[sharps4590]

I've never been asked that either. However, one time another customer commented about the CZ-50 in 32 ACP I had just bought. He opined "all you're going to do with that is p__s off someone." I invited him to stand against the wall about 8 feet away and let me "p__s him off." Oddly, he declined.

 

[Old Syko]

When asked by the guy behind the counter I know it's a legit question and usually the beginning of a long conversation. When sarcastic comments are made by someone else I usually tell them "I'm getting this because unlike yourself I won't be forced to face the edge of a tall cliff while being taken advantage of because I'm no sheep like you."

 

[Dem27]

I generally flat out ignore Counter Lizards, just like they ain’t there. That is as long as they don’t try to involve theirselves in any dealing I might be into. In which case I will generally light into them and enlighten them of the displeasure they are causing me. I do make exceptions for those who are genuinely trying to learn.

 

[Sr-556]

It would depend on the tone for which they asked.You run into a lot of narcisistic people at gun shops who think there opinion is the only one that is valid.Which I just ignore them and that hurts them more than a smart snappy answer.If they are genuine ill try my best to give them a honest opinion.

 

[Grizzly2]

(30) "Badlands" Bill Oglesby - YouTube
Bill Oglesby in the video is the owner of the shop I used to love to go to years ago and still stop by when I can. He is a wealth of information and knowledge. If he criticized something I was looking at, it was for a good reason and I wanted to know why. His shooting skills were amazing and you never knew what might happen when stopping by. When he'd start telling stories, he'd get me laughing so hard my innards would hurt. I really miss those days years ago when I'd stop by every Friday night with a few others and spend the evening there. I think we called it Wild Bill Night. And just like with Goofy, he was inquisitive about anything new and would want to hear all you had to say about it. Shops like that are rare, but once you get to know the owners and become welcomed for more than just what you may buy, they become good friends and you enjoy visiting with them whenever possible.

 

[soundguy]

Just curious, what do you guys say when employees/patrons at the counter ask “Why are you buying/why did you choose that?” I like to buy a lot of unique-ish guns (at least for my area), and it gets pretty annoying trying to “justify” my purchases.

Thanks

I've had a few try to dissuade me from a purchase.. or upsell.

One time I was at a sportsmans warehouse, and they had clearanced all of their non optic sccy cpx2's ( basic, no red dot ). for some ridiculous price like 129$ They had 1 left.. hot pink.. and I think were offering a free box of 9mm fmj with it to move it. I bought it for 2 reasons. 1, cheaper and looked better than a high point..2, actually came with 2 double stack mags.. and 3, oddly enough.. fit my hand perfectly, I always give a 2nd look and consider a gun if it feels great in my hand... got it... turned out to be a great shooter. once I factored in the free 9mm / brass to reload.. it was just over a hundred bucks.

Another time I was looking at a RIA m206 Rural king / RKguns had them on one of their flash sales.. which are like 1 day or limited time sales. Again.. very inexpensive. can't remember the price.. but less than 160$ Not a bad gun.. comes with the rubber grips like a m200 and the small wood grips near cloning a colt detective special... of which the gun is virtually identical too anyway. I like range toys.. and this one qualified. I had done my homework and already contacted RIA to see if the gun was +p safe. it was.. and I actually printed out the email for safekeeping. on the day it came in when i went in to pick it up, the cashier at the gun counter obviously didn't like the guns.. and obviously quite a few of them had been ordered online and shipped to the store during that flash sale. I kept hearing the guy telling people they were junk guns.. yada yada.. and not +p rated. I generally don't stick myself into other peoples issues.. so I just let them do their thing. when my turn came and my paperwork was approved and I was up their paying.. same speech came out.. at which time I mentioned that actually RIA does say that they are +p safe.. just that a regular diet would wear the gun out faster. He corrected me and started talking till I pulled out the RIA customer service email I had printed and had with me to add to my paperwork I would keep with the gun... that moment got awkward and the transaction was finished with much less talking.

I honestly don't know why they hire non gun people to work in a gun environment..

 

[gdmoody]

Must be a regional thing. I usually only deal with one particular shop but have bought from two others and an Academy. No one has ever asked me whys or wherefores about any gun that I was purchasing. The Academy did show me a different version of the Canik I was looking to buy and I did buy that one instead.

 

[Shortonammo]

Just curious, what do you guys say when employees/patrons at the counter ask “Why are you buying/why did you choose that?” I like to buy a lot of unique-ish guns (at least for my area), and it gets pretty annoying trying to “justify” my purchases.

Thanks

I would think your support of their business is enough justification. Imagine if a restaurant owner asked you to justify the purchase of a meal. Maybe they are trying to get a feel of customers preferences to keep their business prospering.

 

[Shawlerbrook]

I agree that those questions could be just honest interest or a conversation starter, especially if it’s from the dealer. In that case I will engage and hopefully find someone that will look out and notify me when something I might be interested in comes in. If it’s just someone loitering and you can tell it’s a sarcastic tone, I’ll just ignore them. I find wasting words on idiots accomplishes nothing.

 

[Old Syko]

I find wasting words on idiots accomplishes nothing.

I agree that little to nothing is accomplished but sometimes it's just downright fun. Especially when you're surrounded by knowledgeable people aside from the stupids.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I have bought and sold hundreds of guns since 1962. I have never been asked why I was buying something. If someone did ask I would say, "I can resist anything except temptation."

The LGS owner frequently asks me, "What's your next gun?" I always answer, "I have no clue, but I will recognize it when I see it."

 

[johnsxj]

The shop I frequent the most has people that know where my tastes run so often times it's "Hey John, this just came in...."
I don't think I've ever had an employee at a shop ask why I was buying a particular gun. If I ever do get asked, how I reply would depend on the tone of who asked.

 

[LimaCharlie]

The LGS has me on speed dial. The female clerk called me one day. She said they got two as new custom Colt 1911s in from a retired Colt sales representative. She said she selected the one I would want. When I got there, she was right and I bought it.

 

[grcsat]

Having worked both sides of the gun counter. I can't stand the floating BS by either the staff or the customers.
But once in a while something unique happens.
I had a customer come in with his scoped rifle and wanted me to check the scope before buying a new one.
So I checked the scope and sure enough it was bad. I then asked the customer if he had $7.50. His reply was that the checkup was supposed to be free. My reply was ,yes, it's free. But the $7.50 was for postage because his 30-year-old scope has a lifetime warranty and all he had to do was mail it in and his scope would be fixed or replaced.
The next time that customer came into the store, his refused to talk to anybody but me. And I did end up selling that person a lot of shooting equipment.

This is only part of a rather long story.

 

[AngelDeville]

Fer snakes and marmots and such….

 

[Alpo]

Fer snakes and marmots and such….

I'm sure that, if you are quoting the kid from Josey Wales, he said "snakes and varmints and such".

 

[Rick R]

"My therapist recommended it..."

Anger management therapist no doubt!

 

[ScrapMetal]

Don't come to my shop then.
I ask why sometimes especially if it is a "unique-ish" type gun so if a future a customer ask looking for gun like you are buying I have some answers for them. I am not prying into your life I am trying to find out why you like this gun or it's particular good points (Or bad) and I think you are blowing this out of proportion and should just answer the question because you could be helping someone learn.
If you answered with what some has said (Or a smart butt answer) you would not be buying that gun from me.

Goofy,

I really doubt that you would ask that kind of question in such a way as to illicit a snarky answer. The response to that question really is based on the demeanor of the one asking and as to "why" they are asking. Genuine curiosity and helpfulness would never get that kind of smart alec answer from me (unless you were a personal buddy of mine, then all bets are off. )

Best regards,

-Ron

 

[nmckenzie]

A doctor I knew back in NY was a Luger collector, and in order to add a newly found variation to his pistol license he had to file for an amendment - more photos, fees, wait time, and the very real possibility the intended acquisition may be questioned and/or denied. The final Yay or Nay is the judge who signs the amended license, and in this case the doc received a letter from His Honor pretty much stating "You have too many pistols, why do you want another?". The doc was prepared for this and replied "(a) because I want it, (b) because it's rare, expensive, and I can afford it. If further clarification is required please contact my attorney at...etc". He received his amended license soon thereafter.

 

[Grousesassin]

It would depend on the tone for which they asked.You run into a lot of narcisistic people at gun shops who think there opinion is the only one that is valid.Which I just ignore them and that hurts them more than a smart snappy answer.If they are genuine ill try my best to give them a honest opinion.

I generally refer to these people as "Glock Guys". I would like to note there is a difference between people who like Glocks and "Glock Guys" . The Glock guys are the ones who worship to the great Glock god. These also tend to be the ones who feel if its not a $1200+ handgun is trash and not worth buying, these seem to be the ones behind the counter in big box gun shops.. There are brand loyalists of every variety, but "Glock guys" seem to be the worst of the lot. Now me personally I would own a Glock, if someone gave me one. I honestly think they are just as plug ugly as a hi-point.