Jackson Jambalaya

'Excluding firearms'. How stupid is that?

I bought a gun from Wes' Dad when they were on Shady Lane and some over there on Lakeland as well. Good folks, I'm sorry they are closing.

Hard as Hell for the locals to compete with big boxes like Academy, Dicks, and WalMart in addition to the Internet. Enjoyed doing business with them and wish them all well.

Never bought but one thing there. Horrible customer service. They are legendary for being jerkwads. Not sorry to see them go, and completely amazed anyone would purchase something from them unless the buyer was either a total jerkwad himself or submissive. I've always tried to support local gunsmiths, local sellers, but the staff there were rude, lacking knowledge beyond (often incorrect) opinion, and the prices and selection were terrible. Countless bad reviews on them. But, at long last, there is actually a Discount there. I'm shocked they've stayed open this long. No, i disagree on the big stores. "Big box" didn't do them in. Their attitude did them in. Wouldn't you go to Van's or to your local shop or somewhere else? I've had friends come in from out of state and go to Van's. Always staffed. Always friendly. Always well stocked. Always knowledgeable to a high degree, or at least they can turn to another staffer and would admit their area of expertise or experience. I read that they were a good shop years ago on Shady Lane. But things must have slipped. Attitude. Cops and shooters are not going to pay extra to get snotty attitude and average work. Honestly shocked they are still in business.

Good riddance. I used to like it when Wes's parents ran it, but since he took over, I tried a few times and he was the rudest person I've ever dealt with. He was a know it all that didn't mind letting you know. I'm not the only person that will tell you that either.

I went to the store once, my visit lasted for about five minutes before I realized this was not for me. I agree, good riddance.

A wave of sock puppets.

Sounds like another scam to empty his inventory that he owes creditors on. I'll believe the closing when I see it.
If he really was honest, he would discount his guns and scopes. By him not discounting the guns proves he cared less for the
many many people, law inforcement, and repeat shooters that sustained his deceptive and shady business since his dad's death.
Goodbye you prick!! You learned nothing from your father. You were only a gun retail whore the same as a used car dealer.

Ouch!

Reading your own obituary written by others in a public forum is hell. (pun)

Used to shop there a lot YEARS ago on Shady Lane. To tell you how long it's been, I didn't realize they were still around and had moved. Sorry to hear of the demise of the store in general, but if customer service has gotten as bad as people say, it sounds like it was only a matter of time big box stores or not. There is always a niche spot for the local guy who runs a good business.

If he is going out of business and needs to liquidate his inventory, why not mark down his firearms? Is he REALLY going out of business?

So, to recap: The only thing all you Van's Sporting Goods employees left out is the coordinates to the business.

You don't mark down high demand inventory. Get a clue people.

That can't be true 9:26! Jewwy Lake marks EVERYthing down 120% off cost.

I went there to purchase a particular rifle cleaning kit.

The man behind the counter told me I did not need to clean the rifle, that he owned the same rifle and that he just wiped his down and put it in the corner of his closet after firing it.

I thanked him for his input, went home and ordered the cleaning kit I wanted from an Internet retailer.

@8:25am While I know nothing about this store or its customer service, I find it laughable that you bring Van's up as the shining example of what good customer service should be like. I've literally stood there at the counter with cash in hand waiting for someone to acknowledge me and allow me to purchase a pistol. It appears that if you aren't a "regular", or at least fit the average customer "look", you will be spinning your wheels for a while.

When I FINALLY got someone to converse with me... by politely interrupting the two employees having a dick measuring contest (or more likely arguing about who loves Donald Trump the most), I inquired about the Glock blue label program... and was immediately told "we don't do that here". This was news to me as the Glock corporation was under the assumption that they did. I gladly took my business elsewhere and won't be stepping foot in that building again.

Sincerely,

NotEveryConservativeCaucasianCustomerDressesInCamo

9:35

Your response reveals a peculiar quirk. Indicates how you might be viewed 'differently' in public.

@12:42pm @9:35am here... do tell! *smirk* The only thing "different" about my appearance that day is that I was in khakis and a polo... and had all of my teeth. ;)

I'm sure your mileage may vary with Van's, and more power to you. I simply found it amusing that Van's was mentioned as the example of how it should be done, when the one encounter I had was abysmal. *shrug* C'est la vie.

@9:35 I am not a Van's employee but do know I commented earlier about Wes's bad/know it all attitude and prowess for telling people what they needed versus what they were asking about. While Van's may not have perfect customer service, they do have 2 separate locations and are packed wall to wall with merchandise and customers. That in and of itself is telling. Van's being right beside MELOTA and employing several past and present LEO's they do know about the Blue Label program. They probably assume what most commenters on here are assuming. 1) You are just as big of a whiner in person as on here or 2) your name is Wes.

@2:22pm Please don't misunderstand, I absolutely agree that they know about the Blue Label program. My point was that they were too busy dicking around with their buddy to assist a would-be paying customer. You may not be a Van's employee, but damn if you wouldn't shine in that environment. Consider a career change.

Packed wall to wall with customers? Right....

9:35 Apparently when you enter a "room", it's not what you're wearing, but your personality, that defines yourself to others. You must get that sort of response an awful lot.

9:35 may not always attend a dick measuring contest, but when he does, he's the biggest dick we've ever seen. AMF.

@5:16 Actually that was a first... but I don't spend too much time in Hillbilly Heaven, so there is that.

I have bought guns and hunting clothes from Wes for years. He isn't a customer is always right kind of business man which I appreciate. I have always gotten a better deal with him that Van's or any of the big box stores. I am sad to see his business shut down but with Dick's and Walmart flanking him it was inevitable. Thank you Wes and Shirley for taking care of me for the past 15 years. You will be missed.