Crowstalker
Well-Known Member
Yes and no.
I've had the misfortune of dealing with two gun shops before covid and after and I can confirm covid had no affect whatsoever on their customer service it was just as bad after covid as it was before
Controversial question are gun shops good enough
- Thread starter TheGoatAssassin
- Start date
I've had the misfortune of dealing with two gun shops before covid and after and I can confirm covid had no affect whatsoever on their customer service it was just as bad after covid as it was before
The latter even stock cigars now: a one stop shop for all of my vices!
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
It strikes me as a uniquely difficult retail niche to be in, caught between wayward distributors on one side and awkward customers on the other, hobbled by licensing departments whose incapacity stifles trade, and operating in a market oversaturated with often overhyped brands. How anyone can run even a half-decent gun shop amazes me, yet some still do. So credit where it's due.
Interesting and valid points to be honest. But is half decent the threshold they should be aspiring to?
Fair enough. I think for many "not going under quite yet" is the most urgent aspiration. Simply getting and keeping a bank account is hard enough, let alone obtaining a business loan to expand/modernise.
UpNorthMI
Well-Known Member
It seems service has gone down in so many industries, it's an exception that when you do get good service it is often a surprise. I believe a lot of businesses and owners are doing their best.
As far as shopping around to 10 gun dealers via an online site I can see why you did not receive a lot of replies. I'm sure most of these message systems to dealers bring them little to no sales. Personally I try to have a relationship with one good dealer and try to give them my repeat business and build a quality relationship with them, hopefully this will result in better service and my selected dealer will stay in business. This has worked well for me and also results in the dealer helping out on prices over time.
The good old days of great service everywhere are just not a reality. I'm sure gun dealers could make lot's of comments on the quality of their customers too, ...lol
As far as shopping around to 10 gun dealers via an online site I can see why you did not receive a lot of replies. I'm sure most of these message systems to dealers bring them little to no sales. Personally I try to have a relationship with one good dealer and try to give them my repeat business and build a quality relationship with them, hopefully this will result in better service and my selected dealer will stay in business. This has worked well for me and also results in the dealer helping out on prices over time.
The good old days of great service everywhere are just not a reality. I'm sure gun dealers could make lot's of comments on the quality of their customers too, ...lol
I like you Mr Gain….. volleying back my points
I would have to say you are right and I cant argue what you say.
I do feel we are drifting slightly as I’m really just after a bit of customer service
So of the 5 I have used within 1 hour of here 2 I will use again. 3 I won't step foot in the door again!
The first they have "hundreds" of guns in stock only 8 ever on display at everything else is in cabinets and takes ages for them to find the also try to advise you not to buy what you want!
The second is a from the house job and he just doesn't have much stock so pointless going
The third is a clayground with a shop and I always feel like they dont want a scruffy person looking at there stuff.
The 2 I will use one has awesome customer service and great staff! And occasionally a nice cocker in the shop! Good amount of stock and always a few interesting things. It's a good trip out going for a look around.
The other is a from home job that specializes in gunsmithing and did a fairly good job for me! Not so much stock but no pressure to buy from them.
If I am out for a day out and see a shop I always pop in for a nosey and I find there is a lot more rubbish shops than good shops!
The first they have "hundreds" of guns in stock only 8 ever on display at everything else is in cabinets and takes ages for them to find the also try to advise you not to buy what you want!
The second is a from the house job and he just doesn't have much stock so pointless going
The third is a clayground with a shop and I always feel like they dont want a scruffy person looking at there stuff.
The 2 I will use one has awesome customer service and great staff! And occasionally a nice cocker in the shop! Good amount of stock and always a few interesting things. It's a good trip out going for a look around.
The other is a from home job that specializes in gunsmithing and did a fairly good job for me! Not so much stock but no pressure to buy from them.
If I am out for a day out and see a shop I always pop in for a nosey and I find there is a lot more rubbish shops than good shops!
Usually a visit to a gun shop leaves a bad taste in my mouth so I avoid them and shop online. I can remember going to a very well known gun shop and being ignored when I was just starting shooting in the UK. Another local one has a lovely shop but a very bad attitude..
The best service I get in my area is from part time RFD's for very occasional powder, primers and firearm transfers.
The best service I get in my area is from part time RFD's for very occasional powder, primers and firearm transfers.
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Agree to your first and second points entirely
My local gun shop has closed due to a death of the owners, I loved the guys and am now trying to find a new one.
Re the guns I want a particular stock in .308 that takes the actions that I previously stated. As for the attitude of these messages bring little to no sales. Should I not quote on my work as I might not get all of them? I have money in the bank and the variation ready on my ticket. I’m time poor during the day so evening searching and emails are my only option. These dealers are missing out by not replying/ answering these enquiries
In my younger days I was lucky enough to have Dick Hardy’s gun shop on my doorstep, literally 10min walk.
Sadly now long gone.
Nearest I’ve come to that experience is up at MacLeods in Tain.
Others have been mediocre or average at best.
Sadly now long gone.
Nearest I’ve come to that experience is up at MacLeods in Tain.
Others have been mediocre or average at best.
Martiniblack577
Well-Known Member
Herein contained are a lot of home truths. Best buying experiences have been from other owners. Else, all other RFD’s (bar 3 smaller ones) have been incredibly difficult to deal with. Lying has been the most common theme amongst them as well.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Hmmm.
A certain RFD over here is the greatest conspiracy theorist you could never wish to meet.
Most of the time spent in that shop revolves around what the government and our local Firearms Licensing Branch are doing to get him and of course only him - to the extent that he won’t have a telephone conversation because ‘they are listening to every word you know….”.
The continual droning on and on is guaranteed to drive you from the shop just as soon as you can make your escape - usually having completely forgotten what you went there for in the first place.
Never ceases to surprise me how it has stayed in business…
A certain RFD over here is the greatest conspiracy theorist you could never wish to meet.
Most of the time spent in that shop revolves around what the government and our local Firearms Licensing Branch are doing to get him and of course only him - to the extent that he won’t have a telephone conversation because ‘they are listening to every word you know….”.
The continual droning on and on is guaranteed to drive you from the shop just as soon as you can make your escape - usually having completely forgotten what you went there for in the first place.
Never ceases to surprise me how it has stayed in business…
Sounds an interesting shop ..........Hmmm.
A certain RFD over here is the greatest conspiracy theorist you could never wish to meet.
Most of the time spent in that shop revolves around what the government and our local Firearms Licensing Branch are doing to get him and of course only him - to the extent that he won’t have a telephone conversation because ‘they are listening to every word you know….”.
The continual droning on and on is guaranteed to drive you from the shop just as soon as you can make your escape - usually having completely forgotten what you went there for in the first place.
Never ceases to surprise me how it has stayed in business…
ColinJ
Well-Known Member
I know three RFD’s like that. Maybe it is a prerequisite to be an RFD?Hmmm.
A certain RFD over here is the greatest conspiracy theorist you could never wish to meet.
Most of the time spent in that shop revolves around what the government and our local Firearms Licensing Branch are doing to get him and of course only him - to the extent that he won’t have a telephone conversation because ‘they are listening to every word you know….”.
The continual droning on and on is guaranteed to drive you from the shop just as soon as you can make your escape - usually having completely forgotten what you went there for in the first place.
Never ceases to surprise me how it has stayed in business…
Yes the world of shooting for whatever reason attracts colourful characters on both sides of the shop counter. For every RFD who's a sandwich short of a picnic there's similar customers so I take it all with a pinch of salt. I therefore view each visit to an RFD or interaction with shooters as a chance to stock up on funny stories to tell my non-shooting pals and I am rarely disappointed 
In the interests of mutual appreciation, may I compliment you on your fine usernameI like you Mr Gain….. volleying back my points
I would have to say you are right and I cant argue what you say.
I do feel we are drifting slightly as I’m really just after a bit of customer service
Wilson and Wilson? sorely missed!
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