What does it take to get waited on?

[glockster157]

I have had the hardest time lately. I ran into a duffus at Academy Sports(made a post on that) but at least he waited on me. I went into Dicks in west Nashville twice Monday and after waiting 15 minutes the rudest counter girl in Nashville never waited on me, on my way out of the store I saw she was out front smoking. Then, and I know this may ruffle some feathers, but the last 4-5 times I have been to Guns and Leather in Greenbrier I can never get waited on either. I was there today for 20 minutes most of the time leaning against the gun counter and nobody would say hi, bye or kiss my butt. They would walk by, back and forth but nothingwas ever said to me. The last several times I have had to literally yell at them to get a price or ask a question. I will go to Jeff Walle there when I need a gunsmith but I think I am about finished with trying to shop there.

[TripleDigitRide]

Have you tried to staple $100 bills to your forehead? That usually gets their attention.

Seriously thought, I run into the same problem from time to time. I be as patient as I can be, then I'll do something get the attention of someone working the counter. I'd rather they address me, but I have no issue letting them know that I need help.

[Guest goomba]

I've been having that problem everywhere around here too. and I've basicly given up on being paitent. I no longer have any problem grabing the first person I see and telling them what I need, b/c If I dont, I apparently turn invisible.... and thats hard to do when your 6'6"

[Guest parris001]

There's a combination problem here. First, there's something in your countenance or demeanor that is turning people off. It may be that you look like someone that's just there to price everything in the case, or you look like you're having a bad day......... something along those lines. Don't take it personal dude. It happens to me, and usually when I'm having a bad day or I know going in that I'm not going to buy anything. That shows up on your face!

Second problem. Academy and Dicks. May a plague of a 1000 locusts come down on you for shopping in the "WalMarts" of sporting goods stores. Your local gun shop appreciates your money and won't make a spectacle out of you if you purchase a firearm by parading you to the front door and booting you out. These stores are only in the gun business for the profits. They are not pro-gun!

Your age is a big factor too. My son-in-law is invisible behind at any gun counter because he looks so young. If I step up beside him we get instant service.

[Guest Bronker]

At Guns and Leather, I just go and stand in front of the cash register with my open wallet in my hand. I was there buying some of the Golden Sabers the other day, and everybody and their pet was holding a yellow sheet of TCIS application and having ink-stained thumbs. They were very busy, so I just stood there by the cash register until someone walked up to it. I knew I was "in the way" but I didn't budge until they got me what I wanted.

If you can't get any help, just reach over and start pushing buttons on the cash register or walk around and get what you want.

I tried this at Hero-Gear one day, and the nurse in the ER the next morning gave me an account of what happened. It began with me and the cash register, then there was this explosion that I can only describe as a mix of gunpowder and cheap cologne...

Joe did apologize. He didn't mean to make me cry.

Anyway...

[TripleDigitRide]

At Guns and Leather, I just go and stand in front of the cash register with my open wallet in my hand. I was there buying some of the Golden Sabers the other day, and everybody and their pet was holding a yellow sheet of TCIS application and having ink-stained thumbs. They were very busy, so I just stood there by the cash register until someone walked up to it. I knew I was "in the way" but I didn't budge until they got me what I wanted.

If you can't get any help, just reach over and start pushing buttons on the cash register or walk around and get what you want.

I tried this at Hero-Gear one day, and the nurse in the ER the next morning gave me an account of what happened. It began with me and the cash register, then there was this explosion that I can only describe as a mix of gunpowder and cheap cologne...

Joe did apologize. He didn't mean to make me cry.

Anyway...

Joe must smell me coming, because he's never around when I'm there. Well, maybe a time or two. I guess that's all it took.

[glockster157]

There's a combination problem here. First, there's something in your countenance or demeanor that is turning people off. It may be that you look like someone that's just there to price everything in the case, or you look like you're having a bad day......... .

I can go along with that to a point, I have had a few bad days and I am a general grouch when I am in a hurry, and I usually stop by these shops while I am running, but you know, my money is green and I have bought guns there before. Granted, I look for deals but when I find one, I buy it.

Another thing, I seem to get waited on every where else I go. I think some places get content and just expect you to wait on them. As to the chain stores, they just don't care at all, though I will say I do usually get waited on at Academy....many times they are ignorant but they do try....kinda.

[Guest jackdog]

I think It has a lot to do with type of employees some of these places are hiring. Stood in line at Lowes this AM holding about a hundred dollars of merchandise for about 15 minutes. I cashier waiting on folks at the customer care desk and I counted 12 other employees shooting the ****( I Kid you not) while 14 people stood in one line.. Had enough, got out of line and left the merchandise on an in cap. In today's economy I don't need to give people or businesses my money that don't want to take care of their customers.

[Punisher84]

I tried this at Hero-Gear one day, and the nurse in the ER the next morning gave me an account of what happened. It began with me and the cash register, then there was this explosion that I can only describe as a mix of gunpowder and cheap cologne...

Joe did apologize. He didn't mean to make me cry.

Anyway...

Are Joe's fists really that big in person? Joe reminds me of a clean shaven Wolverine for some reason.

[BrandonTN]

I think It has a lot to do with type of employees some of these places are hiring. Stood in line at Lowes this AM holding about a hundred dollars of merchandise for about 15 minutes. I cashier waiting on folks at the customer care desk and I counted 12 other employees shooting the ****( I Kid you not) while 14 people stood in one line.. Had enough, got out of line and left the merchandise on an in cap. In today's economy I don't need to give people or businesses my money that don't want to take care of their customers.

You're a better man than me...I would have dropped it all on the floor where I was standing and walked out. I have no tolerance for that kind of crap.

As for getting waited on at busy gun shops, they have been extremely crowded lately. For the most part other shoppers know who has been waiting longest and will usually say "he was here first", but you can't always assume that is the case. Then it helps to speak up and get a clerk's attention. However, if people are just standing around twiddling their thumbs and don't offer any help, that kind of irks me.

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

I can go along with that to a point, I have had a few bad days and I am a general grouch when I am in a hurry, and I usually stop by these shops while I am running, but you know, my money is green and I have bought guns there before.

Do you mean while out jogging/exercising? Have you tried going in when you arent in the middle of exercising? If I saw someone come in a store who was obviously in the middle of working out they would probably be the last person I would think to help because they arent likely to walk out the door with anything.

[glockster157]

Do you mean while out jogging/exercising? Have you tried going in when you arent in the middle of exercising? If I saw someone come in a store who was obviously in the middle of working out they would probably be the last person I would think to help because they arent likely to walk out the door with anything.

NO, I am way to fat and lazy to jog/exercise. ...I do real estate and real estate developing. I usually have on slacks, polo shirt and casual dress shoes and I am very clean cut...and in actuality, I am a little pudgy but not fat. So no, I don't stink, I am not sweating, I am dressed nice, and by running I meant I am running around in my car going from place to place. But that is a weird image of some fat guy jogging by the gun shop looking for a 308 heavy barrel. Funny, I still don't know if any of them have one but I don't plan on stopping by again...at least for a while.

[Guest Boomhower]

Here's an idea.....

Print off a copy of a $100 bill (nothing too fancy or counterfeit), draw a big circle & slash over it in red ink and on the bottom write something like "you would have gotten a real one of these if you had've gotten your thumbs out of your a$$......throw it up on the counter on your way out he door.

[Guest Astra900]

Well before that, boomhower, maybe he should make a sign that says,

"HAVE MONEY, WILL SPEND IF I GET SERVICE!!!!":)

[Guest canynracer]

At Guns and Leather, I just go and stand in front of the cash register with my open wallet in my hand. I was there buying some of the Golden Sabers the other day, and everybody and their pet was holding a yellow sheet of TCIS application and having ink-stained thumbs. They were very busy, so I just stood there by the cash register until someone walked up to it. I knew I was "in the way" but I didn't budge until they got me what I wanted.

If you can't get any help, just reach over and start pushing buttons on the cash register or walk around and get what you want.

I tried this at Hero-Gear one day, and the nurse in the ER the next morning gave me an account of what happened. It began with me and the cash register, then there was this explosion that I can only describe as a mix of gunpowder and cheap cologne...

Joe did apologize. He didn't mean to make me cry.

Anyway...

This is about the funniest stuff I have read in a while...thanks Bronker...made my day!!

[memphismason]

Well before that, boomhower, maybe he should make a sign that says,

"HAVE MONEY, WILL SPEND IF I GET SERVICE!!!!":)

I like that Idea.

I have the same problem here in Memphis at Guns and Ammo. I have stood in line for 30+ minutes to buy a box of Golden Sabers, some .410 000 buck shot, and a box of .45 LC. Crazy

The ass hats would come to the register with a Firearm purchase form, take the "gun buyers" money over my shoulder finished the sell and then turn around and walk off, and never say a word to me. This happened 11 times during my 30 min. wait.

I was upset but there is nothing I can do. No other store, in Memphis, carries all of the ammo I was buying, so I had no choice.

I feel your pain.

[glockster157]

UPDATE

Got a call this afternoon from a nephew I have not talked to in a couple of years. He went by Guns & Leather in Greenbrier this afternoon looking for a Ruger Blackhawk in 357. Said he found one in the used case marked $339. He said he stood there waiting to get waited on for half an hour and finally gave up. He would have bought the gun (so he tells me)but he finally got frustrated and tired of waiting. Seems like this is a good shop but maybe understaffed or under trained in customer service. At least it is not just me this happens to.

[Almond27]

For $339 I would have been getting someone over there and dickering some too.

[TGO David]

I think It has a lot to do with type of employees some of these places are hiring. Stood in line at Lowes this AM holding about a hundred dollars of merchandise for about 15 minutes. I cashier waiting on folks at the customer care desk and I counted 12 other employees shooting the ****( I Kid you not) while 14 people stood in one line.. Had enough, got out of line and left the merchandise on an in cap. In today's economy I don't need to give people or businesses my money that don't want to take care of their customers.

Customer service is indeed a lost art at the vast majority of places doing "business" these days.

Are Joe's fists really that big in person? Joe reminds me of a clean shaven Wolverine for some reason.

Chuck Norris is known to wear Joe Lundberg pajamas. Seriously.

[Guest AmericanWorkMule]

We did that at a walmart that had only one checkout stand open and 20 people in line.

You're a better man than me...I would have dropped it all on the floor where I was standing and walked out. I have no tolerance for that kind of crap.

[Guest AmericanWorkMule]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with the same feeling, but sad that poor service is everywhere.

Customer service is indeed a lost art at the vast majority of places doing "business" these days.

[Guest kdpate]

Customer service is in the crapper everywhere these days. About the only place where they actually come up to talk to you is a car stealership. If I need help I usually pipe up and get someone's attention to help me out.

[gearyr]

I have the same problem when I go to Academy in Madison, TN. I went down there last month. Was wanting to buy the new Winchester PDX1 ammo in 9mm & 45 ACP. My son sold me 2 boxes of the Win. PDX1 .45 ACP back several weeks before I went to Academy last month. He said the price was $21.99 a box + tax. These 2 bozo's behind the counter told me they were $41.99 a box. I told them that my son bought some there at $21.99. They got pissed at me when I kept telling them my son bought the 45's for $21.99 a box. They were getting abusive toward me. I told them never mind. Went to the register and paid for the 2 boxes of 9mm. Now I wish I had talked to the manager about those 2 bozo's. When I got home I called Academy at Cool Springs. Guess what the price was on the .45's there? $21.99 a box! those bozo's had the Win. .45"s in the wrong place. Don't get me wrong, I really like Academy Sports. They have a great selection of handguns, rifles, and ammo. I will go there before I will every go back to Bass Pro. Bass Pro thinks alot of their stuff. WAY TO HIGH AT BASS PRO! gearyr

[Metalhead]

How did I miss this thread in February?

Anyway, for what it's worth now - if anyone EVER has any problems with CS here at G&L, grab the nearest salesperson (not literally grab, but you know what I mean) even if your interupting them, and ask for me or Dennis. We don't pay people what we do to ignore customers and dick around, and pride ourselves on the CS reputation we have. Yes, sometimes we cant get to everyone as fast as we'd like, but sometimes there is no excuse.

I and Dennis usually work in the back mostly nowadays, so sometimes we cant see everything. If there is a problem with certain salespeople we need to know - we have hired several people in recent months.

[Guest JHatmaker]

I've experienced this as well, and it's very frustrating, but sometimes you just gotta speak up ask for help. It's a 50/50 situation, I know most gun shops are slammed lately, and their employees are running back and forth trying to get questions answered either from someone in the store or on the phone, etc. And if you're just standing their quietly they may just think you're browsing and leave you be.

But even if I'm just looking, I would prefer for someone to at least check on me, it's just good customer service, but these days I don't expect it.

Try making eye contact with someone, and again just flat out ask for help. If you've been waiting more than 10 mins for someone to assist you, I don't see a problem with interupting a conversation they may be having with another employee and asking for assistance politely.

I've always had a good experience at G&L, most recently Outpost Armory, Guns for America, East Side, ASP in Joelton, On Target in the Boro, and even at Uselton's out here in Franklin. The only "spotty" place as far as customer service that I've experienced is Uncle Bud's Catfish and Guns in Franklin, sometimes they act like you're the only person in the store; and then sometimes they act like you're invisible