Why are 99% of gun store employees total jerks and weirdos?

[Ryan HBC]

Honestly, most gun shops that I deal with run are rude jerks. I don't mind though, kind of adds to the experience.

Kind of like Chinese food restaurants. You know that the ruder the help is, the better the food is.

[WokMaster1]

Even at Big 5 in San Rafael the people are nice and helpful, though usually fairly ignorant about firearms. The only other place I go to gun related is Bullseye and the guys there are great. The owner is a real nice guy, we spent an hour talking about this and that when I was in there one time.

Maybe it's just SoCal?

Matt, do they sell rifles there? I only recall seeing airsoft & air rifle stuff there.

[jumbopanda]

Ranges too. SoCal Sharpshooter has a guy that just outright ignores you.

[blkA4alb]

Matt, do they sell rifles there? I only recall seeing airsoft & air rifle stuff there.

I'm not sure the last time you were there...I've never seen anything even related to airsoft.

So to answer your question, yes they sell rifles, handguns, shotguns, accessories, etc.

[NwG]

Ranges too. SoCal Sharpshooter has a guy that just outright ignores you.

HAHAHAHAHHA--.... That is Fred.. Fred is a very intresting guy.. He is there instructor (a rather good one) and comes off a mean and grumpy..

He is.. But if you happen to get there in the first 5 min. they are open, he is a very nice guy!! After that the level of customer stupidity brings out the "Fred"

I shoot there a few times a week, after seeing what they have to go through being both a gun store AND a range I compleatly understand! I know the customer comes first, but man.. The customers make it so very hard!

BTW- Sharpshooter had got lots better with the new owner.. She came in not knowing much about guns and has let the guys who know there stuff pretty much run the place.. Plus the got a new big TV and a good place to sit!

[Charliegone]

Honestly YES I would call it what you will I just call it personal preference after all the customer would spend more money if they are in a comfortable environment right ?

I most likely had nothing against these kind of people before they did evil deeds but when its public knowledge that they're religion teaches them to KILL our kind doesn't that make you just a little nervous ?

I guess I'm an oddball that way.

Now thats just a big generalization. Frankly I wouldn't care if Habib, Punjab, Jose, or Wang Na (yes I know ) sold me guns..as long as they weren't being a-holes about it..thats why BSP and Ade's get my business.

[FatKatMatt]

Matt, do they sell rifles there? I only recall seeing airsoft & air rifle stuff there.

Yeah, they sell mostly base stuff like Savage 110's and Remington 710's, base model Remington 870's, a couple low price O/U shotguns, 10/22, and some Milsurp stuff. last time I was there they had a U.S. property Enfield, though their milsurp stuff generally isn't very collectable.

Big 5 only sells long guns, they don't want to have to go through the hassle of selling pistola's.

[leelaw]

Why are 99% of gun store employees total jerks and weirdos?

I guess they're just mimicking the 99% of gun store customers.

[Incitatus]

I can't help but notice that over 99% of people who work in gun stores are either the biggest jerks?

Maybe because 99% of them don't like your attitude?

[metalhead357]

DANGGGG! I think some need to chill! The guy only asked a question! LOL! Its not like he showed up and said "I told the guy to kiss my butt for not dropping his price from $1000 to $150 and he copped an attitude". We're talking 'simple' politeness & civility. And many are lacking the graces mommy and daddy shoulda whipped into them rather than hitting the bong.

I mean I completely agree the majority of the shop clerks are usually inept at everything but stupidity and no manners. So while I disagree its not at 99% I would dare say 75% around the bigger cities. I dont run into the same (as much) in the smaller towns where its usually only thr FFL and maybe one or two employees. Word travels FAST in small towns if you're an arse so I think they tread easy. Whenever you can deal with the OWNER/FFL directly...its thier OWN butt on the line and they're the ones that have to account for ATF and DOJ inquiries. Store employees are store employees---many dont give a rat's petootie what they're selling, or if it sells....you're actually bothing them by entering there and making them work

[rkt88edmo]

HAHAHAHAHHA--.... That is Fred.. Fred is a very intresting guy.. He is there instructor (a rather good one) and comes off a mean and grumpy..

He is.. But if you happen to get there in the first 5 min. they are open, he is a very nice guy!! After that the level of customer stupidity brings out the "Fred"

I shoot there a few times a week, after seeing what they have to go through being both a gun store AND a range I compleatly understand! I know the customer comes first, but man.. The customers make it so very hard!
much run the place.

Fred's "customer service" stories are second only to SteyrAug's.

[ivanimal]

Some guys like Frank Tabor can be a total weenie one day and serve you exceptionally the next its like total mood swing theater. I used to live 3/4 of a mile away and drove to Krausewerk in San Mateo for stuff instead. There have been some annoying clerks but to say 99% paints the picture that you dont get along with anyone. I know I have asked some pretty ignorant questions in the past about rifles I am now interested in, and was never able to own or afford before. Most people suffer fools if you are polite and truly interested. If you walk in expecting to be served as the only customer that matters, well ,expect the people to be somewhat rude.

[BigMac]

Nah, John over Irvington Arms is a very decent guy. Ray seems like one, too, although I haven't dealt with him much. Not too sure about that Martin character, though. Oh, and don't get me started on that Lumpy dude--seems to loaf around everyday.

Hey! Thats Lumpy's job!

[califcowboy]

Ranges too. SoCal Sharpshooter has a guy that just outright ignores you.

I've never had a problem with Fred or any of the other guys at Sharpshooters. I took a new shooter there last week and Fred was the only one there. We closed the place and Fred didn't try to hurry us or anything. Last month I was there for a PPT and one of the guys put down his lunch to process us while his food got cold. The only bad thing I can say about them is that their range fees have gone up lately.

[mscales5]

Honestly, most gun shops that I deal with run are rude jerks. I don't mind though, kind of adds to the experience.

Kind of like Chinese food restaurants. You know that the ruder the help is, the better the food is.

I can understand that. Since I have no employees the people I deal with mostly are pretty good with firearms. They are knowledgeable on wha they want for the most part or at least have a idea of what they are looking for. On the side of the gun shops I do have to say that most firearms people have no idea what kind of questions we get asked every day. There is no excuse for rudeness but I guess it is more like police, they see and hear so much they just become skeptical. The thing I like about selling firearms is most of my customers become friends and we go varmint hunting and shooting together and even go motorcycle riding together. I have a Honda VTX1300 V-Twin so we ride street bike, no place to really ride dirt around here anymore.