Dealers treating you like a "KID" ????

OOPS :o 180 deg. turn around. As Dead says,When my dealer knows I'm onto something he works it. Since I have a new interest in
Glocks and .45s the first thing he handed me the other day was a new 36.But I bought the Springfield instead :)

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
"Buy a fake Rolex watch"

:D Works every time !

No really.


know what your talking about, dress like you can afford what your looking at (i.e. no monster truck or Austin 3:16 shirts) and act ambivalent about the whole thing (i.e. don't start drooling and saying "Golly Gee Wow" when the dealer pulls out the latest gadget).
Make them earn his/her paycheck making you happy, thats there job. If they're not willing to give you the time of day, go somewhere else, but before you do, find the manager of the store and point out the rude salesman.
 
Long term relationships seem to work. They are still non marketing ahole huns but. They know I'm old enough "been doing business with the for 25+ years" and know that even though I stop by to browse and bs I will buy something from time to time. Yes, I get the phone call etc. but I also added up the total on the checks I had written in this place over the past 15 years. Even though they tell me to get a haircut from time to time they are pretty good to me.
If you are a newbie do you want a kiss butt marketing expert pushing something your way? These guy's have seen it all, have the BATF looking over their shoulder as well as every litigious lawyer in the world.
You will find many friends to point you in the right direction here but the real world is as it is.
 
I always shop for *my* gun store when I hit an area. I go into each several times...some days I dress nicely-some I don't. An attitude helps too-

"Hellooo....am I invisible?!?!?!"
or
"Does anyone work here?!?!?!"

Tends to attract some attention....also-

"Well, since I can't get any help here I'll go back to so-andso gunshop over on wherever street-they had the same 57Sig for $200 cheaper..."

Does well especially if there are others in the shop. ;)

I hate being ignored and get downright nasty when it happens.
 
Ah yes, annoying indeed. As a 22 year old, and long time gun enthusiast, I feel quite annoyed at this treatment. I've been shooting since I was VERY small, though I started with BB guns. I've been studying them for quite a while. I don't like going into a gun and getting looked at like I'm a shoplifter. I have a go-tee and very long hair, and I'm not a small guy. It doesn't always help me out much. Still, I refuse to become some nice little conformist just so that these idiots can treat me like they should treat everyone.

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The Alcove

I twist the facts until they tell the truth. -Some intellectual sadist

The Bill of Rights is a document of brilliance, a document of wisdom, and it is the ultimate law, spoken or not, for the very concept of a society that holds liberty above the desire for ever greater power. -Me
 
I'm 20, so that definitely works against me when lookin for guns. Most of the shops used to treat me like crap, but when they started realizing that I could hold my own in a gun conversation as well as on the range, they eased up. There are really only 4 or 5 shops around that I can get to without a long drive, so that limits my choices. At one shop I always talk to the same guy; if he's not there, I don't stay long because the other ppl are asses. Another one is about the same. I've purchased guns and countless accessories and ammo from all of the shops, but sometimes I still get the "he's too young to know sh!t about guns" treatment. I love asking questions that stump people that try to give me BS. It totally catches them off guard =)
 
Right or wrong, people will judge you on your age, how you dress, haircut, etc. That's just the way it is. If someone goes to a shop and browses every week an buys nothing, he will probably get less attention when he actually is looking to buy something. This isn't always the case, but does happen. I like to browse now and then, and when I do, I make an effort to buy something I will need anyway, such as cleaning supplies or ammo. I won't waste money on things I don't need though. Many gunshops are endanger of extinction, so buying something now and then helps.

Any place that is truly rude to someone deserves to loose their business. I was at a gun show once and came across a dealer who had some pretty good prices at his table. So I asked about a few things he had. The guy was a total jerk to me. I went around the show and randomly told other people not to buy anything from that guy. I don't know if it made any difference, but It sure did feel good.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
19-year old drives into a Porche dealership driving an old Nova and starts looking around -- 9 out of 10 sales people will ignore him. Same 19-year old drives into the same dealership driving an almost brand new Vette, 9 out of 10 sales people will jump him trying to make the sale.

When you walk into a gun store, people judge you by your appearance. The STEROTYPE is that younger buyers have more of an interest in guns but do not always have the money to make the purchase.

Enjoy your youth
winkanim.gif
because the other side of the fence is NOT greener.[/quote]

Yeah, but 40Something drives in, acts nonchalant about purchase and gets to "test drive" lots of neat stuff ;) LOL! I've found the grungier the better as far as looks go.

911's are,,cool. Beemers rock! New Vetts are almost untouchable, but if you work *them* real hard it's doable. Caddys are easy. Hawgs are reaaaaal easy. Hardest one I've run across so far has been, of all things, an Expidition!(sp). None of the local dealers want to give you a free ride in one. hehe, some of us have strange hobbys. LOL!

Actully, that's not quite 100%. I used to work for a car dealer, and know the games they play. When I shop for a car/truck, I alway start well out of my price range and work down. It puts them a bit off balance when they have to justify putting less $$ in my trade.

[This message has been edited by RAE (edited September 12, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I'm well past er.. 35 yrs and most if not all my guns are higher end and I still get the cold shoulder at shops and shows at times..even where I'm known. I don't get it. Do agree that dealers NEED a BIG dose of marketing skill/class. Might help if the pay was improved for the help. Hard to find and keep good people for what most shops want to pay. The help at shows can often be friends helping out for dinner and some ammo/range time. It is a problem everywhere and not just age dependent. When you do find a good shop/dealer, don't mind paying a couple of % more on a gun, WE need to keep them in business.[/quote]

I got the same thing a couple of years ago. The shop I had previously ordered higher end stuff (couple Benellis, couple Hämmerlis, and a FA .454) all of the sudden starts treating me like I'm a bother. Usually when I go in there, they're playing cards and they're too busy playing to got off ther butts to see what I want. F that, I now do all my shop business at one about 5 miles down the road. I only go back if nobody else has what I'm looking for and I want to see one. I'd never actaully buy it from that first gun shop. I'll order from the new one. Some people have no concept of what it takes to grow a business. I think the only way that first shop stays afloat is law enforceent sales.

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- Ron V.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Trick is to find your one good dealer and stick with him/her. In the long run you'll save money because your a favored customer.[/quote]
That's my tactic. I bought my first gun from another dealer. My 2nd through present have been from the same one. I usually stop in twice a week. If nothing else, just to be a friend. :)
 
I've been very fortunate with finding a gunshop. I just turned 19 and a year ago when I started to get back into shooting I had a hard time finding someplace that I liked. Luckily, quite a few of the guys from my kungfu school are shooters and recommended a great little shop nearby. The moment I walked in one of the guys behind the counter recognized me and asked about my dad. Apparently, he worked for the range that my dad used to bring me to when I was little. I told him I was getting back into shooting, what gun I wanted, etc.. and spent the next 2 hours BSing with him. I try to give all the business I can to this place because of how well they took care of me, even when I know I can get things cheaper elsewhere.

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"There are roads that must not be followed, and battles that must not be fought.." --Sun Tzu
 
Hey, make friends with the guys at the range and you will never have to buy through a shop again ;). THAT is the way to do it. Screw salesmen
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Blueyedog:
Remember: First you pillage, Then you burn.
[/quote]


I'll keep that in mind. :)
 
DannyO, I'm from dumpachusetts also (northshore of Boston). Congrats on getting your license, it does blow. What shops gave you a hard time? CCG wouldn't be one, would it? I wouldn't be surprised. They gave me flak until I dropped a few grand in cash on the counter and asked to see what little they had. They were surprised when they found out I'm only 25 and am the head of a major corporation. Now I get rim jobs whenever I go in there because they know that I have cash, pretty pathetic huh? I stick to Fourseasons in Woburn. Carl (owner) is the best, he takes care of his people.

Oh, by the way. RAE, it's Bimmers (cars). Beamers are the bikes. I'm not busting balls, it's just a pet peeve :)

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"Get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a Glock" - Tommy Lee Jones
 
I have not tried fourseasons yet. I'll have to take a drive. I will continue to use Alpha Arms for my guns, ammo etc. The owner Paul is a straight shooter and not the know it all type of gun shop worker that tells you what he thinks you need. Check it out if you get a chance.

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"Some people spend an entire liftime wondering if they made a difference. Marines don't have that problem."
Semper Fi
 
Damn, maybe I'm just lucky, but I have always had the opposite experience. When I was young, stationed at Bragg, Jim's Pawn shop was always friendly and helpfull, even when I did obnoxious stuff like disassembling weapons on his countertop.
 
At 23, I have not had many hassles with salespeople treating me poorly because of my age. However, I am usually well dressed, well groomed, and I obeserve the usual gun safety rules. Of course, it is always fun when you know more than the salesperson. You tend to get a little more respect when you know what you are talking about. ;)
 
I'm 23 and often have to kick somebody to get attention at some gun shops. I was treated like a child run-amock the other day at Pannells Firearms because I wanted to look at their magazines. Avoid the young cocky guy that works there if you can ;)

It's truely amazing what cusomer service is WORTH these days. I bought both my Beretta and Ruger from the same shop (Roswell Gun Spl) because of their respectful service, and reasonable prices... Visit Roswell Gun Specialty if you ever get the chance. It's on Alpharetta HWY just North of Mansell Exit off 400 and just south of North Fulton Hospital. It's on the LEFT. That's where I've done most of my business so far, and also try Smyrna Police Distributors on Windy Hill Road. You can't buy guns there unless you're LEO, but their service is excellent and they have a large supply of Holsters etc.

We'll shoot sometime if I can figure out a time I don't have class or something else. Fridays and Saturdays are usually best for me. Let me know

Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
http://ben.gunsnet.net
 
Well, I'm 50 and what you're talking about is universal.

I don't have the choice of gunshops you do -- in one, they can barely wait to serve you and get you out the door again.

The other likes to treat me like a moron (I've been shooting 33 years!). Went in to buy some Hornady 40 gr .224 V-Max projectiles because they give me <MOA accuracy in my Savage.

'Nah,' says the kid behind the counter. 'They're a waste of money. We use these' -- holding up a plastic bag of loose .22 mag projectiles. 'Shoot better and much cheaper, too. They're all you need.'

I bought the V-Max ---- elsewhere.

B
 
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