Why do gun shops get away with it?

My pet peave with 2 of our local gun shops is their web sites that show dozens of guns in stock, which are not and never will be in stock, and email where they never intend to answer you back. If someone does not have the time or inclination to answer emails don't put the address out on the web site. This happens with non gun web sites also.
 
People will buy where prices are lowest, regardless of how the service is.
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Not always true.
I walked out of one store and paid a few more bucks at another when I bought my G21.
I just couldnt stomach any more assyness from the first place and was determined not to give them a dime.

A lot of people have crappy jobs, its no excuse for having a bad attitude.
 
You should expect comparing a small business to a major chain will leave a sour taste in the gun shop. That's comparing apples to oranges.

We have two gun stores...I only compare them to each other and thats it.

One gets business from me for weapons, etc. I just stopped by the other one ONLY because I am trying out some new powder and did not want to do a 120 mile round trip for ONE bottle of powder.
 
Very good responses, and I as I've read threads about brick and mortar retailers in the firearms trade, many of my personal views have changed.

I've shifted my views after thinking and reading things here. I'm all for free market, and I understand people need to make a living, stock shrinks prices go up. Business/Economics 101 right there, don't like the prices, don't buy from that outlet and shop somewhere else.

In regards to poor customer service, I find that inexcusable regardless of what the retailer faces (well exceptions can be made for bad customers of course). I've had my fair share of crappy clerks in gun stores, and I feel for those that don't have many options and are forced to shop at said outlets.

Bad CS really makes or breaks it for me in most cases, it's a proven fact that in many cases, if you give quality service, the customer may be willing to spend a little more at your store simply because they trust you as opposed to joe bloke down the street who has a better price but is an unknown.
 
Good question.
There does seem to be a problem with attitude among gun store owners. I have never understood it. It might be they are more gun people thant businessmen.
I have owned a gun shop that had to compete with the big box stores. I learned quickly I could never compete head to head with them. So, I created my own niche by providing personal friendly service and providing what the big box could not. I provided special order service, repairs and gave advice. The advice was free.
I also learned quickly that when the same questions are asked by many people that meant there was a need to fill.
 
Good question.
There does seem to be a problem with attitude among gun store owners. I have never understood it. It might be they are more gun people thant businessmen.
I have owned a gun shop that had to compete with the big box stores. I learned quickly I could never compete head to head with them. So, I created my own niche by providing personal friendly service and providing what the big box could not. I provided special order service, repairs and gave advice. The advice was free.
I also learned quickly that when the same questions are asked by many people that meant there was a need to fill.
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Exactly. I have a side business. We do maybe one or two orders a month if that...its a hand crafted business. So we take GREAT pride in our workmanship and make sure the customer is happy.
 
It's not a gun store thing. I like the way I am treated at my favorite Gun Shop. I had the worst buying experience I have had in years llast week at a Best Buy. They were rude, clueless and made no effort to help me. The place was full of employees but I had to disturb a young woman who was eating at the counter to get any service at all.
 
Not always true.
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I understand this. I intended "people" to be read as "people in general", as opposed to, "100% of all people". My point is that enough people validate the low price/no service business model with purchases that these types of businesses don't need to bother trying to be any different.
 
Boutique Stores and Big Box stores are apples to oranges, but one of the places a boutique store HAS to be better to survive is in customer service. Without a national advertising campaign constantly brainwashing people to walk through your doors you have to make sure everyone who does come through the doors wants to return.

Ignoring people, talking down, refusing to explain things, making up information that doesn't pass the common sense test, etc., won't work. At least not in the longterm. Any idiot who can beg/borrow/steal a bulk pack of 22lr can make it right now.
 
A lot of the one-person shops seem to attract locals who do nothing but waste the owners' time with conversations and stories, and a lot of the owners like to do the same. Sales seem to be an afterthought, something that gets in the way of a gemutlichkeit afternoon.
 
It's not a gun store thing. I like the way I am treated at my favorite Gun Shop. I had the worst buying experience I have had in years llast week at a Best Buy. They were rude, clueless and made no effort to help me. The place was full of employees but I had to disturb a young woman who was eating at the counter to get any service at all.
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I seem to encounter this when I go to Home Depot. I was there last week and I kid you not, every employee I saw was either standing around chit-chatting or had their faces buried in their cell phones. They didn't help a single customer.
 
That is a very good question Sir. And I think the answer is that FFLD's have little competition. In my immediate area there are 4 gun shops. 1 is inside the owners house and is very small, but does good business and is fair and honest. Though a bit on the gruff side. The 2nd is an unpleasant place to be. The service is lousy and the owner is kind of a little unethical from what I hear. The 3rd is a nice clean store that is very small and the customer service is pretty decent, but their prices are higher. The 4th I just don't like to go into. They have good prices, but the customer service sucks. The guy makes me uneasy and despite him offering me some great deals I have never bought anything from him. I have a hard time getting over the uneasy feeling he gives me whenever I'm there.

If I drive an hour or so I have some other places to look. One is huge! Decent prices and the big surprise is all the guys there are pretty friendly. I consider this a lot of options that many don't have. However I have yet to see a gun store where they seem happy to see you. Most you are lucky is you get mild hello when you come in the door.
 
I don't do business with gun shops/stores that treat me and others like I'm wasting their time. Fortunately there are a number of shops in this area and I'm able to weed out the bad ones and spend my money at the good ones.
 
I don't do business with gun shops/stores that treat me and others like I'm wasting their time. Fortunately there are a number of shops in this area and I'm able to weed out the bad ones and spend my money at the good ones.
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I do the same thing. I now use ONE. Don't even go in the others.
 
The LGS'S in central Iowa are all similar to the OP's description, they also all sold bricks of 22 for $80-$100 and M&P shields for $700++. I've seen grumpy, hacked off, and swearing service from them since this latest panic.

Luckily we have a Sportsman's Warehouse here as well with good service and in normal times a great selection with fair prices, definately not overpriced. They never jacked prices on ARs, pistols, or ammo.

When things return to normal I will be at the gunshows with a list of each of the LGS's and what they did and the prices they charged at my own rented table. I'll also point out Sportsman's, Walmart, and the local BassPro and how they never jacked their ammo prices and what their current ammo prices are as compared to the vendors.

Listened for years to local gun shops complain about being undercut by big box stores and how they, the LGS'S, would be here for the customers unlike the big box stores only to see the LGS's be the ones gouging their own

Can't wait to hear their complaints when I'm at the shows pointing out their gouge prices and the big box stores practices during the panic and current prices. Will be like the big box stores will have their own free advertising at the shows from now on...

Anything I can do for you dealers for all you did for me during this latest panic.
 
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Here in the Greater Northwest, most of the LGSs are just as described. I refuse to set foot in several of them. People around here just laugh about how rude the LGS people are and say "Well that's the way it is, been that way for years" I don't put up with it and I mail order a lot of my stuff just so I don't have to deal with the local idiots.
Last fall I was wanting a box of bullets for something I was reloading to fill time on a boring day. Got on the phone calling stores on the manufactuers website looking for a box or two. Found a small town LGS between Seattle and Portland that had several boxes in stock. Jumped in the truck and took a nice drive down I-5. I found the store easily enough, he had tons of stuff in a classic little small town store. The guy was very nice, friendly, and knew a lot about his trade. He is a Weatherby dealer. Have driven there several times since to purchase things and guess what? He is still very nice and friendly, not pushy or snotty. Guess what brand rifle I will probally purchase next time I want one?:D
 
I went into a relatively new gun shop a while back and was treated rather poorly, not what I would have expected as a potential customer with cash in pocket. The owner was even rather arrogant and unfriendly and acted as if I were a 'know nuthin'. I will not go back.

I guess 26 years in the Army, NRA Certified RSO, Rifle Instructor, and Metallic and Shot shell Instructor, long time director at a local gun club, along with a NRA High Power Expert Card aren't worth much nowadays. I guess being a Benefactor NRA member isn't worth anything either. I don't flaunt any of this, just saying to make my point. I do not expect anyone to give me preferential treatment. If someone wants to know, I tell, or it might come up in casual conversation. The point is, a shop owner doesn't have a clue who that next person is who will walk in, and a little customer care can go a LONG way. Don't need a red carpet, but a friendly 'howdy' would have been a lot better.

I frequent another shop in the next town where the owners are always friendly and helpful.

Care to guess where I spend my money?
 
I can understand paying a little extra for a purchase at a LGS, it's good to keep the $$$$ close to home. But find that the big LGS in Baton Rouge loves you when your money walks in the door, but when you leave with your purchase they won't give you the time of day when there's a problem. "Send it back to S&W, we don't fix their problems"....... I buy everything online and on Gunbroker now. My FFL only charges me $15 for a transfer and he's a gunsmith who doesn't mind taking care of me. (Thanks Frank)
 
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