer and a little nervous. I am sure they will do what they can to make you at ease and help you. Good luck in your search, I am confident you will do just fine and make some new friends, too.

To be honest, I have never met a gun person that was not ready and willing to talk about guns!

-geo

I'm with Longhorn_92, this guy does not deserve the sale.
I've sold everything from electronics to guns and what he did was wrong.
A decent handgun is usually north of $500.
People seldom spend that much the first time they see the item.
Its not uncommon to look, think, sleep on it, look at other stores and then come back.
However, as the OP said, a good enough deal or drool factor might have made the sale today.
This salesguy blew it.

Shop elsewhere or talk to a different person at the same store if you like the store.

Here's my 2 cents: You're a newby in town (and the south for that matter) and thus probably feel like a fish out of water dealing with the new vernacular. Moreover, you walked into an unfamiliar place and ran into a typical old school gun store good 'ol boy. I would expect the sum total of the experience to be a little awkward. That being said, I've lived in the south my whole life and in Texas 99% of that time and I've walked into many a gun store and been completely ignored...several times. The old (um, er, excuse me) older gentlemen atleast acknowledged you're existence and offered to answer any questions and gave some advice. Most gun store employee's got their jobs because of gun experience, not sales experience. If you think this is going to become a life time hobby for you and yours, patronizing a near-by small gun shop will serve you well. Give them another chance. If then you still don't feel comfortable, move on down to the next shop.

Unfortunately in this day and age it is common but not nessicarily normal. Customer service.......like chivalry is dead in most places. I have been dealing with the public for over 30 years and I would have never treated a "potential" customer that way, no matter how busy I was. The professionals never judge a book by it's cover. That cover may be over a wealthy buyer who is unknowing of the product details but still had an idea what they want. I have had sales people do the same to me and when I bought somewhere else, that took the time and appreciated my business, I always went back to the one that didn't, and showed or at least told them what they missed in the sale......even if I paid more at the second place!!!!

Find another gunstore that will treat you like a customer and not an annoyance!!! You as a buyer deserve it!!!

tex45acp