You Are Standing at a Gun Counter and a New gun buyer Walks up...
- Thread starter TheBigO
- Start date
hahaha Gunplummer is right- it's like the same group of know it all people just making the rounds. When I am at any range- I keep everything bagged- shoot then unload and re-bag. Its like keeping open meat away from the flys- if you just leave it out on the table they are going to come around. 
zincwarrior
New member
I will say I have been asked questions at the range on multiple occasions, and I have butted in there if they have a jam that won't clear, that sort of thing.
83v45magna
Moderator
deleted
Last edited:
I try not to be intrusive, but I did this weekend echo the salesperson's advice that the pistols they were showing to two new buyers were all great. I let them know that I own one and love it, my father owns another and loves it, and pointed out a fourth option to consider from the sales display.
Luckily, my LGS has honest, knowledgeable staff who don't need to take advantage of anyone to make their sales. I've let more than a few people know they're in good hands when they look overwhelmed at the counter.
Luckily, my LGS has honest, knowledgeable staff who don't need to take advantage of anyone to make their sales. I've let more than a few people know they're in good hands when they look overwhelmed at the counter.
Backwoodsboy
New member
Although I generally mind my own business I did have one encounter in which I was in my lgs and was about to purchase my singleshot handi rifle in .243. The salesman just did not want to take an answer of no when he suggested"moving up" to a rem 700 in .243. I finally had to tell him that I knew what I wanted, and the handi rifle was it, if it was a problem I would take my business elsewhere. He quietly obliged and as he was getting the paperwork together another customer asked my opinion on a savage 220 bolt action 20 gauge. Seems the same saleaman was pushing a semi auto 20 on him. I told the customer that in my opinion.the 220 was one of the most accurate shotguns out and it had my vote. As I was leaving with my new gun I heard that customer tell the clerk its what I want and thats it. Made me smile knowing I helped someone out. Since that time that lgs gives me whati want no questions asked
Stevie-Ray
New member
Same here. I've stepped in on occasion when ultra-stupid was being preached, not particularly caring what the counter guy thought, but most times I'm just biting my tongue and shopping.
223 shooter
New member
At a gun show some years ago the customer asked the guy behind the table the difference between a Smith 686 and 66 revolvers. The guy behind the table really had no idea. He was not a regular full time employee of the shop and was just helping at the show.
I talked to the customer and showed him of the differences and he really appreciated it and thanked me. The guy working the show was not offended in the least bit and the customer ended up buying the 686.
I talked to the customer and showed him of the differences and he really appreciated it and thanked me. The guy working the show was not offended in the least bit and the customer ended up buying the 686.
Rifleman1776
New member
Worth saying again, "mind your own business".
You are in a store and have no right to interfere with the store owners right to make a living.
Butt out.
We all think we are experts but that does not give one the right to pipe up. Keep in mind, this forum would not exist if we all had exactly the same ideas. You might think you have the best ideas but others may not.
You are in a store and have no right to interfere with the store owners right to make a living.
Butt out.
We all think we are experts but that does not give one the right to pipe up. Keep in mind, this forum would not exist if we all had exactly the same ideas. You might think you have the best ideas but others may not.
If someone wants to take half a grand or more and buy something without researching their avaliable options then it is their money to burn. Like someone has mentioned; the first gun you get is usually good enough and you are just happy having one. If I am not directly asked about somrthing I stick to my self. Now that my friends BF sells guns I don't have to worry about what other people buy since I just place my order and pay the man in his home.
There have been guns I have bought without ever holding it and if a former me were to give the present me advice; it would be to never buy a gun without holding it first. This is a good reason just to keep quiet because the advice my not necessarily be good advice. All the guns I have bought without holding so far have turned out to be just fine.
There have been guns I have bought without ever holding it and if a former me were to give the present me advice; it would be to never buy a gun without holding it first. This is a good reason just to keep quiet because the advice my not necessarily be good advice. All the guns I have bought without holding so far have turned out to be just fine.
youngunz4life
New member
OP
The glock is just an example(or in this case the mcdonalds hamburger). If the buyer(s) had come the day before, they might've been offered a taurus judge(burger king burger), and if they had come in a day later, they might've been offered a S&W(wendys burger). Just like on TFL, buyer(s) would get a whole range of opinions and/or advice depending which TFL was working behind the gun counter(or selling a car for that matter).
The glock is just an example(or in this case the mcdonalds hamburger). If the buyer(s) had come the day before, they might've been offered a taurus judge(burger king burger), and if they had come in a day later, they might've been offered a S&W(wendys burger). Just like on TFL, buyer(s) would get a whole range of opinions and/or advice depending which TFL was working behind the gun counter(or selling a car for that matter).
youngunz4life
New member
rifleman
I don't see an issue with giving an opinion especially if you think you can help someone. Now would I butt into a conversation and/or sale between a buyer and seller? Absolutely not. That being said I have no issue with speaking up or minding my business for that matter and it would all depend. First off, most situations are unique, stores are completely different(could be local gunshop or could be walmart), gender, age, knowledge, interest in receiving opinion or help, etc are all factors. I saw someone behind the counter telling someone that it didn't matter what kind of bullet was used in the weapon. Basically someone with little knowledge on ammunition was trying to save a buck while making sure the ammo selected was good HD ammo. Do I see anything wrong with helping someone? No. The person got a second opinion and sure enough the second employee knew what he was talking about and what ammo to buy. I never butted in and the second employee or first employee never even knew this guy asked the same question probably. The first employee believed that the cheapest, beater round was just as effective in stopping an intruder as a much more qualified ammo(or that prices were just based on brand and possibly other issues whether hardcast, hollowpoints, and so-on).
Another example was the gun counter guy giving completely wrong information about state gun laws. Did I say anything? No. Did the other cutomer? Yes. The employee was stating that it was illegal to go into any store with a CCW if there was a posted 'no firearms' sign. This info was incorrect. Again I stayed out of this one as I usually do. I gotta be honest though...I have a high respect for local store owners, but usually I side on helping a customer & not a seller just so he can make a buck on wrong info or give the customer the wrong product. I know I would appreciate the same gesture in return. And as for most advice, give the advice/opinion but realize the receivee might or might not go with your guidance.
I don't see an issue with giving an opinion especially if you think you can help someone. Now would I butt into a conversation and/or sale between a buyer and seller? Absolutely not. That being said I have no issue with speaking up or minding my business for that matter and it would all depend. First off, most situations are unique, stores are completely different(could be local gunshop or could be walmart), gender, age, knowledge, interest in receiving opinion or help, etc are all factors. I saw someone behind the counter telling someone that it didn't matter what kind of bullet was used in the weapon. Basically someone with little knowledge on ammunition was trying to save a buck while making sure the ammo selected was good HD ammo. Do I see anything wrong with helping someone? No. The person got a second opinion and sure enough the second employee knew what he was talking about and what ammo to buy. I never butted in and the second employee or first employee never even knew this guy asked the same question probably. The first employee believed that the cheapest, beater round was just as effective in stopping an intruder as a much more qualified ammo(or that prices were just based on brand and possibly other issues whether hardcast, hollowpoints, and so-on).
Another example was the gun counter guy giving completely wrong information about state gun laws. Did I say anything? No. Did the other cutomer? Yes. The employee was stating that it was illegal to go into any store with a CCW if there was a posted 'no firearms' sign. This info was incorrect. Again I stayed out of this one as I usually do. I gotta be honest though...I have a high respect for local store owners, but usually I side on helping a customer & not a seller just so he can make a buck on wrong info or give the customer the wrong product. I know I would appreciate the same gesture in return. And as for most advice, give the advice/opinion but realize the receivee might or might not go with your guidance.