Customers Rant

[CroiDhubh]

We all know, or at least should know, most of the people you run into as customers are just stupid... You'd think in certain places customers would be smarter, but that's just not the case.

It's a gun store. The things sold need to be kept and used safe. The things sold can be dangerous in the hands of someone not paying attention.

So, given the fact that it's a god damn gun we're dealing with here, if you're transfering in a firearm, don't you think it's kind of really god damn important to know where you got it from and where it's coming from?!?!?!?!?!!?

I cannot tell you how many people come in here saying they think a gun arrived for them, but they're not sure. When we ask where it is coming from, they say, "I don't know." IT'S A FUCKING GUN! THIS IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!!! [Mad]

[Dingo]

Not directed at you, but I actually have a gun-store employee gripe....

I understand and totally support the employees open-carrying - both for the statement about the 2nd Amendment, and to remind people that robbery would be a bad idea. But that said....

It's a GUN STORE, not Afghanistan. I went in a shop the other day (can remain nameless, because I like the shop) which is located in an affluent neighborhood. This isn't ghetto-central. But the kid helping me out had a custom made, drop-leg leather monstrosity that held a pair of loaded speed-loaders, a SW 44 mag with a 6" barrel, and a Kabar knife. Then, he lifted his shirt up to show me his IWB holster, holding a 1911, and a dual mag pouch. He had a belt-clipped pocket knife on the other side, and claimed he was wearing an ankle holster as well. It seems to be a malady common only to the younger employees, as the other guys just wore a single sidearm. I can just imagine the sparkle in his eyes during the interview, where the employer told him he could OC at work. lol.

[kidicarus13]

...if you're transfering in a firearm, don't you think it's kind of really god damn important to know where you got it from and where it's coming from?!?!?!?!?!!? [Mad]

That's what I pay the fee to my FFL for, TO KEEP TRACK OF MY GUN once received.

I've ordered multiple guns in one week before therefore I mailed out multiple money orders the week prior along with a FFL copy. I did not know where the guns were coming from if asked on a spur of the moment. Check your safe, it has to be there and my name should be associated with it (I always request that the sellers include my name with the firearm they ship). But then again, I don't show up to my FFL asking if my gun has arrived.

[CroiDhubh]

Holy crap...that's just excessive...I agree. +1 on that rant.

[Sawin]

I've never ordered one from Gunbroker, but I could see how a buyer who provided their FFL info to the seller, may not know the info of the seller's FFL....

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Yup. You sound like a typical gun store counter jockey. You realize you are in a customer service realm correct? If it wasn't for "dumbasses" like that you wouldn't have a job. And they pay your salary. What gun store do you work at? I ask so not a dime of mine goes to your salary.


1/10 rank.

[Sharpienads]

ibtl

[Great-Kazoo]

I agree having the knowledge of What you ordered Who is is coming from AND based on tracking info approx date of delivery.

How can you not know what you purchased??

Having many decades behind the counter and svc dept at motorcycle dealers and small shops. The customer who comes in and wants us to find the part for his mc is ridiculous .
One of the classics is this.

How you doing finding everything ok?
Um yeah i need a part for my dirt bike'
Ok what are you riding / working on?
Red honda
Great what year and model?
Its a red honda!
I understand do you know the year?

IT'S A RED HONDA WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED.

Here take a look and tell me which red honda you have. Turning one of the parts books over to him.

YOU'RE AN IDIOT HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW WHAT I NEED???

End of interaction.

The guy who pulled a knife, on my co-worker, because he was pissed [ in general] ended up much better;)

[CroiDhubh]

That's what I pay the fee to my FFL for, TO KEEP TRACK OF MY GUN once received.

I've ordered multiple guns in one week before therefore I mailed out multiple money orders the week prior along with a FFL copy. I did not know where the guns were coming from if asked on a spur of the moment. Check your safe, it has to be there and my name should be associated with it (I always request that the sellers include my name with the firearm they ship). But then again, I don't show up to my FFL asking if my gun has arrived.

How the hell are the FFLs supposed to keep track of it once it's shipped? We don't know what's coming in. We don't notification. We don't have everyone's phone number, especially new customers. We don't have a tracking number.

There does NOT have to be a name on there. Yes, it should be and we request it, but that doesn't always happen. For insurance purposes, we can't open boxes until you're here. Someone told us we stole $1.3K worth of stuff from their shipment when we opened it once. Guess what? We had to pay for it.

YOU bought a GUN. YOU need to know who you got it from and who sent it. At least a state. It's not our job to magically know who you are or what you got nor where it came from. We only know what it is when you open it and all we do is log where it came from and a name associated with it should there be one.

It's like buying a car and not knowing what brand it was, what dealer you got it from, or when it was supposed to arrive. Or, even better, it's like passing a health care bill without knowing what's in it.



Yup. You sound like a typical gun store counter jockey. You realize you are in a customer service realm correct? If it wasn't for "dumbasses" like that you wouldn't have a job. And they pay your salary. What gun store do you work at? I ask so not a dime of mine goes to your salary.


1/10 rank.
How the hell do you not know who you got it from or even what state? Why the hell would you do that? This is a very important item to have track of! These dumbasses also come in with loaded guns and point it at people. You are obviously on the end of "ass" and it's just fine if you don't come in. We can deal without having someone like you in here. Something tells me you're the type of person who stands and stares at an employee instead of asking questions, or even ask "Do you work here?" to people in a uniform and name tag.

[MrPrena]

I think this is more of a Seller's FFL's fault than customers. (customer should've had some information too)
Seller's FFL or individual seller should have include carrier's tracking # forward it to buyer and receiving FFL as well.
Good FFL should've include all the information such has their copy of FFL, seller and buyer's information PLUS invoice.

[Ronin13]

Yup. You sound like a typical gun store counter jockey. You realize you are in a customer service realm correct? If it wasn't for "dumbasses" like that you wouldn't have a job. And they pay your salary. What gun store do you work at? I ask so not a dime of mine goes to your salary.


1/10 rank.
Shit just got real!
http://persephonemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jon-stewart-popcorn11.gif

[CroiDhubh]

For instance, there is someone here right now who doesn't know what shop it came from...he decided it was this one shop, so we checked the box. He's sure it's his. Guess what? It's not. I asked him five fucking times since opening the god damn box to make sure that IS THE SHOP he got it from... He even called the person on the receipt from where it came. They don't know who he is. This isn't his gun. He doesn't know still. He still doesn't know what state it's coming from. He thinks it's Kansas. He now thinks we are the shop he sent it to. [facepalm]


Shit just got real!
http://persephonemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jon-stewart-popcorn11.gif

Too bad for him he's wrong. For all the reasons I listed.



I think this is more of a Seller's FFL's fault than customers. (customer should've had some information too)
Seller's FFL or individual seller should have include carrier's tracking # forward it to buyer and receiving FFL as well.
Good FFL should've include all the information such has their copy of FFL, seller and buyer's information PLUS invoice.


Which is all well and good AFTER you open the box, but we cannot open it before the customer gets here.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Maybe jiffy lube is more your calling. I have been in the "back guns" realm for about 2 years now and it blows my mind how the customer service is so much better(normally) at in a hunting atmosphere. No I have never pointed a loaded gun at anyone, not have I had something transferred. On a different note, to quote an insurance commercial "I bet you are the smartest raccoon you know". Huh?

[CroiDhubh]

Maybe jiffy lube is more your calling. I have been in the "back guns" realm for about 2 years now and it blows my mind how the customer service is so much better(normally) at in a hunting atmosphere. No I have never pointed a loaded gun at anyone, not have I had something transferred. On a different note, to quote an insurance commercial "I bet you are the smartest raccoon you know". Huh?
Uh, no. Generally, our customers are great. There's a handful of morons and it's usually new people to the shop and/or new to guns. Besides, I'm an EMT in "the real world".

We had someone today ask how the "gun works"...he just got his first gun... I've had a loaded .308 pointed at my chest all the while the guy yelling at me going, "Kid, do you really think I'm stupid enough to bring in a loaded firearm and point it at you?! I've been doing this all my life!" I ejected the round and threw him out of the store. A co-worker had a loaded .22mag pointed at first his stomach, then his chest, and then slightly higher in his ribs which had the trigger pulled three times on a loaded gun. Thank god it was striking light and didn't discharge the gun. Had another guy tell his wife, "This is where you shoot a guy, honey!" and point it at another co-worker's head and pull the trigger. He's lucky it wasn't me and I wasn't there or else he'd have a bad day. Had another guy remove a .38SP from his coat and walk in with his finger on the trigger pointed forward.

My paranoia has kept me alive this long from both civilian law enforcement and military. I won't be stopping it any time soon. So when it comes to guns, it pisses me off when people are stupid with them. I don't mean thinking wrong features or something, I mean not knowing where the gun is, how it works, the proper safe handling, or where you got it from. So, yes, I stand by what I say.

--------
Oh, and it turns out the guy got it from some place in Missouri *sigh* Turns out, yes, it did come here, from some place completely different than he was "thinking".

[buckshotbarlow]

This is pure not knowing jack shit on how gun deals over an out of state transfer goes down. It happens on both sides, custy doesn't supply info to ffl, ffl doesn't supply info to custy. contact ffl, let them know the gig, and give them the tracking info and gb auction deal. I always do this with my ffl and it works out perfect.

[Dingo]

It seems like common sense that you'd be apprising the FFL of the whats/whens/wheres, if for no other reason than it's YOUR gun, and people make mistakes all the time. I've ordered multiple guns from multiple sources before, but I always let the FFL know what I was getting and where it was coming from.

[CroiDhubh]

This is pure not knowing jack shit on how gun deals over an out of state transfer goes down. It happens on both sides, custy doesn't supply info to ffl, ffl doesn't supply info to custy. contact ffl, let them know the gig, and give them the tracking info and gb auction deal. I always do this with my ffl and it works out perfect.

Yeah, not having the FFL or DL isn't a huge issue. We can always get the paperwork started and done for a person, we just can't let it go out until we get a copy of such. That's a minor inconvenience, but not having any idea on who you got the gun from, where the origin of shipping is, or how to get a hold of the seller is...sketchy.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

You went from talking about someone's lack of knowledge on proper transfers between ffl's, to gun safety. Gun safety we all can agree on is a very very important issue.

Either way, you seem like a real knuckle head. If you don't like customer service, even the dumbasses you lump me in with then find a new job. Or option 2 cry a river build a bridge and get the hell over it.

I'm out.

[DD977GM2]

Yup. You sound like a typical gun store counter jockey. You realize you are in a customer service realm correct? If it wasn't for "dumbasses" like that you wouldn't have a job. And they pay your salary. What gun store do you work at? I ask so not a dime of mine goes to your salary.


1/10 rank.

So your enabling the customer who is clearly in the wrong to continue to be a complete ignoramous yet calling out the guy behind the counter who isnt a mind reader???
I have no idea where your logic is coming from or what planet you are from. Id offer a suggestion to rethink your idea of how dumb a customer can be and what is pertinent to this convo, but it may just go over your head. [facepalm][hammer]

[Ronin13]

Yeah, not having the FFL or DL isn't a huge issue. We can always get the paperwork started and done for a person, we just can't let it go out until we get a copy of such. That's a minor inconvenience, but not having any idea on who you got the gun from, where the origin of shipping is, or how to get a hold of the seller is...sketchy.
Wow... like, really? Wow... This is the reason I don't work in a gun shop, this level of stupid that you tend to have to deal with from time to time just baffles me. "Sir, where'd you buy this gun from." "Uh, da interwebz." "Okay, but what state? Do you have any seller info?" "Uh, here be da fangled website I buy from..." [facepalm]Neanderthals... quick! Call those scientist guys, we found the missing link!
Croi, I applaud your level of patience. And don't mind hghclsswhitetrsh, I think it might be that time of the month. [Coffee]

[Dave_L]

The problem with customer service gigs is the mentality that the "customer is always right". I agree with it to en extent but most people take it way beyond what they should.

[Ronin13]

The problem with customer service gigs is the mentality that the "customer is always right". I agree with it to en extent but most people take it way beyond what they should.
Not in my line of work... I use the mentality "The customer is always stupid, doesn't understand this at all, and we have to explain it to them... slowly." But you still treat the customer respectfully and tactfully. Customer service is all dependent on fulfilling the customers needs/wants, and treating them with a level of respect, but not bowing down to them- like the food service industry, yes you are serving people, but you're not a slave.

[Byte Stryke]

How the hell are the FFLs supposed to keep track of it once it's shipped? We don't know what's coming in. We don't notification. We don't have everyone's phone number, especially new customers. We don't have a tracking number.

There does NOT have to be a name on there. Yes, it should be and we request it, but that doesn't always happen. For insurance purposes, we can't open boxes until you're here. Someone told us we stole $1.3K worth of stuff from their shipment when we opened it once. Guess what? We had to pay for it.

YOU bought a GUN. YOU need to know who you got it from and who sent it. At least a state. It's not our job to magically know who you are or what you got nor where it came from. We only know what it is when you open it and all we do is log where it came from and a name associated with it should there be one.

It's like buying a car and not knowing what brand it was, what dealer you got it from, or when it was supposed to arrive. Or, even better, it's like passing a health care bill without knowing what's in it.



How the hell do you not know who you got it from or even what state? Why the hell would you do that? This is a very important item to have track of! These dumbasses also come in with loaded guns and point it at people. You are obviously on the end of "ass" and it's just fine if you don't come in. We can deal without having someone like you in here. Something tells me you're the type of person who stands and stares at an employee instead of asking questions, or even ask "Do you work here?" to people in a uniform and name tag.


and apparently we don't grammar either. [facepalm]

It is your JOB to help the customer.
The customer's problems, shortcomings and deficiencies are YOURS to solve... that your JOB.

I suggest you get out of customer service before you pop a fuse and go postal on some "stupid customers."

[davsel]

"Uh, here be da fangled website I buy from..."
[ROFL2]

[TFOGGER]

The customer is always right. Except when he isn't.

[TheGrey]

We all know, or at least should know, most of the people you run into as customers are just stupid... You'd think in certain places customers would be smarter, but that's just not the case.

It's a gun store. The things sold need to be kept and used safe. The things sold can be dangerous in the hands of someone not paying attention.

So, given the fact that it's a god damn gun we're dealing with here, if you're transfering in a firearm, don't you think it's kind of really god damn important to know where you got it from and where it's coming from?!?!?!?!?!!?

I cannot tell you how many people come in here saying they think a gun arrived for them, but they're not sure. When we ask where it is coming from, they say, "I don't know." IT'S A FUCKING GUN! THIS IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!!! [Mad]

Hi, CroiDhubh.

Rant away. :) I've worked in retail for many, many years and I can only imagine the amount of stress that must build up with you and your co-workers when dealing with a combination of weaponry and complete carelessness and/or ignorance/arrogance. I am no longer in a retail situation, and those of you that still are have my empathy and respect.

That being said, I really had no understanding of a firearm transfer at all. Hell, I had to Wikipedia it, and I'm still not sure I understand it. I guess my firearm purchases (before the sinkhole got them all) didn't require a transfer because state lines and the internet weren't involved. The thing that embarrasses me about this is that I tried to educate myself on the topic of guns, and here is an entire area of gun ownership that I had no idea about! Had I been in a situation where I purchased a gun from a shop on the internet and required a transfer, the only reason I would have every bit of information possible on the transaction is that I'm a paperwork hoarder and my own personal zen involves filing cabinets, folders and neatly-printed labels. Otherwise, I can only imagine the number of customers that are simply used to seeing what they want, ordering it on the net and then going to pick it up while not understanding that there are several steps required to complete this transaction. I had no idea that you (as a shop on the end of this transaction) had strictures required by insurance- although now that you've explained it, it makes perfect sense.

Yes, there is a serious need for education to make this go more smoothly!

[kidicarus13]

There does NOT have to be a name on there. Yes, it should be and we request it, but that doesn't always happen. For insurance purposes, we can't open boxes until you're here. Someone told us we stole $1.3K worth of stuff from their shipment when we opened it once. Guess what? We had to pay for it.

Every firearm I've purchased and had shipped to my FFL has been opened upon receipt of the gun. I've never heard of your FFLs situation. Here is how it usually goes down:

I get email notification that FedEx has delivered my gun to FFL so I drive to the FFL

me: Did my 7mm Browning BOSS arrive today?
FFL: We did get a Browning in today, let me go check.

- - - 30 seconds later - - -

FFL: Is this it?
me: Yes it is!
FFL: Fill this paperwork out.


I don't know, maybe I'm doing this transfer this all wrong.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I have few things backordered from different vendors... what State they are from, I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Typically, my FFL will be kindly enough to call me, let me know when a new toy arrives. They already check/log it in before I am there.

Good thing I don't go to the shootin shack, rapid fire bunker is just down the street and from what I can tell is much more professional.

- just another dumbass

[OneGuy67]

My FFL doesn't open the box when they get it. They call me that they received a package for me. When I get there, they hand me the box and a knife and I open it in front of them, remove the new toy(s) and the paperwork and hand both to them. I eventually get to take the new toy(s) home while they keep the FFL paperwork.

I guess I've been lucky that all the people I've purchased things from through direct sales or Gunbroker have followed my FFL's request of putting my name on the front of the box, so they can track when a package arrives.

[Eggysrun]

So much hate in this thread [ROFL2]

[Colorado_Outback]

The FFL I work for gets a lot more UPS/FEDEX than just transfers, so unless it has THIS BOX HAS A GUN IN IT!! written on it, I don't know its a gun until I open it.

[Monky]

When did ronin get away from working with daddy?

Croi, seriously where do you work so I know to never send my guns there.

Typically when shopping for a firearm online, I order and then before it's shipped, I talk to the receiving Ffl.

It usually involves my name, what I'm getting, who it's coming from are they an Ffl. Fax#, email, phone number of shipper. When it comes in they call me, sure I'm tracking it online as I watch porn hoping the status changes. But I know I have time for more porn.

Not once in any of the transactions where I have purchased a firearm from out of state is the receiving Ffl as clueless about shit as you seem to be. Maybe you're shop is just full of retards.

Go ahead, be a man with all your experience and let us know where NOT to spend money.


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[CroiDhubh]

I have few things backordered from different vendors... what State they are from, I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Typically, my FFL will be kindly enough to call me, let me know when a new toy arrives. They already check/log it in before I am there.

Good thing I don't go to the shootist, rapid fire bunker is just down the street and from what I can tell is much more professional.

- just another dumbass
Then please keep going there and bothering them.



When did ronin get away from working with daddy?

Croi, seriously where do you work so I know to never send my guns there.

Typically when shopping for a firearm online, I order and then before it's shipped, I talk to the receiving Ffl.

It usually involves my name, what I'm getting, who it's coming from are they an Ffl. Fax#, email, phone number of shipper. When it comes in they call me, sure I'm tracking it online as I watch porn hoping the status changes. But I know I have time for more porn.

Not once in any of the transactions where I have purchased a firearm from out of state is the receiving Ffl as clueless about shit as you seem to be. Maybe you're shop is just full of retards.

Go ahead, be a man with all your experience and let us know where NOT to spend money.


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
If your name is on the box, then fine.

Love how you're trying to pass 100% of the responsibility to the store receiving the gun. YOU should know where YOU got the gun. YOU are being a fucking dumbass otherwise and I would do my legal ability to make sure you didn't get a gun if you're so brain dead. Maybe YOU should be a man and look up where I am. It's been stated repeatedly on this board. Do some work, idiot. You're living up to your moniker.

Maybe you should provide your name, address, phone number, and a current picture so I know who to stay the hell away from.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Somebody fittin' to have a timeout...

[Sharpienads]

This thread is still open? Wow.

[CroiDhubh]

Him threatening to not come here is like a vegetarian boycotting KFC. Who cares since he isn't using it to begin with?

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

You're drunk, go home.

[sabot_round]

Croi,
I think that your opening statement got some feathers ruffled (most of the customers are stupid), and that is where the argument stems from. I consider myself a customer and really do not appreciate that remark. I just chose to take a different approach. My [2cents]

[CroiDhubh]

If it ruffles feathers, then it's a personal problem. Work with the public and you would agree. I don't mean in a medical or similar environment, but in retail or something similar

[sabot_round]

If it ruffles feathers, then it's a personal problem. Work with the public and you would agree. I don't mean in a medical or similar environment, but in retail or something similar

I work with people 24/7; it's part of my job!! If you don't like people, I suggest a career move because you're not suited for it!!

SR out!!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

So here's a question. Did you have sack enough to tell the customer word for word about your issues with them as explained in this thread? Or did you just decide to come on the forum and act like a tommy tough tits know it all, and bitch like a 15 year old girl who hasn't been asked to prom?

[tmleadr03]

<---This post is with stupid. Replied to wrong thread.

[ChunkyMonkey]

If it ruffles feathers, then it's a personal problem. Work with the public and you would agree. I don't mean in a medical or similar environment, but in retail or something similar

One will assume someone with experience in LE and retail such as yourself should know that stupid policy attracts stupidity. If you don't want to work with public, then quit. They are your bread and butter. If you apply the same mentality of your first post onto a better clearer policy, you probably will attract better segment of the market. As much time as you spend on this forum, maybe you can help the store launches a real website or facebook page as just another sample of communication medium. I promise you, you will deal with more responsible folks. Believe it or not, 90% of the public are educated and tend to do research of your company rules/guidelines - and being in the 21st century, your competition is a click away.

And yes, as much of a chicken lover I am, I would rather be vegetarian rather than dealing with someone like you. Bok bok!

[Colorado_Outback]

I'm the new manager over at The Shootin' Shack, where he used to work. This leads me to the second part of the post...Josh should no longer be a problem there. He has his days cut back to only Monday and Tuesday due to his inability to have excellent...hell, even decent [Bang]...customer service and being inept at doing any, if all, of the paperwork and/or consignment. I am now the one in charge of doing shipping and consignment as well. It's now getting done and being done right!

A little exerpt from CroiDhubh's welcome post. Since everyone wants to know where he works.

[SideShow Bob]

Wouldn't said stupid customer have contacted your shop to send your FFL information to the seller ?

All the FFLs that I have with (via telephone or in person) have taken all the pertinent information, where to send their FFL information to, who it is coming from (be it individual, or another FFL) what I am having sent to them, my name and contact information.
They document all of this, and when the seller sends me the shipping information I update my FFL. And when the firearm arrives & they do what they need to do, which includes opening the box to verify what has been received, I get a phone call to come a fill out the background check and take home a new toy.

So as far as your rant goes, I see this as a failure on your shop, not as a stupid customer.