This is just a venting rant that serves no other purpose but to vent and rant. Apologies in advance.
What the heck does a sista have to do to not be totally invisible in a gun store? I swear, I just stood three feet in front of the counter dude for almost four minutes. Not only did he never acknowledge me, but he seemed to go out of his way to avoid eye contact with me – fiddling with a stapler and what not. This happens to me ALL the time. I mean, do you just not want my money? Do I have to be a super-sexy gun bunny diva type just to get some customer service? Or maybe decked out in SWAT gear? What’s the deal?
I’m seriously considering doing something goofy next time just to make a point. Maybe I’ll make a big neon sign or do a cartwheel or something. Sheesh.
Rant over. Carry on.
And Happy Thanksgiving! ?
My wife got treated the same way the first time she went to our LGS by herself, for a scheduled one on one lesson, no less!
They’ve since made it up to her, and the instructor she was scheduled to use is no longer at the shop, but it was very frustrating.
Of course, now that we’re members, she’s greeted every time she walks in.
Gotcha. Well, glad they at least made it up to her. Happy holidays, David! ?
Happens all the the time. My favorite is when I walk in a couple of minutes before my S/O and they ignore me but address him. (He’s usually outside finishing his cigarette). That’s my test to see if we will spend any money there. One time we walked in together but me first and then him, the salesman practically sprained his neck looking around me to address him. That one got a rotten Google review.
Hey, Gail!!! ? And yeah, there’s a thought. Maybe a stinging Google review is in order here too.
Hey Tiff, I did get a response and an apology from the owner but all I really wanted was to let them know how their employee was treating people. good companies do monitor those reviews.
??
I have seen this in more than one gun store, including one of “The” gun stores in the Southwest. I’ve seen a woman ask the price of a posting and be told “about $500;” a minute later, I asked and was given the exact price. Worse yet, I’ve seen women tell the clerk they were looking for a carry gun and be handed a S&W Chief. A fixed sight .38 snubbie is not a beginner’s carry pistol
If it were my store, I’d fire the guy for treating you or any customer that way.
I’m really hoping it wasn’t just because I’m a woman… Hoping…
I’d like to say it wasn’t, but….. I can’t.
I’ve had similar experiences, most especially at the gun counter in larger outdoor stores. I don’t know if they’re just ignorant, lazy, rude, or some combination of the three. Had one guy once tell me he just gets tired of everyone wanting to ‘fondle’ half the guns in the case, and then buy nothing. I suggested he transfer to a different department, or find another place to work.
Don’t have an answer for you, sorry, but I agree, it does tend to bring out my ‘wrong side’. I have found a couple of smaller stores where they always have time for me, whether I’m buying or just looking … and that’s where I spend my $$. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Rick! Same to you! ?
Hear ya. Looking blue enough in a red-thinking county can produce a similar experience even for a crusty old white privilege guy. I’ve been a contributing member of this community for longer than these businesses have been in existence, and I got the same treatment just yesterday at the feed store. Many gun shops hand out the same.
My response to that kind of customer “service” is a 180° heel-spin to lay my wallet onto somebody else’s counter. I’m too wore out by bigger issues to fritter away time or energy tolerating or educating that nonsense when options are available. When there is no other place and doing without isn’t practical, I’ll usually end up poking a stick in it to see what stinks — “Hey, are you busy?” “Is this stuff for sale?” “Y’all work here, or what?”
I almost said something like, “If you don’t see me standing here, then you don’t need to be carrying that gun.”
Why are you being polite and accommodating and invisible?
Walk up, look him in the eye, and say “Please get me a…” and fill in the blank with whatever it is you want. It’s totally not rude if you say “please” somewhere in the sentence. And if he doesn’t do what you ask, stop saying please.
?
Would have been hard to look that guy in the eye without climbing under the counter… or into the stapler… Eventually I just walked off and found someone else.
Another one of your super powers – invisibility!
Ha! I wish. ? Just not always at the gun store LOL.