Help selling hand guns

[Pdheald]

I work at a pawn shop here in Chattanooga. Last week I sold 2 brand new cobra 380 pistols. I know they are not great guns and not something of high quality but for a first gun and for trying to see if they liked shooting it is not bad for the price. When the people got to the range neither gun was working. One did not work at all and the other got off 3 rounds before it stopped firing. I found about this on Sunday night and told them to bring them back into the shop and I would see what we could do. I then started looking at the cobra 380 info on the net and found that these guns are shipped very dirty and need to be cleaned and oiled well before you try to shoot them. So I did this for them today to both guns. She then took them back to shooters depo and put about 50 rounds through each gun with no major issues and only 1 or 2 FTF issues on one gun.
My question is, what should I do when selling hand guns like this to new shooters? I really want them to feel confrtable with the guns we sell and I never want to sell a gun that does not work. I know that the cobra is not a tack driver or anything but for starter guns it was right where it needed to be. Can you tell me what else I need to tell the new shooters besides, to "clean the crap out of it", so this is not an issue again?

[eRay]

When I had an FFL, I made it a practice to never sell cheap guns. I realize a lot of people can not afford to buy a quality gun but usually the people who buy these guns are the people who know the least about firearms. They buy a $150 gun and expect it to be as reliable as a Glock. Then they tell all their friends who know nothing about firearms how you are selling junk that does not work. I've found it better to stay completely away from all these headaches.

[Patton]

Eray is correct, but I know that you have no control over the inventory. I would just tell people that quality is hit or miss, but it is better than not having a firearm. Just encourage test firing of all firearms.

[Jonnin]

tell them about the issue and offer to clean it once for them for free?

 

Many manufacturers send it not with lube but packing / protective grease which is not really good for function but great for storage.  It could be that sort of thing?

[TrickyNicky]

tell them about the issue and offer to clean it once for them for free?
 
Many manufacturers send it not with lube but packing / protective grease which is not really good for function but great for storage.  It could be that sort of thing?

This is the best bet IMO. Educate them on how the weapon breaks down for cleaning, teach them how to clean, and show them what a clean and lubed example is supposed to look like. I know that all that adds significantly to the bottom line RE: time vs profit in a low dollar sale, but you accomplish a lot with that time. Buy a few of the basic Hoppes cleaning kits and I bet at least 1/3 of the time your intro seminar will result in an up sale with minimal effort. Plus you'll get a reputation for being helpful and thorough which most people appreciate.

You could make the whole thing optional too so when customers who know what's what shop with you they can take or leave the service. Maybe say something like "I'd sure love to show you know how to clean and maintain your new ___. Almost all guns should be taken down and cleaned before shooting anyway, would you like me to help show you how?"

[TripleDigitRide]

It's important to note that it's not unheard of for certain firearms to need a "break-in period". Some firearms may need 20-30 rounds, and some may need 100+. Also, some firearms are a bit more finicky when it comes the ammo. Some firearms perform better with certain brands or types of ammo than they do with others. I've had a firearm or two that were especially picky where hollow point ammo was concerned, but they would function flawlessly with just about any ball ammo I'd throw at it. 

 

There are a lot of factors when dealing with certain firearms, and I'd imagine even more so when dealing with those on the low end of the price spectrum.

[Pdheald]

This being my first issue like this I did clean both guns with in an inch of there lives. And I showed her how to do a detailed break down and reassembly. And I think the time I spend bothered my boss a bit. But for a customer who will come back I would do it again. And she called me back later today to tell me how they worked and was super excited. So I know I did this one right. And detail stripping will become part of all of my sails to new owners. And cleaning kits. That is a simple up sale that will make a world of difference.

Thank you for the info. I am excited to add others to our life style and get them set up the right way.

[bud]

. Edited August 5, 2015 by bud

[TripleDigitRide]

If your boss is buying new inexpensive guns from manufacturers/distributors for those who are on a limited budget, I would tell him to think about ditching the Cobra for Hi-Points. If I was on that kind of budget, I'd probably buy a Hi-Point before anything else offered in that price range.

[Pdheald]

I was able to tell him to get some. And we do have one in 45 but he wanted some 380s and could not find any hi-points in 380 that would be to the store in time. So we have some great kahr and sig and ruger guns and then cobras. I like the ability to say "yes we have something in more then 22 in your price range". But I don't want to have the "it doesn't work" issue again.

[VERO1]

If boss man doesn't appreciate the amount of time you spent, ask him how he would of taken care of the problem. The two of you should be able to sit down and workout a policy for future problems. If he is going to keep stocking these things, the problem will reappear.

[gregintenn]

For many reasons, I do not believe that selling junk is a good long term business model.

[tnguy]

I think Eray has the right idea. Avoid selling guns that have FTFs. Those are broken in my book. Would you accept a TV which didn't turn on? A bad reputation will lose you customers. There are plenty of cheap but good quality guns.

[Caster]

Yep, Hipoint. Ugly, cheap.......and they run like a raped ape. AND, even the big boys in the business don't stand behind their product any better than Hipoint. Have an issue with one and find out. They're a great company, too bad they're so dam ugly.

......AND TOUGH! I don't think my Glock would survive what I've seen a Hipoint take. Check out some YouTube videos. When you see a handgun survive bore obstructions and compressed loads of bullseye, they're tough! Edited December 9, 2014 by Caster

[tnguy]

Heavy too. Which is good if recoil is an issue for you.

[bersaguy]

If boss man doesn't appreciate the amount of time you spent, ask him how he would of taken care of the problem. The two of you should be able to sit down and workout a policy for future problems. If he is going to keep stocking these things, the problem will reappear.

IMHO I am kind of disappointed with your boss. He should have been proud of you for taking the time to make a customer happy with a product they purchased from his establishment. It will surely result in that person coming back again. It will also result in new customers from word of mouth from a happy customer. Vero surely had a very good point about standing behind what you sell and working out a program with your boss..............jmho  

[Pdheald]

I talked to him today and he was upset with the timing but not me standing behind my sale. After talking about it he was happy about what I did and happy he has some one who stands up like this for a product on my own. So all good there. He is also ordaining us some cleaning kits to either sell with guns or to throw into a deal to make it a better sale. And we are working out a way to make sure this does not happen again. Including maybe setting up a test firing of the used guns we have just brought in so we can make sure all is working. Either way we are working it out and everyone input is being put to use. Thank you

[musicman]

Great thread. I'm just as happy to hear about your dedication to your customers as I am to hear about your boss listening to you and entertaining the idea of making some changes based on your input. In the days of corporate-everything, that seems an antiquated idea... listening, that is.

Good work!