What's up with Al's Guns?

[ChevRon]

I went to Al's for the first time last month. I've driven by it a number of times but never stopped in. I was looking for an 870 for a bullpup project that I plan on doing. I had already visited a number of gun shops prior to Al's and I happened to be driving by so I figured WTH.

I was surprised at how many guns he had crammed into his small shop and most of them appeared to be older type guns so I wasn't expecting much. It was pretty busy at the time so I did a quick walk-through and as I was about to leave I noticed an 870 Express Magnum with an 18" barrel. Just what I was looking for. I then noticed the price. He was only asking $195 for it. I couldn't believe my eyes. All of the prior shops that I visited were asking $350+. The gun had light wear on the action bars but everything else looked great.

Al was helping some other guys with a sale so I got in line. As I was standing around and checking other stuff out, he seemed concerned about the wait time and assured me that it would only take a few minutes longer. Frankly I didn't care how long it took as I had all day, which I said to him, and I was still in bliss about the price. When he finally got to me, he knocked $20 off the price which was a complete surprise to me. I shook his hand, thanked him and was on my way. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Al's again. I guess I just have to keep an eye out for any whiskey glasses out on the counter and not ask any questions about past events ?

[timwarner]

Al is in business because he likes guns. Not because he's surviving off sales.
The guns he has in the back are the ones you really want to see, but aren't for sale.

I know he has ups and downs, but either shop there or don't. It's not the end of the world.
If you haven't noticed, most "gun people" tend to be a bit assertive, class A personality types. We're all giant ******** now and again, some more than others.
It comes with the territory.

Hey, I resemble that remark!! How much HS-6 are you putting in those 9mm cases?? You'll shoot yer eye out, kid!

Just look at Seismic Sam, Tootsie, or HammAR if you have any doubts.
Us hardcore gun guys tend to get crotchety with old age, not more "customer friendly" especially if our "gun shop" is more of a hobby than a source of income.

[justinvan]

I some time wonder if there isnt just a clash of personalities... I refuse to go into J&S in Lakeville because of the way I was treated on a couple of ocasions (plus there prices are about as bad as gander). But yet I hear of people that love the place. I have had 2 good experiances at Als and zero bad, so there you have the other side of the coin. I sometimes wonder if it isnt just the customers way of comunicating isnt the same as the owners, but if that is the case the owners need to be a little more sensitive to the issue.
Just a thought...

[timwarner]

From my experience, go to al's, tell him what you want, if he doesn't have it, or can't get it, it's not for sale, and probably in his back room

[sawgrass]

Al is in business because he likes guns. Not because he's surviving off sales.
The guns he has in the back are the ones you really want to see, but aren't for sale.

I know he has ups and downs, but either shop there or don't. It's not the end of the world.
If you haven't noticed, most "gun people" tend to be a bit assertive, class A personality types. We're all giant ******** now and again, some more than others.
It comes with the territory.

Hey, I resemble that remark!! How much HS-6 are you putting in those 9mm cases?? You'll shoot yer eye out, kid!

Just look at Seismic Sam, Tootsie, or HammAR if you have any doubts.
Us hardcore gun guys tend to get crotchety with old age, not more "customer friendly" especially if our "gun shop" is more of a hobby than a source of income.

I saw Tootsie coming out of the woods at Oakdale yesterday, he was all smiles and I swear he didn't look a day over 35

[Seismic Sam]

The REAL question was what was Tootsie doing back in the woods, and who or what was with him back in there??

[White Horseradish]

The REAL question was what was Tootsie doing back in the woods, and who or what was with him back in there??

What happens in the woods, stays in the woods. Especially if it got to the woods in his van...

[sawgrass]

The REAL question was what was Tootsie doing back in the woods, and who or what was with him back in there??

I don't know, but my gal pal that I brought pistol shooting commented that he is a good looking rascal and seemed like a very nice guy and something about kind eyes.

[ex-LT]

Al is in business because he likes guns. Not because he's surviving off sales.
The guns he has in the back are the ones you really want to see, but aren't for sale.

I know he has ups and downs, but either shop there or don't. It's not the end of the world.
If you haven't noticed, most "gun people" tend to be a bit assertive, class A personality types. We're all giant ******** now and again, some more than others.
It comes with the territory.

Hey, I resemble that remark!! How much HS-6 are you putting in those 9mm cases?? You'll shoot yer eye out, kid!

Just look at Seismic Sam, Tootsie, or HammAR if you have any doubts.
Us hardcore gun guys tend to get crotchety with old age, not more "customer friendly" especially if our "gun shop" is more of a hobby than a source of income.

I don't know, compared to SS and hammAR, Tootsie is Santa Claus, the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy rolled into one. Besides, EVERYONE knows that SS and hammAR were crotchety bastards at a very young age.

[dogan529]

That's probably the fifth time I've heard about something like that happening there, even a similar story on Google reviews. Guess I'll have to pass on visiting that one. I'm sick of some stores constantly being defended for the simple reason of... I have no idea why. "Oh, he's just that way". "Oh, they're sick of tire kickers". F that, if you're gonna be complete dickwad, I'll go elsewhere. If you're going to be drinking while handling firearms (something about all guns are always loaded...?), I'd rather get pointed at by a gomer behind the counter at Gander.

Sure, it's all about personal experience. That's why I like Buds. Good prices, fast, and I've talked with three different people there who were all great. I had one mild issue, and they stood behind their product 100%, and followed up. Maybe some people just don't have what it takes do deal with owning AND being in customer service of a B & M. Just put a damn sign out side, "I don't give a **** if you buy anything, I'm not here to help and sell my product, I don't do this for the money." I've just heard enough bad to never want to go, it's unfortunate.

Thank you!! you took the words right out of my mouth! I personally worked customer facing for quite a while, its tough to keep a positive attitude sometimes but you have to if you want return business. I live VERY close to al's. I have been there one time and will never return.

[yang]

I also live close to Als but haven't actually taken the time to stop in yet.

[R.E.T.]

My barber is just down the road from Al's and I had been past his shop many times before I got curious and stopped in to look around did not see anything I was interested in at the time. He seemed to be ok. much later I decided I wanted a ruger mark three and was going to order from Bud's. I had read that he charged a fair fee for transfers and asked him what he charged.He said he did not do transfers on guns that he carried and he was a ruger dealer. That sounded fair to me. He had one in stock that I liked, but I did not have my check book with me. so I went to the atm for some cash and he ended up giving me a discount on the pistol. I had not expected the discount. I know he has been broken into several times so I can see where it is a sore spot with him. I know that one of the last times they cut a hole in the roof to get in.