Should I or Shouln't I?

[tmark]

I DO know more than nothing but am a far cry from knowing everything about firearms. What I do know is from reading the myriad of credible books on U.S. military firearms as well as from all you reputable contributors to this forum, even from chuckindenver (just kidding, Chuck!).

I usually keep my mouth shut when I see and hear vendors (and customers, as well) say and tell things about a rifle that I know FOR A FACT that isn't true.

I am tempted to "correct" misinformation from vendors (and fellow customers) in an attempt to get a lower price but am reluctant to do so for whatever reason (insulting them, challenging them, threatening their integrity, dare to question them, angering them, etc).

Should one pretend one is unknowledgeable as a potential buyer and just walk away if the price is not right or should one TACTFULLY challenge a vendor? After all, many vendors just don't know, legitimately, everything they need to know about firearms!

Usually, I see a firearm I like, pick it up with permission. When I notice things about the rifle that just aren't so, I just say "thank you" to the vendor, I walk away.

Should not vendors be made to know that some of us are EDGE-A-KATED enough to take issues with misinformation they may knowingly or unknowingly present to the public?

I AM entertained listening to conversations between customers and vendors as well as between customers and customers in their respective competitive dialogue as to who knows the most information (or misinformation), trying to become the one who "knows the most!"

Do not vendors and/or people, in general, want to be open to constructive criticism for gain of knowledge? Or are we too egotistical to find out we don't know as much as we should or that we present data that is inaccurate?

I am the quiet and shy type but have interacted with many who are the assertive/aggressive type. I have learned that one can speak LOUDLY by saying NOTHING!

I reluctantly appreciate your feedback! GULP!

[Dan Wilson]

Dont bother trying to correct the vendors.
For the most part they are invested in the lies they spew and don't want to know the truth.
Maybe once in a long while you may find a vendor that really does want to know if they are wrong but I suspect they are very few and far in between.

If they sucker someone in, well if your buying, you should know something about what your buying or pay the price as a learning lesson.

Dan

[chuckindenver]

what iv learned over the years of dealing at shows, pawn shops, gunshops, and even so called gunsmiths.
if im looking at buying something..i ask to handle, check it out stem to stern, and if the price is fair, i buy it, or make a good offer.
i dont ask the history, or opnions of the gun, i dont really care what the salesman thinks anyway.
if the gun is waaaay over priced, i just hand it back and walk away...
its that simple.
see.
people dont like to be told they are wrong, even if the know they are wrong, or just guessing.
chances are they got the info from a buddy, the guy that sold it, the net, or some book, or they just flat made it up, to BS you into buying a gun.
some exeptions, guys i know, people i deal with regularly that know me, and what i work on and collect,
and a guy thats owned the rifle for 40 years, i want to know THAT guns history, and i like old guys, and the storys they have.
now.
if someone brings me a gun and asks me to look it over, and give them a run down on a one they are looking at or whant to sell, then ill be happy to do so.

we arent the keeper of the gunshows guys....let em do, and sell what ever they want, sometimes lack of knowing, is the best deal you can get..

[dave]

I sometimes tell sellers they are wrong, but not in a challageing manner. Krags are a good example, so many cut down rifles out there with cards that say Krag carbine. Well it really is a carbine NOW, so I may say "you know this is a cut-down rfle, right?". They will answer yes or may ask for info, which I provide. When looking at a gun seller may start with his line of obvious BS then I may say "no that is not correct". If he asks why, I will tell him. If he gets huffy I just walk. I believe in letting them konw I can't be BS'ed.