Fuquay Guns. Thanks.

Hate that you had to put up with that kind of treatment. It's been years since I've been to FQG&G but yes, they were all about the Glocks lol.

There's another place just up the block that was pretty cool, although I can't remember their name (like I said, it's been years).

Good luck.
 
Hate that you had to put up with that kind of treatment. It's been years since I've been to FQG&G but yes, they were all about the Glocks lol.

There's another place just up the block that was pretty cool, although I can't remember their name (like I said, it's been years).

Good luck.
Sovereign Guns maybe?
 
I guess Ill just call this my shooters epitaph. I didn't think Fuquay Guns would be the cause, but they are.

I've been a shooter all my life. And a reloader. And a caster. And a Civil War, Rev War, Buckskinner and Old West Reenactor. I've taught many others to shoot, as well as hunter safety. I was taught as a kind that the long history of our country was marksmanship, at least, thats what they told me in CMP.

I learned in the days of blued steel and walnut. How to keep my groups tight. When cops carried revolvers instead of semi autos. I never looked down on anyone elses' guns. I never engaged in firearm elitism, revolver vs semi auto, 9mm vs 45ACP, you name it. The shooting world had a place for everyone I thought. But as Fuquay Guns and Gold made me realize today...I'm irrelevant.

My eyes are not what they were. There was a time when I could ring the steel at 300 yards with iron peep sights. But probably not anymore. I can still keep em in the 10x ring though.

I went to Fuquay Guns last year to sell an old antique double barrel 10 gauge. Im not an FFL, Im not on Gunbroker. I just dont have the resources, but I know they do. So I was only looking for about 40% of it's value. I was turned down cold. Without a consideration. What was I told? "After all...its not a Glock."

Fast forward to this weekend. My Krag deer rifle. Its taken more whitetail than I can could. Excellent shape, side mount scope and all. Again, I dont have the resources, and old looking for 40% of it's used price. Once again, not even the time of day. "Its not like its a Glock."

Thank you Fuquay. You made me realize that Im irrelevant. A dinosaur. Because every firearm I have is not a Glock. So I no longer matter. I know that they are a business, and they have to make a profit. But I guess unless its a Glock, I shouldnt bother.

So I'll find a dealer, maybe on backpage if I have to. My Sharps rifle. My '66 Yellowboy. Dad's WWII 1911. They are irrelevant just like me. They will all go. It's not like they are a Glock. And I guess since I dont own a Glock, I should finally give up the ghost.

I didn't post this looking for sympathy or self indulgence. Maybe I just posted this to remind people what I was taught - there's room for everything in the shooting world.


First of all Welcome!!

My name is Clay and I am the owner of Fuquay Gun. Our Number one priority today and always has been customer service and to give EVERYONE that walks through our doors the kind of QUALITY HELPFUL customer service that is nearly nonexistent today. We have the largest staff in a gun store in NC, we do this so that our clients dont have to wait around to be helped and they can get the individual attention that is deserved. We do not hire any Tactial Timmys (we call them gun store commandos) because you can find these in any other gunshop in NC. We however provide our clients with a team that LOVES guns and talking to people about guns no matter the kind of gun. Sure we have team members and myself that like Glocks we also have team members that prefer Springfields, S&W, 1911, STI, ARs, AKs, Shotguns hunting and tactical we even have 3 that work here that really like the type firearms you have brought in. By having a diverse team we can appeal to more customers because they are sure to find a member of our team they can relate to. When it comes to the over 6k guns we have in our store only a small portion is Glock and Glock only makes up a small percentage of the big picture at Fuquay Gun.

I spent a lot of time reviewing the AV footage of your visit and I was unable to find any part that needed corrective action but I am still working on it and still interviewing Matt and Jay. You were helped by two of our best, Jay and Matt and they both have been with us for a while have have an outstanding customer service record but I know anyone can have a bad day so we pulled the footage and reviewed it many times just in case. You entered our store at 9:28:48 and were greeted and helped by Jay at 9:29:02 at register one at that time he cleared your arm and sent it to Matt for review, while you remained at register one which is at the front door, at 9:30:29 Matt came back to you with the rifle and at 9:33:32 still at register one you exited our store with your rifle. When you stated your price for the rifle we then pulled comps for what that rifle in that condition have been selling for and we could not get close to your asking price especially with the amount of pre-owned inventory we have right now. When we have a situation that the asking price and offering price are that far apart we choose not to make the offer because that could very possibly insult a client and again we are all about customer service not upsetting clients. This is why Matt said " I wouldnt be able to put that much into it, so as a courtesy I am going to have to pass on it right now" this is our standard line that we use in this situation. We have studied this situation for multiple hours now and we have not found any information on Glocks being brought up or that the visit was unpleasant. I am sorry you felt you were not treated well in our store and I am doing my best to figure out how we dropped the ball but I can honestly say this one has me baffled. Usually after watching the video I can understand this situation even from both sides and nearly every angle. I am very sorry that you felt as though you were not important to us and your arms were less than relevant it was simply a price and market conditions that made us pass on the rifle. I am also sorry this was an unpleasant visit for you and we do try our best to learn from our mistakes that is why we are putting so much time and effort into investigating the AV and team members you had contact with. Unfortunately we live in a society that is offended by everything so we have to be very careful in our verbiage to insure we are living up to the highest of customer service standards we have put into place and our clients have learned to expect from us.

I am very happy it looks like you have found buyers for your guns and I am sure these guys will love them as much as you do and give them a warm and happy home.

If you ever do make it back in you should come on in and walk around and see the huge inventory and our awesome team

Thank You for Visiting We Appreciate You!
Clay
 
Thank you Clay. Trust me, I fully understand how the current market does work. And I certainly do understand the decision in question. These days, as a business owner, you have to simply respond to what the market favors. I had quite a nice PM conversation with Paul here online, he was very gracious. As I stated to him, my intention is not to trash talk FGG. And I am not easily offended. Like most customers, I do what research I can before coming in, with the tools that I do have available to me. If the information that I have is not correct, I am certainly open to an explanation as to why my information is correct. And as Paul and I discussed in PM: "He does have a business to run. Profit needs to be there to make overhead, and inventory sitting around for months not selling on GB or on the shelf does nothing to meet overhead. Every inch of floor space needs to make money, and to stay relevant, a gun shop owner has to respond to market forces."

So I fully support any of your decisions. As I talked about with Paul, the issue is more with me, and my personal feeling to just have a hobby change at this point. The sad part, is that even though I live not more that 5 miles from Perry's in Wendell, I preferred to go to FGG over the years, for reasons that I will not state on a public forum, as I do not feel that is appropriate or gracious. The Glock reference is more a reference to when I was in last year, if that helps. My was not an intent to criticize employee functioning, rather just a realization that I came to hard and fast that the shooting world I grew up in is long gone, which unfortunately left me with a feeling of irrelevance.

Perhaps the most constructive feedback that I can give is from an aesthetic perspective of walking in to FGG. Everywhere you look - black. Black stocks, black pistols, black range bags. Black cans of ammo. And finally, all black polos on all the employees. It makes for a very intimidating atmosphere. That, and its easy to be intimidated when you walk in and there's a .30CAL M1919 sitting on top of the counter.

Perhaps I just had a bad day. But, and this is just a patron thinking out loud..Maybe a change in polo shirt color on the employees? Maybe a section of the store more colored along a hunters scheme, khaki, maybe a dun brown? Perhaps handling a transaction involving a belt-fed weapon not be conducted right by the front door? Not that I have any objection the weapon itself - however I shudder to think what would have occurred had an anti-2a come in and see something along those line - maybe that sort of item be handled off to the side? These are just thoughts. And I do realize that as well may just be the way the market is these days, and has to be addressed as such. For those of us that remember another time though, mores the pity.

Thank you Clay for your graciousness and feedback. I do appreciate it.
 
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I spent a lot of time reviewing the AV footage of your visit and I was unable to find any part that needed corrective action but I am still working on it and still interviewing Matt and Jay.

See, this is why FG&G is my favorite gun shop. Well, one of the reasons anyway. I've been shopping there for a long time and they are always helpful. But they are a business, and the purpose of a business is to make money. As someone that long ago used to work behind a gun counter (not at FG&G) it's important not to tie up so much money in inventory that must sit a long time to find the right buyer. It isn't about the Glocks. Fuquay has had significant sales going on at various times in order to reduce their used gun inventory. I'm acutely aware of this because every time I go in there it's all I can do to get away from the M&P portion of the counter. I need another M&P like a hole in the head but...the deals...argh.

Fuquay also refrained from the price gouging that occurred at so many shops in 2010. Customers remember that. I don't think Clay would know me from Adam despite the fact that I've bought a lot of guns/stuff from there. And also brought a lot of people in there to buy things. His staff (in my experience) always did their jobs well and it was therefore never necessary for him to get involved.
 
Thank you Clay. Trust me, I fully understand how the current market does work. And I certainly do understand the decision in question. These days, as a business owner, you have to simply respond to what the market favors. I had quite a nice PM conversation with Paul here online, he was very gracious. As I stated to him, my intention is not to trash talk FGG. And I am not easily offended. Like most customers, I do what research I can before coming in, with the tools that I do have available to me. If the information that I have is not correct, I am certainly open to an explanation as to why my information is correct. And as Paul and I discussed in PM: "He does have a business to run. Profit needs to be there to make overhead, and inventory sitting around for months not selling on GB or on the shelf does nothing to meet overhead. Every inch of floor space needs to make money, and to stay relevant, a gun shop owner has to respond to market forces."

So I fully support any of your decisions. As I talked about with Paul, the issue is more with me, and my personal feeling to just have a hobby change at this point. The sad part, is that even though I live not more that 5 miles from Perry's in Wendell, I preferred to go to FGG over the years, for reasons that I will not state on a public forum, as I do not feel that is appropriate or gracious. The Glock reference is more a reference to when I was in last year, if that helps. My was not an intent to criticize employee functioning, rather just a realization that I came to hard and fast that the shooting world I grew up in is long gone, which unfortunately left me with a feeling of irrelevance.

Perhaps the most constructive feedback that I can give is from an aesthetic perspective of walking in to FGG. Everywhere you look - black. Black stocks, black pistols, black range bags. Black cans of ammo. And finally, all black polos on all the employees. It makes for a very intimidating atmosphere. That, and its easy to be intimidated when you walk in and there's a .30CAL M1919 sitting on top of the counter.

Perhaps I just had a bad day. But, and this is just a patron thinking out loud..Maybe a change in polo shirt color on the employees? Maybe a section of the store more colored along a hunters scheme, khaki, maybe a dun brown? Perhaps handling a transaction involving a belt-fed weapon not be conducted right by the front door? Not that I have any objection the weapon itself - however I shudder to think what would have occurred had an anti-2a come in and see something along those line - maybe that sort of item be handled off to the side? These are just thoughts. And I do realize that as well may just be the way the market is these days, and has to be addressed as such. For those of us that remember another time though, mores the pity.

Thank you Clay for your graciousness and feedback. I do appreciate it.


Thank You for the added information I guess I can stop investigating at this time. My team and I wear black polos because the first 3 years we were in business we tried several different colors and black was the only one that did not show gun oil and grease. These guys handle dozens of guns each and everyday and that can make for a very dirty looking shirt by the end of a day, but the black shirts still look pretty good at the end of the day.

I dont think I have every been told our stores appearance was intimidating but I will certainly take that advise to heart in future modifications. We actually have all the black guns in the far back corner of the store so they actually cant be seen till a person goes all the way down the gun isle because we realize some folks are a little intimated by them. The guns that a person can see when they first come in are hunting rifles and shotguns, revolvers, and 1911s, once a person turns right and goes all the way to the other end of the gun isle you can then see the black guns in the far corner.

We dont discriminate against any gun the 1919 was being traded in at that time, that is why it was laying on the counter I am sorry that that was intimating to you, I guess I have been around so many guns for so many years I am pretty comfortable around them all and need to take into account some may not be. Thank You very much for your reply and I am sure Matt and Jay will be happy I can stop interrogating them.

Again very grateful for the explanation.
 
I met up with Charles tonight and we completed the transaction. He's a super nice guy, former western shooter from Arizona and I'm very pleased with the purchase.

The Sharps is a Model 1874 reproduction in 45-70 caliber (cartridge style - not percussion cap). Per Charles he can hit a 300 yard gong all day long with open sights with it.

The Krag appears to have used an original action with a new barrel and stock. It's pretty clean and has obviously been well maintained.

Thank you Charles for the great rifles!



Krag and Sharps 1.jpg Krag and Sharps 2.jpg
 
Thank You for the added information I guess I can stop investigating at this time. My team and I wear black polos because the first 3 years we were in business we tried several different colors and black was the only one that did not show gun oil and grease. These guys handle dozens of guns each and everyday and that can make for a very dirty looking shirt by the end of a day, but the black shirts still look pretty good at the end of the day.

I dont think I have every been told our stores appearance was intimidating but I will certainly take that advise to heart in future modifications. We actually have all the black guns in the far back corner of the store so they actually cant be seen till a person goes all the way down the gun isle because we realize some folks are a little intimated by them. The guns that a person can see when they first come in are hunting rifles and shotguns, revolvers, and 1911s, once a person turns right and goes all the way to the other end of the gun isle you can then see the black guns in the far corner.

We dont discriminate against any gun the 1919 was being traded in at that time, that is why it was laying on the counter I am sorry that that was intimating to you, I guess I have been around so many guns for so many years I am pretty comfortable around them all and need to take into account some may not be. Thank You very much for your reply and I am sure Matt and Jay will be happy I can stop interrogating them.

Again very grateful for the explanation.

Clay,,I'm glad that you care about customers opinions. Have you though about getting rid of all the AR's and only stock a real mans battle rifle better known as The AK47. Also does your staff look at AV footage of my rear?
I had a little issues with y'all a few months back,,, alls good now and I have another rifle in gun jail with y'all.
 
Dang ... package deals? What about the 10 gauge with the 1911?
 
I guess Ill just call this my shooters epitaph. I didn't think Fuquay Guns would be the cause, but they are.

I've been a shooter all my life. And a reloader. And a caster. And a Civil War, Rev War, Buckskinner and Old West Reenactor. I've taught many others to shoot, as well as hunter safety. I was taught as a kind that the long history of our country was marksmanship, at least, thats what they told me in CMP.

I learned in the days of blued steel and walnut. How to keep my groups tight. When cops carried revolvers instead of semi autos. I never looked down on anyone elses' guns. I never engaged in firearm elitism, revolver vs semi auto, 9mm vs 45ACP, you name it. The shooting world had a place for everyone I thought. But as Fuquay Guns and Gold made me realize today...I'm irrelevant.

My eyes are not what they were. There was a time when I could ring the steel at 300 yards with iron peep sights. But probably not anymore. I can still keep em in the 10x ring though.

I went to Fuquay Guns last year to sell an old antique double barrel 10 gauge. Im not an FFL, Im not on Gunbroker. I just dont have the resources, but I know they do. So I was only looking for about 40% of it's value. I was turned down cold. Without a consideration. What was I told? "After all...its not a Glock."

Fast forward to this weekend. My Krag deer rifle. Its taken more whitetail than I can could. Excellent shape, side mount scope and all. Again, I dont have the resources, and old looking for 40% of it's used price. Once again, not even the time of day. "Its not like its a Glock."

Thank you Fuquay. You made me realize that Im irrelevant. A dinosaur. Because every firearm I have is not a Glock. So I no longer matter. I know that they are a business, and they have to make a profit. But I guess unless its a Glock, I shouldnt bother.

So I'll find a dealer, maybe on backpage if I have to. My Sharps rifle. My '66 Yellowboy. Dad's WWII 1911. They are irrelevant just like me. They will all go. It's not like they are a Glock. And I guess since I dont own a Glock, I should finally give up the ghost.

I didn't post this looking for sympathy or self indulgence. Maybe I just posted this to remind people what I was taught - there's room for everything in the shooting world.
Finally another person that was treated without respect. Same thing happened to me about 8 or 9 years ago. After spending several thousand dollars in the first location I went to the store and was treated like a second class citizen. I have never been back to Fuquay Gun since. Clay has apologized on another forum but I just can't get passed it. Welcome to the forum
 
Finally another person that was treated without respect. Same thing happened to me about 8 or 9 years ago. After spending several thousand dollars in the first location I went to the store and was treated like a second class citizen. I have never been back to Fuquay Gun since. Clay has apologized on another forum but I just can't get passed it. Welcome to the forum

Trufully, I've never thought of myself as a Fudd. And, I had to look it up - shame on me.

Below is what someone else posted on another thread, with my thoughts in parentheses. If that makes me a Fudd, ah, so be it. I've got a thick skin and been called worse in my life. :)

A Fudd is someone who:



· Actually uses his guns in the activity for which they were intended. (Yup)

· Doesn't think guns are a fashion accessory or a political statement. (only when I was an Old West Reenactor)

· Doesn't select his guns based on what is on TV, in a movie, or the latest video game. "Yeah dude, it's just like the one Pacino had in Heat." (unless it’s 3:10 to Yuma.)

· Doesn't get the appeal of Airsoft and stopped playing with toy guns by age 10. (I do get it – its cheaper to practice 3-gun with Airsoft if that’s your bag, baby)

· Sees just as many gun errors in a movie as anyone else. Doesn’t feel the overwhelming need to mention it to everyone around him in the theatre. (only at home to my wife-s chagrin – especially when I add the make, model and country of manufacture, and the occasional designer’s name)

· Has a bear defense gun because he actually goes places where he might encounter a bear other than the zoo. (One word. BOOM. No more Teddy.)

· Thinks several hundred dollars spent on tactical crap to hang on a shotgun just to look badass is a waste of money. (In all fairness, I have a 12-gauge Maverick that I bought off of someone that already had crap on it. A little tackiness is not so bad)

· Thinks several hundred dollars spent on ammunition for a shotgun is money well spent. (Nah. Reload. Its cheaper.)

· Believes that bragging about shooting a grouse with an 8" pump gun is as retarded as shooting a 3 gun match with a Krieghoff K80. (Personally, I’d use an M1 Carbine in a 3-gun match, but’s that me…)

· Thinks anyone who says they frequently outshoot regular clay target shooters with their badass tacticooool "shottie" is not telling the truth. (yup)

· Sees a place for camouflage. The mall isn’t it. (unless its camo pants accessories with cowboy boots and a southern drawl..)

· Uses the hunting rifle that is best for the job and isn't interested in hunting with a tacticoooool rifle just to make a political statement. (Triple-yup)

· Is more interested in precision use of a firearm at longer ranges and not rapid fire, spray and pray at 7 yard targets as big as a door. (Try an afternoon of sub-MOA from a bench someday. You’ll be walking on sunshine for weeks.)

· Has never shot a pumpkin and believes the appropriate weapon is a large knife artistically wielded at Halloween. (Nope. Disagree. You know how awesome it is to hit a cantaloupe with a .308?)

· When he doesn’t like what government is doing doesn’t think building a bunker, buying more guns and setting up claymore mines is a viable response. He does think joining the political party of his choice and actively works for and supports their candidates is. (no offense to preppers – over the years I’ve learned that your best line of last defense is good neighbors, good family and good people. Sitting on a stack of SPAM and pallets of .223 in a hole in the ground aint gonna cut it. Not to mention, there's a whole lot of people making money off of you and laughing all the way to the bank. Grow a garden and learn to pressure can them. Tastes great, and its a great skill and fun hobby.)

· Doesn’t start to shake when he sees a police car. Understands they have a job to do even when he gets a ticket. (Worked with many LEOs over the years. Shocker – they are ordinary people just like you and me that just want to go home to their family that night and binge watch The Ranch or The Walking Dead on Netflix.)

· If he has an encounter with the police doesn’t say “I pay your salary” or “I gots might rights.” Figures the police officer already knows that and if they don’t the side of the road isn’t the time or place. (Might as well tatoo the word “a**hole” across your forehead).

· Thinks “Molon Labe” is a scented bath water product for women. (It’s actually Greek from the Battle of Thermopylae)

· Doesn't support a world where every dork drawing breath should be allowed to own whatever he wants without some conditions, universal registration NOT being one of them. (No comment. That statement has a lot of buckshot in it – I’m sure any answer would too.)

· Is someone for whom guns are an important thing but not the only thing. (Quadruple-yup.)

LASTLY – there’s room for everyone in the shooting world – from mall ninjas to grannie’s old H&R in the drawer. Enjoy and exercise your rights. It’s what makes this country great!!
 
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· Doesn't support a world where every dork drawing breath should be allowed to own whatever he wants without some conditions, universal registration NOT being one of them. (No comment. That statement has a lot of buckshot in it – I’m sure any answer would too.)

A "Fudd" can be defined a number of ways. But to most people, a Fudd is someone that looks askance at some types of firearms (and by extension their owners) based on the appearance of the firearm. For example, a Fudd might say that an AR-15 is a useless weapon because it isn't ideal for deer in his opinion. Or that person is just fine with certain guns being banned based on their appearance. A Fudd typically isn't worried about their deer rifle being banned.

Most of the elitism I've observed in the gun community comes from the tweed jacketed shotgun crowd. But there's plenty of it present in the high powered rifle precision set too. Or the black powder guys. Etc.

Fudds are typically arrogant and look down on those that enjoy the shooting sports differently. In my experience, I see a lot more inclusiveness on the part of the black rifle shooters and the NFA crowd. Case in point: Carolina Smoke and Guns, NC Silencer, and others would organize suppressor shoots. I went to a few of those at DPRC several years ago. Those events had full auto weapons, suppressors, and plenty of black rifles.

They also had a few Garands that people could shoot. And bolt action rifles. Black powder rifles, etc. That is inclusiveness. That's not what Fudds are about.

No offense, but that list of bullet points is utter nonsense and is a not so subtle jab at gun owners who simply happen to have different views.

While this forum is very inclusive and welcomes people with all sorts of interests, the tone of that which you reposted is anathema to the concept of inclusiveness.

Perhaps I just had a bad day. But, and this is just a patron thinking out loud..Maybe a change in polo shirt color on the employees? Maybe a section of the store more colored along a hunters scheme, khaki, maybe a dun brown? Perhaps handling a transaction involving a belt-fed weapon not be conducted right by the front door? Not that I have any objection the weapon itself - however I shudder to think what would have occurred had an anti-2a come in and see something along those line - maybe that sort of item be handled off to the side? These are just thoughts. And I do realize that as well may just be the way the market is these days, and has to be addressed as such. For those of us that remember another time though, mores the pity.

Are you really a patron if you never actually shopped or did business there?

Perhaps you would be more comfortable going to Cabela's? They have plenty of hunting themes. Businesses cater to certain types of customers.

Why would you shudder/worry about what an anti-2A person would think about seeing a certain type of gun sold? Do you think an anti-2A person would be any less afraid of a garden variety AR-15 than some other type of weapon?

Why is it a pity that gun stores don't all have hunting themes? Why is it a pity that gun stores actually sell black rifles?

If I'm buying an AR-15, why should I have to go hide in a corner to complete my transaction? So I don't accidentally offend someone's delicate sensibilities?

I recall a time, back in the late 90's, when the older generation was very unwelcoming to new shooters. I recall those guys in advanced years sharing the same type of derision you display for those who like black rifles or "scary" looking guns.

Time has passed now and we're the ones that are instrumental to maintaining our right to keep and bear arms. And you know what? I'm introducing the next generation to the joy of firearms.

Every. Chance. I. Get.

Free of judgement and without instilling in them misguided ideas about the appearance of a firearm. No one is looking down at you for your choice in firearms. If you're under that impression, I assure you that it's just in your head. You can't equate the reticence of a retailer to take on the risk of trying to sell a niche firearm and interpret that as anything but a market driven decision.

We can, however, correctly interpret what you've implied. Without realizing it, you've committed exactly the same sin you've imagined has been committed against you.
 
Well, I am sorry you felt that. I guess with the last line that I specifically bolded that I had hoped to make that extensively clear how much I valued inclusiveness of all types, which appears to have gotten lost. So I guess I'll take the High Road and express an apology that you believed me to be looking down on black or NFA. People are people, and Elitism can come from all sides. All the best, sir. Have some range time as often as possible, with whatever you choose to pull out of the gun safe that day.
 
Well, I am sorry you felt that. I guess with the last line that I specifically bolded that I had hoped to make that extensively clear how much I valued inclusiveness of all types, which appears to have gotten lost. So I guess I'll take the High Road and express an apology that you believed me to be looking down on black or NFA. People are people, and Elitism can come from all sides. All the best, sir. Have some range time as often as possible, with whatever you choose to pull out of the gun safe that day.

The part in bold seems to contradict the tone of a previous statement. Specifically that which I quoted. It's okay to have different opinions on this forum. Even if those opinions are in favor of gun control. Even if the posts reveal a less than favorable opinion of some types of firearms and the people that own them.

However, I'd like to humbly point out that this forum is very unlike most gun forums. It is not just an online community per se. It is actually an online community that is a reflection of a real local gun community. It might surprise you how many of these members regularly see one another out and about in the real world. We go to matches together, grill out, drink beer together, etc.

I say all of this because, for all we know, the fellow trading in the 1919 is a member here. Imagine for a moment that he's reading what you wrote and wondering why he should be relegated to a back room transaction. Just something to think about.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Yes- oiled blued steel and wood, with the occasional glint of stainless, thank you.

The OP here had a less happy experience at FG&G, but Clay cared enough about his business and customers to genuinely try to get to the bottom of it.

I wanted to share something about FG&G, not as any form of rebuttal to anyone in this thread, but more along the lines of the fact that on any given day what you observe other customers doing while shopping in a gun shop ( or any business for that matter) affects your impression of that business as much your own interactions with staff, etc. I probably would have posted this under store reviews anyways, so feel free to move this if appropriate.

I'm in my 60's and I have seen bag-loads of bad customer service mojo, having worked in customer service or in and around customer support type work in one form or another for 40 years or more. It takes some doing to impress me, and very little to set me off when its done poorly. ( ask me about AT&T...good for 30 blood pressure points right there !)

A few weeks ago I was in FG&G and doing my usual slow browse when I became aware of a man and woman at the register in deep conversation with a store employee about a used rifle they had purchased from the shop. Seemed that the customers were convinced that there was a serious issue with it, apparently they were most unhappy and thought they had bought a defective firearm. I didn't overhear the exact complaint, but things were getting a bit testy. I was still shopping but of course curious how this was going to go down. The employee listened to the couple and seemed to offer to check out and test fire the rifle, but I could see the couple was still skeptical. The impression I got was that- not no way, no how, could anyone convince them the rifle was OK. The guy behind the counter wisely shifted gears and promptly switched to a quite convincing "What do I need to do to make you a happy customer ?" mode. By now I'm lurking near the bulk ammo stacks :) The conversation progressed after a minute to refunding whatever they paid for the used rifle, but also since they came in needing one in the first place, an offer to let them choose any comparable new rifle at FG&G cost. Actual numbers were shared, nothing held back and it seemed like that approach was going down much better with the couple than wrangling over the used rifle.

I'm leaving out a few specifics here as I got on with my own shopping but I imagine they left with a brand new rifle, and I left FG&G pretty impressed with their genuine desire to set things straight even if it wasn't their fault. What probably distracted me from the rest of the situation was that I neared a gun counter and was promptly asked if I needed any help. I have found that at FG&G, one has to carefully learn the gun counter perimeter distance at which you "set off " a sales person. Seriously. Even just walking past the gun counters from less than 5 feet away you are going to get intercepted. Others may have had different experiences but I have never failed to be approached multiple times per visit, which can be a bit unsettling at times, but he's got his people focusing on customers for sure- and there are a lot of staff.

(In contrast, I visit another shop from time to time nearer to me where I suspect folks butts are epoxied onto their chairs, and you'd have to be at less than bad breath distance before they even look up at you to give their irritated and I'm so bored with it all ( and usually wrong) answers. Sorry Mr Store Owner, I won't be disturbing your mid-day nap again, much less supporting your grand-kids by any spending cash on your full bust out retail priced merchandise.)

No store is perfect, but in today's business climate where bricks and mortar stores are competing against online sales, businesses ignore customer care at their own peril. I often hear about how we are supposed to support local businesses, but some folks just make it so damn hard to feel good about it. I'm also always wary because of my background, so what matters to me is consistent good service over time, with the right attitude when things go south to make things right.
 
Yes- oiled blued steel and wood, with the occasional glint of stainless, thank you.

The OP here had a less happy experience at FG&G, but Clay cared enough about his business and customers to genuinely try to get to the bottom of it.

I wanted to share something about FG&G, not as any form of rebuttal to anyone in this thread, but more along the lines of the fact that on any given day what you observe other customers doing while shopping in a gun shop ( or any business for that matter) affects your impression of that business as much your own interactions with staff, etc. I probably would have posted this under store reviews anyways, so feel free to move this if appropriate.

I'm in my 60's and I have seen bag-loads of bad customer service mojo, having worked in customer service or in and around customer support type work in one form or another for 40 years or more. It takes some doing to impress me, and very little to set me off when its done poorly. ( ask me about AT&T...good for 30 blood pressure points right there !)

A few weeks ago I was in FG&G and doing my usual slow browse when I became aware of a man and woman at the register in deep conversation with a store employee about a used rifle they had purchased from the shop. Seemed that the customers were convinced that there was a serious issue with it, apparently they were most unhappy and thought they had bought a defective firearm. I didn't overhear the exact complaint, but things were getting a bit testy. I was still shopping but of course curious how this was going to go down. The employee listened to the couple and seemed to offer to check out and test fire the rifle, but I could see the couple was still skeptical. The impression I got was that- not no way, no how, could anyone convince them the rifle was OK. The guy behind the counter wisely shifted gears and promptly switched to a quite convincing "What do I need to do to make you a happy customer ?" mode. By now I'm lurking near the bulk ammo stacks :) The conversation progressed after a minute to refunding whatever they paid for the used rifle, but also since they came in needing one in the first place, an offer to let them choose any comparable new rifle at FG&G cost. Actual numbers were shared, nothing held back and it seemed like that approach was going down much better with the couple than wrangling over the used rifle.

I'm leaving out a few specifics here as I got on with my own shopping but I imagine they left with a brand new rifle, and I left FG&G pretty impressed with their genuine desire to set things straight even if it wasn't their fault. What probably distracted me from the rest of the situation was that I neared a gun counter and was promptly asked if I needed any help. I have found that at FG&G, one has to carefully learn the gun counter perimeter distance at which you "set off " a sales person. Seriously. Even just walking past the gun counters from less than 5 feet away you are going to get intercepted. Others may have had different experiences but I have never failed to be approached multiple times per visit, which can be a bit unsettling at times, but he's got his people focusing on customers for sure- and there are a lot of staff.

(In contrast, I visit another shop from time to time nearer to me where I suspect folks butts are epoxied onto their chairs, and you'd have to be at less than bad breath distance before they even look up at you to give their irritated and I'm so bored with it all ( and usually wrong) answers. Sorry Mr Store Owner, I won't be disturbing your mid-day nap again, much less supporting your grand-kids by any spending cash on your full bust out retail priced merchandise.)

No store is perfect, but in today's business climate where bricks and mortar stores are competing against online sales, businesses ignore customer care at their own peril. I often hear about how we are supposed to support local businesses, but some folks just make it so damn hard to feel good about it. I'm also always wary because of my background, so what matters to me is consistent good service over time, with the right attitude when things go south to make things right.

So if I go in there and start complaining they will sell me a new gun at cost,,Hell Yeah,,, that's what I'm talking about.
 
We've been doing business with Clay at FG&G for over 10 years while he's been in 3 locations. The first purchase was a blue & walnut L259 Sako Finlight in 243, steel bedded with a Timney trigger for my 12 yr old son. Rifle, Harris bipod, mounted Leuopold VX-1 and gun sock for $600 out the door. It still puts hundreds of pounds of meat in the freezer yearly.
About 8-10 years ago, when AR's were made of unobtainuim, Clay kept the same low pricing and sold them as they came in. He's garnered a lot of loyalty for things like that.
They do have more than two employees now, and cater towards today's market- black & plastic.
I did get treated like crap by Davis years ago (they're no longer in business), I walked in three times for a price on a Sako 75 when they first came out in '97. The second and third time I pulled out @ $800 cash to show them I was serious, I found a pawn shop that ordered it for me.
 
Clay lured me in to his store with the temptations that make men weak, black guns and buxom ladies.......he is evil! Later after buying guns I did not really need and then stopping at a bar I went home and sold all my milsurps and walnut/blue steel guns on Armslist ;)

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Here's my beef. When I go to the range, specifically Leeds in the middle of the woods south of Chester SC and people arrive, (I'm always the first as I too am old and get up before Gods creatures), I say good morning and how are you and people most times don't even answer. Now if you complement someones gun, THEN they will go on and on and on about it.

Just say gadamn Hello.

That's all I have to say about that.
 
Here's my beef. When I go to the range, specifically Leeds in the middle of the woods south of Chester SC and people arrive, (I'm always the first as I too am old and get up before Gods creatures), I say good morning and how are you and people most times don't even answer. Now if you complement someones gun, THEN they will go on and on and on about it.
Let's see how old you are :)
"If'n you don't ansah me,I'm goin' to haf to blip you in da mouf!
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I just found/bought the DVD last month.
 
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Clay lured me in to his store with the temptations that make men weak, black guns and buxom ladies.......he is evil! Later after buying guns I did not really need and then stopping at a bar I went home and sold all my milsurps and walnut/blue steel guns on Armslist ;)
Do you shoot long range/Precision Rifle? I think I met you at FG&G once.
 
Do you shoot long range/Precision Rifle? I think I met you at FG&G once.


Not in the last 10 years or so, most recent competitions I have shot are the rimfire 2 gum matches at DPRC in Mebane.
 
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