Gun Store "Lizards"

Status
Not open for further replies.
I actually really like my LGS, and yes, there are a couple 'Lizards' that seem to be there all the time. I really like the owner and staff, and maybe I'm on the fortunate end that the staff is quick to ignore the lizards and help anyone who walks through the door.

I only had one instance when I was looking for some bulk 7.62 NATO to feed my M1A, when a lizard (before the owner could get to me) said something along the lines of "I don't know why you're messing with that expensive rifle, just get an AK-47, it shoots the same ammo. That Lake City stuff is way overpriced, just get that Silver Bear for much cheaper!" (7.62x39) I rolled my eyes at him and grinned as the owner jokingly told him "Stop trying to get my customers to blow their guns up! I know you're trying to help increase my sales, but your methods are frowned upon!" The guy just went back to drinking his coffee and left me alone.

Long story short, it depends on the mood I'm in as to whether or not I feel like dealing with them. I just happen to have a very competent staff at my LGS that minimizes this.
 
Answering the OP: Heck yeah, all the time. And, not just at mom & pop stores. I see this at Dick's, Gander Mountain, etc. I understand when inexperienced folks do this - the world of guns is vast and it's hard to know where to start. But, when people who are old enough to know what guns they like and don't like do this - I just don't get it. This is a HUGE mystery to me.:confused:

When I go to a gun store, I keep my hands in my pockets and don't say anything other than a respectful "howdy" followed by "just browsing". Sometimes I really am just browsing; other times I know exactly what I'm looking for and I'm not interested in anything else. Still, other times, I'm taking a mental inventory of prices, if I can see them. If I can't see the prices, that's ok too - means that the guns are sucker-priced.
 
The academy where I used to shop was ok, but I always checked their stock online before going... So I go in, fill out the paperwork, get the item and leave....You can't beat academy's prices....
Now a local surplus/gunshop has items listed on their website, I've frequented them lately... Bought two stripped lowers from them, saved shipping and ffl costs that way.
 
BTW, it's no different in coin store or the comic sci-fi store. You want to buy something and some blankety-blank is monopolizing the staff.

I had the rudest experience in the fancy cheese store, while another is great.
 
If I am putting any social time in at my LGS,
1)I take a step back and defer to any customer who may want help.
2)I figure the owner runs the shop,and the owner is making a living from his shop.His relationship with his customers is his business,not mine.I may listen from the shadows,but I keep my mouth shut.
3) If the Owner,as he sometimes does,asks for my input,I'll offer information,not persuasion.

Even if I worked at the gunstore,and it was my job to serve customers,generally its a good plan to treat the customer as at least an equal.

No one likes to be treated as an inferior.

Offer to serve,do not direct.

IMO,you really want the customer to walk out feeling happy that THEY made the good choice.

Example:"I want to load for 44 magnum.Whats a good load?"(Never offer a load)
Answer"Well,memory can get me in trouble with reloads.I might confuse something.Lets look at the manuals...(sell one!)
 
Lizards don't bother me. If I go to a store it's a nod or hello then checking out price tags, used stuff, new arrivals. Unless there's a NICS check on a purchase I don't think I've spent more than 15 to 20 minutes in any gun shop. I'm there mainly for buying. If I'm friendly with the owner a short joke/story might be passed.

I think most of the "lizards" are just guys with a lot of empty time on hand. I've seen the same caliber of fellow at barber shops, fishing shops, etc. all my life. Some are just real social folks. Some are sad. Regardless, I'm there to look for deals and to support these little islands of 2nd Amendment capitalism. ;) Lizards don't get in my way.
 
gander mountain in my area anyway, is the hang out for out of shape schlubs that open carry with a regular open top fobus holster and usually have their wife or girlfriend with them so they can flaunt their gun savvy.
 
three friends and i go on a gunshop tour two or three times a month and its a rare trip we don,t buy a firearm or two with other shooting supplies. its a all day trip with a stop for lunch and takes in 6-7 shops. as we are shooters of rifle,pistol and shotguns and own over 300 firearms and ever reload for most. we are known and welcome at all the shops and have even helped to get parts that they needed that one of use had. we have fostered a very good relationship with them and we look on the owners as friends. in one shop the owner had taken in a 356 winchester and had no ammo, i had one several years ago and kept 4 boxes of ammo when i sold it and told him i would bring it along next time. when we stopped with the ammo he said he sold the rifle and what sold the rifle was the fact that he would get the buyer ammo and believed me when i told him i would bring him the four boxs. we have informed the owners what we like and they have saved several firearms for us at very fair prices. as a matter of fact i just got magizine tube and dove tailed magizing hanger for a rem model 14-1/2 in 38-40 that one of the shop owner has. eastbank.
 
I get them where I work. You get the good and the bad, mostly the good. I did have one case where I asked a gentleman if I could help him or answer any questions and he responded with "No, I could probably work here behind the counter," and went back to describing every firearm we had to his son/grandson.

You do have to learn when working with them takes away from the customer service you could be offering to somebody else. But in general they're knowledgeable, helpful, and understanding that I have other people to help. If I'm really busy, they may even start conversations with other customers and help with answers to questions they have, especially beginners.

These are usually the same people who buy multiple guns a year. When they come in looking for advice on bullets, cleaning supplies or accessories, they're also usually the first to listen to input and there's a good many who will buy just about anything I recommend to them within reason. If they're there an hour and a half before closing with no other customers in sight, I'll let them handle a gun or 10.

Some of them can be time wasters though. I had one guy (not a regular, thankfully) try to get into a yelling match with me when I had the audacity to recommend a 124 grain 9mm hollow point for self defense - as if I had recommended he carry a pop gun and practically killed the man myself
 
resent

I am having a problem with the term "lizard". If in fact I qualify, I would prefer to be called a gun shop reptile!!!!!!!!
 
Sounds about like every tackle shop and boat barn I ever went to. Shoot, I enjoy it. Pull up a five gallon bucket and set a spell. If you're not careful you might learn something.
 
Personally I often find the lizards/trolls stories funny, the wanna be SF'rs and video Commandos are often better than a stand up comedian as well as being very easy to cut down when they go to far.
I know what I know and if they say something that sounds like it might be true I'm happy to go look it up. Always happy to learn new things about my obsession.
Now if it is coming from the back side of the counter then it's I'm out-a-here and not coming back.
 
"Lizards" are awesome. In my experience they're almost always respectful, but if you walk into a shop that can't control their behavior you know quickly that you're in the wrong place. I've actually learned a lot from regular customers who had the good sense to keep their mouths shut while the person behind the counter was working with me, but offered advice afterwards.
 
Guys socializing and chatting is fine...

It's the blowhards that are full of themselves are what people dislike...

Most often, the blowhards aren't aware of their own behavior.

Being educated by a knowledgeable peer is different
 
I have about ten stores that stock firearms in a 20 minute radius(not counting WM).
I try VERY VERY hard to avoid all but two. I find it very difficult to listen to the clerks in the others as the lie/misinform anyone coming in the door.
 
I can usually ignore the "white noise" that you find at a lot of the LGS and has been noted here, some are helpful and others are intrusive. I agree that their presence keeps away a lot of new business and that is not a good thing for any shop owner.

The thing that does bother me is that these "lurkers" are hanging out to be there when a nice gem gets traded in or bought by the shop. Many times the shop may get a recent widow and/or someone who wants to sell a nice piece for whatever reason and these lurkers are there to put it into their own collection at a ridiculously cheap price. I believe that's why most of the lurkers hang out for hours at a time... to find a gem for a cheap price.

These gems never get into our hands from these shops. The shop owner takes it in at a low ball price (his job) and the lurker knows what he paid for it and bullies the owner into a small profit for having it in his shop for 5 minutes where the owner could sell it for a lot more (market value) out of his case. The smart owner tells the lurker that he has first crack at full retail and the "good buddy" owner sells it cheap to his crony. Either way, I won't get a chance to buy a really nice piece because the lurkers are always there and only think of themselves.
 
These gems never get into our hands from these shops. The shop owner takes it in at a low ball price (his job) and the lurker knows what he paid for it and bullies the owner into a small profit for having it in his shop for 5 minutes where the owner could sell it for a lot more (market value) out of his case.
Click to expand...
That's all pretty much a fantasy based on false assumptions
 
I find this thread interesting. I went to a LGS yesterday. It is an old country hardware store that still sells the guns out of the back. There are the usual hanger ons. You have to walk through a narrow aisle to get to the back room and there was a guy on every corner that you had to walk through. Even I, who is fairly social and not bothered by these things, felt a little uncomfortable having to navigate my way through. I can't imagine what Suzy soccer mom would think with the blaze orange crowd hanging out. Then again I don't think you would ever see her at such an out of the way place. I never have, but imagine the perceived intimidation at a more suburban LGS.

The other thing I notice is that no matter what the issue someone will always have something to point out about someone. No matter which side of the fence we are talking about. Lizards are good or lizards are bad. I find it entertaining.

I am that guy that makes the regular rounds of the LGS's in town usually checking inventory and prices. I don't chime in, but always offer a quick statement just to break the ice. Sometimes I buy, most times I don't. Occasionally I ask to have a look. Have no idea what that categorizes me as, but I am sure someone will! :)
 
That's all pretty much a fantasy based on false assumptions
Click to expand...

Really?
I believe your reply is a fantasy based on false assumptions.
I've seen it or is that my imagination?

You, however, can't see something if you aren't there.

Now, who is right?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top