Gunshop honesty

[John Gryphon]

Hi Guys, I wonder if any of you have been browsing in Gunshop's and overheard any employees being "economical with the truth" shall we say, in an attempt to sell something.

I believe that is fraught with danger, (bullschitting) as in the seller may not know that he is talking to possibly a fully accredited gunsmith and trying to sell him a crock of crap which then immediately outs the seller.Silly to do imo.

 

[Longstrider]

Who hasn't been on the receiving end of some Grade 1 male cow poo when browsing guns somewhere along the line ?
I was browsing .204's at the Game Fair 2017 and had taken a shine to the Howa 1500 in that calibre. Then the numpty of a stand assistant tried to convince me into parting with my hard-earned by telling me "Several of my mates use these for all sorts of shooting and even with factory ammo they're getting groups of less than 1/4" at well over 100 yds ...." I pointed out that he was full of ships (or something along those lines) and that sub 1/4 MOA accuracy was dreamland for even the very best of rifles, that his BS had put me off the company because I deal only with those I trust, and that I'd be taking my custom elsewhere.
Bought the very same rifle (plus moderator and some ammo) from the guys at UK Gun Repairs down near Taunton a little later in the year and could not have been happier with the friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable way they treat their customers. If the place was closer to home a few of my local shops would be missing out on business.

 

[LuckyEddie]

I see Robbie's put his shop up for sale.
If I had the business knowledge/acumen then I would be very tempted but I'm too old and incapacitated at the moment.

Iconic Dundee fishing tackle and sporting guns store put up for sale as owner seeks semi-retirement - The Courier

Atb
Ed

 

[Woodsmoke]

I see Robbie's put his shop up for sale

He's only had RFD status for five bloody minutes!!!!

 

[User00003]

Despite all the negatives, and I agree, there’s a good reason for them!!! Game and Country in Selkirk get my vote as a 5 star shop with excellent and honest service.

 

[stubear]

I've had a number of nonsense comments over the years.

I bought a shotgun (Beretta Silver Pigeon 1) from SGC via FRD delivery and then when I got it delivered the RFD had the hump with me because I didnt buy through him.

"I could have got you one of these in" he sai d.

So I asked him how much it would have been him.

"Oh about £1600" he said.

And I said "Well thats why I didnt buy it from you! £1200 from SGC."

The same RFD also told me once that .243 was all you needed for anything in the UK. Then when I mentioned I was getting a .308 he squinted at me with a look of horror and told me it was a "big banger" and "overkill"

So I dont go there anymore.

One other staff member at an RFD I do still go to questioned why I was buying Federal ammo for my rifle instead of Norma. I said because my rifle doesnt like Norma and he said "Oh well fuh fuh fuh if I had a rifle that didnt like Norma I'd throw the rifle away and start again."

Or you could just, oh I dunno... find ammo it likes?

This is why personally I would keep going back to Ivythorn over and over again for as many purchases as I can - no nonsense, no BS and Steve knows what he's talking about.

 

[B&W FOX]

Ivythorn are good to deal with, no bull dodo just straight honest service, it's a long way from me but it was worth the trip to buy a rifle and be able to throw some lead down the range there just to make sure I was happy before handing over the cash.

 

[Woodsmoke]

So I dont go there anymore

I had one RFD charge me £50 for an RFD to RFD transfer as I didn't buy a rifle from him (may be the one in Montrose, may not be. But it is ) I used to drive past his front door on my way to and from work, but following that would instead drive the extra miles to Dundee rather than give him a penny

 

[willyroe]

I don't have a problem in paying for RFD services, its a service.

Being punchy about it is weird, like buying a BMW and then asking to pick it up from the nearest Audi Garage.....

 

[willyroe]

Also, what's worse than poor service in a shop, is the all too familiar guy leaning on the customer side of the counter (normally wearing some sort of surplus military attire in part) chatting to his "supposed mate (aka shop operator)" about some rumour of who shot what where bla bla bla. Clearly not buying anything and doesn't even have a login to SD to exhale or express his opinions.

Then when you order x ammo or y ammo, or ask about some kit, he steps into the 2 way conversation (uninvited) and throws out some comment or tries to belittle you for buying some quality kit.

Clearly said numpty's spend hours in the field achieving very little. And shame on any shop owner (or operator) who don't tell them to sod off or realise the negative impact it can have on their business. Sure, I like to talk about kit and sport but save it for the pub, and let traders focus on their true customers.

Funnily enough, same thing often happens in quality garden machinery places (Stihl/Husky chainsaw section normally), just because I work in an office and don't drive a hilux, doesn't mean I can't fell tress - or shoot deer - or buy quality kit to do it with!

Rant over!

 

[zambezi]

Ivythorn are good to deal with, no bull dodo just straight honest service, it's a long way from me but it was worth the trip to buy a rifle and be able to throw some lead down the range there just to make sure I was happy before handing over the cash.

Steve and Louis run a classy service at Ivythorn. Good advice, plenty of options, fair pricing. Tally of rifles purchased there now sits at 4. And every one is a keeper. One of the best Ivythorn features is the range. And you can try before you buy. Not many RFDs offer that.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I don't have a problem in paying for RFD services, its a service

I agree. But being charged double the going rate is nothing other than spite. Spite p isses me off

 

[sauer]

£25 mo longer going rate

35-40 I hear bout average and 50 quid common


Paul

 

[Woodsmoke]

£25 mo longer going rate

Yes. But this was 7 years ago

 

[Highlandsjohn]

Gray & Co. Inverness (Telescopes) This shop,now a pub named 'gunsmiths',was run by a gentleman,Mr. Milne. He treated everyone the same,with patience, whether you were buying a box of .22 slugs or an over and under. Nostalgia maybe, but not many around now to serve.
Dan and the folk at Grahams,Inverness, Gregor and all at Winkies (McLeods of Tain) still maintain a high standard. jc

 

[Woodsmoke]

This shop,now a pub named 'gunsmiths',was run by a gentleman,Mr. Milne. He treated everyone the same,with patience, whether you were buying a box of .22 slugs or an over and under

I remember Hardys in Perth being a superb shop along the same lines. Similarly, Gows in Union Street, Dundee was always a great place to visit. I can think of a few places these days though, where customers appear to be viewed as an inconvenience

 

[enfieldspares]

I can think of a few places these days though, where customers appear to be viewed as an inconvenience

In my twenties...forty years ago...I went to visit Boss, Holland & Holland, Purdey and Wilkes. To see...and I was open and upfront...in pre-owned guns. At Boss and at Purdey the welcome was somewhat cold. Unwelcoming indeed. As if you were, indeed, an inconvenience. Especially so at Boss.

At Wilkes I even got offered a cup of tea! And the impression that the two old gentlemen were glad of the company and that if Id wanted I could have stayed for the rest of the afternoon, as they enjoyed someone visiting.

At Holland's...and this is a lasting memory...I was treated, even though but in my twenties, as if I were the most important customer that day. Not much different the Boss welcome recounted by the current owner Arthur Demoulas.

Yet despite the lasting memory the unhappy visit to Boss the only shot gun I ever coveted from my early years was and still remains a Boss. Never a Holland, nor a Purdey nor a Wilkes. And the only stalking rifle I've coveted is a Holland & Holland.

 

[Pedro]

The only London gun shop I've ever been to is William Evans at St James'. Had a look around when down there whilst my son was getting his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Certificate at the palace. I bought a very nice stag horn whistle. Probably the only thing I could afford in the shop. Peep peep.

 

[tikka_madras]

Who hasn't been on the receiving end of some Grade 1 male cow poo when browsing guns somewhere along the line ?
I was browsing .204's at the Game Fair 2017 and had taken a shine to the Howa 1500 in that calibre. Then the numpty of a stand assistant tried to convince me into parting with my hard-earned by telling me "Several of my mates use these for all sorts of shooting and even with factory ammo they're getting groups of less than 1/4" at well over 100 yds ...." I pointed out that he was full of ships (or something along those lines) and that sub 1/4 MOA accuracy was dreamland for even the very best of rifles, that his BS had put me off the company because I deal only with those I trust, and that I'd be taking my custom elsewhere.
Bought the very same rifle (plus moderator and some ammo) from the guys at UK Gun Repairs down near Taunton a little later in the year and could not have been happier with the friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable way they treat their customers. If the place was closer to home a few of my local shops would be missing out on business.

Really enjoyed my interactions with Dennis and Brian at UK Gun Repairs. Dennis is a very good stocker and has also adjusted the fit of a shotgun for me (had to bend the stock up slightly) and since he did it it has shot like a dream.

Ivythorne also very highly recommended and lovely chaps. Bought a rifle there once and did the paperwork in an office containing a double bed and a very snazzy motorbike. My kind of working environment!

 

[CarlW]

In my twenties...forty years ago...I went to visit Boss, Holland & Holland, Purdey and Wilkes. To see...and I was open and upfront...in pre-owned guns. At Boss and at Purdey the welcome was somewhat cold. Unwelcoming indeed. As if you were, indeed, an inconvenience. Especially so at Boss.

At Wilkes I even got offered a cup of tea! And the impression that the two old gentlemen were glad of the company and that if Id wanted I could have stayed for the rest of the afternoon, as they enjoyed someone visiting.

At Holland's...and this is a lasting memory...I was treated, even though but in my twenties, as if I were the most important customer that day. Not much different the Boss welcome recounted by the current owner Arthur Demoulas.

Yet despite the lasting memory the unhappy visit to Boss the only shot gun I ever coveted from my early years was and still remains a Boss. Never a Holland, nor a Purdey nor a Wilkes. And the only stalking rifle I've coveted is a Holland & Holland.

Holland & Holland are still like that today. They love chatting about their guns and treat everyone like royalty, even when there is no chance of a sale.