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I've been both eagerly waiting for the Hillsboro Dicks' Sports Warehouse to open, and diligently learning about lever action rifles. Three weeks ago I decided a lever will be my next rifle, but that's as separate topic.
Today, on my way to Winco, to my surprise, the "Open Soon" was replaced with a "Now Open" banner. With the excitement that reminded me of my younger years, and a long stride, I nearly barged into the hunting section; impatiently waited for my turn. The clerk asked, "can I help you", and I said "please, finish with your other customer first because I need your undivided attention, I am shopping around for a lever rifle and I am close to make a decision." I was rubbing my hands together on the inside. "I want to see all your lever rifles, but I am mostly interested in anything in 44 and 45 calibers, especially 16" to 20" barrels". I had already spotted a 1894 and a 1895 both blue and stainless steel. He handed me the 1894 in 30-30, and I said, you know, I want a 45 cal so let's just focus on the Guide Gun". He handed me the stainless steel Marlin, a beautiful work of art. Then I asked can you please remove the lock, and he said "No".
>>>> <expletives> "What?!?!?!" <<<<
I said inaudibly. I asked again, but he respectfully declined. "Sorry, sir, store policy. I can remove the lock only when you are about to leave the store." I replied, "Store policy will not help sell me a gun."
I was so incensed that I got embarrassed for being so mad. My face must have been glowing red because shortly after a guy who looked like the assistant store manager asked me if everything was alright. I said "no" and explained. He repeated the store policy and added it was illegal to remove the lock. I told him that was not correct. And then admitted it was just company policy. Steam was building up in a hurry and I decided I needed to leave the store or else...
Outside of the store I was truly so disturbed that I could not remember if this was a widespread policy and I just had missed the memo. That's how stupid I felt. Time to go grocery shopping.
I was so distracted that I don't know how I could finally manage to get everything I was supposed to buy. Then, much calmed, I decided to go back to the store and just jot the prices down on the paper tape I just got handed at Winco, and go back to research on the web. Back in the firearms counter I ran into a couple young bucks perusing the ads while waiting for a clerk to assist them. While busy taking note of the prices, I decided to ask, still feeling amnesic about the whole incident. "Guys, do you remember Big5, Bi-Mark or any of the other big stores having this gun lock policy. 'What policy?', they asked. I proceeded to open their eyes to a new reality. The young guys suddenly lost interest in the items that had brought us there, and slowly walked away. Mission accomplished! I headed home, eager for the the cathartic experiense of starting a new thread in NWFA.
So, there you have it. Still feeling quite embarrassed and disgusted, trying to understand and justify the store policy, and unable. This something I'd expect down south, at the Soviet Socialist Яepublik of Kalifornia. I had visited once the Dick's at Washington Square and they would remove the locks for me.
Totally dumbfounded! Please tell me what a "horse's posterior" I am, how ignorant and insensitive I am, how important this policy is to protect patrons from yahoos like me who want to manhandle unloaded firearms in store full of people or will irresponsibly damage their merchandise and then not buy. Tell me I am over-reacting. Tell me I should just go somewhere else and leave all the hot priced goodies for you.
Or tell me the chain's board of directors and CEO are a bunch of _____________ (fill the blank). Just don't, don't ignore this thread.
>>> Revised: I willingly removed a reference to the chain's name because the way I used it really, in my opinion, fails to meet rule #2 interms of the mental image you can from. But truly, they had it coming. <<<
Today, on my way to Winco, to my surprise, the "Open Soon" was replaced with a "Now Open" banner. With the excitement that reminded me of my younger years, and a long stride, I nearly barged into the hunting section; impatiently waited for my turn. The clerk asked, "can I help you", and I said "please, finish with your other customer first because I need your undivided attention, I am shopping around for a lever rifle and I am close to make a decision." I was rubbing my hands together on the inside. "I want to see all your lever rifles, but I am mostly interested in anything in 44 and 45 calibers, especially 16" to 20" barrels". I had already spotted a 1894 and a 1895 both blue and stainless steel. He handed me the 1894 in 30-30, and I said, you know, I want a 45 cal so let's just focus on the Guide Gun". He handed me the stainless steel Marlin, a beautiful work of art. Then I asked can you please remove the lock, and he said "No".
>>>> <expletives> "What?!?!?!" <<<<
I said inaudibly. I asked again, but he respectfully declined. "Sorry, sir, store policy. I can remove the lock only when you are about to leave the store." I replied, "Store policy will not help sell me a gun."
I was so incensed that I got embarrassed for being so mad. My face must have been glowing red because shortly after a guy who looked like the assistant store manager asked me if everything was alright. I said "no" and explained. He repeated the store policy and added it was illegal to remove the lock. I told him that was not correct. And then admitted it was just company policy. Steam was building up in a hurry and I decided I needed to leave the store or else...
Outside of the store I was truly so disturbed that I could not remember if this was a widespread policy and I just had missed the memo. That's how stupid I felt. Time to go grocery shopping.
I was so distracted that I don't know how I could finally manage to get everything I was supposed to buy. Then, much calmed, I decided to go back to the store and just jot the prices down on the paper tape I just got handed at Winco, and go back to research on the web. Back in the firearms counter I ran into a couple young bucks perusing the ads while waiting for a clerk to assist them. While busy taking note of the prices, I decided to ask, still feeling amnesic about the whole incident. "Guys, do you remember Big5, Bi-Mark or any of the other big stores having this gun lock policy. 'What policy?', they asked. I proceeded to open their eyes to a new reality. The young guys suddenly lost interest in the items that had brought us there, and slowly walked away. Mission accomplished! I headed home, eager for the the cathartic experiense of starting a new thread in NWFA.
So, there you have it. Still feeling quite embarrassed and disgusted, trying to understand and justify the store policy, and unable. This something I'd expect down south, at the Soviet Socialist Яepublik of Kalifornia. I had visited once the Dick's at Washington Square and they would remove the locks for me.
Totally dumbfounded! Please tell me what a "horse's posterior" I am, how ignorant and insensitive I am, how important this policy is to protect patrons from yahoos like me who want to manhandle unloaded firearms in store full of people or will irresponsibly damage their merchandise and then not buy. Tell me I am over-reacting. Tell me I should just go somewhere else and leave all the hot priced goodies for you.
Or tell me the chain's board of directors and CEO are a bunch of _____________ (fill the blank). Just don't, don't ignore this thread.
>>> Revised: I willingly removed a reference to the chain's name because the way I used it really, in my opinion, fails to meet rule #2 interms of the mental image you can from. But truly, they had it coming. <<<
