I hold a unique perspective on LGS's. ....
If we have any guys on here form the 'old days' of Wake Co., they would remember a LGS/Sporting Goods store called 'Hill's Inc.' - it was at 1720 Capital Blvd. (except formerly that road was 'North Blvd.') which was US 1 N Business in Raleigh. They'd been there a LONG time.
I started working there the Summer of 1974 and it was my first real 'paycheck job', i.e., not farm work or manual labor.
There was NO other store in the area with such a selection of guns, reloading equipment and supplies, and knowledgeable staff. I learned from some of the best. There was no internet and online shopping was decades in the future. It was THE go-to place for many counties around. Looking back, that place shaped my future and interests. I was there switching from p/t to fulltime all the way until college.
Years later, the owner died and surviving daughters tried to keep the business afloat, but the market had changed and it eventually closed.
Scan ahead, and after an LE career, I worked p/t at a couple of other Wake Co. LGS's. First was Perry's Gun Shop in Wendell. Huge amount of inventory. Most of the guys working there were quite knowledgeable. I was there through a few of the Obama years and panic-buying sessions. That was a quite miserable experience. Literally no time to even eat or go pee. The owner was fair and did his best to treat people fairly. I particularly enjoyed the owner's handling of estates where LOTS of really desirable guns were put out for sale and I sure got my share. Internal issues that are common when working for a family business were very present. Other family members who believed they were also 'in charge' made working there difficult, and some days that would be a gross understatement.
Later, after a move, still within Wake Co., worked p/t at Personal Defense and Handgun Safety Center (PDHSC) on Tryon Rd. in S. Raleigh. A smaller shop with an Indoor Range. Good staff, many retired LEO's from the area, with a few young kids thrown in. Stock was aimed more towards handguns, AR's, concealed carry, competitive shooting, etc. Not a hunting store.
Again, worked through some of the panic-buying sessions where the Fire Marshal actually arrived and we were instructed that only so many people could occupy the space at once. Not an enjoyable time.
Again, the owner was fair. It was a family business and had the same issues as mentioned before. Too many people 'in charge' with no clue on how to manage personnel.
A VERY common experience at LGS's is poor customer service and/or having a 'gunshop commando' behind the counter who really enjoys hearing himself talk. I can't stand it, and thank goodness never had to work with many of those.
In general, this issue gives many LGS's a bad reputation.
My take and opinion, worth what you've paid - there is a reason for this.
LGS's operate on a much smaller margin than you might imagine.
The vast majority of LGS owners do not want to offer commensurate salary for knowledge and experience. They offer no benefits, other than a token discount on store stock items (guns usually). No sick leave or vacation, no overtime pay, no insurance...nothing.
They need a warm body that can move products and stock. As a result, they get/hire people whose interest is GUNS, not interacting with the public and providing good customer service. This ends in the result many have experienced.... - you walk into a LGS, and it seems you are 'bothering' the clerk because he's not really interested in you - he's enjoying his time with 'his' guns. The interaction goes downhill from there.
I found the long hours on a concrete floor and the panic-buying sessions where the phone never stopped ringing to get quite tiresome. I enjoyed helping people, especially new shooters, which was difficult when UPS just dropped off several hundred items that need to be priced and stocked and the never-ceasing phone calls. Yes, the owner(s) were enjoying the increase in sales, but the clerk is still busting his butt for a few bucks above minimum wage.
So, having had enough, I swore off working in retail and have enjoyed several other 'retirement jobs'.
Local to me now are a couple of good LGS's I occasionally enjoy visiting and dealing with: 'Nick's Guns & Gear' in Morehead City and 'SureShot Gunsports' between Beaufort and Havelock. Both family-run and good people.
Sorry for the long post - just wanted to give my inside take on why so many bad experiences are to be had at so many LGS's.
