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The Bait-n-Bullet is a small establishment located near Bridge and Main St in Brighton. I have been there twice and I am still not sure whether this is a good, bad or indifferent place to do business.
I was hoping that somebody that has had first-hand experience doing business with them could tell a bit about it.
I haven't bought a gun from them before, but I have been in there enough times to make up my mind that I never will. The guy in there just has the crappiest attitude. The first time I was in there I was asking his opinion of a Stoeger Coach Gun. Apparently he didn't understand that it was his job to SELL me one...... I walked. I was just in the a few weeks ago looking for some 7.62x39 WOLF ammo, and he completely blew me off again. Says he cant get any because of a shortage, doesn't know when he will be able to get any in, and that I was out of luck if I was wanting some because nobody had any. I politely said goodbye, drove home, and order 1000 rounds from www.sportsmansguide.com for $100. Slightly backordered, but not unobtainable. I wish he would just hurry up and retire so someone that still has a love of guns can take over.
Interesting enough, your story sounds very similar to my experience. I have been there twice and both times I had the impression that I was interrupting this gentleman. The first time he seemed more interested in reading his newspaper than in selling me anything. The second time (about a month after) I ended up buying some magazines for a pistol but, again, he didn’t feel like chitchatting much.
I asked this question half-expecting that someone would say that this guy is great to do biz with, but it seems that this is not the case. Who knows? Maybe if I went in looking for fishing gear he would be more interested in being helpful. Maybe it’s just a matter of time before they chose to change their ways and become a “customer oriented” company.
So I have given up hope for now and, instead, I drive from Brighton all the way down to Green Mountain Guns (near Lakewood) and I’ll be doing biz with them instead. At least they are amazingly friendly and knowledgeable (and their prices are really cheap also).
My experience is a little unique and old...say mid 1990's. I had never been there before. I have never needed to go back.
My wife got interested in shooting sporting clays with me. We met a woman who is a world class shooter and she recommended a Browning Ladies Sporting Clays Gold, which she helped design. Great I thought, I'll get one of those. Well I found out that Browning back in the 1990's only made like 18 a year of these shotguns, so finding one was pretty difficult. MSRP on this unique shotgun was $982 at the time.
Long story short, every time I traveled I called local gun store to see if they had one. This place had one and sold it to me for $650. I was overjoyed. Mostly because they had what I wanted, nothing seemed out of the ordinary when I was there.
I've been into the shop a couple times with mixed experiences.
The first time was to buy some cheap fishing stuff for a day of fishing with my sons. The guy didn't seem real enthused to be there, but wasn't rude or anything.
The next time I was looking at some inexpensive .22 rifles for my boys, but didn't wind up buying since he didn't have what we were looking for. This time he was really nice, and even took the time to make small talk with my sons encouraging them to get good grades in school.
However, the last time I went in looking for an O/U shotgun, he wasn't so pleasant to deal with. I left the store thinking, wow - what a crotchety, miserable, old f*(%! Needless to say, I didn't buy anything from him, as he was a fair bit overpriced and didn't seem real interested in making a deal.
I can't seem to figure this guy out, and can't find any good reason to patronize his gun business. I'll probably buy fishing tackle again just out of convenience - if nothing else is open at the time or I'm in a hurry.
I'd agree, he's mostly indifferent to customers.
Its a shame too, because I really try to patronize local places instead of the chain stores/wallyworld, etc, but with attitude like that, screw him.
KoT
Did anyone used to go there when they used to have the gun auctions?
Been there a few times since they stopped the auctions. His demeanor seems to change depending on what time of day it is. Different every time, from talkative to indifferent. Never nasty or rude, but I think he should get out of anything concerning customer relations.
The owner’s name is Darryl. He may come across as a “crotchety, miserable, old f*$k”, but once you get to know him he’s really a decent guy and will talk your ear off. I’ve bought quite a few things in there over the years and made some REALLY nice deals.
I will try to explain his demeanor since I am a business owner. In the business world we have what we call "Bottom Feeders" these are the jack offs that come into your business with no intention to buy anything. They come in waste your time and ask you dumba$$ questions. After they get done wasting your time they tell you they can get that some place else cheaper. If you can get it some place cheaper why the hell did you just waste my time telling me that and asking questions.
From a business owners perspective I don't want people like that and will run them off every time. Bottom Feeders will ruin a business if you cater to them.
I don't know this place or the owner I am just trying to explain how it works. If you walk in the place and start browsing and asking "how much for this" "how much for that" he is going to be a dick, you’re a bottom feeder.
If you are a serious person who wishes to purchase something you are going to walk in and ask "do you have this and how much" then he is going to take care of you.
I had a different experience. I was looking for a Henry Big Boy in .357. Green Mtn Guns tried to order me one but all the destributors were out. I called every dealer in the metro area that was listed on the Henry website as a stocking dealer, no luck. My last call was to Bait 'n Bullet. He had one and I offered to give him a credit card number to hold it until I could get there. He said he'd hold it for me without a CC #. When we were waiting for CBI clearance (it was slow that day) he talked my leg off. Seemed pleasant and easy to talk to. YMMV.