Author Topic: Boycott Dick's sporting goods.... (Read 2610 times)

Dave2of5 · « **on:** July 16, 2003, 08:49:23 AM »

Has anyone else come across this attitude? I was in Dick's sporting goods the other night killin' time and just looking around at the hunting counter. I noticed that they did not carry handguns at all. When I inquired about why, the clerk told me handguns had absolutely no hunting value at all. When I explained to him that handgun hunting was one of the fastest growing sports in this country he laughed and told me that it was just a 'novelty' and wasn't worth seriuos consideration. I told him I have been handgun hunting for many years and for me it was absolutely the best way to hunt deer. All he could do is preach bowhunting. I also told him that I would not patronize their stores again and that I would also be starting this boycott.

The guy was a real jerk. Places that really cater to the hunting population don't hire guys like this.

Dave

Cabin4 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2003, 09:02:41 AM »

I can't believe the timing of your post. I just came back from Dicks and purchased 10 box's of 12ga traps loads, a box of Federal 30-06 Game Kings, a brick of 22lr, 12ga slugs and a pair of rubber hunting boots totaling around $100.

Thay have a store a few miles from work and I often run over there at lunch time to browse or buy. So I am not happy with what you encountered.

What's the location of this Dicks Sporting Goods ?

Dave2of5 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2003, 09:46:01 AM »

It was the store in Wichita, Ks. at the location around 21st and Rock Rd.

I used to go there alot myself, not anymore.

Dave

Graycg · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2003, 10:14:58 AM »

Probably not a company policy or outlook, likely just the loser working the counter. Or at least let's hope so. Not everyone who works in such a store is a fan...some just there to collect a paycheck.

regards,
Graycg

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2003, 12:47:22 PM »

Sounds like the guy you talked to is a jerk. I had a similar experience in another gun shop: I was shopping for a 22 rifle and I asked the owner and proprietor of the gun shop what he had, then he made a wisecrack about how I should get a "real gun". I never went back there.

TopGun · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2003, 06:39:53 PM »

Why are you driving all the way to Dicks when you can go to Seneca Arms in Green Lane? :shock: Obviously, You are very close if you are a member of Moorwood and Branch Valley? :eek: Seneca will also provide you with the best deals around!!

AND, he'll talk either hunting or Hi-power competition! :grin: Give up on Dicks---their name is their attitude!!!

teeball · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2003, 09:19:32 PM »

A couple of years ago I was in Dick's and asked why they did not carry handguns, and was given a corporate explanation as to why they did not sell handguns. The salesperson did not agree with the policy, but told me that it was nothing against handgun hunters, it was just a chainwide policy.
My guess is that your guy never tried hunting with a handgun or was just no good shooting a handgun and figured nobody could be good enough with one either.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2003, 04:30:44 AM »

Quote from: TopGun

Why are you driving all the way to Dicks when you can go to Seneca Arms in Green Lane? :shock: Obviously, You are very close if you are a member of Moorwood and Branch Valley? :eek: Seneca will also provide you with the best deals around!! AND, he'll talk either hunting or Hi-power competition! :grin: Give up on Dicks---their name is their attitude!!!

Believe it or not, I did go to John S's place(Seneca Arms) and he did not have the ammo or the hunting boots I need. I live in Harleysville and am very familiar with Seneca Arms. John is a good guy and knows his stuff very well. A place like Dicks is the last place I go, not the first. I work very close to the Dicks in Plymouth Meeting. But I will say this, the guys that work in the Field & Stream dept ay Dicks in Plymouth Meeting seem to be a good bunch.

Dave2of5 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2003, 08:22:57 AM »

Topgun,

The Dick's sporting goods chain that I am talking about is in Wichita, Ks. Believe me, I was only in there because I was killin' time and happened to be in that part of town. I never really had a problem with them before now.

When the employee's of a company start talkin' like they have some agreement with Sara Brady and her agenda, I take notice, especially when the business is for hunting and firearms.

Can I boycott a company because of one of their employee's? You bet I can. His attitude was so strong because it was reinforced by the people around him and was reflecting their beliefs as well. Ultimately the company is responsible for the actions of their employee's while those employee's are on the job. In the position that these people have they are speaking for the company they work for. They are supposed to be catering the GENERAL HUNTING PUBLIC. When he was speaking to me, was he reflecting the company policy? That responsibility lies between the company and the employee - NOT the CUSTOMER!!

Dave

TopGun · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2003, 03:06:19 PM »

Dave2of5--I agree whole-heartedly! :shock: Sports Authority, Kmart, and now even some WalMarts' It's bigger than all of us. The Dem's are now preaching that they support the 2nd amendment so hunters will be able to maintain their hunting privelidge.. ..What? :oops: The Dems don't even know what the 2nd is even about, and it sure aint hunting :-D ? They're hoping then can cloud the issue to likes who have no care whether we lose an AR-15, Beretta 9mm or anything. They're scared, and rightfully so. After Sarah gets them, she's coming for the 760's 11-87's, and your scoped deer rifle because you are now a sniper in her back yard. :shock: Forget your handguns--they'll be long-gone. :eek: When the likes of Dicks, Marts et al, have warmly embraced their agenda, they're on the way. Personally, I don't really care what a yahoo salesperson says--I let them rant as I walk out. We gotta boycott them! That's how I really feel. We have to stick together and not give up any ground. We'll never get it back. Thanks for your thoughts.

Stoots · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2003, 06:04:48 AM »

I did the same thing to WalMart. When i go into a store to spend my money, I expect a certain level of service. I'm not talking about kissing my butt, but I want a sale person who has a ballpark idea. Sounds like you encountered one of the 'lowrider generation' kids who didn't want to be there in the first place. Generally, Dick's is pretty good where I live (NC) so is certain Sports Authority stores. Mostly, I drive the extra distance and spend a little more to help my local gun store. Just my $0.02.

Will · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2003, 10:53:08 AM »

Well boss, exactly what is a "lowrider generation" kid? Are they the teenagers that some of the older members of the hunting fraternity seem to look down upon? Maybe I'm a member of the lowrider generation myself. But I've hunted and fished since I could walk, and I'm a very avid handgun shooter. I try my best to introduce "lowrider generation" kids to hunting and shooting every chance I get. I understand the upset, it irritates me too. But it also irritates me when older hunters and shooters classify me as the lazy punk kid who can do nothing to defend our sport and cause. Look at it this way. I just turned 20 and I have two handgun hunting articles coming out in a national hunting magazine. I'm sure you've probably read the magazine, but I'll keep the name of it to myself for now. I'm also under the belief that our sport has no future unless there is some young blood to take the reins. I'm not trying to be down on you here bud, not at all. I appreciate your anger, and I know there are alot of punk 20-year olds who wouldn't know their ass from a hole in the ground, but you can't stereotype us all. You're shooting yourself in the foot when you do that.

Dave2of5 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2003, 02:35:54 AM »

Will;

Your are absolutely correct. Just for a little addition information - the guy that was working the counter that night wasn't a punk kid. He was much closer to my age and really should have known better than to shoot his mouth off the way he did. Walmart, as was correctly stated in this thread is in the same boat. But then again I've not spent money at Walmart in a long long time. There are many reason anymore for me not to walk into a Walmart - but Walmart wasn't the issue here. This guy at Dick's flat out was anti hundgun!!!!

Good hunting to you all.

Dave

Cabin4 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2003, 03:54:53 AM »

IMHO

Boycotting is a good thing to do when the company or corporation, like a Wal-mart, Kmart, Dicks, ect, openly embraces and supports the anti movement.

Many boycott these stores because they don't sell handguns. Well guess what, if you can't afford to pay someone who knows enough about a product, you should not sell it. Handguns are a more technical sale in my opinion. And asking some 16-year-old kid who works their part time to sell handguns is simply not a good plan. Its bad enough how little they know about the long guns. Not to mention the fear of litigation that these stores have form idiots who buy handguns and don't know how to use them and shoot themselves or someone else by accident. Lawyers just love litigating against big companies. This is our fault for allowing laws that allow lawyers to litigate this junk. We should have laws that protect stores & manufactures that hold people accountable for their own stupidity, not the store or manufacture!

If we just boycott them, because we don't like the fact that they won't sell handguns, as an example that would be to our own demise. Keeping those in business that support us, like a Dicks or Wal-mart in the long run helps our cause. I would not boycott Dicks as an example just because of some idiot working in the gun dept shot off his mouth. I would however, make sure that the store Manager knows how I feel.

K-mart is a good example of a corporation that openly embraces the anti movement. Rosy O'Donnell (poster pig for the radical left wing ant 2nd amendment movement & a former K-Mart spokesperson) convinced them to stop selling handgun ammo. We should boycott Kmart.

Nuff said.

Stoots · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2003, 11:32:38 AM »

Quote from: Will

Well boss, exactly what is a "lowrider generation" kid?

Obviously you are not one. You know the type: Pants wore down to their asscrack, little import car with the loud muffler and 5000 watt stereo. Wondering which nipple to pierce this week... Rude, obnoxious. I'm only 32, by the way. I also do all I can to introduce this lifestyle of the outdoors to teens, but unfortunately, retail box stores don't really hire those they need for various reasons. Until they hear the customer's concerns through boycotts, letters, etc., there is really nothing we can do except take our business elsewhere. Sorry if I sounded like I was grouping all young people in that statement!
Jason Stoots

Will · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2003, 02:40:36 PM »

I'm a good ole' southern boy who's spent a summer here in New York City on an internship. Believe me, I've seen the type, and no, I sure as hell ain't one of them. You didn't offend me bud, and I wasn't trying to hassle you. Hunting and shooting folks are the ones I like to talk to the most, and it takes alot for me to get mad at one of 'em. But if I see something that needs pointing out, I'm the type of fellar who'll point it out. But no hard feelings on this end.

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2003, 03:54:59 AM »

Fellas: we were talking about boycotting Dick's Sporting Goods, not each other.

The truth is that if a business won't entice the sportsman with products and customer satisfaction then we simply should not do business with them. Period! K-Marts got the word, not it is time for Dick's to get the word in the same manner.

Having been through both stores I can agree that a 16 year old with little or no hunting/shooting experience should not be behind the gun counter of a major enterprise. I can also agree that the same hold true for even your favorite gunshop. I really don't know which is worse - the buttsniff kid at a Dicks or a K-Marts, or a recalcitrant know-it-all at the Guns R Us store.

It is easy to make fun of people, especiallythose who try their best to be different. This country is all about people who try to be different, who try to make a difference, who try to be individuals. Our written rights support that concept. Unfortunately many of them follow the wrong lead and subject themselves to a lot of ridicule in the process. Hopefully they will grow out of it and find their way. A lot of the 60's Hippie generation is now (finally) seeing that for themselves. When a former flower child covers her tattoos and reverts to using her given name, not her 'cult' name, the picture has become clear to her that things have changed and she probably needs to do the same. It's the same with the long-haired guy who flaunted his pony-tail at corporate meetings until it became clear to him that financing his children's college education was more important that a questionable social statement. When the belt-line slips below the butt you have to ask whether you should just laugh and go on your way or wonder if the guy will fall flat on his face.

Let's stick to the topic folk, there is far too much talent here to waste our efforts on issues that detract from each other of from the necessities at hand.

And Will - sorry to hear that a southern boy had to wind up in Neu Yawk Sity for that internship, but you're welcomed upstate any time, as are the rest of ya. Mikey.

1911crazy · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2003, 03:40:15 PM »

I shop my local Dick's for fishing stuff only there is one butt head there too who knows crap about sporting goods maybe he just needed a job looks like an ex dairy mart guy but also another younger guy who knows fishing and is great to help out and talk fishing with too. I do most of my shopping off the internet now anyway since Walmart hasn't any fishing stuff I don't already have which they don't have much anyway here. Heck I'm still boycotting Kfart and we got them on the run for sure. I can't say much about sports authority either their fishing department sucks too plus their owned by Kfart anyway so boycott them too!!! I only buy at Walmart when markdown season comes spring for hunting stuff. Actually I found a little cute blonde gal at Walmart in maine while on vacation that knew more about guns than any person i ever met in any place that sells guns, and she knew about military guns too besides modern stuff. It felt great to talk guns with someone who knew something about them and hunting too(she hunts) thats what we need experience sportsman type people to wait on us? We don't have too many choices left do we?? BigBill

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2003, 03:41:13 AM »

Hey, guys, talk to ma about this Wal-Mart thing...I've just recently switched my prescription to the Wal-Mart Pharmacy for two reasons: 1) The prices are roughly 50% of Walgreens', and I take some expensive drugs and have no insurance, and 2)when I changed banks this last Feb., they wouldn't accept the "beginner" check that the bank gives out until the new checks are printed. "Store policy" the young, wet-behind-the-ears girl manager told me. This from a store where I had been getting prescriptions filled for 25 years! I started looking around and found Wal-Mart to be MUCH cheaper.
PLUS, and I can't say what this means, but this Wal-Mart, inside the city limits (Milwaukee), sells guns & ammo...mostly .22s and a few shotguns, but guns nonetheless. That doesn't sound too anti to me.
Could it be that this is not a corporate policy, but instead is more local in origin? If so, you guys are attacking the wrong level...

Mikey · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2003, 03:56:18 AM »

Charlie: This might be a wake up call for all of us to make certain we are focusing our efforts in the right direction.

I know the Wal-Marts store locally continues to sell hunting licenses, rifles, shotguns and ammunition for many different calibers but I haven't yet pursued the issue of whether the refusal to sell guns in certain locations is an individual store policy, a regional store policy, a statewide store policy or a ntional store policy. It is also conceivable that this firm may continue to sell out its current inventory of firearms and just not order any more.

You are correct, and thank you for this insight. It behooves all of us to make certain that what we are saying, and advocating, is both accurate and correct. Thanks Charlie. Mikey.

TravisM. · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2003, 03:18:06 PM »

I don't think walmarts and dicks are to blame. Someone else stated it, and I agree. The problem is with the people they have working there. As it stands at this time, I have to leave the county I live in to work or buy almost anything, because there is nothing here. We have a few sporting goods stores and gun stores, but most of them are off of everyones list, because the guys that run them act like you cant go anywhere else to buy anything shooting related. Wal mart has clothes, ammo, groceries, the whole 9 yards. Also, the sporting goods associates at the local WM are older knowledgable guys. I have no qualms buying from them, asides from the no handgun issue. But, someone also stated that handgun shopping is more technical than rifle buying, and it should be trusted to only the most knowledgable shooters.
It does suck, either you go to a chain or deal with the "Im better than you" attitudes of gun store employees.

jhalcott · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2003, 03:50:39 PM »

here in Maryland the Wal marts sell rifles shot guns and muzzle loaders,BUT , they carry your firearm to the door for you ,and you can NOT buy ammo for any firearm at time of purchase.
The people working the counters are not hired for their gun savvy.They do have a good collection to buy from,just not the latest ,greatest gun on the market.Although one guy ,a little smarter than the normal clerk told me he could special order ANY legal long gun I wanted.And for less$$ than the gun shop I often deal with.Local laws make hand gun sales too expensive for many companies to deal with,and the legal issues of a minor selling a hand gun are beyond comprehension in this state.
jh :roll:

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2003, 03:40:24 AM »

What it's beginning to look like is that the policy is decided on the local level, which, if true, seems OK to me...after all, it would hardly be thought that a manager of a Wal-Mart located in a crime-ridden ghetto-type area had a responsible attitude if he sold arms to the local gangs. To say nothing of the reliability of the people working for him.
It looks kinda like the way it used to be in hardware stores: in small towns you could buy guns and ammunition, albeit with a small selection, and in the middle of Manhattan, it would be surprising if arms were for sale, at least openly.

El Hombre · « **Reply #23 on:** August 27, 2003, 10:05:14 AM »

I think all of us agree, for the most part, that the quality of knowledge from the sales clerks at Walmart is not what most of us prefer. The problem is that we are willing to overlook that because of cheaper prices. In the long run we are destroying our sport. We all know what the Walmarts & other chain stores have done to the independent shops. In most cases they run them out of business. Yes, we do get cheaper prices because of it. But I feel we loose alot more. Walmart is not going to bore sight your rifle. They won't tune your extractor on your 1911. Walmart won't take your old gun in on trade for your new one. Heven forbid that your new semi-auto jams every round, Walmart can't help. So, you found that vintage Winchester or Colt on an internet gun auction, Walmart won't do the interstate transfer for you. The clerk behind the counter at Walmart probably isn't the same one that was there when you bought your rifle, so they won't know any better when you send your wife in to buy shells for your 300 magnum. Will you get Winchester Mag., Weatherby Mag, 300 Utra Mag, 300 Win Short Mag, 300 Savage.....(No, I don't normally send my wife in for shells, but you get my point.. It may not be shells, it could be anything.)
It's not just in the gun business, Try asking an Orange Coat "expert" at one of the big chain hardware stores a question & see how far you get.
The problem as I see it is, once all the Mom & Pop Shops are gone, not only have we lost alot of service that we now have to pay for elsewhere, (if we can find individuals to provide what we need), but now we are TOTALLY at the mercy of some corporate giant who may, with a simple company directive, end our sport. (If Walmart becomes the only place that sells guns because they have run everyone out of business, what happens when they decide they don't sell guns anymore?)
This is why, in my opinion, we should boycott the Walmarts, Kmarts, Lowes & other big chains. The big mail order places aren't much better, (Bass Pro, Cabelas) How many independent fishing tackle shops do you have in your town? Places where you can get your Ambassadeur reel repaired...... Oh, that's right, we don't repair things anymore, we just throw them away and buy a cheap Zebco replacement at Walmart.
Yes, your independent shops are a little higher, but how much really? And at what cost?

Rant mode off, let the rock throwing begin!

Dave2of5 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 28, 2003, 03:14:54 AM »

You guys can do what you want. I look at it this way and is one of the reasons why I started this thread. I for one do not agree that you should be letting these stores off so easily. There is such a thing as accountability for actions and beliefs. It is far too easy to say that the corporation doesn't have those attitudes, and then put that thought on the back shelf to hire somone that does not have the proper outlook(it's part of qualifications). Same for individuals, they also have to answer accountably for their beliefs and actions during thier employ. To simply say that it is one or the other trivializes the whole problem and it continues to grow. You don't hire a Sara Brady type to run you gun counter at your store - there should be a direct accountable reaction from the purchasing public on that issue, and YES - the company does has that responsibility.

Say what you want and do what you want. Money talks and BS walks, If you can overlook these actions and justify them - then don't complain when the corporate view starts to narrow. Corporations are very sensative to perceptions. If their is even the slightest thought that this situation could lead to unrecoverable revenue - that activity will cease. HOWEVER; if you sheepishly tolerate these situations, you now become part of the problem because of apathy. Apathy is one of the biggest problems in defending our gun rights.

Tolerate it if you wish. My business and my gun rights are 2 things that I no longer compromise on - even in the smallest of points.

I started this thread, I will continue to boycott Dick's and I will continue to 'spread the word' about Dick's little problems. Their hiring pratices are thier responsibility - if they are going to hire these people to interface with the public I think it would do them wise to screen their employees more and make sure that their employees are indeed pulling thier line.

It's called accountability.

Dave

Questor · « **Reply #25 on:** August 28, 2003, 03:57:41 AM »

I don't think that boycotting WalMart is the answer, I think that the gun shops need to get smarter about what they're doing or go out of business. We have some failing and some succeeding gun shops in my area. I may give some business to WalMart when I'm buying bulk plinking 22s and el-cheapo shotgun shells, but the succeeding gun shops get my business for everything else. They've got the selection and the expertise that I want. In fact they are so good that I'd rather go to them that to a mailorder outfit in most cases. These smart businesses are thriving about as well as a gun shop can thrive.

As far as guns are concerned, if you need a discount gun, then go to WalMart. If you can afford something better, go someplace else.

The non-succeeding gun shops in my area are just fading away. They haven't adjusted to competition. The new ones that are opening up are adjusted to the competition.