Bought wrong ammo!

[Leanwolf]

That is the type of mistake that could easily happen at any gun shop. Even very knowledgeable sales person could easily see 357 on a box of ammo and pick up the wrong one by mistake. I've seen similar things happen with people buying 375 H&H mag when they need 375 Winchester ammo. With 5-6 different 300 magnums it is a common issue with someone knowing the difference, but still picking up the wrong box.

That opposite but exact same thing happened to a hunting buddy of mine and me at a well known, popular gun store in Los Angeles, years ago. My buddy asked for .375 H&H Magnum and the clerk handed him a box of .375 Winchester. My buddy had to explain the difference. Finally the clerk found the proper ammo so my buddy had him open the .375 Win. ammo box and compare the two cartridges. The clerk was embarrassed .... but enlightened.

Stuff happens even at the best of gun stores.

L.W.

 

[.308 Norma]

It wasn't at Walmart; I think the name of the place was "Sunset Sports" where the young guy behind the counter handed me a couple of boxes of 7mm-08s - AFTER I pointed them out to him. It was then he asked me, "Now what's the difference between 7mm-08 bullets and regular 7mm bullets?"

I didn't know how to answer, but I didn't get mad either - kind of a major achievement for me. I felt that at least the young guy was trying. I finally just said, "Well there's a lot of different types of 7mms, mine is a 7mm-08.

 

[GBExpat]

... I didn't know how to answer, but I didn't get mad either - kind of a major achievement for me. I felt that at least the young guy was trying. ...

Well done!

 

[Walkalong]

Customer said no, I need 38 S&W, 38 Smith and Wesson. Clerk said oh, this fits Colts, Smith & Wessons and everything.

Love it!

When I was a young man I did it the opposite. I asked the fellow what caliber the revolver was. He told me it was a .38. Cool. I bought it. I got home and my .38 Spl ammo wouldn't go all the way in the cylinder. Huh?

Been shooting .38 S&W caliber ever since.

Yep, it's on us to double check them.

 

[goldpelican]

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you must now buy a Sig .357. I know that may come as a let-down.

It was my first thought.

 

[jgiehl]

Logic would dictate that now you need to buy the right gun.

 

[jeepnik]

Interestingly I came close once. I went into a Big 5 during a sale. I ask the kid (was he really old enough to be selling ammo) for some 20 ga #4 buck. He comes back with 12ga 00 buck. I explain that I need 20 ga. He insist they will work in "any" shotgun and they are "more powerful" than what I was asking for.

I finally had to have him call the manager. When the manager got there I began to understand who had trained(?) the kid. Rather than try and educate two complete idiots I left. An email to Big 5 about the possible liability they could face with mensa members like this handling firearms and ammunition went unanswered.

 

[P5 Guy]

Way back when the WallyMarts actually had 22LR without restrictions I went to purchase a couple of bulk pack stuff.
Apparently the cash register has a flag to ask about age of the buyer. I was asked, and seeing as I was about 45 at the time, if this was to be used in a handgun or rifle?
I pointed to the box and stated "It says Long Rifle". The clerk smiled knowingly and said "I have to ask to ring your purchase up"

 

[acdodd]

Years ago I was in a gun shop when a woman came in with a box of .22.
She told the guy he sold her the wrong bullets.
He said I gave you what you asked for, the smallest bullets we have.
She said she didn't care they were to small.
She wouldn't bring the gun in and was insistent she wanted something just a little bigger.
He sold her a box of .25 and she left with no idea what she wanted.
I always wondered how that worked out for her.
My BIL gave me a box of .357 Gap for Christmas one year.
I traded it off for .357 mag at a gun show.

 

[Metal God]

I agree you "can" say walmart employees

How ever think about all the things you/we seem to think they should be experts in . What all is in the sporting good section ????? Do you really think it reasonable every employee should know what tennis racket grip size is best for me then go into the next isle and help a guy pick the loft on his golf club to then go to the next isle help find the best jig for small mouth bass in the north west . Oh then head over to the gun counter and know every ammo and how it relates to all guns .

 

[Theohazard]

At the old shop I worked at we had a few boxes of .45 GAP on the shelf that we couldn't get rid of. I'd guess that about 95% of the people purchasing it thought it was .45 ACP.

At first I tried to train all our employees to ask customers who were buying it if they really needed .45 GAP or if they meant to buy .45 ACP. But there were still customers who mistakenly bought it and then came back to return it. Finally I just gave up and kept it behind the counter.

 

[Sunray]

Go talk to 'em.
This is from the Walmart web site.
"Due to federal restrictions, this item must be returned in its original package, or with secure ORM-D packaging obtained from the post office. We advise keeping the original packaging for at least 90 days. See our returns policy for more information."
Nothing on the site about not taking ammo other than original package and within 90 days.

 

[buck460XVR]

Way back when the WallyMarts actually had 22LR without restrictions I went to purchase a couple of bulk pack stuff.
Apparently the cash register has a flag to ask about age of the buyer. I was asked, and seeing as I was about 45 at the time, if this was to be used in a handgun or rifle?
I pointed to the box and stated "It says Long Rifle". The clerk smiled knowingly and said "I have to ask to ring your purchase up"

I'll never forget the day I was behind a young guy at WalMart buying .22 shells a few years back when they were hard to find. The woman at the counter asked him if they were for a rifle or a handgun and he replied with a smile "They're for a machine gun!". She replied, "wrong answer" and put the three boxes on the cash register behind her, told him she had the right to refuse to sell ammo to anyone she did not get a truthful answer from, and proceeded to checkout the rest of his items as he stood there with his mouth open.

 

[Cannibul]

It wasn't at Walmart; I think the name of the place was "Sunset Sports" where the young guy behind the counter handed me a couple of boxes of 7mm-08s - AFTER I pointed them out to him. It was then he asked me, "Now what's the difference between 7mm-08 bullets and regular 7mm bullets?"

I didn't know how to answer, but I didn't get mad either - kind of a major achievement for me. I felt that at least the young guy was trying. I finally just said, "Well there's a lot of different types of 7mms, mine is a 7mm-08.

You're showing your Age.

Sunset Sports Center's were purchased by Herman's World of Sports 1987. I worked for SSC for seven years. 1980-1987 in Washington.

The old logo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/phydeaux460/8063897830

 

[Ramey]

Just came back from bass pro. I really enjoy being able to look at the ammo myself. Had too many bad experiences and won't buy ammo behind the counter.

 

[wally]

People like to bad mouth gun shows, but I bought a sealed can of surplus .308 ammo at one, when I opened it, turned out to be 8mm Mauser. The dealer exchanged it for the proper ammo at the next show. Mistakes happen. Too bad surplus ammo is pretty scarce now.

 

[.308 Norma]

You're showing your Age.

Sunset Sports Center's were purchased by Herman's World of Sports 1987. I worked for SSC for seven years. 1980-1987 in Washington.

The old logo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/phydeaux460/8063897830

Wow, I didn't know it was that long ago. But yeah, I am pretty old - 69 soon.
Thanks for telling me about Sunset Sports. I always wondered whatever became of them.
That link you provided shows a picture of the Sunset Sports sign in Boise, Idaho. However, the Sunset Sports I was referring to was in Pocatello, Idaho. We moved to Pocatello when I got out of the service in 1972. Several different businesses have occupied that particular Sunset Sports building since they left it (obviously in 1987). Right now I think it's some kind of used clothing store.

 

[bikemutt]

This happened to me at Dicks. It was a while ago but near as I recall I bought a .17 hmr rifle there and the counter guy said he highly recommended a particular ammo. I get to the range and figured pretty quick that ammo was not going to fit in that rifle. Turns out the ammo was .17 wsm, not hmr. I went back to the store and spoke with the manager, he agreed to refund me the price of the ammo and took it back. Had I not bought the gun there I don't think he would have accepted a return.

 

[Hardtarget]

Not long ago I called in an order for reloading components. My co worker picked it up. Two months later I open the bag to load for my .223 and found 2000 CCI #34 primers! So I called back and checked on exactly what I ordered. I ordered correctly, (CCI #41) they just grabbed the wrong boxes.I can use the #34 primers, but, it'll take a little while.

Mark

 

[hdwhit]

Walmart enough said

Walmart is not the "superior customer service" store, it is the "low price everyday" store. When someonegoes go to Walmart, they implicitly accept that they have to accept some responsibility for knowing what the minimum-wage clerk does not. Anyone going to Walmart expecting the associate at the sporting good counter being an expert about guns or ammunition is almost certainly going to be disappointed.

 

[horsey300]

Walmart is not the "superior customer service" store, it is the "low price everyday" store. When someonegoes go to Walmart, they implicitly accept that they have to accept some responsibility for knowing what the minimum-wage clerk does not. Anyone going to Walmart expecting the associate at the sporting good counter being an expert about guns or ammunition is almost certainly going to be disappointed.

I reckon that each Walmart has it's own demographic, when I was driving and delivering to them years ago, I got to tour a fair share of them, and while most of the stores are set up similarly and carry the same products, I did find there was a difference in staff and solutions to potential dissatisfaction depending on where I was standing that day. My two closest Walmart locations stock powder, bp as well as firearms, dies, (rcbs) and a select amount of archery equipment. At either location, both managers of the sporting goods department are knowledgeable and helpful. Sometimes the kids behind the counter need a little guidance but with patience, we do alright. The one manager even offered to loan me his own .45-70 when I found no place in town was carrying anything heavier than 180 gr for my 300wm and I was looking to put down a rogue bison for a local ranch. I know my experiences are not universal but I think that if Remington can continue to receive such praise after some of the issues they've encountered, then blaming another company for under trained (and sometimes understaffed) personnel on a $25 purchase seems petty. I have had bad service at cabelas and even the local gun stores get a new kid from time to time. We can help educate the ignorant when needed or we can simply write them off because of their uniforms......

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I did the same thing a few years ago. I wanted 357 mag and ended up with 357 sig. It was totally my fault, I was in a hurry and not paying attention. I ended up getting a 357 sig conversion barrel for my Glock 23. When life hands you lemons...

 

[entropy]

Walmart is not the "superior customer service" store, it is the "low price everyday" store. When someonegoes go to Walmart, they implicitly accept that they have to accept some responsibility for knowing what the minimum-wage clerk does not. Anyone going to Walmart expecting the associate at the sporting good counter being an expert about guns or ammunition is almost certainly going to be disappointed.

Not always, but more often than not. My best friend is a Sporting Good Dept. Mgr. at the Wal-Mart we work at, and a moderator on another gun forum. He knows guns. (I taught him most of what he knows) Some of the people who work for him, not so much. You ask, why don't I have that job? I like mine better. I sell glasses, because I have a lot of experience in that field also. And I don't have to work past 8 pm.

 

[stoky]

 

[entropy]

They all walk past me every day. Some come in the Vision Center , and some have blue vests on......