In Norfolk, VA, there is one shop that always brings a smile to my face whenever someone mentions it. And it's because the person in question is commenting on how rude the owner was when they went in to see him. If the guy didn't do a LOT of business in the bait and tackle end of things, he'd be out of business. His basic line if you walk in and ask to see a gun is "Are you going to buy it?", then he asks to see the money before he will even let you handle a gun.
See, fact is I work at a little gun shop in Virginia Beach on a part-time basis. Was a good customer for a few years, and offered to fill in on a couple of occasions for other fellows who were gone (two or three of their guys are in the Navy and just happened to be gone at the same time). The rest, as they say, is history! I try very hard to greet everyone who walks in the door. It's a priority with me. I've worked in other retail situations before, so I know that the customers are the ones who really pay my check and not the owner. Repeat business is important, too, and that only comes from delivering excellent customer service each and every time. That also leads to referrals to family and friends, and we get a LOT of those folks in the door. We're not a huge storefront, and we actually don't stock a huge supply on-hand. But we CAN get just about anything you want in a reasonable amount of time and at a great price.
So if you ever find yourself in or near Virginia Beach, stop by The Armory, at the corner of Indian River Road and Kempsville Lane. Tell 'em Bob Locke sent ya!
