Gun Shop salesmen and stupid coments

[WayneO]

I recently became a complete convert and my entire collection is being dwindled down drastically. The only rifle I want, need, and have to have is the R8 and a dozen or so barrels.
So I walk into a Gun Shop close to where I stay and asked if they sell or if they can get me a Blaser R8 Rifle. The guy behind the counter asks me why I would want to waste my money on rubbish like a Blaser. So I played along and got all of his pearls of wisdom as to why the Blaser is crap. Got offered what in his opinion are better rifles (Mauser, C.Z, Sako) and a host of other advice. I asked about the Howa and was informed on how badly they were made, how inaccurate they are and was advised never to buy one (I own 4)
Then I left, taking with me the money I was eager to part with for my dream rifle and I will be sure to never return.

In short, the shop lost the sale of a rifle, 6 barrels, 2 sets of saddle mounts, a shotgun and who knows how many other sales.

[GLS_1956]

First thought would be that they can't get them so they talk them down. Second thought is that he's not heard anything but bad reports of them and he's trying to keep a customer from making a bad choice.

Regardless the axiom: "The customer is always right." still holds true.

[Mr.Seacucumber]

F*** that's a fancying/expensive gun

[dpskipper]

Sometimes the people in gun shops are really nice, I know several guys who genuinely know alot. Others make the mistake of completely badmouthing an entire brand from a select few bad stories etc.
I generally try to talk to all the staff at one store before deciding if over-all its a good place or bad.

[WayneO]

I could accept if the guy gave me a bit of feed back that he had received, but to out the gate run down one of the finest firearms available on the market today is just silly.
If you cant get them, then you just say that you cant get them. I would still have bought the silver pigeon that they had in stock, but I could just not bring myself to part with cash after that experience. In my experience, if a salesman is doing that sort of thing, it almost always flows down from the top.

[Oldbloke]

Firearms are a bit like the ford, Holden argument. In reality they all have good and not so good points. And then there are the ford or Holden only buyers. One eyed if you ask me.

[Supaduke]

I've often thought when people ask me "What's a good gun?" I always think, one you like the look of, one you can afford, one that shoots straight. All mainstream manafacturers make a decent firearm these days. Any faults are usually just perceived by an individual or nit picking.

Of course any manafacturer can let a lemon slip through on occasion.

[on_one_wheel]

Gun shops attract hobbyists for employees, hobbyist generally don't make good salespeople.

It's rare to find a true salesperson behind the counter of a gun shop.

My favorite gun shop normally has me walking out with boxes of stuff, my wallet empty and me wondering what just happened.

One lady there in particular dose a great job of making suggestions about items related to what I've come in to buy and always asks me if I'd like to browse the store before I pay.

[knowsnothin]

Mialls and Gunco will help you with Blaser.

[Gwion]

Firearms are a bit like the ford, Holden argument. In reality they all have good and not so good points. And then there are the ford or Holden only buyers. One eyed if you ask me.

Yeah, but he went in asking about a Mazerati and they tried to sell him a BMW, Skoda and a goddamn Saab. Sure... all decent cars but they ain't no Mazerati!!!

[Gwion]

Gun shops attract hobbyists for employees, hobbyist generally don't make good salespeople.

It's rare to find a true salesperson behind the counter of a gun shop.

My favorite gun shop normally has me walking out with boxes of stuff, my wallet empty and me wondering what just happened.

One lady there in particular dose a great job of making suggestions about items related to what I've come in to buy and always asks me if I'd like to browse the store before I pay.

Bet you her first job was in Maccas!

[Die Judicii]

There is a huge difference between being a member of "sales staff",, and actually being a "salesman"

Of late I have contacted numerous gunshops in the quest of locating a particular piece of merchandise ( 2nd hand )
Quite frankly, it is frightening how many of them say,,,

Nah mate, haven't got one, see ya. and promptly hang up.

One would think that if they had half a brain, and wanted customers to return, they would say,,

Nah, sorry mate we don't have one at present, what's your phone number ? ,,,,,,,,, and we'll call you if we get one.

Too hard ???

[happyhunter]

I recently became a complete convert and my entire collection is being dwindled down drastically. The only rifle I want, need, and have to have is the R8 and a dozen or so barrels.
So I walk into a Gun Shop close to where I stay and asked if they sell or if they can get me a Blaser R8 Rifle. The guy behind the counter asks me why I would want to waste my money on rubbish like a Blaser. So I played along and got all of his pearls of wisdom as to why the Blaser is crap. Got offered what in his opinion are better rifles (Mauser, C.Z, Sako) and a host of other advice. I asked about the Howa and was informed on how badly they were made, how inaccurate they are and was advised never to buy one (I own 4)
Then I left, taking with me the money I was eager to part with for my dream rifle and I will be sure to never return.

In short, the shop lost the sale of a rifle, 6 barrels, 2 sets of saddle mounts, a shotgun and who knows how many other sales.

He saved you blowing a heap of cash. Blazers are good but not enough for the money.

[MR. WINCHESTER]

Mialls and Gunco will help you with Blaser.

One would think / expect ......

I once lusted after an F3 shotgun and approached Mialls, initially at the 'Shotshow' and then via several emails.

In the end, I gave up !

It seemed like I needed to 'qualify for their attention'.

I turned to Beretta Australia and was so delighted with their 'service', that I gave them my 10 grand and have never looked back ( until now. Lol )

[Tank]

I recently became a complete convert and my entire collection is being dwindled down drastically. The only rifle I want, need, and have to have is the R8 and a dozen or so barrels.
So I walk into a Gun Shop close to where I stay and asked if they sell or if they can get me a Blaser R8 Rifle. The guy behind the counter asks me why I would want to waste my money on rubbish like a Blaser. So I played along and got all of his pearls of wisdom as to why the Blaser is crap. Got offered what in his opinion are better rifles (Mauser, C.Z, Sako) and a host of other advice. I asked about the Howa and was informed on how badly they were made, how inaccurate they are and was advised never to buy one (I own 4)
Then I left, taking with me the money I was eager to part with for my dream rifle and I will be sure to never return.

In short, the shop lost the sale of a rifle, 6 barrels, 2 sets of saddle mounts, a shotgun and who knows how many other sales.

Name and shame WayneO.....
Save the next bloke the hassle.
Your experience won't be a 'Robinson Cruso'......the industry eats its own!

[Tank]

Firearms are a bit like the ford, Holden argument. In reality they all have good and not so good points. And then there are the ford or Holden only buyers. One eyed if you ask me.

Yeah, but he went in asking about a Mazerati and they tried to sell him a BMW, Skoda and a goddamn Saab. Sure... all decent cars but they ain't no Mazerati!!!

Plus one to that Gwion!

[petemacsydney]

i share your frustration!
there's one guy at Abela's in campbeltown who is just terrible. Whilst 98% of abela's staff are fantastic and very friendly and keen to help with great knowledge, every time this one guy asks me if i need help i say no (unless i am in a real rush). he has such a lacklustre approach to customer sales and service it just astounds me that he sells anything! every time i do have to deal with him he comes across like i am just a pain in the a** during his work day.
ive spent a bucket load there (rifles, sg's, rounds, ammo, cleaning etc etc), but in may ways his attitude makes me just want to take my business elsewhere.
For those that do shop at abela's, i'm sure you know who i mean! ive seen more personality in my used dish cloth in the sink at home... lol
Note: I'm not digging at the abela brand as by and large they are a fantastic mob - but they've got to renew their staff and get rid of dead wood if they add little value or provide sh*t sales and service... just saying... rant over.

[pete1]

Yeh retail can be a bit funny sometimes you get good service and then other times you get crap service.

[BadCompany]

I gave up on gun shop advice a while back. If you do your research online and talk to people (within your chosen shooting field) in the know then you won't bother talking to dopey except for "I want X model with Y options. Here's my card." I only really buy powder & primers from gun shops now. The rest of my gear comes from places like BRT, Pro-Cal, Sinclair Int etc and for guns it's LRP solutions. Those places you can be confident in any advice given.

[WayneO]

He saved you blowing a heap of cash. Blazers are good but not enough for the money.

Face a charging hippo from 17m out of thick bush and then we can chat about just how good they are. I have shot hundreds of rifles, but nothing, not even my Rigby, has ever come close to the R8.

[MR. WINCHESTER]

He saved you blowing a heap of cash. Blazers are good but not enough for the money.

Face a charging hippo from 17m out of thick bush and then we can chat about just how good they are. I have shot hundreds of rifles, but nothing, not even my Rigby, has ever come close to the R8.

What ???

It went 'bang' when you asked it to ?

[Supaduke]

I was thinking the same, certainly quality of materials, fit and finish come into play on expensive rifles. But anything of even mediocre quality will go bang when required.

[happyhunter]

He saved you blowing a heap of cash. Blazers are good but not enough for the money.

Face a charging hippo from 17m out of thick bush and then we can chat about just how good they are. I have shot hundreds of rifles, but nothing, not even my Rigby, has ever come close to the R8.

Yeah sure mate.. That is what express rifles are for, not bolt actions like the R8. I never have drama with gun shop sales people so not sure why others do.

[bluerob]

Years ago, I worked in a few fishing tackle stores.

One store in particular was the go to shop for gamefishing gear.

So, one Saturday morning (I got home at 4am and still pissed I think....) customer comes in saying he's bought a boat and wants to go shark fishing (shows me a picture of his brand new Bertram).

So, I spend about 4 hours (including a shark fishing video) with him (shop was hectic busy on Saturday mornings) with him, setting up the gear, putting line on the reels, doing up traces etc and I suggested that it might be best to take some guys with him who know shark fishing. He agrees. Asks me to organise a crew "to see if he likes it." He'd heard stories at the local boat club, but, "I've caught Marlin & Blue Fin Tuna." He's just spent about $10,000 on gear (this is 1991 from memory) ....and wants to see if he likes it. Ok, I know guys that have more money than sense, all good....

I explain to hiim that Shark fishing doesn't do alot of good to gelcoat or gunnels (when tracing them if you're not smart ) and they can play up. I line up all the gear, do the pricing, give him a discount and then decides in 5 mins that he wants to go trout fishing instead.

Told him his Bertram might look a bit out of place on Jindabyne Lake and it'd be slightly problematic in getting into creeks.

I decided at that point that it was time to resign.

[happyhunter]

Years ago, I worked in a few fishing tackle stores.

One store in particular was the go to shop for gamefishing gear.

So, one Saturday morning (I got home at 4am and still pissed I think....) customer comes in saying he's bought a boat and wants to go shark fishing (shows me a picture of his brand new Bertram).

So, I spend about 4 hours (including a shark fishing video) with him (shop was hectic busy on Saturday mornings) with him, setting up the gear, putting line on the reels, doing up traces etc and I suggested that it might be best to take some guys with him who know shark fishing. He agrees. Asks me to organise a crew "to see if he likes it." He'd heard stories at the local boat club, but, "I've caught Marlin & Blue Fin Tuna." He's just spent about $10,000 on gear (this is 1991 from memory) ....and wants to see if he likes it. Ok, I know guys that have more money than sense, all good....

I explain to hiim that Shark fishing doesn't do alot of good to gelcoat or gunnels (when tracing them if you're not smart ) and they can play up. I line up all the gear, do the pricing, give him a discount and then decides in 5 mins that he wants to go trout fishing instead.

Told him his Bertram might look a bit out of place on Jindabyne Lake and it'd be slightly problematic in getting into creeks.

I decided at that point that it was time to resign.

hahahaha.. and thus concludes a real life example of why gunshop/fishing shop/motorbike shop staff treat the @rseholes like @rsholes.

[superkel66]

I recently became a complete convert and my entire collection is being dwindled down drastically. The only rifle I want, need, and have to have is the R8 and a dozen or so barrels.
So I walk into a Gun Shop close to where I stay and asked if they sell or if they can get me a Blaser R8 Rifle. The guy behind the counter asks me why I would want to waste my money on rubbish like a Blaser. So I played along and got all of his pearls of wisdom as to why the Blaser is crap. Got offered what in his opinion are better rifles (Mauser, C.Z, Sako) and a host of other advice. I asked about the Howa and was informed on how badly they were made, how inaccurate they are and was advised never to buy one (I own 4)
Then I left, taking with me the money I was eager to part with for my dream rifle and I will be sure to never return.

In short, the shop lost the sale of a rifle, 6 barrels, 2 sets of saddle mounts, a shotgun and who knows how many other sales.

While my experience is nowhere as bad as that i do agree with the notion of whats good and whats not depends on who there aligned with etc. what i try and do is buy something small ammo etc but get talking to counter staff. listen real carefully and go from there, 1 good question to ask is what they shoot and what with...........if there rimfire lovers dont ask centrefire questions etc etc.