September 13, 2012, 11:02 AM | #26 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 25, 2010
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 3,309
|
Quote:
I don't think any conclusions can be drawn on the differences things are done in various stores. I do know sometimes the individual store manager can make certain decisions. The former manager at our local WM would not allow alcohol in his store. As soon as he retired and a new manager came in so did the alcohol. |
|
September 13, 2012, 11:07 AM | #27 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,497
|
The one in my area has the gun cases back behind the counter. If they ever had any guns in there, it would likely be difficult to make out any tags - heck, I can barely read the ammo boxes from there.
As it is, the case is nearly always empty - every so often there will be a muzzle-loader or 2, but that is about it.
__________________
"The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott |
September 13, 2012, 12:37 PM | #28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 16, 2006
Location: IOWA
Posts: 8,783
|
Not much fun for them either !!
My biggest complaint on Walmart Gun stores, is that it takes me about 5-minutes to decide I want to buy "that" gun, 30-minutes to find the manager that is authorized to do the paper work, then another 30-minutes to assign an escort to see me out the door, while he casrries the box. ......
I don't know how many of you can remember when Target, sold guns. Eventually the ATF gave them so much grief and rightly so, that they had a big clearance and got out of the gun business. I was able to pick up a Remington LT-20 for $200.00. Sadly, I suspect that eventually WalMart will go this way. Our WalMart, use to have a catalog where they would order whatever you wanted and the pricing was good. I have not seen this binder for a number of years, now. ..... Keep on the sunny side and; Be Safe !!!
__________________
'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. |
September 13, 2012, 05:04 PM | #29 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 9, 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 105
|
Yeah, I find many LGS guys to be rude know-it-alls who actually know much less than I do. Do your own research online and don't depend on anyone. If you want good advice, ask your questions in this forum. This is where the real experts reside.
|
September 13, 2012, 05:26 PM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 16, 2009
Location: John's Creek, Georgia
Posts: 328
|
The only thing I buy at Wally World is WWB in 9MM. I do have to go find a salesperson to open the cabinet and then sell it to me, usually 10 minutes. Went to Academy Sports 4 months ago and went to the Gun Counter and was greeted by a salesman. Said I wanted a Mare's Leg in 357Magnum. He knew what it was even though it is listed as a Rossi Ranch Rifle. He asked me now I knew it was a Mare's Leg and I told him that I was old enough to have seen the original TV series and always wanted one.
|
September 13, 2012, 05:35 PM | #31 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1,031
|
I don't tell them what ammo I want, I point to it, or direct them (no, the other left, more to the left).
Tell them you want 357 SIG, you get magnum. You want FMJ, you get JHP... They apparently have someone in store assemble the shotguns they sell. I bought one from them after making sure I got one of the NIB models and not something from the rack that Jethro put together. |
September 13, 2012, 09:06 PM | #32 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 11, 1999
Location: Longmont, CO, USA
Posts: 4,530
|
Quote:
I work for Wal-Mart and you are absolutely correct. We cross-train and many times there are people in electronics or automotive behind the counter. They know how to issue a fishing license; but most of them are devoid of firearms knowledge. I worked as a cashier for 5 1/2 years and in that time I worked in customer service, jewelry, electronics, automotive, sporting goods, and when there were no maintenance people scheduled I cleaned the restrooms. I worked in the auto and sporting goods area for the last year and am now on the front end as a supervisor. In sporting goods, I brought all of my prior firearms knowledge with me so that was never a problem. Fishing is my weak point. In electronics, I am downright stupid when it comes to video games and gaming equipment.
__________________
Gun Control: The premise that a woman found in an alley, raped and strangled with her own pantyhose, is morally superior to allowing that same woman to defend her life with a firearm. "Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house." - Jules Henri Poincare "Three thousand people died on Sept. 11 because eight pilots were killed" -- former Northwest Airlines pilot Stephen Luckey |
|
September 14, 2012, 08:55 AM | #33 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 27, 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 932
|
Just want to add that it ain't always so.
At my local Walmart there is this one guy (you have to either know his schedule or catch him when he's on duty) who knows everything. Okay, slight exaggeration, but he really knows firearms, knows re-loading, absolutely knows everything about what his store stocks (and what they don't). Gun people come to him for his (almost always excellent) advice. All that being said, I alway check with one or both of our two actual LGSs and, if they are within reason on their prices, I'll buy there first. I don't really think I can afford to let them close. Best, Will
__________________
Show me the data Last edited by psyfly; September 14, 2012 at 11:26 AM. |
September 14, 2012, 11:12 AM | #34 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 20, 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 349
|
My WM situation is apparently better than most here. I live in a small town, and WM is the only place in town to buy a gun period, and about the only place to buy ammo. The family-owned hardware store stocks a little bit, but not much. My local WM keeps their guns in a revolving plexiglass case, and the ammo is locked up in a clear case NOT behind the counter where customers can clearly search for their particular caliber/type. Add to that the two gentlemen I most normally deal with have well beyond a passing knowledge of firearms, and certainly are aware of their inventory (for example, they both know they do NOT stock any 7mm-08...go figure).
Like many others, I wring my hands at the demise of family owned businesses that WalMart has put out of business due to enormous buying power... but at the same time I'm not going to drive 100 mile round trip simply to buy somewhere else unless I can't get it locally. I'll noticed that WM stores in small towns differ greatly (for the better, from my perspective) from those in large metropolitan areas. Just one more reason that I don't like the big city very much! |
September 14, 2012, 11:46 AM | #35 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 20, 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,185
|
No 45acp,only 45 automatic!
A few years ago before the local Walmart was remodeled, the ammo was kept under the counter and was hard to see. You had to look across the counter area and see under the opposite counter, then go to the other side and do the same. I went in one morning and asked for 45 acp. the clerk said "We don't have that. All we have is 45 automatic." I told her "Oh well maybe I can make that work." and bought the 45 automatic. Maybe I should have told her they are the same, but I was too busy trying not to laugh. Since then they have remodeled and put the ammo in glass cases so customers can see it as well as the guns. Also the same clerk still works in that department and has learned a lot.
As others have said, don't count on help from the employees at Walmart. They get shuffled around a lot. Even the LGS employees may be lacking in knowledge. Do your own research. What I find even more disturbing is when a car salesman is trying to sell me a car and can't figure out how to unlock it. It has happened.
__________________
This is my gun. There are many like her, but this one is mine. I'm not old. I'm CLASSIC! |
September 14, 2012, 06:55 PM | #36 |
Member
Join Date: August 17, 2012
Posts: 20
|
Local wal marts dont carry 45 colt and are always out of 380, so nothing there for me
|
September 15, 2012, 08:49 AM | #37 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 25, 2010
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 3,309
|
Quote:
As for the above comment. I am strong pro-business and have owned retail stores, including a gun shop, that had to compete with big box stores. I did it by offering items and service the BBs couldn't or wouldn't offer. When our local Wal-Mart expanded to a huge Super Center (biggest one in the world at the time), we had one gun shop in town. Today we have six and all but the original are doing very well. The original is owned by a jerk who had business only because he was the only act in town. The others do well by providing products and services WM cannot. Additionally, about thirty other businesses have built and opened within a half mile of the new WM. Business attracts business and customers. With my gun shop I learned very quickly that I couldn't compete with the big box store down the road. To survive, and do well, I sold what they didn't offer and I gave service they never heard of. Laziness fails. Initiative and work succeed. So, to your comment, I politely respond: Bull Butter |
|
September 15, 2012, 09:36 AM | #38 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 4, 2010
Posts: 1,210
|
I don't shop at Walmart but if I did I wouldn't go in expecting the counter help to know anything about firearms. If it was another big box retailer like Gander Mtn or Cabelas that's different because a lot of their business is derived from firearm sales, so I would expect the staff to know something about guns.
|
September 15, 2012, 09:42 AM | #39 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 4, 2010
Posts: 1,210
|
Quote:
|
|
September 16, 2012, 02:20 PM | #40 |
Junior Member
Join Date: September 14, 2012
Posts: 7
|
the various ones around me are always out of 9mm.
|
September 16, 2012, 02:59 PM | #41 |
Junior Member
Join Date: March 25, 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 6
|
I don't get it...
If these associates (wherever they may be employed) don't know their merchandise, store/company policies, prices, etc., then why are they still on the payroll? Why are they there at all? Aren't these people hired to assist the customer (facilitate sales) and perform other duties of the position?
It would be difficult or impossible to be an "expert" on every piece of merchandise sold, a sales associate should at least have some basic knowledge of the products in their inventory. Geez, how hard is that? I'm sick and tired of ignorant employees, and I'm sick and tired of those who make excuses for them. I think many who dismiss such gross lack of retail customer service to low pay, are missing the point. And stores who continue to employees such people are doing a disservice to their customers and damage to their overall profitability. |
September 16, 2012, 03:35 PM | #42 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 28, 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,231
|
I only need the person at Walmart
1.To get me what I tell them to get me. 2. To be able to run a register to check me out correctly. Anything over that and you are probably in for a reality check. They are there because WalMart doesn't want to pay anybody that much. The main duties are keeping the shelves stocked and the store clean and neat looking. which some do not do a good job of.
__________________
Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member |
September 16, 2012, 03:39 PM | #43 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 3, 2012
Location: Northeast, Fl
Posts: 254
|
I picked up the phone on the counter and called the managers office. I said I'd like to buy some ammo but there is no one around here. I was quickly assisted...lol
|
September 16, 2012, 11:33 PM | #44 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 21, 2010
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,360
|
Quote:
If you don't like it, don't go there. Seeing this is your first post I don't know if you are trolling or if this is a legitimate complaint. As already discussed, you CANNOT expect a generic big box store with min-wage employees to know everything. Want to talk to a knowledgable employee about firearms? Go to your local gun store instead. But even then some of those employees may not always know what their talking about, but the odds are better than WM. |
|
September 17, 2012, 12:08 AM | #45 | |
Staff
Join Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Foothills of the Appalachians
Posts: 13,059
|
Quote:
If I want superior service and credible advice, I'm going to have to pay for it. Sorry, but you don't get Neiman Marcus service at pennies over wholesale.
__________________
Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe |
|
September 17, 2012, 03:23 AM | #46 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 18, 2008
Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy
Posts: 2,884
|
Rifleman1776:
Waiting a while to buy a fishing license with another guy also waiting, I simply avoided the Walmart "chain of command", picked up the pager handset and paged that section of the store to send somebody to the gun counter. It worked. At Dick's, after waiting several minutes just to buy a box of .22 ammo, I reached over the end of the counter for the red box, and would have walked behind the counter if necessary. |
September 17, 2012, 09:33 AM | #47 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 25, 2010
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 3,309
|
Quote:
A contradiction with today's employment/unemployment situation is a lot of people are out of work. At the same time, the businessmen I know say it is almost impossible to hire people who are even a little bit reliable. To help manage that problem, Wal-Mart keeps about half of it's staff as part timers who can be called in on short notice to fill in for an employee who simply fails to show up that day. It is a symptom of today's society. Many young people have no sense of responsibility at all. None. BTW, check it out, WM pays quite well, few of their employees are at min-wage. My original post was simply an amusing story about something I observed. FWIW, when I buy electronics, there is always someone on hand who is very knowledgable. I bought a nice flat screen TV several months ago and couldn't have had better service anywhere. |
|
September 17, 2012, 02:24 PM | #48 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2012
Location: IL, USA
Posts: 163
|
My main problem with the WMs around me is that they under-order their ammo and always seem to be out of .45ACP and .223, and surprisingly low on .22LR. My other problem is the nearly incompetent staff. I know others have voiced that I shouldn't expect to be dealing with Einstein, and I'm really not, but if you work with the computer systems, you should understand how they function. I say this because two years ago (before I was 21), I was informed that I could not purchase .22LR ammo. The reason for this was the sales associate behind the counter apparently misread the question of whether the ammo was for a rifle or pistol (which they are supposed to ask the customer as to its purpose), and (I'm assuming) marked that it was for a pistol since it was a small round and he didn't know any better. I saw the manager's number on the counter and called her, asking her if she could explain this fubar situation to me. Her only comment was, "It's simply store policy," when I explained to her that I was aware of WM store policy and this was not correct, she told me off by saying that "I'm sure my sales associate..." I didn't hang around to hear the rest, I hung up on her, walked out of the store, and haven't been back in since. Oh well, their loss, now other area WMs and my LGS get all of my ammo and target purchases.
__________________
I have a mild interest in guns. Actually, I think the clinical term is "obsession," but that makes me sound like some kind of gun-nut. Which is fair, since I am. Wastin' away my future children's inheritance one box of ammo, range fee, and bottle of Hoppe's #9 at a time. |
September 17, 2012, 02:34 PM | #49 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 1, 2011
Location: Texas, land of Tex-Mex
Posts: 2,259
|
Quote:
My only issue with ammo (they don't sell forearms in the Walmarts I've been to) is its behind the case and getting an associate is often a hassle. Academy changed recently and now has most of its ammo out front. I'd rather buy there when possible, just to avoid the hassle. |
|
September 18, 2012, 12:35 AM | #50 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 10, 2011
Posts: 197
|
I only go to Wally World because they have ammo for $5-$10 cheaper than the LGS. Dealing with the people they hire, however, I'm glad to have a friend who reloads.
I went to purchase a box of .45 acp, and the clerk gave me this blank stare before handing me a box of 30-06. I pointed right at the box I wanted, and after what seemed several minutes, he grabbed a box of .40's. Third times the charm and he finally got me the right box. Then he tried to ring up all 3 boxes. Thank goodness for mama teaching me patience for stupid people. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|