Conversation at LGS-New Employee

R

RLWII

New member
Stopped by one of many pawn/gun shops yesterday just to see if anything new had been put out for sale. Nice, friendly, older gentleman offered his assistance and we talked for a minute about the Detective Special on display
(used, no box, blued - $799). Then the conversation got funny:
EMPLOYEE: Here buddy, let me show you this Smith & Wesson, almost new and still in the original box.

ME: Sure, lets have a look.

EMPLOYEE: (pulling box and gun out of case) See, this thing is like new. Not sure it's even been fired.

ME: What model is it?

EMPLOYEE: Smith and Wesson, see, right there on the box

ME: That's the manufacturer, what model?

EMPLOYEE: Oh, it's a 38.

ME: No, that is the caliber. Open the cylinder so we can see the model.

EMPLOYEE: (after turning the gun over in his hands) Here, you look.

ME: (opened up, model 10-8)
gun wasn't in bad shape. not rust or pitting. but finish worn off at muzzle and cylinder. obvious holster wear.
ME: This must have belonged to someone in law enforcement. Looks like it has been carried a lot but not shot very much.

EMPLOYEE: Had to have been because it says it's a Military and Police gun. But since it is used, I can sell it to anybody. What do you think, we have it marked at $399.95, but I can do a little better.

ME: No thanks, but I do appreciate your time.

Just a little Friday afternoon entertainment.
 
So...they wanted 800 or 400 for it? At least he was nice.

At my least favorite LGS today I overheard two employees mocking a fellow employee for not knowing if a certain rifle marked 223 could take 5.56. It was a valid question. Each time I go there I'm given a different reason to not buy there.

Now go buy at 38...super rare military and police edition.
 
Just because somebody is working in the gun section of the big stores, don't assume they know a thing about guns. I've met some very knowledgable folks that were working there, but I've talked to a few that probably were moved from Ladies Wear over to the gun department for the day. And there was the time that I was looking at rifle scopes and not getting much help from the young lady working that counter. She was game to help, but knew nothing. I asked her how she wound up in the gun department and she said that she had requested it. When I asked why she wanted to work in that section, she said that the gun department was where all the cute young guys worked. The truth didn't help me with my scope search, but it did get me to smiling.
 
Just because somebody is working in the gun section of the big stores, don't assume they know a thing about guns.
Click to expand...

That goes for retail places in general. Even stores that sell things like computers typically give employees zero training on the products they sell. Doubt gun stores are any different.
 
most people that work in big box stores that happen to sell guns care little about the product they are selling. I used to work at an academy sporting goods store in the firearms department and i was the most knowledgable person there when it came to fishing and hunting. Most of my fellow employees were not.
 
Just because somebody is working in the gun section of the big stores, don't assume they know a thing about guns.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but when the sales guy approaches you claiming to sell an "almost new" gun that is obviously not almost new, the gloves come off.....a little.

FWIW, I felt that the OP handled the guy nicely.
 
At least he greeted you and actually showed you the pistol.

There is a LGS in on Apache Trail in Mesa AZ. I have been in the shop probably a dozen times in the last year. I have never been greeted by an employ. I have been pointedly ignored. I wanted to purchase Ruger MK II they had on display the salesman refused to show it to me.

Now that I have found an alternate source for surplus ammo and stripper clips for my Mosin and M1 I will not enter the shop again.
 
I have had some real humdingers of conversations with people at pawn/gun shops. When I am buying from them I am very careful to inspect guns before buying. Their knowledge of guns comes from the blue book of gun values. A person could sell them a junker for peanuts, and they turn and price it at full resale value. Some of them for a bit over that. Regardless of condition it sells for the price of in pristine condition.

I have had job offers from several local places due to the fact that I know my butt from a hole in the ground about guns.
 
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