I can definitely relate to the sentiments expressed in the original post. I own a small "pop" pawnshop (not even Mom & Pop) and sell guns as part of that. Let's just say that gun shoppers are an interesting lot. I'm sure the pawnshop experience is vastly different than the leather chair and bookshelf gun boutique scene, but . . .
The genuine gun guy buyers are fine. Many are salt of the Earth types. Some you would be happy to restart a nation with. They account for about 10-15 percent of folks at the gun counter and a HUGE part of your gun sales. These are the "Super Gun Owners" that the national media expresses concern about, the ones that own half the guns in America. A few, the black-gun erector-set enthusiats especially, make you shake your head from time to time but you're happy for customers who spend money. If you're smart you treat these guys well.
Another 15 percent or so are simply legitimate consumers who are interested in making a one-time or occasional purchase but place no more emotional or spiritual attachment to the product they're buying. THey'll buy a gun and you may never see them again, or only rarely. They're easy. You do your best to try to serve them and encourage them to increase their interest.
Maybe 5 percent are up to no good. They're either criminals or criminal want-to-be types. You do good if you can run them out as quickly as possible without drama. You do not want to sell them a gun.
Another 5 percent think they're slick. They're trying to pull one over on you somehow. They're easy to spot. They're actually sort of fun to play with.
The simply curious make up another 10 percent or so. They don't come into the pawnshop to look at guns but so long as they're there they'll peek, ask a few questions and maybe touch something. You spend a few minutes being hospitable but don't expect anything from them.
Probably two-thirds of the people who approach my gun counter are a total waste of time. They don't have any money and aren't likely to have any money any time soon. There is no chance whatsoever that they will make a purchase. You know it and they know it but they pretend it's not the case. You pretend that there's hope. If they propose a trade they expect you to give them 125 percent of retail for their gun and want to buy yours for 30 percent off. Many cruise the gun counter for entertainment. It's fun for them to keep track of everybody's inventory and handle anything new. They'll hang out at the counter and hold court. Some will regale you with stories of guns they own, guns they used to own, guns their brother-in-law, uncle or hunting buddy owns. They'll relive their hunts. They'll tell you about the guns they should have bought. They are poseurs. They'll expound at length on topics they know nothing about. You hold your tongue and check your facial expressions as you catch them again and again in obvious lies, falsehoods and erroneous opinions. They'll play "stump the clerk" trying to draw you into to taking a position on some minutia that they hold a firm opinion about and then tell you why you're wrong. They are forever in search of unicorns -- oddball calibers, truly unique firearms and accessories that one person in 100,000 might desire, secure in the confidence that you won't have hen's teeth in stock (nothing is more fun than producing the elusive unicorn and watching them squirm while coming up with an excuse why they're not ready to buy today). Smile and play along. It's hard though when it comes to prices. They'll low-ball you and accuse you of profiteering, oblivious to the slim margins and the high cost of business. These people -- again, probably at least half the people who approach the gun counter -- suck the life out of you. They are there to use you and give nothing back. They are the reason that so many people in the gun business are humorless and surly.
Add to this the whole Internet thing and, well, gun sales ain't all it's cracked up to be. Nothing like spending a half hour showing a guy handguns only to get a transfer for him from Grab-a-Gun a week later for the same gun you showed him. You can't blame him when you see that his Internet price was lower than your supposed wholesale dealer's cost.
So, yeah, I know where the OP is coming from. Fortunately, there's enough honest, decent people among the gun community to make it mostly worthwhile. There sure are a lot of people who try your patience, however. Each of you is free to decide for yourself where you fit in.
Last edited by bladeswitcher; 11/19/17 11:51 AM.
