quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
Check, check and then check again to make sure every firearm is unloaded. Then check one more time to make sure.

Even after you check, treat every firearm as if it was loaded. Understand that most customers won't do this. That's why I wrote what I did up top.

Remember Carlo M. Cipolla's Five Fundamental Laws of Human Stupidity. A gun store is not immune to these laws. Act accordingly.

This right here - An Associate at Gary’s (local fun store where I used to live) was shot several years back in the foot when another associate was “dry firing” an unloaded pistol that was handed to him from a regular, well respected repeat customer who said the pistol was not loaded.

Like all retail, much of customer engagement is patience and understanding what the customer needs versus what they're interested in. My background is in technical outdoor clothing and equipment, same issues with firearms where there's A LOT of education involved.
The crux to each engagement is making sure your time is not monopolized with one customer. Ask open-ended questions, don't get swamped with analogies or stories and focus on the business at-hand. Provide options instead of single-item recommendations. Don't get in the way of a sale, firearms is a low-margin business so, every sale is important if someone is dead-set on buying a KelTec, HiPoint or a Canik help them out but don't kill the sale.

As a hobby, OK, but as a job I'd give it a thumbs down.
Lots of responsibility to not do anything wrong and dealing with the public can be tiresome. The income potential would seem to be limited.

At my local gun shop there is this guy that I avoid at all cost he is the one who knows everything about guns, shot every gun in extensive test's and ballistics blah blah blah. just can't stand him and would never give him a sale.

on the other hand there is another guy that's just easy going does his best to help and is great to talk to. be that guy.

One thing about working at a gun shop...you will become bored with the normal stuff. Glocks, Taurus, S&W, blah...blah...blah. It will become where the really odd ball stuff will perk your interest.

Do NOT ever get complacent with checking firearms. there will be that one guy that swears it was unloaded. just saying.

At some point, in the not too distant future, you will look up and say "Not this a$$hole again". DO NOT SAY IT OUT LOUD!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Johnny 3eagles,

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
At some point, in the not too distant future, you will look up and say "Not this a$$hole again". DO NOT SAY IT OUT LOUD!

if you are on the counter, and suddenly everyone vacates to the back room, or suddenly have to take a break, look around,

''that guy'' is likely headed to the counter,

and you just got stuck

however, ''that guy'', no matter how much oxygen he sucks out the room, can be a good customer,

"Can you check in the back?"

The customer thinks "The Back" looks like the final scene from Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark.