I stopped into a Tactical / Gun store today looking for a new bag for my first aid kit and wandered by the counter in the back with a lovely assortment of Smith and Wessons. I waited patiently while the clerk finished with the person he was helping, somewhat patiently while he did something with a rifle box, started losing patience when he walked out from behind the counter and came back with a man answering questions, then left again. The other man who had been behind the counter the entire time typing into a computer finally looked up and asked if I had a question. Really? Me standing there for five minutes didn't give him a clue?
I asked about the M&Ps in the case, he informed me that I had to be LEO or Military to buy from that case. I asked if Retired Military was adequate, it was. Thought that might have given him a clue, or that I new they were M&Ps...nope. He pointed to the 9mm, I mentioned I was intereseted in the .45. He told me they had 40s. Does this guy not shoot? I told him I didn't want a .40, I was interested in the .45. Shrug, he opened the slide door by the .45s and said I do have a compact model. Ok, at this point I get lots of credit for not clocking him then and there. I said no, I didn't need a compact model. He tried to show me a tiny little polymer revolver, saying it could go in a pocket or a purse (ARGH!!) then when I commented that it would not be fun to shoot because it was so light he told me it would make a good backup gun. I replied, not if I don't practice with it!
Bottom line, the prices were good, but the service was clueless!!
It is getting better, and if he had been a shooter, he probably would have gotten a clue by how I checked the pistol to be sure it was clear, and handled it...FRUSTRATING!
Be Safe!!
I despise being treated that way. I won't shop Sportsman's Warehouse anymore because I got sick of being treated that way. I don't care if their prices are amazing because they can buy in mega-bulk, I'm not spending one dime at their gun counter. It's worth the extra money to me to go a shop that will listen to what I want instead of thinking they know what's best for me. Grrr... now I'm all fired up on your behalf!
ReplyDeletethank you. I don't think I've ever been treated quite that badly. There are so many other shops who are so much better.
DeleteI despise being treated this way at a gun shop, and will refuse to do business with any shop that treats me this way - and I'll always ask to talk to the manager, so I can let him (and it's always a him, in these cases) know why I won't be back. Fortunately, these kind of experiences are fewer and farther between nowadays, but the clue-challenged are still out there.
DeleteI work at a gun range/store, and we are very welcoming to ladies in our store. And if a woman were ever treated in such a way here, my manager would definitely want to know. By the way, I am a female, and I bought my pistol here before working here. I am very grateful to have such a positive and respectful atmosphere to work in.
ReplyDeleteI also bought my first gun from a female-friendly gun shop that I ended up working at.
DeleteIt means a lot to me to step into a friendly shop and the friendly ones tend to be the smaller ones, at least in my experience.
In response to the comments, I have forwarded a link to this blog to the General Retail Manager for the chain of stores. I included in that email a request to post the response. I will let you all know what happens!
ReplyDelete