[Brandon1]

I have been on the hunt for either a Colt 01980RG Rail Gun or the 01880XSE standard 5" model. Now I did stop in at Fuquay Gun and Gold this AM and they had both, and at decent prices. However they didnt have the *exact* Rail Gun I wanted, so I passed on the offerings they had even though I was treated with respect and gratitude for my potential business. Also stopped in at S&K Pawn, again another great shop with extremely good customer service. I think more shops need to start taking some hints from these two gun shops.

Now, on the way back home I called several (more than 10) other gun shops (names withheld to avoid pissing and moaning) in the NC area. Not just the Raleigh area, all over NC. Checking prices and availability for either the Rail Gun or the regular 5" model. I had part #'s in hand, and descriptions of the gun. I was also checking the prices at the same time of 2 other pistols I was interested in, and asked each gun shop to quote me a cash otd price for all 3 and call me back by the end of the day (it was about 10:00am at the time).

Out of the more than 10 gun shops I called, I have had ONE call back. Now he was high as all sin, but he did call back. The rest of them didnt live up to their "oh I'll be happy to get those prices, call you back in a minute". Hell I had one shop have computer problems while I was on the phone, and was told "hang on I'll call you back in just a sec". Well, I'm still waiting. I also realize that less than 24hrs may be short on time to get a price quote, but every single shop said they would call me back by the end of the day. Shoot I asked one shop "can you get Colts?" and he simply said "nope".

Now I realize that most of the phone calls shops get are "whats your price on x"? I get that it gets old, however some people actually are interested in buying. Its also not like I was getting a price for a High-Point. I was pricing a $1000+ 1911, a $500 Kahr and a $300 Ruger. Not chump change by anyones standards.

I guess it just sort of ticks me off. As we have found out in the past, I'm a real sombitch about a business having good customer service, and to me that includes doing what they say they are going to do (ie: call someone back).

Is it really that hard?

 

[niner-mike-mike]

It's not just a NC thing. I called several here in SC, told them I WAS going to buy the rifle I was looking for and would like their best price. Same as you, no call backs. Bought it online and had it shipped to FFL then transferred. Was just trying to business with the local guys, but guess they don't need it.:frown:

 

[speedcocker]

as bad as some places have gotten, I'm happy if they just refrain from cussing at me as I'm leaving. just mail order it and be done with it.

 

[Boomstick]

I've had good and bad experiences with every shop that I have frequented. Like "9mm" stated above, I too usually end up buying online and find a shop that has a cheap transfer, even then I don't get a call when my gun shows up!
:thumbdown:

 

[ArbowAxle]

My favorite gun shop will just about blow you off over the phone if they have customers in the store (if they answer the phone!). All you might get out of them is whether or not it's in stock and how much it is. If they're slow they'll chat with you longer.

If you show up in person, you get treated very well.

I'm not saying it's right, but sometimes it's just the way it is. If a shop dealt every call in detail, they would need an employee dedicated to the phone. Most shops can't afford it.

 

[NetJunkie]

Not sure you want to drive a bit but Eagle Guns in Concord has had a couple of Colt RG 1911s. I held one of them like 5 times. Good prices too (think it was like $969).

 

[MCKNBRD]

My favorite gun shop will just about blow you off over the phone if they have customers in the store (if they answer the phone!). All you might get out of them is whether or not it's in stock and how much it is. If they're slow they'll chat with you longer.

If you show up in person, you get treated very well.

I'm not saying it's right, but sometimes it's just the way it is. If a shop dealt every call in detail, they would need an employee dedicated to the phone. Most shops can't afford it.

AA makes a VERY good point; most shops can't afford a dedicated secretary that knows prices and availability to answer all calls...and the customer in the store gets priority, no question. Think about it; if you were in the store, looking at stuff, with your money burning a hole in your pocket, and the phone rings and you get blown off for 5 or 6 minutes while they answer all the caller's questions, you'd probably walk out and soon be posting here griping about service in shops and how they shouldn't be on the phone when there are paying customers in the store.

Just an observation from a guy behind the counter...

Byrdman

 

[Guest]

Just go to Patriot dude

 

[SLR107UR]

it is easy to see both sides of the issue and i dont let things like this bother me much. whenever a business doesnt treat me like im the most important person in the world it merely assuages any guilt i would have for going into their shop and wasting their time looking at guns i have no intention of purchasing from them just so i can compare them before i purchase online or elsewhere. i found a good gun shop that i dont do this with and they get my business but in the past when a gunshop slights me or treats me like theyre doing me a favor i do them the favor back of wasting their time and never giving them money while using their resources for my own benefit. businesses can treat customers any way they wish and shouldnt be surprised when someone takes offense at it and does it back. a gunshop with poor service or poor communication or even worse the making and breaking of promises is not a place that appears to want your money and everytime you give them money youre doing them a favor. if they wanted your money they would treat you better. if they dont care about your money then you shouldnt care about their effort. thats how capitalism works.

 

[bfd]

If you have the time to call around to save $10, than you have the time to have your good shop order it in. I only use three gun shops two here and one back in wyoming. if you have a shop you like stay there. Quit burning gas to save $10. Burn more than that in gas to go get it. Just my 2 cents.
Hope you find the gun you are looking for.

 

[029]

Why not have Clay order it for you?

 

[Brandon1]

Well see the thing is, I was not telling anyone to get the prices as I waited on the phone. I said to every single one "just when you figure it out give me a call, I dont have to have it now". I also was not shopping around to save $10, I was checking availability. For $10 savings I go to my shop here in town. However when nobody can get them, I call around to check availability.

I told Clay when the next all black Rail Gun came in let me know. I just spoke with Patriot Shooting Sports (my favorite local store) and the Rail Gun and normal XSE's are sort of hard to get, but hey...thats the reason I like Patriot's, they took the time to talk about it with me.

 

[NetJunkie]

Village Pawn has a couple in stock:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=219492042

 

[Crazy Carl]

Village Pawn has a couple in stock:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=219492042

They've got nice stuff, but they seem awful proud of it. They had a very nice S&W nickelled, 4" 57 (no dash) forever at $900. Someone finally ponied up for it, I guess (gone now), but sheesh.

 

[Fortkevin2]

Brandon, That would piss me off also if they didn't call me back IF they said they would "in a second" or by the end of the day. If they say they are going to do that they should. As you have pointed out, Patriot will do just that. They are more than willing to spend time with you if needed. I'm there about twice a week...today actually! BTW-What Ruger will you be buying? Any chance I will get to shoot these fine pistols when you purchase them?

 

[Brandon1]

^Was just a P95. You will get a chance to shoot the Colt should I ever get one lol.

 

[NetJunkie]

They've got nice stuff, but they seem awful proud of it. They had a very nice S&W nickelled, 4" 57 (no dash) forever at $900. Someone finally ponied up for it, I guess (gone now), but sheesh.

I've found them to have good pricing and bad. Just depends on the item. The price on that 1911 isn't bad at all. Looks like supply has dried up for some reason..not many of them out there.

 

[Brandon1]

I've found them to have good pricing and bad. Just depends on the item. The price on that 1911 isn't bad at all. Looks like supply has dried up for some reason..not many of them out there.

Its not bad considering supply, but Clay's had a RG for $919...it just didnt have the 100th year marking so I didnt want it.

 

[Evil Drew M]

I called several here in SC, told them I WAS going to buy the rifle I was looking for and would like their best price.

That is totally different - you are blatantly bargain shopping and whether you said you were going to buy one or not it was obvious to them that you were probably calling every store in town asking the same thing.

I will let you in on a little secret from the retail world. People say they are definitely going to buy something ALL the time and don't. I have a pile of "special orders" that have never been picked up to prove it.

I hate the whole "what's your best price?" question anyway and I encourage ANYONE who is selling ANYTHING to repeat the listed asking price when asked that question.

 

[YJJPWrangler]

That is totally different - you are blatantly bargain shopping and whether you said you were going to buy one or not it was obvious to them that you were probably calling every store in town asking the same thing.

I will let you in on a little secret from the retail world. People say they are definitely going to buy something ALL the time and don't. I have a pile of "special orders" that have never been picked up to prove it.

I hate the whole "what's your best price?" question anyway and I encourage ANYONE who is selling ANYTHING to repeat the listed asking price when asked that question.

Agreed, I had a lot of those "special" orders myself. When it came down to it, when they pulled the money out, the price might go down depending on gun, what mood the manager was in. No since in telling every tire kicker out there what your "best" price is. Money Talks

In regards to calling back, I would make it a point to call back anyone who had left a message. Gun shops do get busy and they probably forgot about it. However, the ones they said, " call you back in a sec" would piss me off.

From a business standpoint, it would make more sense in helping the customer in front of you that is looking at something(might buy it) then helping someone on the phone, however you make/break your business by customer service so it's a tight line to walk.