What bugs me about gun stores

[Rockrivr1]

Visited a gun store today as I was passing. There was one person behind the counter helping someone and I was perusing around. After a bit I didn't see anything that was of interest, but as a norm I usually buy a box or two of ammo just because I've come into someone's shop. Well this particular shop does the crap that really bugs me. They had all the ammo behind the counter and none of boxes had prices. So even if you want to see what the cost would be you'd have to actually talk to someone to find out. That is just total garbage. What, you going to change the price depending on how you feel and I guess you don't trust your customers so you hide the ammo behind the counter? Ammo has no business being behind the counter where customers can't see it. Another gun store in that town has the ammo on the floor so it's a decision this particular shop made. Don't think I'll be back to that that shop.

 

[one-eyed Jack]

Well. you can just lay on the counter, in cash, what you think is reasonable for the ammo that you want and tell the clerk that you'll take that there box. See how that works. Jack.

 

[Mesatchornug]

I know one shop that has ammo behind the counter so they can easily lock everything up at night. Something something "CMR" and all that.

 

[Buck F]

You’re a good man to purchase something although when I see someone buy a box or two of ammo (unless carry or specialty ammo) I usually figure it’s a noob who doesn’t know how to order by the case, lol.

I generally don’t buy from any store that forces you to ask the price.

 

[MaxStravinsky]

I don't like when any item doesn't have a price on it. Makes me think the salesman is going to decide how much $ he can get out of a customer, and will change the price accordingly. Sometimes a clerk will ask, 'where do you live', like he's making small talk. Then if you live in a ritzy area, he asks more money. I typically walk out of shops that don't have prices listed.

 

[Artie]

Out the shop!
/s

Like @Rockrivr1 , I always try to support the little guy and buy something when I enter a shop. Usually cleaning or reloading items

 

[Qwikdraw45]

You’re a good man to purchase something although when I see someone buy a box or two of ammo (unless carry or specialty ammo) I usually figure it’s a noob who doesn’t know how to order by the case, lol.

I generally don’t buy from any store that forces you to ask the price.

The one place I know that does that, makes you ask since it's behind the counter and not priced. I hate asking because the grouches there act like it's an incovenience to tell you, and that if you have to ask, it's going to be too much. I don't shop there anymore just because of the attitude of the two people there.

 

[40 Creedmoor fan]

I don't understand why this bothers you so much. If you don't like how they run the place, go somewhere else. I have a shop near my house but During 2020-21 ammo drought they used website scripting to buy up TS ammo and resell it for two-three times the price. I now go to a shop further away. My choice and no hard feelings

 

[strangenh]

Literally a fundamental part of open market capitalism is putting your prices out there. The whole pricing it upon request thing is pre-Quaker. This is 1600s stuff.

The Quakers And The Origin Of Fixed Prices

It is difficult to imagine a world without fixed prices. Consider how long it would take to buy groceries if customers had to haggle over the price of every apple and loaf of bread. Although the convenience of fixed prices may seem obvious to Western readers today, their pervasiveness is...

www.systemsofexchange.org

 

[Oley]

Visited a gun store today as I was passing. There was one person behind the counter helping someone and I was perusing around. After a bit I didn't see anything that was of interest, but as a norm I usually buy a box or two of ammo just because I've come into someone's shop. Well this particular shop does the crap that really bugs me. They had all the ammo behind the counter and none of boxes had prices. So even if you want to see what the cost would be you'd have to actually talk to someone to find out. That is just total garbage. What, you going to change the price depending on how you feel and I guess you don't trust your customers so you hide the ammo behind the counter? Ammo has no business being behind the counter where customers can't see it. Another gun store in that town has the ammo on the floor so it's a decision this particular shop made. Don't think I'll be back to that that shop.

I agree. You feel like you’re wasting the salespersons time and then if the price is ridiculous, you feel like a jerk saying ‘oh, nevermind.’ Even if they are the ones gouging on the price. But, I also get keeping it behind the counter if you find boxes have a habit of walking out the door. I could guess a certain cohort of kids from the city that can’t legally purchase shoplifting ammo from certain places with some frequency.

 

[strangenh]

I agree. You feel like you’re wasting the salespersons time and then if the price is ridiculous, you feel like a jerk saying ‘oh, nevermind.’ Even if they are the ones gouging on the price. But, I also get keeping it behind the counter if you find boxes have a habit of walking out the door. I could guess a certain cohort of kids from the city that can’t legally purchase shoplifting ammo from certain places with some frequency.

Right. Riley's had a lot of higher-end ammo behind the counter - really, I think it was more about space but anyhow - the boxes had price stickers. You had to ask for them, but the price wasn't on the fly.

 

[Snora]

I don't understand how you're both so generous that you feel the need to buy ammo as a self imposed shopping tax because you stepped into their store but also the price isn't listed so what if they charge more than you'd like to pay?

 

[timbo]

Most LGS's out here in MO keep their firearms and ammo behind the counter but the gun prices are legible from the other side of the counter...The one store in town that I visit from time to time has their ammo prices on a printout on the counter. I think he keeps it all on an excel spreadsheet on his computer and if prices change, as they do often, he just makes the necessary changes and prints out the new list. Most LGS's here are pretty small (not like the big ones in NH), in fact most of them, unless you are visiting a large city, are pawn/gun stores.

 

[BOSBoatMan]

Were you in Quincy by any chance, OP

 

[heck ya beaches]

Don't even get me started on some of the gun stores around me. The boxes of ammo are nowhere in sight! Makeup, soda, over the counter drugs, just out on the floor for anyone to browse. They even have a pharmacy department that gets confused and lies to you and tells you they don't sell ammo! Idiots!

 

[Hailstorm]

Anything without a price, puts me off. Tags on guns that have writing too small to read through the glass as well. If you have the ammo behind the counter. Give me a way to read it. I hate playing 20 questions. I don't buy plinking ammo since I reload. But, the personal protection stuff I do. I keep a running price on what I can do online. If the store is somewhat close. I will usually buy it. But, having to ask for that box, that box and oh. That box. What are the prices. What is even better is when there is only one person working and 3 people in store looking at guns.

 

[Wickedcoolname]

If you don't like stores where they don't put prices on the merchandise you must hate Walmart.

 

[Steve600]

I went to Runnings in Hinsdale NH yesterday and bought a few boxes of ammo. There was also an older guy buying a scope at the same time. The employee told us he had to walk us to the main register up front, new rule. We were talking on the way out and he told me there was so much stealing they had to do it. So from now on all purchases made in the sporting department have to be escorted to the main register. I should add he asked if we were done shopping, if not we could leave all the stuff on the counter and pick it up when we were ready to leave the store.

 

[Mesatchornug]

If you don't like stores where they don't put prices on the merchandise you must hate Walmart.

Maybe I'm missing your sarcasm, but every Walmart I've been to had price tags on the shelf for every product they sell...

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Visited a gun store today as I was passing. There was one person behind the counter helping someone and I was perusing around. After a bit I didn't see anything that was of interest, but as a norm I usually buy a box or two of ammo just because I've come into someone's shop. Well this particular shop does the crap that really bugs me. They had all the ammo behind the counter and none of boxes had prices. So even if you want to see what the cost would be you'd have to actually talk to someone to find out. That is just total garbage. What, you going to change the price depending on how you feel and I guess you don't trust your customers so you hide the ammo behind the counter? Ammo has no business being behind the counter where customers can't see it. Another gun store in that town has the ammo on the floor so it's a decision this particular shop made. Don't think I'll be back to that that shop.

Mark to market on a daily basis - just like PMs.

 

[SwampYankee42]

At a shop that rhymes with dicks
Somewhere in the sticks
I browsed for guns
And dodged the puns
Of fudds behind the desk
A lower priced so high
When an employee asked of I
"What do you want, were trying to close at 5"
Befuddled as i was
I bought a box because
My father taught me proper etiquette
I requested .308
And with an energy of hate
Was met with jeers and side eye from the staff
"What kind do you want?"
Which sounded like a taunt
I'd answer were they not behind the counter
For behind the counter lay
In states of disarray
A bevy of various hunting loads
Tired though I was
I bought a box but still
I muttered as I left "should've just gone to the mill"

 

[Waher]

Mark to market on a daily basis - just like PMs.

They could have the courtesy to fill out a whiteboard or chalkboard or post a spreadsheet daily like restaurants do.

 

[71montess]

At a shop that rhymes with dicks
Somewhere in the sticks
I browsed for guns
And dodged the puns
Of fudds behind the desk
A lower priced so high
When an employee asked of I
"What do you want, were trying to close at 5"
Befuddled as i was
I bought a box because
My father taught me proper etiquette
I requested .308
And with an energy of hate
Was met with jeers and side eye from the staff
"What kind do you want?"
Which sounded like a taunt
I'd answer were they not behind the counter
For behind the counter lay
In states of disarray
A bevy of various hunting loads
Tired though I was
I bought a box but still
I muttered as I left "should've just gone to the mill"

Does that rhyme ?

 

[Oley]

I don't understand how you're both so generous that you feel the need to buy ammo as a self imposed shopping tax because you stepped into their store but also the price isn't listed so what if they charge more than you'd like to pay?

I guess I feel like I should support the industry/small shops generally when I can b/c it’s so persecuted, particularly in MA. I don’t feel a need to buy anything from a place like Kittery Trading Post though.

 

[weekendracer]

I agree. You feel like you’re wasting the salespersons time and then if the price is ridiculous, you feel like a jerk saying ‘oh, nevermind.’ Even if they are the ones gouging on the price. But, I also get keeping it behind the counter if you find boxes have a habit of walking out the door. I could guess a certain cohort of kids from the city that can’t legally purchase shoplifting ammo from certain places with some frequency.

I don't think the 'behind the counter' is the basic rant. It's the 'no pricing', I don't understand how someone would be yanked about 'secure' ammo in today's day and age.

I'll continue to read the thread and see if my thoughts are wrong.

 

[Wickedcoolname]

Maybe I'm missing your sarcasm, but every Walmart I've been to had price tags on the shelf for every product they sell...

Evidently you don't go to my Walmart.

 

[In God We Trust]

Out the shop!
/s

Like @Rockrivr1 , I always try to support the little guy and buy something when I enter a shop. Usually cleaning or reloading items

Same. If I put wear and tear on their carpet I kind of feel obligated to at least get a couple boxes of ammo. I’m going to shoot it anyway, so at least it wasn’t a waste of gas. I don’t normally go in a store without plans to buy something anyway

 

[ddeck]

Evidently you don't go to my Walmart.

It’s just not always/ever arranged correctly.

I believe there is a MA law that everything has to have a price sticker or shelf tag.

There must be an exclusion for small stores, but large stores are bound by it. I’ve read how some people take advantage of it

 

[Road_Clam]

Don't like mom and pop gun store ammo prices ? Don't like no price mom and pop gun store ammo ? Stop whining, stop wasting your hard earned money on loaded ammo and invest in HANDLOADING.

 

[In God We Trust]

Don't like mom and pop gun store ammo prices ? Don't like no price mom and pop gun store ammo ? Stop whining, stop wasting your hard earned money on loaded ammo and invest in HANDLOADING.

Let’s be real. Hand loading is basically a hobby. If you count in the time investment, basement space, etc, is an average shooter really saving money?