I know what you mean MrWhiteRabbit. Not firearm related, but I have been waiting for tires to come in for my Jeep from store "A" for over 2 weeks now. I paid for the tires, than after they were paid for was informed they had to order them. Great, thanks for the tip before I paid for them. Not like there isn't 4 dealers for this brand within 10 miles.. But, I left it be. They tell me 3-5 days. Okay, no big deal. Its holiday season, might take a few more, no big deal. A week goes by. No phone call. I call them. Yea, your three tires are in. Three? What am I going to do with three? Add another spare? So I get a call back, problem with the disruptor. Okay, sure, no big deal. Call me when the 4th is in. A week later, no call. I call him and get "YOU again (only second time I called in 2 weeks, and I was nice both times). I will call YOU when it comes. Trust me, I need these things out of my shop ASAP. I need the room. Don't bother calling unless your returning our phone call." Well, that was sweet. Now I really want to spend another $1000 there. Been about 2 and half weeks now, still no call. I called again friday, ready to tear into them if I got any crap for calling about my 3-5 day tires that are taking over 16 days. "Oh, yea. I meant to call them Wensday and Thursday, but kept forgetting. Let me call them and call you back." No phone call, big surprise. I called Saturday, to see if he called. "Ah man, I forgot to call, call me Monday and remind me to call them." Right, because that's my job. So I call today. "NO.. They are NOT in yet. I told you I would call you as soon as they show up, I don't have the room for them anyway." "You told me to call you and remind you to call them (getting old). You kept FORGETTING to call about my missing tire." "Oh, right, I'm busy, I'll call you right back." Now he finds out Fed-Ex lost the tire, and they are shipping a new one next day, but it can't be sent out until tomorrow because he waited too late in the day to call. They apparently knew the tire was lost last week, but were waiting to see if it showed up since no one called about it. Great, not like I wanted those new tires in the snow storm or anything.
I am with you MrWhiteRabbit, none of this is a huge deal, it's just a shame that most people are running there businesses like they are doing you a favor, and not the other way around. It is hard to find places, like Five Guys for example, but still believe the customer is what keeps food on their table. For them it doesn't matter how they treat you, your a nuisance and you can only go to them for a product. At least that's how they think it seems.
I have had pretty good experiences almost everywhere I have gone gun store wise, with the exception of one place. But, this one particular place is not known for customer service, and I only deal with him every once in awhile because he is a dealer for a certain brand of knives, and is the only one within reasonable driving distance.
Like Squirrels said though, most places were a little ... distant.. and a little bit apprehensive/defensive until I talked to them for a little bit, handled a firearm safely, and came back a few more times. Like squirrels said, once you show them you aren't one of those people that are just wasting everyone's time looking at plastic pistols because they are "cool" and have no intention to do anything but hold a gun and pull the trigger, the customer service changes quiet a bit.
I don't know anything about the GC issue, and frankly don't want to. Not my business. I have only had one experience with GC, and it was a good one. Same thing as regular stores, a little apprehensive until he finished with his customer and I talked to Dan for a few minutes. Told him I heard about him on MDshooters, and had sent him an email about a problem I was having with a rifle. He was very helpful and hooked me up pretty good. When the time comes to buy a new firearm, he certainly will be given a hard look. I just wish he was a little closer.
I am with you MrWhiteRabbit, none of this is a huge deal, it's just a shame that most people are running there businesses like they are doing you a favor, and not the other way around. It is hard to find places, like Five Guys for example, but still believe the customer is what keeps food on their table. For them it doesn't matter how they treat you, your a nuisance and you can only go to them for a product. At least that's how they think it seems.
I have had pretty good experiences almost everywhere I have gone gun store wise, with the exception of one place. But, this one particular place is not known for customer service, and I only deal with him every once in awhile because he is a dealer for a certain brand of knives, and is the only one within reasonable driving distance.
Like Squirrels said though, most places were a little ... distant.. and a little bit apprehensive/defensive until I talked to them for a little bit, handled a firearm safely, and came back a few more times. Like squirrels said, once you show them you aren't one of those people that are just wasting everyone's time looking at plastic pistols because they are "cool" and have no intention to do anything but hold a gun and pull the trigger, the customer service changes quiet a bit.
I don't know anything about the GC issue, and frankly don't want to. Not my business. I have only had one experience with GC, and it was a good one. Same thing as regular stores, a little apprehensive until he finished with his customer and I talked to Dan for a few minutes. Told him I heard about him on MDshooters, and had sent him an email about a problem I was having with a rifle. He was very helpful and hooked me up pretty good. When the time comes to buy a new firearm, he certainly will be given a hard look. I just wish he was a little closer.