Smoke & Recoil
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My favorite in the local gun shop is.....
I don't have one, but if I did, I would have this and do it this way.
I don't have one, but if I did, I would have this and do it this way.
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Gun Store "Lizards"
- Thread starter Prof Young
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I spent 6 years working in a gun shop and in my experience it's totally false.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?
What you might have seen doesn't apply to all locations, and it sounds like you are more upset that it wasn't you who got to buy the gun:
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.
larryh1108
New member
As we have discussed at length, not every gun shop operates the same way.
Dismissing it because it didn't happen in your gun shop and calling someone out is not the way things are done properly.
Instead of a snarky response you could have started your initial reply with "in the shop I work in...".
I've seen it enough in many different kinds of shops to know, for a fact, that this happens quite a bit. I am so happy that in your limited experience it didn't happen where you worked.
Your words.
Yeah, it was rude and obnoxious.
Dismissing it because it didn't happen in your gun shop and calling someone out is not the way things are done properly.
Instead of a snarky response you could have started your initial reply with "in the shop I work in...".
I've seen it enough in many different kinds of shops to know, for a fact, that this happens quite a bit. I am so happy that in your limited experience it didn't happen where you worked.
That's all pretty much a fantasy based on false assumptions
Your words.
Yeah, it was rude and obnoxious.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
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.
If you have a problem with the owner doing whatever he wants to do with his inventory, then perhaps, you should become one of the pet "lizards" at that shop and bully him into good deals...
Personally, in 50 years of dealing with at least 100 different gun shops in four different states - I've never seen that happen.
I'm not discounting it, but from my experience, it's hardly the norm.
larryh1108
New member
Do I have a problem with it?
Nope.
It's how life works.
Some times being in the right place at the right time is all it takes but if you don't believe the shop wallpaper gets the first crack at any trades or purchases then your eyes aren't open.
Me? I'll do what I always do. If I see something I like, I'll offer a fair price for it. The owner says yes or no. It really is that simple.
Nope.
It's how life works.
Some times being in the right place at the right time is all it takes but if you don't believe the shop wallpaper gets the first crack at any trades or purchases then your eyes aren't open.
Me? I'll do what I always do. If I see something I like, I'll offer a fair price for it. The owner says yes or no. It really is that simple.
I'm not doubting anyone's experience.To quoe Elmer"Hell.I was there"
In my experience,There IS the reality of buying "wholesale versus retail".
If I am selling because my lifestyle left me desperate for cash,or I was given or inherited a desirable piece I do not understand or appreciate,I would not even approach an LGS.I know I would likely be looking at 50% of what its worth retail,and less if I will accept it.I might think my 1911 is worth $600.I might be miffed at a $200 offer.But the LGS store owner has to manage his capital,inventory,and return.How he does that is his business.If I sell for $200,he calls a customer who buys it next day for $400,that $200 might be half of the light bill for the month.Itscalled keeping the doors open.
I know enough folks I can sell it for more like 80% value easily.Often with a first chance at buyback if the new owner decides to sell.
But "the little old widow" scenario.I guess I know some honorable LGS owners.Appraisal is one of their services. Their ethic is their reputation,and part of business longevity.Some think short term,some think long term.
These LGS owners give an honest appraisal of the market value of the piece.
Then,they might say "I can afford to give you this much"
What that offer is,is not my business or yours.The seller can accept it,or inquire "What are my options?" Consignment may be one of those.The LGS may make some calls there is a nice piece available.In that case,he is providing a marketing service,to turn the gun and get the seller the $.
If I was the LGS owner,the folks who think I'm a stone hearted evil scrooge that robs old widows would not be on my call list.
In the case described,if the consignment price is $500,its $500 to me,or anyone else.The widow gets her $500 less commission.
There is nothing to complain about.
I do not think I have EVER met a gunshop owner or gunsmith who can be "bullied" to do anything.I have met some who will invite you to get out of their shop.
In my experience,There IS the reality of buying "wholesale versus retail".
If I am selling because my lifestyle left me desperate for cash,or I was given or inherited a desirable piece I do not understand or appreciate,I would not even approach an LGS.I know I would likely be looking at 50% of what its worth retail,and less if I will accept it.I might think my 1911 is worth $600.I might be miffed at a $200 offer.But the LGS store owner has to manage his capital,inventory,and return.How he does that is his business.If I sell for $200,he calls a customer who buys it next day for $400,that $200 might be half of the light bill for the month.Itscalled keeping the doors open.
I know enough folks I can sell it for more like 80% value easily.Often with a first chance at buyback if the new owner decides to sell.
But "the little old widow" scenario.I guess I know some honorable LGS owners.Appraisal is one of their services. Their ethic is their reputation,and part of business longevity.Some think short term,some think long term.
These LGS owners give an honest appraisal of the market value of the piece.
Then,they might say "I can afford to give you this much"
What that offer is,is not my business or yours.The seller can accept it,or inquire "What are my options?" Consignment may be one of those.The LGS may make some calls there is a nice piece available.In that case,he is providing a marketing service,to turn the gun and get the seller the $.
If I was the LGS owner,the folks who think I'm a stone hearted evil scrooge that robs old widows would not be on my call list.
In the case described,if the consignment price is $500,its $500 to me,or anyone else.The widow gets her $500 less commission.
There is nothing to complain about.
I do not think I have EVER met a gunshop owner or gunsmith who can be "bullied" to do anything.I have met some who will invite you to get out of their shop.
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So you're a "lurker" and you're still mainly upset because you didn't get the "good deal"I've seen it enough in many different kinds of shops to know, for a fact, that this happens quite a bit. I am so happy that in your limited experience it didn't happen where you worked.
So was your characterization of people who hang around in gunshopsYeah, it was rude and obnoxious.
Our usual "lizards" were Doctors, Dentists, Registered Nurses, Deputy Sheriffs, City Police Officers, College Professors and a retired High School principal.
Mostly they were friends of the owner and employees who enjoyed hanging around talking about guns, and helping out with anything they could.
I can promise you they weren't the buzzards you make them out to be.
In fact, I got a couple of my best deals from one of them when he started getting too old to shoot as much
Maybe it's just because your experience is from IL and CT
larryh1108
New member
So, half the posters here do not like the lurkers, beginning with the OP and I'm the guy who is bashing these lurkers?
my words worthy of your scorn?
How nice. I guess this covers every scenario, huh? All the other posters who have seen other types must all be wrong as well because you say so, huh? Your experience covers all 50 states I bet because if you didn't see it, it doesn't happen, right?
your words:
Made my point for me.
I guess I struck a nerve?
This explains your needless attack on one of the posters (of many) who agrees with the OP.
However, my words below sum up your good fortune:
At that, I'll bow out of your keyboard attack. No use wasting time on something so silly and irrelevant.
..and has been noted here, some are helpful and others are intrusive.
my words worthy of your scorn?
Our usual "lizards" were Doctors, Dentists, Registered Nurses, Deputy Sheriffs, City Police Officers, College Professors and a retired High School principal.
How nice. I guess this covers every scenario, huh? All the other posters who have seen other types must all be wrong as well because you say so, huh? Your experience covers all 50 states I bet because if you didn't see it, it doesn't happen, right?
your words:
In fact, I got a couple of my best deals from one of them when he started getting too old to shoot as much
Made my point for me.
I guess I struck a nerve?
This explains your needless attack on one of the posters (of many) who agrees with the OP.
However, my words below sum up your good fortune:
Some times being in the right place at the right time is all it takes
At that, I'll bow out of your keyboard attack. No use wasting time on something so silly and irrelevant.
Made my point for me.
I guess I struck a nerve?
Your "point" was the good deals went to the lurkers after the owner took advantage of the downtrodden
My example was a "lurker" selling me (personally, not the store) guns they owned.
They aren't even remotely similar
Evan Thomas
Inactive
And that's enough bickering for one thread.
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