turbo33 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) A little while ago, after a last minute decision, I went to a local gunshop to get a particular scope. It was a tickle after 4pm on a Saturday and as I walked in, I was greeted by the owner. " I hope you don't want much as I'm just closing!" Astounded, I said no thank you and left. Glancing back, the sign on the door said closing hours 4.30pm! I've not been back since! I've just been to pick up my SP1 from the gun dealer I usually use, having had it returned to GMK for some adjustments under warranty. It was left with them on 30th August. 5 weeks later its back, 3 weeks of that it was sitting in the shop un noticed, whilst I was told of the various difficulties at GMK being responsible for the delay! It was un ceremoniously given back to me with no apology for the delay, box of shells, nothing, oh except a bill for £25 postage Whilst I was there, waiting,............................................ I browsed all the nice blokey stuff, as you do, trying to justify buying one of those, a couple of tins of these, oooh, that's a nice knife and I'm sure that jacket will be better than the other 10 I have One of the senior members of staff is without doubt, the rudest employer that I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Without the boring details, he was the only member of staff available for sales at that time, and as he was busy being off hand with a customer on the phone, I left with no more toys, but my wallet intact He will, without a shadow of a doubt, be losing the owner HUGE sums of money in potential sales. The nature of our sport is such that our passion for it will induce us to part with lots of our hard earned money. From hundreds to many more thousands of pounds for some and repeat business. You would have thought they would work it out wouldn't you! On a more positive note, on the back of the above, I ordered some Air rifle pellets from JS Ramsbottom. Not only did they have 3 different head sized available, they were 30% cheaper, delivered, perfectly wrapped so no damaged pellets and next day delivery inc! They really set a standard of service to be admired. Edited October 10, 2014 by turbo33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I have ordered quite a bit of stuff off JS Ramsbottom as well and always found them reasonable priced, fast on delivery, goods well wrapped. One item came in a sealed manufacturers wrapper that turned out to be faulty when opened. I got in touch and sent them a photo of the item and got a prompt refund with an apology as they had no more in stock. You can,t ask for better than that sort of service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 A little while ago, after a last minute decision, I went to a local gunshop to get a particular scope. It was a tickle after 4pm on a Saturday and as I walked in, I was greeted by the owner. " I hope you don't want much as I'm just closing!" Astounded, I said no thank you and left. Glancing back, the sign on the door said closing hours 4.30pm! I've not been back since! I've just been to pick up my SP1 from the gun dealer I usually use, having had it returned to GMK for some adjustments under warranty. It was left with them on 30th August. 5 weeks later its back, 3 weeks of that it was sitting in the shop un noticed, whilst I was told of the various difficulties at GMK being responsible for the delay! It was un ceremoniously given back to me with no apology for the delay, box of shells, nothing, oh except a bill for £25 postage Whilst I was there, waiting,............................................ I browsed all the nice blokey stuff, as you do, trying to justify buying one of those, a couple of tins of these, oooh, that's a nice knife and I'm sure that jacket will be better than the other 10 I have One of the senior members of staff is without doubt, the rudest employer that I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Without the boring details, he was the only member of staff available for sales at that time, and as he was busy being off hand with a customer on the phone, I left with no more toys, but my wallet intact He will, without a shadow of a doubt, be losing the owner HUGE sums of money in potential sales. The nature of our sport is such that our passion for it will induce us to part with lots of our hard earned money. From hundreds to many more thousands of pounds for some and repeat business. You would have thought they would work it out wouldn't you! On a more positive note, on the back of the above, I ordered some Air rifle pellets from JS Ramsbottom. Not only did they have 3 different head sized available, they were 30% cheaper, delivered, perfectly wrapped so no damaged pellets and next day delivery inc! They really set a standard of service to be admired. without naming the shops a fairly unhelpful post for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 The gun shop in pwllheli north Wales is JUST the opposite they can not do enough for you Adrien is very helpful if he can get it for you he will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) without naming the shops a fairly unhelpful post for me. It wasn't meant to be a helpful post, more of a discussion . However, the first one has changed hands, surprisingly enough, so it wouldn't be fair to name them. The second one, well if you went in there, you would be able to make up your own mind within a nano second, the rest is up to you Edited October 10, 2014 by turbo33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) Two in our area are chalk and cheese. One I swore after one visit I would never darken the doors of again after one visit! not giving a monkeys didnt go half way to describe how I was treated. The other one has had thousands of pounds worth of sales over the past few years as their service is exceptional. I put a lot of business their way that I could get a bit cheaper on line as the after sales service is fantastic. Case in point I bought a second hand Beretta semi off them and when I tried it out it was jamming a lot with normal loads. Took it back, promp apology for the issues within a week full stripdown and check issue fixed and gun given back to me with a small video clip shown of the gunsmith rattling through 20 catridges of the type I use to show it was working well. Edited October 10, 2014 by Zetter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 IMO we dont have a decent gun shop in Shropshire, yet loads of shooters. We do have Brock & Norris which is good for CF and Rimfire but air guners and shotguners are restricted to agricultrual merchants and fishing takle shops. Now if I want face to face service I travel to Sandwell Field sports which with the M6 can be anything from a 40/45 min drive upto 2hrs and if not I use Uttings and Redbeck, both give excellent service. ATB Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I have ordered quite a bit of stuff off JS Ramsbottom as well and always found them reasonable priced, fast on delivery, goods well wrapped. One item came in a sealed manufacturers wrapper that turned out to be faulty when opened. I got in touch and sent them a photo of the item and got a prompt refund with an apology as they had no more in stock. You can,t ask for better than that sort of service. Sadly i've had quite the opposite experience with them. I shall never use them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tollerman Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Last year I asked Lincoln guns to send a sixteen bore over and under to a well known "Essex" gun shop.I was amazed to find they wanted over £ 200 more than the twelve and twenty bores of this model on sale " it's special I was told " .One of the assistants queried this but the manager dismissed it.To add insult to injury the gun I was hoping to part exchange was not acceptable as it was apparently unsafe to use.( it was later checked by a proper gunsmith and found to be fine).The attitude of the manager was one of I doing you a favour by serving and if you don't like it tough.Gun shops are very much like any other retail outlet either very good or very unhelpful .If you find a good one stick with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Last year I asked Lincoln guns to send a sixteen bore over and under to a well known "Essex" gun shop.I was amazed to find they wanted over £ 200 more than the twelve and twenty bores of this model on sale " it's special I was told " .One of the assistants queried this but the manager dismissed it.To add insult to injury the gun I was hoping to part exchange was not acceptable as it was apparently unsafe to use.( it was later checked by a proper gunsmith and found to be fine).The attitude of the manager was one of I doing you a favour by serving and if you don't like it tough.Gun shops are very much like any other retail outlet either very good or very unhelpful .If you find a good one stick with it. Would it have been the owners son that served you by any chance or do I have the wrong shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tollerman Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 You must have been there as well then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 You must have been there as well then. If it's the same shop I used them years ago with excellent service but then it changed hands I last went about three years ago told him exactly what I wanted ordering and then the son spent fifteen minutes telling me why I did not want that but something else he had in the rack.I left without placing an order and went to my now dealers derek lee in boston and got what I asked for and £400 cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tollerman Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I use Eastern Sporting now and find them extremely helpful.With the attitude we have both experienced its a wonder the other place has any customers left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I know what you mean. I recently went to a shop, that has recently re-located and thought I'd have a little look around. I usually always buy all my stuff from a less well known RFD who resides on a family owned farm and is one of the most helpful chaps I know of and I can buy ammo and zero there and then which is handy. However, thought on the off chance it was worth a look. Within 2 minutes I was made to feel a little unwelcome - no 'hi' or anything just stares from the staff and it made me feel quite unwelcome and uneasy. I then looked at the price tags on some items and swiftly walked out. I get the feeling that some of these shops only want to deal with you if you walk in looking like you are made of money and are head to foot in Le Chameau or similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I have 4 gunshops within 20 miles but only one acts as if they actually want my business and I do use them, but guns are only a part of what they do. For my last major purchase I drove 70 miles each way to Greenfields in Salisbury and they've got it right IMO. Good prices, good service, good selection, a welcoming atmosphere and you can park right outside for £1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Few gun shops near me in manchester.. Some ok some horrific I travel out of town to use a well known shop off the m6... The two gunshops that are near me are a disgrace.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinach Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 My local gunshop is expensive and polite to a point, the girls lovely but you know when your paying over the odds, they sold me a gun with a faulty striker, three months wait for a fix as they wouldn't hassle the gunsmith!! I buy very little from them whereas when I visit my Mum I always pop in and spend too much at Aaron Wheelers in Brighouse. It does appear to be my gunshop. When up in London I always have a wander to William Evans always polite and helpful never bought much more than a couple of boxes of shells but have a chat , even when after an early run down to drop my son off and looking like a wrung out hankie polite beyond whereas across the road in the berretta shop I have never felt more ushered away. The answer is easy, really it's a shame my wife will only go into Wheelers because the others she's wandered into to spend money for my Birthdays etc have been consistently rude , my wife is not easily overpowered. Act with your wallet. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 (edited) My local gunshop is expensive and polite to a point, the girls lovely but you know when your paying over the odds, they sold me a gun with a faulty striker, three months wait for a fix as they wouldn't hassle the gunsmith!! I buy very little from them whereas when I visit my Mum I always pop in and spend too much at Aaron Wheelers in Brighouse. It does appear to be my gunshop. When up in London I always have a wander to William Evans always polite and helpful never bought much more than a couple of boxes of shells but have a chat , even when after an early run down to drop my son off and looking like a wrung out hankie polite beyond whereas across the road in the berretta shop I have never felt more ushered away. The answer is easy, really it's a shame my wife will only go into Wheelers because the others she's wandered into to spend money for my Birthdays etc have been consistently rude , my wife is not easily overpowered. Act with your wallet. John. Strange that I have always been made to feel extremely welcome in the beretta shop when I do travel down.all the staff call me by my first name and can never seem to do enough for me.it's also the same when I use my local shop.I have over the years of course found some that have not been so welcoming but they have many thousands of reasons to regret this as I never returned. Edited October 15, 2014 by bostonmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocette Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 My local gunshop is expensive and polite to a point, the girls lovely but you know when your paying over the odds, they sold me a gun with a faulty striker, three months wait for a fix as they wouldn't hassle the gunsmith!! I buy very little from them whereas when I visit my Mum I always pop in and spend too much at Aaron Wheelers in Brighouse. It does appear to be my gunshop. When up in London I always have a wander to William Evans always polite and helpful never bought much more than a couple of boxes of shells but have a chat , even when after an early run down to drop my son off and looking like a wrung out hankie polite beyond whereas across the road in the berretta shop I have never felt more ushered away. The answer is easy, really it's a shame my wife will only go into Wheelers because the others she's wandered into to spend money for my Birthdays etc have been consistently rude , my wife is not easily overpowered. Act with your wallet. John. I would second that positive comment regarding Aaron Wheeler at Brighouse,,,nothing is too much trouble and very competitive prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 the 3 gun guys I use in my area are all pretty good but if they're were not I'd certainly be telling them so and not simply walking out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Three good shops within 50 miles of me that I use. A&D Supplies - Northwich I have always been made welcome and even if I dont buy they are pleasant. Valley Arms and sister company at Bangor - always helpful and a pleasant walk round when in Ruthin. I've been to H&H in London and was allowed into the hallowed halls of the gun room, but was mistaken for a 'loader'. William Evans are splendid but having bought too many cartridges (paper case) I quickly regretted it. Plenty of others I have been to in small and large towns (Hereford e.g.) have closed. It seems that by diversifying into pet foods/farm foods etc gunshops can survive. One last very positive mention for Philip Morris in Hereford - lots of good deals on shooting related clothing when I was last in and excellent service, they also sell guns. Not many bad un's, one certainly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scobydog Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Use one near me not the cheapest but always got a good service off them, took my gun in today for a new firing pin will be ready Friday, can't ask for more than that, maybe as times get tougher people hire less knowledgeable and less polite staff as they are cheaper to employ. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinach Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Strange that I have always been made to feel extremely welcome in the beretta shop when I do travel down.all the staff call me by my first name and can never seem to do enough for me.it's also the same when I use my local shop.I have over the years of course found some that have not been so welcoming but they have many thousands of reasons to regret this as I never returned.I'm glad to hear it. But I'd never step foot again. In fact I went specifically to buy something and ended up buying from berretta eu . There is a tall effete American who I could just not hand over money to. I'm no loss to the shop, just saddened by it and pleased that over the road I had such a different experience.John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 (edited) It wasn't meant to be a helpful post, more of a discussion . However, the first one has changed hands, surprisingly enough, so it wouldn't be fair to name them. The second one, well if you went in there, you would be able to make up your own mind within a nano second, the rest is up to you I know exactly the shop your on about and sadly, the new owner is as rude as the previous and they have the cheek to complain that people use the net and don't support local shops BB Edited October 15, 2014 by Bluebarrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 I have found Uttings and Chamberlins gave superb service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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