Quoted:
The moral of the story???
Only shop at REAL gun stores.
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Hate to do this, but Garandman...I have to disagree a little with you.
I live in IL and the only close/real gunshop to me is Smoke -n- Gun in Waukegan. Now, I am a very mild mannered person, but they DONE PISSED ME OFF on more than one occasion. I will cite a couple for you.
1. Most recently; went in looking for a front site tool for my AR. Thought well I could order it online or support my local economy. When I asked if they had any, I was chastised and told how the whole weapon could be broken down with a 223 round (which I already knew) clerk calls over another clerk who proceeds to tell me all he ever uses is a 223 round. Gee I thought you were here to sell me things...
2. Last October right after my son was born, my father in law gave me the first shotgun he got when he was 12. It is an HR Topper in 16 ga. Now it was rusty and dirty due to a flood they had had, so I took it to S-N-G and inquired about getting it cleaned and reblued. I was told that it would cost about $150, when I said "great, do it" The clerks were questioning me...."that's a $50 gun" etc, trying to talk me out of the work. I explained the history of this firearm to them and told them to do the work. (The job they did was beautiful.) But why did I have to explain why I wanted this rusty shotgun reblued?
3. Went in looking for 16ga reloading materials, and was asked by clerk, "why would you spend the money on that? you can buy new shells cheaper..." I walked out.
4. Looked in the "milk crate" where they threw a bunch of USGI 30rd magazines in. All stickers read $25 ... even the most homely with less that 40% finish left on them. Gee dont sell me what I want but RAPE me on your POS magazines? Don't think so...
5. When I was shopping round for my Glock model 19. Knew what I wanted, went in and was told at that time (fall 98) "Oh we dont even mess with those cause they don't come with high capacity magazines"....F--- OFF. Went to sports authority and bought it cheaper than they were selling the used ones for.
6. "Oh we don't carry SA surplus ammo we don't know the quality of it so we wont order it" Yet has some Malaysian Surp 223 on the counter???
7. "Why would you want to buy a 1911 frame and build it yourself? That would cost more than buying a new gun....."
Why do I have to explain to a sales person why I want to buy what I want to buy? This shop will never get another dime from me, not that they seemed to ever want it. I either drive a couple hours to other gun shops (very rare), order it online, or if I need it in a hurry I go to BassPro up here. I have never had anything close to good customer service or even passable customer service. As far as I am concerned my "local gun shop" can go scratch. I'll take my business to stores that want it...