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Gun store guy tried to talk me out of buying Taurus

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12K views 78 replies 46 participants last post by  MARINEDIVISIONTWO  
#1 ·
So went to a wake earlier in the day and I shaved and wore a collar shirt( which doesn't happen to often). On the way out I stopped at a gun store a couple towns over. I had bin looking online and saw this shop had a couple 38 special's. The online store said they were coming from our warehouse and you had to pay 20 shipping plus 5 for shipping insurance no tax I live in the free State of New Hampshire. So I thought maybe they would have a couple at the shop and save the shipping fee. I stopped in. The only thing they had behind the glass was Ruger and S&W all with 550 + price tags. I asked the kid behind the counter if he had any 38 or 357 in the sub 500 range. I told him I saw the Taurus on his website. He basically tried to explain to me that the only thing I would find would be a Charter arms or Taurus and that I shouldn't trust that it would last or be reliable. Then asked me what state I lived in, as if I was unaware that you can only buy a handgun in the state you reside in. Basically I think he thought I was a new gun buying yuppie. I think it would have bin different if I pulled up on my Roadglide in my work clothes I don't know. I did order an 856 for 330. I also ordered a barkeep for 120 with the rebate will bring it down to 100. I have a tx22 and it has always bin reliable though about 1k rounds.
 
#3 ·
Unless the salesman has asked you enough questions to nail down what you actually need--as well as what you want to pay--then presume that he's going to suggest what brings in the most profit or what is otherwise difficult to sell.
 
#5 ·
The rare times that I purchase a firearm from a local gun store I already know what I want and for the reasons that I want it, so all I'm doing there is taking advantage of a good sale price or bargain sale.

IMO, any gun counter sales person that isn't the owner and is really knowledgeable about the firearms they're selling is most likely getting paid fairly well & you usually won't find super bargains at places like that (higher overhead costs). Otherwise you're dealing with someone with street knowledge that usually doesn't know much about what their selling.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
To me, that makes it opportunity time to me, if a salesman talks negatively about a firearm I have interest in, and I would hit him for an additional discount to help hum get rid of that sorry piece of trash!:)
 
#8 ·
The two local gun shops here are pretty good about not bad mouthing brands but one tries to push Glocks and CZs....which I like and own a few, and the other tries to start with Kimbers and then Glocks....will settle for a S&W purchase though.
 
#9 ·
Discounting politicians, the dumbest things I’ve heard about firearms have largely been in gun stores … some mind numbingly stupid advice. Often the people working know next to nothing about guns. I recently had a guy try to tell me a shotgun was US-made - I pointed out the PRC stamp on the receiver and asked what it stood for & the guy tried to claim it was a part number.
 
#32 ·
The last time I bought a gun at a big box store was my Marlin M60 in 1986 from K-Mart. After that I started going to a few local shops until I found the one that was always the lowest priced (on firearms) and didn't try to talk me into anything. Finally on day I was talking to the owner and he said their counter help wasn't paid on commission. Most were there for the discount or they just liked talking to people about guns. I said that's funny no one had ever been too talkative while I was in and he said that most of the guys won't talk too much unless you ask for their advice. If not they just assume you no what you're doing and keep their mouth shut. I like that. The only time I asked for advice was what they'd recommend between a Ruger SR and S&W M&P and the guy just talked about aftermarket support but I couldn't go wrong either way I'd just have to go with which one felt best to me.
 
#14 ·
Fellow NH resident here. When I went to buy my G3, I had done enough research ahead of time so that when I went in, I only spoke to them to ask if I could buy it. I don't appreciate unsolicited opinions, sorry that you had to go through that.
 
#17 ·
Retail doesn't pay well. Don't get me wrong, I know some great and knowledgeable people who work in retail. Still, the industry as a whole doesn't pay well. You are often being helped by someone who knows a lot about something, but maybe not about the product they sell. Your help at the hardware store may be an avid motor head but a sorry plumber. A gun store has to get people who will show up on time, be polite, and can pass a criminal background check. After that, they are filling the spot behind the counter for at or near minimum wage. Add to that the tendency in the firearms world for anyone who's ever shot a duck to think themselves an expert on all things gunny and the inability of so many to differentiate their own opinions from gospel truth.

Gun stores are indeed ground zero for really bad advice.
 
#18 ·
If you encounter an idiot behind any counter (not only a gun counter) ask to speak to somebody else. Don't be nasty about it, let the person get in trouble without your help, but hopefully there is somebody around who either knows more, or at least is a better salesman.

NOTE: success is not guaranteed, but you can always hope.
 
#20 ·
I won't argue with anybody about dummies behide the counter at gun stores (or any retail for that matter). However, I would give the guy a break (at least about asking you what state you're from); I expect that in New Hampshire there might be a lot of out-of-state idiots on the other side of the counter trying to buy hand guns and he didn't want to wade through a bunch of paper work and then not make a sale. In retail it is usually good to answer questions honestly, but not to answer questions that are not asked. On the other hand, asking questions of some customers is sometimes warrented: such as, what do you want the gun for and how much experience have you had with the particular style of gun. I went to the range one day and a man in his 80's (I assumed) was shooting a new Kahr PM40. when I got to the range he already had two band-aids on his left thumb, (he was crossing his left thumb over his right) and the gun was failing to extract with every shot. I showed him how to hold the gun and told him that little semi-autos needed to be held tightly so as to control muzzle rise. He still had trouble with jamming but he didn't get slide bite any more. If the salesman had talked with him and found out his experience, he could have directed him to a .380, or even better, a revolver. When someone askes you a stupid question, you don't know what kind of idiots they may have had to deal with. Don't judge them on the stupid questions they ask you, judge them on the stupid answers or advice that they give you.
 
#21 ·
Walked into a new to me LGS couple of years ago, asked to see some semi's, eyeing the assorted collection under glass. Owner asked what was the intended use. Told him it would be stored in my trucks ConsoleVault along with 4 or 5 magazines for either backup or primary.
He handed me a G2C, said 'as good as a Glock at half the price," this from a guy with a Glock 48 on his hip. Sold.
 
#23 ·
As a fellow NH resident may I ask where that unfortunate LGS was?
 
#24 ·
Local shops don't offer enough selection to satisfy my lust and don't seem to interested in special orders. About half or better, of my purchases are shipped to an FFL close to my house. I usually make it my point to know more than the salesman on anything I purchase. When I walk it to make a purchase, my research has been done and my mind is made up. Otherwise, I just walk out empty handed.
 
#40 · (Edited)
Same, except I like to hold one in person if possible. I’ve reached the point of not getting my hopes up about any brand of firearm I haven’t seen in person as if seen a lot of corner cutting and pretty stupid stuff from even the most reputable manufacturers in the last couple years. I bought 5 Kimbers and 5 Springfield 1911s in the past 2 months, of the 10, 5 went back to the manufacturer for repairs and one went back twice.

To the one who mentioned the 856, I have around 20-22 revolvers right now from Taurus, S&W, Ruger, Cimarron / Uberti (I’m sure I’m missing someone) the stainless 856 Defender 3” is one of my favorites. I’d recommend that gun to anyone, regardless of their experience with firearms. It ain’t the purdiest one I own by a long shot but it’s a pleasure to shoot.
 
#26 ·
Aww c'mon...;)...we all know that mechanics make way more than parts salespeople, that's why all of the real mechs work in parts stores.
 
#29 ·
I'll be the first to admit that the girls have really been taking the guys to school when it comes to parts lately. Most parts guys are lazy and the vast majority of them think bank1 and bank2 are just places you go to cash your paycheck. They'll bs you just to avoid having to look past their li'l nintendo screen. If the girls don't know, they'll happily admit it but will "see if I can find out for you". They always seem to make the best delivery drivers too.
 
#30 ·
I don't worry what others think as far as gun store sales gurus go.

I just bought a Taurus 85 used and all I saw was snickers and some outright laughter. Too bad for them.
Almost a decade ago I sold a Taurus 85 CH and wished I hadn't. So now with a second thought I went and bought a regular 85 which looks lightly used. Since nothing I was going to say would impact the three store clerks I didn't bother saying anything. The Taurus 85 has only 25 rounds through it, but, shoots to point of aim with 158gr. practice rounds.
 
#31 ·
I almost always watch reviews done by respected gun guys before making a purchase (unless it is an impulse buy). I consider most of what I hear in the stores to be chatter and although I am friendly with them, I don’t usually listen to anything that they say.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Years ago, at a Gander Mountain, I went in to buy some 45 LC, which were on sale. I looked on the shelf and it was empty. Went to the counter to ask if they had anymore in the back and the clerk came out, looked, said here you can use these…he handed me two boxes of 45 acp. I explained I wanted 45 LC, not 45 acp. He assured me they would work just fine. That’s the last time I tried to buy ammo there. No wonder they went out of business with that kind of help.
 
#38 ·
Years ago, at a Gander Mountain, I went in to buy some 45 LC, which were on sale. I looked on the shelf and it was empty. Went to the counter to ask if they had anymore in the back and the clerk came out, looked, said here you can use these…he handed me two boxes of 45 cap. I explained I wanted 45 LC, not 45 cap. He assured me they would work just fine. That’s the last time I tried to buy ammo there. No wonder they went out of business with that kind of help.
I went in to a Gander Mountain several years ago to buy my first .380. I knew what I wanted and went right up to it. I stood there for about 10 minutes while the 3 counter workers carried on a conversation about 20 feet away (it was a big gun counter). No one ever acknowledged me nor came over. I went to Cabelas the next day and bought a TCP. I, too, figure it is no wonder they went out of business.
 
#34 ·
What’s 45 cap?
 
#35 ·
I'm guessing typo...45 GAP