Handgun Ignoramuses at Wal-Mart

[Partisan Ranger]

Went out to Wal-mart around lunch time today in Fairfax Va. I stopped by Wal-Mart to get some 9mm ammo (heard they have good prices). I asked the guys behind the counter to show me what they had in 9mm. After looking behind the counter for 2 minutes, they both told me they didn't have any.

I was rather mystified - a gun counter having no 9mm ammo is kinda like a bar not having Budweiser. I said, okey-doke, I'll check another store.

After they walked away, I was curious so I stepped around to the other side of the case so I could see the ammo they had been looking at. I saw about 6 rows of 9 mm Luger ammunition! Winchester, Remington, etc.

They either didn't know 9mm is 9mm Luger or they didn't want to show their ignorance.

I didn't bother to call them back. I'll go to a Wal-mart near my house.

P.R.

 

[Old Fuff]

Given Wal-Mart's attitude toward guns I don't buy their ammunition, or guns either. It may (or may not) cost me a bit more, but I'd rather spend my money at stores that support us.

 

[dinosaur]

You`re looking for the 100 round "white box" of Winchester 9mm. It comes loose in a white box, hence the name. Pretty good stuff.

 

[t-money]

Every time I buy ammo from them (I don't any more), the clerk looks at me like I'm some kind of crazed psycho, and says "The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for". I usually tell them that it's not illegal to purchase ammo, so it's none of their business.

Reminds me of the look I got at the 'Mailboxes etc' a couple of days ago when I sent my Glocks back to the factory for the frame recal deal. The guy with the nose ring just about had a coronary right then and there.

 

[BlkHawk73]

the clerk looks at me like I'm some kind of crazed psycho, and says "The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for".

When I used to buy ammo at Wl-Mart. They'd ask me this too. I'd tell them they were my targets. That's when you get a confused look.

 

[Rawlings]

Every time I buy ammo from them (I don't any more), the clerk looks at me like I'm some kind of crazed psycho, and says "The store requires us to ask you what this ammo is to be used for".

"For shooting up schools, of course.... wait, did I just say that out loud?"

 

[J Miller]

I learned long ago to walk around and look at the ammo in stores like K-Mart, Walmart, Target, ect before I ask the counter person anything. 90% of the employees of these places are not shooters, and don't know anything about ammo or guns.

If I see what I want, I point straight at it and say, I'd like to buy that box of ................... ammo.
This eliminates a lot of confusion.

As for the question of what am I going to do with this ammo?
I agree with t-money, it's not illegal so it's none of their business.

 

[spacemanspiff]

i usually go into walmart once a month, theres a cool older guy who works in the sports department; he always gives my nieces and nephews a tough time.
they dont have the winchester white box though. the guy knows his stuff however. he does run a side business ordering guns for customers who cant find what they need at walmart. but he charges 15% over the cost to do so. i think i can utilize gunbroker or the trading posts here and at glocktalk to find what i need without paying his fees.

 

[Peetmoss]

I buy the 100 round value packs at Wally world all the time. Those guys don't know what the heck there selling or what there looking at. You have to point it out to them. If they are off a few rows you must tell nope 3 rows over that white box that says 100 round value pack. If you want more then 3 or 4 boxes expect to here what are you going to do with all that.

 

[Sisco]

We could all go on & on with stories about WallyWorld, have a couple myself but have already told them.
One has to keep in mind that WalMart is not a specialty gun shop, most of the people who work at the sporting goods counter make minimum wage with no benifits and are not required to know anything about the products they are selling. They might work sporting goods one week, lawn & garden the next and ladies underwear after that.
As far as asking if it's for a long gun or hand gun, notice that the register beeps when they ring ammo up; it's a question they are required to ask just like when you buy beer, cigarettes or in my area spray paint.
A couple of local employees have been burned by sting operations when they didn't ask for ID when selling paint or smokes, the fines came out of their own pocket. Most don't want to ask the question any more than you want to answer it but if they want a whole paycheck they gotta do it.

 

[TechBrute]

What ever pennies you manage to save by going to Walmart costs you thousand in therapy.

 

[gudel]

i went to walmart in CA here.
i saw the ammo in glass case. i told the guy, i want 8 boxes of that cci blazer 45 50rdbox and 5 boxes of winchester 100rd.

no questions asked, he took it out and gave it to me so i can pay it right there.
it must be your attitude.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Reminds me of the look I got at the 'Mailboxes etc' a couple of days ago when I sent my Glocks back to the factory for the frame recal deal. The guy with the nose ring just about had a coronary right then and there.

There's one of those not too far from my house. I tried to ship a gun to Magnaport. The snot behind the counter said company policy prevents their shipping firearms, even though they're entirely legal to ship with their carriers. I told the snot I don't do business with anti-Second Amendment bigots, and haven't been back.

 

[P95Carry]

Seems Wally World is almost different stores, according to where you are.

My local ones are .. well .... (grudgingly) .... OK. Tho for sure the staff at the gun dept are hardly over knowledgeable.

Round here we have the standard question (if clerk remembers to ask) ...... particularly with .22lr ammo .. ''Rifle or handgun Sir?''

I usually say ''both'' ...... and that seems to phase them a bit! Most clerks have no idea exactly why they ask the question and I am not sure where into the system their reply goes.

The other sequence might be ...... the question, then I might say ..... ''Does it matter'' .......... ''well not to me Sir, but I am told to ask''!! Strange! Is it for statistics, or what?

 

[Quintin Likely]

I once asked if I could buy the white box Winchester stuff in .223 by the case at Wallyworld...I got the weirdest look from the woman behind the counter...

...haven't been back to that store since.

 

[MJRW]

The few times they've said to me "we are required to ask you..." I always respond "ok, you've asked" and leave it there. Couple times I got blank stares, a couple of older guys just moved on understanding everyone did their part. That was a really long sentence.

 

[George Hill]

Rifle or Handgun?

Say "PDW".

 

[joeislove]

Rifle or hangun?

Submachinegun.

 

[Jesse H]

If you want more then 3 or 4 boxes expect to here what are you going to do with all that.

No kidding. Then they think those thin plastic bags are gonna hold 1000 rounds of 9mm.

 

[Doug Add]

Then they think those thin plastic bags are gonna hold 1000 rounds of 9mm.

Both stores in my area have reasonably knowledgeable help at the ammo counter. In fact, as I was buying a couple of 100 round boxes of Winchester 9mm yesterday the guy said, "Wait, let me double bag that for you. That ammo is heavy."

 

[Darrin]

I guess I'm lucky in TN. Every WallyWorld I visit has someone who knows what's what.

 

[DigMe]

I've never found them to be particularly bothersome here. Of course I don't make statements or ask questions that I know they won't understand. They've never had any trouble finding the .40 S&W though. I buy most of my target ammo (Winchester FMJ) from them because they're the cheapest locally and then I'll buy a box or two from the local gun shop (Hydrashoks and Fiocchi today) because they're good guys and I want to give them regular business.

BTW, even though Wal-Mart doesn't carry handguns anymore there official company policy is CHL friendly as long as you're licensed and it's legal in your state. If you're local walmart has any 30.06 signs or something of that sort contact the corporate office and the signs will come down. Apparently there are some signs that can be printed out or ordered from the system but aren't really supposed to be and every once in a while an uneducated manager puts one up. There are exceptions though in some states with dumba$$ laws such as New Mexico...where you cannot carry concealed in any place that sells any alcohol whatsoever...or so I understand.

brad cook

 

[Darrin]

CHL friendly as long as you're licensed

Yes, however, they prefer you carry concealed. No open carry in WallyLand. (I believe I read that statement on walmart.com)

 

[Coronach]

What is it going to be used for?

"I'm going to shoot it. Duh."

Mike

 

[lee n. field]

I try to buy ammo every couple weeks at our local Wally World. I figure it encourages them to keep it in stock and available for sale, which is a good thing.

Some of the people with the key to the ammo are clued, some are not ("no. One shelf down, left, yes, _that_ ammo.").