I’ve spent several hours with an individual who had talked of ordering a rifle from me. We talked ballistics, caliber, BC, trajectory, rate of twist, air pressure, spin drift, shockwaves, bedding, trigger, stocks, brakes, MOA… I educated this guy for a very long time, to the point that other customers were going to other guys at the counter and making other sales.
Then this guy comes in the other day. Said he got a rifle from someone else because it was twenty bucks cheaper. The price of one box of shells. So my time and information were worth less to him than one box of shells. I’m done with him. I take this personally because my job is selling guns. That’s how I make my living. I feed by kids by selling guns. And this guy steps on me after info pumping me, for the price of a box of shells.
Unfortunately this guy’s new gun was in a different caliber than what we had discussed. And he wanted more information about it. He talked about ordering all the reloading stuff online… even though we have everything he needed and more. So he didn’t by the gun from me, and he isn’t buying the ammo or components from me. And yet he then acts offended because I wont give him all his new information. “I’m sorry, you should talk to the guy you got the gun from. Have a great day.”
My time and information has a value. I’ve spend a lifetime learning things that I am happy to share with those that want to know and appreciate the information… but to insult me by telling me that he values my time and information less than a single box of shells. He basically gave me the middle finger. I’m done with him.
Good for you. I will spend more if it means building a relationship. The relationship to me is invaluable in the long run. People that will drive two hours to save $10 piss me off in ways I can’t explain without many expletives. It has paid me many times over being able to call the person that I bought the gun from and tweak info that has improved my experience. As I said, that type of exchange is absolutely invaluable. You are totally right in just walking away from this guy.
And you don’t get that from “Ordering Online”. I’ve actually taken customers to the range and helped them get zeroed and dialed in from 100 to 500 yards. So these guys know how to run their guns. Well, piss on this guy. He can order his information.
It’s even better when they want to argue with you based on their minutes of experience and substription to Soldier of Fortune “but my uncle duck hunts with one of those Judge pistols, they must be really powerful”.
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Gresham went off on this subject last Sunday, specifically on those who would go to a gunstore for advise than wally world for the purchase.
Having working in retail management in my distant past I found that the only way to deal with folks like this is to forget them.
But… that being said, it isn’t walmart or big box stores alone that are going to kill small gun stores, internet ammo and firearm sales will do a lot of the damage.
I so totally agree with you. I am in the diamond business and I make my living selling diamonds and gold. I use to spend the time and energy educating customers only to have them tell me in yet, another trip to my store, that they purchased elsewhere. They would ask me questions about what their ring or diamond was worth and my best come back is, what ever you paid for it. I shrug them off and file them to my rolodex of a memory and do not educate them ever again. I too have gotten that middle finger and in my own way give it back. Good luck with future sales.
George, you’ve been doing the counter thing for a while and you should be able to sniff these types of guys by now. It took me about a month myself because as you very well know that those “wasted” sales are not just taking the food out of your kid’s mouths but it’s frustrating as hell knowing these jerks are will NOT buy from you before they walked through the door. They come in with a purpose and it’s to reconfirm their broken internet information and putting the rest of the pieces together. There are times when you need to come right out and make sure that a sale will take place in your store and not off the internet.
Normally I can filter these guys out… but this one cost me a lot of other sales and I’m not going to forget that.
I currently have a Sig Sauer Tac Ops 1911 on layaway with Basin Sports. The reason for that is George’s review and videos along with talking to him in person about it. The other reason is because Basin Sports is two blocks from my house. I could have got this pistol for a better price online but I like Basin Sports and the guys down there have always been cool and helpful.
I got my HK P2000 at Basin from Marcus and a Browning Buckmark from Mike before he passed. George knows I didn’t get the P2000 on his recommendation. I remember before I bought the HK reading a negative review online by some guy named Madogre. I only learned after visiting Basin Sports like 10 times that the Ogre actually worked there. Then I find out his brothers served in Iraq with my Brother in Law and frequent my folks’ house in VA. Small world!
Good bunch of guys in Basin Sports. Great selection! Haven’t been able to find an equal here in WY. I usually just liked to go in and chat after work like other guys visit a bar. Its too bad that I got laid off right when I was talking to George about that Savage 10FCPK. Makes me think I’m the guy when I read this post. I promise I still haven’t bought the Savage or any other 308 George!
That’s okay. I have an ACR for you.
Yeah, not sure I want to get that one yet. Maybe that Savage or HK P30L…
Dude, I can vouch for the P30L! Awesome pistol and worth every penny.
I do my best to support my LGS, wherever I live.
Yes, I do order stuff online from time to time… but in general it is for something that the local guys dont have.
Most of the local guys I have dealt with dont have the insight, knowledge, or experience that George does.
I know that most mass produced items should be no different than their brothers and sisters coming out of the factory, however I really like to lay my hands on things like firearms before I buy them.
As a reloader, I tend to buy my projectiles online from companies that get reviewed online by other reloaders.
My powder and primers come from a local store.
When I am in a shop and browsing, hell, even when I am actually shopping, I try not to monopolize the salesmans time.
I have worked commission sales and know what its like to deal with flakes all day long.
George, I envy the customers at Basin… its rare to find a person behind the counter of your caliber.
The people at the shop closest to where I just moved seem to be pretty good.
Yea, been here a week and already searched out the local shops.
Good prices, good selection, and seem to actually be into what they are doing.
They will be getting more of my money than I want to turn loose.
My hat is off to you for being one of the Good Guys… and taking time with your customers and sharing your knowledge.
Jim
So true!
Several times a year I help a local dealer out at the big gun show up in Denver. I strive to be civil with the characters George describes but it is incredibly irritating. Worst part is that they are so proud of themselves when they come back to tell you that they got it $20 cheaper at the other end of the show.
Even more irritating was during the post election feeding frenzy. We had endless folks (lots of Obama voters who said ooops!)pick our brains (the owner is one of the best instructors on the Front Range) then say they had to shop on price and wander off. I would tell them the gun they wanted would sell before they got back from trying to save $5, but they never believed me. They’d come back later in the day and then get totally pissed at me because I had sold the gun they were looking at. A***les.
Then, there is the reverse situation. Several years back I was looking for a rifle. I had been reading up on what was available and drove down to the gunshop in my town. ( not a common store in Northern Chicagoland)
It was mid morning and the long gun counters were empty except for a clerk jawing with a man on the otherside of the counter. I browsed as best I could while waiting for the clerk. After ten minutes or so, the clerk wanders over and without asking me anything, says ” oh, you’re just browsing” and walks away to his friend. I answered, “no, I’m not” and walked out. I have not been back.
I then drove to another town that had a Bass Pro Shop and bought a Rem 700 in 308.
Plenty of retards working at gun stores. But that’s another topic.
I try my best not to be one of those guys.
You were a great help to me, and I really have appreciated. Still loving the .45 XDM. You’re the main draw for me at Basin. You have treated me with great respect even with the most basic of things. Many thanks.
$20 is an insult, now a hundred or two might be something else.
Thank you, Sir. It’s my great pleasure to know you are enjoying that weapon.
I ran into the same thing for 20 years in high-end bicycle retail. I even hade people literally spend more on the gas they used to go to the other dealer than they “saved” over my price.
Yeah, it’s sad people are willing to burn bridges for a couple bucks. Especially when it’s easy to price match.
I have a customer that has twice taken my time up as I explained my products (manholes and sewer grates) and which items he needed for his project. He then went to “his friend” to get them at a discount. The next time he hits my door, $100 will be in my pocket before he gets a word out of me.