Academy scraping the bottom of the barrel

**EFsDad** · 08-01-2012, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by dubs chops

I called just now trying to locate a sako tecomate 300wsm. They show them online on their website.

I call and get transferred to the firearms counter,

Me; do you have any sako tecomate 300wsm's
Him; we don't sell them.
Me; you have them online....
Him; We do?
Me; yes can you order it in for me?
Him; Uhmmm no, We can't do any special orders.
Me; it is a special order to order a firearm from your own company?
Him; Uhhhh Yes.
Me; Okay well how do I get it them if I order it online?
Him; you will have to go to sportsworld or somewhere to pick it up....
Me; your telling me if I order a gun from your website I have to go to sportsworld a competitor to you to pick it up?
Him; Yes
Me; (I am laughing at this point) so why would't I just buy the gun from them then?
Him; I don't know.

Me; CLICK!!!!!!!

Seriously?????

I imagine you as the old guy ordering pie and coffee in Bevis and Butthead and him as Bevis.

**Preacherman** · 08-01-2012, 10:16 PM

That is funny. Thanks for sharing. Makes me miss retail.

**triggerhappy2012** · 08-01-2012, 10:36 PM

Holy crap that funny as he'll. Popjim lmao

**Boehlertaught** · 08-02-2012, 12:15 AM

That is a funny story. I wonder how much fun you could have sending those monkeys to the store room looking for the left handed scope you want to buy...

**gaseous maximus** · 08-02-2012, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Popjim

I asked three different "firearms experts" at Academy if they had Snap Caps, between the three of them they thought they may have them over by the toy guns. I told them "Snap Caps" not caps for a
toy gun. None of them never heard of them and as I walked away they seemed to be laughing about it. I went back and got all three of their attention, and gave them a quick lesson on what Snap Caps are by showing them a website on my iPhone. Apparently this is the only training they had received since being at Academy!

And also they are not encouraged to learn anything, as it is against co. policy, for an employee to be caught reading any firearms literature, unless in the presence of a customer. and said employee is subject to be written up. woopee. And yes, unless things have change in the last several years, they only sell what they have in the ind. store. And yes their paperwork procedure sucks, selling guns at academy is sort of like trying to swim with your hands & feet tied. When I worked there, I couldn't remember ever thing the had, and also my hearings pretty bad, so when I had to answer the phone, I learned pretty quick to give someone else's name. And believe me, there were those there who deserved it.

**hard_r** · 08-02-2012, 02:21 AM

When my wife, who was not yet my wife at the time, and I decided to buy our first pistol for our shared home, we were going to use her credit card to pay. We asked who should do the paperwork, they said whoever was going to be the owner. Since it was to be a bedside gun for us to share, we just decided to have her fill out the forms, since she was paying with her card. When the manager came to approve he said it was a straw purchase and he couldn't sell her the gun because he "knew" she was just buying for me. I offered to submit to a background check as well to prove it was not a straw purchase. He said no. I called it bullsh$t. He told me it was "Federal Law". I made the mistake of saying to my wife, "Come on, let's go to Bass Pro." My friend, who was still filling out paperwork for a pistol he was buying, heard the manager call Bass Pro and warn them of a straw purchase and give my name and my wife's name.

When we got to Bass Pro, the guy saw my name, asked about what happened at Academy. I explained the situation. He submitted my background check and sold me the gun, no problem. We laughed about it while I checked out. I will never attempt to buy a gun at Academy again.

**p238shooter** · 08-02-2012, 02:55 AM

If you stand back and look at the situation. Too many regulations to be sure everyone follows. Too many legalities that could get your business shut down. Too much BS with no common sense attached. Too many "legal eagles" ready to pounce with too many judges to go along with them. Warning, this coffee could be hot, do not pour on your legs.

**pinkhamr** · 08-02-2012, 03:02 AM

Nope, they are just ignorant ...... JMO

**bettingpython** · 08-02-2012, 07:25 PM

Another awesome thread highlighting the virtues of the big box mega mart shopping experience.

Cheaper is not always better.

**dustingaunder** · 08-02-2012, 07:28 PM

They had a rifle that is below my dealer pricing. they wouldn't transfer it to my FFL. Academy's gun counter is a joke.

**KOPBET** · 08-02-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by hard_r

When the manager came to approve he said it was a straw purchase and he couldn't sell her the gun because he "knew" she was just buying for me. I offered to submit to a background check as well to prove it was not a straw purchase. .

I wish people would learn the definiton of a straw purchase. Managers should know better.

**AKguy1985** · 08-03-2012, 05:22 AM

Academy's gun counter help is worse than walmarts. I've told my ordeal with academys help in the past. Had somebody get butthurt over it too. Ahwell i know where they rank in my book.

Edit: this wasnt the academy on 41st was it????

**dubs chops** · 08-03-2012, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by bettingpython

Another awesome thread highlighting the virtues of the big box mega mart shopping experience.

Cheaper is not always better.

It wasn't even cheaper!!! I was jsut trying to find one in stock in town. Ended up having sports world order it for me even though I am not too fond of them either.

**hanson405** · 08-03-2012, 09:26 AM

I've never had any issues at Academy, but there are some good, older guys working the counter at my local Academy. Other than talking everyone they can into a Bersa (not that bersa's are bad, but on three different occasions I've heard someone ask for an LCP and all three times the guy said, oh those stink, heres a Bersa)

**UnSafe** · 08-03-2012, 11:11 AM

I think the distinction here is people going in to just buy an item in stock vs. wanting to discuss/ seek advice or service about an item with multiple legal rules about the purchase. If they have a competitive price and it's in stock, Academy is a pretty simple place to buy. If it's advertised but not in stock and the clerks are clueless about how to find/ order it, call the manager. If he/ she can't figure it out, move on or call other stores in your area to check availability.

I wouldn't expect a general sporting goods store clerk to have insight about technical data or how to order a specific item, but I would expect the CSR to call around to other stores in the chain and possibly find one or take my number and call when and expected shipment of rifles arrives.

I'm getting to the point where I only buy guns FTF or online and transfer via my FFL guy, unless there's a very, very good deal at a retail shop.

Just getting too cranky and old to pay the retail markup and wait behind some guy debating the merits of the latest gunwidget, shooting 5.56 in a .223 chamber or whatever with the salesman....