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Took my little girl for a visit back to my home town, Newcastle, last week. Left her with Gran whilst I had a bit of a “pilgrimage” to Bagnall & Kirkwood on Grey Street. Not in the same store it originally was when I was introduced to it as an eight year old, 42 years ago...

Well that was a memory smashed by a rude and unwelcoming establishment!

I hope you told them so as you were leaving.

Sounds like the staff may have belonged to the group known as "millennials". They have a genetic fault which renders them almost unable to detect, let alone communicate with, anyone over the age of 45, (often referred to as an "old person").

Pete

I've not been in for a year or so but until then i was pretty regular and was normally warmly received. Even if they weren't that way they've always been efficient at sourcing guns and parts for me, which is the most important thing for me. But its a shame they gave you a bad experience Maybe they were upset that Ed Sherin was coming to town, and who can blame them!

Pete - Most of the staff are 'of a certain age' and actually the youngest lad they have in there (with the tattoos all over and ear tunnels, <shudder>), is actually the best one in there!

“Officer and a Gentleman” was on at the Theatre Royal when I walked past...

I remember buying full bore semi rifles and handguns from there. Given the business was established in 1935 you’d have thought there would be an ingrained “customer service” doctrine.

Shame as there’s not many “high street” guns shops left and I suppose I didn’t want the illusion shattered!

Looked well stocked though like a Gunshop should be. I bet there’s some treasures hiding in the back...

Sim G wrote: I bet there’s some treasures hiding in the back...

Hiden in the back applies to far too many gun shops, and what is worst is that a lot of gun shop staff can't be bothered to even search them out when you ask for such things.

One particular gun shop that I used quite regularly (one of the biggest in the country) was very hit or miss. It all depended on which member of staff you spoke to. I remember asking one day for something quite run of the mill that you would expect to find in just about every gun shop in the country only to be told by an older member of staff that they didn't have any. As I was leaving one of the younger staff members who I had always found extremely helpful was entering the shop and we exchanged greetings. He asked what I was after and I told him adding I'm surprised that you didn't have it in stock to which he replied "of course we've got them, we've always got them/it in stock". He went straight to the counter under the till and brought out what I wanted which was one of a large number that they had.

So I think its wrong to generalise, it's not just the millenials who can't be bothered to serve you, the same applies to older lazy beggars too.

Not in gunshops but in other shops I've had the pleasure of being served by a couple of young persons and come away saying just how good that member of staff was. What you would describe as a positive shopping experience. Those members of staff were an asset to those businesses, just a pity that many shooting shops often employ the wrong sort.

I did say "may" have been................the guy who operated on my hand back in Feb. looked like a sixth former.

Can't fault his knife skills, though............

Pete

I live in Newcastle and have visited Bagnalls a number of times in the last 18 months for consumables and once you start talking to them they have been helpful.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression...

Alan

20series wrote:You never get a second chance to make a first impression...

Alan

With dementia becoming ever more common that old standard may not be true any more.