Nashville Glock store- my experience

[FL-NC]

Mrs. Fl-NC & me stopped in this place this AM on our way back to NW Fl after a few days vacation in music city. Its a huge store, very nice, with indoor ranges that the shootter can fire 270 degrees. They have lots of nice stuff (guns, accessories, holsters, shooting gear, cleaning equip., etc.) for sale, and some nice NFA items like Mp5's, FA AR type guns, and even a Brit Sten available for rent, and of course about every Glock ever made. So, in we go. 1 guy on the range getting some instruction (saw through a video monitor), and at least 6 employees in the showroom. No. One. Else. We spent some time there looking around at merch, and looked at the range monitor for a while. Maybe 10-15 minutes total. Not 1 single employee took the time to ask if we needed help or even acknowledged our presence. I started to buy a couple of things but the p poor customer service was pretty disrespectful. We turned around and walked out, me having decided to take my $ and spend it in a place that wanted it. WIth the exception of the guns, there is nothing in there someone can't get cheaper from somewhere like Brownells, Midway, PSA, or even amazon. After we left, I whipped out my phone to hammer them with a negative review, and added to the numerous negative reviews already online- not only for experiences similar to mine, but for issues like orders not being fulfilled, customers receiving defective merchandise and the store outright refusing to do anything to make it right, etc. So, for all my fellow THR ream mates, buyer beware. I won't be going back there for any reason.

 

[WestKentucky]

I haven’t been there yet. I try to avoid Nashville in general when I can. I haven’t heard many great stories of the place though. One thing that’s notable is that a lot of people in the big city stores have figured out that a lot of folks in those areas are somewhat put off by interaction in general. I don’t understand what the problem is with a polite greeting followed by “let me know if you need to see something or have questions” but I have heard complaints about “pushy” people who were just making themselves close, available, and trying to have polite conversation.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Hmmm. There is a really big gunshop, not too far away. I won't bad mouth them by name, but you get a bad vibe. If you know what you want, they probably have it, and they will get it...and charge you the full amount.
They aren't very helpful on trades as well; there's just a certain arrogance about the place.
They don't see my face very often, though they have seen my money a few times.
Maybe I'm just not a regular.
Moon

 

[ECVMatt]

That is a shame. I have had pretty good experiences dealing with them online. We were down in San Diego a while back so I stopped by their retail store. I had the complete opposite experience. This is a bit odd because I would think that people from the south would be nicer than Californians. I was asked by multiple employee if I needed assistance and they were quick to ring me out once I was done shopping.

I hope the Nashville folks can get it together.

 

[AUhiker]

Hate you had a bad experience. Me personally when I go to a big named gun shop I prefer it be like that. Leave me alone and let me shop I know what im there for usually to just look around. If I need something specific or any help I’ll ask. Everyone is different but I prefer to shop at my local small family owned gun stores anyway.

 

[drobs]

I bet if ole Lenny Magill was in town, they would've greeted you. Pretty sure he's out in California.

I agree though, walking into a gun shop and not being greeted is like going to a restaurant, being seated, and never seeing waitress again. I get up and leave. They obviously don't want my business.

 

[Mark_Mark]

as mentioned above, younger people don’t like interaction. I see the same with Uber driving. Younger they are the less they acknowledge my existence. Like, bro, I have your life in my hands, don’t you want to check if I’m Sober or awake. Older people 100 question me before the ride even starts

 

[FL-NC]

I haven’t been there yet. I try to avoid Nashville in general when I can. I haven’t heard many great stories of the place though. One thing that’s notable is that a lot of people in the big city stores have figured out that a lot of folks in those areas are somewhat put off by interaction in general. I don’t understand what the problem is with a polite greeting followed by “let me know if you need to see something or have questions” but I have heard complaints about “pushy” people who were just making themselves close, available, and trying to have polite conversation.

100% agree."Hi, welcome to __. Is there anything I can help you with"? goes a long way, doesn't cost anything, and only takes a second, so not overly pushy. Greeting a customer is not near as disrespectful as ignoring a customer, and if someone takes real offense to a friendly greeting, then that person being upset in the face of courtesy is just the cost of business.

people from the south would be nicer than Californians.

You would think. I'm pretty sure the only people from the South in Nashville are in the recording studios hoping to make it big.

when I go to a big named gun shop I prefer it be like that.

I get it, I hate being stalked by a pushy salesman too, whether I'm in a gun shop, a Harley dealership, or the local flea market. Would you see a simple greeting/acknowledgement (no matter what employee it came from) as rude?

younger people don’t like interaction.

Most of the time I don't like people, but I am forced to interact with them regularly, so I try to be polite and professional when I do interact. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and make a new friend. Was it all "younger people" in the store? Yes. If they don't like interaction, retail of any kind is probably not the job for them. After all, salesmanship is the art of talking someone out of their $.

 

[Charlie98]

Glocks are Perfect, and so are their salesmen. They must have sensed you were not a Serious Glock Aficionado, very possibly a double-agent from S&W or Springfield, and so didn't want to waste their perfect perfection on a lesser mortal.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Glocks are Perfect, and so are their salesmen. They must have sensed you were not a Serious Glock Aficionado, very possibly a double-agent from S&W or Springfield, and so didn't want to waste their perfect perfection on a lesser mortal.

Worst! Colt Gold Cup National Match double-agent

 

[Zerodefect]

Generally I prefer being left alone.

My LGS will say "hi can I help you" right away, and maybe every ten min "you still ok".

Gun shop banter is largely gone. They'll answer direct questions, but don't sell, or pressure anything anymore.

Memphis would have stolen the wheels off your ride while you were inside. Just two more dem ruined cities. Avoid at all cost.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Generally I prefer being left alone.

My LGS will say "hi can I help you" right away, and maybe every ten min "you still ok".

Gun shop banter is largely gone. They'll answer direct questions, but don't sell, or pressure anything anymore.

Memphis would have stolen the wheels off your ride while you were inside. Just two more dem ruined cities. Avoid at all cost.

I like chatting at the Gun Shop about old Smith & Colt. But what would a Glock conversation be like. ???

Gen 3 we added finger groves, Gen 4 we added back straps, Gen 5 we ran out of ideas.??

 

[Zerodefect]

We're perfect. We just covertly nod.

 

[bannockburn]

The "Meet and Greet" is one of the most fundamental and important ways in helping the customer and making the sale. Sounds like these so called "Sales People" can't even be bothered to acknowledge you as customers. They're probably making minimum wage and don't get any sort of bonus or commision on their sales. Therefore there's little if any incentive to interact with the customers. If this was a car dealership (usually with 100% salary based on commision), these sales people wouldn't last a day.

 

[Charlie98]

The "Meet and Greet" is one of the most fundamental and important ways in helping the customer and making the sale.

Gun people, and gun stores, are very different places, sometimes. It's like going to a gun show... there's the table where the guy is running around, talking to everyone, and then there is the table where everything has a 'Don't Touch' tag, and the owner is setting behind the table with his arms crossed. Everyone is different, for different reasons.

I would opine the Glock store in question has poor management, and/or a poorly managed sales staff. Just because you are a gun guy, and know guns, and are selling something as well known as a Glock, doesn't mean you are a natural saleman.

 

[bannockburn]

Charlie98

I would opine the Glock store in question has poor management, and/or a poorly managed sales staff.

I was thinking the exact same thing: bad management that's being manifested with bad attitudes and or indifferent sales people

.Just because you are a gun guy, and know guns, and are selling something as well known as a Glock, doesn't mean you are a natural saleman.

Very true in which case you're not really a sales person; you're more of an order taker. Like asking the customer "Do you want any ammo to go with your Glock order?"

 

[Charlie98]

Charlie98


I was thinking the exact same thing: bad management that's being manifested with bad attitudes and or indifferent sales people



Very true in which case you're not really a sales person; you're more of an order taker.Like asking the customer "Do you want any ammo to go with your Glock order?"

Yes, can I super size my ammo order…?

 

[Mark_Mark]

The "Meet and Greet" is one of the most fundamental and important ways in helping the customer and making the sale. Sounds like these so called "Sales People" can't even be bothered to acknowledge you as customers. They're probably making minimum wage and don't get any sort of bonus or commision on their sales. Therefore there's little if any incentive to interact with the customers. If this was a car dealership (usually with 100% salary based on commision), these sales people wouldn't last a day.

everyone should work in a restaurant and wait tables for a summer! Will teach you humility and not letting your ego get in the way of making money.

That should be 1st question on the Glock Application, “have you ever worked with or served the public”

 

[Jim Watson]

Gun shop banter is largely gone. They'll answer direct questions, but don't sell, or pressure anything anymore.

Most of the banter I saw today was between the clerks.

 

[Gun-Reck]

The SD shop is a pretty nice place.

Lenny is kind of an odd bird, though.

Never had a problem, and they even swapped parts for a buddy who had brought back some stuff, to get his pistol to run right, gratis.

Would go back.

 

[drobs]

The gun shop I worked at in my mid 20's was owned by a guy that Lenny reminds me of - similar personalities. We got paid an hourly rate plus made $5 commission on every gun we sold.

One of the rules for working there, was to greet every customer that comes in and then follow up with them. We were taught all the used car salesmen techniques. Like pull a gun off the rack or out of the case and start fondling it, work the action, dry fire it. Get the gun into the customer's hands. If it's a used gun and you know the customer well, take him out to the range, and let him put a few rounds through it - take it for a test drive.

If it seems like the customer is on the cusp of buying it... grab that 4473 form and put it in front of them with a pen. Then up sell - do you need a cleaning kit, ammo, holster, more magazines? How about a sling, scope, or case? Do you have eye and ear protection?

Guns sell themselves. Gun stores to gun nuts are like a liquor store to an alcoholic with hot girls, giving out free shots / samples.

 

[sparkyfender]

It's a tourist town. I'm sure they get a bundle of tire kickers and looky loos, people that they will see one time and never lay eyes on again.

Still, it would be simple courtesy to ask if you need help and add "I'll be right over here if you need anything."

 

[FL-NC]

Glocks are Perfect, and so are their salesmen. They must have sensed you were not a Serious Glock Aficionado, very possibly a double-agent from S&W or Springfield, and so didn't want to waste their perfect perfection on a lesser mortal.

None of these people work for Glock and the store isn't owned by Glock. If it was, they probably wouldn't have all of that aftermarket stuff in there, from ghost triggers and zev products, to weird looking slides with engraving and cartel-like gold plating.

 

[FL-NC]

My LGS will say "hi can I help you" right away, and maybe every ten min "you still ok".

he "Meet and Greet" is one of the most fundamental and important ways in helping the customer and making

greet every customer that comes in and then follow up with them.

ask if you need help and add "I'll be right over here if you need anything."

These are examples of how anyone should operate in any business where success is determined by getting $ out of the customer's pocket and into your pocket- whether you are selling lemonade on the side of the road, guns, cars, or anything else. The polite answers that really mean "leave me alone, I know what I'm doing, I'll let you know if I need you for anything" are "thanks, I'm good", or "just looking" or "just killing time". During warmer months we would offer customers a bottle of water after a couple of minutes- when bought by the case, water is about 12-15 cents a bottle, so a very small investment in a bottle of water and a friendly greeting on arrival (which is free) does a lot to set the stage for a positive outcome on a sale, whether it is a box of cleaning patches or a special order for a very expensive gun.

 

[Charlie98]

None of these people work for Glock and the store isn't owned by Glock. If it was, they probably wouldn't have all of that aftermarket stuff in there, from ghost triggers and zev products, to weird looking slides with engraving and cartel-like gold plating.

I didn't think they did, but brand loyalty is a powerful aphrodisiac... sort of a cult of personality. HK owners, Dillon owners, SIG owners... and Glock owners.